Secret of the Mystic

“You have to keep your arm straight and still, otherwise the arrow’s point won’t be at eye-level. Remember to always aim higher than your target to make up for the distance.”

A few months since Aniki had been brought to the world of Origynn, Faron decided it was time to start training the young elf to defend himself. He and a few of the remaining warriors of the tribe had taken him to a forest clearing just east of Felwren, where they do much of their target practice. Aniki was rather uncertain of himself, but somewhat excited nonetheless. He’d always found archery to be a grand sport. However, in Origynn it was not for mere recreation, but a still thriving tool of survival.

With all of his focus on the center target, he pulled back the string of the bow, which was much harder than he had expected (watching others who had years of practice always made it seem so easy), and let go. The arrow sailed off far out of sight, missing the target by a mile. Aniki sighed, but Faron quickly handed him another arrow. “Don’t worry, we’re all terrible at first. Today I just want you to get a feel for the bow, ok? Don’t worry too much about hitting the target.”

Aniki smiled up at him as he took the arrow. He didn’t expect Faron to be very supportive, as serious of a fellow as he was, but underneath that quiet exterior, he was kind. As Aniki tried again and again through the early afternoon, he was starting to understand the working of the bow, how far to pull back the string and how high to set the arrow to make the distance. Even still, knowing how a bow works and actually hitting a target are two very different lessons, with the latter requiring much more than an afternoon of practice.

As he took a break, he watched the others practice. Being that they were all seasoned warriors, it was no trouble at all for most to hit the center targets. However, none were as precise and skilled as Faron. No matter the angle at which he stood, he always managed to make a perfect strike, even while moving. Aniki couldn’t help but envy his obvious talent, and hoped that one day he would be just as good.

Upon the soft breeze came a bitter scent, faint at first but clearly the scent of blood and smoke. The hwervag warriors were quick to act as a group of demons moved swiftly between the trees of the forest towards them. There were many, vicious imp-like demons like the ones Aniki had seen the night he arrived in Origynn, they surrounded the area in a cloud of darkness. The hwervags fought well until the demons drew too close for the arrows to be affective. Aniki watched as chaos ensued all around him, with demons lunging to tear apart the creatures that were protecting him with their lives. A helpless feeling of fear swept over his mind. There was nothing he could do to help them, he thought. Just as there was nothing he could do to help his mother, and so she died defending him. A deep anger welled up in his heart, for he was tired of being helpless.

The sudden determination caused a disturbance in his cells. Something deep within his heart ached, and spread with every thrush of blood through his pulse until his entire body trembled. With a shudder he fell to his knees, pain surging as his cells began to rearrange themselves. His teeth began to grow and sharpen, the canines lengthening into fangs. His fingers shortened and rounded as his nails turned into claws, thumbs moving up behind the wrists. Rich, red and cream fur grew in layers and within moments there was no trace of human appearance left, no recognition of Aniki, save for the bright golden eyes of this large creature.

Faron glanced back and within seconds the small elf he had been protecting had morphed entirely into an amazing, fiery red wolf. The hwervags and demons alike backed away in surprise from the snarling beast, his golden eyes glowing bright against his blazing coat. Only a few of the demons were brave enough to attack, but a single snap from his powerful jaws was enough to kill them. Aniki leapt into the swarm with a deep and intimidating growl, and the demons rapidly scurried back in the direction from which they came to avoid the wolf’s gashing fangs. He chased after them for a moment, then paused and returned to the clearing where the hwervags stood silent in awe.

With a smile, Faron stepped forward and cautiously touched Aniki’s red muzzle, almost as if he were checking to ensure the creature before him was truly there. He then walked around him, carefully examining the wolf in amazement. Finally, he paused and spoke. “I don’t believe it. You actually can change into a vag… This is just incredible! How did you do it?”

Aniki thought for a moment. “I’m not sure… it just happened while I was thinking about how I never seem to be able to help anyone, and it made me angry and afraid.” His voice as a wolf was more mature and slightly deeper in tone, though still clearly recognizable as his own. Gazing off into the hazy distance of early evening, his eyes filled with wonder. “Wow… All of my senses are so much stronger now… I feel like I’m truly experiencing the world for the first time.”

Faron smiled, then spoke with sudden urgency. “We should get back, Veinta will be truly amazed!”

