Story:Alto/Chapter 4

There are some plants that wanted to grow in the forest, rather than the town's fields. The forest presents unique challenges to care for them. Water and nutrients are more available, but so are pests. Everything wishes to eat at these herbs, mushrooms, vegetables, and fruit.

This was Grigori's true job. And he was far more focused on it now than ever before. Kevor knew not what it was he spoke.

“Making people disappear? Ha! As if I have the time. I barely have enough time to leave my work and take care of other tasks. And now I'm going into town every day to do his?”

“Rare to hear you get this worked up, Grigori.” Dahlia spoke suddenly. Grigori looked up with a gasp of surprise.

“M-My apologies. How… long have you been there?” Grigori wiped sweat off his brow with one arm. “Er, here. I-I suppose.”

“Not very.” Dahlia shook her head, sitting down on her knees to help pick some weeds. “Just long enough to know that both of us had quite the day.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Grigori looked to Dahlia, the focus of his surprise shifting.

“I… saw something. No, I was shown something.” Dahlia stops and looks to Grigori. “Monsters marching into our home. Monsters, led by a bronze demon covered in scars.”

Grigori's mind raced, trying to figure out how he is supposed to respond to such a vision. “This was… shown to you? By spirits?” He asked, unsure what else to say. Unease betrayed his normally calm tone.

“Yes. They were scared. It's… definitely a warning.” Dahlia looked down as she spoke.

“The wolf will protect us. As will Clyde and the workers.” Grigori assured. The two sat in silence.

But then, something occurred in Dahlia's mind.

“Let's talk to him!”

“What?” Grigori was surprised again by the sudden outburst.

“Let's talk to the wolf! Tell him what's about to happen!” Dahlia quickly stood up, grabbing Grigori's arm and helping him to his feet. She rushed off, holding onto him still.

“W-Wait, is this really a good idea?” Grigori didn't fight the current, but he wasn't put in a relaxed state by it either. He could feel turbulence as they rapidly approached the beast's den.

It wasn't a physical obstacle, or a mental one. Many people felt this way in the past. Such emotions may differ from person to person, but everyone felt its presence.

The town's mines had many entrances. All in the forest. And each evening the guardian wolf picked one to be his bed. He had yet to sleep for the night. Instead a boar was being dragged to the mouth of the cave. His fangs dug deep into the leathery hide, gripping it as he brought it home. Once there he let go, looking around.

“Who dares approach my den?” The wolf called out, looking upon a man and a woman. “I doubt you two are miners, given such plain cloth. What business do you have with me?”

“O’ mighty beast, we-” But the woman was cut off.

“Silence your pitiful platitudes.” These words came out as a growl more than speech.

“Then I'll be frank.” A welcome relief came from the man. “Dahlia has seen visions of a fearful future. We are here to ask for your help.”

“Are you so bold as to assume I'd assist creatures who would as quickly bring about ruin themselves, or do you have so little faith in me to protect my home only for incentive?” Though he put on a face of anger, the wolf was amused by the situation. His question showed forth his true feelings, humans do not do well when shown obvious masks, but they also do poorly when not taken seriously.

“I presume nothing.” The man made true on his desire to speak plainly.

“We simply wish to ensure that you will help us, rather than abandoning the town within this forest.” The woman again spoke nonsense.

“That I have no reason to save. Eden is only this forest, not the degradation within or below.” Now the wolf's amusement was gone.

“But… the demon will burn everything.” His eyes snapped to hers. “I saw it. A demon will burn it all to the ground!”

“Then your prayers for help are useless!” Words again growled out, with the last transformed into a growling bark. “If he means to burn down my home, then he shall be met with only flames of hatred!” These two humans froze. Though they were the same height as him, shoulder to shoulder, the anger of his presence was enough to make them fold. But the man recovered.

“This is why we came straight to you. Would it not be in our best interest to ensure that you are able to prepare for monsters approaching our home?”

“This place is not your home, boy.” The wolf's words had calmed, but not his tone. “This forest is on loan to you."

“Even so, who am I to deny my home protection?” The wolf did not pause his words; he cooled his anger. These two humans do not deserve his wrath. Those to come from beyond do.

“Now tell me of this vision.” The wolf listened to the short tale. He understood her words as fearful exaggeration. But her fears were well placed.

“I understand. You must prepare those of your small village. Alto, was it?”

“Yes,” the girl answered.

“Go, tell them of this dream. Tell them to ready their arms. I shall ready the forest.” The wolf spoke. The two wandered off, but the wolf stopped one.

“You.” He spoke to the man. “I have more to say to you." Grigori turned around, walking back to the wolf. The pressure he felt before multiplied, as if he were walking into the jaws of this wolf.

“What… what could you possibly have for me?” He asked, gazing into piercing blue eyes that hid a flame behind them.