As we parted from Father, my mother carried me through the manor's exit and into the open garden, which stretched far and wide.
A marble gazebo stood gracefully a little distance away, growing closesr with each steps my mother took toward it.
I'd seen this gazebo many times now, but its smooth marble pillars gleamed even brighter under the moonlight tonight. Two beautifully carved wooden benches, each adorned with fluffy cushions, faced each other inside the open structure. The roof, partially open with an intricate lattice design, allowed the stars to peek through. Hanging from its corners, antique lanterns flickered gently, casting warm light across the stone floor.
It was a beautiful sight to behold, but there was a heaviness in the atmosphere. My mother had told Father not to worry, that she would be fine, but her mood and attention were solemnly fixed on him and the news we received a moment ago.
I couldn't blame her. I wasn't in the mood to watch the stars either—I was still thinking about Father and what was that Fenrir.
I had so many questions swirling inside me. Like, first of all what exactly is a Fenrir? I somehow remembered a giant wolf from mythology–with that name, but that couldn't be real here… could it? The guards mentioned something about a pack—but the Fenrir I knew of was always just one creature. The thought of a whole pack of giant wolves roaming the forest felt unnatural.
The more I thought about that Fenrir, the more worried I became for Father, and judging by the look on Mother's face, she felt the same.
I should do something to lighten the mood. Hmm… yes, maybe I'll give Mother a hug. I didn't know how much it would help, but in my old world, whenever I got a big hug from Mom, everything felt better—even the worst days.
With my tiny hands, I managed to stretch my arms out and press them against her chest in what little resembled a hug. I couldn't wrap my arms around her—at least not yet.
"Ha…" my mother softly gasped, breaking out of her thoughts.
She looked at me for a moment, then hugged me back tightly.
"You're such a sweet baby… comforting your mother—how angelic," she whispered.
I kept hugging her quietly.
"Okay. I know your father's going to handle it fine," she said, sitting down on one of the benches in the gazebo. "So let's focus on the stars."
Resting in her arms, I looked up at the night sky, where stars twinkled like scattered diamonds across the hush of a sleeping sky.
It felt so vast, so calm—almost like it was embracing us in its quiet eternity. The little tension which was still around brushed past, as if the stars themselves were trying to comfort me, whispering that things would be okay.
"My little baby, it's so comforting, is in it?" My mother asked with a simle on her face.
It looks like she feels the same way I do. I smile back in a way that says yes, which earns me a warm hug and a kiss on my forehead.
Ahh...this moment—watching the stars while wrapped in your mother embrace—feels unreal to me. Especially, since a view like this could never be seen back in my world, with of all the pol—!!!
Hmm..... Wait what is that? I looked
around—the moment my ears cought a faint sound. And It's growing louder. I still can't figure out exactly what it is or where it it's coming from.
I glanced up at my mother, finding her also scanning the surroundings, trying to locate the source—and who it might belong to.
After a couple of minutes, the sound became clearer—and now, I can hear it: a heavy footsteps, and a distant howl. And in that moment after, I couldn't help but imagine the worst possible scenario.
My focus snaps to my mother as she suddenly bolts up from the bench, clutching me tightly. She looks terrified and starts walking quickly towards the manor. The more she panics, the more I can't help but think of the worst.
The footsteps grew louder and faster, coming from right behind my mother. I couldn't see what was coming—I was held tightly against her chest, my view completely blocked.
We were just about to enter the manor when a large, shadowy figure leapt over us and landed, blocking the path ahead.
Now, the worst possible scenario I had imagined became real. It looked just like the Fenrir from mythology—an enormous wolf, nearly twenty to twenty-five feet tall, growling straight at us.
My mother froze at the sight, her arms tightening around me. In a quiet, shaken voice, she whispered, 'Fenrir.'
It's now confirmed—that Fenrir my father mentioned, has the same name as the mythologyical Fenrir. And not just the name it looks also the same—an enormous wolf.
The wolf spat out something it had been holding—and it was none other than a guard, likely one stationed near the manor's boundaries.
With all his might it howled towards us but...
....
"My Lord, look captain and other squad member are coming this way" the knight said as he noticed.
"Yes, but why are they coming towards Everhart hall" Edric said with confusion.
The captain of the Tenth Squad noticed Edric, and soon the other members did too.
And all of them rushed toward Edric, the captain leading the charge.
As the both parties came closer edric asked the captain"What are you doing hear? Where is the Fenrir? In a loud and clear voice.
"My Lord, it got away from us and ran toward Everhart Hall. We're chasing it now," the captain reported briefly, knowing there wasn't much time to waste.
"What...?" Edric muttered, then instantly turned his horse around and charged back without wasting a second.
Seeing this, the captain didn't waste a second either. He barked at the squad around him, "What are you waiting for, you snails? Go backup the Lord—move!"
And with that, the entire squad sprinted straight toward Everhart Hall.
(Author's Note: Please let me know if there are any areas where I can improve. Your feedback will help me write more accurately and create a better experience for all readers!)