Destiny

“Before one can hear nature and the forces around him, one must quite himself,” Vira said. “You must relax and envision yourself not as who you are, but where you are, what you are.” Brigham did not understand anything Vira was saying to him but he thought he should be respectful and continue. “You’re not a wolf, you’re not a dog, if that is true than what are you?” “I don’t know.” “No, there are two things a person means when they say that, they either don’t know, or they refuse to admit the truth. So with that in mind, what are you?” “I am…. I am nothing?” “Right. You are nothing, but at the same time you can be anything.” “I don’t get it.” “shhh, listen carefully, what do you hear?” “I hear…. Wait, I hear a voice.” At this point it was beginning to get dark and Vira knew the time was getting closer, but Brigham was still not ready. “What kind of voice?” “It is soft, yet strong, soothing, yet emphatic, it is calm, but at the same time, haste. It is beautiful and angelic. What is it? Who is it?” “You tell me.” “Is it Aniu, the great wolf spirit?” “I thought you didn’t believe in her?” “I don’t… I mean I didn’t… but I cant shake this feeling, at first I was scared of it but now I feel empowered by it.” “Like withoutout it you are nothing but with it you can do anything?” “Yes! I feel like theres something calling me.” Finally it was time, Vira knew this is the moment that Aniu planned, he still could not fathom how Aniu did the things she did, but he knew to never doubt her and her wisdom. Brigham was ready, he just needed a little push to get him there. “Well….. then answer the call.”

 At that moment Brigham fell into a deep sleep that engulfed his whole soul. He felt that his in a river carrying him closer and closer to the voice calling him. Then he was there, it was all black around him, and then he was on the cliff but there was something different. It was as if he was in the sprit realm but still on earth, it was just the cliff and nothing else. Then a white streak shot passed him and blew him over. He turned around and looked up to see the most beautiful white wolf. She had deep yellow eyes surrounded by black. She looked intimidating but at the same time loving. She only looked at him until he finally said something. “Are you..?” “Yes, I am Aniu.” Her voice filled the space around Brigham but also filled his body. He was caressed by her words and filled with a warm feeling in his stomach. However, suddenly he was filled with all the anger that he had kept pent up inside himself. Soon he was filled with the warmth not from her words, but from the sheer hatred inside him. “You wish to speak you heart? Do so.” Her words only bounced off of him, now was his chance to finally find out… why him? “Why me! Why did I have to undergo all this suffering, to be separated by my parents, to be abused by the humans who abducted me, and to be left alone in the wilderness?! Why did I have to live this life?” “Is that all you have to say?” Aniu’s voice was calm and cool; her coolness took Brigham by surprise. “W… well, yes… I guess that’s it” “How does it feel to finally speak your mind?” “Good, better if I could get some answers.” “Well, those I cannot give you. You will learn them in time. But what I can give you is a promise, and the Great Wolf sSpirit does not give them out often and when she does, you can be certain she will live up to them.”

Brigham was a little deterred by the fact of not getting answers, but he was intrigued to hear her promise. “You have been chosen to live this life because you will be able to understand those who you will help better.” “I don’t understand.” “Consider this question, would you rather speak to someone who has experienced your problem or to someone who has only heard about it?” “I’d want to speak to the first guy.” “Then you will understand that you must first experience these turmoil’s and trials so that you can be a better witness for it.” “But why me? Who will I be helping?” “You are destined for greatness young one, to be a beacon of light in a coming dark, to save many of those around you.” Brigham was stunned by these words, a beacon of light? Greatness ?How? Brigham thought he still was being cheated. “You still feel there is injustice?” “Wha… how did she know I was thinking that?... yes I do, I still feel like there are some major flaws.” “That is what everyone who does not know everything thinks, but you must have one major thing for you to fulfill your destiny.” “What is it? Is it strength? Is it temperance? I’m the best fighter there is and… well im still working on temperance…” Aniu laughed and said “No, young one, it is not anything of that sort…. It is faith.” Brigham pondered the word, “Faith?” “Yes faith, do you understand the meaning” “Kind of, like to believe in something and rely on that belief?” “In a way, it is having confidence and trust in something or someone without proof.” “So have faith in your promise?” “Exactly, have faith in my promise, in me.” “ But you haven’t promised me anything yet.” “Reasons for everything young on, but here is my promise, you will be rewarded for you steadfastness and perseverance through all the sufferings in your life. If, and only if, you have faith in the fact that your efforts will bring your rewards. Have faith in this promise and never fear for I will watch over you, no matter where you go. You will become great and known for your courage. Do you understand?”             Brigham was overwhelmed by the immense weight of her promise; I must have faith and do whatever it takes to persevere? Only then will her promise be fulfilled? Aniu heard his thoughts; you are your fathers son, young one. “Yes, young one, you are right to think so.” Brigham was once again shocked that she read his thoughts, but was started to get used t it. “I think I can do it, but what if I fail?” “You wont, because I have faith in you” Brigham was taken back by her words but also filled with courage and resolution. He knew he could do anything, face any danger that threatened him because he had someone looking out for him, someone who believed in him. “There is more young one, more you must know before we are finished here.” “More?” “Yes”

 At that moment the town he had seen before appeared behind him. “Do you see that town?” “Brigham turned around and saw that oddly familiar town, and then he realized why it was so familiar. “Nome!?” “Yes it is Nome, the place where you were born, also the place where your parents are” My parents, He thought. He missed his parents dearly; he missed his loving mother and his hero of a father. “I know you miss them, and I understand” Brigham’s emotions began to swell, he forgot all about temperance, “UNDERSTAND?! How could you understand?” Aniu knew this would happen when she told him but she had everything planned out. “Yes, believe it or not I do” Brigham’s anger rose inside him, he began to cry as he screamed “HOW?” He turned his back her and faced Nome. Aniu was ready and with a forceful voice said, “Because I had to sacrifice my life in order for you father to live.” Brigham was speechless, he was forced to look at her, and she was even more intimidating than before, yet she continued. “I gave my life so that my son, your father, could live. I had to watch as everyone he met mistreated him. I had to watch as he sulked in the shadows because he did not belong to everyone. I had to watch knowing that I brought this upon him but not able to do anything because it was necessary for him to be who is today. That is how I understand young one. You must learn there are many people who have felt, and still feel the pain you are feeling now.”

 Her voice rang inside his mind and disabled him to speak. I never knew my dad went through as much as he did, and that she was his mother. How could I be so senseless to accuse her? “I’m so sorry about how I acted, I just….” Brigham began to cry again, not in anger but in sadness over her loss, his father’s loss and his loneliness. “It is alright my grandson” Aniu walked over to where Brigham was and nuzzled him. He cried into her coat and laid down. Her scent calmed him and made him feel at home. All the weight of his suffering was being lifted by her presence. “I’m your grandson” he said in a half-question half statement of disbelief. “Yes, Balto is my son, and you’re his son, thus you are my grandson.” Her voice was loving and Brigham felt a swirl of pride inside him, I’m the grandson of the Great Wolf Spirit. “I think I’m ready to do what you ask.” “You have a big choice ahead of you, and what you decide determines whether or not you will fulfill your destiny, do you know what it is?” “Is it that I have to choose to not go home and begin my journey?” “Yes Brigham, you must sacrifice the present happiness of being reunited with your parents for the