Surrounded by the sounds of nature and the layers of swaying trees, one majestic predator exhales heavily. Since Beowl's visit to Fostail's pup care, almost two light periods have passed. Despite his best efforts, he hasn't been able to make Void respond even once. Once again, the boy's stomach growls. However, Beowl can't figure out how to feed him. Pushing through thick shrubbery, they arrive at Beowl's favourite place, a clearing amidst the otherwise dense forest. Lining the tree line are various edible fruits. Beowl paws a cluster off the nearest bush, letting them roll towards Void. Without pause, Void keeps walking until he arrives next to Beowl. With an indifferent expression, he raises his hand. His fingers run along the blackberry bushes, causing a small amount to fall off. Void may not have eaten the berries, but for Beowl, getting the boy to do anything was a major improvement.
Considering the previous berries didn't work, Beowl decides to try different fruits. Unlike the blackberries, the next lot contains seeds in the outer skin. Taking a moment, Beowl ensures Void is watching. Slowly, he paws down these wild berries while keeping focus on the boy. Void approaches and similarly knocks some down. So, he won't eat seedy ones either. Disappointed, Beowl goes to try more fruits. Next up are yellowish-green fruits hanging from a short tree. Believing Void incapable of leaping, Beowl isn't able to paw at this type. Standing on his hind legs, he carefully grabs the fruit with his jaws. Awkwardly, Void stretches up and attempts to bite the lowest hanging one. He manages to barely succeed. To the wolf, this fruit tastes disgusting. If he bites down and swallows, would it mean Void would too? Distracted by the dilemma, he doesn't notice the dull glare in the nearby bushes.
Popping out between the two fruit thieves comes a leathery black nose. Without wasting the opportunity, the brown hairy creature swipes with its five claws. The omnivorous mammal targets the smooth leg that tramples his tasty food. Before being able to make contact, the badger is flung through the air. Reacting just in time, Beowl manages to protect the defenceless Void. It didn't even react to an attempted attack; training is going to be difficult. The cavern badger's claws grip the tough earth, and he prepares to barrel forward. Letting loose a gravely screech, the wild creature begins to charge at Beowl. Aggravated, Beowl smashes his right paw into the ground, producing a reverberating bang. Startled by the loud noise, the badger freezes in place. It pauses to reassess what exactly it's attempting to fight. The strange creature then stomps heavily, causing the badger to scamper away. Beowl looks over to Void, thinking about how unlike wolves it will probably require an artificial weapon to fight.
The moss-light begins to lose intensity, a signal that the third light is ending soon. Noticing the shift, Beowl decides to leave for today. Returning empty-handed is usually the perfect chance for the guards to mock their juniors. However, Void's presence manages to deflect such a fate. Wandering through the colony, Beowl contemplates how or who to obtain an artificial weapon from. His concentration is only broken upon noticing Fostail seeing off her last pup. Hoping not to disturb her, or more honestly to delay upcoming embarrassment, Beowl waits at a distance. The instant Fostail finishes with the family, her attention shifts to him. Mentally pushing the weapon issue aside, Beowl sets forth for his nerve-racking lesson with Mama Fostail.
Beowl lies down in the grassy field, recovering from Fostail's bout of mocking laughter. As for why he wasn't being taught, she wants time to properly understand the boy. He almost begins daydreaming, but then somebody smacks him. Swiftly, he jumps to his feet. What came next was unexpected. Under Fostail's caring yet mischievous watch, Void softly smacks Beowl.
"He's strange but easy to teach. How didn't you figure it out?" Noticing Beowl is clearly upset, Fostail decides to comfort him. Once he calms down, the lesson begins. She teaches Beowl that Void learns via imitation. With enough time, she thinks the boy should become independent.
"I guess… that makes sense," murmurs Beowl, "but what about fighting? He doesn't have claws or anything." Fostail momentarily ponders. She tells Beowl that a few years ago, she had a pup with dull claws. They got help from a quirky, eccentric wolf named Tinkclaw, but they're rather hard to handle.
