Saving His Nymph Mate

Despite the darkness that loomed, the wolf raced forward with each paw touching the ground for less than a breath as he executed his show of leadership. The breeze snaked through his fur, creating an illusion that he was running on the wind itself. His muscles exploded with power, pushing him to go faster as he accelerated forward. The full moon’s rays created shadows that raced him along the trees. His sense of smell directed his feet as he curved around a tree and sprung over a rock without losing momentum. Ears perked for every sound as he continued on his path. With every beat and quick breath he took, he felt alive. The sound of rustling leaves ahead and the pungent smell of his prey caused him to slow his pace. He crept forward now, waiting in the shadows. Seconds behind him, his pack arrived. Each wolf stared at the noise with hunger. The moon shone off his black fur. He commanded attention. All stood awaiting his order. The alpha looked into his hunting companions’ eyes. With a slow nod of his head, the attack began. A third of the group left to circle around, keeping to the shadows with their paws light upon the earth. The other third crept in the opposite direction, circling to the right. The soon-to-be alpha and his group pushed forward. Low in the grass, he waited to hear the low growls of his pack as they surrounded the elk. Upon that signal, they all attacked. The elk jumped and spun in circles. Wolves dived for the ankles, dodged the kicks and went back. A wolf bit into the neck. Panicked, the elk ran towards the only opening into a death trap. The coming alpha and another wolf lunged for its throat. He sealed his jaw onto the prey as it bugled and stomped. Other wolves jumped onto the fighting elk. Within minutes, the magnificent animal laid still after releasing its last cry. The wolves looked at one another in triumph. The new alpha raised back his head and howled in victory along with his companions. The sound traveled above the trees and echoed throughout. Looking up at the moon with pride in his heart, the old Alpha lifted his head higher to join the wolf chorus. A new alpha reigned. The forest became still after witnessing the death of its own, along with a young child watching in the trees. Her mother walked out and knelt down where the blood puddled. She dipped her fingers into the blood as the earth claimed it. Lifting a hand, she motioned for the young princess to approach. The young girl knelt beside her mother and watched as she dipped her fingers back into the blood. Her mother’s light green skin glowed, pronouncing the white markings that showed her title as queen. The queen’s eyes closed, and she murmured. A white light beamed as she pronounced the blessing. From the light, the spirit of the elk walked towards the queen, bowed his head, and accepted the blessing. The spirit disappeared into the trees. Amazed at the reverence both her mother and the animal showed, it caused her eyes to moisten with tears. The young princess watched her mother’s blue eyes follow the elk into the night. The queen held her daughter's hand as she looked up. A few hours until dawn. The realization panicked the princess. Her mother took her face in her hands and placed their foreheads together. “They’re calling me. Be brave, my daughter.” For the last time, the queen walked through the forest to the oldest standing tree. The tree projected wisdom in its old age. Many forms of nymphs watched as their queen walked to the tree. Stopping in front, the young princess turned to memorize her. Green skin for the plants, blue eyes for water, and brown hair for the earth. The young princess grabbed her mother’s hand, solid in hers. The daughter looked at their hands, comparing what she saw. Each feature was like her mother’s except duller until the sunrise, where her mother would give her the keys. She would represent the forest's life. In a last tender moment, her mother placed her forehead against hers before placing a gentle kiss and helping her lay down into roots of the tree. The queen looked down at her daughter with pride. Silence consumed the space between them as the young princess watched the queen’s skin glow, and she placed her hands on her daughter’s heart. The white tattoos faded off the queen and formed on the flawless skin of the young princess. With each moment, she felt her mother’s life slip away as she transferred her life source to her. She felt as if something was asleep inside her and it awakened. Steadily, she felt the surrounding life. The energy running through the ground; she felt the restless power of the water. The breath of life in animals, plants, and nymphs. Soon she could feel the life force of every creature. She knew them by name, she could feel their presence all around her. The young princess felt her life force tie itself to the forest, and she felt the power of it. She felt more alive with every beat of her heart and breath she took. Her mother fell over. The daughter quickly sat up to catch her mother’s falling figure, setting her down on the roots of the tree. Her mother’s brilliance dissipated, and her skin, hair, and eyes dulled in light. Intuitively, she knew her mother was dying, as she no longer had the life force there to sustain her. The old queen looked at her daughter and smiled. Tears ran down their faces. The princess placed her hands on her mother’s heart and gave her a daughter’s blessing. This was her first death blessing, and she felt the power inside of her enact the blessing, allowing her mother’s spirit to be in peace and reside forever within the tree to pass on her wisdom and knowledge into its rings. With each word, her mother’s form disappeared, and the young princess cried in despair. The earth trembled in mourning for its queen. Once the trembling ceased, the daughter shakily stood up. With the first light of dawn, a brilliant light flashed across the horizon. A new queen reigned.