The Wolf’s Daughter

The hours seemed to go by both in slow motion and on fast forward, as if she wasn’t really watching them, yet so painfully slow she wondered if they’d ever finish. She didn’t know how she appeared, but apparently it was not good. Her subjects were giving her a wide berth, which she understood. But there had been no more objections to the release. Worse, there had been no objection from the dryads themselves. They’d seemed grateful enough to leave with their lives, almost desperate to see her gone.

But now?

She was home.

Phaedra walked into her throne room and saw Yroth lounging on the throne, legs over the side and wings dangling over the other end, in her kobold form for once. Admittedly, slightly strange for her to not be in her full dragon form. Once she walked in, Yroth reached up a hand and snapped her fingers, the silencing spell washing over the doorway. “Good, we won’t be disturbed, I already told them not to. I—”

Phaedra ignored her, instead she reached out and wrapped her arms around the kobold as tightly as she could and just held her, clutching her so tightly, before she just collapsed, tears streaming down her face before she began to bawl. Finally, she let it all out. She’d held it in for what felt like ages, buried it in, suppressed it, but now? She didn’t have to, she just let it all out.

Slowly, Yroth repositioned herself and her wings moved to wrap around her. “Phaedra?” she asked softly. “What… what happened?”

“H-he’s dead…” Phaedra said softly. “I-I’m so sorry… it’s… a-all my fault… a-all of it… it’s all my fault… I’m no hero… I’ve never… I’ve never b-been a hero… I-I never s-should have b-been summoned here…”

Yroth was silent for a few moments then, a hand gently stroking her cheek, wiping away her cheek. Then she gave a small nod. “Very well. Tell me everything.”

“It was… when I-I was first summoned here. High Mage Rendel, he told me… He… sent me o-on a mission. It was a… it w-was supposed to be simple. I-I was… It was s-supposed to h-help me awaken m-my abilities. T-to help my p-powers come alive. An elemental chimera that had come close to the city,” Phaedra said. Slowly her grip began to loosen and the gentle, comforting strokes of Yroth made the tears begin to slow down. She felt so exhausted, though, just leaning against the other girl and letting her hold her up.

“An elemental chimera? Alone?” Yroth asked. “Like… a baby one?”

“I don’t know,” Phaedra said with a shrug. “I’ve only ever seen the one. How big do they get? It was… well… about as big as the throne.”

“And they had you fight it ALONE?!” Yroth asked, her entire body going tense.

Phaedra cringed, shrinking back a little and causing Yroth to quicken her stroking. “Sorry,” Yroth said quickly. “They are dangerous, albeit rare, creatures. They come from another realm and the smallest are about the size of my fist, currently. Some can grow as large as a mountain, but ones that large almost never come to our world. I’ve only seen a few that have come to our world that were larger than… well, you are now. But they are incredibly dangerous. Even for one with the powers of a hero, let alone ones that were not fully developed.”

“I… didn’t know that,” Phaedra said softly. “I… was just… well… it…” She sniffled and reached up an arm, wiping her face. “It… there were… I-I… there was a-a massive celebrations. G-gnomes, kobolds, e-elves, dwarves, h-harpies, f-fairies, a-all kinds. T-there were two… t-two harpies in p-particular. Snowdancer and Raindancer. T-they were… well, dancers, I-I guess. Skydancers, I-I guess it was a thing, b-big for them. T-twins. N-not… like… I mean… S-Snowdancer was… he was a boy, Raindancer was a girl. A-apparently they’d like… h-heard of the last hero? They h-had a dozen different dances about the l-last hero and wanted to perform all of them. I didn’t know harpies l-liked dancing that much.”

“For some harpies dancing is important, yes. You find those infatuated with the arts amongst all races,” Yroth said. “What… happened?”

“W-when I left… they followed,” Phaedra said. “A-a lot of people did, a-actually. T-they wanted t-to see the great… t-the g-great h-hero kill this t-terrible creature. B-but I didn’t… it was terrifying! I-I didn’t know how to use a sword! How was I-I supposed to fight it? I’d never even SWUNG a sword like that before outside of like… pretend! And it was a MONSTER! I tried my best, but, but I couldn’t a-and the only thing I could do was fight and I swear, I swear I didn’t know, I-I swear, I’m so sorry, p-please, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know, I swe—” Her mouth was covered with Yroth’s hand and the dragon looked into her eyes with concerned, saddened eyes.

“Phaedra… tell me. What happened?” Yroth asked, softly. Slowly she pulled her hand back.

“B-back home w-we had things c-called video g-games, it was the closest t-thing to these we had,” Phaedra said. “I-I told you a-and the others a-about them, right?”

“A little,” Yroth said. “But you didn’t usually talk much about them. You’d always… quickly move away from the topic.”

“Because… of this… many games had… boss fights,” Phaedra said. “As a measure to help guide players, they’d have special locations on the bosses that kind of glowed. Those areas were the areas you’d hit.”

