Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

I don't feel like going on this time.

I close my eyes, abandoning myself in the desolation and despair of not knowing what fate will bring.

I am alone.

I don't know how long I've been here and I don't know how much longer I must wait to get out.

I miss the wolf. His presence brought me comfort and security.

Now his absence hits me with silence and emptiness.

His words are alive within me, however. They remain a constant reminder that I cannot and will not get rid of.

Should I listen to him? Should I go on and not give up, no matter how dark the future holds for me?

Will I manage to find him afterward?

Uncertainty.

Of not knowing what will happen to me. So taking a deep breath, I slowly open my eyes.

I'm still in the woods, but it looks different. There's light, much more light than before.

And now the moon is big and shines with a faint blue light around its circumference.

I take a look around and the trees start to grow.

The earth trembles beneath my feet and the stones jump as the branches spread out and large, beautiful green leaves grow at their ends.

I am stunned.

I have never seen anything so impressive and profoundly beautiful as what is happening in front of my eyes at this moment.

My head is tilted back, watching the treetops fill up with more and more new life.

The forest looks completely different now.

It is no longer gloomy and frightening, it is now full of vitality and warmth, though it preserves a little mystery.

Suddenly, something catches my attention.

«Come closer».

Hearing him, takes my breath away.

I can't get used to the effects he has on me and I haven't even seen what he looks like.

Before I can avoid it, my feet lead me in the direction of the voice.

I take small steps at first, trying to lengthen this moment as much as possible.

«We have time».

—Please, don't leave again.

I answer in the air, shaking my head in all directions in the faint hope that I might find him in the shade of one of the trees.

Without being able to see anything, I keep moving. The light emitted by the moon is not as intense as before, but it conveys a different feeling.

Warmth.

A gentle emotion runs through my body, making me feel as if I somehow belong here.

«Keep moving. Don't stop».

I clench my hands in fists and speed up the pace, for fear that the voice will leave me once again.

I'm starting to see little piles of grass around me. The tiny leaves tickle my fingers as I walk, but I keep moving.

Water.

I manage to see water as I go. A short shore opens up into a huge lake.

The waves are completely calm, while the moonlight reflects as a mirror on its surface.

«This is it».

I feel him so close yet so far away.

I long to feel his heat, to be able to have him in front of me.

if it is real or just a product of my voracious imagination and in need of

—Where are you?

out loud but shaky. My eyes are wide open, trying

I

I stand on the shore

twilight of night, its waters seem to be

«Come in, Xander».

What?

Go in?

I don't want

—I'm scared.

in there, I don't want to risk

I could die.

want

critical

be afraid,

—Who are you?!

without being able to

quickly and

me see you!

and before I

hugging my body, in an attempt to control

hurt you, Xander. You're a part of me, just as

something inside me, my tremors and sobbing stop

for a few seconds, then close my

I breathe.

I breathe.

suddenly, there

me with a faint whisper of love and tenderness that unsettles me from head

don't see him, but somehow,

With me.

Just like he said.

feel

that it barely comes out in a thin thread of sound, the

Joy.

light as

In all its shapes and

Relief.

that he's here, that he's not a figment

know he exists. He exists, either to take care of me or

for now, is

you too, my

eyes and look at

go forward. By the time

hot. It is warm, but the feeling of calm invades my body so suddenly

«A little more».

on. By the time the

the water I can see the reflection of something taking shape,

It's a tree.

grows from the bottom of the water, creating

are born at

It's lights.

shape of beautiful rosebuds, engendering a purple aura that outlines

drawn to it like a bee to honey and swim

the time I get close, I feel the earth under my feet, so

island with this

strangest thing of all, I'm completely

don't feel exhausted from the

fine. I'm completely

—I'm here.

the void, waiting for the owner of

«I know. Me too».

—You're lying.

the words just came

could see you if that was

continue quickly, the last thing I want is for him to

—I could touch you.

I need to.

want more than anything in this world to be

Xander. There's only you and

cradle one of

smooth to the touch. I move the fingers through its petals but