The legend of Great Howl

A Wolf and a Girl

Aela lives in a little village among the Dark Mountains and has always dreamed of adventure. One day, while out picking berries, she hears a peculiar sound emanating from the jungle. Curious, she investigates the sound and encounters a wolf, who looks at her with sorrowful, intelligent eyes.

Aela is scared, yet she can't help but feel a connection to the wolf. She extends a hand, and the wolf sniffs it before l*****g it tenderly. She chuckles with glee, and the wolf watches Aela anxiously as if waiting for her to do something. Aela considers for a bit before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a piece of dry meat. She hands it to the wolf, who takes it gently from her fingers.

The wolf eats the meal before returning his attention to Aela. It appears to be attempting to communicate with Aela, but she is unable to understand. Then the wolf does something unexpected: it begins to walk away, encouraging Aela to follow.

Aela hesitates for a moment, but something about the wolf compels her to trust it. Aela follows the wolf deeper into the woodland. The trees grow taller as the light begins to fade. But Aela isn't afraid because the wolf appears to be leading her somewhere.

They emerge from the trees into a clearing, and Aela gasps in amazement. In the centre of the clearing, a pool of water sparkles with moonlight. The trees surrounding the pool are clothed with brilliant, silvery moss. It looks like a scene from a fairy tale.

But Aela doesn't have time to take in the view since the wolf starts running. Aela dashes off after the wolf, running as fast as she can. The wolf is considerably faster, yet it continues gazing back at Aela as if to make sure she's still following. They gallop until they reach a mountaintop, where the wolf stands, panting.

Aela reaches the mountaintop moments later, panting for air. She looks out over the valley below and sees something that makes her heart stop. The valley is thick with smoke, and flames can be seen l*****g the treetops. Aela notices that the village is on fire. Aela's initial reaction is to return to the hamlet and help in any way she can. But then she gets a gentle nudge and looks down to find the wolf nudging her with its snout. It looks at her carefully before turning and continuing to run in the opposite direction of the village.

Aela feels torn. She wants to aid her people, but the wolf's face suggests that it has a plan. She considers the wolf before returning her gaze to the burning settlement. She follows the wolf. The wolf leads Aela to a little cave hidden on the hillside. It appears that no one has been there in centuries. The wolf looks at Aela again before disappearing inside the cave. Aela hesitates and then follows.

Inside the cave, it is dark and dirty. Aela can barely see anything, but the wolf appears to know exactly where it's headed. They walk farther and deeper into the cave, eventually arriving at a small chamber. A pool of water shimmers in the faint light at the centre of the chamber.

Aela is about to ask the wolf what they are doing here when the wolf motions towards the lake. Aela takes a step closer and notices something floating on the surface of the water. It's a mirror, encrusted in dust and grime. The wolf nudges Aela, who reaches out to touch the mirror. As her fingers contact the surface, something unusual happens.

The mirror begins to sparkle, and the dust disappears. Aela can see her reflection, but it isn't entirely correct. Her reflection seems older and wiser. She leans out to touch the mirror again, and the image changes. This time it depicts the village enveloped in flames. Aela gasps, as the reflection shifts again. This time, she sees the wolf heading towards the village. A quiet voice whispers in Aela's ear, making it difficult for her to hear. "Follow me," it instructs. "You can save them."

Aela sees the wolf's reflection and understands what she must do. She stretches out her palm, causing the mirror to ripple like water. Then it opens like a doorway. Aela walks through and finds herself in a whole other environment. Aela stands on a mountaintop, overlooking a large plain. The air is foggy, and she can see something in the distance: a metropolis unlike any she's ever seen. The structures are composed of shining white stone and rise to the sky. A gigantic tree soars above the city's rooftops. Its branches are clothed in shimmering leaves, and it resembles a tree of pure light.

Aela feels in awe of this area, yet she understands why she is here. The voice in the mirror speaks again, reverberating in her head. "You must save the city before the darkness takes it," it goes on to warn. "But first, you must find the Keeper."

Before Aela can ask what the Keeper is, a shadow crosses the earth. She turns and notices a black object approaching the city. As it gets closer, she realises it's a gigantic beast formed of shadow and smoke. It moves at scary speeds and is headed straight for the city.

Aela experiences a flash of fear, yet she understands she must act. She takes a big breath and starts running towards the city. She has no idea what she will do when she gets there, but she knows she must try. As she runs, the shadow beast gets closer to the city. Suddenly, a ray of light emerges from the city, striking the beast. The shadow beast roars in anguish, but it continues to approach. Aela sprints faster, her heart racing in her chest.

As she approaches the city, she notices a figure standing in the middle of the square. It's a tall, skinny woman wearing a white robe. Her hair is pure white, and her eyes are the same colour as the night sky. Aela feels positive that this woman is the Keeper, a feeling she has never had before.

The shadow beast is almost to the city walls now. Aela hurries towards the Keeper, but before she can get there, the beast crashes into the city. Buildings collapse and the ground The Keeper holds her ground, but the shadow beast is closing in. It raises its clawed hand, and Aela screams.

However, the Keeper does not cower. She raises her hand, and a dazzling light emerges from her palm. It strikes the shadow beast, which yells in anguish. The light becomes increasingly brilliant, eventually consuming the beast. The shadow beast evaporates, leaving behind a little, shadowy puddle on the ground. The Keeper drops her hand and turns to Aela. "Thank you," she responds. "You have saved this city from a great evil."

Aela is speechless. She cannot believe what she has just witnessed. "How?" she eventually manages to say.

The Keeper smiles. "It is simple," she explains. "You followed your heart and acted courageously. That's all it takes to overcome the darkness."