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Once we had gotten back to the village, a funeral was immediately planned and taken place in memory of Kimba, the wolf who tried trying to protect me. I sat in the back because I didn't want anybody to really see me. I don't know why I was even there. I was still so ashamed to even show my face around there. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach. The funeral was over 20 minutes later and 3 wolves buried his body by a cliff.

I was glad it was over, but it wasn't the end yet. I was curled up in my den when a wolf came by and announced that Ahmed wanted to see me. I sighed and slowly got up, showing my face to the village once again by heading to his den. There was a crowd of wolves there and I did not have a good feeling about this. I approached slowly and sat down, a few feet away from the entrance. A few wolves were muttering something under their breaths. From my jurisdiction, they were probably not nice words.

After a few moments of waiting, Ahmed then came out of his den and stared at me, with Melinda on his left and Shang on his right. My ears lowered as I could only imagine what he was going to say.

"Guil," he started, "I called you here because I have been thinking about your sudden change in behavior your words from yesterday. You said it was your fault that Kimba is dead, correct?" I sighed softly and I nodded. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, it isn't your fault, so why do you feel like it was?"

I just stared at him. I feel like I was in a court room where I will be judged for my actions. "Because I let him die... I fell for a stupid trap and got Kimba killed. He jumped in the way and took the bullet that was supposed to kill me." I looked down at my bandaged hind leg. "But..."

"But?" Ahmed repeated tilting his head at me. I didn't really want to bring up my father again but I felt like I need to.

"This situation...it's similar to what happened to my father... I...couldn't do anything to save my Dad, and I couldn't do anything to save Kimba. All I did was watch in horror as their lives were taken away by some soulless monster." The muttering got louder and that's when Barkley snarled once again.

"You're right! It is your fault that he's gone!" He snapped at me. "I can't believe you were this stupid to fall for a dumb trap like that! If I was there, he would still be alive right now! I knew I should've trusted you!"

His words ranged true, but his insults didn't really affect me. Plus, I sensed there was a deep connection between him and Kimba. So this is what I asked him: "...he was your family, wasn't he?"

He glared at me as I could see tears forming in his eyes. "What do you care?!" I continued to stare at him and he growled even more and looked to the ground. "He was...my little brother. And now, he's not here anymore... And it's all because of you!"

Oh my. That's what I called a twist. Now, it was my turn to look down and I muttered: "I'm...sorry..."

He heard this and barked. "Sorry?! You get your damn leg caught in a trap and make Kimba save your sorry ass and he gets killed and you're sorry?! I should kill you myself, and then you'll see what death feels like!"

I looked back at him.

"Maybe you should've killed me before... I told you I have nothing to live for, anyway. I'm miles from home, my parents are dead, and I already feel crappy enough that I couldn't save a good friend from getting shot. All I can do is cherish what he told me: To keep living and that no pup gets left behind."

Barkley's expression changed and then he looked away.

Ahmed cleared his throat. "I think I have heard enough. Guil, though I do not think it was your fault for his death, I have received comments that you should be exiled from the pack."

Though this didn't really surprise me, I blinked. "What?"

"Daddy, he can't leave!" Shang whimpered as he stepped between me and his father. "I won't allow it! Never! Please, don't make him leave!"

Ahmed stared at his son and just sighed. "Shang, please. Do not interfere..."

"I WILL interfere! Guil is my friend and as your son, the Alpha's son, I have the right to speak! And I say that Guil should not leave because we lost Kimba!"

"Shang Boswell, you listen to your father!" barked Melinda. "He makes the decisions, not you."

"But, mother--"

"No buts, pup. The only butt around here is yours going to be spanked if you don't behave yourself."

Shang hung his head down and sighed in defeat. "Yes, mother..." He had his tail tucked between his legs and walks back over to his father's side. I had to hand it to Shang. At his age, he did have a way with words and his convictions were amazing. Sadly, his parents still had the upper hand and even that wasn't enough. I'll make sure to thank him later.

Ahmed turned his look back to me.

"I just don't know what to think, Guil," he started to say with uncertainty in his voice. "Although I will say that I am a teeny bit disappointed that you didn't see the trap until the last second and the results are your damaged hind leg and Kimba's death."

I gave him an odd look. Yeah, thanks for reminding me of how bad I screwed up during the battle. I need that to get through my day.

"...I get it... Thanks...sir," I said in a low gruff voice as I turned and walked away slowly, limping slightly. Ahmed blinked from this but I didn't hear him say anything. I have never felt more humiliated and outraged my whole 10 years of my life. It was bad enough I felt guilty for not stopping Kimba's death from coming, now I need to be reminded of it and being pitied by the Alpha.

I couldn't stand being in my wolf form anymore so I shifted back to my human state. I felt slightly better but I looked down at my right ankle: Sprained from the bear trap with blood-stained bandages wrapped around it. Sighing deeply, I reached over at my bag to get my belongings together. I was going to take these wolves advice and just leave before I get any more of them killed. It was the least I could do for I know I never did belong there in the first place. How could I? I'm not even a full-bred wolf. I'm a mix breed of three different species.

