There was once a wolf imprisoned beyond the horizon. He was so massive and pure of hatred that all he could do is destroy everything he could lay his eyes on. But for now, the wolf can do nothing but wait. Wait for decades, wait for centuries, wait for millennia. He was always waiting. Waiting for the time where he'll finally be free from these ribbons that bound him in one place. A place devoid of happiness or sorrow. A place where a monster like him can hurt no one and be hurt by anyone. It is a punishment after all from those arrogant deities who feared his might.

Everything wasn't like this in the beginning. Everything wasn't this miserable and boring. He used to have a family: a mother, a father, and two siblings whom he frequently fought with. They used to live together in a massive fortress in Jötunheim and albeit it was too harsh and too cold they were happy as a family. But then things changed when those Asgardian Gods ruined everything. They feared that the three children of Loki and Angrboda would bring ruin to their mighty kingdom so they sought to separate them since shedding blood is forbidden in the proud land of Asgard.

They banished his sister Hel into Niflheim, the land of the dead, to rule it for all eternity. They took his brother Jörmungandr and threw him into the sea in Midgard, the land of mortals. But something much worse was done to him. Odin brought him into Asgard when he was still a cub and those obnoxious goddesses treated him like a puppy, giving him cuddles and pats due to his charming appearance at that time. It was very shameful and utterly degrading and because of that, his loathing for Odin grew day by day and so he swore to be his nemesis for all eternity.

Soon enough, his father was imprisoned as well because he machinated to kill Balder, son of Odin and Frigg, God of light, joy, and summer. Poor jolly lad was killed by a mistletoe dart, the only thing in the universe his mother never begged to harm him because she thought that it was too innocent to do any damage. Of course, Loki is too mischievous to pass a chance to infuriate the Asgardians but it backfired when they captured him and tied him in a cave with the intestines of his other sons while the poison of a snake dripped into his face for millennia. His loyal wife Sigyn stayed with him in that subterranean cave catching the snake's venom into her little bowl.

It also didn't take long for Fenrir's true colors to surface. His wickedness grew along with his appetite. What can you expect from someone born from malevolent parents? You're bound to grow evil no matter what anyone says. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree they say.

And so he became a symbol of terror all throughout the realms. He was feared in Midgard where his children roamed and terrorized the mortals. Even the moon and the sun feared him as he was fated to swallow them once Ragnarok begins. The Asgardians weren't an exception since none of them could ever fight on par of his might, not even Thor. So like the cowards that they are, they sought to imprison him like the rest of his family.

They tried binding him with many formidable chains but all of them shattered under his crushing power. But fear has a way of making people more relentless and so Odin, the ever-brilliant father of the Gods, ordered the dwarves to create bindings powerful enough to hold down the Wolf for eternity using incredibly rare and paradoxical ingredients. Those craftsmen bastards actually pulled it off and created Gleipnir the "deceiver" or "entangler" which is like a soft silken ribbon even he could not easily tear apart.

Those pathetic deities tried tricking him into putting those bindings, saying that if he's truly the strongest then he will have no problem breaking free of them. He easily saw through their motive and being the mischievous son of Loki that he was, he grinned at them and gave them one condition:

"I will only allow you to do that if one of you is brave enough to put your hand in my mouth."

Of course, those cowards took almost forever making reasons, refusing to comply until the brave yet foolish Tyr, God of war who never backs out from any challenges, accepted his wager. Oh, it was marvelous. He was one of the bravest gods there is and yet he trembled with fear while facing a monster such as him. But he must commend him, he was utterly terrified yet he did not hesitate not even a sliver of a second. When his maw closed around his arm, the gods didn't waste a single second in binding him with Gleipnir, wrapping it around his whole body like he was some sort of sausage or ham. Once the trap ensnared him, he immediately bit off Tyr's hand as vengeance. He didn't expect that they would be that swift to do the task and his arrogance led to this predicament.

Finally, he was bound on a deserted island with only dirt and wisteria flowers to keep him company, protecting the world from the evil that is Fenrisulfr.

