The group of wolves all looked at the source of the voice, the voice that answered the question that was on everybody's mind. A wolf that could only be described as true, pure Harmony. Such a divine voice. A voice so powerful, yet so soothing and peaceful. If there was a way to physically describe such beauty, perhaps it would be charted.

The wolves all stared in awe. Cayde knew exactly who this wolf was, this was none other than Kimlasca, the original Wolf of Harmony, the wolf that helped make the world a paradise upon his arrival many, many centuries ago.

Here, in this secluded shrine dedicated to the legendary and ethereal wolf, his energy flowed freely through the walls of the shrine once again, with the dark energy finally cleared. Here, there was a feeling of peace and serenity. Happiness and tranquility like never before. Here, it felt like every worry or problem in the world did not matter, because here, it did not.

With the dark energy gone, the shrine began to light up brighter and brighter, with the golden specks and white specks of light floating freely in the air in the shrine. The white marbled floor and walls were giving off a faint, resonating glow. The temperature was perfect, the air was perfect. This place was indeed Harmony made physical.

Cayde, Vande, Jace, and perhaps Malahayati, knew who this wolf was, yet there were others who were gazing upon the divine wolf for the first time ever.

Even to Cayde, seeing Kimlasca here felt more real than ever before.

Kimlasca finally spoke after a few moments of silence, to allow the shrine to begin flowing his energy through the shrine again, but also to gain the attention of the wolves who were in the shrine.

Dipping his head in greeting and respect, he spoke.

"My name is Kimlasca. I am the Wolf of Harmony who's name you may have heard in legends passed down from generation to generation. I am the very first Wolf of Harmony." He spoke, his voice able to send a calming, resonating pulse of energy through the wolves to help them feel more tranquil.

His voice alone was enough to make the wolves feel less exhausted after their battle.

"This shrine is one of the places in which my energy can glow freely and without restraint. Here, I am able to create a physical form of my body in order to present myself to all of you. My energy is eternal, and one with the cosmos and the many stars you see in the sky at night." Kimlasca explained, nodding slightly.

"While my time to walk the earth and experience the world as it is today has long passed centuries ago, the title of Wolf of Harmony is passed down through time, given to those with a predestined fate of carrying this title. While their will is their own, and so is their actions, the Wolf of Harmony may use their powers as they see fit. However, here and now, I believe we are all lucky to lay our eyes upon the current Wolf of Harmony. Cayde." Kimlasca gestured towards Cayde.

The wolves all looked at Cayde, causing him to look around and notice their wonder and appreciation towards him.

"This wolf has proven to myself, to all of you, and even to the world, that he is capable of carrying this title. His bravery and couragousness is enough to perhaps inspire us all. He has performed tasks and done things that I have not seen anyone before him do in ages. And he is still young and discovering his abilities." He said with a smile.

"Your battle with a dark energy, a battle with Chaos itself, ended with you standing as the victor, shining in the dark, defeating the Chaos that controlled a trusted ally, and in return, you have defended yourself, your friends, and the shrine." Kimlasca continued, his appreciation for Cayde clearly showing.

Kimlasca paused, wanting to give everybody a moment to process the information, as well as allow anybody to talk if they wanted to. Cayde took this opportunity to do so.

"Thank you, Kimlasca. However, the honor is not all mine. Without the help of each and every wolf in this shrine, I would not be here. They protected me when I needed them most, they helped me shine brightest when I needed to. For that, I cannot thank them enough." He pointed out, looking at everybody.

"You are the true hero here, Cayde. From the very beginning you defied the darkness. You stood against it alone, battled against evil when hope seemed lost." Malahayati spoke.

"Indeed. You did not give up in even the darkest moment." Jace added.

"You stood up against something possessing far more experience and energy than you. And despite this, you defied the darkness, you stood against it all alone, even when you were struck down." Saint said, nodding to confirm his statement.

"Even after we came along to help, when you got back up to fight, you fought with hope in your eyes. You didn't dare give up, you didn't dare let the dark energy bring harm to your friends." Anise pointed out.

"You put your life on the line for us all. You fought as hard as you could and did so with determination like no other. You are brave, Cayde. You're a hero. My hero." Pahanin told him.

Vande stepped forward, facing Cayde.
"Without you... I don't know what the darkness would have done to me. Without your help, I do not dare to think about what could happened. Thank you, Cayde. You have shown bravery and heroism in ways I never have seen before. We are all proud of you, and I know that your father would be proud as well." Vande said.

"Thank you. All of you. We all have done amazing things today. I can't thank all of you enough for willing to protect me as well." Cayde said with a smile.

"I am pleased to see such happiness being spread around. It warms my heart to see this. Cayde, you are indeed a hero, and you are more than capable of carrying the title of Wolf of Harmony." Kimlasca complimented.