The group quickly returned home to Felwren, and the residents of the village gazed at the wolf in awe as they hurried to inform Veinta of the wondrous occurrence.

“Veinta! You need to see this!” Faron called inside, being the most enthusiastic anyone had ever seen of the normally quiet and serious fellow.

Within a few minutes, the old chief hurried outside to see what all of the excitement was about, and upon seeing the red wolf with his tribe surrounding it, he nearly dropped his staff. “Where did that vag come from?”

“Don’t you see? It’s Aniki! He transformed into a wolf when we were attacked by demons at the practice site!”

Taking a better look, Veinta’s eyes widened in wonder. “My word… Never have I seen such a thing. This is a truly remarkable event! What does it feel like, Aniki? To change form?”

The whole tribe listened intently, but Aniki had no idea how to explain his feelings. “Well… It’s different. And really neat… I like being a wolf, but why am I so big?” As a young vag, Aniki was around seven feet in height, causing him to tower over the hwervags.

“Oh, you’re really quite small for a vag, but you’re young, you’ll get larger as you get older.” Veinta responded, still admiring this new form.

“You mean wolves in this world are even bigger than this? That’s weird… on earth, they’re not even as tall as a human.”

“Really? They have shrunk quite a bit then. Ah, but you are quite a stunning wolf! Such rich red fur, I’ve never seen one as purely fire red as you…”

“So, which form do you like best? Elf, or wolf?” Lotnir, a friend of Faron, questioned.

Aniki took a moment to think. “I kind of like being a wolf best so far, but… There are some bad things, like not having hands…” He looked down at his paws, and a worrying thought suddenly crossed his mind. Afraid, he began to whine with panic. “But… Now that I think about it, I don’t know how to change back… What do I do?”

Veinta touched the young wolf’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, maybe it just wears off in time?”

“I hope so…” Aniki’s anxiety was swiftly interrupted as the thunder of hoof-beats carried through the village towards them. As he turned to gaze behind him, the red wolf’s expression became almost excited. It was Elwyn, having returned with the elvish and hwervag warriors. However, his heart sank as he noticed they were quite fewer in number than when they had set off for Risola months ago.

“Veinta! Faron!” The elf called to them, bringing Gwynen to a halt before them. “I’m afraid I bring terrible news. The city has been attacked…” Elwyn sighed as he dismounted, the stress and worry clear in his face.

“Attacked? But how? Risola is a fortress-“ Faron started to question, but Elwyn shook his head.

“It was the head master of the dark lords, he found a way in from behind the castle during the festival… He…” The elf paused, his expression grave. “He killed the king. One of the knights arrived in time to defend the queen, but once attention was drawn to protecting her, an army of demons invaded the city. So many were killed…”

Veinta lowered his head, his ears trembling. “This is terrible… What will the kingdoms do without the strength of the king?”

“The queen is still too stricken with grief to give retaliation orders. All of the knights have been called to the city to guard it.” Elwyn responded.

“Even so, the city is so vulnerable now. It would take next to nothing for the dark lord to gather up the rest of his armies and take over the capital. If the capital is lost, the Sacred Alliance is done for.” Faron’s hand-paws were clenched at his sides, the lines of his strong muscles were hard even from underneath his fur.

“We must have faith, Faron-“ Veinta started, attempting to soothe the situation, but Faron only growled.

“What good is faith if we do nothing? The kingdom is about to fall, we have to do something.”

Aniki’s throat tightened as he listened to his friends, the despair in their faces and the frustration in their tones, made the red wolf quite nervous. He whined softly and dropped his gaze to the ground below, and to his cream colored paws. He found himself wishing that he could find the Mystic, to learn of how he could aid the good people of Origynn in the fight against this awful darkness.

As he stood in thought, he wondered how he could ever be of use, if he couldn’t even figure out how to shift between his two forms. He focused intently on his elvish form, willing his cells to change with the same frustration and desire to help as he had in the forest. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, feeling the powerful desire burn through his skin, until he suddenly felt as though everything around him had faded away. The muffled sound of voices, the strong scents of smoke and leather, even the breeze seemed to have stilled.

Puzzled, he opened his eyes to find everyone silently staring down at him, their expressions as confused as he felt.

Despite the intense frustration he felt, Faron managed a half smile. “You did it, Aniki, well done.”

