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-We should go after him. Now. There is no time to lose.

-And only to leave Raon again? Look, Inoa, sorry to tell you, but right now, I think this is more important...

-I do not give a shit what you think, Loki! -the hare almost shrieked, with the fur on her ears lightly bristling -. Everything I've been fighting all this time is slowly fading away and yet, you don't do anything about it!

Loki held his gaze for a moment, until he finally lowered his head, letting out a sigh, and with his shoulders slumped in defeat.

They were both inside Raizac's tent, along with Raon, who was still unconscious on the bed of the caravan leader. Having circled throughout the entire camp and asking every living creature that she passed, Inoa had returned to ensure that the Human remained in good condition... as if he were a relic, or a mere object in her hands. As soon as she learned of what had happened between Jarek and Rukj, the hare had been about to leave in the first place, in search of the black wolf to say a few of things. Luckily, Loki had managed to contain her. In spite of everything, it took a good while without knowing exactly where Rukj was and although he was starting to feel a little worried, he knew by that time that he really was afraid for Jarek.

After having calmed down a bit, Inoa had begun to insist on catching the copper wolf before he went too far away from the camp and "got lost". Loki had made a twisted gesture at the expression and had been tempted to tell the hare to stop treating the two links as if they were some kind of precious jewel, but finally had shaken his head and decided it was best to desist, for time being. Inoa seemed determined to continue insisting on protecting those two whatever the cost, even if that implied depriving them of their freedom.

And that, simply, was something that Loki neither could nor wanted to agree with.

-He will leave, Loki. That stubborn wolf will get lost, and then what? Will we have to get used to the idea that we have lost one of the links from a simple quarrel between bullies?

-It was more than that -Loki said, feeling somewhat upset because the hare would simplify the facts so much.

-I do not care. All I know is that things are going from bad to worse since this all started... -she paused, casting a glance at Raon's unconscious body and then asked -. How can you be so calm? How could you not do something... to avoid this?

-I am not calm! -Loki replied, raising his voice a little, with weary gesture -. Take this for sure, Inoa: what is happening concerns me as much or more than it does you. But what can I do? To lift my hands to the sky and to shout and push against the world? No thanks, -he murmured, and then he said, his voice somewhat lower -. You already do that...

Inoa was silent, taken by surprise.

Then looking away at the ground, he heaved a sigh and dropped into the nearest seat, not knowing exactly what to say. The two members of Kara's Cubs Order remained in an awkward, tense silence for a few minutes. The only sounds that could be heard at that moment were the quiet breathing of the Human and outside, the movements and conversations of the rest of the camp. They were waking slowly and deliberately, as if the attempted assassination of the Human traveling with the caravan had never taken place. Although, to be honest, Loki was surprised that someone had not yet been heard them. Especially considering that Inoa had been in charge of questioning anyone who still did not know what had happened...

At that moment, the canvas entry was pushed aside and Ailec entered the tent, looking somewhat distracted. When he discovered Loki watching curiously from one of the seats he seemed to brighten a bit, and almost smiled slightly.

-Any news? -Inoa asked at that time, causing the bull to break eye contact with the lynx only to fix his eyes on her.

-Nothing. It will not be easy to get a confession and we have no way of knowing who the murderer might be or who paid him to kill the Human -said the son of the leader of the caravan, with a shrug -. So I fear that things will remain as they are.

Inoa stared at the bull for a moment and felt anger bubbling inside again like lava in the vent of a volcano. Finally, she seemed to calm down and nodded with a sigh.

-I guess we can not know, it's true -she murmured, surrendering to the evidence. However, after a moment, she looked up again, with a glint of worry in her eyes that were black as coal -. But what if someone returns and tries to do something? How can we be prepared?

-We will be -a deep husky voice answered from the doorway at that time. Loki looked up, somewhat surprised. Until then he had not realized that Ailec had not come alone -. If any mercenary dares to raise a paw against Raon again... he will have to deal with me.

Rukj had entered the canvas tent behind him, before looking at Ailec with understanding, who nodded in silence, as if he agreed with what he had just said.

Inoa, however, watched the black wolf by raising an eyebrow, as if inwardly she questioned if they would be able to handle it as easily as presumed. Painted with disbelief in her eyes, she opened her mouth to speak, but someone beat her by asking something that had absolutely nothing to do with what she wanted to say.

-Where were you?

The voice had come from Loki's throat.

Rukj, caught by surprise by the question, took a few seconds to answer. He clearly perceived the strange tone in the lynx's voice.

-I went to inspect the surroundings. I wanted to see if anyone had happened to leave the camp during the confusion. I thought the Beast that wants to see Raon dead might have tried to escape...

-That makes sense -Ailec approved.

-Yes ... -Inoa confirmed, nodding slowly -. I am glad to see that someone has done something useful for once.

Rukj opened his mouth to say something, but could not do so before the Loki's voice again interrupted someone who was about to speak for the second time in just seconds.

-I was... worried.

The eyes of all those present turned with some surprise towards the lynx, which did not change his expression one iota. Staring at the black wolf, and knowing that for much as he wait he would not be given and answer, he added:

• You left without any warning... Understand that I do not like seeing you leave without giving any explanation.

Rukj cocked his head.

-I'm... sorry.

Loki took a moment to react.

Finally, letting out a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes wearily.

-Never mind -he took some time before continuing -. I figured you'd be back and would have an explanation. But... I doubt that Jarek will do the same.

