The white wolf gazed at Ryuno with unflinching intensity. Its presence was not just overwhelming but deeply familiar, as though it resonated with a part of his soul that had lain dormant. Ryuno's body trembled slightly, not from fear, but from an anticipation that surged within him.
"Why now? Why have you appeared after so long?" Ryuno demanded, his voice steady but laced with a quiet frustration.
The wolf's gaze softened slightly, though its commanding presence remained.
"Because you are ready," it replied. "Ready to reclaim what was once yours and face the truths you've buried."
Ryuno felt a flicker of defiance rise in him. "I am no longer Lunaris," he muttered. **"I am Ryuno now, a human. Weak and—"
The wolf's growl cut him off. "Do not confuse your current state with your essence. You are Lunaris. No matter the form you take, your power, your identity, is eternal."
The declaration hit Ryuno like a thunderclap. Deep within, he knew the wolf was right. He had spent years trying to adapt to this new life, pretending he was ordinary. But his soul had never truly forgotten.
"What do I need to do?" Ryuno finally asked, his tone resigned but resolute.
The wolf stepped closer, its aura both comforting and commanding. "You must master the duality of your existence. As Ryuno, you have a life to protect. As Lunaris, you have a legacy to restore."
A sudden wind swept through the forest, and for a brief moment, the wolf's form seemed to blur, as though it was merging with the surroundings. Ryuno's vision darkened, and a torrent of memories he had long suppressed surged forward.