The Red Wolf's Predicament

When Enanon had been summoned to fulfill his task to guard the carrier of the boon and ensuring the soon to be born hero saves the world, he had thought, "Finally". This task was the final requirement for him to be granted the ascension to godhood.

Enanon had expected the carrier of the boon to be a human of faith, prepared and educated adequately by the devotees of the church. Like all the carriers the other gods have guarded as they fulfill their duty and received ascension.

A thief was the last thing on his mind.

When he had learnt of this fact, Enanon was absolutely appalled and he had voiced this out without hesitation. His outburst had clearly expressed his disdain over the matter.

When he had laid his sight for the first time on the human however, he was rather surprised that the human lacked the rough and malicious features he had expected of a thief. Instead, he was greeted by gentle albeit slightly panicked blue eyes and a face with features he dared say was rather... pleasing to the eyes.

Despite that, Enanon did not let his surprise show as he maintains his glare on the human. Observing him. Fear and confusion marred the human's face as he listens to the gods explain his role in the prophecy. He was obviously unaware of the consequences of touching the boon at the start of all of this. He had come to steal the boon and had gotten himself into this situation. A thief and also a fool. He had sealed his own fate to this, all by accident.

The fool couldn't have made a worse impression than this.

Except, he could.

Upon the sight of money, elation overtook the human. Worldly desires taking over, he lunged for the money with the face of someone that was about to indulge in worldly tomfoolery. Enanon could only frown in disgust. If Enanon could, he would ask for a different task to fulfill his final requirement to ascension but alas, this was a path all gods must tread before they receive that status.

And thus, Enanon and Maria were sent on their way by the gods. Enanon had shrunk himself to the size of a typical wolf familiar, blending seamlessly into this world's reality. They began their journey through the dimly lit, narrow hallways, their footsteps echoing faintly against the cold stone as they moved toward the exit.

As they near the next turning point, the air became colder, and the faint sound of dripping water punctuated the silence. Just before they reached the junction, Maria stopped abruptly. He peered down one of the side corridors, a subtle tension in his gaze.

"I'd choose a different way if I were you. There are gang members outside, they're there to keep an eye on me" he warned, his voice low but firm.

_________

Weaving through the maze-like hallways, Maria's steps were swift and calculated. From the moment he set foot in the church, already knowing his purpose, he had begun mapping his escape, assessing every exit and carefully steering clear of the busiest areas. His experience as a thief had taught him to plan ahead, and it showed in the fluidity of his movements. This routine was familiar-one he had perfected over countless heists. The predictability of it all brought a strange sense of calm, untangling his frayed nerves from earlier. Each corner was turned with purpose, each step executed with quiet precision. His focus sharpened, his mind clear.

Yet in the back of his mind, he knows that beneath this current calm, the churning thoughts were just waiting to resurface. The relic-now a part of him-wasn't just a stolen artifact anymore; it was something far more significant, far more permanent. The full gravity of his situation hadn't sunk in, not yet. He knew that. Fear was there, simmering beneath the surface, but it felt distant, strangely muted. His emotions seemed frozen, suspended in a haze of shock, keeping him composed, stalling the panic that should have been overwhelming him. For now, it was helping him stay sharp, to move with clarity.

Avoiding the areas where the church's guards patrolled, he makes his way back to the upper floor of the church. It was going to be more challenging now with few places with shadows to conceal his presence. His breathing stayed controlled, his eyes sharp as he dodged the busy servants and priests, slipping between shadows like it was second nature.

Maria had scouted the church during the brief moments he had before the heist, learning the layout with the keen eye of someone who had done this countless times before. The intricate carvings in the walls weren't just religious symbols to him-they were markers, silent guides leading him toward a secluded exit few knew existed. It was a hidden window in the east wing, partially concealed by an old tapestry, leading to a narrow alley at the back of the grand building.

And the whole time, he was certain Enanon would follow. After all, the wolf was his guard. And if the jerk has eyes that can see, he'll be impressed. Maria thought smugly. Perhaps drop that horrible arrogant demanor of his. He made sure to show off as much as he could as he scales the wall up to the window.