"Thank you, Kimlasca. You inspire me each and every day. Without the hope of you and the energies of Harmony itself, as well as friends and allies, I would not have been able to come this far in my journey. From the Trial of the Mountain, to here at the shrine." Cayde said.

"You inspire me tremendously. Seeing you inspire the world around you and bring joy, bravery, and hope to those you meet... it inspires me greatly." Kimlasca responded.

Cayde smiled at this, his heart warmed by such kindness from all around.

But after all the things he had done, even if he had not noticed it, he deserved such a thing. After all, he had always made others his priority, wanting to always help others as much as he could, whether it was to help cheer them up or to protect them. After all of this, his friends only felt that it was more than right to give him the Harmony and kindness that he gave to them in return.

Kimlasca smiled again, and sighed a bit, "That energy, that darkness that corrupted this shrine... from controlling the willpower of your friend, and then when that was stopped, the energy formed the form of a being of pure evil... a being of Chaos."

Kimlasca closed his eyes, "The shadow-like creature that showed itself in the final moments of that last burst of dark energy... was none other than Mystearica, the Wolf of Chaos from thousands of generations ago." Kimlasca said, opening his eyes and glancing around.

"It was an illusion of him. A being of pure evil, a merciless and ruthless being fueled with rage and anger. Wanting nothing more than ruin and corruption, war and sickness..." Kimlasca looked at Cayde, "I am sure most of you know of the legend. Just as the title of Wolf of Harmony is passed down through the centuries, so is the title of Wolf of Chaos to a different wolf. Which means that the current Wolf of Chaos is indeed somewhere out there. Corrupting... killing." Kimlasca spoke.

Cayde stepped forward, "How can I help?" He asked.

With a sigh, Kimlasca looked at him again, "This brings me to my next topic..."

"I fear a dark energy beginning to form and build up. The energy that corrupted Vandescelda was just a small hint of such disastrous power. In time, I fear that without any interference, this dark energy will come to the Kimlascan Pack, with the Wolf of Chaos attacking in full force. Without assistance, this could very well mean the end of the pack and the sacred mountain that the pack resides at the base of. This is if nothing is done to protect the Kimlascan Pack."

Surprised, Cayde took another step forward, "I wish to help however I can."

Nodding somewhat solemnly, Kimlasca continued, "There is indeed a way to stop such a thing from happening. You see, with such a powerful Harmonic energy resonating throughout the land in recent days, in order to balance out light and dark, Harmony and Chaos... There is no doubt that Chaos will come in full force... but there is one thing that we can do." Kimlasca said.

"There is a way to protect the Kimlascan Pack, to shield it and the surrounding land from the horrible Chaos that is destined to ensue. I cannot do this myself as I no longer truly hold a physical form and my energy is one with the cosmos. Therefore a being containing energy such as my own can take up this task if they so desire."

"What is it?" Cayde asked.

Closing his eyes, Kimlasca spoke.

"Cayde... in order to produce enough energy to shield the land from such horrible chaos... I am afraid you will need to sacrifice yourself here, at the top of the shrine. Give up your physical form in order to create Harmony strong enough to protect the land from such evil." Kimlasca said solemnly, sounding heartbroken to have to say such a thing.

Gasps of shock could be heard from the group, but Cayde did not speak. He merely looked down.

"No..." Pahanin said softly.

"I am so sorry, Cayde. If you truly do not wish to do this, you do not need to. However, in order to protect the land and the Kimlascan Pack, as well as the inhabitants of the land... I am afraid you will need to sacrifice yourself at the top of the shrine." Kimlasca spoke with sadness in his tone.

Cayde pondered for a while.

Indeed. He always put the lives of others in front of him. He wanted to protect everyone and everything at all times.

No matter the cost.

But giving up all of his friends... losing everything, sacrificing himself to create enough energy to protect the land.

To protect the land from Chaos.

To give his life to ensure the safety of others.

That was what he always wanted to do, after all. No matter the cost.

"I wish there was another way." Kimlasca softly said.

Looking up towards Kimlasca and opening his eyes, he had a look on his face that seemed to show acceptance.

Sacrificing himself was not easy.

But as the Wolf of Harmony, it was his duty to protect others. To help others live a happy and safe life. To make sure that nature lived on.

He always wanted to help others.

Protect others.

Make others happy.

No matter the cost.

If there was no other way, Cayde would indeed do this. To give his life to ensure the safety of others. He could have perished on the Trial of the Mountain, or during the trip to the shrine. Even the battle with Vande.

To give his life for the greater good, to save others... that was something he accepted.

No
Matter
What.

With a slight nod, his gaze showed confidence and acceptance.

Finally, he spoke.

"I accept."