The Hollow Moth: Reincarnated as a Caterpillar

I hate this.

I hate all of this.

If only I am stronger.

If only I can fight.

If only I am not so completely useless.

I clench my teeth, my tiny body trembling—not from fear, not from exhaustion, but from the absolute frustration boiling inside me.

Tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Crying won't change anything. Crying won't bring Papa Wolf back. Crying won't suddenly make me strong.

…But I really, really want to cry.

We run and run and run, the world around us blurring into streaks of green and brown. My heart pounds, but it's not from the running—it's from the unbearable weight of what just happened.

Then, slowly, the darkness around us begins to shift.

A dim glow creeps in, like a light bulb flickering to life. No sunrise. No gentle, golden light. Just an eerie, unnatural illumination spreading across the land.

I shudder.

I hate this world's sky.

Just like I hate everything else.

Before I know it, we arrive at… somewhere.

A huge stone wall stretches so high I can't see the top. It is massive, ancient-looking, covered in moss and cracks, like it has been here long before any of us. And at the base of it, a gaping black entrance looms, looking all dark and ominous and definitely not friendly.

The pack finally stops, paws digging into the dirt as heavy, exhausted breaths fill the air.

Then—finally—Mama Wolf puts me down.

I immediately stumble.

And immediately pretend I did not just stumble.

For the first time, I can clearly see their faces.

Before, I haven't really noticed. I am too busy getting carried, too busy panicking. But now, standing still for the first time in what feels like forever, I see it.

The sadness. The exhaustion. The weight pressed down on everyone's shoulders. Even Mama Wolf—who's always so strong, always so steady—looks… broken.

And Papa Wolf…

He's not here.

The silence feels suffocating. I hate it.

Bigger Sister Wolf suddenly snaps, her fur bristling. "Why did we leave Papa Wolf behind?!" Her voice is sharp, angry—but underneath it, I hear the pain.

I flinch. I don't want to think about it. I don't want to think about him being gone.

Nobody speaks right away. Nobody wants to say it out loud.

Mama Wolf's ears twitch, but she doesn't turn to face Bigger Sister Wolf. Instead, she stares straight ahead, at the dark cave entrance.

"He made his choice," she finally says, voice quiet.

Bigger Sister Wolf growls. "That's not an answer!"

Mama Wolf finally turns to her. There's something in her eyes—something I don't want to see.

"And what would you have me do?" she snaps, voice sharp with frustration. "Waste his sacrifice? Stay and fight until we all die too?"

I shrink back, my ears flattening. I hate when Mama Wolf sounds like this. She's always calm, always in control. But now… she's not.

Bigger Sister Wolf flinches, but she doesn't back down. "We should've done something!"

Mama Wolf's claws dig into the ground. "We did what we had to. And now, we survive."

Silence. Heavy, horrible silence.

Then, suddenly, Bigger Sister Wolf collapses. A choked whimper escapes her. She buries her face in her paws, her whole body shaking.

I feel something cold creep up my spine.

She's crying.

Bigger Sister Wolf is crying.

Mama Wolf doesn't move. She doesn't say anything. She just stands there, staring at the ground.

I don't like this.

I don't like this at all.

Big Sister Wolf and Brother Wolf move first. They press their heads against Bigger Sister Wolf, trying to comfort her.

"It's not your fault," Brother Wolf murmurs.

"We had no choice…" Big Sister Wolf adds, her voice just as shaky.

I just stand there, feeling useless. I want to say something—anything—but I don't know what.

Papa Wolf is gone.

And no one knows what to do next.

I swallow, then hesitantly step closer to Mama Wolf. She still hasn't moved. She looks… lost.

I press my head against her leg, nudging her gently. She doesn't react.

I nudge her again.

Nothing.

Panic starts rising in my chest. My heart pounds.

I nuzzle her fur, pushing against her with all the strength my little body can muster.

"Mama…" My voice comes out small. Scared. "We need you."

For a moment, nothing.

Then, I feel her shudder.

Her ears twitch. Slowly, she turns to look at me.

Her eyes… they aren't right. They are dull and lost. It makes my stomach twist.

I look up at her, trying to be strong even though I feel like curling into a ball and hiding.