When Maria finally made it to the alley outside the church, he glanced back over his shoulder, expecting to see Enanon's familiar form trailing after him. The alley stretched behind him, empty. The sound of the crowd in the background slows as a feeling that he had made a big mistake dawns over him.

"Uh... what?"

Enanon was nowhere in sight.

But why did Enanon not follow? Especially since the gods literally commanded him to do his duty. This makes no sense.

He walks into the busy street, blending in with the crowd and keeping an eye out for the gang members that were out for him. The street was full with life. If what the gods said about the return of the demonkind was true, what would happen to this place? What would happen to this peace? Slowly, the calm he felt earlier fades and reality sets in.

He was carrying the boon. It was inside him, and apparently, it was going to grow until he had to pop it out. There were no happy fairy tales about giving birth; everyone knew it was absolutely excruciating. You're telling him he's going to go through *that*? Hell no. And then, there was his situation with the gang. He couldn't even present the relic to them-it had dissolved into his hands! They'd definitely see that as a failed mission and kill him on the spot. If he wanted to be spared, he'd have to go with the other option. But kidnapping someone? He'd never done that before!

Maybe he could pay the gang off with the money the gods gave him? Ah, but if he did that, they'd just take the money *and* kill him, since that wasn't their deal. They hadn't let him go after he returned the money he'd stolen, so why would this be different?

If he tried to run, it wouldn't work. He'd already tried once when he realized what a colossal mistake it was to steal from the gang. The moment he could, he bolted-but they found him anyway. And it wasn't easy to track someone as slippery as him, but Maria had unfortunately met his match. That guy who caught him was terrifyingly good. Maria could admit that. The gang in this town had some serious assets. He'd have to steer clear of their turf the next time he came through. *That is, if he ever made it out.*

Then it hit him-Enanon could've protected him! *Gods, I'm so stupid!* Enanon was literally his assigned guard. Running off without him was like dropping the only key to a locked door down a well! Enanon was his ticket out!

Damn, he hasn't messed up this bad since that time his dad caught him stealing and kicked him out.

But it didn't seem like Enanon was coming back anytime soon. Wait, did he decide to abandon Maria? Considering the disdain the wolf had for him, that wouldn't be too far off the mark.

'Damn, I really messed up today, i haven't messed up this bad since that time dad caught me stealing' he thought, slumping with defeat. This was the worst. How was he going to fix this? Some people would be swigging beer bottles right now to cope. Maria hated alcohol, though.

Then his thoughts paused, settling on the weight of the pouch in his hands. 'I could gamble. I have money' Maria was never a drinker, but gambling? That, he loved.

His mood lifted slightly. And so, with questionable judgment (assuming he ever had any), Maria headed to the nearest casino and let loose.

He played well into the evening, losing money, gaining some back, then losing more. He was a terrible gambler, but the rush, the adrenaline-that's what he was addicted to.

Round after round, until finally, the bag was empty. He sighed and cursed. He'd gone too far and blown the whole lot. But at least it was fun for a while.

Now that the fun was over, his worries came right back.

He wondered where Enanon was. Did he seriously abandon him? Along with the other mix of feelings, dread hit him-the fact that Enanon hadn't come looking for him was unsettling. Enanon was, in a way, an ally in this mess, and Maria wasn't alone in this... divine predicament.

'This predicament', he thought. He was really cursed with this fate now wasn't he? His own stupidity had led him here. He brushed a hand over his crotch. 'Yup, still not there.' How many times today had he denied and confirmed that fact?

Slowly, his hand drifted to his flat stomach. He frowned in disgust and fear. He couldn't feel anything there, but he knew the gods weren't lying. Despite his chaotic thoughts, Maria strolled through the crowded streets with a relaxed gait. Up ahead, he spotted a woman adorned with jewelry, her purse slung loosely over her shoulder.

Instinct kicked in.