The wolf understood what he meant and narrowed his eyes, somewhat annoyed.

-He left because he wanted to. I did not tell him to.

Inoa directed a brief glance at Ailec, not sure whether or not if she should intervene in that conversation. For some reason, she had the impression that they both were no more than mere spectators.

-But you did not prevent it -Loki said, opening his eyes and giving him a look between upset and hurt -. And let's face it, you did not just humiliate him! You struck him so hard that...

-He was asking for it -Rukj replied, interrupting, with a low growl -. I was not the one who started the fight.

-But you did not stop it either! -Loki almost shouted, to the astonishment of the three present, they did not expect a reaction so effusive in turn -. He is a link, Rukj! And I thought you would help me protect him, not that you would stoop to his level and allow him to leave at the first opportunity... over a stupid fight! That you didn't even try to stop!

-And what should I have done? -the wolf asked, his voice somewhat softer. Loki's indignation quickly disappeared as he perceived a slight trace of pain in his tone -. What should I have done?

The lynx did not answer for a few moments.

-Not to demand him so much -he finally answered, quietly -. Not all of us are made of stone, Rukj. Perhaps Jarek is not capable of doing so much and this situation has overwhelmed him, but it is only natural... Don't expect him to give more of himself. Because if you insist on doing it, this will happen in the end -he added, giving him a sideways glance towards Inoa, for her to understand that the last sentence was also directed at her -. I... think that, deep inside, I understand Jarek. If I felt I was unable to help, to give everything that others expect of me... I also would leave.

-Jarek did what? -at that moment a voice was heard belonging to someone that nobody had heard from yet. A voice sounding slightly annoyed and indignant, and which asked with a growing concern.

Loki knew who owned that voice even before he turned in his seat to find out.

Raon, leaning over on the bed he had been placed in, slowly looked over each and every one present, trying to get a satisfactory answer. However, the silence was almost as eloquent as if it would have been a prepared response.

The Human frowned.

-Wait, Raon. Raon, listen to me. Raon! -Rukj almost shouted, sensing that the Human was ignoring him. With that last roar, the young man whirled to face him, with an expression that showed he wasn't particularly wºilling to cooperate -. You're in no condition to fight. Without your left hand, you can barely handle a weapon... Do you really think it's wise to go look for him in this condition?

Raon pensively looked away toward the tent. After having left the tent he had headed, without wasting any time, to the wagon that held all the provisions for the caravan, hoping to find something there to defend himself outside the camp. Apparently, it was not such a bad idea as he had originally thought, because inside the wagon he had found lots of spears, of different sizes, that could easily replace the one lost was a couple of nights in Frostmoon.

It was at that precise moment, while he was choosing the most appropriate spear to use for fighting, that Rukj had appeared. And inside, Raon ironically was beginning to think that he had taken too long to show up.

-I do not care -he replied, looking up and staring angrily at the amber eyes, challenging the black wolf -. You should have gone to look for him already, Rukj. You know that he is just not capable of defending himself out there!

Rukj acknowledged the challenge in the Human's eyes and could not help thinking that he hardly seemed the same. How long has he had the courage to raise his voice like that? And since when had there been so much rage and anger accumulated in the depths of his eyes? Silently Rukj wondered if this could be a result of the disappearance of Jarek... and the hypothesized link uniting them both. Were these the consequences that were taking place because the two links were separated?

-He left willingly, Raon.

-No. That is not true. He would never leave willingly. And you know that, Rukj -he added, giving him a suspicious look -. We are all that he has left. He lost everything that mattered to him in that fire. We were... were all he had...

A strange weakness and invaded his body, without knowing why, he felt the need to lean against something solid. In silence, he slumped against the side of the wagon, letting out a sigh, and missing Jarek's presence at his side. He knew, that if he had been there, he would have been the one he wanted to rest against. The fingers of his right hand closed tighter around the spear he had chosen, wistfully.

Rukj perceived the changes in his expression and closed his muzzle, somewhat alarmed. There was something, a small question, a slightly crazy thought making its way through his mind... like a worm, moving inside him. Something told him that, although before he would not have been able to realize it, that things had somehow changed between the Human and the wolf when he had not been close. And soon he realized why.

-You... - he said with awe -. You really appreciate Jarek, don't you?

Raon looked up, surprised.

In that look Rukj saw a hundred doubts reflected. Doubts that before, when the young man had shared the cabin with him, when life was based on surviving without being seen... had never existed.

It was that trip which was causing all those doubts.

Raon, the one he had protected since he was barely a pup... was changing. And he had not been able to realize it and adapt to changes as they occurred. Now... now it was clear.

Those changes... were not only affecting him.

-I want him close, Rukj -Raon replied with a whisper -. And that's why it hurts so much... you made him go.

The black wolf looked down, not knowing exactly what to say.

Letting out a sigh in dismay, he leaned against the wall next to the Human, while he dropped to the ground with his arms folded across his stomach. <<This is crazy... >> he said to himself, shaking his head <<. What is happening to me lately? I should know how to control these things... >>

Raon was not the only one that was changing, unfortunately. And during those last days, Rukj was aware that he was being subjected to too much strain... and, much as he wanted to hide it, he was suffering from this situation. Maybe... Raon and Loki were right? Maybe he was being unfair to the cub for no apparent reason? For a moment, the question was whether the young wolf really deserved his contempt or... had paid for all the doubts that were beginning to accumulate inside him.

