I'm Going on an Adventure

*Another day, another dollar,* he thought. Hyeon checked his online banking account when he woke up to make sure they had deposited his second payment. The amount floored him. What he earned monthly was enough to pay for three month's rent in Toronto! It relieved him knowing he won't be dirt poor when he returns to the living world.

He yawned while delivering Fenrir's breakfast. The past few days have been difficult to rest. His body constantly tingled with tiny electric zaps. Ever since his newfound ability showed up recently, Hyeon was craving to release whatever it was.

*I should've showered this morning. It's freaking cold.* The crisp morning was still dark and fog coated the grounds. Since it was winter, the daylight was shorter from the extended night hours.

Arriving at the wolf's office, he let himself in.

He paused when he saw Sani in a meeting with Fenrir, who was busy at his desk.

"Oh, uh, sorry. I'll wait until you're finished," he apologized.

The corners of Sani's grey eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Good early morning, Hyeon. We aren't sharing any confidential information. You can do what you need to do. Is that alright with you?" he asked the intimidating guy sitting down. Fenrir was leaning his cheek against his cupped hand. He was sketching on parchment paper using a dip pen. Occasionally, he dipped the pen's tip in a bottle of black ink.

He grunted, not caring about the additional company.

Hyeon proceeded with his duties and began setting up the meal on the table. Sani continued with their conversation. "I just returned, and you're sending me out on another little quest in the southern lights? I swear you don't want me around anymore," the Navajo god teased.

"I'd do it myself, but you know I can't leave the property. Here," Fenrir blankly said. He gave the paper to Sani.

"Once again, you're drawing skills are on par with a 5-year-old," Sani lamented. "At least it's close by. I was absent for months trying to find the last demon."

From Hyeon's position, he could see a poorly drawn map.

It finally clicked what they were talking about. Before, Shika mentioned how Fenrir gets hunches or feelings of a potential demon who can be saved and admitted into the program. Was he sending Sani out to retrieve them?

Sani folded the paper and tucked it away in his firetruck red Giorgio Armani suit. He sighed, tiptoeing towards the door. "Right. Off I go. Into Hell. Alone. I could be eaten."

Fenrir didn't respond as he wiped drops of spilled ink from the desktop.

"Orrr, that intern could come with me. He needs a breather."

Hyeon paused. *I could what?*

"No," Fenrir strictly asserted.

"Why not? We can be back by the end of the day, if that. It's a chance for him to use his—"

"NO!" Fenrir bellowed. As he said no, he stood up with force. The chair he was using fell back on the floor. His glowing gold eyes fixated at Sani in aggravation.

Sani held up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. I get it. I'll go fetch that unfortunate demon you asked for, My Lord." He opened the door and bowed before departing.

Only the two of them remained. Hyeon promptly finished setting up the buttered toast and over-easy eggs. He was neatly aligning the silverware when he sensed someone behind him. Before he could turn around, sharp fangs bit into the side of his neck. If his attacker was a vampire, it'd be perfect access to his carotid artery.

But this person wasn't a vampire since their teeth didn't puncture the surface to suck his blood. Actually, it wasn't even painful. Fenrir was nibbling and licking the area like a dog playing with its favorite chew toy. His right arm snaked around and lightly caressed Hyeon's jaw to keep him in place. The wolf's long nails scraped his skin. It felt possessive.

It turns out that such moves were Hyeon's kink.

His Master stopped biting him and growled in his ear, "I want to taste you tonight."

The words made his knees tremble. A rush of carnal anticipation shot down his crotch.

Master Fenrir released Hyeon's jaw. "Stay," he ordered.

He went through the doorway that connected to his pitch-black bedroom. After disappearing for a minute inside, he emerged with clothes in the crook of his arm.

Fenrir held it up towards Hyeon.

"A coat?" Hyeon asked with raised eyebrows.

"Your skin is cold. I was told you don't have proper attire for this weather."

Hyeon dubiously took the coat, not voicing out that his fingers and toes were constantly numb from the cooler temperatures.

The Viking-esque jacket was stunning upon closer look. Quality like this wasn't common nowadays without selling a few body parts. "I-I can wear this? Are you sure you don't need it?"

Fenrir made a sound to signify yes.

He slid his hands into the armholes. Its length fell mid-thigh, but the overall size was big since Fenrir was larger than him. He felt like a little kid trying on their parent's clothes.

It was the same midnight black color as the Master's wolf fur. The thick, furred collar was raised high like a turtleneck sweater and almost covered his ears. A band of overlapping Nordic swirls were carefully hand-stitched around the elbows. Although there wasn't a zipper, the dark silver buttons and waist strap could hold the center together just fine. The inside was insulated with wool, so he immediately felt warm like a hibernating bear.

Who would voluntarily give this away?

"It's too much. I can't take this." Hyeon started to take it off.

Fenrir grasped the collar and put it back into place. He looped the buttons together by starting from the top and made his way down.

"It's fine. I haven't worn this thing in years. Throw it out if you don't want it." He finished connecting the buttons.

"I can't just trash it," Hyeon objected.

