Fenrir's Perspective
(Just moments before Arthur gives her the system)
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After Arthur's speech, I vanished from the citadel and went straight towards the shelter. It was also our inn, which became the perfect place for me to rest. I never enjoyed living inside the castle's interior, considering that the humans created it.
It was more peaceful resting inside the shelter, excluding the groaning sounds coming from the families.
I had no reason to follow Arthur inside the castle any longer. And since I was not a human, living inside that lavish setting made me out of place. Arthur and I were not that close, so I had no reason to stick around inside that citadel.
Upon arriving at the shelter, I comfortably found a spot and rested until Arthur would come and fetch me. He said that we would resume our journey towards the demon kingdom, since I found a demon lurking around this place.
Despite saving the injured villagers, my mind screamed at me, telling me I wasted my time sticking around a brat like Arthur. I would receive no merit, even after saving these people from the tyrant king. And my words amplified those thoughts covering my head.
"If I only knew this would happen, I would not have helped Arthur save this kingdom."
My mouth never said those words despite thinking them inside my head. It was as if an invisible force hindered me from believing these notions.
"Did I like what I did?" I murmured, and glanced at the window from the room.
That aperture allowed me to look below the lobby where Galehaut tended the wounded people. We saved those injured villagers from the conflict that we did not even create. But because of Arthur's chivalry act, they lived instead of meeting the grave.
I also experienced the benevolent effort of Arthur before. Despite his wimpy figure, that man stood in front of my puppies and saved us. I even slammed Arthur's body against the ground, thinking that he was one of our enemies. But Arthur did not let that assault hindered his vow and protected us from the mercenary, while my pack left him alone. I ordered my puppies to move forward while I looked back at the brave man.
It was also the reason I saved Arthur's life, even though he was a stranger in my eyes.
"Then why am I feeling this way?" I asked the moon staring above me.
That ball of light surrounded by the stars was the only thing that kept me company. I could not live in this gloomy night alone if it were not for the moon that lit my road. Ironically, the moon gave me this power, which transformed me into a werewolf.
"If I was a human, could I live a normal life like them?"
Those were the words that finally went through my shut mouth. These inkling feelings came not from saving the village. It came from my thoughts questioning my species.
Since these humans killed my pack, I had experienced nothing but pain. Throughout these years, I was the only one who raised the puppies. And I was the only alpha wolf who fed them with the meat I hunted. Those alpha packs never cared about them, since the puppies represented weakness to the group.
"But if I doubt now…. Am I regretting everything I've done?"
As soon as those thoughts entered my mind, I shook my head and denied all of them. Despite experiencing troublesome events, I did not want to leave the puppies behind. There was nothing in the world that could replace those puppies I helped…. I would sacrifice my life to save them.
And when I said that, a spark entered my brain. That line reminded me of some guy who had told the same.
Those trains of thoughts vanished immediately after I witnessed Arthur's figure walking towards the shelter. He also noticed my figure, watching everyone above from the aperture.
But as soon as Arthur took one step closer to the shelter, I vanished from his sight. I did not want to greet him, since there was no point in doing such an awful act.
However, Arthur was a persistent guy as he barged straight inside the shelter. Merleen, who also stayed beside Arthur, accompanied him throughout his journey and entered the building. Now that this couple of lovebirds wanted to include me in their party, I had no choice but to lock my door.
If there was one thing I hated the most, it was these humans. They always ruined my schedule of resting my body.
It did not take the two humans long before they reached the second floor. The two marched their way upward and eventually reached my domain. As soon as Arthur stumbled upon my front door, he raised his voice and gave a knock on the gate.
"Fenrir, are you there!" Arthur shouted, but I never gave him my reply.
After calling for my name multiple times, I had to invite those two over inside my room. I launched myself towards the door and invited them over. Arthur and Merleen painted their mouths with a blissful smile as they saw my face. However, before they could step foot inside, I motioned my hand for them to stop in their place.
Instead of a merry expression, I narrowed my eyes and growled at them, "What do you want?"
"Didn't you want to leave this place? We're finally leaving!" Arthur announced, but I knew it already.
He crossed his arms and continued. Did something happen? Something that you hate? Or something that's clouding your mind?"
I averted my gaze and refused to give him an answer. I caressed my hands and looked at the ground, while slowly shaking my head.
"It's nothing. Get lost, Arthur. You're not welcome here."
Arthur only heard the first word I mentioned, since I already turned around. But despite hearing my warnings, those two entered the room. Their eyes sparkled as they took sight of the emptiness of this studio. I did not know why they expected something inside a human's room when I was a werewolf.
"I have nothing to bring besides myself. And since we're hunting our meals, there was no point saving some on our way," I exclaimed, and walked in front of Arthur. "The sooner we leave, the better. I already know we're leaving. So get your assess outside this place and wait for me outside. I hate this town more than anything in this world."
I didn't care if my words pierced their hearts. But upon judging the look in both Merleen and Arthur's eyes, I might have hit the nail. However, there was no time for me to feel empathetic about this pair as I readied myself to leave this place.
"I know how you feel," Arthur said, and continued. "And I know that there's something on your mind. The ferocious Fenrir, who could kill thousands of foes, had trouble battling against your thoughts."
As soon as Arthur told the latter, I pinned him on the wall with my claws, ready to slice him down. But I cannot take his life, since he was the only one who could guide me towards the demon kingdom. But much to my surprise, Arthur nudged the nails down without fearing for his life.
"You may be the most powerful member of our team, but you could still have weaknesses. Every powerful player also has their weaknesses. And I am grateful for helping me save this town. I would not have done it without you, Fenrir. So if you need me, I want to be there with you-."
Before Arthur could finish his sentence, Merleen appeared at his side and shook my body. She stared into his eyes and gave the two of us her angelic smile.
"We'll…. be there for you. Merleen and I, of course. Come down if you're ready. We'll be waiting for you in the lobby."
Arthur concluded his lengthy speech, hoping that he moved my stone, cold heart. I slowly lowered my weapon and freed him from my pin.
After our exchange, I stood still and watched the two of them make their way outside my room. Merleen and Arthur kept looking back at me, hoping that I would follow along. But even though I didn't, those two had their smiles glued to their faces. It was as if telling me I was still their friend, even after everything I had said to them.
I closed the door behind them and gathered my thoughts. After everything Arthur said, I realised something….
Arthur and I shared the same story, but with different timelines and situations. But instead of becoming the righteous wolf, I turned my heart into a rock and felt nothing but help for the puppies.
He was just a stranger to me. But Arthur showed me a different light that nobody could inside this twisted world.
That man did not even possess any power as he thought he had, despite that Clarent sword he wielded. Arthur even barely escaped death from more powerful enemies than me.
But facing all odds against him, Arthur never gave up.