He raised his head, staring at the sky.

Who was he, to begin with, to be allowed to intervene in all this mess? It was true that he had cared for and protected Raon from the day of his birth, but... perhaps he needed him for something more? Loki would guide him on his way to saving them all. Jarek will be at his side, giving him everything he needed. And Raon knew how to defend himself, as the circumstances were showing. Perhaps, in the back of his mind... fear of having outlived its usefulness could have made him behave in a stupid way lately.

However, luckily for him, at that moment his mind returned to a minimum modicum of rationality. The rationale which had stayed with him all those years. Which had so characterized him.

It did not matter why he had provoked him. He had to fix it. The Links had to bring both races together and restore the Web, he wanted it to happen. And remaining there he was not going to get anywhere.

Things were that way.

And there was no possible objection.

-That spear is too long. It needs to be slightly shorter if you want to hit something with your right hand.

Raon looked up at him, surprised.

-What...?

-You're right. But there is no time to talk about it now - interrupted the wolf, while selecting another spear among those which were stacked in a pile and handed it to the Human -. We have to go find that useless wolf and bring him back here, with you.

Raon did not look away from him, yet still did not understand exactly what was happening. With an open mouth, he stood up and away from the wall, reached for the spear. He hesitated a bit, however, before closing his fingers around it.

-So... -he said, without comprehending -. Have you changed your mind?

Rukj looked on with something resembling a smile. The young man could not help thinking that it was an unusual gesture for him, and that although it was nice Jarek's face, it did not do much for black wolf.

-No -he replied, with a false dryness, making a gesture of impatience with the spear. His smile was gone, but a trace of it was still there -. Are you going to take the spear or not?

Raon decided it was not worth asking what just happened.

In silence, he took the spear and, after judging its weight in his right hand and saw that it was much more comfortable than the last one, looked up to thank the wolf that had decided to accompany him. But it was too late.

Rukj had already left the wagon and was heading to the outskirts of the camp, ready to find the wolf which he had driven away.

The abyss was black, deep as a starless night, and its depths were lost in the darkness as if they reached the bowels of the earth. The snow fell slowly from the sky, flake by flake, into the depths of the ravine, cradled gently back and forth by the wind.

Jarek saw it fall in silence, with his feet dangling over the pit, and the remains of frosted tears adorning his face. He tried to follow a single snowflake during its path, but in the end, he always lost sight of it before it fell into the abyss. It would have been frustrating if he was really paying attention to the softy falling snow and not the thoughts that flooded his mind almost violently, but that was not the case.

He needed Raon. He really needed him.

It was ironic, because after all, it was only a few hours since the last time he'd seen him, but at that moment, he would have given anything just to have him by his side, to be able to be with him, embrace him and tell him that...

...tell him what? That did he need him? That even though he tried he was unable to show all the affection he felt for him? That... he loved him?

The copper furred wolf shook his head sharply with sadness nesting in the depths of his eyes. Maybe he should have said it all when he had choice, back when they had shared in silence the only each others company with no one else involved. But now... now it was too late to explain to Raon the intensity of what he felt for him. The worst thing was not the fact that he would never be able to tell the Human that he loved him, but he would never know that if he had risked making that trip, it was for him. And not only would Raon not know this, but he would also think that the wolf had left because he was not able go forward, or because he had no value, or because, deep down, did not care about him as much as he thought.

This was what Jarek feared most. That Raon doubted even for a moment how much he meant to him.

He could not bear that he didn't feel the same way he felt, he could even withstand the Human was afraid of those feelings, and even that he rejected him for them, but could never bear for him to misunderstand the events or believed that he meant nothing to him .

So why on earth had he left the camp, leaving him alone? Why wasn't he there, at his side, waiting for the moment he opened his eyes and to ask how he was, how he felt... and perhaps, once he gathered the courage, to explain why he was so important to him?

-I'm stupid... -the wolf murmured, burying his head between his paws and closing his eyes -. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

And, why? For a simple discussion with "the other wolf"? For simply proving he was more mature than he thought, for shutting his snout and convincing him once and for all that he was able to go it alone? That was ridiculous. Even he knew he would not have survived even two days by himself. So why had he?

<<Perhaps, in my heart... I could not prove anything to him, but to Raon>> he told himself thoughtfully, still with his head buried between his paws. He kept returning to that idea as it was gaining more weight in his mind, what was true was the fact that from the very beginning it had bothered him that the Human had so much confidence in the black wolf, almost as if he felt jealous of understanding that existed between them. Was he ... jealous? And did he want to show Raon that he was better than what Rukj believed? <<Please Jarek>> he thought, somewhat sarcastically <<. You are not so childish as to do something like that>>. Although, in reality, he was not so sure...

At that moment, something caught his attention and made him raise his ears in surprise.

He swore not far away he had heard something, a crackling sound... or perhaps, footsteps in the snow.

He opened his eyes and sat up, still too stunned to be alert, but beginning to pay more attention to what was around him. He walked away from the abyss, suddenly feeling strangely helpless, and gave a brief sideways glance, wondering why he had not been able to notice before how deep it was and how dangerous it was to sit with his legs dangling...

...and at that moment, something large and white as a snow storm fell on him.

