Shadow of the forest

A year had passed since Kava's death, yet the pain of his absence lingered like a heavy fog in the air. Despite the ache in his heart, Arina wore a brave smile as he wandered the forest, a basket of food in his hands. He fed the forest's magical children just as Kava had once done, the small spirits chirping and twirling around him in delight.

Zeke, however, sat a short distance away, silent and withdrawn. The once vibrant, playful lion now lay slumped in the grass, his golden mane dulled, his eyes heavy with sorrow. The little spirits played around him, tugging at his fur and chirping for attention, but Zeke didn't move.

"Come on, Zeke," Arina called, patting the lion's fur as he passed. "Help me out, huh?"

Zeke sighed deeply, his massive body rolling onto his side as he curled up to sleep.

Arina shook his head with a faint smile. "You're hopeless."

At that moment, Sera appeared, carrying another basket filled with foamy, glowing food for the spirits. Her green-tinted skin glowed faintly in the dappled sunlight, her silver eyes shining with kindness. "I brought more food," she said cheerfully, setting the basket down. "I'll help you, Arina."

"Thanks, Sera," Arina said with a grateful smile, returning to his task. Together, they distributed the food to the magical children of the forest. One by one, the spirits began to transform—some into graceful, towering trees, others into majestic, glowing animals that disappeared into the depths of the forest.

The peaceful moment was shattered when the ground beneath them trembled violently. Shadows erupted from the forest floor, dark and menacing, their whispers replaced by a guttural roar.

The remaining spirits scattered in panic, their cries fading as they fled.

"Run!" Arina yelled, grabbing Sera's hand tightly.

Zeke leapt to his feet, his lion form massive and powerful as he crouched low. "Get on!" he barked, his voice deep and commanding.

Arina and Sera climbed onto Zeke's back, clutching his mane as he sprinted through the forest at breakneck speed. The shadows gave chase, their dark tendrils reaching for them, but Zeke's swift strides carried them to safety.

Minutes later, they skidded to a halt in a sunlit clearing. The shadows stopped at the edge, retreating reluctantly into the darkness.

Arina let out a shaky breath, sliding off Zeke's back. "They're getting bolder," he muttered, still clutching Sera's hand. "It's not just whispers and tricks anymore. They're attacking together, like a pack."

Zeke said nothing, his golden eyes staring blankly into the distance.

Arina sighed, glancing at his companion. Zeke hadn't been the same since Kava's death, and Arina didn't blame him. He wasn't the same either. None of them were.

They couldn't even return to their home anymore. The darkness had consumed it, leaving only ruins behind.

After a long silence, Arina turned to Zeke. "We should go back to the house," he said quietly. "There might still be something there we can use."

Zeke didn't respond immediately, his ears twitching as he exhaled heavily. Finally, he nodded, rising to his feet.

Together, the three of them made their way back to the collapsed house.

---

The sight of their former home sent a pang of sadness through Arina's chest. The once-cozy sanctuary was now a ruin, its walls crumbled, its roof caved in. Arina walked carefully through the wreckage, his eyes scanning the debris.

Zeke stood near the doorway, his gaze fixed on a tattered robe draped over a broken chair—the robe Kava had always worn. He didn't say a word, his silence speaking volumes.

Arina and Sera stepped into what remained of Kava's room. Dust filled the air, and shards of broken glass crunched beneath their feet. Arina's eyes drifted over the scattered belongings, his heart heavy with memories.

Then, something caught his eye—a glint of metal beneath the rubble. He knelt down, brushing away the dirt and debris to reveal a small metal box. It was scratched and dented, but intact.

"What's this?" he murmured, running his fingers over its surface. The box was locked, its mechanism intricate and unfamiliar.

"Can you open it?" Sera asked, kneeling beside him.

"Not here," Arina replied, tucking the box into his bag. "I'll figure it out later."

They returned to the main room to find Zeke sitting silently, his paw resting on the tattered robe. His shoulders trembled slightly, and Arina's chest ached at the sight.

Without a word, Arina and Sera knelt beside him. They each wrapped an arm around the lion, holding him close.

"It's going to be okay," Arina said softly, his voice filled with quiet determination. "We'll get through this. Together."

Sera nodded, her gentle smile reassuring. "You're not alone, Zeke. We're here for you."

Zeke's golden eyes filled with tears as he looked at them. Slowly, a small, sad smile spread across his face.

And then, for the first time in a year, Zeke cried. His deep, rumbling sobs echoed through the ruins, a release of all the pain and grief he had bottled up since Kava's death.

Arina and Sera held him tightly, their presence a reminder that even in the darkest of times, they still had each other.