"Then I guess you better wear it." Fenrir took his hand and led him to the door. Their touching hands made him blush. "Be ready for later."

Hyeon was glad his blushing, lower face was hidden behind the fuzzy collar.

He was alone after Fenrir accompanied him to the hallway. The sun must be finally peeking over the horizon behind the clouds since a grey light dimly illuminated the walls.

*Right, let's see. I have to prune the bushes along the garden today, but I'd hate to get this coat dirty.*

He ended up deciding to store Fenrir's gift in his apartment since it might create suspicion amongst the spirits. He was walking through the grand foyer with diamond chandeliers and shiny marble floors when he heard a PSST.

He looked at the source to find Sani standing next to a rising pillar. Incredulously, his manager was holding Nammi like a newborn baby. "Ah, I was worried that I'd be waiting here for a while," Sani said.

"Hi...er...why do you have my cat?"

"She was roaming around. I wanted to—" Sani stopped what he saying when he noticed the black coat. His eyes boggled. "Where did you get that?"

"This? Master Fenrir gave it to me just now."

"He just...gave it away? To you? Did he say why?"

*Is it really that hard to believe?*

"He said I felt cold, so I should wear it. If I don't want it, I should throw it out."

Sani's expression was in disbelief.

"Is it important?" Hyeon said with uncertainty. He knew he shouldn't have accepted it.

"I wouldn't say important; there's just history behind it. That coat is from the times before Festr Castle. It has seen its fair share of battles. Back then, I had a ridiculously hard time washing the blood off without dry-cleaning."

*B-blood?*

"I'm surprised Master Fenrir discarded it, but hey, I'm glad to see the coat out of that grimy closet after a millennium. Is that what you're going to wear when we go?"

"Go where?"

"I want you to help me catch this demon. If the opportunity arises to use your ability, you can practice without retribution. I can sense your body's restlessness."

It was tempting to try out his mysterious powers, but he almost died last time he was out there. "But Master Fenrir said no."

"And what he won't know won't hurt him. These little hunts I go on don't occur often. Besides, the demon is close. We'll return by dinner time. I can have your shift covered today."

Hyeon considered the risks such as dangerous creatures. Or worse-being late. "It's only for today?"

"Yep."

"I'll be here before dinnertime?"

"Give or take. Around 7:00. What do you say, Mr. Falken?"

He's gonna be pissed if he finds out. Still...

"Alright, I'll take your word for it. And why are you holding Nammi by the way?"

"She's going, too," Sani informed him. He booped her snoots.

"But she's a cat. She'd be an easy snack for demons out there."

"Her being a cat is exactly what we need in case we lose our way. According to the Babylonians, cats are escorts within the afterlife for deceased souls. That's why she can navigate her way around here easily. And it's a double whammy since she's your Fylgja, so you'll have extra protection. You did know she's your soul familiar, correct? A peculiar one, at that."

Sani put her down. She hobbled over to her owner. Even with her smaller-than-average body, her skinny legs struggled to support her weight.

*Peculiar, indeed.*

Hyeon gathered her up and examined her derp face. Although he saved Nammi from freezing to death in a back-alley a while back, he never imagined she'd feel indebted enough to attach herself to him. So she could sense when he needed protection? Is that why she'd show up randomly when he ran into trouble? "I overheard someone referring to her as my Fylgja, but it was hard to believe."

"I think there's more to her than meets the eye," Sani winked. He glanced out the row of windows near the ceiling. It was brighter now. "Since you want to be back before nightfall, I suggest we head out as soon as possible. I am not sure what sort of demon we will capture."

Hyeon followed Sani outside while cuddling Nammi against his chest. The air was clear which was rare, but the temperature had a cool bite. He was glad the coat kept him toasty.

An Army-green 1992 Jeep Wrangler YJ Sahara was waiting for them next to the entrance. It was the same model as the Jeeps from one of his favorite films, Jurassic Park. The resemblance was uncanny since this vehicle was covered in claw marks deriving from various animal attacks.

Seeing what that muddied car has encountered in the past really set the mood.

"We're driving?"

"Would you rather make it a week-long camping adventure and walk?" Sani said with sarcasm.

"N-no, thanks."

He jingled a vehicle key attached to a white Persian cat keychain. It was one of those figurines that releases a high pitched squeal with a mini flashlight when pressing the 'on' button.

"Do you want to drive? You probably want to have a little fun after being cooped up for a few months."

Just the thought of driving anything made him queasy. His back started to break a sweat by merely looking at the key.

"Maybe next time."

Sani withdrew his hand. "Alright. Off we go, then." He sat behind the steering wheel. Hyeon followed and nestled in the passenger seat. Similar to a police car, a transparent bulletproof shield separated the front row from the back row. Titanium bars aligned the rear windows to prevent anyone or anything from escaping.

They sped off towards the border wall of mist a few miles away.

His cat looked at him with disapproving eyes that read, I can't believe you're doing this.

He glimpsed in the wing mirror. Festr Castle was getting further and further behind them.

*I can't believe I'm doing this either.*