“O-oh no,” Yroth said softly.

“A-and… and there were five of them on the elemental chimera,” Phaedra said.

“By the gods,” Yroth said softly.

“I-I didn’t know what I was doing,” Phaedra said softly. “I-it knocked me aside, and then there was a scream. It was charging the people who’d… come with me. I saw it rearing over one of them… and then I saw one of the glowing parts on its back and I… I ran and leaped and… I—” Her words were cut off by Yroth hugging her, both with her arms and her wings, pulling her so tightly to her body that she almost thought her bones might break.

Phaedra just closed her eyes and rested there, relaxing into the dragon’s grip, letting herself be comforted in the warm embrace. Then, slowly, it began to loosen. “That wasn’t your fault,” Yroth said gently. “You couldn’t have known…”

“If I’d asked more questions,” Phaedra said softly. “If I’d told them to not follow me. If I’d been more careful. If I’d assumed it wasn’t… like a game… Raindancer and so many others were killed. Snowdancer’s burns were so severe that… he… I don’t know. The trauma… though… I think… was so much worse. When… I woke up after the explosion… the chimera was dead… and I was told that none of those who had been there wanted to speak with me again. That it was best I keep all that happened… to myself. For my own safety. That my failure be…” She closed her eyes. “And now? I finished it… Snowdancer… became Arthur. And I killed him. Or, well. I had Emma kill him. And… now we have my old sword, I guess. And I can’t even bear to touch it.”

“Your sword?” Yroth asked.

“Y-yes,” Phaedra said. “Snowdancer had it. Apparently he reforged it and… he had it. I told Emma she can have it. I don’t want to touch it ever again. Ugh. When daddy finds out that it’s here he’s going to… damn it. If he wants to throw a fit about it I may just fight him over it, it’s not like I don’t already feel like the world’s biggest monster.”

Yroth nodded, gently stroking her head. “Phaedra,” she said gently. “What happened isn’t your fault. None of that was. You had no way of possibly knowing. What you need now… more than anything… is rest.”

“I’m not tired,” Phaedra said, though she knew it sounded like as much of a lie as it was. She let out a soft squeak as she was, oddly gently, scooped up in the arms of Yroth. Clutched in the dragon’s arms, she was cradled close and gently rocked.

“What happened then was not your fault,” Yroth said softly. “And while there are many challenges yet to come, many fights to face, many battles to be waged… you will not have to wage them alone… I promise. For now, rest and recover. We can talk more when you awaken… and you will no longer need to suppress and hide all of this within, I promise.”

Phaedra nodded, closing her eyes. Some rest did sound nice.

------

Yroth sighed once she stepped back into the throne room, closing the door behind herself. She waited for a moment before, once again, silencing the room. She then waited a few more seconds before speaking up. “Did you hear all of that?”

She began to walk back towards the throne, her ears perked and alert for any sound. She was nearly to it before, finally, she received her answer. “I did,” Lilith said. “I heard it all.” Slowly, she stepped out from behind the throne, her arms crossed, the look on her face concerned.

“I take it that means you believe me?” Yroth asked.

“Something like this should be impossible,” Lilith said.

Yroth took a seat on the throne and laid across it once more, legs over one side, wings over the other. “And yet, it appears to be happening. If true…”

“If true, it means that Fenrir wasn’t the threat endangering this world,” Lilith said. “It means that Medon’s summoning may have been a waste, that there is no threat.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Yroth said. “Oh, if only it were that simple. High Mage Rendel’s spell has definitely done something and I believe the ripples are beginning to form. What happened to Medon, soon Morgana, is possibly just the beginning.”

“So you think there is a threat?” Lilith asked. “Rendel? He’s dead.”

“The hero summoned was reborn,” Yroth said. “I doubt we would be so fortunate as to have the threat not. More importantly, one of the pillars of our world has been damaged, heavily. Morgana needs to be repaired.”

“You make her sound like a broken weapon, not a hurt demon,” Lilith said, shaking her head.

“She is both,” Yroth said.

“Medon isn’t… he’s… she’s… they’re…” Lilith said, before shaking her head. “This can’t be happening. None of this can be happening. When we all… when we were together, Medon was… well…”

“When you journeyed together, did everything seem normal? Did Medon seem good? Content? Happy?” Yroth asked.

Lilith didn’t say a word, but the guilty look on her face told her all she needed to know.

“At the center of all of this lies Rendel… and the elves,” Yroth said.

“What are the dragons going to do?” Lilith asked, her arms slowly wrapping around herself.

“My people will only interfere if they believe the world is truly in danger,” Yroth said. “But it would not be the first time that a species was driven to extinction to preserve the world. However, that seems unlikely. I need you to do something. But I need to ask you something, first. The story Morgana told. About the elemental chimera, had you heard it?”