Luckily, some primitive instinct reacted in time and, thanks to his reflexes, he could step aside before that gigantic mass tumbled down. He fell to the ground and, after a moment of confusion, he rose quickly while retreating few steps, gazing with a look of fear and confusion to whatever it was before him. A snarl of rage was the only answer he got his look.

The creature was at that moment standing in front of his eyes was, definitely, a minor Beast, but was larger than Jarek had ever seen. Despite being on all fours, it reached almost the same height as was the young wolf, and the dense white fur made it look even more enormous than it already was. Each of his paws was large enough to have crushed his head with a single blow if he had desired and the front legs of the creature were almost as thick as a trunk. If Jarek had lived in another place, in another time and under other circumstances, he would have known that the creature had been called "bear" by Humans decades ago.

The creature, in any case, was a Beast in every sense of the word. For a few long seconds, Jarek felt paralyzed by terror and completely frozen by that inexpressive gaze directed at him. For a moment it was like seeing a reflection of a more primitive and savage version of what he was, a version capable of killing him without asking questions. However, at that very moment he heard a scream in the distance that brought him out of those thoughts.

-Jarek!

The wolf turned to the right, just in time to see a small spot wrapped in a white fur coat appear a hill above that blended in the snow as it moved. The simple fact of making out that silhouette in the distance made him infinitely more relieved, as if suddenly a huge weight was taken off his shoulders. If the corner of his eyes were not occupied by the remains of frozen tears, he surely would have shed one or two.

Raon had come. He had come for him, even knowing that he had left the camp without even saying goodbye. He was there. He was there, yes...

...but he was not alone. Next to the Human, a pitch black figure significantly larger and moving at an alarming rate and even before Jarek knew it, was in front of him, standing between his body and the minor Beast he had just found. Apparently, he had the clear intention of... protecting him.

-Rukj... -Jarek muttered, his throat dry.

-Behind me -growled the other, without giving him even the slightest glance.

-But...

-I told you to get behind me -the wolf repeated, sounding hoarse and significantly more dangerous than normal.

Jarek understood without knowing exactly how he should feel about Rukj's change in attitude, and stepped back. The minor Beast was still there, breathing slowly and heavily, his breath forming dense clouds of vapor in air. The black wolf's expressionless gaze kept his amber eyes fixed on the bear, it even seemed as if both were exchanging some dialogue that could not be heard, but simply guessed. The tension could be felt as if it was a fast and lethal poison filling the air.

At that moment, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him back a step further. Jarek turned his head to see Raon with a worried look, however he did not hesitate, to turn toward the bear while moving the spear forward as a preventive measure.

-Raon...

-Sssh... be quiet -asked the other, his hand still tightly closed around his arm, as if unwilling to risk releasing it for fear of losing sight of him again.

That simple gesture made all of Jarek's doubts dissipate like smoke in the middle of a hurricane.

Suddenly understanding, the copper wolf could not help feeling excited and the tears that accumulated inside his eyes again threatened to escape, but a low growl from the minor Beast made him pay attention to what was unfolding in front of him. The bear had advanced a few steps, his powerful claws leaving huge footprints in the snow, with a strange gleam in his eye announcing danger. Rukj remained still; however, without moving a muscle, waiting for the bear's reaction.

Jarek could almost feel how Raon was holding his breath, definitely feeling very nervous like him. Instinctively, he moved closer to him without knowing exactly if he was seeking his protection or if offering it, with an arm around him.

At that moment, something changed.

Rukj raised his head, letting out a low growl, and a single word escaped from his mouth:

-Run.

Not even a thousandth of a second had passed after he spoke that word, when the bear rose up on its hind legs and let out a roar of rage, and lunged ready to crush him under his huge paws. Jarek let out a cry of warning and Raon drove him back a few steps more, still holding his spear at the ready, while Rukj, without losing a second, was lunging against the bear with his claws out and answered with a growl escaping his throat.

The clash between the two was brutal and, although logically Rukj was much smaller and overwhelmingly received the worst of the impact, only seconds elapsed before both Beasts were rolling on the ground, locked in a deadly dance of claws and fangs. The jet black fur of the wolf was mixed with almost snowy white bear, as a symphony of grunts, growls and the sounds of snapping jaws filled the air.

Despite not having even remotely the same strength or girth of the creature he faced, Rukj was well trained both for hunting and the elimination of his enemies, whatever they were, and, although it has been years since there was a fight as risky as this, it was also true that the years living with Raon and ensuring their safety had turned him into a more cautious predator with quick reflexes. The bear fought with fury and rage, blinded by his natural instincts. Rukj just had to take advantage of its mentality and its cold serenity to dodge the less lethal blows of the minor Beast, which certainly was ready to end his life regardless of the price he had to pay for it. Perhaps Jarek had entered his territory without being aware of it and now the bear looked to kill him or tear out his neck if he could.

At that time, the dangerous creature's jaw had closed just a few inches from Rukj's muzzle, who was holding his breath, and decided it was not the best time to start thinking about what had motivated that creature that had decided to kill them. That battle was already difficult enough, he didn't have to complicate it needlessly.

A few yards from of the two shaggy creatures that fought on the snow, Raon and Jarek looked on, stunned and paralyzed by terror. After a few moments of uncertainty, the first move and a step towards the two Beasts fighting was the Human, but Jarek reacted quickly, as if moved by a spring, and grabbed his shoulder with resolution before it gave a single step.