"Please, Mama," I whisper. "We have to keep going."

She stares at me for a long moment. Then, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

When she opens them again, they aren't as lost as before. The pain is still there, but there's something else now. Something steadier.

Resolve.

Mama Wolf exhales slowly, then turns to the rest of the pack.

"We should rest here," she says. "Mourn while we can… but we can't do this forever. We have to move forward. That's what your father would want."

No one speaks, but there are small nods. Even Bigger Sister Wolf, still trembling, doesn't argue.

Mama Wolf motions for us to settle near the stone wall. "Rest. We'll need our strength before we enter the Fourth Zone."

Wait.

I perk up, confusion momentarily replacing my grief. "Fourth Zone? Shouldn't we be heading to the Third Zone?"

Mama Wolf blinks, then gives me a tired, almost amused smile. "Ah… I never told you, did I?"

She sighs, glancing up at the dim light above us. "We live in the Great Labyrinth of Syrrath. Specifically, the Fifth Zone—the Green Abyss. And right now, we're at the entrance of the Fourth Zone."

I freeze.

My brain struggles to catch up.

"Labyrinth?"

Everything suddenly makes sense. The weird light, the endless forests, the strange creatures.

There is no real sky.

There never was.

We are not in a world.

We are inside a labyrinth.

I stare at her, my mouth opening and closing as my brain tries to work.

Mama Wolf gives a small nod. "The Fourth Zone," she continues, "is also known as The Dark Cave. It's home to many dangerous creatures."

My ears flatten. "Dangerous?"

Mama Wolf lists them off. "Ghouls, Spiky Caterpillar Cocoons, Dusk Stalkers, Gloom Bats, Abyss Crawler, Dire Wolves and more."

My tail bristles at the last one. "Dire Wolves?"

Mama Wolf nods. "They are the same species as us. Just… different."

I gulp. "Different how?"

Mama Wolf hesitates for a moment. "They took a different evolutionary path," she finally says. "It's something you could take, Child."

I blink. "Me?"

Stolen story; please report.

She smiles softly. "Yes. Dire Wolves are strong, fierce hunters. But there's another path for those with a different kind of strength—like you. You could become a Luminous Wolf."

I tilt my head. "Luminous Wolf?"

Mama Wolf nods. "It's an evolution path for those with healing abilities. Like me."

Healing…

I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Being strong sounds better. Being able to fight, to protect the pack… isn't that more useful?

But… Mama Wolf is strong too. Just in a different way.

"The choice is yours," she says gently. "No matter what path you take, we will be here for you."

I hesitate, then nod. "Okay."

Mama Wolf smiles.

Then exhaustion settles in, and I curl up near the stone wall, seeking whatever comfort we can. The air is heavy with grief, but there is nothing left to say.

I curl up tightly, tucking my tail close, but sleep doesn't come easily. My mind keeps replaying everything—the battle, Papa Wolf staying behind, the way Mama Wolf had stood frozen, her grief barely hidden behind her strong exterior.

It hurts.

But what hurts more is the helplessness.

I have been useless. I ran, I hid, I watched while everyone else fought. I'm not strong like Bigger Sister Wolf, or fast like Brother Wolf, or even smart like Big Sister Wolf. I am just… me.

Tears burn in my eyes, but I blink them away. Crying won't change anything.

If I keep moping, if I stay scared and weak, then what's the point? Next time—if there's a next time—I won't just watch. I will stand with them. I will fight.

Even if I am scared. Even if I'm not strong.

With that resolve settling deep in my chest, exhaustion finally pulls me into a restless sleep.

When I wake, Mama Wolf is standing, looking over us with a quiet, steady gaze. She probably doesn't rest at all and just keeps watching for the Green Stalker. The grief is still there, hidden in the depths of her eyes, but her resolve is stronger.

She smiles.

Then, she turns to the others. "We need to move on," she says. "We have to get to the Fourth Zone."

Her voice cuts through the silence, firm but calm.

Slowly, Big Sister Wolf, Bigger Sister Wolf, and Brother Wolf stir, sitting up with tired, unfocused eyes.

"I know it's hard," Mama Wolf continues. "But Papa would want us to keep going."

She helps them to their feet, offering a reassuring touch.

