It was barely past noon before the race was close to starting. Some wolves were disappointed that they had to spend their time checking the route and making sure no one got hurt. Finnian supposed that the way they were now viewed was different, although that race was also a way for them to have fun.

“I’m going to assume that yesterday was a breakthrough between our groups, correct?” Finnian said.

“You’re right.”

Their training together made their relationship better. They could assume or theorize anything, but the truth was that they seemed more in tune with the wolves, and that was because they no longer intended to use him as they once had.

Ten pack members volunteered for the race, raising that number to four more by counting Aer, Rune, Leith and Nero. This was the most participated event they had had so far, except when they encountered larger groups.

“The rules are similar to those used in the past, but we will repeat them to avoid confusion,” Flicka began.

Running was the main thing. They could not attack runners, nor could they use magic of any kind to prevent them from being able to catch up with them. This included their individual strength and speed, but they could not use their magic to avoid the obstacles. They were only allowed to use their powers on themselves to achieve more incredible speed or momentum, even if it was brief.

“There is a gravitational spell that affects the path, making it more complicated to move, but not impossible,” Flicka said. “It’s a countermeasure, so our flying fellows don’t have an even greater advantage.”

It didn’t matter whether they were going through the air or on the ground, neither would have it easy. However, there was one extra detail that even he did not contemplate.

“If on any occasion you do not see the pack marking the way, the race will be stopped, and we will meet at the rendezvous point.”

Those who marked out the route marked it with their magic so that anyone could understand by looking at it which way they had to go. On this occasion, they did not allow shortcuts either to avoid problems that could occur in the event of something like this. Although they had an emergency plan in case someone tried to attack them.

Aer, Rune and Leith evolved, placing themselves on the marks at the same time as the others. Blanche not being there relieved them of an extra burden, while Finnian decided to go with Nero. He didn’t know how much it would affect the three of them to fly forward, and he didn’t want to become dead weight and then slow him down.

“Ah, aren’t you worried about me slowing down?” Nero said without hiding the irony of his words.

“Please, isn’t that an insult to your skills?” Finnian said.

Because none of them would hold back, even he wasn’t part of Nero’s team when he was supporting all his teammates. Besides, it would not be the same to see it from the outside, so Finnian intended to enjoy that event on the wolf.

“Ready?” Flicka said, at which point everyone tensed up.

“Are you holding on tight?” Nero asked, and on receiving an affirmative answer, he added, “Now you’ll know what it’s like to run. “

As much as it was a close race, they intended to do their best, no matter what they looked like. For those few minutes, only the course mattered. As soon as Flicka howled, a fiery blue sphere burst into the sky and exploded like fireworks, starting the competition. At that instant, the participants moved forward with determination, racing each other to get ahead.

They were in a terrain where the land, the trees, and the sight’s elevations were typical, so it would be a flat circuit, at least not for those not flying. Gravitational magic managed to make moving require more effort than they were used to, but none of them complained, nor would they. Aer, Rune and Leith were flying in their Champion forms, hovering above them and not straying far, as focused as the others. Then, their first obstacle came as soon as a wall of rocks and plants forced them to move forward carefully, looking for places to jump so as not to stop.

“Now, would you have liked to go with us?” Rune exclaimed, laughing.

He was terrified of falling, though there were worse places to fall. His ears picked up what his eyes didn’t, something even Nero understood without him having to tell him anything. Small platforms emerged from the earth, burrowing into it in seconds only to appear again, similar to the opening and closing of drawers. Whoever thought that wolves had no creativity had never met this pack.

After overcoming that and returning to flatter ground somewhat, his friend let out a snort. He was surrounded by energy, and everything around him was slow motion. The trees were moving at a reduced speed; the rocks too. Even his ears picked up the sounds of nature as if something had slowed them down, or they were moving at a faster speed.

Seeing through Nero, he understood that their speed was superior to their surroundings. Other wolves could do it, though he was making the most progress with that momentum he had initiated.

“Since when can the earth be this fast?” Finnian asked.

“Who told you we can’t be?” Nero answered.

So far, all the books and video games that had fallen into his hands tended to explain that any earth magic was strong, forceful, good for defence, but slow. Even if his partner employed his magic differently, the practice was not far from reality. Just as in fighting Sköll, he used the steadiness and defence of his element, the same energy the environment offered allowed him to increase his speed. Both the wolf’s fur and his own was bristling, reacting to what they gave off to move. It was similar to a tingling that ran through every part of his body, connecting him to something greater than his surroundings.

Life, magic, it was all part of his universe, even if it couldn’t always be appreciated.

“It’s not the first time you’ve taken the lead, right?” Finnian said.

“Not at all. Why do you think I’m one of the fastest?” Nero said.

And it wasn’t to boast but to state a fact. Perhaps they had slowed their pace not to exhaust their stamina, but that allowed them to see that not everyone was as close as they had been initially. Although his ears were ringing from the sudden change, the rest of his senses were more focused than ever.

“Do you want to try again?” Nero said.

“Do you have to ask?” Finnian said with his smile widening.

Sensing the wolf’s excitement for speed, he pressed the pace, leaving the rest behind in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, they crossed the finish line where Braunah stood. She watched them, as calm as usual, and then added:

“Well, I guess you keep your title of fastest in our pack,” Braunah said. “Although next time, you could let them have a bit of a head start, just to make it more exciting.”

However, it didn’t take long for the others to show up, confirming her theory that he didn’t run as fast as usual. Maybe it was due to having to carry him or the spell affecting the entire course, although the collective result was comforting. Perhaps there was some friendly rivalry, the typical kind where several want to test their skills, no bad intentions, all to push oneself and improve.

“Wow,” Aer said.

“Double wow,” Leith said.

“Now I understand that he’s the fastest in the pack,” Rune said.

Even linked could sense the excitement at the speed and the wolf’s calmness as he focused on nothing but running. Could there be anything better? Perhaps, though at that instant not that he cared too much.

The meeting point was, without much mystery, the arrival point. There were no stragglers either, but they did await the rest of the pack. However, there was no intention of stopping to eat and celebrate, but to continue on their way, one that on this occasion was different.

“I guess we won’t be seeing each other for a while,” Nero said. “Be careful, okay?”

“I could say the same to you,” Braunah replied. “Especially because of who you have to deal with.”

“Will you try to take on Calamity?” Finnian said.

Only if they had no other choice. They learned the hard way that they should not force those things that did not go with them. They could make Ariel’s life more complicated, but it was not their destiny to defeat him. On that occasion, there was no resentment in their words but a steely determination to help as best they could. Defeat reminded them of how precious life was, a view shared by those present. Then Braunah approached, and Nero nudged him with his snout, encouraging him to go to his mother. His mother vowed her head, almost as if asking to be petted. And, as soon as he brushed her, he initiated the connection.

“Listen to me carefully. You are leaving with the most precious thing I have. Do not lower your guard, and take good care of your partners, for they would give their lives for you,” Braunah said.

“I will not let them down,” Finnian said.

“I know you won’t, but because I know what it’s like to lead a group, I see details that escape most,” Braunah said.

Her words could not be compared to a vision. They were direct, clear and concise about something she suspected and shared. They had no evidence to confirm it, or not at the moment, but both would be on the lookout for what might happen.

“Let the future be left to fate,” Braunah said.

“May the stars light our paths,” Finnian said.

They were approaching the same danger they had so far avoided, and when they put a face to it, there would be no turning back.