SEEKERS

The air in the Palam pack's territory was thick with the scent of pine and earth, a stark contrast to the dusty streets of Ibadan that Tolu was used to. He stood in front of Elder Durojaiye, the man who would help shape his future, though Tolu still wasn't entirely sure of what he was walking into.

The elder stood with a commanding presence, his tall figure framed by the towering trees behind him. His long, graying hair cascaded down his back, and his eyes glimmered with a quiet strength that could not be ignored.

"You must be wondering why I'm here, boy," Durojaiye said with a soft chuckle, his deep voice cutting through the silence.

Tolu nodded, his nerves making his stomach twist. He had heard stories about Elder Durojaiye, but nothing had prepared him for the sheer weight the man carried in person. The stories spoke of a man who was both revered and feared, one who held knowledge of the old ways and the darker paths of power.

"Your mother trusted me to guide you, but you'll have to prove that you are worth that trust," the elder continued, his voice turning serious. "You are not here by accident, Tolu. Your bloodline, your father's legacy, and the future of your pack all depend on the decisions you make in the coming days. This is no easy path you walk."

Tolu stood straighter, fighting the unease that threatened to rise within him. "I'm ready," he said again, though the words felt hollow in his throat. How could he possibly be ready for something this enormous?

Durojaiye studied him carefully for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I'll begin with something simple: Your strength. You have potential, but you don't yet understand what that means."

The elder raised a hand, gesturing for Tolu to follow. They walked deeper into the woods, the silence broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath their feet. It wasn't long before they arrived at a small clearing, a circle of stones surrounding a patch of soft grass.

"Stand in the center," Durojaiye instructed.

Tolu hesitated for a moment before stepping into the circle. The moment he did, a strange energy seemed to pulse through the air, a sensation like the pull of the earth itself. He felt his senses sharpen, his muscles tense, as if the land itself was attuned to his presence.

"This is where the true training begins," Durojaiye said, his voice low and steady. "Focus on your connection to the earth, to your ancestors, and to the power that flows through your blood."

Tolu closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, but his thoughts swirled with uncertainty. His father's death, his uncle's betrayal, the pack that had been stolen from him—all of it weighed heavily on his heart.

"Clear your mind, Tolu," the elder's voice cut through his thoughts. "Focus on your true self. Do you feel the connection?"

Tolu opened his eyes, staring at the ground beneath him. The earth was still, yet he could feel something ancient beneath it, a hum that seemed to vibrate through the soles of his feet. He took a deep breath, letting the sensation settle within him. Slowly, his mind began to clear, the chaos of his thoughts quieting as the connection to the earth deepened.

"Yes," Tolu said, his voice barely a whisper. "I feel it."

Durojaiye smiled. "Good. This is the first step in understanding the power within you. But there is more to this than just the earth. You are a wolf, Tolu. And the power that flows within you is not only tied to the earth, but to the very blood that runs through your veins. It is in your heart, your soul, and your very being."

The elder's words rang true, stirring something deep within Tolu. He had always known that there was more to him than what he had been taught. His father's legacy, the strange feeling that lingered in his chest—it was all connected. But what was it? What did it all mean?

"Your father's blood flows through you," Durojaiye continued, "and it will help guide you. But it is up to you to harness it, to learn how to control it."

Tolu clenched his fists, feeling the raw power in his bones. He could feel the wolf within him, the beast that roared to be released, but it was still wild, uncontrolled. The idea of wielding that power—of mastering it—was both terrifying and exhilarating.

The elder's voice broke through his thoughts again. "Your journey will not be easy. But you must remember, true strength is not about how much power you have, but about how you use it. Do you understand?"

Tolu nodded, though the meaning of the words felt like they were just out of reach. There was so much he needed to learn, and he wasn't sure where to start.

"I'll help you unlock the power within," Durojaiye said, his tone gentle now. "But it will take time. You will train your body, your mind, and your spirit. And you will learn to understand the wolf within you."

---

The days that followed were a blur of intense training and teachings. Every morning, Tolu would rise before dawn and meet with Elder Durojaiye to practice his control over his powers. It wasn't easy—his muscles ached from the constant strain, and his mind struggled to grasp the ancient techniques the elder taught him. But with each passing day, he felt the change within himself.

The connection between himself and the earth deepened, his senses sharpening, and his strength growing. But it wasn't just physical. Tolu could feel the pulse of something greater within him, something tied to the legacy of his father and the pack he had been born into.

By the end of the week, Durojaiye led him into the woods again, but this time, the air felt different. The tension was palpable, and Tolu could sense something in the air—a presence, perhaps, or a test that was yet to be revealed.

"Now, Tolu," Durojaiye said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "It is time for you to face the next challenge."

Tolu raised an eyebrow, his heart racing. "What challenge?"

Without another word, Durojaiye stepped forward, raising his hand to the sky. A deep growl echoed from within the woods, and the trees around them seemed to tremble.

"Test your strength, Tolu. Face the creatures of the night," the elder said, his voice steady but unyielding. "They are the ones who will test whether you are truly ready for what lies ahead."

Tolu's breath caught in his throat as a shape emerged from the darkness of the trees—a hulking figure, its eyes glowing with an eerie light.

The time had come. The time to face the creatures of the night and prove that he was ready for the power that flowed within him.