I was just about to pick up my sword when I heard something behind me. I quickly turned to see who it was: Shang.

"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" he asked me.

"Pretty much... I was going to do everybody here a favor and just get out of here."

"If you were going to leave, then let me come with you."

I couldn't believe what he just said to me. In a shocked tone, I replied: "You want to do what? N-No, I couldn't allow that. Your parents wouldn't allow the future leader of the pack to just tag along with some measly excuse for a being on some random quest to find his home. Even worse, they might think I kidnapped you, or something."

Shang couldn't help but give me a weird look and laughed.

"Oh please. I'm not just some runt who's so dependent on others. I've learned a lot the past 2 years. On top of that, you and I make a great team, wouldn't you agree?"

Well, I can't say no to the 'team' part.

"Well, yes. But--"

"No buts. I'm coming with you, and that's final!"

I don't think I can talk him out of this. He was serious and determined to follow me to wherever. I just smiled at him and petted his head.

"Fine. It's settled then."

He smiled at me and I could see his little tail wagging behind him, but then he frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I just remembered something: Before my father called you, he had sent some hunters out to bring back some yak and deer. But... That was a few hours ago. Our hunters are really good and they would be back no later than a half hour. They should've been back by now."

"You think something could've happened?"

He nodded. "I'm pretty sure."

"Then, what are we waiting for?" I smiled and stood up, putting my backpack on and holding my sword. "How about we make this our first mission together?"

I think Shang liked the sound of that as he bounced around me in excitement. "Heck yeah! I'm ready! Let's go!"

All I did was chuckle and we left our little den and went into the forest. Surprisingly, nobody saw us or stopped us to question where we were going. Not that it mattered anyway. We had some hunting wolves to find.

We walked around through the forest, not having much luck finding the hunters. I relied on Shang to lead the way since he seemed to be familiar with what path the hunters would take. He was sniffing all around, from the leaves, to the trees, and to the flowers. I was looking around and taking in the environment. For some reason, it had calmed me down from earlier. I was forgetting why I was mad in the first place. It was just...so peaceful.

After a while, we were hearing some snarling coming from a few feet ahead of us. We ran toward the sound and saw that our hunting wolves were in a heated combat against some other pack. They had indeed killed the yak and deer that Shang mentioned earlier they would bring home, but I can guess that the other pack of wolves wanted the kill themselves and they're fighting over it. I could not really tell which side was winning. Both sides were getting really exhausted from the fighting.

"Should we help them?" I asked Shang turning to look at him.

He looked back at me with that same determined look in his eyes and nodded.

"Yeah, we should!" he said excitedly. "Let's give them a paw!"

I nodded back at him and turned back out to the battlefield. Shang and I were about to jump out and help, but something happened that I never thought would come out of the forest: A huge red and purple tentacle-like creature came out of the trees and charged right into the wolves. It looked like it absorbed them, making them a part of it so that it would get bigger and stronger. I couldn't believe my eyes from what I was seeing. What the hell is that thing?!

"Wh-What in the world is that thing?!" Shang whimpered out.

"I-I don't know... We have to warn Ahmed and the rest of the pack! C'mon, let's get out of here!"

We turned and ran off in the other direction before that 'thing' had a chance to see us and come after us. I do not know what on Earth I just saw. It was not of this world and I did not stop running to think about it. It looked like it was...eating them. Who could've created that monstrosity and unleash it on this planet?!

When we got back to the village, Ahmed was the first wolf we saw, and I think he wasn't happy to see us.

"Where in the world did you two go?!" Ahmed snarled at us. "I was worried sick! I thought something could've happened to you two!"

"F-Father... We..." Shang tried to explain, but he and I were out of breath from running.

"What? Spit it out!"

"Father, we...went to find out why our hunters have not returned... It turned out that the western wolves tried to...steal our food..."

"What? Those blasted wolves again?! I thought we had a deal that we stick to our sides of the forests."

"But...that's not all..." I intervened panting. "There's...some sort of monster absorbing them...and I fear it is headed this way."

Ahmed gave me a look as if I was making it up. I don't blame him. The story does sound a little bit too good to be true. A tentacle monster that's eating wolves or anything in its path? You got to be kidding me.

"I may be old, but I am no fool," Ahmed said to me. "That is total blaspheme!"

All of a sudden, we heard screams coming from the back of the pack and wolves running away. The tentacle demon reached the village and started absorbing more wolves into it and it was bigger the last time Shang and I saw it.

"Oh yeah, then what do you call that?" I said to Ahmed as I pointed to it.

"What the hell is that thing?! It's destroying my village and my pack! Is that what was attacking our hunters?!"

"I'm pretty sure that something like that would qualify for the job of killing your hunters."

"Father, what do we do?" Shang asked his dad, whimpering and huddling close to him.

Ahmed looked at him with a worried expression and looked at me. "Guil, take my son to safety."