Beowl considers going to meet Tinkclaw before the final light ends. However, judging by the current light intensity, there probably isn't much time left. Well, he can always leave it until tomorrow. The pair make their way back to Scrowl's sanctuary. Walking into the cold cave, Beowl decides to try what Fostail taught him earlier. Locking eyes with Void, he raises his paw high in the air. A cool breeze flows through the cave as he waits for the response. Void stares momentarily, then begins to move his hand. His hand comfortably stops at the same level as Beowl's. He did it, Beowl finally did it. Just as he went to release a celebratory howl, everything went dark. With night having fallen, everything naturally becomes quiet. Tired from the day's activities, Beowl decides it's time for bed. However, he needs to teach Void how to sleep before he himself can surrender to the night.
Two days weren't enough for the cove to accept the presence of Void. Aware of the fact, Beowl has no choice but to wake up early. Sluggishly, he makes his way out into the dimness of waking light. Unlike the main three lights, the moss doesn't shine as radiantly this early. He spends a few minutes sketching the path Fostail told him to take yesterday into the ground. So long as he doesn't get lost, they should make it to Tinkclaw without issue. Turning around, Beowl heads back inside to wake up the silently sleeping Void. They'd have to leave quickly to beat first light, as the eccentric inventor lives on the colony's outskirts. Luckily, Void manages to wake up almost instantly. Beowl quickly checks him head to toe before beginning their long morning trek.
The pair arrive at the cave of the eccentric Tinkclaw, or at least they should have. Beowl begins scanning the area. Unlike the usual flourishing cove, there is nothing here save for a lone tree. Did they take a wrong turn somewhere? Needing time to figure out the situation, Beowl takes shelter under the tree. Void begins walking over to join him as per usual. His eyes drift downwards towards the boy's feet, causing him to notice something off about the grass. His observation comes too late as the ground beneath Void gives way, and the boy quickly falls out of sight. Beowl scrambles to rescue the boy from the sudden trap. Peering down into the hidden tunnel, he notices layers of tracks going both in and out. Throwing caution to the wind, he begins descending in search of Void. He doesn't quite understand why, but the idea of letting the boy die causes his heart to ache.
Beowl follows the tracks of footprints, some fresh, others unmistakably old. The sounds of skittering insects accompany the stench of decaying life. With a sickening churn forming in his stomach, Beowl spots an orange glow flickering in the distance. Seeking reprieve from the foulness assaulting his senses, he sprints towards the light. Approaching the end of this vile tunnel, he sees a twisted wall that reveals a space beyond. His every breath teeters on the edge of gagging. Crossing the threshold, he notices countless items seemingly out of place. Body parts of various creatures hang lifelessly, their hosts nowhere in sight. Piles of bones lie in neat stacks, and strange objects line the eerie cave walls. Amidst this baffling sight was Void, his body bound to a column. Beowl's hair stands on end. Something else is in here, and he just earned its attention.
Sensing the gaze fixating on him, Beowl immediately begins searching the area. Everywhere he looks lie dead parts or strange materials, but no sign of life besides Void.
"Have you taken an interest in my work?" The quiet voice echoes, making it impossible to discern the source. Beowl clenches his muscles and prepares to flee. He sprints forward with his mouth agape, ready to tear Void away before making a break for it. Biting down, his teeth sink into the bindings only to bounce back. "Is this marvellous creature yours?" The voice speaks directly into his ear, excitement overflowing with each word. Beowl's muscles scream, capable only of turning to the voice. His eyes meet the crazed expression not of some powerful beast but a petite wolf.
"Huh?" He couldn't help but voice surprise. To think he was frightened by something so small. Remembering why he came, Beowl asks, "Are you, Tinkclaw?" The little wolf's eyes light up, tail wagging wildly, and a massive smile appears on her face. From elusive to overjoyed, Fostail was right, Tinkclaw really is eccentric.
It was over for Beowl the moment he let the tiniest hint of interest slip. Tinkclaw broke out into countless questions, only to fire fresh ones before he could respond. She starts more personal, but the rambling quickly escalates. The process of dismantling corpses, her frequent infiltration outings, and even harvesting from Scrowl's sanctuary.
"Say, did you know this creature is strikingly similar to the prophesied one?" The sudden bombshell lingers in the air, waiting to be answered.
"How do you?" Beowl stammers a question, but quickly changes his tune: "Yes, I've been given a sacred mission to raise Void."
"Can I have him?" Tinkclaw leans closer, her entire body seemingly joining the tail in wagging. Not long ago, Beowl would've surely accepted.