Walking past her, he smoothly lifted the purse and three necklaces. The woman remained oblivious and glee fills Maria. That rush of success-it was like nothing else. Aside from the greed, this thrill was why he could never stop stealing. The satisfaction of a successful heist was addictive.

That, and he refused to be a carpenter like his father. He'd been kicked out of his house when he discovered Maria had been stealing.

Lost in his thoughts, Maria suddenly bumped into a broad, leather-clad chest.

He looked up, eyes widening. One of the gang members was glaring down at him like he was a cockroach that had just scuttled across his dinner plate.

"Oh shit," he whispered.

"Where's the relic, kid?" the man growled, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Hey, I'm not a kid! I'm 20! A-and look, I couldn't steal the relic. That's why I'm on my way to the merchant's manor to kidnap his daughter, just like you guys told me! I'm not slacking off, I swear!"

The thug grabbed Maria by the collar and slammed him against the wall of a dark alley.

"The boss isn't a patient man, you pathetic thief. You can't even steal a relic from the church? Stop slacking off and finish the job."

Mind you, Maria had actually succeeded with relative ease in stealing the relic. The gang leader had assigned him two missions, likely expecting him to fail at one (or both) tasks. Honestly, the guy probably anticipated Maria would get captured immediately after attempting the heist. After all, the place was crawling with guards and activity.

Sneaking past all that and stealing the relic in broad daylight? Not an easy feat. But Maria was a seasoned thief. He didn't mention to the gang leader that he was more skilled than he appeared. He had chosen the mission because he knew he would succeed.

And indeed, he had! The problem? It had dissolved into his skin and made him fucking pregnant.

"Ye-yes! I'll go now!" Maria stammered.

Now, he was walking, that man sticking right beside him like a shadow, keeping a watchful eye.

Maria knew kidnapping was not a one-man job. Sure, it could be done solo, but for a rookie kidnapper like him? Absolutely not. He had chosen theft over kidnapping for this very reason. Unfortunately, the other option was no longer on the table.

He hadn't expected to be spotted in the crowd so damn soon. What was with this gang? Ugh.

Soon they arrived at the manor, where they sat waiting for the household to fall asleep before Maria would break in and begin the abduction. When it seemed late enough, the man gestured for Maria to make his move, smirking smugly as if he knew Maria would fail and get caught by the guards.

Maria was never one to back down or admit defeat. With ease, he broke in, finding the girl's bedroom in record time. Now came the tricky part: kidnapping her. While concocting a plan in his head, he glanced outside the window.

He thought he saw a flash of red. He blinked, and it vanished. He thought of Enanon, his supposed guard.

"I hope he gets punished by the gods for straying from his duties. He's the worst guard ever!" he huffed, frustration bubbling inside him.

Maria had an exit route in mind. If luck was on his side, he could get the girl out and hand her over to the gang members. He knew they would use her for ransom-and probably worse. Guilt pooled in his chest.

He had never harmed anyone directly, aside from the few times he'd had to defend himself. He knew it was hypocritical to claim innocence; as a thief, he'd undoubtedly caused pain-albeit indirectly. Those people, those families he'd stolen from, had surely suffered, even if it was just a lost necklace rather than being driven to ruin.

Maria never took enough to push anyone to their downfall-that wasn't his style-except for that one time he'd stolen an entire treasure chest of gold coins from a stuck-up noble. That guy deserved it.

Stealing hurt people, sure, but still, he reasoned, taking someone's precious jewels was a far cry from strangling them to death. To him, it was just business: a bit of mischief, a jolt of adrenaline-but no real blood on his hands. In his mind, it was like swiping an apple from a cart, not gutting the vendor.

He takes the spray bottle the gang leader gave him. This will prevent the girl from waking up despite all the jostling that will happen during their escape later. So Maria popped open the cap and took a piece of cloth.

Without thinking much about it, he sprays the liquid onto the cloth. By the time his mind caught up to his mistake of not putting enough distance between his nose and the spray, he had already inhaled the fumes. His knees buckled and the world tilted sideways.