CUB: An Orphan's Tale chp 9

Topa

hear a voice calling to me.
"Come to me, my dear, to find your final resting place. The only place you will be free from your worries and troubles…"
But I say "I have. Here, at the Giory Rock."
The voice changes tone slightly, a beckoning. "Follow the sound of my voice…Elder…you do not have much time left…Spill your secrets, languish at your lies, and focus on your breath, for each one could be your last…"
As if I am being pulled like currents in water, I get up and walk away from the warm sunny patch of light I wanted to rest in, and walk rather nervously into the forest, where I had, not long ago, seen the Orphan Cub rush away to find the Alpha and his sons. Not long ago was it that I was mourning for my dear old friend Carann. Now it seems I am not far away from the same fate. But I welcome it with a warm smile, not afraid for myself or my pack.
I walk past the gnarled old trees, barely aware of what I am doing, until I come to a small clearing where a rock protruding out of the earth lays in the centre. Upon the rock is a figure. As I come closer, I see that it is a black wolf. But it doesn't look real to my old eyes. I peer at it. It stood with a paw in the air, tail up, proudly sticking out its chest, what you would call a smile on its black face. Its figure looks unnatural. But as I traipse closer, I see that it is not real, but not an illusion either, it is a Dark Soul. Sure enough, the Spirit jumps off its rock, red eyes fixed on mine, slowly padding towards me. I stand there, rooted to the spot, quaking in fear. My legs want to run at the intimidating Dark Soul, but my body won't obey me. Still, the Spirit comes closer, just a body length away from me. Then I see its aura surrounding it, a pale dark blue. I see more than meets the eye though. I recognise the figure. It was my daughter. She had returned to me as a Dark Being. I walk one pace, so we are nearly touching. She doesn't move. I don't move. We are held in our gaze, silent love surrounding us. She opens her mouth, black teeth and tongue revealed. She gently licks my cheek.
I feel at peace.
We turn together as equals, side by side, and walk up the Sky Path to meet my new Alpha.
As I climb higher and higher, body left behind, I think nothing of the life I used to have, of the ones I'd left behind.
I'm sure you will like it here… Topa.

That was when I heard the nearby death-rattle of a dying wolf; then the thump as the body fell to the floor.