Dylan gritted his teeth, willing himself to stay focused despite the growing fatigue. He sensed the woman beside him guiding the flow, her own energy a steady, calming presence. Together, they directed the chaotic currents, slowly stabilizing them and redirecting them back to the boy’s core.
Seconds stretched into what felt like hours, but finally, the child’s convulsions eased. His body relaxed, the violent shaking subsiding into gentle tremors before stilling altogether. Dylan opened his eyes, eting the woman’s relieved gaze. They had done it.
Breathing heavily, Dylan gently released his hold, the exhaustion hitting him like a tidal wave. He swayed on his feet, barely able to remain upright. The woman quickly steadied him, her gratitude evident even as she focused on the now peaceful child.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You saved him."
Dylan nodded weakly, the edges of his vision blurring. "Just... glad I could help," he murmured, his strength finally giving out as darkness claid him once more.
The next ti Dylan opened his eyes, he was greeted by the familiar, tattered ceiling. The cracks and peeling paint seed to form a labyrinth of neglect, a stark reminder of his uncertain situation. He took a deep breath and tried to sit up, but a gentle hand pressed firmly against his chest, urging him to stay still.
"Relax," a soft voice commanded. He turned his head to see the woman who had helped him with the child. Her eyes were filled with relief and a touch of reprimand. "When you passed out, I thought you had died," she continued, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of emotion. "But for a human, you are more tenacious than I thought."
Dylan offered a weak, side smile. He didn’t ntion the reason behind his resilience: his S-grade Dantain. The extraordinary spiritual energy center in his body had allowed him to endure and survive where others would have perished. Even so, he knew that sharing this detail was unnecessary, and perhaps unwise.
"I know I have said it before, but I’ll say it again. Thank you," the woman said, her expression earnest. "I am Momo Vlatil, and you are a guest at our orphanage."
Dylan took a mont to truly look at Momo. She was a Rabbit-woman, her heritage evident in the soft, elongated ears that peeked through her hair, the prominent teeth that gave her a delicate appearance, and the subtle twitch of her nose. Her fragility was deceptive; beneath it lay a strength that Dylan had seen firsthand. After all, she had killed the Hyena-man in the cave back then.
Despite the dim light of the room, her beauty was undeniable, a radiant presence that even the shadows couldn’t conceal.
"Thank you, Momo," he replied, his voice hoarse but sincere. "You saved my life, and that boy’s too."
Momo shook her head gently, her ears twitching slightly. "It was a joint effort. I couldn’t have done it without you." She paused, her eyes searching his. "What’s your na?"
"Dylan," he answered simply. "Just Dylan... I have no family na."
She nodded, committing his na to mory. "Dylan, you must rest. Your body has been through a lot, and you need to recover fully before you do anything else."
Dylan sighed, his body sinking back into the thin mattress. The exhaustion was still heavy on him, a tangible weight pressing him down. He glanced around the room, noticing more details this ti. Despite its disrepair, the place had a sense of order and care. It was clear that Momo had worked hard to make it as livable as possible.
"Tell about this place," Dylan said, his curiosity piqued. "About the orphanage and the children."
Momo smiled, a bittersweet expression that spoke of both pride and sorrow. "This orphanage is a refuge for those who have nowhere else to go. Many of these children lost their families in the conflicts and chaos that plague our lands with the War between your human kingdom, and our two furry kingdoms, both old and New.
We do our best to give them a safe place, a ho where they can grow and heal."
Her words painted a vivid picture, one that tugged at Dylan’s heart. He was an orphan himself, although not because of war, but it was easy for him to relate. After all, he had also seen the aftermath of such conflicts, the broken families and lost souls.
"You’re doing sothing incredible," he said softly, his respect for her growing.
Momo’s smile widened, though her eyes remained shadowed with the weight of her responsibilities. "I do what we can. Every life I save, every child ’WE’ help, makes it worth the struggle."
"We?" Dylan asked, understanding that they were others.
She looked away from him, "don’t worry about it. They aren’t any more. Just now."
Dylan raised a brow at this. "What do you an?" he asked.
She stood to her feet, avoiding eye contact with him. "you killed them all."
Those words ca as a surprise to him, and Dylan wanted an explanation. He stretched to reach her, but his wound acted up again.
Just then, there was a loud Banging outside.
"Open up! We know you are in there. Open the damn gate, Momo."
Momoa’s ears flared up, an action that was most familiar with rabbits when they were scared.
"No matter what happens, do not co out!" she advised in a stern voice as she rushed out the room and out the building.
Dylan could not hold back his curiosity and hurried after her. However, due to his wounds, he was slow.
He arrived at the outer room, and wanted to proceed out, but then he saw the children. many of them running around the place to find sowhere to hide. so in a cupboard and so others in dark corners.
Now, Dylan was worried as to what was happening.
He found his way to one of the windows. Just like other parts of the house, it was not in very good shape. but the blind provided good shade for him to see through.
Outside were three big burly Wolf n with skin sheathed by dark bold mane. Each one had the gaze of a predator ready to pounce on the Rabbit woman before their eyes.
They dressing was rough and even from the window, Dylan could sll the alcohol oozing off their bodies.
The biggest of them stepped forward, towards Momo, "we have both good news and bad news. I am a very nice man, so I’ll start with the bad news.
We have word about your friend and protector. Bolu, the Hyena-man, is dead. This information has already been confird by our associates in the border army.
His den as we speak has been littered with the bodies of him and his useless motley crew. I am sure you know what that ans, right?"
Momo swallowed gently, intentionally feigning ignorance on the subject.
The Wolf-man gave a dry chuckle, "you don’t seem surprised. No matter, this brings us to the subject of the good news." On saying this, he reached out a hand to her cheek, stroking it gently, "This orphanage is no longer with a protector, and in these dangerous tis, when our country is in lack of friends and food, he licked his dried lips, "we do not want harm to co to the little ones, now do we?
So how about I tell you the good news. You see... you and your orphanage co under my rule, and i give you protection. Of course, for a small fee." On saying this, his hand, gently traced down her shoulder to her waist, and then brazenly, his big bold hands, cupped one side of her...
(Author’s note: Do you guys like this kind of writing with attention to more details? Also, Gifts please... greatly appreaciated.)
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