I stand there, my heart feeling too full, too heavy.

We have just lost Papa Wolf. And now, we have to keep moving.

But Mama is right.

We can't stay here forever.

Mama Wolf turns to me. "Are you ready, child?"

I swallow hard.

Then, I nod.

There's no going back now.

We have to keep moving.

For Papa. For the pack.

As we step toward the gaping entrance of the Fourth Zone, a shiver runs down my spine. The cave looms before us like the mouth of some giant beast, waiting to swallow us whole. I gulp.

Okay, okay, calm down, Arissa. You're not a snack. You're a brave little wolf. A very brave, totally-not-about-to-freak-out wolf.

I take a deep breath and puff out my chest. I can do this. I will do this. No more running away. No more being useless. I am part of the pack, and I am going to act like it!

…Then Bigger Sister Wolf walks past me without hesitation, and I immediately want to grab her tail and say, Wait! Maybe we should reconsider!

But no. No backing out now.

I wobble forward, my paws feeling clumsy against the cold, rocky ground. The moment I cross the threshold, the darkness swallows me. My heart pounds, and for a second, I think I am blind.

I panic. "I CAN'T SEE—oh."

A blink.

Then another.

The shadows that are pitch-black soften, and everything around me becomes… visible. The cave isn't actually dark at all—at least, not to me. I can see the uneven ground, the jagged stone walls, and even the tiny droplets of water trickling down from the ceiling. It is dim, sure, but I can see.

I blink again, confused. Then it hits me.

Oh, right. I'm a wolf. Duh.

I feel a little stupid for forgetting that. Well, actually I am, a little bit, yeah.

I turn my head, glancing at the others. Their eyes glow faintly in the darkness, a soft, eerie shimmer that feels strangely familiar. That's when I remember—wolves have special eyes for seeing in the dark!

I stare at my reflection in a small puddle nearby, catching the same faint glow in my eyes. It's kinda cool. Kinda creepy. But mostly cool.

And then, just like that, a random thought pops into my head.

Snuggly.

My old cat from my past life.

He has those same glowing eyes whenever he stares at me from the shadows, waiting to pounce on my feet for no reason at all. He is a fat, fluffy menace, but I love him. I used to pick him up and snuggle him even when he tried to wiggle away.

Do I… miss him?

I tilt my head, surprised by the sudden ache in my chest. I haven't thought about my past life much since being here. Everything has been too fast, too chaotic. But now, standing in this eerie, glowing darkness, I can't help but wonder—what has happened to Snuggly after I left?

Is he waiting for me?

Does he think I abandoned him?

My tail droops slightly, the weight of that thought pressing down on me.

But before I can get too lost in it, a sharp nudge to my side nearly knocks me over.

"Stop daydreaming," Bigger Sister Wolf huffs, already walking ahead.

I stumble, barely catching myself. "I—I wasn't daydreaming! I was just… thinking very deeply!"

Bigger Sister Wolf doesn't even look back. "Yeah, yeah. Just keep up, or you'll get left behind."

I huff, puffing my cheeks slightly but hurry to follow.

Right. No use thinking about things I can't change.

I'm here now.

And I have a cave to explore.

As I trot forward, still shaking off my thoughts of Snuggly, Mama Wolf's voice suddenly rings out.

"Everyone, gather up."

Her tone is firm, but not harsh, the kind of voice that makes you want to listen. I quickly scurry over, nearly tripping on my own paws in the process (but let's ignore that). The rest of the pack forms a loose circle around her. Bigger Sister Wolf, Brother Wolf, Mama Wolf…

I blink.

Wait.

Something isn't right.

I count again. One, two, three…

Where is Big Sister Wolf?

Mama Wolf's ears twitch. She must notice it at the same time I do because her sharp gaze sweeps over us, then toward the cave entrance. Her fur bristles slightly.

"Where is Big Sister Wolf?" she asks, her voice calm but tense.

Nobody answers immediately.

Bigger Sister Wolf frowns, glancing around. "She was just here," she mutters. "I thought she was walking behind me."

Brother Wolf's tail flicks, his ears pinned back. "Did she wander off?"

Oh no. That isn't good. That's very not good.

I gulp, my paws shifting anxiously.

