The sun rose lazily over the island's thick canopy, golden light threading between swaying branches and dew-speckled leaves. Birds called out their greetings, and a gentle breeze rolled over the fields of wild herbs and vegetables that surrounded a humble wooden cottage.
Asahi Ryuuji stood barefoot in the garden, a wicker basket tucked under one arm. His straw hat shadowed his face, though a soft smile curved his lips as he knelt beside a row of plump cabbages.
"Papa!" a familiar voice chimed from behind. "Look! I caught a bug!"
Ryuuji turned just in time to see a small blur of energy sprinting toward him—a five-year-old girl with tiny black horns peeking from her tangled hair. Kiko held up a large beetle in both hands, her eyes alight with pride.
"Oh wow, that's a rhinoceros beetle, isn't it?" Ryuuji chuckled as he examined the bug squirming in her fingers.
Kiko nodded rapidly. "It was on the tree near the stream! Can I keep it? I wanna name it... um... Maru!"
"Maru the beetle, huh?" Ryuuji gently patted her head. "Alright. But you'll have to make sure he's fed. And not put him in your bed again like last time."
She grinned. "He won't pee like the frog did!"
Ryuuji gave a small, resigned laugh. Life on this island, far from civilization, was full of strange lessons.
Their days had fallen into a peaceful rhythm—gardening in the morning, foraging in the woods, repairing tools or fishing near the shore. Ryuuji hunted rarely, only what they needed, and never wasted a thing. At night, they cooked together, read old books, and sometimes sat outside, watching fireflies dance under the stars.
But today… something felt different.
As Ryuuji filled the basket with carrots, he noticed Kiko had gone unusually quiet. She stood a few paces away now, facing the forest path.
"Kiko?" he called. "What is it?"
Her little body was still, horns glinting faintly in the sun. "Papa... I hear something."
He stood up, alert. The forest was alive with normal sounds—rustling leaves, birds, a squirrel chattering in the distance.
But then he heard it too.
Faint.
A low, whining growl. And something… softer. Pained breathing.
Kiko turned to him with big eyes. "Someone's hurt."
Ryuuji didn't hesitate. He set down the basket and reached for the short walking staff leaning against the garden fence. It wasn't much of a weapon—but on this island, strength was less about tools and more about awareness.
"Stay close," he said gently. "Let's go see."
They followed the sound through the trees. The trail wound past their fishing spot and up a gentle slope toward an old thicket Ryuuji hadn't explored in weeks. The deeper they walked, the stronger the scent of blood became.
Kiko's hand clung tightly to his.
Finally, in a small clearing shaded by overgrown ferns, they found them.
Two great wolves lay side by side—one black as soot with crimson streaks in its fur, the other a softer silver-red, both clearly massive even in their collapsed state. Their breaths were labored, shallow. Blood matted their fur in several places.
Ryuuji froze.
Crimson Wolves.
S-class magical beasts. Hunters of ancient forests. He'd seen them once during the war—silent shadows that tore through entire battalions when provoked.
And yet… these two were dying.
One—the male, larger and more scarred—growled weakly when Ryuuji approached, teeth bared. But his body could barely lift his head.
The female was worse off. Her eyes barely opened, and her stomach…
Ryuuji's eyes narrowed. She's pregnant.
Kiko gasped softly. "Papa! We have to help them!"
Ryuuji didn't answer immediately. His warrior instincts screamed danger. These weren't harmless forest critters—they were apex predators with magic-laced blood.
But Kiko stepped forward, kneeling just a few feet from the injured wolves.
"They're scared," she whispered. "Like I was... when you found me."
Her voice was steady. Honest.
Ryuuji let out a slow breath.
Then he crouched beside her and set his staff down. "Alright. But we need to move quickly."
He gathered branches, leaves, and vines, using earth magic to shape them into a small shelter beside the clearing—something cozy enough to keep them warm, hidden from the wind. Kiko ran to fetch water from the nearby stream.
Once the shelter was ready, Ryuuji stepped into the clearing again. He knelt beside the wolves, slowly reaching toward the female.