Elwyn, for once, appeared impressed. “That wolf was Aniki? He can change form? That’s… quite amazing, I must say. He truly must be one of the legendary warriors.”

“See, the Dark Forces may have their armies and their demons, but we have the warrior and the legend of the Mystic. I believe that, against the odds, somehow, we will make it…” Veinta spoke with encouragement.

“It is good, Veinta, but… we only have one of the two warriors. What happened to the other, none of us know…” Faron turned his gaze off into the evening forest, his expression a mixture of despair and hope, as though he was wishing for the answer to their tragedy to appear from somewhere beyond the trees.

As evening settled amongst the forest, thick white mist enveloped the ground level. Veinta stepped out of the tall doors of his home to enjoy the cool evening air, when he suddenly paused, gazing at the entrance to his village, now shrouded in a soft and mysterious veil. Aniki watched from the doors of the center tree as the curtain of mist was parted by a huge shadow, which was soon joined by another, slightly smaller shadow. As they came silently closer, their forms became visible, like a camera lens coming into focus. They were wolves, standing over ten feet high at least at the shoulders. The first wolf, a male, was a grey wolf, the grey portions of his coat very dark and smoky against the white, though streaked here and there with time’s silver strands. The wolf beside him was a female, his mate. Her fur was as purely white as the mist surrounding her, and her eyes were of two different colours, the right was a deep sapphire blue, the left was gold. She was carrying a young pup gently in her jaws. The male was tense as he walked toward Veinta, then paused a good six feet away from him. Veinta, regaining his nerves, was the first to speak.

“Radjka, my old friend, what brings the Valr pack here to my village?” Veinta glanced at the six other wolves joining the two before him, the last of which was Tai, the wolf of charcoal black, following behind Felkor and Anima. The Afel, Radjka, glanced back at Tai.

“The black wolf has told us that Sheraga is here. Alastriona demands to see him.” Radjka growled, his lean muscles tense though his expression was tired. Alastriona placed her sleeping pup in the grass between her front paws, then turned the sightless gaze of her gold eye onto Aniki. The wolf’s eerie stare sent cold chills down his spine. Veinta followed her gaze.

“Come here, please, Aniki. Don’t worry, they are friends of mine.” Veinta smiled reassuringly at him. Aniki stepped forward and stopped a little behind Veinta as Alastriona stepped close to him. The white wolf stood so close that he could feel her icy breath on his face as she stared down at him. Alastriona was a chilling beauty, the air seemed to freeze around her, bits of her fur here and there having the appearance of ice shards.

“You, Aniki, are one of the warriors of legend? The Fire Wolf’s true form?” Alastriona’s voice was rough and hollow, and not unlike the rest of her, ice cold.

Aniki hesitated, nervous under the stares of these fierce creatures. “Uh, I guess so… Everyone seems to think so…”

Alastriona growled for a moment. “While I was under training from the Mystic, he told me that the warriors would have two forms, one of an elf and one of a vag. You are able to shift between the two forms, are you not?”

Aniki fidgeted. “Yes. I can.”

“Show us.”

Her command was final, and suddenly all of the wolves paused to watch Aniki, Tai having particular interest. He froze for a moment, then backed away from the wolves and closed his eyes to focus. In the blink of an eye he fell to his hands and knees, red fur covering his skin. His body shuddered as his cells rearranged themselves, taking the form of the fiery wolf. Alastriona smiled proudly, her expression slightly dark with fascination. The other wolves stared in astonishment at the red wolf before them, his blazing fur rippling like flames in the wind.

“Radjka. We will move the pack to the den southeast of here. The warriors know very little of their own legend, and must be taught as much as possible if they are to fulfill it. That is why the Mystic entrusted me with the knowledge, so that I may teach when the time came.”

Alastriona’s command was unquestioned by the pack. Radjka growled, but rose and stood proudly beside his mate. Another member of the pack, an old male who’s fur was entirely salted grey other than a white tip on his tail, bent down and tenderly picked up the cub in his silver-streaked jaws.

“We will return tomorrow as the sun is rising. Your lessons begin then, young warriors. Be ready.” She set her gaze on the black wolf for a moment. “Avira, if you would like to remain here with Sheraga, you may. Perhaps you can tell him what you have learned so far.” Alastriona glanced at the pack behind her, then moved quickly past Aniki and into the mist layered forest beyond him, the other vag following swiftly behind her. Aniki watched as the giant wolves like himself vanished into the white abyss, like a dream vaporizing into the mind.

