The End of the World - Story I
The Wolves are so hot

...~ ◊ ~...

What a story as well as a tremendous disaster,” I said (Panthera Tigris) did not know how to behave.

“Switch Slavery, yes.” murmured Arctos. “The isolation of the Buana Groaning Forest may be a bad luck as well as an advantage. With the forest blocked, it also seems to have blocked the Slavery Magic.”

“But we're out of there. Means we have also been hit by her magic curse?” ask Lupus.

“Maybe,” replied Bovin. “But we will remain safe if using telepathy Canis Tribe. The Slavery Magic Watch would not be able to reach information from telepathy. But the King and the Princes will still know our movements.”

“In retrospect, there may have been a coincidence of the Khan's allowing the forest to remain blocked to ward off this Slavery Magic,” Arctos said.

“In addition, there is one question that continues to be thought of by me. What do you mean by saying that the enemy we fought yesterday is no longer a Human Nation and we are no longer a Hayawan Nation?” I asked Bovin.

“I mean that all of us on this great land have lost our freedom and identity. We and they are no longer a free nation as they once were. They became only chess pieces of the King and his children. While we can only hide from their restraints.” said Bovin with a look full of annoyance.

"Maybe this Witchcraft of Slavery also result in the non-enactment of the oath of peace between nations" said Arctos.

“Lantas how the war conditions are happening now?” ask Lupus.

“King Angkara and the Princes are still at war with each other,” replied Bovin. “But Prince III has lost and been killed in battle in the Southwest Fire Mountains. While Princes I and II are still fighting on the border of the territory of King Rakus and King Lust.”

“Then how is the Hayawan Nation Warrior Army?” ask Arctos.

“We are still trying to strengthen our position to survive in the middle of the war. Our troops led by Artiodac Bubalis the Buffalo from Rawa Desa Ayal managed to control the territory of King Malas. Troops led by Canis Dirus the Wolf were blocking the border to protect the territory. My troops here are one of the Battalions under the command of Commander Dirus the Wolf,” explained Bovin.

“Then the team we fought yesterday?” my many.

“They are the forces of Prince II. From the observation of the Slavery Magic, it seems that Prince II knows that our defense in this border fortress is weaker than the other Hayawan Warrior Defense Battalions. Maybe he intends to open a flight path through this mountain if lost to fight against Prince I,” replied Bovin.

“Hearing your explanation, we have understood the current war situation. Our goal was to head to the greedy King's capital in the Southern Desert. But maybe the path to the south will be difficult because of the battle between Prince I and Prince II,” said Lupus looks frustrated.

“But we have to go to Lazy King City first to meet with Miss Bubalis like Uncle Boss' message. He's there, isn't he?” I asked Bovin.

“Err... I don't know,” replied Bovin unsure. “Although Commander Bubalis had conquered the territory of the Lazy King and made it the defense base of the Hayawan Nation, he was never seen leading the army again.”

“Then now who is leading the troops in the city?”

“Now all Hayawan Nation Soldiers are under the command of Commander Dirus. But if you still want to stop by Lazy King City, I will accompany you all to get there.”

“Really? But how are your troops here? Is it okay to leave them?”

“What a matter, they are all veteran soldiers, even I feel unworthy to lead them. Moreover, tomorrow will come the relief forces from the central Division to prevent in the event of the next attack.”

...~ ◊ ~...

And that's how our story came out seeing the truth that was in the world on the other side of the forest. Meet the lost Hayawan Warriors and our first experience on the battlefield.

The next day I, Lupus, and Arctos continued our journey to the City of the Lazy King accompanied by Bovin the Bison.

On the way we met with the relief forces sent from the central Division to assist in the defense of the Border Valley Fortress.

The journey seemed calm without any obstacles. Because this region has become the power of the Hayawan Nation that is able to survive the Magic of Slavery, so there is no visible battle.

After almost 2 weeks of travel, we finally reached our destination. In a large city with a pattern of random buildings, such as built carelessly. A city without walls or gates. The Kemasan King City.

Perhaps the Lazy King used to be too lazy to think about the structure of the city building and too lazy to build its defensive walls. Perhaps he found it too troublesome to have to open the gate every time he wanted to pass through.

But unexpectedly there is an advantage in the arrangement of this carefree city. This city was like a gigantic maze that was so confusing to pass through. It is suitable for self-defense fortifications. Even Bovin had to repeatedly check the city plan to ascertain the route we would go through.

Either I should denounce or praise the construction of this city. It took us days to get through this shitty city to get to an unknown city center.

