Channing pounced around the woods in his wolf form, his tongue dangling out and tail up. The cold snow below him crunched as he moved, the frigid Valsaire air nipping at his fur. Other lycastrals were running with him, gleefully moving through the woods. A few creatures watched from the slick trees as the wolves ran past. Various animals flew through the air, a couple joining the wolves on their run for a few moments.

At only eleven-years-old, Channing was surprisingly strong for such a small wolf. His clean white coat complimented the snow around him. His fur was completely unblemished and flawless. Most wolves had some sort of scar from an accident or fight but his was perfect. It made it easy for his parents to spot him in the crowd. The pack was looking for food, being very specific about what they would eat.

Channing had just leaped over a fallen branch when something caught his eye. He paused mid-stride, one paw up and his ears raised. His head tilted slightly as he tried to decipher what he saw. A glimmer of light rushed past him. He scampered back slightly in surprise, leaning down in a prowl stance. He bared his teeth and let out a small growl.

He could hear the rest of the pack running off without him, but he couldn't be bothered to catch up now. When the glimmer of light appeared again and disappeared into the woods, he followed immediately. Channing hurried off in the direction of the light, losing his pack in the process.

Channing dodged trees and rocks as he chased after the light. It kept a simple path as it led him astray. The only sound filling the air was wolves howling in the distance and the snow crunching beneath his paws. His eyes remained fixed on the light, ears perched up in curiosity. He tried barking at the light but it only kept on moving.

Eventually, the light halted completely, almost as if telling him where to stand. Channing, not expecting it to stop so abruptly, frantically tried to slow himself down from his run but fumbled over his paws. The young wolf slipped on the snow and slid past the light and hit into the tree in front of him.

Channing huffed out and shook his head, some snow falling off his fur. He pushed himself off the ground and fixed his stance, standing tall now as if nothing had happened. He glanced back to where the light was and noticed it was still there as if it was waiting for him. He immediately dove at the light and hit his paws at the center, nose digging into the ground.

Nothing.

Channing pulled his nose out and raised his head, tilting it with curiosity. The light remained around him, he fit his entire body in the small circle. He glanced around him, unsure of what to look for. Eventually, he turned behind him and noticed the tree that he had slammed into.

Immediately, Channing bowed.

The tree stood tall in front of him. All the trees in the woods were slick and looked almost like metal. This tree could not be any more different. It had a brown, scruffy base that stretched out at the top into twisting branches. Green leaves sprouted from the branches, dangling around, blowing slightly from the wind. Small bugs moved around in the ridges of the tree.

At the center of the tree was something even more peculiar. The face of a wolf was carved into the tree. The wolf looked fierce and strong, it's large eyes watching over it's forest. The wolf had a thick fur coat, carved as if the wind was blowing through it. This tree was thought to be sacred. Many had tried to cut the tree down or take its face, but all had failed. It was impermeable to any form of harm. Nothing could hurt the tree- not a blade nor fire.

The wolves worshipped the tree, they often came to it for everything from celebrations to times of pain. The wolves found peace in the tree. It was when they saw the wolf's eyes glow that they began to treat it as sacred. Growing up, they were taught to respect the tree as if it were their ruler. The tree brought them good luck and happiness when they've needed it most.

When the sun hit it at just the right time, the eyes would glow and illuminate the forest. The wolves often said that Freyr had gifted the lycastrals the tree as a sign of good faith, and a gift from a God was to be treated with respect. The light beneath Channing suddenly slipped away from him and ran up the tree. As soon as the light reached the wolf's face, its eyes glowed and lit up the area around him. Channing lifted his head but kept his body in a bowed position, watching as the light poured through the forest.

Channing could still hear the other wolves howling and the various animals around him chittering. The light soon began to close in. It got smaller and smaller as if a door was shutting. The edges of the light soon only surrounded Channing, the line of light leading directly to him. Channing reluctantly closed his eyes to shield away from it, it was almost too bright.

He hadn't noticed how loud the sounds around him were until they were gone. He could no longer hear the wolves howling or any other animal around him. Curiously, Channing opened his eyes to see himself in a strange landscape. It looked like his world only less colorful and less bright. A small mist filled the air, circling around him. Channing lifted himself from the bowing position, looking around in bewilderment.

"Channing."

He immediately jumped and growled but regretted it as soon as he did. The only thing that remained bright and colorful was the tree. Another flash of light caused Channing to turn his head away. When he looked back, he saw a misty and transparent wolf in front of him. He instantly looked back at the tree and noticed that the wolf's face had disappeared and the one in front of him had the exact face of the one previously on the tree.

Channing took a few moments to realize it before once again bowing deeply to the spirit in front of him. Although promptly confused and slightly terrified of what was happening, he knew to respect the large wolf that sat only a few feet from him. As he bowed, he noticed that his body looked just as wispy and transparent as the other wolf's body. He jumped slightly, scattering back in confusion.