With a sigh of relief, Aniki turned back but growled with a start as he noticed the black wolf right before him. He paused and looked into the wolf’s brightly golden eyes, they looked familiar. “…Tai?”

He gave a slight nod and smiled. “Yeah, it’s me, kid.”

Aniki couldn’t help but whine with excitement and rub his head against the soft ruff of ebony fur around his neck, tail wagging. “Wow, you’re ok! After you disappeared and no one was able to find you, we thought… well, you know. And look, now we can both change into wolves, just like the legend says!”

“I know. Crazy, huh? I thought there was no way all of this could be real, but somehow it’s all happening, right in front of me…”

Morning came as the sky became a shade lighter, the sun not yet crossing the horizon line into view. Aniki and Tai waited quietly on the southeastern edge of Felwren in their wolf forms. The misty veil had not yet lifted, its cool vapors still drifted in a river of silence through the forest. Tai lifted his muzzle to sniff the air as the scent of other wolves filled his nostrils. A sharp note expanded through the atmosphere, the sound vibrated through his ears and echoed throughout his very soul, announcing the arrival of their expected trainers. The Valr pack followed directly behind Alastriona’s howl of advent, and the two young wolves rose as their forms became clear through the mist. Alastriona was there at the head of the pack, Radjka and three of the others lined up behind her. The white wolf paused and gazed into Tai’s golden eyes, then stepped towards him, stopping close enough that their muzzles nearly touched. Tai took an uneasy step back, and the white wolf snarled, then perked her ears forward, tail lifted slightly in agitation, and stared at him for a moment.

“It appears that we must first teach you how to be a wolf. Never back away from an advancing wolf, that is a display of fear and weakness and will likely spark aggression. A strong alpha like yourself will always hold their ground. Step forward so that your muzzle brushes mine.” Alastriona’s voice was calm as she regained her patience. Tai hesitated, staring deeply into the white wolf’s gold, sightless eye, feeling as though it were a burning sun pulling him into its fiery vortex, the force of its gravity immense with curiosity. As his mind tumbled helplessly through the blazing orb, the black wolf felt the muscles in his powerful legs relax as he stepped forward without conscious effort, as though he were nothing but a puppet being led mindlessly by the strings, mastered by the she-wolf’s mystic eye. Tai drew closer, feeling Alastriona’s frozen breath as his black muzzle brushed gently against her muzzle of snow. Alastriona closed her eyes, breaking Tai’s hypnotic trance. He gazed at her in fascination as she nudged their muzzles together, then noticed her tail wagging slowly, and felt his own swaying gently through the misty air as well. Beside him Aniki watched, smiling as his nerves calmed.

“There. That is a greeting ritual for wolves who are friendly with one another.” The white wolf lifted her head high and opened her eyes again. She gazed at Aniki for a moment, then looked back at her mate. Radjka stepped forward with a soft growl of greeting, staring down at them both with his sharp, amber eyes. Aniki looked carefully at the alpha, and noticed that the wolf had a deep scar that cut like a fissure down his left eye, the line ran longer above the eye than below it. The young wolf quickly averted his gaze, for a pup dare not look into the eyes of an alpha for long.

“I will teach you the glory of being a vag. The feel of the earth beneath our paws as we run through this forest land. The thrill of the hunt as we chase down and capture our prey, following the flow of nature’s ugly yet beautiful laws. The freedom and the pride of our race are like no other, you will see soon enough.” Radjka bowed his great head slightly, then raised his tail and padded swiftly forward. “Come, run with us, young warriors!”

The other wolves followed, and Alastriona glanced at Tai and Aniki, waiting for them. Tai hesitated only for a moment, then shot forward to join the pack ahead of him, Aniki following close behind. The black wolf felt a thrill of adrenaline coursing through his veins and into his muscles as he ran, so swift and strong. He could feel the land around him move with him, the air screaming through his fur, the sound of the nature filling his eardrums. Tai could feel the pulse of the earth, vibrating through his pads as they beat against the earth like the hands of a drummer pounding upon the skin of his instrument. The very rhythm of life seemed to be in syncopation with his heartbeat, pounding loudly through his chest and into his ears. The wind that soared past him through his speed carried with it the scents of soil and rain, of flowers and trees and the creatures that lived amongst them. The black wolf glanced wildly at the mountain forest around him, his powerful golden eyes taking in all the beauty and wonders surrounding him as they blurred past his face. The forest floor was covered in a flurry of rich, dark green, the fan-spreads of ferns and the moss that grew upon the black soil, the twisting network of roots that held into the ground to hold the massive trees they supported. The forest was dimly lit by shafts of the blue light of early day, tiny creatures played like particles within these shafts, drifting carelessly through the cool mountain air.