-Wait! -he exclaimed keeping him away from the fight -. We have to go!

• But Rukj... I... I can not just leave him there! -Raon almost shouted, trying to get rid of the wolf's paw, turning to ask with concerned look -. He needs our help!

-He asked to you to run -Jarek reminded Raon, looking hard into the Human with his deep emerald eyes -. He wants to protect you. And me too.

Raon opened his mouth to say something, but the wolf would not let him. Before the Human could answer, he grabbed both shoulders and pulled him back, trying to get him away from the battle.

-No! -cried the youth, kicking to free himself, seized by sudden desperation -. Rukj!

At that moment, a howl of pain rose in the air and a long scarlet stain stained the snow just a few steps from the two fighting beasts. Raon let out a cry of warning and Jarek was forced to grab him harder to keep him from going, locking his arms around his waist to prevent him from moving and pulling him back. He received several blows from the Human, who continued struggling with increasing vehemence, on different parts of his body, but he closed his eyes to ignore the pain and gritted his teeth, knowing that this was the only way he could save both Raon and himself. Rukj was able to save himself, as he had repeatedly demonstrated.

However, the black wolf wasn't at his best moment.

The bear had managed to reach his shoulder and claws had torn much of the fur and some muscle, leaving a trail of blood on the nearby snow. The intense pain rose in his spine and clouded his mind, joining the adrenaline of the moment and unleashing instincts that made him howl and seek the creature's neck with his teeth. Luckily for him, the bear was just trying to hit him and at that time had its body completely unprotected, so it was not very difficult to break through its four legs and find a weakness. His teeth sank into the white fur of the minor Beast and found his naked flesh, soft as butter with his sharp fangs. The taste, smell and texture of the blood, coupled with mild tremor of the creature as it received the bite and the roar of rage that escaped made him to lose all traces of rationality that his mind still retained.

That was his biggest mistake.

The bear, now more furious because of pain, raised one of his paws and Rukj, clouded by his sudden bloodlust, failed to anticipate what would be the result of that movement. The paw hit directly on his face and gave him such a strong impact not only left a painful wound of his snout, but also made him shoot off a few yards back. He wanted to regain his balance and return to the fight, but before he had the slightest chance to do so, a large rock was placed in the path of his fall.

The blow to the head was the last thing he felt before losing consciousness, still with the metallic taste of warm blood from another Beast in his mouth...

-Rukj! -Raon shouted in alarm when he saw what had happened -. RUKJ!

Jarek tried to restrain him, but the Human harder squirmed in his arms and managed to deliver a blow to his groin, leaving him almost breathless. In that state, Raon barely met any resistance and was released from the wolf's arms, closing his hands around the spear with determination, and sprinting toward the black wolf and praying to arrive in time.

Fortunately, the bear did not seem to be confident about the apparent unconsciousness of his enemy, and stayed away for a few seconds moaning in pain from the wound he had received in the neck. Raon felt that it was not deep enough to finish him from the blood loss, but even so would weaken him and make the battle easier for him.

Or at least, he thought so before facing the minor Beast, which looked at him with an expression somewhere between scared and angry and let out a low growl. Holding the spear in his right hand and unable to hold it with the other, Raon tried to keep a cool head and suppress any fears as the bear's stare pierced his eyes, perhaps weighing whether consider him a real danger or not . <<It is a big heavy creature, but not excessively so that it moves slowly>> he told himself, trying desperately to remember everything he had learned at Rukj's paws <<. It has to have a weakness, but... what?>>.

He did not have enough time to think about it.

With a snarl of rage, the bear lunged at him, jumping at the last minute to deal a blow so strong and sure that, if it had hit the mark, he probably would have left without a head. Raon managed to evade just in time and rolled over in the snow before getting up, still holding the spear, but not feel comfortable at all now that he was relying on a hand that felt almost unknown to him. <<Rukj was right>> he thought to himself, as he threw a quick glance at his left hand, covered in bandages <<. I am unable to fight>>.

However, he had to.

And, while from the corner of his eye he watched as the bear was recovering from the movement that had awkwardly slowed his progress, he had an idea... Loosening slightly the pressure from his grip around the spear, he shook his head to remove a lock of hair soaked in sweat from his forehead and focused his eyes on the creature, that would not take too long to fight again, determined not to fail this time.

But Raon had already found his weak point and, after all, was still faster.

Waiting until the last minute as he tried to quell the beating of his heart, he stepped aside just as one of the powerful claws of the bear was about to smash his skull and letting out a scream of rage, his right hand forward releasing a direct thrust unprotected flank of the creature.

It worked.

Since the minor Beast needed some time to recover from his thrusts and regain balance, leaving an unprotected flank for anyone in front of his paws in the same instant, so that Raon's spear sank with a satisfactory sound into the fur behind the front leg of the bear.

The youth could not help feeling immensely relieved, but unfortunately, that feeling did not last long. The bear let out a roar of anger, threw himself to the ground to dislodge the spear, which broke with a loud crack breaking into hundreds of chips. Only the tip of iron remained firmly anchored in the flesh of the feral beast, and apparently, not as deep as Raon wished, since he had to use his right hand for it.

<<Shit>> was all the Human could think of, as he began to back away, now completely disarmed. He had not planned what to do in case his thrust was not enough to end the bear's life and now he had nothing to defend himself with... the only thing that occurred to him was the possibility of running away or standing there waiting for certain death in the jaws of the creature.

