Zephyrus | NBW

Swift Runner made his way towards the center of the pack, where the dying Alpha lays. His body was failing him, becoming weaker and weaker despite his young age.

Hephaestus' Flames was shaking harshly, almost as if he was cold when in reality, he was burning up. Their herbalist had passed from a similar disease, so her inexperience apprentice had taken over in her place.

The adolescent in question, Plutus' Coin, was busy struggling to keep Hephaestus stable. His body jerked as he was letting out strangled wheezes. Their leaders eyes were clouded, but wide as he struggled to stay alive.

The red furred wolf looked at him with a sad but prideful gaze, "my beta" he called. His tail twitched in a way of calling Swift forward. Hesitantly, he obeyed "yes my king?" He asked.

The weak wolf raised his head gently, gazing up at his only successor with an unreadable expression. He seemed almost grim, he looked down before coughing violently, his head falling as he spasmed on the ground.

Blood by now was starting to pour from his open mouth, coating his fangs and tongue red. When the other finally stopped he lifted his head to look at the other.

"I'm not going to make it, but Swift Runner, i know in my heart that you will make the best successor anyone in this pack has ever known," he stated.

By now, Swift was beginning to panic, realizing what the Alphas words meant. But before he could say anything in response, the other took one last breath, his eyes glazing and his body relaxing.

"No!" The red and white wolf cried, attempting to shake the now cooling body awake. Plutus' Coin pushed in between them, making one last attempt to save Hephaestus.

Swift runner backed away, he felt empty inside, a heavy weight on his shoulders. He felt like it was all his fault. That his Alpha was dead because of him, but why?

——————

Swift lied down in his den, his skin felt cold even in the middle of summer under thick fur. The entrance to his den glowed brighter and brighter, until he could barely see. As he reopened his eyes, he was shocked to find a bipedal creature in front of him.

It was maybe late adolescent, early adult. The humans skin was pale, unnatural golden fur only resided on the top of its head and chin. Its eyes were green in color as it relaxed on the rocks.

"Hello," the other said, stretching the large white wings sprouting from its back out. They were quite peculiar, he'd never seen a bipedal creature with wings before. Was it a mutation? A disease?

The human raised its hand, pointing it towards Swift with a smile, and as it opened its bare paw a gust of air hit him like a raging mother moose.

Swift's body tensed, and he immediately gained control again, leaping to his paws once more. His fur was standing on end, his skin pulled back to reveal a sharp row of teeth, barred at the confusing creature.

The other didn't seem to care, grabbing a hold of his muzzle and gazing at his fangs in amazement. "Wow! So sharp," he said, a hint of blood pricking his tongue as the human jerked back.

The bipedal creature was still smiling, despite its bleeding finger, it was almost as if he couldn't feel it after the initial shock.

"I'm Zephyrus, the god of the west winds, you must be Swift Runner?" They asked, holding their pale paw out to him. Swift frowned, realizing why the other was here.

"No," he spat, pushing his numb body up again and forcing his way past Zephyr. The god seemed to pout, or as best as he could.

"As far as I'm aware, you don't have a choice, your original Alpha didn't have any children, which leaves the line of his beta in control," the god explained.

Swift sighed, "fine, do what you want to do, i don't care anymore" how could he take over a pack? Zephyrus sat beside him, breathing deeply, "look, I've never felt what you're feeling right now. In fact I've rarely felt emotions, ever. But, i heard what Hephaestus' Flame said to you, and I believe its true".

Swift looked up at the other with a confused look, "why?" Zephyrus was still smiling, "because, anyone can change for the better, adapt to their current situation. I believe you will be the perfect wolf to carry my name and power. So, how about it?"

Swift smiled, this time lifting his paw to shake the gods. Zephyrus leaned back into a relaxed state, he raised his paws up, a glow radiating from his hands. A ball of wind seemed to magically form from within it.

"Swift Runner, from this day onward, your old name will be behind you. I ask you to accept this gift from my hands and lead your pack with strength and bravery. Don't hide your fear, embrace it in order to make yourself stronger. Zephyr's Wind shall be your name from now and however long you live on. I gift you with a bit of my power, the ability to control the winds around you, but be aware, winds from the west will always be stronger."

Swift felt his body adjust and change, his clumsy and slow body becoming leaner and more agile. The weight he was putting down lessened, making him feel as light as a feather.

When he reopened his eyes, Zephyrus was gone, vanished into the air around them. It now felt normal to him, despite only knowing the god for a few long minutes. He felt free, he felt the confidence he needed to run the pack as well as Hephaestus did, now he just needed to show everyone else.