Kyoi, the First Wolf (Explicit Violence)

A young beastkin sat alone on a stump outside a falling apart home, hands together as he tried to focus on the sounds of nature. No matter how much he tried to concentrate on his breathing, the screams and crunch of broken bones made it nearly impossible to lose himself in his meditation.

Opening his eyes, he watched a Belit clan member run out the door and into the brush, followed by the bellowing of a large, full-blooded beastkin. Why his father favored such games, he would never understand.

"You are safer in here than out there, honey. Trust me."

The young male exhaled slowly, moving onto his feet and swiftly climbing a tree. His sharp eyes examined the environment, following the moving vegetation.

'Poor girl,' Kyoi thought as he watched the silver fur shimmer in the light. His camouflage belonged in the snowy mountains, not in their green trees and lush foliage domain.

'Should I end her suffering? She might make it out.' His eyes grew duller as he hopped from tree to tree following her movement. He followed the fox beastkin, clicking his tongue against his closed teeth as he watched her run to her demise. Typically, his mercy had long since died. Yet occasionally, a desire to maybe play hero would try to save his father's prey.

"Not that way. I just set up the traps yesterday," he whispered, soaked with disappointment. She had gotten so close. He heard a click and the sound of flesh being torn through. The young fox screamed in agony, and he winced, taking out his knife. Kyoi jumped to a lower branch, sliding down the bark with his claws as leverage. His feet touching the soft forest floor, he approached the girl whose leg dangled at a cruel angle. The metallic smell of blood filled his nostrils.

"You were so close," his voice held pity as he looked down at her. 'A shame. She would have been one beautiful woman.' His cold eyes met her blue ones filled with tears.

"Help me, please!" The girl yelped, wrenching her body as she tried to struggle against the trap, deeply gouging into her leg. All her helpless desperation did was cause more agony as her screams were deafening. His ears moved closer to his head to try to quiet the sound. How many more times would he have to see this? How many more times would he feel this.. helplessness?

"You could save her, but I have a feeling that isn't your plan, is it, child?" Kyoi quickly turned, swinging his knife upwards. His knife found itself tangled in wires. His eyes widened, staring up. He felt his blood run cold, and every fiber of his being screamed run. A half-blooded wolf beastkin not much older than himself stood, eyes so similar to Kyoi's father.

"Give up; your retaliation is pointless," the stranger spoke, Kyoi feeling the crushing weight of his magical energy. This power, while tears rolled down his face from fear, he couldn't help but smile. The wolf beastkin tilted his head, observing the younger half-blood.

"If you follow the path, you'll hit traps. You are safer traveling in the trees to the northwest. Follow the trail of crushed plants.. her path will lead you straight to him. To the right of the house, I enchanted a barrel full of gunpowder. Underneath the doormat, another enchantment to silence. Active that first," the words stumbled out of Kyoi's mouth as he dropped to his knees. Closing his eyes, he hoped it would be painless.

The fox's screams filled their silence between each other before the wolf beastkin let out a loud laugh. His eyes were sharp and shone with the sunlight rays entering the forest.

"If you planned that all out, what's stopped you?" Kyoi opened his eyes, staring up at him. He opened his mouth but found himself speechless. The older male walked past him and pulled his hands before him like puppeteering nothing, the trap slowly removing itself from the girl's leg. Her screams quieted as she slumped over, passing out from the pain.

"Finish what you started, or I will kill you with him as an accomplice with your mother and father. Your choice." He picked up the young fox, pouring a magical red liquid on her wound while forcing it straight. It started to heal in a matter of seconds. "Hurry up. My patience isn't everlasting."

Without another word, Kyoi climbed back up the tree and returned home without a second glance behind him. Freedom from this nightmare? Finally? Never did he feel such a sense of clarity.

Even as the fire licked the sky and the screams subsided.. he felt oddly calm. His eyes caught a red wire leading through the forest and followed it without hesitation.