"I'm not your enemy," he murmured. "Let me help."
His hand hovered above her wound. A soft, golden glow began to form.
[Sanctum Mend], he whispered internally—an ancient healing spell.
Warm light flowed from his palm, gentle and steady. The female wolf's wounds began to close slowly, the bleeding stopping first, then the bruised flesh knitting itself together.
The male watched silently, his breathing evening out.
Ryuuji healed him next—less severely injured, but still critical.
As the magic faded, both wolves lay quietly, no longer struggling for breath.
Kiko leaned in beside him. "Will the baby be okay?"
Ryuuji closed his eyes for a moment, placing a hand gently over the female's stomach. He used a smaller spell this time—[Inner Sight]—to check the unborn pup.
A faint heartbeat.
"Yes," he said softly. "The pup's still strong."
Kiko exhaled with relief. "Thank goodness…"
They sat with the wolves until sunset, watching the forest come alive again with fireflies and distant birdsong. Ryuuji expected the beasts to flee once they had strength, but when he rose to leave—
The male wolf stood too.
It bowed its head low.
And then the female followed suit, standing shakily, her amber eyes locked with Ryuuji's.
Kiko blinked. "Papa… they're saying thank you."
He tilted his head. "You understand them?"
She nodded slowly. "Not words. But… feelings."
The male wolf stepped closer, then—shockingly—lowered himself, head to the ground.
Ryuuji felt it clearly now. A pledge.
They weren't just thankful.
They wanted to stay.
To follow.
To serve.
Crimson Wolves never chose masters. They hunted alone. But here… perhaps something had changed.
Ryuuji laid a hand gently on the male's head. "Then I'll accept. You can stay here, with us. But only if you wish it."
The female gave a soft, affirmative growl, and her tail gently curled around Kiko, as if in affection.
Kiko giggled and hugged her. "You're soft!"
Ryuuji smiled.
They had two new companions now.
—
The next morning, Ryuuji stood outside with a cup of tea, watching Kiko play with the wolves near the stream. The male, whom Kiko named Kaen, kept watch like a silent guardian. The female, now called Yuki, lay under a tree, her head resting as the unborn pup within her grew stronger.
"Papa!" Kiko called, waving. "Can you teach me magic now?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Magic, huh?"
She nodded fiercely. "I want to help like you do!"
Ryuuji chuckled, sipping his tea. "You're still a little too young for fireballs."
"I don't want to throw fire," she said, puffing her cheeks. "I want to clean the house faster!"
"Ah, so it's about chores," he teased. "Alright."
He set down his tea and joined her on the grass. The wolves gathered quietly nearby, listening.
"Demons can use magic easily," he said, tapping her forehead gently. "It's in your blood. But controlling it takes focus."
Kiko sat up straight, her hands on her knees.
"We'll start small," Ryuuji continued. "Everyday spells. Useful magic."
He raised a finger. A warm glow sparked above it.
"[Sparkle Clean]," he said softly. A gentle burst of light fluttered out, brushing over his clothes—and instantly lifting the dirt and dust from them.
Kiko's eyes sparkled. "Oooooh!"
"Try it. Focus on something you want to clean."
She stared at her mud-smeared knees. "Sparkle… clean!"
A faint fizz of light bloomed around her legs—wobbly, flickering… but it worked. The mud vanished, replaced by clean, dry skin.
She gasped. "I DID IT!"
Ryuuji grinned. "Nice one. Let's try [Gentle Light] next. It helps when it's dark."
Kiko clapped and bounced excitedly as Ryuuji continued the lesson. Light spells, healing charms for scraped knees, and even a little trick to heat up soup without firewood.
The wolves watched quietly, Yuki's eyes warm as Kiko hugged her between each new spell.
And as the sun dipped again behind the trees, Ryuuji sat on the porch of their little home, gazing out at the wild, beautiful land they'd made their own.
No thrones. No crowns. No sword or shield.
Just a father, a daughter, two magical wolves, and a future full of quiet days.
Peace. At last.