“From Medon? No,” Lilith said, shaking her head and averting her eyes.

Yroth’s eyes narrowed on Lilith and her wings pushed back, the tips digging into the stone. “Lilith… companion of the Hero from Another World…”

“Fine…” Lilith said, her voice turning bitter. “It was nothing like that. Soon after the hero was summoned, the chimera had appeared and attacked during the celebrations. The version… told in the dynasty was far more flattering. The moment that Medon heard of the trouble, he had rushed off to confront the monster despite the warnings. While he had the beast well in hand, one of the travelers had attempted to assist, setting off one of its stored mana stockpiles, causing it to erupt and nearly killing the hero and all those nearby. Supposedly it was only due to Medon’s efforts that any had survived, and the fool who set it off had perished despite his best efforts.”

“And you never questioned him about this?” Yroth asked.

“Why would I?” Lilith asked. “Medon was always quiet and reserved, he hated talking about himself. About his past, about his world, about… anything, really. Why would I try to make him relive something so painful? Gods, we were blind.”

Yroth’s gaze softened and she leaned back, giving a small nod. “We were. We had a hero in front of us and we had no reason to doubt him, little did any of us realize that there was someone who we desperately needed to protect him from.”

“We failed in our duty, didn’t we?” Lilith asked.

“Not yet,” Yroth said softly. “We were granted a second chance. We had best not waste it. We’ll need to begin moving, though. Morgana’s power is still in shambles and while there are glimpses of it, repairs will take time. I believe that elemental chimera may have played more of a part in it than even she realizes. There is also the recovery of Eve and Atlas. On top of that, there’s finding out if High Mage Rendel truly did die, or if it he is out there somewhere. I want you to meet with the Ascended Dragon, Loki. They’ll set you on the right path.”

“Loki,” Lilith said, the doubt clear in her voice. “If you want to kill me, why not just do it yourself?”

“There’s a difference between seeking out Loki on your own and being sent by another Ascended Dragon,” Yroth said. “But before you leave. Are you certain you do not wish to let her know?”

Lilith took a deep breath before shaking her head. “I… no. I don’t… know how I feel about this. About any of this. Medon was… he was…” A small smile formed on her lips and she reached up, playing with a strand of her hair. “The way he looked at me was nice. He was cute, shy, special. Weird. Special. Humans were such strange creatures. And he was always so… aloof. Distant. But this is like… it feels like it’s… an entirely different person. I can… see him. Her? I can see… her. I think? But it almost feels like it’s for the first time and… I need to figure out who I’m seeing. I thought I’d be fine to meet her at first and just figure it out. But after she started crying on you? I just… knew that I needed to wait. I knew I had to just… figure things out from there. So… yeah. For now? Just let her know I’m safe. That I was here when she was away and that I had to go.”

“As you wish,” Yroth said before sitting up in the throne properly. “There is one thing, though. Possibly the most important thing.”

“What?” Lilith asked.

“I do believe she is actually happy, now,” Yroth said. “Or… she can be. So long as she can save all of you.”

Lilith gave a small nod. “Well, then hopefully Loki won’t be a trap, huh? I’ll be back when I can. And when I get back? Hopefully I’ll have it all figured out. If not… then… well… if not…”

“Do not assume you have to treat her the way you did Medon,” Yroth said. “So long as you can still see her as a friend.” She slowly got to her feet. “Will you be able to slip through the demonic patrols?”

“Easily,” Lilith said.

“Good,” Yroth said before holding out her hand and a small, cloth map appeared in her hand. On it a map of her territory was drawn, which she drew a small circle over. “Here. Show this map to any kobold in this territory and they will aid you. When you arrive, they’ll be able to transport you directly to Loki. Tell her I sent you.”

“Yes, the Ascended Dragon… named…?” Lilith asked.

“My name will not be necessary,” Yroth said. “The one who aided the Hero from Another World will be enough. Tell her everything.”

“Everything?” Lilith asked.

“Everything,” Yroth said. “There will be no need to lie or hide things from her. Trust me. Do not lie or attempt to trick her with this. If you cannot tell her something, then do not. But do not lie. Understand?”

“Of course,” Lilith said before reaching out to take the map. She stared at it for a moment before cocking an eye. “You’re not going to disappear again the moment Medon needs you most, are you?”

Yroth’s eyes twitched, but she didn’t say a word.

“Don’t,” Lilith said, before turning away. “She doesn’t have anyone else.”

Yroth watched Lilith leave before sitting down on the throne and then reaching up to rub her head.

Her heart ached for Phaedra, that poor creature. She may have longed for something simple, but there were still so many dangers and threats that were beginning to creep in. She glanced towards her arm, the injury that had been inflicted on it by the sheep now fully healed.

Phaedra was more than just the Wolf’s daughter, and if she wasn’t careful then yet more damage could be done to the girl before she had a chance to rise from her already unsteady position.

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