Savior of the Heart

The roaring thunder reigned on the outskirts, and heavy rain poured when the paddling of footsteps grew louder and louder with the many people running for shelter in their homes.

Wet musky mud mixed with the smell of anxiety curved into the peoples hearts as they ran for cover from the thunderous dark cloud that seemed to swallow the entire sky into total darkness with few rays of light shining here and there.

”Have you heard? There is a young man that was unconsciously found by Grandpa El. ”

”He doesn have the luxury to be saving strangers when hes barely making ends meet and having to raise his grandkid. ”

”I say hes an escapee from the Wolf Kingdom. ”

”No, the wolves hate us. The kid mustve sneaked in from the Phoenix Kingdom. ”

Meanwhile, in a hut covered with bamboo for a roof and cold concrete walls, grandpa El and his grandkid are hurriedly rushing to the sink and looking for extra blankets to warm the shivering unconscious young man.

The uneasy child comments while staring at the young man lying on a mat, ”grandpa…is he going to die? ”

On the other hand, grandpa El is doing his best to bring the young mans fever down when he helps the stranger drink medicinal water. ”No, Jiro, hes alive. Hes just suffering from a severe fever. ”

Though he said, there was no mistaking that the medicinal water wasn taking effect immediately as grandpa El felt the young mans body growing colder and colder by the minute and his face paler.

He couldn help but think of the worst-case scenario where did you come from? Black hair…

Aaron lay dormant within his innermost spirit when a soothing, gentle voice full of grace swirls a cold gush of wind to his face, [Wake up, young man. Aaron Xelad, awaken!]

At the demand of the urging voice, Aaron woke, but what he saw next was himself floating in space when he slowly examined his body, ”why does my body not hurt? I couldve sworn it burned just…wait a minute! ” Aaron quickly recalls the events before waking up, only to see himself floating when he yells, ”H-Hello?! Is anyone there?! Where am I?! ”

His restless voice only echoes within the nothingness of the air until an elegant whirl of wind permeates the air, only for it to change its surroundings.

”A lake? ” Aaron wondered aloud at the sight of the setting change to a vast, never-ending lake, fresh green grass, and trees. ”Where is this place? How did it suddenly change? ”

[Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Aaron Xelad]

”Huh? ” Aaron was quick to turn around only to see a pure white swan with glowing red eyes only two feet from him, ”a-a talking bird? ”

[I am Cornelius Von Aracelia, King of the Swans]

”I stand corrected…a talking swan…. ” Aarons expression twitches at the sight of the gorgeous white swan introducing itself. He goes on to ask, ”W-Where am I? Mr. Swan? ”

[This is the realm of your spirit, where your soul connects with your mind, body, and heart.]

It took Aaron a couple of silent minutes to understand what the swan was talking about when he gulped, ”t-then what are you? How are you here? What happened to me? Why am I here? ”

[Your body is currently suffering from the shock of our merging]

”m-merging?! You mean that burning pain on my left arm is from you? ” Aaron was beginning to get angry. ”What are you? Why are you here talking to me? ”

The beautiful white swan stares at Aarons deep grey eyes, [You, Aaron Xelad, are my vessel]

***

A pair of feet are shuffling through the hallways of the grandeur palace until it finally reaches the entrance to the audience room. Then, with a nervous gulp, the knight respectively opens the wide doors leading to the throne.

With a respectful bow showing his utmost loyalty to his King, the knight kneels before the throne when he overhears the Kings personal advisor speak, ”You may raise your head, knight of the guarding gates. State your purpose for interrupting his majesty. ”

The knight nervously yet slowly raised his head to greet his ruler, ”Your majesty, King Joulecest of the Wolf Kingdom. Please forgive me for intruding…. ”

The knight nearly forgot his following words when he made eye contact with the Kings glowing hazel eyes staring him down with the tilt of his head protruding his brown wolf ears, hair, and his pretty tan features. Then, his long sharp nails tapping impatiently on the edge of the thrones armrest, ”Go on. ” King Joulecest nods.

”Y-Yes, forgive me, your majesty. There is an old woman with a wolf outside the palace gates begging to see you with the excuse of a young womans life that needs saving. ”

King Joulecest furrowed his brows at the odd description, ”What is her name? ”

”She calls herself Madam Lise, your majesty. ”

Upon hearing the knight speak that name, the King seemed to have flinched in his seat as his eyes shook. He quickly stood up, ”bring her in! ”

The knight was urgently sent back to allow the guest inside the palace when the advisor led them to a nearby guest room.

Madam Lise carefully brought in a young unconscious woman inside the guest room and carefully lay her on the bed, ”his majesty should be here any minute now…. ”

At that moment, the King walked inside the guest room wearing different casual clothes compared to when he was in the audience room when he spotted Madam Lise standing near the bedpost.

