Elena

Survival Log

Elena was purchased October 19th, 2020. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was in for a tough ride. Elena had a horrible survival chance, and I honestly have to admire her boldness.

Edit, Oct. 20: Her fate lies uncertain, as she is not being nursed and my pup sitter is fairly new. I've fed and played with her, doing all I can to help today. We shall see if she lives with her slim chance of 36%.

2nd Edit of Oct. 20: Pushed out Camilla's first litter. It may seem brutal, but they will do well with other players and I wasn't exactly fond of them. They will not contribute to the pack lore canonically. I do feel some remorse, but I'm sure a new player or an older one will find and cherish the pups. This, however, has helped and she now has a 76% percent survival chance.

Edit, Oct. 21: I am beyond joy to report that Elena seems to have a very bright future. I had fed and played with her yesterday, increasing her survival chances, and her pupsitter Ren has leveled up. She's at 83% and I think she's going to make it!

Edit, Oct. 26: She made it against all odds. Elena is now an adolescent and doesn't need to be watched by Ren, though she still hangs out with him. May she live to be a strong, courageous wolf.

The name Elena means "shining light," which is a name given to her by her adoptive father Ren, because she was his shining light.

Elena had been found by Ren who had found her birth den in a clearing, under a tree. He had went into the tree burrow, only to find Elena, who was squeaking in pup, curled up to her dead mother, who had claw marks reflecting those of a bear. Ren took Elena, who clearly was too young to understand the concept of death, after he respectfully buried her mother. 

Elena clearly hadn't been left alone for only a day, as she was incredibly weak and malnourished, despite not being the runt of her litter. Many didn't think she'd make it, but Ren stayed up all night as he cared for her and hoped for the best. She made it through the first night, and slowly under Ren's care she recovered. Ren had pretty much became Elena's father at the time, and so their relationship only grew as Elena did too.

When Elena recovered, her personality really seemed to show a more confident side. Sometimes she was a little too arrogant. She still wasn't the strongest, but she loved to wrestle with Shimo and Mokuzai, Shimo being the strongest of the three. Whenever she won, which wasn't often, Elena had bragging rights for about three seconds until Shimo pinned her down again, and the trio would laugh about it. Despite her lack of strength, Elena was incredibly fast and always was able to outrun the two in tag, though Mokuzai could dodge any attempts to tag him with his incredible agility.

Elena was closer to Shimo, as the two were practically sisters and were inseperable. Elena and Shimo vowed to both make the elite hunting team, Kitiara's Blade, and to this day the promise has been kept, Elena working as the chaser and Shimo working as the finisher.

Mokuzai eventually became Elena's mate, because although she wasn't romantically interested in him at the time, she gave it a chance and the two are now very happy together and love each other very much.

Ren is Elena's father figure, and she loves him like a father. The two have a very strong father-daughter bond, and share a small den together, which Mokuzai now also lives in, housing the small family. Ren and Elena share many happy memories, including on of Elena's favorites where Ren, Shimo, Mokuzai, and herself went swimming when they were pups, Ren made a small 'whirpool' by running in circles around the small pond, where the pups floated around and eventually Ren did too.

After Ren's passing, Elena was very sad and mostly everyone of the pack had shared the feeling. She got a lotus from the pond they all played whirpool in, and left it upon his grave. Mokuzai promised Ren he would take care of Elena, and he does so very well. Elena is still sad at the loss of Ren, but she knows that he wouldn't want her to dwell on his death. She knows she'll see him again, and when she does, she will come running to him in a hug.

To bring some light into their lives, Elena and Mokuzai decided they wanted a pup. Since both of them were too busy to have their own pups, however, the couple decided to adopt a pup from the enclave, who they named Ken, both because Ken rhymes with Ren and because of the meaning of the name. Ken is quite strong and loves to wrestle with the other pups, but he can still be very sweet and he loves nothing more than listening to stories of other wolves, specifically his family.

But not all was at peace. The sickness and famine came almost as fast as it wiped out the pack, including Elena's pup Ken, and her mate Mokuzai. It felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She buried them, and though she was hesitant, she followed Camellia and her family to the mountains. The first night there was spent in a cold cave as the wind blew snow around outside, and Elena had trouble sleeping. After a while though, she dozed off.

As she slept, a familiar voice rang out. She looked up in her dream to be met by Ren. She began crying into his fur. She told him all her worries, her regrets, her doubts, and her dark thoughts. When she finally stopped, Ren smiled and stepped aside to reveal Mokuzai and Ken. 

"We'll be waiting for you Mommy! Dad says you'll be here soon. And look, I got to meet grandpa!" Chimed the small silver pup, bounding over to her. 

"I'll be there before you know it." Elena said with a sad smile as she nuzzled Ken, then she licked Mokuzai. As she stepped away and looked at her family, she awoke.

The cold had awoken her before everyone else. At first, she envied Camellia, her son and mate had survived the illness, and hers hadn't. But now she realized this was temporary. She'd meet them again, and they'd be a happy family. Forever.

Catching wind of a prey scent, Elena bounded off. It wasn't easily hunting alone, but one day, she'd restore Kitiara's Blade to the hunting party it once was.

And one day, she'd meet her family again.

On August 30th, 2021 she was reunited with her Ren. She lived a full life, and died peacefully in her den.

An Old Note From Ren

A note lies next to the sleeping Elena, who is curled up in a tight ball on a soft piece of moss. The note was written on a piece of birch bark, using what seems like coal to be written with. 

Dear Elena,

I cannot help but admire your determination to push on. To fight. To not just sit there and give up when things get rough or hopeless. As a pup, I'd flinch and wail over a thorn in my paw. But you, you're fighting death itself. You're not even five months and you've already shown how bold and brave you are. I admire your confidence and willpower, and I sometimes feel like your more like my pup, and I hope you feel like I'm your father sometimes.

Much love,

                      Ren.

Art by Battle_Burrito