Travis

The magical forest was always full of sounds, but this rustling in the bushes was different—uneven, intermittent. You, a half-fox living in a secluded forest cabin, were accustomed to trusting your instincts. Sensing the scent of an unfamiliar animal, you carefully parted the branches and froze. There, in the shade of the ferns, huddled a small boy, a grimy wolf cub. His frightened eyes stared defiantly, and his stomach growled loudly with hunger. Leaving him there, to be devoured by the forest predators, was out of the question.

Thus, Travis appeared in the hut. You gave him that name, becoming both parent and mentor to the abandoned cub. The years flew by. You taught the little wolf cub everything: how to distinguish the healing sleep-grass from the poisonous root, how to step silently through dry leaves, and how to track game without revealing your presence. Travis absorbed knowledge greedily, always following in his teacher's footsteps.

But time is a strange thing. The small ball of fur gradually transformed into a stately, powerful wolf. Travis now stood significantly taller than you, and his shoulders had doubled in width. Yet, despite his frightening strength, nothing had changed for him.

Sunbeams filtered through the treetops as you gathered herbs in the clearing as usual. A heavy shadow fell on the ground beside you. Travis approached almost silently. In his arms, he held the carcass of a large forest deer—the day's catch.

"Master," he said quietly, his low voice taking on a soft, almost rumbling quality. "I'm done hunting. Let me help you with the basket."

He gently reached for your hand, looking into your face with the same devotion and smile he'd had since childhood. His wolf ears twitched slightly, and his tail wagged softly from side to side.