Big Sister Wolf is missing.

And we have just stepped into the Fourth Zone.

Mama Wolf doesn't panic. She doesn't snap or demand answers. Instead, she takes a slow, deliberate step toward Bigger Sister Wolf and lowers her head, sniffing at her fur.

Bigger Sister Wolf blinks. "Uh… Mama?"

Mama Wolf doesn't respond right away. Her ears twitch, then slowly droop as she takes another sniff.

I tilt my head. What is she doing?

Is she… tracking Big Sister Wolf?

But why is she sniffing Bigger Sister Wolf instead?

I fidget, watching intently. Mama Wolf's nose hovers just above Bigger Sister Wolf's legs, her expression unreadable. Then, she exhales softly and lifts her head, her golden eyes serious.

"She was right behind you," Mama Wolf murmurs. "Close enough that some of her scents clung to your fur."

Ooooh. That makes sense! …Wait, that means—

I gasp. "You can track her!"

Mama Wolf nods once. "Yes. Her trail is still fresh."

Oh, thank goodness. I have already started imagining all the terrible, horrible, no-good things that could've happened to Big Sister Wolf—getting eaten, getting lost, getting double eaten—so knowing that we can find her makes my tail wag a little in relief.

Mama Wolf turns toward the tunnel, her eyes sharp. "Stay close. We're going after her."

We move forward, following Mama Wolf as she tracks Big Sister Wolf's scent.

The path is weird. Really weird.

It isn't flat like a normal cave floor—no, it slopes upward. And not a gentle, easy incline, either. It's steep enough that I have to lean forward with each step just to keep my balance. My little legs are already starting to burn, and we have just started climbing.

"Whyyyyy is it uphill?" I whine, ears drooping. "Caves are supposed to be all flat and mysterious, not sneaky leg workouts!"

Brother Wolf huffs beside me. "Stop complaining."

I shoot him an indignant look but don't argue. Mostly because I need to save my breath.

As we climb, I notice something else about the path—it's narrow. Uncomfortably so. The walls on either side aren't exactly squeezing us, but they're close enough that I feel like something could jump out at any second.

The thought makes my fur bristle.

This is the perfect place for a scary, shadowy, horribly fanged monster to ambush us! I can already picture it—big claws, glowing red eyes, a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth just waiting to chomp me in half—

I shudder violently and scoot closer to Mama Wolf.

Nope. No, thank you. Absolutely not.

We need to find Big Sister Wolf fast before something else finds us.

Mama Wolf keeps her nose to the ground as we climb, her sniffing growing more focused. Then, her ears twitch.

"We're getting closer," she murmurs.

I perk up, relief washing over me. Finally! My legs are starting to feel like jelly from all this uphill walking.

But just as I'm about to celebrate, my ears catch a sound—a low, rumbling growl.

My fur stands on end.

That growl… I know that growl.

It's her.

"Big Sister Wolf!" I gasp.

Mama Wolf's ears shoot up, eyes sharpening. She doesn't hesitate—her posture stiffens with urgency.

"Hurry!" she orders, picking up the pace.

I don't even think. I just ran after her, ignoring the burning in my legs. The others follow close behind.

We have to get to Big Sister Wolf.

Before something else does.

As we rush up the narrow slope, the path suddenly widens. The cramped, uphill trail finally opens into a much bigger area—like a cave chamber.

And right there, in the middle of it all—

Big Sister Wolf!

Yay! We find her!

But then I notice something very not-yay.

A whole bunch of bats is circling in front of her, their wings flapping wildly. They aren't just flying around randomly—they're facing her, swooping in close, then darting back, as if trying to keep her trapped.

Are they… squaring off with her?!

Big Sister Wolf stands firm, ears pinned back, fangs bared, but I can tell she isn't hurt—yet.

Mama Wolf's eyes darken. "Gloom Bats," she mutters, stepping forward.

I gulp. That doesn't sound good.

Mama Wolf lets out a sharp bark.

Big Sister Wolf's ears twitch, and she immediately turns toward us. The anxious look on her face melts into relief the moment she sees us.

But at the same time—

SKREEEE!

The Gloom Bats screech, flapping erratically as they turn to face us. Some of them break away from Big Sister Wolf and shoot toward us!