Soon the trees thinned and the forest opened into a mist shrouded clearing, clovers of deep red covering the emerald blades in splashes of vibrancy. The rushing hum of water touched at Aniki’s ears, its restless melody flowing ever onward in its perpetual existence. The pack soon came upon the river and sliced through its churning waters, scattering the timid fish, lavish in colored scales, like blossoms blown by sudden wind. The vag smoothly ascended the side of a rocky hill, their paws griping the jutting stones as easily as though they were still treading upon the soft forest soil. These wolves, the boys noticed, were designed as rugged and strong and ever unyielding as the mountain lands they lived upon.

The pack stopped and gathered around the small, stony precipice, of which hid their new den below. They gazed out across the forest land rising and falling with the hills like billowed waves, at the emerald plains that stretched out beyond the trees, sparkling like the sea in the sun’s early rays. Then to the mountains of the northwestern coast, rising up like great spears into the purple ribbons of cloud, miles and miles into the great distance. This ancient land, untouched by the toxic hands of industrialization, was such a beautiful paradise that Tai could not believe such a place truly existed. That is, until his eyes wandered to the darkness of the south. The sky was stained as black as a starless night by massive clouds of ash and smoke, their lining painted a bloody red by the fires spewing from the mountains’ molten insides.

“What is that there, in the south?” Tai asked.

Alastriona followed his curious gaze, then growled softly. “Those are the black lands of the Dark Forces. They built some of their most powerful kingdoms around the volcanic Tráthnóna mountains, always the fires of their demonic industry burn the sky above the Leaite valley. It is a treacherous land that few dare to enter, swarming with the demon races day and night.”

Aniki gazed at her, when another wolf spoke, his fur a light grey with traces of black down his back and tail. “It is said that in the time of the Thousand Year War, much of the land was dark and desolate as the south, the forests burned by the fires of the Darkside. Demons terrorized the lands, killing and destroying whatever crossed their paths. It was as though this country had fallen into the very shadow of Nostereth itself...”

“Yes Frang, that is what our ancestors have told in their stories of the days from long ago.” Alastriona continued, her icy stare now focused on Aniki. “And that is how it shall be again in the time of the final war, a time which is bearing closer upon us.”

Alastriona watched Aniki as he stared out across the lands. “Tell me, Aniki, what do you know of the Mystic’s Legend?”

“So little... Veinta told me about the parts of the legend that have already happened, about the history of the two wolves, and a little about the Mystic. The Mystic makes me curious...”

Aniki glanced at Alastriona, who gave him a dark smile in return before she spoke. “The Mystic is a wise and mysterious being. He makes all who know of his existence curious.”

“Alastriona, you have spoken with him, haven’t you? What was he like?”

“Yes, I spent months learning from him, but that was my purpose for being there. He expressed little of his own ways, of course.”

“I want to see him. Can you take us to him?” Aniki asked, curiosity getting the best of him again.

The white wolf growled softly with an amused smile. “The Mystic will come to you when the time is right. Be patient, young warrior.”

“...Does he know that we’re here?”

“Of course he knows. Nothing slips past his notice.” Alastriona paused as her ears swiveled to listen around her. “Come with us to the den.”

Tai and Aniki followed the wolves into the den below, its main entrance from above rather than from a side, for the den was an enormous hole in the top of the rocky hill. Inside laid the old dark grey wolf with Theos, and the pack’s youngest member. Alastriona picked up the dark brown pup by his scruff and moved him beside Tai. “This is Aren, my last son.”

The black wolf gazed at the small pup, his eyes still closed and his ears deaf. A caring instinct stirred within him as the pup nudged his paw with his nose, and he bent down to nuzzle Aren’s soft head. The Valr pack laid down together around them, peacefully grooming one another in silence.

“Our race is growing thin. So few of the packs remain any longer.” Alastriona spoke softly, a deep aching sorrow frozen within her voice.

