Orion watched, confused as the female turned tail and ran suddenly. He had hesitated, unsure what to do- chase her down or leave her be? Every inch of his body told him to let her go and find food instead, but he had been alone for so long that even negative nelly and her vicious mood made for good company. Orion sighed and gritted his worn-down canines, unable to stand the thought of being alone once more.

  He chased after the dark female, only to find his hesitation had cost him. The stranger was nowhere in sight, her scent was there, but faded, almost as if the wind itself tried to cover her tracks. Orion frowned. Although he was shocked that she managed to still keep herself up, as she looked half dead to him. A feeling of guilt rinsed through his body, feeling bad that he had been unable to help. Of course, he didn't think the female would accept his help either.

  As Orion’s subconsciousness shifted back over to food, a sharp pain in his stomach and a low growl made him jump, only for him to realize that he too, was still hungry. He had traveled far enough after the female, if she wanted to be found she would not have fled so far, he told himself. So, he shifted gears, and went back to sniffing the ground for prey, anything that could satiate him.

  A particular smell caught his attention and drew him near a creek bed. The creek was no river, but it was still pretty active. The water was only maybe about a foot or two deep, and clear, allowing for good easy fishing- something that his pack was specialized in. Orion slowly waddled into the cool water, allowing the smooth flowing stream to wash his worry away. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying this familiar scent that reminded him of home.

  Orion shifted himself so that his shadow blended in with the shade of the tree, he knew that any such movement, even shadows could scare fish away. He then allowed his tail to sink into the water, and slowly wiggle it like a worm, waiting for a bit. His thin tail was to his advantage as it allowed him more flexibility to catch.

  For a few silent minutes he watched hungrily as small fish swam around, curiously wondering about his tail, getting closer and then dashing away skeptical. But with enough patience, they got closer, until one was eventually brave enough to take a bite. As soon as it did, Orion's’ reflexes kicked in. He swept his tail up in one swift motion, flicking it off. The sudden motion, and lack of water for the fish caused it to let go and was sent flying toward shore. Orion repeated this motion about 3 times, as these fish were small- so multiple were needed to fill his belly.

  After a half hour of fishing, Orion finally felt he had enough to feed and jumped out of the water. The racing wind combed through his wet fur and caused him to shiver. Orion shook off all the excess water on his coat, and then his paws one by one. After he felt he dried off, he walked over to his pile of small fish. The fresh smell made him hunger, and without thinking he dived in. one by one he ate the fish, only after managing to descale, the process was difficult but to him the taste was worth it. After all, it reminded him of home.

  After fulfilling his stomach, Orion sighed in content- happy to at least know he still knew how to hunt. Orion hadn't realized the crazed state he had been in until just now, so frantic to find his family that he neglected himself. Now with a full belly he laid down and let himself rest. Letting his thoughts trail off, he began to wonder if he would ever see that canine again. Feeling doubtful he sighed and then lapped up the creek water enjoying the fresh taste.

  He peered into the clear water, to look at his reflection. It only damaged his pride to see he was only getting older. His fur appears to thin out, and become thicker in patches, making his coat look messy. Of course his new appearance was only the consequence of his self neglect. Orion had put his family at the top of his priority list. He needed them, and his pack. He will do anything to find them.

  Orion felt a surge of great emotion overwhelm him, and he felt paralyzed. His reflection looked back and then right before his eyes almost seemed to transform right before him. The water rippled as if something had caused a disturbance. His reflection was replaced with that of a beautiful white, almost transparent canine. Her irises glowed a brilliant sky blue. The beauty was unmatched by any other he had seen before, and instead of shock, he was in awe.

  The female in the reflection before him seemed to almost reach her head out of the water, appearing as a silky translucent and gently touched it with Orion’s forehead. Orion's eyes closed and, in an instant, he was out, and into another dream. His body was softly lowered onto the grass before him as the mysterious being then disappeared as she had appeared.

  It was pitch black, yet somehow Orion felt calm and safe. He called out loudly into the vast void before him, his eyes straining to see yet he knew it would prove worthless.

  “Hello? Anybody?” Orion questioned his sanity, and of course the situation. He could feel a presence; warm and nice. It almost felt divine, safe.

  “Come forth, Orion.” A warm tone replied to his call, feminine yet with authority. Orion did not question and walked forward. As he did so ripple of silver light illuminated his paw steps, creating a beautiful wave that spread out into the dark void.

  These waves illuminated a beautiful silver forest, although no other colors were present it was still a magnificent sight to his eyes. In front of him he noticed a figure, and it moved swiftly into the forest ahead. Everything in his body screamed to follow, so he did. The figure was swift, but not impossible to stay with. Eventually it led Orion into a large clearing amongst the cliff sides- and stopped.