My fur bristles. My paws freeze. My first instinct? Hide behind Mama!

I nearly do, too. My legs are already moving on their own. But then—

Papa.

I clench my jaw. No.

Papa Wolf fights so we can survive. If I keep running, if I stay scared forever, then what is the point of his sacrifice?

I squeeze my eyes shut, take a shaky breath, and force my paws to stay right where they are.

No more hiding.

I spin around, facing the Gloom Bats just like my family. My heart pounds in my chest, but I stand my ground.

The bats hover in front of us, their beady little eyes locked onto their targets. There are—uh… ten? Twelve? I'm not sure. I don't have time to count!

What I do know is that they strike first.

SKREEEEE!

A piercing screech rips through the air, and suddenly—BOOM!

A shockwave blasts toward us.

I flinch, my paws digging into the ground, but Mama Wolf doesn't even hesitate. She steps forward, opens her mouth, and—

A glowing circle forms in front of her snout.

Then—AWOOOOOOOO.

Her howl tears through the air, unleashing a counter-shockwave that slams into the one the bats hurl at us. The two forces collide with a deep, rippling boom before canceling each other out.

That's… That's just like Papa's magic!

I barely have time to be in awe before Brother Wolf lunges forward. He's already in the air before the last echoes of the shockwaves even fade. His jaws snap around one of the bats, and—CRUNCH!—he rips it apart like it's nothing.

Oh. They're not really that strong.

Bigger Sister Wolf follows his lead, pouncing onto another bat mid-air and raking her claws through its wing. The bat shrieks, but she doesn't let up, slamming it onto the ground with a heavy THUD!

This… this is a real fight! My family is fighting!

And I—

I clench my paws.

I have to do something too!

Some of the Gloom Bats have been knocked to the ground by Mama Wolf's shockwave. They twitch, struggling to get up.

This is my chance!

I gulp.

Okay, Arissa, you can do this! Just… just bite it like everyone else!

I take a deep breath and leap at the nearest bat. My tiny paws land on its squirming body, pinning it down. Before it can screech, I lunge forward—CHOMP!—biting down on its face with all my might!

…Ow.

Ew, ew, ew, ew! Their skin is way tougher than I thought! It's like trying to bite through old leather! How does Brother Wolf just rip through one so easily?!

The bat screeches and thrashes under me. My teeth barely sink in! I clamp down harder, growling in frustration. My jaw aches, but I refuse to let go!

I have to do this!

For Papa! For the pack! For me!

I hold my bite, clamping down as hard as I can until the Gloom Bat beneath me finally stops struggling. Only then do I let go, panting slightly.

I stare at it for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest.

It's dead.

I actually do it.

I… I can fight! I can help!

A small surge of pride fills me. I'm not just a scared little pup hiding behind Mama Wolf anymore!

I turn to look at my family.

Brother Wolf is still in the air, lunging at another Gloom Bat mid-flight, his jaws snapping down with brutal precision. Bigger Sister Wolf follows up, leaping at another with her claws extended, sending it crashing into the ground.

Mama Wolf, on the other hand, is amazing.

She's not just attacking—she's moving with a purpose. She leaps from one bat to another, cutting through their ranks with perfect control, all while making her way toward Big Sister Wolf.

And Big Sister Wolf—!

I've been worried about her fighting alone, but wow, she's actually doing great! She dodges, she bites, she claws—her movements quick and sharp. Even surrounded, she isn't overwhelmed.

Okay. This is awesome.

We're winning.

Or so I think.

For a brief moment, I feel hopeful. We're winning. We're fighting together. I'm not just a scared little pup anymore—I'm part of the pack!

But then…

A chill runs down my spine.

Something is behind us.

Something huge.

The air feels wrong. Heavy. Like the whole cave itself is holding its breath.

And then—

A low, awful clicking sound echoes from the darkness.

I freeze. My fur stands on end. That sound—!

Mama Wolf's ears snap up. Bigger Sister Wolf stiffens mid-swipe. Brother Wolf growls, his tail puffing up.

We all recognize it.

The thing that has been following us. The thing that's hunting us.

The thing that has killed Papa Wolf.

The Green Stalker.

End of Chapter 14