His icy blank expression melts at soon as his eyes meet with the Madams, ”its great to see you, Grandma Lise. ” King Joulecests tender, warm smile makes Madam Lise grin when she hurriedly goes on to give him a warm hug, ”youve grown so much since the last time I saw you, my child. ” She kindly pets his head, only for his wolf ears to twitch at the familiar longing for motherly love.

But that moment only lasted for a second when Joulecests ears became stiff at the sound of someone else in the room. The scent of another being in the room made his nose lead him to the bed, ”what is this woman, grandma Lise? ”

The unconscious young woman with blonde sunshine hair and pale complexion stirred something within Joulecests instincts, which led him to come closer to lightly sniff the scent in the air.

”Come closer, son, ” Lise guides him to see what she sees, ”do you recognize that artifact the young lady is wearing? ”

”It can be! ” Joulecest is shocked to see the moon necklace around the unconscious woman, ”what is she to be wearing the ancient artifact said to belong to our forefather?! ”

Without realizing it, King Joulecest reached out to touch the necklace when it suddenly sent a shock wave, ”careful! ” Lise quickly pulled him out of the way when a barrier of electricity enclosed the young woman.

Meanwhile, from within, Valene is crying like a fetus with her head on her knees, ”Im scared…I don know where I am. Its dark and cold…Aaron…where are you? I don know where I am. Please save me…please find me, Aaron! ”

A womans crisp, arrogant voice irritably makes her presence known in the form of a dazzling black wolf with fierce grey dilated pupils looking ready to devour Valene while standing confidently on all four paws planted on the frozen platform of snow.

[Will you stop crying? My ears are about to go numb from your stupid whining!]

Valene panicked to wipe away her tears at the sound of the haughty voice coming from an astonishing black wolf, ”W-Who are you? ” Somehow, seeing the wolf was comforting because it let Valene know she wasn alone.

[Its about time you notice me, you brat! I am Angel-Line Valenxina De Estrena, the Queen of the Wolves! Now girl! Its your turn to tell me exactly who you are!]

Hearing her beautiful, unique name made Valene comfortable enough to stop her sniffing, ”I am Valene Xina….umm ” she was just about to ask something until the wolf in front of her began to growl upon hearing her name.

[You are NOT the one I chose! The boy…you!] Angel-Line glares at Valenes pale expression as she comes closer, [Where is the BOY! Why am I with you instead of the boy?!]

Seeing her aggressive approach made Valene flinch with fear when she crouched to her knees, ”I don know what boy you
e talking about…please don hurt me! I don know anything, I swear! ” she begged.

[Lies! What was the name of that boy you kept crying for the past hour?!]

Valene internally gasped, thinking, perhaps she can take me to him! and revealed, ”his name is Aaron…Aaron Xelad. I got separated from him…do you think you can help me look for him? ”

[You were never meant to become my vessel. The boy belongs to me, and now that annoying Swan has got a hold of him! GRRR!] The wolf was too angry to look at Valenes fearful expression when it turned away in a huff.

Valene keenly observed the wolf contemplating as its tail carefully grazed her fingertips, soft….

The wolf seemed to feel a faint zap coming from the girl when she quickly turned to face the surprised Valene and internally grins [I will settle for you]

”H-Huh? ” Valene was confused when the wolf suddenly brought forth a storm of mist to hide her presence [Valene, from this day onwards, you shall become mine. In doing so, I shall erase your weakness]

Valene was terrified and confused, ”my weakness? ”

[Yes! That boy, Aaron Xelad, you will remember him no more!]

On the outside, King Joulecest had no choice but to watch over the young woman, protected by a strong barrier, until an urgent knock came ringing from the door.

”Your majesty! There seems to be some sort of disturbance causing the wolves to! ”

The Kings advisor couldn finish his sentence when the ground shook at the intense howls from the wolves outside the palace walls.

”What is going on, advisor Mill?! ” King Joulecest was taken aback to hear the cries of the wolves when the advisor hurriedly explained, ”I don know what is causing them all to act this way, your majesty! They
e desperately surrounding the palace as we speak, howling and crying as if something were calling them! ”

King Joulecest knew immediately what the cause was when suddenly a bright purple light shone from the young woman lying on the bed, now floating in mid-air, enveloped by a purple aura. Before their eyes, the girls hair transformed from wavy blonde to straight dark black.

***

At the same time, within the hut, grandpa El and his grandkid, Jiro, were awed to witness such an enchanting transformation when the unconscious young man before them began to float from the mat. A pink light emanated from his body, and the hair on his head lost its ebony color and became platinum rose gold.

Once the transformation was done and the young man was lying back on the mat, grandpa El cautiously checked his forehead, ”its gone? His fever is gone! What was that light just now? How did his hair change color? ”

Aaron felt a tingle at his fingertips while slowly opening his eyes to see an unfamiliar ceiling.

Upon seeing the young man open his eyes, Jiro couldn help but shout in astonishment, ”grandpa! He has red eyes! ”