Yet he only had a few seconds to spare and still be able to escape. The beast was complaining about his newly received injury, maybe he could even get away long enough to throw him off. But then what would happen to Rukj? Would he abandon him there, to his fate, defenseless against the polar bear's claws? He could not... he could not do that...

Then what?

Alert and prepared for anything, Raon continued to retreat, near the rock that Rukj had crashed into and against the body of the black wolf. The bear was already recovering from his injury and ignoring the pain, turned to him with a look that exuded anger and hatred. He could do nothing. There was no escape. That minor Beast would kill him there and then.

He was finished.

At that time, however, something white and small sailed across the air and smashed into the snout of the bear, he let out a growl of frustration and turned with surprise to see were the projectile had come from. Raon blinked, stunned, as he discovered that what had saved his life (or, at least, had delayed his imminent death) was nothing more than a mere snowball.

And his surprise not only increased as he found out who had committed the audacity to throw it against the enormous beast.

-Jarek, no! -he was able to scream, while the bear let out a frustrated growl again and launched toward the copper furred wolf that was waiting for him on the edge of the abyss.

It was as if, suddenly, everything happened too fast.

The distance between the two Beasts was shortened in just a moment, before the wolf was able to react and step aside to avoid the onslaught of the creature, two heavy paws fell on him, pushing him back. Immediately, he lost the ground under his feet and plunged into the void, followed closely by the huge white bear, who let out a final roar as he was swallowed by the abyss.

Raon saw how both were lost in the depths of the pit, without being able to do anything to save them and unable to even move a muscle. It was after a few seconds, after which his mind had digested what had just happened, when he was able to react.

-JAREK! -he screamed, feeling as if for a moment his heart had forgotten to beat.

Without wasting another moment, he ran towards the abyss, and past Rukj's motionless body desperately wishing what his eyes had seen was nothing more than an illusion, a strange kind of nightmare... With every step, the mere possibility of losing Jarek oppressed him more and more in his heart. As if it were a huge storm cloud, anguish seemed suddenly to have permeated every corner of his soul. It was something that just could not happen, could not have happened... he did not want to believe that something like this had really happened.

Once he reached the edge of the abyss, he dropped down, out of breath. The ledge of snow his hands rested on began to move as he came to rest, and the edge plunged into the darkness, falling gently as if they were part of the falling snow. Raon continued his decline until he saw a copper colored glimmer on the cliff, not far from there, maybe just twenty feet.

-Jarek! -he cried again, this time feeling like the storm cloud slowly disappeared inside him.

He was there. Unconscious, but alive, after all.

He was not dead. He was not lost...

The wolf had fallen on a large precipice jutting out over the opening over the abyss and showed no signs of life, but Raon knew he still was alive. He wanted to cling to that possibility as if it was his only hope.

It was as if his inner anguish slowly vanished to be replaced by a growing concern.

True, Jarek was there, but ... how could he manage to reach that ledge?

<<There is only one way to do it>> he thought, swallowing nervously, while looking over his left hand, covered in bandages, with a critical eye and taking a deep breath.

The first few minutes were the worst.

The feeling of hanging from the rock, at the mercy of the abyss, like a stone tied to the influence of gravity, managed to make him nervous and lose his concentration more than once. In addition, the sharp pain that invaded his left hand every time he closed each of his four fingers around the small projections of the precipice, did not exactly help him to feel better.

However, he decided it was better to take it calmly and slowly descend rather than rush and risk ending up in the bottom of the ravine, as had happened to the bear and... and how it had almost happened to Jarek. So gritting his teeth as he endured the pain conveyed from his hand and tried to continue descending down, inch by inch, to the ledge where the copper wolf had fallen. He almost let out a scream of terror when his foot slipped on a misplaced rock, but found a support so quickly that everything was just a simple scare and he could afford to steady himself before resuming his descent.

Once he was just a few yards from Jarek's body, he dared to look, to find out, once and for all, if the wolf was still alive. The soft, almost imperceptible movement of his chest as it rose and fell showed that he was still breathing, though perhaps not for much longer, so he had to hurry. Slightly more nervous, Raon measured the approximate distance from where he stood to where Jarek lay and tried to calculate whether he would be able to get there in a single leap. Perhaps he would come up a little short if he did not jump with enough momentum, but he really felt the need to reach with the young wolf soon as possible and make sure he was okay.

And he owed it to him. After all, he had saved his life. Although when he looked back, how many times had he already saved Jarek's life?

Trying to set aside those thoughts from his mind, the young Human closed his eyes and tried to calm down by taking a deep breath. After a few seconds that felt like hours, he opened them, with a glint of determination in his look.

Building momentum and relying on the projections that had supported his feet and also driving forward some with his hands, he found the strength to jump with greatest elegance he could manage. For a moment, an irrational fear invaded every corner of his soul as he felt suspended in the middle of the abyss. Luckily for him, his feet landed on the ledge and, unable to maintain his balance any longer, he slumped to the ground.

He could not have known how long he was lying there, trying to catch his breath and quell the pain in his accursed bruised hand... but finally he looked up, a little nervous, just to meet...

...to meet Jarek's unconscious face, facing towards him. For some strange reason, this simple vision took his breath away again, but he immediately tried to recover and rose up a little on his knees, still observing the wolf. The truth was now that as he watched him as he lay there unconscious... he realized that his face seemed... beautiful. Although this may not be the right word to describe something like that, since Raon had never felt anything like it, at that moment he realized that the simple act of fixing his sight on Jarek awoke a series of warm feelings inside him...