But finally we arrived at the Lazy King's Palace. The building is too small to be considered a palace. Perhaps the Lazy King was too lazy if he had to walk long distances within his own palace. So made this strange building which only consists of the king's room and the throne room.

We also entered into the throne room. Inside there stood a large brownish-haired wolf staring at us with one eye, where the other eye can only be closed because it appears there is a long incision there.

Just by looking at it we instantly noticed, he was Canis Dirus the Monstrous Wolf. The man who led tens of thousands of Hayawan Warriors. Survive in the shackles of curses and the turmoil of war. Against millions of royal slave armies. To protect the village.

“Welcome, Three Young Warriors from Buana Groaning Forest,” greet him with a low voice.

“Te-Thank you for the welcome, Mr. Dirus.” replied we stammered.

I was also amazed at what he meant. Without the others noticing, it seemed like Lupus had sent a telepathy to Lord Dirus.

“Come here, young Wolf,” continued Mr. Dirus. “You won't be able to tell me anything if you use that ability. As a member of the Canis Tribe, I'm the only one who can't use telepathy. Your voice will only sound like water rippling to me.”

“A-I am really sorry for my carelessness and ignorance, Mr. Dirus,” said Lupus then walked over to Mr. Dirus and whispered something to him.

“I understand. But wouldn't it be better for your friends to tell you this too?” asked Mr. Dirus to cut in the middle of a whisper of Lupus.

“I can't. Because ‘beliau’ himself ordered me to make sure they did not know it,” replied Lupus then continued his whisper.

Hey, what's going on? What do we not know? What are you hiding from us, Lupus? And who's the ‘beliau’ you mentioned? I can't believe there's a secret between us.

But it seems that Arctos is not as intentional as I am. He even seemed to have realized something.

“Do you know something about that, Arctos?” whispered to Arctos.

“Entahlah. But given his telepathic abilities, I can surmise he has hidden something we may not be aware of,” replied Arctos while still observing Lupus' conversation with Mr. Dirus.

After hearing what Lupus said, a glance of Mr. Dirus seemed surprised. But after that it showed a fierce and scary look.

“Good. I'll do it,” said Mr. Dirus accompanied by a bit of a horrible growl.

Hey, Lupus. What exactly did you tell her that made her look so scary?

“After hearing this message delivered by your friend, I decided to accompany these three young soldiers until half way to the capital,” said Mr. Dirus suddenly.

“A-What do you mean, Commander? You're kidding aren't you?” bovin asked in confusion.

“As I said. I will accompany them on their journey south. But we will split up in the middle of the road.”

“Only up to the border? Or bring along troops to fight?”

“No. Only I am one. I will take them to the East Coast Fortress,” replied Mr. Dirus with rest.

“Lantas who will lead all these troops if you are not around?” ask Bovin.

“Of course the one who deserves to lead you all. The man who has brought us victory amid the strangeness of chaos.”

“Commander Bubalis? But young man..” said Bovin unsure.

“Because of that, I myself will wake him up from his mud pit and drag him back to his duties and obligations,” asserted Mr. Dirus.

“Alright, no need to wait any longer. Immediately replenish supplies and let's continue your journey, proud young soldiers!” continued Mr. Dirus full of spirit fire.

“Good!” answer the three of us simultaneously.

"As long as I'm gone, the command of the provisional forces will be under your command, Commander Bovin!" exclaim Mr. Dirus.

"W-What does that mean? I can't take on that much responsibility" Bovin said.

"You're a talented leader, Bovin. I acknowledge your ability. So replace this work until the Commander-in-Chief takes the lead again" replied Dirus confidently.

Well, I don't know what really happened until Mr. Dirus came along on our way. But we are honored to be adventuring with a person like this.

For the message Lupus gave to Mr. Dirus, I don't think much of it. For sure thanks to the message, Mr. Dirus wants to accompany us to continue this journey.

...~ ◊ ~...

(The message that Lupus delivered to Mr. Dirus was a message from Khan Canis delivered to Lupus prior to his departure from the Buana Groaning Forest *(Episode 6). At that time Lupus got telepathy from his father :

...“I have an order for you. Make sure your friends don't know....

...Once you're out of the woods, find a Canis named Dirus. He is the strongest Wolf on par with me. Make sure you find him, even if you have to part with your friends....

...Tell him if I, Khan Canis have a message for him, that is, an order to head to Angker Island and take back what belongs to him.”...

After getting a chance to meet with Mr. Dirus, Lupus immediately conveyed a message from his father to him. Despite completing his father's orders, Lupus himself had no idea what the message meant.

Why did Mr. Dirus have to go to Angker Island and what to take there. No one knows it except the sender and receiver of the message itself.)