A Rising Guardian

Chapter 1: Reunited    

    On the outskirts of town in a large valley, a figure covered in a brown, worn-out cloak walks toward the town with a bag over its shoulder. As it walks closer, two large bulls ,wearing worn-out pants, shirt, and vest with a belt across their chest and waist, carried two large crates on each shoulder into town, but stopped when they noticed the figure getting closer. The figure stopped in front of the two bulls and removed the hood of the cloak from it’s head. The bulls smiled cheerfully, stood to the side, and let the figure into town. As the figure began to walk into town, the bulls shouted from behind in sync, “Welcome home Lone Soldier and thanks for protecting us from the Tiradarg!”

    The figure turned around, letting the sun reveal an 18 year old, black and white wolf face with a smirk and sky blue eyes on it, be revealed.

    As the wolf through town, many of the townspeople welcomed him with warm faces and open arms, while many of the children who were playing stood in awe at the sight of the wolf. But the wolf wasn’t too focused on the people, for the wolf had lost himself in calm, happy, loving memories of his childhood.

    Soon the wolf found himself standing in front of a large wood and iron building with a sign that read 'Blackclaw Forge'. The wolf opened the door and was welcomed by a small ringing bell that hung over the doorway and the warmth of a fireplace. The wolf stepped inside and looked around the room, taking in every little detail. He looked at all the different weapons and armor that were displayed on shelves and lifeless mannequins. He saw two different doors, that were on each side of a wooden counter, and guessed that one lead to the forge and the other lead to the rest of the building. All-of-a-sudden, a woman's voice calls out from behind one of the doors,"I'll be out in a minute!"

    The wolf seemed to be amused by the woman's shout and decided to pull a little prank on her. He opened his bag and pulled out some rope and tied everything displayed, even the mannequins, threw his end of the rope over one of the beams that was above him, and tied it to the door the woman's voice came from. The wolf climbs onto the beam above him and puts the hood of his cloak on, hiding in the roofs shadows.

    The door with the rope opened and all the weapons and armor rose, hiding in the shadows along with the wolf, and out stepped a dark brown she-fox with red and brown eyes, black streaks in her hair, wearing a light grey shirt with black smudges, black pants, a brown utility belt across her chest and waist holding various tools and a small red rag in her black fingerless gloved hands. “Sorry for the wait, just needed to fin-” The she fox stood in shock and dropped the rag. ”WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO ALL MY ARMORY?” She yelled with a powerful stomp to the floor causing the door to slam and all the armory to come crashing down, along with the wolf.

    The wolf gave a groan before the she fox picked him up from the front of his cloak.”What do you think you’re doing trying to steal from a military blacksmith?” She asked holding a steel war axe at ready incase she was going to be attacked.

    “You sure have progressed since I left, especially when it comes to holding your own,” the wolf laughed letting his face be revealed to the fox.”But that’s just like you Alex, not stopping until the job’s done or until you feel the need to get information through one's head.”

    Alex let go of the wolf letting him drop to the floor. The fox was confused and mentally questioned to herself,’what’s with this guy and how does he know my name? Wait a sec is this guy...’unknowingly she spoke aloud “Blake?” As Alex looked closer at the wolf’s sky blue eyes, black and white fur, and white tipped hair, she still couldn’t figure out if the wolf was her childhood friend. Finally, the fox had a surge of realization and grew a face of disbelief.

    The wolf gave Alex a grin and a small laugh before he was tackled by the fox in joy. “It is you Blake! You’re so stupid for that prank you did! I thought I’d never see you again! I thought you were dead…” she spoke with a stain, pressing her face into his chest, trying to hold back her tears.

    Blake could see Alex’s sadness and tried to cheer her up by saying cheerfully,”c’mon Alex, cheer up. Have a little more faith in me once in awhile. Besides I’m back and alive and that’s all that matters.”

    Alex looked up at Blake with tear filled eyes and a small smile, but quickly turned to a face of anger and gave Blake a punch to the jaw causing him to fall backwards.

    “Geeze Alex! What was that for!?” Blake exclaimed confused while rubbing his jaw.

    “That’s for leaving me and the cubs behind to go fight in the war and only leaving a letter behind saying that you ‘MUST’ go to avenge our father!” Alex explained in anger with still tear filled eyes.

    Blake knew what Alex was talking about and looked away from her, cursing to himself. Finally, he said,”I’m sorry, Alex. I know what I did was stupid and I’m sorry. I was angry and upset and only wanted revenge. I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into until it was too late.” Blake finished with a look of regret on his face.

    Alex looked at the wolf sternly but sighed and began,”Forget it. So, are you here to stay or are you just on relief for a while?” She asked as she began to clean up and place the weapons and armor back where they were.

     Blake picked himself off the ground and began to help Alex in the clean up and answered,”actually I’m heading to base right now. Eclipse, Zane, and Briggs want me to help out with the recruits and give details on Knox’s movements in Northwestern highlands.”

    “So are you visiting or passing through?” Alex asked, picking up a mannequin before placing a iron helmet on top.

    “Might as well visit. I mean I’m not due at base for a little while and I want to see how my little sis and bro are doing while I’ve been gone.”Blake said with a smile as he placed a steel sword on the counter, before his smile turned to a look of uncertainty.

    Alex noticed and mentally told herself,’There’s something more to his visit than what he says.’

    Finally, Blake let out a sigh and gave himself a small laugh.”Alex I was wondering if yo-”

    “Blake...”