-Jarek... -he whispered, as he slowly approached him, crawling on his knees and gently shaking him, grabbing one shoulder. That strange feeling of empathy and understanding that were woven between the minimum physical contact returned again, the undeniable proof of the link that Loki had spoken of the night before -. Jarek, wake up.

Still it took a few more attempts, shaking the wolf a little harder, for him to come round and make sure he was okay.

-Who... is it? -Jarek asked, his voice hoarse and gravely as it seemed to arise directly from the depths of his throat.

Raon was caught by surprise by the question.

-It is me -he replied, blinking a few times -. Raon.

-I thought so. No one else would be so idiotic as to follow me here and risk dying for me -the wolf allowed to escape, opening his eyes with a grin.

The Human held his gaze for a few seconds, as if disgusted and could not believe what he had just heard, before frowning and punching him with a blow to the shoulder.

-Hey! -Jarek exclaimed, sitting up in alarm -. What's wrong with you?

-What's wrong with me? -Raon repeated angrily -. I risked my life fighting this thing and come here without my wounds having healed at all...! I risked my ass getting down to you, and as soon as I get here... the only thing you can think of is to call me an idiot?

-It was a joke! -the wolf apologized, raising his paws and interposing them between him and the Human, as if he was afraid of receiving more blows -. Hey, I'm sorry. Although you have to admit that it wasn't exactly your best idea.

-Oh, shut up... -Raon spat, looking away into the depths of the abyss -. You have no idea of...

He stopped in mid-sentence, as if afraid to continue, and exchanged a brief sideways glance with Jarek, before turning again to stare absently at the bottom of the cliff, as if nothing had happened. However, the copper furred wolf sensed that the Human was trying to hide something, and hopeful, sat up a little more to get closer to him.

-What? -he asked quietly, holding his breath -. What is it that I have no idea about?

Raon took a moment to answer, still staring into the darkness. Finally, and again staring into Jarek's eyes, he whispered:

-You have no idea how worried I was.

That said, he seemed to tremble a little, as if suddenly an icy breeze had caressed his back, and looked away again to anywhere else, as if he was constantly avoiding the eyes of the wolf. However, Jarek knew what caused his shaking and was sure that it had nothing to do with any kind of breeze...

He stepped closer to the young man, beginning to discover in his seemingly calm and serene expression that an insecurity that had remained hidden for a long, long time...

-I'm sorry, Raon - he replied, heart felt, ears down -. I did not want you to have to worry. I...

-Please do not ever leave again -the Human interrupted him at that moment, in a whisper.

-...what?

-Don't you ever leave again. Please - Raon repeated, with a slight tremor in his voice, as if suddenly his will had begun to abandon him.

Jarek suddenly felt the full brunt of the Human's nervousness, all his sadness and all his insecurity, as if they were his own emotions, and for a moment he was tempted to hug him and comfort him right there, promising that all would be well... but, in truth, he was not sure if that would have helped to improve things or, on the contrary, would have doomed them to disaster.

-Raon, I... -he tried to start over, not knowing exactly what to say.

-You're too important for me to disappear just like that! -Raon then exclaimed, turning to him. It was at that moment Jarek was able to see that his eyes were shinny and wet -. It does not matter to me if you think you are useless, and I do not care if Rukj or anyone else believes it too! I... I need you, Jarek! I need you by my side because otherwise... otherwise I do not know what I would do! -he confessed, rubbing the back of his hand across his eyes.

Jarek, mouth agape, tried to say something, while inside he began to feel a strange storm of emotions ranging from guilt to the utmost affection towards Raon. However, there were no words that could express this morass of emotions he felt inside, and the only thing his throat was capable of was a slight gasp:

-Raon...

-And before, when you fell here, I... -Raon seemed to struggle with himself, as if it came at a great cost to find the right words to express himself, tears were accumulating in his eyes -. I thought I'd lost you! Forever! I thought I would not... see you again! I... I have never been so scared before in my life, Jarek. -he confessed, as he tried in vain to control his breathing -. I do not care what Rukj says, or what any one else says! I do not care that everyone wants us dead, or they expect us to keep this stupid prophecy! All I want is... to know I can count on you, that I can still be at your side, Jarek. Be... with you.

The Human's gaze shifted back to the ground, embarrassed, as he felt his cheeks began to burn. <<What is happening to me?>> he wondered to himself, trying to dry his tears with his hands, unable to remember the last time something had happened like that. He had no memory of crying in the past, much less have felt such a strong weight in the depths of his heart, so that all those chaotic emotions were new to him.

Could it have something to do with the fact that, after so long, was finally telling the truth to Jarek?

He had no time to think about it, though. One of the wolf's padded paws closed softly around his chin and gently turned his head toward him. Raon was able to see the wolf through the veil of tears, unable to contain them any longer, and felt his concern and guilt.

-Raon ... -Jarek whispered again, as if he was unable to say anything -. Do you mean that... that you...?

Raon knew almost instantly what the answer was that he had to give, even if the wolf had failed to ask the question. He steeled herself and, holding his breath as his eyes dived into the deep emerald eyes of the wolf, replied:

-... I love you, Jarek.