He sat there waiting, gazing upon the dazzling stars wondering which of them is truly twinkling or merely remnants of dead stars. Perhaps that's the only moment in his life when he is not evil. The only moment in his life when he is actually filled with wonder and innocence. It was the single rare moment when he wished to be free, truly free not only from these ribbons that bind him but also from his fate of destruction and demise. Everything was already set. His life is already written and the only thing that needs to be done is for him to act on it.

Break his bindings, start the Ragnarok, join his father in the war against the Asgardians, devour the sun, and vanquish Odin before being slain by his son Vidar finally fulfilling his role. There are no more decisions to be made, no choices to be taken. The only thing he can do is to follow through with it and die valiantly knowing that his demise held meaning even if no one is there to ever lament it. That is the fate of Fenrisulfr.

"Surely there's something you can do to change it. Don't you have free will? You are intelligent, aren't you? Then why don't you choose a different fate? Write your own story instead of acting in one already written for you." said a little girl to him.

The wolf closed his eyes and listened to the faint sound of the tides crashing against the shore and the dull sound of the songs of nature blending together. In his mind, he can still see the glowing waves of the sea and the shining stars far above the sky. He contemplated her words before answering with certainty.

"Gods and beasts do not have the spontaneity humans have. Perhaps that's the only thing noteworthy of your kind. Our fates have been set from the beginning and we do nothing to change them even if it means that it ends in our demise because we always know that our end won't be meaningless. Destruction and creation are two sides of the same coin. They are both necessary to maintain the balance of the universe much like life and death. Some things must die and be destroyed for new things to blossom. In the rules of the universe, the coin is balanced on its edges with no side facing upwards or downwards. The Ragnarok is nothing more than a completion of a cycle to create a new one. It is not something to be mourned nor something to be celebrated but one that must be accepted even if you don't understand it. Of course, you have the freedom to question it but nothing will change no matter what you do. Everything shall rise and fall again the only difference is the details."

His eyes left the brilliance of the stars and landed on a little creature sitting beside him. A small smile of amusement curved on his lips as he saw the sadness in her eyes. He had shown her his fate and now it's time for her to judge him for it. How will you look at me now? What will you think of me from here on out? Am I detestable? In your eyes, how do you see the monster that is Fenrir?

"That's so sad. There's nothing more cruel and miserable than to be stripped of your choice. Shouldn't you be the master of your fate? Can't you choose not to follow through it and pursue another path?"

"And what path do you think I could take other than the path of destruction?"

"I don't know. That's not something for me to decide. What do you want to do?" she asked relentlessly, refusing his fate that had been set in stone.

For the first time in millennia, the wolf imprisoned at the edge of the horizon was astounded. No one has ever bravely told him to choose his own fate No one has ever asked him what he wanted to do with his life, not even his parents. All everyone did was impose their decisions on him: kill the gods; send your children to sow terror on the mortal realms; put these bindings; stay there for all eternity until you are needed. It was sickening. It was infuriating. Everyone feared him, yes, but he was a monster. And no one ever listens to what monsters have to say for themselves.

"Would you deny the evils that I have committed because it is my fate? I have killed, I have cheated, I have lied. I've done everything that is bad and evil in this world and I chose to do them. Will you forgive my sins and allow me to choose what I want, knowing what I can do?"

"I won't. It is my freedom to scorn you if you've wronged me but your choice is yours alone. I will not deny your crimes because that would be unfair for those you've hurt but... I think you did what was in your nature, for that I can't condemn you. It is unpleasant and unacceptable but ultimately... It is understandable."

"A good answer." he whispered as he gazed into the horizon with the little maiden.

"You are surprisingly civil. I thought you would be more wild and violent even if it's just a dream. This is the first time you've shown me your island as well. It looks impressive."

"It won't be much once you've spent a whole eternity in here. And I can only be this sensible because of my chains. Once I rid myself of them my monstrous side will surface but for the meantime, there's no reason for me to be so beastial even if I am one."

"Based on your word earlier, I get that I don't have any control over my life, not even a sliver but you also said that humans have the gift of spontaneity which somehow changes our fate. Is that correct?"

"Yes, you humans are subjected to your fate as well but your future is not ironclad like mine. Most of you are too insignificant to have a fate that is worth writing."