  Turning around the figure, a canine, then stared Orion dead in the eyes, and suddenly charged. Orion's shock flinched and the figure disappeared before he could open his eyes. Instead, in place was a vicious battle amongst canines. Orion gasped in terror at the sight. Blood was being shed in the most violent ways he could imagine, and oddities of all sorts seemed to appear in the vicinity. Sights he could not explain if someone asked. Some wolves appeared to have extra appendages, or wings, some seem to be ghost-like, and more.

  Orion watched the closest pair battling near him. A pure black inky canine appeared to be consuming a pup with feathery wings. Immediately Orion took action and charged at the inky wolf, but it disappeared once again all before his eyes, and he was once again left alone in the silver forest. He was panting, and shaking as the adrenaline left his body, and then felt the urge to heave. The sight made him sick.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Why?” He growled angrily, questioning whatever presence made him vision this.

  “I need your help.” The voice responded. Orion's ears flattened, and he bared his teeth, but before he could respond she added; “And i will help you.”

  The scene before him changed again, showing him this time his family, his pack. Orion's heart and gut wrenched at the sight, oh how he missed them. Immediately he agreed, but with caution.

  “I will accept, but what are the terms, and for what do you need help? Who are you?” He interrogated the presence, looking around. There was a small, amused giggle from the voice, and then suddenly the female that had sent him here appeared before his eyes.

  “It is a little sad to know my name has been lost, but darling I am the world’s creator. I am your god.” She tittered, Orion held his breath, it would all make sense, and he would rather believe that than be insane. “My name is Eris, and what you had seen was a vision of the past.”

  Orion cleared his throat in disbelief. “I'm sorry, the past…?”

  Eris nodded and dwelled farther into explanation.

  “Long ago when I created this world, my brother Mars grew jealous. He wanted to steal my world and destroy it, make it his. He caused suffering and pain in Aurora, so I chose to defend my creation. I split my power up into 7 wolves, these wolves helped me defend the world, a vicious battle it was. Many innocent lives were lost due to Mars’ Army of violent brutes.” She sighed, showing genuine sadness and continued on. "But in the end our side won, but without consequences. His evil still lurks on this planet to this very day.”

  Orion listened intently to every word. Nothing really irked him as suspicious and if she could help him, he would help her. But… “How do you need my help?” He asked curiously. If Mars had been defeated, then what seems to be the problem.

  Eris smiled sadly. “The problem is Orion; a god cannot die. My power only grows so weak, in keeping him banished, while he grows stronger. He has managed to find his way back into Aurora, and I fear there may now be another war at hand. There are packs that are now worshiping him, and I fear that may be where your family and pack has gone.”

  Orion looked at her. “You mean they chose to abandon me and join a worshiping cult pack?”

  “Or worse Orion, I fear they may have been taken against their will. But I only have so much power left, I can only keep my presence here in the mortal realm for so long” Orion would have preferred the first option, but a sense of relief filled through him. Now maybe he had a chance to get them back.

  “Okay, how do I help?” He asked bluntly, down to business. Eris approved with a nod.

  “You need to build an army. Collect all the strong warriors you can find, but I have a mission. There are few, such as you, who have divine blood. Find a sacred land and awaken your powers. Mars will target the divine, the first priority so look fast.” The beautiful silver forest began to flicker in and out of view, a sign she was sure to leave soon. Orion had many questions to ask before she left.

  “Wait Eris!” he called out as she began to float upward, her luminescent glow dimming. His next words had to be wise, for he had no idea when he would or if he would see her again.

  “How do I know if they are divine?”

  She smiled. “You are the prophet of a god, you will know.” She replied, and in an instant, everything exploded into a bright silver and went black.

  Orion woke up in a jump, his paws sweaty and his fur matter in cold mud. Everything he just dreamt, was as vivid as the cold stream in front of him.

  “That really happened…” he said in disbelief. He was half expecting to be sore and exhausted, but in fact seemed to be just fine. That was a relief at least. His thoughts raced, as he remembered her last words.

  “You are the prophet of a god, you will know.”

  Orion sat there for a good minute, and then began laughing, something he hadn't done in a while. His laugh turned maniacally. “I'm a prophet!” he repeated, until he found the means to calm down. He began thinking. Just because all that happened, did not mean anybody would choose to believe him. How could he say anything at all without sounding insane? He sighed clueless but knew one thing. If Eris's words were right, he would find his pack, his family somewhere within another pack. The future spelled trouble no matter how he seemed to put it, but he was determined.

  To prove he was not crazy, he had to find his pack and family. In order to do so, he had no other choice but to seek out others to form a new, temporary pack- at the least. That would be the easy part… the truth was Orion had no clue what he had just signed up for. Regardless, it was happening now.

  There was a loud commotion nearby, that stirred up the birds causing them to fly to the sky, and then a loud roar followed by yelling. Orion’s ears perked up and he was immediately pulled out of his crazed thinking. Without hesitation he ran toward the fearful yelling, and as he got closer, he noticed the stench of a grizzly, followed by the all too familiar smell of pups. Orion’s fur stood on its edges, and he fastened his pace, fearful of what he may come across.