I never imagined I would have the opportunity to cross galaxies.
The thought lingered in Ahcehera's mind as she stood on a skybridge overlooking Starcentral District.
Countless lights illuminated the sprawling city below. Hover vehicles moved through designated aerial lanes like streams of flowing stars. Massive holographic advertisements flickered across skyscrapers that stretched toward the heavens, their surfaces reflecting vibrant shades of blue, gold, and crimson.
Even after inheriting the memories of the original Ahcehera Bloodstone, she still found herself fascinated by everything around her.
Back on Earth, humanity had only dreamed of reaching distant galaxies.
Yet here she stood.
Alive and breathing.
Living within a civilization that had transformed entire planets into thriving centers of commerce and technology. The realization still felt surreal.
A cool breeze brushed against her face as she leaned slightly against the railing. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to simply enjoy the view.
Then something caught her attention.
Near the base of several towering artificial trees, hidden beneath layers of shadows and decorative foliage, a small figure lay motionless.
Ahcehera frowned.
The city square remained busy despite the late hour. Citizens moved about freely while maintenance drones floated overhead, performing routine inspections.
Yet nobody seemed to notice the creature.
Or perhaps they were deliberately ignoring it.
Curiosity stirred within her.
Leaving the observation platform behind, Ahcehera made her way toward the source of the disturbance. The closer she approached, the more concerned she became.
A small black wolf lay curled against the roots of one of the artificial trees. Its breathing was shallow. Blood stained the ground beneath its body. Several deep wounds covered its fur. One of its legs appeared twisted at an unnatural angle.
"Huh?" Ahcehera crouched down. "Who would leave an injured wolf here?"
The creature looked young. Far too young to survive alone.
Its black fur had become matted with dried blood and dirt. Fresh wounds covered its body, suggesting it had only recently escaped whatever had attacked it.
A strange feeling tugged at her chest.
In her previous life, she had always been weak and helpless. Unable to help herself, let alone anyone else. Perhaps that was why seeing the small wolf affected her so strongly.
She reached out carefully.
The wolf didn't react. No growl, no attempt to bite, nothing at all. Only the faint rise and fall of its chest confirmed that it was still alive.
"It must have suffered a lot."
Her fingers gently brushed against its fur.
Still warm.
Despite its condition, life still burned stubbornly within the creature. It was fighting to survive. Just like she once had.
Ahcehera's expression softened.
"Don't worry." She carefully slipped her arms beneath its body. "I won't leave you here."
The wolf remained unconscious as she lifted it. Its body felt surprisingly heavy for its size. Yet she carried it without hesitation. After all, if fate had given her a second chance, surely she could offer one to a dying creature as well.
The peaceful atmosphere of the Bloodstone Royal Palace disappeared the moment Ahcehera returned. Servants rushed through the corridors. Medical personnel were summoned from their residences. Several emergency treatment chambers were activated.
The palace, which had been silent beneath the moonlit sky moments earlier, descended into controlled chaos.
A team of doctors quickly transported the wolf into a medical pod. Advanced scanners began examining every inch of its body. Projected holographic screens displayed a staggering amount of damage.
Internal bleeding.
Multiple fractures.
Deep lacerations.
Signs of prolonged physical abuse.
Even the experienced medical staff appeared disturbed.
One elderly physician finally approached Ahcehera.
"Princess..." His expression was unusually cautious. "May I ask where you found this juvenile wolf?"
"In Starcentral District." Ahcehera crossed her arms. "It was lying beneath one of the artificial trees."
The physician exchanged uneasy glances with several colleagues.
Their reactions immediately caught her attention.
"Is something wrong?"
The doctor hesitated. Then he shook his head. "No, Your Highness."
But his expression suggested otherwise. Ahcehera narrowed her eyes. Something about this creature clearly troubled them. Unfortunately, no one seemed willing to explain.
Later that night, Ahcehera returned to her chambers. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on her body, sleep refused to come.
The upcoming military examination occupied a significant portion of her thoughts. As one of the examiners, she would be responsible for evaluating future military talents from across multiple planetary systems. The original Ahcehera had participated countless times.
She had not.
A sigh escaped her lips. "I've never even supervised a classroom exam."
Now she was expected to evaluate future military officers. The absurdity of her situation almost made her laugh. Still, there was no point in complaining.
This was her life now, her responsibilities, and her future. Taking out her tablet, Ahcehera began compiling a list.
- Military examination preparations.
- Emergency equipment.
- Planetary survival kits.
- Food research.
- Political obligations.
The list grew longer and longer. By the time she finished, she felt more exhausted than she had during the simulation battle. Eventually, sleep claimed her.
Yet even in her dreams, she found herself thinking about a pair of golden eyes hidden beneath bloodstained black fur.
The following morning brought unexpected news.
"The wolf survived?" Ahcehera blinked.
The doctor nodded enthusiastically. "Not only survived, Your Highness. Its recovery rate is extraordinary."
A holographic report appeared above the table.
Several injuries that should have required weeks of treatment had already healed overnight. Fractures had partially mended. Internal damage had stabilized. The creature's vitality bordered on impossible.
Ahcehera studied the report carefully.
Yet the physicians appeared far less enthusiastic. Several exchanged nervous glances.
One finally spoke. "Your Highness... we believe the creature may not be an ordinary wolf."
Ahcehera raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"There are certain biological indicators..." The physician hesitated. "...similar to records associated with the Orc Tribes."
The dining hall became silent.
Ahcehera nearly dropped her teacup.
The Orc Tribes?
Even she knew that name.
They were one of the rarest races in the galaxy.
Powerful, mysterious, and dangerous beings.
If the wolf truly possessed connections to them, the implications could be enormous.
Yet when she recalled the creature's battered condition, her sympathy remained unchanged. "Continue the treatment."
The physicians looked surprised. "Your Highness?"
"If someone is searching for it, we'll find them." Ahcehera set down her teacup. "If nobody comes forward, then we'll decide what to do afterward."
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"But I also want reports concerning missing children, trafficking incidents, and unusual disappearances."
Something about the wolf felt wrong.
Not dangerous, just wrong, as though the story surrounding it had yet to be revealed.
"Understood, Your Highness."
After breakfast, Ahcehera visited the medical wing once again. The wolf rested peacefully inside a recovery chamber. Most of its wounds had already disappeared. Watching it sleep, Ahcehera felt strangely relieved. Without thinking, she reached out and gently stroked its fur.
Warmth spread through her palm.
A strange sensation followed.
Almost like a pulse.
Energy.
Not painful.
Not threatening.
Simply... familiar.
Her eyes widened slightly.
What was that?
The sensation vanished almost immediately. Yet it left behind a lingering feeling she couldn't explain. Unknowingly, she remained beside the wolf for hours.
Only when the palace butler reminded her about lunch did she finally rise. As she turned to leave, a strange thought crossed her mind. Somehow, she felt that meeting this wolf would change her future.
She didn't know why. She simply knew.
The door closed behind her. Silence returned to the room.
Several seconds later, the wolf's golden eyes slowly opened. It stared at the doorway long after Ahcehera disappeared. As though committing her existence to memory, and it would never forget the person who had saved its life.