The silence that followed those words would have been almost uncomfortable but for the labored sounds of the Human's breath, and his sobs occasionally reverberating between the walls of the pit. Raon kept looking at Jarek, but at the time was unable to focus on his eyes or anything else, it almost seemed as if reality had ceased to be consistent and, for a moment, Raon was somewhere far, far away from there. On one hand, he was proud of having finally confessed what had been on his mind for so long, but... on the other hand was more than a little scared at what the consequences of his words might be.

Jarek, however, seemed to have a hint of a sarcastic smile and gave him a funny look. When Raon realized this, he could not help but return a questioning gaze, not knowing exactly what made him so funny.

-Oh, was that all? -asked the wolf, pretending to be astonished -. Well, that is not a news.

Raon took a moment to react, catching his breath.

-So... so you... you already knew?

-I would be very blind not to have realized something so obvious, don't you think? -Jarek replied, his smile widening, without looking away from the face of Human and still holding his chin with a paw.

Raon, who at initially perceived that reaction with bewilderment and some confusion, soon believed he understood what was happening.

-Don't laugh at me! -he indignantly exclaimed, while feeling embarrassed at the same time -. Are you telling me that you knew all this time and you never said anything? How can you be so...?

He did not have time to finish the sentence before the wolf moved to him gently without he noticed it, and gently placed a soft kiss on his lips. Raon shuddered for a moment, caught by surprise, and the simple sensation of his lips against Jarek's snout caused a shiver of pleasure run up and down him from his head to his toes.

It did not last long, maybe just a second, but as soon as they parted, the Human felt as if, suddenly, everything was clear. He cautiously glanced at Jarek, as if he still could not believe what had just happened, or as if he did not feel ready to assume what it implied. The wolf returned his look, full of love and understanding, and then removed the paw from his chin, and gently hugged him, trying to infuse some warmth and trust into him. Raon rested his head on Jarek's shoulder, as a complex wave of feelings united them both through his body from top to bottom, intertwining with the emotions that the slight kiss had awakened inside.

-I ... love you too, Raon -Jarek whispered in his ear, tickling his ear with his breath -. And I am sorry I was not able to show you before.

The youth leaned back a bit, looking into his eyes and lost in his emerald pupils again... diving into them as if trying to find, perhaps, a reflection of what he felt. After a few seconds of silence, a faint smile of joy flitted across his face and, unable to restrain himself, he raised his hand to tenderly stroke the face of the wolf with his fingertips, as he pulled him into his embrace, his head slightly tilted and sharing a look filled with tenderness that went beyond words.

Unable to contain himself any longer and seeing him like this, Raon returned to bring his head up to the wolf and placed another a kiss on his lips, this time prolonging it for a while longer. Jarek, somewhat surprised by the boldness of the Human, responded willingly to the kiss as he slightly tightened their embrace. One of his paws climbed Raon's back up to his head and gently stroking his hair, while they shared the kiss they both had expected, enjoying the contact with each other as if at any moment it was going to be snatched away.

Raon shivered again when he felt the wolf's tongue enter his mouth slowly, but although during the first few seconds the contact seemed strange, he soon reciprocated Jarek deepening the kiss, surrendering to his embrace and enjoying the wonderful feeling the contact with his body gave him. He did not know exactly why they did it, or if there was a rational reason why the wolf should let him lead that way, he only knew that he loved it, he felt great and that at that time nothing and no one could separate him from Jarek. And, although the differences in size between his mouth and snout of the wolf did make it quite a bit harder, he could not help but let out a gasp as his hand sank into the soft fur on Jarek's back, gently caressing his skin below and feeling the warmth of his body through it. The feeling was wonderful... and he never, ever felt anything like that before ... for anyone...

Moments later their kiss was slowly fading, until after a time that could have been seconds, minutes or hours, and they separated again and both stared at each other, smiling. They did not say a single word, there was nothing they needed to say, everything had been said. Jarek lifted a paw to fondly caress the face of Human, while he formed a smile full of happiness. The two were like that, still holding each other in their embrace, enjoying the look and touch of the others body, until finally, Raon's smile slowly faded.

Jarek took a while to notice it.

-What is it? -he asked, a little nervous, fearing he had done something wrong.

-It is Rukj -murmured the Human with a hesitant voice, and then added, as if he regretted having said it -. Sorry, I know I should not talk about him in a situation like this, but...

-It's okay, you're right -Jarek reassured him with a last caress on his cheek -. We should go check on him.

Raon gave a long look of surprise at him, as if he did not entirely believe the words he had just heard. The wolf let out a soft laugh.

-What? -he asked, shrugging -. He received a severe blow, he might be injured badly. We can not leave him that way.

-Yes, you... you're right - Raon said, with some distrust.

In silence, he quickly glanced up, spying the edge of the cliff about twenty feet high. It would not be easy to get there, especially considering that the last time he had not been able to cover the distance, and what was worse, now Jarek must also go.

-I just hope we get out of here alive... -the youth said as he let out a resigned sigh.

At that time, he noticed Jarek's arm closing around his waist and turned to look at him when he discovered that he had a sly a grin again, full of mockery.

-It would be easier if a certain person had not struck me earlier in my "weakness", you know? -he dropped, getting Raon to blush violently -. But do not worry. I bet that even with my inability to do these things, we will climb up. And -he quiet murmured, bringing his face close to the young Human -, once we're out... we'll have all the time in the world to be together.