"I see. If you could rewrite your fate what would you want it to be?" A soft chuckle of amusement left his lips this time with no malice nor mocking.

"I can't tell you that for now but what I do wish for is to spend a little more time with you. In this world, we are free from the hands of time but of course, reality can still affect us. After all, I've only borrowed your soul temporarily. There is so much we need to talk about with so little time to do so in reality. Will you grant me this simple wish?"

"Of course." Ruby smiled as she leaned against his surprisingly soft and gentle fur. Up above them the eternal midnight stretched across the sky and painted it with shining diamond lights. Fenrir began speaking and narrated to her tales long forgotten by time.

The brilliance of the morning light shone upon her face and roused her from her slumber. Ruby's eyes fluttered open and blinked multiple times to adjust to the light. Her lids are still heavy and her body aches in a few places due to the lack of movement but overall, she feels fine and rejuvenated.

"Ruby? You are finally awake." Lady Shura said in surprise after she finished arranging the flowers in the vase.

"Yes, good morning. I had a pleasant dream. How long was I out?"

"It's been five days since you fought those elves and fell into a deep slumber. Everyone was worried about you so they sent plenty of gifts to aid in your recovery especially your partner, Lord Dyrroth. He went on his way to personally pick fruits from the Enchanted forest and sent them here through an envoy. There's also this thing called "chocolate" that he sent saying that it's your favorite. Every day he would send new things that if we were to list them down then we would be able to fill a whole ledger or two including everything everyone else gave for you."

"Everyone else?" Ruby began looking around and finally noticed the surplus of flowers and myriads of trinkets around her room. The things ranged from food and beverages to golden accessories, Saree dresses, and other fashionable things as well as monoliths of deities and mini-sized sculptures of herself made of ruby stones.

"Did I die in the last five days? Why are there so many flowers here that I can make a new meadow of them? And all this stuff. I didn't know that people cared so much about me."

"They said that you've been helping them out ever since you got here. No matter how big or small the problem, you would be willing to drop your tasks to help others so it was no wonder that you would become a public favorite. There was even an old lady who always comes by to give you the most beautiful roses of her garden even if she lives on the outskirts of the city because you helped her once to take water from the well far from her home. It was a tedious task but she said that she appreciated your kindness that's why you're worth all the effort.

"Aww, that's so sweet. I should thank everyone for-- huh?" Ruby interrupted her own words when she heard someone snoring loudly beside her. She saw Martis sleeping soundly beside her bed. His head rested on her mattress while he sat on a stool to keep his body propped.

"What is he doing here?" she asked while poking the cheek of the Ashura king.

"He kind of blames himself for what happened to you. After all, he was the one who sent you back to the forest to return the snake or so I'm told. He would sneak here every night to guard you in your sleep while carving miniature animals to keep himself awake."

"Oh, so he was the one who created this." Ruby mused as she picked up a tiny rabbit sculpture made out of a ruby gem.

"He would usually be gone once the dawn comes but today is an exception since he seems to be rather tired. I should wake him up and send him to his own bed, but I doubt that he will since he's extremely workaholic. Knowing him, he would immediately go to the soldiers' training grounds to begin their training sessions before heading straight to hear the people's needs and complaints in the throne room. Seriously, please excuse his rudeness. Sneaking into a girl's room is certainly unbecoming of a monarch." Shura mumbled with disapproval as she walked to rouse her brother from his sleep.

"No, wait let him sleep longer. He needs it. Although I doubt that he's comfortable, I think that he needs all the sleep that he can get."

"Well, I suppose you're right. Now then, I believe that you are famished after all that time. Perhaps I can get you something for breakfast as well as my idiotic brother since it won't be long before he wakes up. Excuse me for a bit." Ruby only nodded in reply as Lady Shura left to fetch her some meal.

She absent-mindedly began stroking Martis's hair as she pondered her situation and the events that occurred prior to her mini comma. The memories of her dreams are all but gone. All she can remember is talking to Fenrir about something but even that is fuzzy. Nevertheless, she has a feeling that one day she'll remember everything. She suddenly felt movement beside her and noticed Martis finally rousing from his sleep. He lifted his face from the mattress and blinked at her with confusion.

