Legend of the North

Chapter 4: The Aftermath

The moment the event was over and everyone started leaving, Cristian knew it was time to face the music. With a sigh, he slowly walked towards where he knew his family was. Each step felt like he was being lead to his execution, and given the new changes, it might very well be. When he finally found them, he saw that they were huddled together with grim expressions on their faces. None of them seemed to notice his approach until he was just a few feet away. That’s when his father spotted him and marched over to him.

A punch square to the face knocked him flat off his feet, and his father barked, “You dare to show your face here. How dare you do this to the family.”

Cristian licked his lips, tasting blood, as the small wolf snarled at his father. He brushed a soothing hand over its fur to keep it from acting rashly. Gritting his teeth, he sat up and stared at his so-called family.

While he might not have been punched in the last life, it was still the same words. They would continue to denounce him as a disgrace to the family and how they are ashamed to have him. The question was if they were going to kick him out right away or would let him stick around for a bit. Last time, they had allowed him in their home for a week, but that was only because of Fenrir. Given the current circumstances, he wouldn’t be surprised if they kicked him to the curb right now.

“What’s with that look?” his father snapped, raising his hand again.

The rest of the family looked on with none of them willing to step forward to help him. Despite knowing this would be the case, Cristian couldn’t stop the slight twinge of hurt in his chest as his grip tightened on the wolf.

It was fine. They would get their just dues when the apocalypse arrived. Then they would be groveling at his feet for help.

Fortunately, his father didn’t hit him again and only jabbed his index finger into Cristian’s face as he said, “I don’t have a son like you. Get out of the Snow family. Don’t you dare use that name ever again.”

With that, his father spun around and stormed off. The rest of the family followed suit, and none of them looked back at him. He could hear people whispering and pointing at him as they mocked him for being a failure. Ignoring their words, he searched for a secluded spot to consider his next steps in peace.

As expected, he had been immediately cut off. This made things trickier to survive the apocalypse that would arrive in a week. However, if he could last many years without foreknowledge, he could make it work.

[As expected of my summoner.]

He flinched and scanned his surroundings for the speaker. His eyes darted around the dirty alleyway as his ears strained to hear anything other than the happy families celebrating. Unable to find anyone in the vicinity, he wondered if he had been hearing things when he heard it again.

[Down here, summoner.]

His eyes slowly gazed down to the small wolf in his arms. The wolf stared up at him and poofed.

“You can talk?” he blurted out.

[Of course. Do you really believe all summons are dimwits?]

“No? Wait. That’s not the point. How are you even talking to me?” he asked, holding the small wolf up to his face.

The wolf’s mouth hadn’t moved in the slightest, and it felt more like the words were being projected into his head.

[Even though I’ve been reduced to this form, I still have great power.]

“Reduced?” Cristian muttered, his brows furrowing before they suddenly shot up as an unbelievable thought crossed his mind.

[That’s right. It is I, the great and powerful Fenrir.]

Cristian stared dumbly as the wolf held its head up proudly and wagged its tail. When he continued to remain silent, the wolf stared right back.

[Are you not happy to see me?]

“Is it really you, Fenrir?” he asked in disbelief.

[Of course it is I. What other beast have you summoned?]

“B-but what happened to you? You’re so small,” Cristian said, examining Fenrir from head to toe.

[It is simply the consequences of giving you a second chance. To defy the world order is no simple task even for me.]

“Speaking of that, how did you do it? I thought you were just a regular wolf. Well, a big one, but how did you do that? It should be impossible,” Cristian said.

[Nothing is impossible for the great Fenrir.]

Seeing how boastful and arrogant his usually quiet and stoic wolf was, he briefly wondered if this was really Fenrir. That thought was quickly rejected. The wolf had certainly been proud and difficult to deal with in the beginning, but they had eventually formed a bond together. He was certain it was Fenrir even if he hadn’t immediately recognized him at first. It did sting that his wolf would keep secrets from him.

“Why didn’t you ever speak to me? We spent years surviving the apocalypse together. Why wait until I was dying?” he asked.

Fenrir was silent, its tail hanging limply. Its eyes peered back at him as if staring straight into his soul.

[You’re a human. A human who dared to summon me and force me to be your pet. Tell me. Why should I honor you with my words?]

He winced as he knew Fenrir had a point. Who would want to speak with someone they viewed as their enslaver?

Their first meeting hadn’t been the best. Cristian had been bitter about the summoning, and though he tried to be good to Fenrir, he had to admit that there were times he was cruel to the wolf. Dealing with everyone’s condemnations had been painful, but it was no excuse to take it out on Fenrir.

[It is good that you understand. Truthfully, I never intended to reveal myself, but seeing you at death’s doorstep, I admit that I felt my heart waver.]

“I...thank you. I know I wasn’t the best master or partner, but I’m grateful that you’ve given me this second chance. I promise that I won’t let you down,” Cristian said.

[Good. I expect great things from you as my summoner.]

With a smile, he said, “I’ll do my best, but you still haven’t explained how all of this is possible. How are we in the past?”

[I’m Fenrir.]

“Yes?” Cristian said, unsure where the wolf was going with this.

[I’m Fenrir, the great beast of the end.]