"Do not worry, Channing. Your body is perfectly safe," the wolf spoke without opening its mouth, his soothing yet powerful voice boomed through the forest. "You may rise, young wolf."

Channing raised himself from the bowing position, sitting only a few feet across from this mysterious wolf spirit. He tried to make himself talk like the other wolf, but he couldn't figure out how to voice his thoughts in this form.

"That's all right, Channing. How about you change back to your human form so we can talk?" the wolf suggested and Channing noticed that the wolf didn't suggest he changed back himself, making him wonder if this was the wolf's only form.

Channing focused as hard as he could, struggling to maintain focus with this dizzying situation. Eventually, he could feel his fur retreating and his human body coming back to him. It was always a strange feeling as his body morphed back, it was something the young wolf was still getting used to. When he opened his eyes, he saw he was still sitting across from the wolf from the tree.

"Hello," Channing greeted lamely, unsure of how to address the spirit.

"My name is Conrí. It is a pleasure to meet you, Channing," Conrí said kindly, surprising Channing with a bow of his head.

"You... you're the wolf from the tree."

"I am."

"Where are we?"

"This is what we call The Spiritual Realm," the wolf informed him formally, seeming to expect that Channing would have questions.

Channing immediately noticed his choice of words. "'We'? There are more of you? How did I get here?"

"Yes, there are many spirits here. You are here because I needed to speak to a lycastral in your realm. I sent the light to find one of your pack and you heeded my call," Conrí explained, not moving in his seated position.

"What did you need to talk about?" Channing asked and decided he might have been too casual whilst talking to a spirit. "Sir!" he quickly added before contemplating that title. "Your majesty?" he corrected in a high pitched tone of confusion.

Conrí chuckled, the sound echoing around them. Channing was only slightly scared by the fact that the spirit in front of him remained stoic despite hearing laughter around him. "Conrí is perfectly fine."

"Yes, Conrí."

"I am here because our people are on the verge of making a grave mistake," Conrí began, making Channing listen more intently if that was even possible. "How old are you? Are you aware of the current state of Thera?"

"I'm eleven! I know all about it," Channing said excitedly, only slightly lying.

"It brings bad fortune to lie to a spirit, Channing."

Channing immediately deflated slightly, bowing his head in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, but it wasn't a complete lie! I overhear my parents and some of the others talking about everything. I know there's a lot of... um... what's the word? Oh! Tension! I know there's a lot of tension in the realms. My realms! Not... not the spiritual realms. Unless there is, of course! I guess I wouldn't know much about that..." Channing rambled on awkwardly, swallowing thickly as he realized how uneducated he sounded, "there's a lot of tension."

"You're quite right," Conrí told him kindly and Channing was grateful he didn't patronize him for everything he said and his clear nerves, "there is certainly tension in the realms, there has been for years. A war is coming, it might not be for some time, but it's coming. And the lycastrals have a history of going to whichever side we think will win, even if it's not the right side."

"So... we're not always the good guys?" Channing asked a bit dejected.

"It's not quite so simple as the good guys and bad guys. Much depends on which side you stand on. Both sides often have valid points, but stubbornness continuously splits us apart. With that being said, there is typically a side that, morally speaking, is the one that the lycastrals should align itself with. It will have strong forces, so we wouldn't be dooming ourselves. And it will also truly help people, and it's time the lycastrals aim to help people," Conrí explained slowly, making sure that Channing was following everything he was saying. He was impressed with how well the young boy kept up.

"Then we should do it!" Channing exclaimed passionately. "How will we know who to side with?"

"The first step is to make things right with the Lucina family." At this, Channing perked up. He had heard several rumors about the family and most truly terrified him. "I'm sure you know your family was friends with them once, and you need to rekindle that relationship. They will be incremental in making things right in Thera. It could take several years to repair this relationship, but it will be worth it."

"So... if I get my pack to side with the Lucina's, we could help people?" Channing asked.

"There isn't a doubt in my mind, young one. I believe you could change their lives," Conrí said which made Channing grin. "Just make sure the pack makes things right with the Lucina's."

Channing nodded enthusiastically. "I'll get it done, Conrí! But... how will my pack believe that I saw you?"

"There is not much that can travel from The Spiritual Realm to your realm, but there is one thing," Conrí began, his tone seeming indifferent. "Anything that happens to you here, happens to your body on Thera. If I were to give you a scar, then it would travel back with you."

"Will it hurt? How will they know it's from you?"

"No, I can make sure it doesn't hurt," Conrí assured him. "It will be identical to the scar my tree will have. I will give you three scars along your face that will match mine. If your pack doesn't believe you, show them that."

"Okay, I'll do it. Thank you for your guidance, Conrí," Channing said as he bowed his head once more.

Conrí bowed his head as well, moving for the first time. "It has been a pleasure, young one. I hope we meet again."