Sedona || 3 || Released Wolf || M: Open

It took some goading from the humans to get the cream colored female to leave the cage. At least inside, she knew something as far as her location was concerned. She recognized none of these outside smells; why would she willingly walk out into a place where she would surely be the intruder? As she slowly exited the crate, she bared her teeth and flattened her ears as one of the humans reached out towards her back end, probably in an attempt to get her to run off more quickly. The hand hastily retreated regardless.

Sedona watched as other wolves disappeared into the woods around her and she moved in another direction, figuring there would be less interaction that way. It wasn't like she was best friends with these wolves; how could she trust them when they had all been pushed into a situation of pure Darwinism? It was every creature for himself out here, and she had no intention of losing quickly.

Sedona's light pawsteps took her downstream from everyone else and she found herself a nice dug-out tree to settle into. The female marked around it a good ways, just in case anyone thought of trying to claim it for themselves, and curled up after taking a drink. Her head faced the front of her new den and she watched a few early spring birds hop from branch to branch. She would have to hunt soon; while she was not hungry at the moment, it was bound to be needed.

With all the wolves that had just entered the same territory, it was only a matter of time before Sedona had extra competition to find food. With a mildly irritated sigh, the female got up again and walked across the river, nose in the air as she searched for signs of food. The sooner she got the hunt over with, the better off she would be.

He had been here before, once upon a time..

..in this darkness.

It had a comforting familiarity to it, didn't it? Well, at least to him. It was a reminder of what he once had and of what he lost, this blackness. The pure nothingness was his friend, his companion. He was all too familiar with its company.

It was a reminder that he'd never get back what once was.

The darkness is what stole his life away from him. It's what tore him away from his home, and now, he was entrapped in it once again. The way he swayed within the small box, the gentle humming of the engine.. It was happening again, but this time, he wasn't afraid. This time, he wouldn't allow himself to give into the unease and fear. This time, Erjon felt.. nothing. There was no hope in his eyes, no excitement, no terror. There was pure, blank, emptiness. Why would he allow himself to feel anything? The crate took him away from his family once, and now, it was happening again.

Erjon, it seemed, had given up.

Even when the humming of the engine stopped and the darkness gave into the light, he did not sway. He refused to do anything but press himself against the corner of his crate where the darkness still lingered. His eyes had long ago adjusted to the outside world, and he did not recognize it.

Was it not freedom? Was this not what he wanted for so many years? To return? It was everything that he had wished for. Erjon had spent countless nights begging the stars and moon for his freedom. He would do anything to get out of that place with it's metal fences that trapped him, but that was then, and this was now. He wasn't the same as he once was, even as he stepped out from the darkness.

The male's body felt the instant heat from the sun as he emerged from his crate, his eyes taking in the scenery before turning away. This wasn't his home. This wasn't his motherland. He was not born here. As far as Erjon was concerned, he was in a foreign place that did not welcome him.

A prolonged sigh escaped his jowls, his head hanging and body slouching as the large male took a step towards the body of water ahead. It was but a stream, but a stream nonetheless. So, he advanced, his paws ripping tufts of grass from beneath him as he proceeded. It was only when he arrived did Erjon force himself to life his head, allowing his gaze to truly take in his surroundings. There was a mountain nearby, various trees, and water. It was an enchanting place, but it wasn't his. It never would be.

He had hardly even glanced in the direction of the others, whom, too, had been released alongside of him. Some were fearful, others excited. In his mind, they were all pathetic. There was nothing good about survival. Freedom came with it's own prices. There would be no humans feeding them. There would be nobody helping them to make sure they lived. When would they realize that they were on their own?

But no, Erjon still had his doubts. After all this time, why be released now? Why this area? Why couldn't they have returned him to his own home, the very one they took him from? It was unfair and unjust.

They shot him, stole him from his land, trapped him, only to release him in an unknown area?

The very thought allowed a snarl to rumble from his throat. Such pent up anger Erjon had, that it was a wonder he hadn't yet snapped. Rather, he turned his cranium to the water, staring at his reflection before his pink tongue lapped at the liquid. Droplets ran down his cheeks, dripping onto his paws until they were nearly drenched. Then and only then, he was satisfied, lifting his large head and lowering him onto his haunches, staring off into the distance.

He missed the darkness already.

Confusion was the predominant expression that lingered upon her features. Not worry, not anger, but confusion. She had yet to figure out the sole purpose of what was happening, though she didn't have her doubts. Ansa had attempted every trick in the book. She had clawed at the floor of her crate, rammed her body against the sides, jumped and snarled and fought with the box she was confined in. She had concluded that she was stuck. Why she was put in here? That, she did not know, but it must have been for a reason. Good or bad, she also did not know.

Turns out, Ansa knew nothing.

"Hallbjorn?" She had whispered against he crate numerous times, followed by a quiet "Jira?" Had they come with her? They must have. There mere thought of being without them nearly drove the female mad, and yet, she couldn't rule out that option. Ansa had every scenario driven out in her mind throughout that long journey. She had expected the worst. It was what she often did. That way, if it genuinely was an awful situation, she wouldn't have expected anything more.

Then, she fell asleep.

So, when the front of her door opened to reveal land, Ansa awoke with surprise. I'm dreaming, she thought to herself. It was as good an explanation as any. She must have been. Slowly, she rose, her figure crouched as she slipped from her crate and into the light, gazing around with uncertainty. Was this a mere figment of her imagination? She wasn't sure. It all felt so realistic, so vivid.

With a calm gaze, she found herself blinking. It was only when she gyrated, taking in the numerous crates behind her did something click in her mind. This, in fact, was no dream. It was reality, and she was being released.. At least she believed so. Turning, Ansa's eyes scanned the land before her, attempting to espy any oddities such as fences.

There were none.

Was this the wild she had heard oh so many stories about? Was this the wilderness? Could it be freedom at last? Ansa had found her mouth parting as she gazed around. She had never before seen the mountains. Had never felt wild grass beneath her paws. It was spectacular. Frightening, but fascinating nonetheless. She was here.

Walking with her head staring up at the sky, Ansa's nostrils flared as she exhaled, her chest heaving from inspecting everything. It was only when she heard the familiar sound of her brother calling to her did the female's spirits lift. Breaking off into a light jog towards him, Ansa allowed a light breath of relief to escape her.

"Hall!" She greeted, "oh, thank goodness!" Inspecting him, she tutted, circling him a singular time before halting in front of him. "Do you feel unwell? They didn't give you anything, did they?" Taking yet another inhale, Ansa's chest inflated. "We're living in a story," she proceeded, her mouth agape. "Those stories told when we were young about forests and streams that stretched for miles? This is it, it must be." Blinking, Ansa's face fell rapidly, her head snapping behind her.

"Jira, have you seen her?" If her brother were here, then Jira must be as well. She had to be. If not, well, Ansa wasn't sure what to do. The female, although as headstrong and stubborn as herself, was one of the two individuals she could not live without. Ears erect, she stepped forward, eyes narrowing to catch a glimpse of the other female.

"Hall, help me find her."