Legend of the Lunar Wolf
Once upon a time, in an ancient kingdom, there was a myth about a celestial being called the Lunar Wolf. This mystical creature was believed to be both the guardian and ruler of the moon. Its silver fur glowed with the light of countless stars, and its stark white eyes mirrored the pure, untaintable surface of the moon. Deep within its heart nestled--so it was said--the very soul of the moon itself. Its howls were considered to be hymns of celestial peace echoing throughout the night, seeping serenity into the souls who heard it.
The tale begins in the heart of the dense forest which rested at the roots of the gargantuan Mountain of Sighs. Where trees stretched into the heavens and the fog hung low, like an ethereal blanket guarding the mysteries within.
A humble, young hunter named Edric resided in a village nestled against the edge of this forest. Edric was an orphan, who lost his family to a terrible famine when he was merely a child. With no family and no wealth to his name, Edric was considered an outcast. But his incredible skills in hunting and his ability to traverse the dense forest made him an invaluable asset to his village.
One day, while seeking prey in the heart of the forest, Edric heard a sorrowful and desperate howl piercing through the thick layers of tranquil silence. Realizing the howl wasn't that of an ordinary wolf, and guided by his unending curiosity, Edric followed the unearthly sound.
As he ventured deeper, the moon's aura strengthened, washing over the forest in an eerie glow. At the heart of the forest, where ancient trees with thick trunks and tall figures shadowed the skies, a sight caught Edric's eye that took his breath away.
There lay the majestic Lunar Wolf—its silver fur tarnished with red, and its white eyes lost of its glow—fighting the clutches of a fatal wound. The sight of the celestial being in such a state brought an overwhelming surge of sorrow in Edric's heart. Unable to bear it, he rushed to the Lunar Wolf's side, discarding his fear.
Days turned into weeks as Edric took care of the wounded Lunar Wolf. He hunted the most elusive game, fetched water from the purest streams. He even sang soothing lullabies that his mother once sang to him, all in an attempt to ease the celestial being's suffering.
Lunar Wolf, with each passing day, became fond of Edric. It learned of his loneliness, his unyielding spirit and his gentle heart. It understood that Edric was not only healing its wounds but also seeping serenity into its soul, quite like the way its hymns did for the creatures of the night.
One fateful day, the Lunar Wolf, now healthy and glowing with its full celestial might, revealed to Edric that it was time for it to return to the moon and resume its duty as its guardian. Before it left, it thanked Edric for his selfless kindness and gifted him a small, glowing stone, telling him that it was a piece of the moon's soul and that it will protect him just as it protects the moon.
When Edric returned to his village, he was hailed a hero and was no longer an outcast. The villagers, who had long heard tales of the Lunar Wolf, were intrigued by Edric's adventures and touched by his compassion.
Through the trials and hardships, Edric learned that true courage and kindness never go unrecognized. He protected the stone, and in turn, it brought prosperity and protection to his village. His tale became the stuff of legends, inspiring generations that followed. They were reminded each time they looked up at the moon and listened in the dead of the night for the celestial howl of the Lunar Wolf.
And the Lunar Wolf, guardian and ruler of the moon, continued its serenade every night, its hymns a continuous testament to a humble hunter's courageous spirit and compassionate heart.