This is the story of the lone wolf trying to find its way in the vastness of the world. It began some time ago, when the wolf was in harmony with the creatures of the surrounding land. Over time, the wolf became guarded and withdrew from the rest of the creatures. The wolf felt like it didn’t belong with the others and would be misunderstood. It retreated to the shadows, only making an appearance to bare its teeth at those who opposed it. The wolf was trapped between the two realms or the living and dead, and this changed the wolf’s very being. Thought to have been lost in Limbo, the wolf would make an appearance to protect its pack by any means necessary, often using brute force or a flashy display of claws and fangs to warn intruders to stay away. Now, the wolf was but a legend among the others—a creature shrouded in darkness and disrepair. Without the wolf’s presence to balance the ecosystem, the other animals started fighting more and kept to themselves as well. The wolf all the while watching from the shadows, stalking silently and observing the changes.

One day, something happened that would change the wolf forever. A little lamb meandered into the shadows and addressed the wolf. It had been eternities since anything had recognized the wolf’s existence, and the encounter took the wolf by surprise. The lamb was the first to speak. It talked of a time where everything was better and there was peace among the valleys. The wolf listened patiently, curious about why the lamb chose it to confide in. Something changed within the wolf that day—a spark of curiosity flickered dimly within the wolf’s chest. A flame so tiny and so delicate that one wouldn’t have known about its existence unless pointed towards it.

“This precious flame is sacred,” said the lamb, “protect the flame with your life.”

The lamb was the only other creature that could see the wolf’s light. The wolf huffed and let out a low growl, but stayed in its position, ready for the lamb to speak again. But this time, the lamb did not speak—instead it lay down next to the wolf and took a rest. The wolf was a solitary being but decided to keep the lamb out of pure curiosity towards the audacity of the small creature. Day and night, the lamb would follow the wolf and rest during the nights, protected under the wolf’s watchful eye. 

One day, the wolf found only darkness where the lamb once stayed. The wolf waited, longing for the lamb's company. Over the next few days, the lamb appeared briefly and left the wolf alone for long periods. Deprived of its lamb, the wolf grew frantic. A storm arose in the shadows, and the one who could stop it was gone.

By this time, the others had taken notice of the shift in the air and sensed a time of darkness was near. The storm kept growing, but to everything’s surprise, there was no thunder or lightning, just an impending sense of doom.

The wolf was crying out in the only way it knew possible—through pain, suffering and darkness. The wolf was trapped in its state of half-existence, neither alive nor dead. The Spirit Realm was holding the wolf captive as it waited for the lamb to return. When the lamb did finally return, it talked to the wolf in a new tone.

“It’s ok, my wolf. You hide in darkness while I harness the light. Yet we are not so different, me and you.”

The wolf was silent.

“My wolf, it is our time; join me in the light once more. I will be with you every step of the way.”

“Oh, little lamb, how you must think so little of me. I hide like a coward and avoid the light. If only you knew the pain of being shrouded in continual darkness.”

“I know of the pain you suffer, and I know it’s going to be ok. Once you let go of the pain, you will be set free.”

The wolf did not know how to respond—the flicker of light within its heart showed itself and the wolf was stuck. Does it protect the little flame? Or does it release the embers in hope to create a roaring fire? The flame is so delicate, what if it was extinguished? Upon this thought, the wolf raised its guard again. Almost instinctively, the lamb speaks,

“It’s ok to let go… the fire will flourish even in your absence.”

“But the flame is my very being,” the wolf replied, “if I were to let go, I would cease to exist.”

The lamb noticed the wolf's fear and thought carefully about how to respond compassionately. They fell into a long silence, unsure of what to say. The wolf, though confused and scared, couldn't and didn't want to use its defenses against the lamb. But this made it tough for the wolf to express its feelings. Every time it would start to speak, no sound would come out, filling the silence even more.

Something unique happened in this moment, and the lamb noticed it too. Every time the wolf would try to speak, the little flame would surge with power.

“Speak now or forever be hidden in the Spirit Realm.” The lamb tried to encourage the wolf.

The wolf thought about this fact. Would it be so bad to be in the Spirit Realm? It’s not death, nor is it life. It’s just a state of existence that everybody knows about, yet nobody can see. The wolf initially retreated to the Spirit Realm to escape the truths it refused to acknowledge about its life but still be present within the living world. Now it was becoming clear that the wolf could not have both ways. A leap of faith had to be taken in either direction, preferably towards the light. The little lamb watched intently as the wolf debated whether to run with the idea.

“I will be here with you always and forever. There is nothing that the universe could do to separate us.”

“I know, my lamb. I fear to be forgotten, but I trust you will ensure that my legacy lives on within you.”

“Of course, my wolf. You will never be forgotten. If I live in this world, your reflection will be cast through my image.”

“But what will happen to you? What will protect you from those who want to cause harm to you?”

“Do not worry my wolf, you will still be my protector. Now you will protect me in the light, and you will gain strength from the living world as well as the undead. I don’t need your continual protection; you can let your guard down. I have accepted myself as who I am, and I have accepted you for who you are. No longer will we be split anymore.”

The wolf finally understood. The little flame was precious and needed protecting, but so was the lamb and the wolf thought that it had to choose between the two. It now realized that it could protect both at the same time. The flame grew in the wolf’s chest to a palpable size, big enough for the features of the wolf to come to light. The lamb noticed its tired eyes and midnight fur. It noticed how the wolf prowled low to the ground and how every little sound caused the wolf to be on its defense. It was the only thing that the wolf knew how to do, and for that the lamb was sorry for the wolf. But no longer would pity be necessary, for the two would soon be inseparable.

“Goodbye my lamb. Thank you for showing me how to exist in the world again. I trust you to be with me wherever you go, and I will be with you.”

“It is not goodbye—there will always be a part of you inside of me that I will look to for protection and wisdom. You are helping us both to reach our full potential as one being.”

With that, the wolf bowed its head, knowing that this was the last time anything would ever see its physical form. The wolf took a large leap towards the lamb and as soon as it appeared in the light, the wolf vanished.

The lamb discovered the wolf at peace within itself. Light and dark, protection and vulnerability, life and death achieved balance, no longer in conflict. A system ensured that any dominant element was kept in check. The wolf made sure of this as per its promise to the lamb. And in return, the lamb took the wolf wherever it went, allowing it to greet everything it encountered. So, from that moment on, the two kindred spirits were united. And wherever lamb went, wolf was sure to follow.