"Ruby? You're finally awake?" Martis asked as he stood from his seat.

"Yes, I've been up for a while. Won't you join me for some breakfast? Lady Shura just left to get us some."

"I appreciate the gesture but I must pass. I still have a lot of duties to accomplish which I am already late for. Good day." Martis said before turning to leave the room however Ruby swiftly moved and grabbed his hand immediately stopping him from his movements.

"Wait! Please."

"What is it? Are you feeling unwell? Should I get the priestesses and physicians to give you a check-up?"

"No, it's just that I feel more comfortable around you. Won't you spend a little more time with me? Also, Lady Shura said that you pulled an all-nighter just to guard me. The least I could do is to at least make sure that you have breakfast. Pleeeeeease." Ruby pleaded as she gave him her best puppy eyes making him sigh in surrender.

"You're as hard-headed as a stone titan and more persistent than a shady merchant. Fine, I'll stay but only for a few more minutes just to make sure that you're alright. Dyrroth's been bugging me every hour just to send him a report about your health. He's only toned down now since he said that the massive attack is being launched as we speak."

"I see. I hope that he's well. Even though he's annoying, he's my only ticket to freedom plus I still have some things to settle with him." A knock from the door interrupted their conversation and in came a maid bearing food and beverages for the two.

"Greetings, King Martis and Lady Ruby. I was tasked by the High Priestess to deliver your meals to you because an important matter came up about her duties but she wished you two a pleasant morning and 'begs' her brother to get more rest in the company of Lady Ruby." said the servant as she laid their meal on the circular table before bowing respectfully after being dismissed.

"Anyway, I noticed that today seems more lively than usual. Is there a festival happening right now?" Ruby asked as she began taking some meat and vegetables to satiate her hunger.

"Yes. Today is the harvest festival dedicated to the goddess Lady Parvati. Shura is extremely busy right now as a result but she still finds time to look after you from time to time. My sister seems to be extremely fond of you, after all, she's been wanting to have a younger sister to take care of since she only has brutish brothers like myself."

"Wait, there's more of you? How come no one has ever mentioned them before? Where are they?"

"Well, all six of our brothers are dead. Some of them perished during different wars to protect our tribe while some died on the power struggle for the throne. It was a shameful and painful memory for our tribe so the topic is typically left alone."

"Oh, I understand. So can you tell me more about the festival? I've only been to one festival before and I don't think that they're as grand and beautiful as your festival." Ruby smiled trying to change the subject. She knew full well how painful it is to talk about your departed loved ones especially if they were forcibly taken by the cruel hands of fate.

The sides of his lips twitched in what would be the equivalent of a smile for the Ashura king before patting the head of the eager maiden who gazed at him with expectant eyes.

"Perhaps it's better if I show you instead."

🌹

Darkness enveloped the length and breadth of the Azrya forest. No light from the sky touched the land as the thick dark clouds covered the heavens stretching farther than the horizon. The thunder occasionally rumbled but no lightning yet whipped the sky. The beasts of the forest kept mute as the growling from foreign monsters reverberated through the woods. There was a foreboding silence almost peaceful but those more perceptive would say that it's more of a calm before a storm.

"The soldiers are tense. The demons haven't made a move since their last attack on the mines but they haven't been spotted ever since. Some might even say that they've retreated, satisfied with their conquest." Miya, the elven general, reported to her king, Estes.

"Don't be too sure of that. You, as well as I both feel their malevolent presence lingering in the shadows waiting to pounce on the perfect moment. I'm terrified of what they are planning whilst waiting." Estes replied as he gazed upon the Moon Heart, the power source of the barrier that protects them.

"You don't have to worry about anything. The Moonshire have stood for thousands of years unbowed to any conqueror. These walls have never been breached and it will never be breached as long as we're guarding it."

"That might be correct but the demons have something they don't have before. Or rather someone."

"You are referring to the Prince of Light who has fallen from grace and fell in love with the Harbinger of the Wolf. Yes, he may be potent on the battlefield but he is still just a child giving big dogs some orders. He won't be much of a threat to us who has lived for hundreds of years."

