Balto (The Revelation)

Chapter 12 – Big Caves

          Balto had been walking for many hours he didn’t remember at the hard ground. He never thought his new journey would be this much. But at least, he could be sure his family was alright although he seemed didn’t sure Jenna would forgive him for what he had done. He just left her there without saying anything.

          “Are we there yet?” Boris asked, starting to feel boring, “I don’t know where we go, but I think we should rest a bit.”

          “We’re heading to our caves. In there, we should be safe from here,” Reina answered, looking at the Russian goose, “We’ll be there soon, so be patient.”

          “Well, I’m already patient…” Boris replied, “But, I can’t stay longer from this boring…”

          “Maybe you need Muk and Luk…” Balto added.

          “What?” Boris shouted unbelievingly, “They can only hug me tight until I’m out of breath! Do you think I want that happen?”

          The brown wolf just chuckled. Mentioning about the polar bears, Boris just couldn’t stand against them. Yet in this time, it might be a good idea to bring them into their subject.

          “We’re here…” Luka suddenly stopped, standing before the small hole.

          “Your house seems so small for me…” Boris announced, “Or my eyes has a wrong vision about it.”

          “No, it’s not our caves…” Reina laughed, “It just a secret passage to our great house. Let’s go!”

          Luka and Reina then entered it, pressing their bodies to the low ground. From what Balto looked, there was nothing to say except a narrow dark hole. He was hesitated for a second, never knowing he must face through this hole. But he had no choice, but to come in.

          “After you, Boris…” Balto said, taking Boris from his back and then pushing him forward to the hole.

          “What?” Boris exclaimed, but cut off as soon as he felt the narrowness from it, “Balto, I’ll remember this!”

          “Just remember it later…” Balto replied, entering the hole.

          For a minute, they lurked in shadows, trying for the exit path. Once they found out the light, they quickly crouched faster. Before Balto could also see the light, he bumped to Boris back. It seemed the Russian goose stuck himself. The brown wolf then tried his best to get out from there.

          “Boris, you sure must diet…” Balto started.

          “I’m not fat!” Boris looked angry, “This hole is just too narrow for me.”

          “Okay, just stay there, Boris,” Balto replied, trying to lengthen his feet, “I will get you out from here.”

          “Wait, Balto!” Boris felt hesitated, “What are you going to do?”

          With no warning, Balto kicked Boris back until suddenly, the Russian goose was free but pain. Balto then caught up with him, and when he saw what in front of him, his eyes was amazed completely.

          “Wow…” Balto gasped unbelievingly, “Your home is surely huge.”

          “Yeah…” Boris added, not wanting to believe what he saw at, “Absolutely…”

          In front of them, they could see the whole things. The circle leveled floor which each of one was inhabited by many wolves. The brown wolf counted there were seven floors, each of it showed his eyes how amazing the great design. The circles itself became smaller when it reached the top, and at the highest point of it, a bright sunshine enlightened the caves perfectly. It seemed the only way out from there were only a secret passage back then and the big hole on top there. Balto felt he could just stand there to watch this view.

          “Balto? Balto, are you alright?” Reina asked, making Balto startled, “Amazing, isn’t it?”

          “Yeah, sure it is…” Balto replied sheepishly, “I never see this one before. It’s so great to see your home is like this.”

          “Well…” Reina replied, “You can call it so, but actually, it’s not our real home. It’s just like headquarter. Many wolves in here came across from distant land”

          “So, why are they here?” Boris asked, “What are they doing in this time?”

          “We’re here because we believe in Aniu…” Luka answered, “We all believe Aniu is a goddess. Do you know what this caves called? It’s called ‘The Seven Circles’.”

          “The Seven Circles?” Balto was confused.

          “Yes…” Luka replied, looking Balto’s eyes, “We don’t know why it’s called like that, but rumor says it was Aniu who chose this name.”

          Balto was thinking for a moment. He didn’t sure how he felt, but it seemed his mother was a great part of this life. The wolves appraised her so much. But at this time, he wanted to think different. He just wanted to know his mother more than this time. He needed to know her feelings about him.

          “Let’s go, Balto!” Luka suddenly started.

          “Where?” Balto asked.

          “To meet who ordered us before to protect you…” Luka explained, “Don’t you want to know? Now, it’s the right time to tell you who he is.”

          The grey wolf then only walked forward, followed by Reina behind him. Balto didn’t know this place much, but he thought he had to follow him along with Boris, of course. He stepped quickly, trying not to loose Luka in this place. The place was big, but it wasn’t big enough for everyone. Many wolves walked around, busy with their own works to do. For a minute, he couldn’t see around, except focusing on his friend. Once Luka stopped, Balto also stopped his feet. He looked forward and found another great hall stood firmly before him, guarded by at least ten wolves.

          “Excuse me…” Luka started to the guard, “I bring Balto with me. Please let him in…”

          “Balto!” one of those guards suddenly exclaimed, “Please come in. Our leader is already waiting for you.”

          Everyone at there suddenly became quiet, letting no sounds out but only gasp. Balto was sure enough wolves at there were quite busy before, yet they were silent now. He could hear each of them was whispering something to others, murmuring about his present.

          “Go on, kiddo!” Boris exclaimed, making Balto startled, “What are you waiting for? Go now. I’ll wait here.”

          “Okay, Boris…” Balto replied, then looking at Luka, “Would you take care of him?”

          Luka just nodded. He didn’t speak anymore. Everyone at there seemed doing so. The brown wolf then slowly walked toward the tunnel before the great hall. The view was amazing, but his mind didn’t pay attention at it because he would soon find out who the one charged in here. He continued his step until he saw an old figure in front. The wolf was white, yet his fur seemed lost its pureness because his growing age. By mentioning his body, Balto knew this wolf was quite old just like Nava, the wolf he met in journey for Aleu. Even he was old, his red eyes looked spirited, focusing on Balto’s eyes. Suddenly, Balto felt uneasiness in him.

          “Are you Balto?” the white wolf began to speak, “Are you the only son of Aniu? ”

          “Yes…” Balto answered hesitantly.

          “Hmm…” the white wolf remained silent before continued, “I see. You look just like your mother.”

          “You know my mother?” Balto asked.

          “Of course,” the white wolf answered, stepping closer, “She is the goddess. She is the great leader. She is… my… daughter.”

          “Then, you’re…” Balto was out of words, “You’re my grandfather?”

          “If you want to call it so…” the white wolf replied, then began to leave him, “Our conversation shall end here. Now, you need to rest.”

          “Wait!” Balto shouted, making the wise white wolf halted his steps, “Could you tell me more about my mother? I mean I don’t know much about her. I just feel I… have to know.”

          The unknown old white wolf looked to Balto, staring him directly. He then began to move closer once again. For Balto, he could do nothing, except saw what he was doing right now.

          “She is wise, full of wisdom. She makes a great leader suited to her. Everyone believes she will bring prosperity to our clan, to our land. And also, she is beautiful,” the white wolf explained, “But, one thing I don’t understand is… why she chose him.”

          “Him?” Balto was confused, “Do you mean my father…”

          “Silent!” the white wolf cut off, locking Balto’s words, “I don’t want hear anything about your father, that dog! Many great and mighty wolves liked her and admired her so much, but why she chose that dog. The lowly creature for human.”

          “But…” Balto reasoned himself, but still cut off angrily by the white wolf.

          “I don’t believe my daughter will fall for his tricks…” the white wolf continued, and then suddenly turned around, “Don’t speak more about him! I bring you here because you’re my daughter’s son. You’re lucky to have a mother like Aniu, not a father like dog.”