Shang and I looked at him and said at the same time: "What?"

"Take Shang and go. The rest of us...well, what's left of us, will try to hold it off for you two to escape."

"Dad, no! I'm staying and fighting alongside you!"

"Shang, I can't risk my son out there. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't forgive myself!" Another scream could be heard from the tentacle as we see a wolf sticking out of it. Oh no... Not her... "MELINDA!!!"

"Mom!!!" Shang shouted out. I held my hands up to my mouth in total disbelief. This thing...it was merciless. And it had to be stopped.

"Guil, Shang, GO!" Ahmed shouted again as he and the rest of the pack went and charged at the demon.

I sighed and picked up Shang and ran off in the opposite direction. Shang yelped out and was struggling to get out of my grip but I didn't budge.

"No! Let me go, Guil!" I heard him snarl. "Put me down right now!"

I ran with Shang in my arms for a few seconds, but I suddenly stopped. What was I doing? It's...not like me to run away, but I didn't know what that thing was. I was trembling. Why? ...was it...that I was scared? I'm...afraid.

Shang saw my facial expression and I felt him lick my chin. I looked down at him and...he was smiling. Why was he smiling? I put him down on the ground and looked at him.

"Guil..." he said to me. "It's okay to be scared. I am, too. But...we just have to do something. We can't let them perish like this. We can, at least, help out. Besides, that thing has my mother, and I want her back."

I looked at him for a few more seconds and I balled my fists up. He was right. We had to do something, even if it kills us.

"Okay, I'm with you, Shang," I said to him, trying to sound more confident.

He smiled and said: "That's what I like to hear. Let's go."

We smiled to each other and turned and headed to the village. It was in total ruin and dens were on fire and there were blood splattered everywhere. I looked around and I almost gagged at some of the bodies I have seen. Some of the bodies have had their eyes gorged out and their bellies ripped open from the inside. It was really disturbing.

Just then, the tentacle beast arose from the bushes and rose above us. We could see all of the wolves it absorbed, but what we saw in it shocked us even more: It got Ahmed and the rest of the pack.

"N-No! Mommy! D-Daddy!!" Shang whimpered out even more, horrified by what he saw. His parents were a part of that thing now and I don't think we can get them back.

"What the heck are you?!" I yelled at it. "Why are you doing this?! What is your purpose for all of this mindless destruction?!" That didn't really get me anywhere as it lunged at us. We jumped out of the way in opposite directions and it turned out and slithered its way back. I didn't know what to do as I stared at it and it seemed to have stared back. Then, I heard a voice.

"Guil," the voice said. I looked around and then looked at the beast. It was Ahmed. It seemed he still has the ability to speak even though he was a part of that thing.

"Ahmed?" I asked.

"Guil... You know what you have to do. If you want to destroy this thing, you have to destroy us as well. It's the only way to put an end to this."

I shook my head. "N-No. I can't. I can't do it without killing you all. I just won't!"

"Don't be a wimp, Guil!" I heard another voice say. That one I really did recognize. It was Barkley's voice. "Don't tell me you're chickening out now! I thought you were stronger than that. Remember, you bested me in combat, so you can easily do it again!"

I remained silent from that. I guess he had a point.

"Guil, I want you to take care of my son," Ahmed said. "He really looks up to you and I do believe that you and he will become the best of friends."

"F-Father..." Shang cried out, tears coming down his cheeks.

"Shang... I'm always proud of you...and so is your mother. You know we'll always be with you. Never forget that, my young pup."

All he could do was nod. This was making me tear up as well. He sounded just like my father. Those were his exact words that he said to me before he died.

"Now, Guil! Finish this!"

I wiped my eyes and glared at the monster, drawing my sword out of its hoister and charged at it and it charged at me. I could hear my heard beating as I ran toward it, tears still coming down my face as I jumped and sliced through the monster diagonally. It fell to the ground its body suddenly started to evaporate into thin air, including the top part that got cut off and all of the wolves that were captured. Even Shang's parents were disappearing right before his very eyes. There was something that I noticed: Shang's parents were smiling. Even in death, they were happy.

I put my sword away and turned to look at Shang, who was standing there. I don't know if there was anything I could say to him. In a way, it looked like I just murdered his mother and father right in front of him and scarred him for life, but we know that's not the case.

"Shang?" I said. "Are...you going to be okay?"

I heard him sniff and he had stopped crying.

"I... I'm sorry." I had looked away from him, a bit shaken up myself. I heard him come closer and I looked and saw he was sitting in front of me. I kneeled down in front of him and he suddenly ran up and hopped on me, hugging me. I know what it's like to lose parents so I know his pain. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him back to comfort him. He then hopped down and looked at me.

"Well... It's me and you, now," he said to me.

"Indeed it is..." I said back to him. "You alright with that?"

"Of course I am... I trust you with my life, Guil. Wherever you go, I will follow."

I nodded slowly and got up and looked around. "Well... Let our traveling begin." We turned and walked into the forest...together.