"Even so we cannot underestimate him. He has already proven that he's not just some kid playing around in a war. We underestimated him before and now he has claimed most of the Azrya forest. He's cutting off our resources by destroying the farming villages, poisoning the water, and sending many refugees here to overwhelm our provisions. His plans have been carefully laid out to break us from the inside out and in his eyes, he has already won. He is a combination of brute strength and intelligence, unlike his predecessors who only possessed one of the two."

"We certainly won't win this war if you keep thinking that way, your majesty." mused a serene yet cold voice as she emerged from the shadows. This elf has pale purplish skin that reflects the color of the sky at twilight making her exude an elegant yet terrifying beauty.

"Karina, a pleasure that you're back safely. Have you found where the demons are hiding? At this rate, it is better to attack than to defend seeing that they're clearly waiting for something." Miya questioned eagerly.

"It was a very difficult task finding them. It seems that they've been working on some projects lately because of the sheer amount of trees they've been cutting but right now there's not even a trace of them. They disappeared two days ago without leaving so much as a lingering scent. It's like they've vanished in thin air."

"But that's impossible! I can still feel their presence. They're near. Do you think they used some kind of obscuring magic to hide their base?"

"No, they've never used that kind of power before but I can't seem to find them on any land where they could linger."

"Maybe not on any land but underneath it..." Estes suggested with a foreboding look and just as he said that a soldier came clamoring in with panic clearly streaking on his face.

"My king we are under attack! The demons have breached in and no one knows where but they're pouring in fast while some are already waiting outside the walls! They have long wooden shields that make it almost impossible to strike them with arrows."

"What? Has the wall been destroyed? The gate?"

"The walls and the gates are intact but they seem to be coming from the ground." the three elven leaders shared a look of fear and realization. They were right. They've underestimated Dyrroth too much and didn't take his ingenuity into consideration and now they are doomed because of it.

"Your majesty? What action should we take?"

"Gather every soldier we have and all of our mages. We won't give up our home without a fight. Miya, it's time to shoot the signal. If we fall here the Empire must know what's coming for them soon. Shoot the crimson arrow."

"Yes, your majesty." Miya replied as she materialized her bow and summoned an arrow made of light. She latched the arrow on the string before drawing it back and sent it flying to the sky. It traversed through the realm to reach the giant torch of the Empire.

"Karina, find the prince and kill him. There's no other way to survive this war than to cut off their head before it bites us. Go!"

"I swear on my blade that his head shall fall before us. The Demon Prince is as good as dead." Karina swore before jumping into the darkness and blending with the shadows. The elven king who was left alone gazed upon the sky looking at the obscured light of the moon fearing that its absence brings an omen of misfortune.

🌹

"Your majesty, the first wave of soldiers have infiltrated the castle; they are crossing the grounds to open the gate but the elves are putting up a fight. What shall we do next?" Sorca reported as the prince stood on top of the hill overlooking the carnage within the elven walls. Demons lined in front of him ready to attack on his signal.

"Shoot the fire arrows and deploy the catapults. Prepare the ram in case they don't open that door within five minutes. We're breaching in."

"What shall we do about the barrier, my lord?"

"Selena is on it. She is moving to shatter the core as we speak. Just pray she doesn't get caught so we can finally bring their walls down. But if she fails you know what to do."

"Yes, my lord." Sorca saluted before rallying the archers and positioning them to attack. The cavalry and infantry are already surrounding the castle carrying ladders and ropes to climb the walls. Wyverns have doubled their numbers and tripled their ferocity as vengeance for their last defeat.

Dyrroth smiled with satisfaction as he gazed upon the play he had designed.

The carnage has begun; blood watered the soil while fire swallowed life. The dying screams of the elves reverberated across the woods as their numbers are plucked one by one. Everything is going according to plan. None of these elves can stop him now. It was only a matter of time before they penetrated inside the castle to slay the king. The elves will fall and the Abyss will emerge victorious. He will conquer another realm and open up a path to bring down the Moniyan Empire and the rest of the world.

He chuckled.

Beside him, a companion grunted waiting for his order. Dyrroth placed his hand on top of the wyvern's head caressing it ever so gently.

"We shall see her soon, Skywynn. We shall see her soon. But for now, let's enjoy the show."