"I'm sorry, but you can't have him." The moment those words escape, the atmosphere darkens. Tinkclaw's tail stops wagging, her joyful demeanour and bright eyes vanish. However, the moment Beowl starts explaining why he came, her excitement bounces back greater than before. He has no choice but to play audience until she tires herself out.
Yesterday, Beowl didn't manage to return home with Void until long after nightfall. Half-asleep, images of Void testing out various crude weapons and Tinkclaw's tireless excitement plague his mind. According to her, none of the weapons fit the boy's energy. In light of this revelation, she tasked him with finding proper material. When questioned what to look for, she shrugged him off and said whatever resonated with the boy. Attempting to expel the heaviness his eyes harbour, Beowl gives himself a thorough shaking. Redoubling his efforts, Beowl continues leading the boy deeper into the woods. He tests a nearby dark oak by slamming his full weight against it, sending a flock of birds flying. Despite Beowl's earnest attack, the impressive timber stands firm. The dappled light begins to dim as the forest sways nervously, leaving Beowl to question the strength of his blow.
Looking upward, Beowl wonders if he's somehow gotten stronger without noticing. Watching the leaves shiver anxiously, he senses something circling above. His ears perk up, noticing the distinct sound of leathery wings, each slap growing louder. He was too slow to react; there wasn't time to flee. Crashing through the overhead foliage comes a winged mammal, an unmistakable tri-ring symbol on its head.
"Interesting thing you've got, weakling. My lord will be most pleased when it is brought before him." This was a servant of the Bat Lord Omori, whose clan has fought Scrowl for generations. Beowl's breathing hastens, and his legs tremble under the towering creature's presence. There is no winning this encounter— should he abandon Void and save himself? No, he can't, he won't abandon the boy. Beowl's eyes snap to the great bat, his teeth bared and hackles rising. Only one choice remains: to fight with all he has until the bitter end.
With blistering speed, the great bat slams the young wolf. Beowl's side erupts with a sharp pain, and he loses control as he's blasted away. Landing spine-first into the nearby foliage, he struggles to catch his breath. Rearing forward, his eyes catch the great bat reaching to steal Void. Beowl shakily stumbles to his feet. Dashing forward, he desperately goes for the throat. Faltering from the pain, his slash lands across the chest. Spinning around, he sees the bloodless bat diving for him. Beowl fails to fully dodge, leading to his ear being torn off. His bloodied eyes meet the glare of the enraged great bat. Beowl's eyes were drawn elsewhere. He tries to scream to no avail. From behind, Void approaches and smacks the bat's leathery skin. His heart sinks as he watches Void get launched into the dark oak, smearing it with his blood.
Void's wrecked body slumps against the tree, his wounds bleeding profusely. Without help, the boy wouldn't survive long. Beowl can't allow that to happen. Satisfied with the boy's helpless state, the great bat returns to Beowl, ready to finish him. Meeting his gaze, Beowl was already mid-leap, claws ready to strike. Beowl's slash draws blood from the bat's neck, only to be swiftly countered. Given no time to recover, a kick sends him flying. Miraculously, Beowl manages to land upright, his body stable enough to keep going. With each exchange, he manages a little damage, but in return is sent flying. Struggling to breathe, Beowl realises the next attack will be his last.
"It's time to end this farce." Confidence exudes from the declaration, a clear sign of the bat's readiness to end Beowl. A singular snap rings out, drawing both combatants' eyes to the source.
The blood-smeared tree stands alone, its visitor now upright, holding a dark branch.
Seeing Void up again, the great bat remarks, "Marvellous boy, now I'm even more certain Omori will be pleased." Unlike the bat, Beowl notices something is wrong. Void shouldn't be strong enough to have broken that tree. Puffs of crimson leak from the boy's wounds; his expression shifts into a malicious grin. Whatever was standing there didn't feel like Void anymore. In the blink of an eye, it appears before Beowl, the branch transformed into a menacing double-bladed weapon. The great bat screams in pain, blood pouring from a fresh, deep wound. The boy begins laughing, a sick, twisted laugh. With unbelievable speed, he launches towards the great bat. The great bat is forced onto the defensive, only to have its claws severed. With the battle no longer in its favour, the great bat blasts off into the sky. In his final moments of consciousness, Beowl watches the boy stare down his airborne foe.