https://www.deviantart.com/ifritnox/art/2-9-The-Trial-of-Arae-961131775

Mirfak, son of Lupus, was the teacher of all young wolves.

He taught them all, even Erakis Crimson-Star. After the eclipse had almost inveded light-reach, Mirfak was working even harder. He realized that war was coming sooner or later. Thus, he tried to raise as many warriors as possible.

Now Mirfak was tenacious and strong and fast like not many wolves. Much more tenacious, stronger and faster than we today can even imagine. But even his strength had it's limits. Since the battle on the mountains he was wounded, but didn't rest.

One day another trial for the growing warriors was starting. This final and hardest task was the hunt for Nunki, the star-elk. He was untiring and uncatchable, but the wolves had to prove their strength as a pack, showing how close they could get to catching him.

As Mirfak went with the wolves and started the long hunt, nobody noticed how tired Lupus' Son was. But as the hunt went on, is became obvious: Mirfak didn't pay attention. He didn't intervene when the wolves made mistakes.

Soon others took over this work, believing that Mirfak simply wanted to test them more carefully. Among these hunters, that knew how the pack should function, one was particulary good: Arae, a young grey wolf from a small pack. He had a lot of talent and it is mostly due to him that the last hunt of the warriors succeeded.

The young wolves adored Mirfak. They probably liked him best from all the Titans and Children. This was why they explained away his obvious weakness, for they didn't want to believe he could be tired. Of course they had seen him work without pause after the attack, and that he, unlike Kornephorus rock-bearer and Sabik arrow-star, continuously prepared for war. But they thought he was getting rest in unseen moments.

Now they found a trail. They were on the elk's path! Nunki ran with long steps and the pack followed behind. Thanks to Arae and some others, they managed to surround Nunki and attack him from all sides. A thick ring of warriors closed around the elk. They bit at his hooved and tried to tire him.

But no hunt had ever managed to strike Nunki down. Always the elk had escaped; by a mighty jump or dangerous kicks or by use of his antlers. The trial was judged by how close the warrios were to victory.

Now, in the heat of battle, in the chaos, the most important moments of the hunt happened. Every cup knows that the hunt isn't over until the prey is killed. The chase is only preparation. As important as the chase, if not even more important, is the end of the battle for life. But in this crucial moments Mirfak gave wrong order after wrong order. He told the wolves to attack, when Nunki had safe footing - many wolves where hurt through kicks this way - or called them back when Nunkis side was defenseless. It wasn't long, before the wolves disregarded Mirfak's commands or even gave some of their own. Some were caught in the heat of the hunt, others believed it to be part of the trial. But by doing this, they made the worst mistake: They ignored their alpha.

But Arae follow the commands. Instead of exposing the titan son's mistakes, he tried to guide him and offered much help. But it was of no use, because as Mirfak felt his authority over the wolves crumble, he intervened and faced Nunki himself. A battle between the two of them began.

O, how the wolves cheered and cried! They were certain that Mirfak would win. But Nunki caught Lupus' son with his antlers and threw him across the fields. As the wolves fell silent in shock, watching their hero fall, Nunki went unchallenged.

Now many roared with anger. The wolves who had proven themselves started to make fun of Mirfak, who lay defenseless in the grass. Others even started to question his teaching.

One wolf spoke against them: Arae bared his teeth and growled at anyone, who dared to speak ill of Mirfak. Fur bristled he stood next to the unconcious titan son.

"How dare you talk about him like that? Mirfak is our Alpha. You have pledged your loyalty to him!"

But loyalty is a weak word when the one who demands it is laying still and defeated. While many wolves went, others even saw themselves as new alphas and they came to defeat Mirfak for good - as is was custom in every pack when the leader shows signs of weakness. Arae fought them back. There were not many attackers, for deep in their hearts they all likes Mirfak, but there were more than Arae. In the end he was limping, covered in blood.

"Just stand back", the challengers called. "You have done enough."

But Arae refused. "He is my alpha. I won't leave him."

In this moment, Mirfak awoke. He saw the wounded Arae and understood the situation in an instand. Although he was himself wounded and still exhausted, he rose to his paws.

"Stand aside, wolf", he said to Arae. "When they want to take my place, then be it so."

"If it should be so, then it is my fate to stand between you and them", Arae growled. So Mirfak had no other choice but to fight the wolves side by side with Arae. And together they won.

After the other wolves fled, Mirfak went towards the middle of light-reach with slow steps, where Trishanku was, the secret home of the titans.

Arae followed with adequate distance. When he saw that Mirfak would reach the opening safely, he wanted to turn around and take care of his own wounds.

But Mirfak stopped. "Where are you going, Arae?"

The wolf didn't know what to answer.

"As far as I know, a beta has to stay with his alpha until the tie of loyalty between them is broken."

Now Arae was even more speechless. Mirfak never had chosen a beta, but everybody thought he would take Sabik arrow-star or another hero. At least not a common wolf with no drop of titanblood! Yes, dear puppies: In these times the big star-wolves were ordinary compared to the titans, and there were no earth-wolves yet they could compare themselves to. Thus, Arae had expected much, but not this honour. And even more: Mirfak allowed him to enter Trishanku, the glade of the titans. After Lukida and Bootes he was the third to walk over the secret border.

After they heard the story from Mirfak, the titans agreed with his decision. And thus, Arae the Loyal became Mirfak's beta. He had proven himself more than worthy.