I never thought I would have the chance to cross and venture into another galaxy. The Interstellar era is a place beyond my wildest imaginations.
While gazing at the dazzling city lights of Starcentral District, Ahcehera's attention was drawn to a small, shadowy figure crouched beneath the towering artificial trees. The cityscape shimmered with a kaleidoscope of neon hues, but the lonely figure hidden in the shadows stood out like a silent plea for help.
"Huh? Who would abandon an injured little wolf here?" she murmured, her voice tinged with concern. Ahcehera moved cautiously closer, her strides light but steady. I don't think this would still bite me in its poor state.
Kneeling beside the creature, she examined its battered body. The wolf bore heavy bleeding, massive wounds, and deep gashes that were almost life-threatening. Who was so cruel to leave this here? Was it tortured to death?
Yet, as her fingers lightly touched its black fur, she could feel the strong, resilient pulse of life coursing through its small form. It's trying to survive. But where did it come from? Did no one see this poor thing earlier?
I believe several policies about animal protection on the planet have been established. Ahcehera carefully scooped up the injured wolf and carried it home. She did not hesitate or worry if it might bring her some trouble.
A group of medical professionals was summoned in the middle of the night to treat the juvenile wolf who was dying, and the peaceful palace under the moonlight plunged into a disaster.
One of the doctors, his brow furrowed with concern, approached her hesitantly. "Princess, may I ask where you found this juvenile wolf?"
"I found it in the streets of Starcentral District," Ahcehera replied with a casual shrug. "At first, I thought it was a large cat. I figured it wouldn't be bad to adopt one for companionship. So I brought it home."
The team exchanged uneasy glances, their pity evident as they worked on stabilizing the wolf in a medical cabin. Some bowed their heads, while others sighed at the sight of the battered creature.
Leaving the wolf in the care of the doctors, Ahcehera retired to her chambers. Her mind, however, refused to rest. There was so much to prepare. The upcoming joint military entrance examination loomed over her schedule, where she would participate as an examiner.
I've never been an examiner in my past life. On top of that, she needed to organize her food supplies and assemble several space buttons packed with emergency tools and survival gear for unforeseen situations. It must be exciting and tiring!
Huh, I miss home-cooked meals... The palace chefs were undeniably skilled, but what they always cooked never suited her taste. Some were too sour, others bland or excessively salty.
If I want to survive here, I'll need to understand the ingredients grown in this community. I'll have to experiment and create alternatives. Her thoughts drifted to the planet's peculiar flora, mutated plants that had evolved into aggressive, carnivorous creatures.
Some bore vibrant, unnatural hues, while others grew to intimidating sizes. These ingredients were nothing like the ones she was familiar with on Earth, yet they held potential.
With the burden of her obligations bearing down on her, Ahcehera let out a long sigh. She picked up her digital tablet and began jotting down a list of goals. Her eyelids grew heavy as the list grew longer. Despite her endless to-dos, sleep finally claimed her.
Outside her chambers, the juvenile wolf's survival rested in the hands of the medical team. Unbeknownst to Ahcehera, this creature's fate would intertwine with hers in ways she could never have anticipated.
The next day, Ahcehera was awakened by unexpected good news. The juvenile wolf had been moved to rehabilitation after an extraordinary recovery. Its wounds heal far faster than those of any normal creature. However, not everyone in the medical team shared the same relief.
Whispers of unease circulated among the doctors. Many confessed to a gut feeling that the wolf was no ordinary animal. Some speculated it might belong to one of the orc tribes scattered across the galaxy.
The Orc tribes? Rare! Ahcehera received the report while enjoying her breakfast in the dining hall. Her expression remained calm, though she was already considering the implications.
"Let's focus on healing it first."
I can't bear to leave it alone to fend for itself.
"Afterward, we'll let it decide what happens next. My home can still support and feed another mouth. But I want you to keep an eye on the news, in case someone reports a missing pet or child in their family."
The mystery lingered in her mind. Setting down her teacup, she turned to her assistant. "Emil, I need you to track any recent reports of missing children or cases of human trafficking in the galaxy. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Yes, mistress," replied Emil. Emil was no ordinary servant. He was an S3-class intelligent robot, the most advanced and human-like model in the galaxy.
Such machines were rare and could only be acquired with military authorization. Designed for seamless integration into both royal and high-stakes environments, Emil was a trusted ally for Ahcehera.
After finishing her meal, she visited the juvenile wolf in its medical room. The wolf lay peacefully on a soft, glowing bed of bio-foam that supported its healing process. Its small body rose and fell with the rhythm of its breathing, the severe injuries now reduced to faint scars.
It's really pitiful. Ahcehera approached quietly and took a seat beside it. Gently, she placed her hand on its fur, brushing it lightly. A sudden sensation coursed through her, a pulse of energy flowing from the wolf into her palm.
Strange. The sensation was warm, nearly like an electrical current that seemed to resonate deep within her, subtle but distinct. Though puzzled, she continued stroking its fur, her curiosity mingling with an unspoken sense of connection.
Time slipped unnoticed as Ahcehera sat by the wolf, absorbed in the quiet moment. It wasn't until the butler entered the room to remind her it was time for lunch that she realized how long she had stayed.
Is it possible for an entity to use hypnosis even without using their eyes? I have read in a text before that interstellar creatures can possess different gifts, abilities, and supernatural talents. But a touch is odd.
Rising reluctantly, she cast one last glance at the sleeping wolf. There was something about it, something beyond its rapid healing or mysterious origins, that seemed tied to a destiny far mysterious than either of them yet understood.
With her back turned, the eyes of the seemingly sleeping wolf opened. It stared at Ahcehera's back intently, as if engraving her image into his memory.