Aniki laid down quietly where he stood, keeping next to Tai, and glanced carefully at the other wolves as they bowed their heads in silent acknowledgement. “Why? What’s happening to them?”

“We are being enslaved, and those who refuse to be taken… are destroyed, eliminated. The Dark Forces want our race because of our strength and power, they do not want anything powerful to stand against them. They made a most horrid breed of wolf-like demon, killing machines designed specifically to fight and capture, or destroy, the vag. We call them “wailers” because of the hair-raising wail that is heard from a pack of these demons. For years they have hunted and killed entire packs of our kind, and our numbers grow small. Within a few hundred years there will be none of us left, unless the final war ends in a victory against the Darkside…”

Tai stared deeply into the stone floor of the den, a painful realization becoming clear in his mind. If he was to turn away from this destiny, he would be sentencing these wolves, and likely many others that he cared about, to a most tragic death. Before his thoughts could stir more fear into his mind, the old gray wolf lifted his head. “There, there… let’s not think of such a dark future. We have the warriors, they are learning how to fight against the Dark Forces, and we have the Mystic and his wisdom… And more, we have the strength of our race and the Sacred Alliance. We must have faith.”

The rest of the pack growled and nodded in agreement with the eldest wolf. All but Alastriona, who gazed up at the clouding sky from the gap in the roof, began to speak quietly with one another. Aniki cautiously watched her, careful to avoid her eyes. “What all do you need to teach us to fulfill the legend?”

The stare of her cold eyes fell upon him the moment he opened his mouth, as though she expected him to speak. The white wolf smiled. “My instructions were quite simple. To fulfill your part in the legend, you must understand how to be a wolf. That includes language, instinctual tuning, and fighting skills. You will be a much more affective warrior in your wolven form. My pack and I are to teach you these important lessons, as the hwervags watch over and teach you societal life. Eventually, the Mystic will take over as your teacher and caretaker, when he is able.”

Before Aniki could respond, Alastriona rose with a deep rumble in her throat. “It is time to track and hunt. Pay close attention, and seek out your instincts, young warriors.” She crouched for a moment and leapt out upon the roof of the den in a single, graceful movement. The rest of the pack followed around him, each making it to the roof with seemingly effortless bounds. Even Tai successfully performed a graceful bound to perch upon the stone above. Aniki glanced behind him at the dark grey wolf, who was to stay and care for the pups. The old wolf smiled gently. “You can do it too. Trust your body, it knows what to do. Even when you don’t.”

The red wolf gazed up high above him at the ledge, crouching low as he had watched the others do, the muscles in his limbs preparing to release like springs. His powerful eyes carefully judged the distance in seconds, and with a deep breath, he leapt upward and landed seamlessly upon the den roof. He smiled and made a short bark in excitement, as the rest of the pack watched him in silent amusement. Aniki bowed his head shyly and followed the pack down the side of the cliff into the forest.

The hunting pack traveled in single file, with Radjka at their lead, followed by Alastriona, Felkor with Anima, Feya, and Frang just ahead of Tai, Aniki following close behind. Frang was apparently the pack’s “omega” wolf, Tai thought, as he trotted close by him between the trees. They traveled for hours with no luck, and Aniki was growing tired and bored by the early evening. As the others purposefully sniffed at the crisp air, searching for the smallest traces of potential prey, the young red wolf gazed at the beautiful forest around him. The giant trees were covered in moss, golden now in autumn season, and twisting vines that once carried small flowers before the frost chilled away their blossoms. Had he not stumbled lightly over a risen tree root, he would have fallen behind as the pack quickened their pace to a run.

Signaled by the alpha’s raised tail, the pack split. Frang, Felkor, and Feya took off ahead and to the left, while Tai and Aniki followed forward behind the alpha pair. Just ahead was a small herd of enormous deer, known as bláthanna deer, grazing until they caught the sound of the approaching wolves. At once they raised their large heads, the males’ adorned with great antlers entangled with flowering vines, and took off with great speed to the right, away from the other half of the pack.

Radjka and Alastriona sprung after the darting herd, Aniki dangling behind and Tai following close by Alastriona, as Frang and the others closed in from the other side. The deer panicked as they realized they had fallen into a trap, and a large male turned and swung his massive antlers at Radjka, grazing his shoulder enough to throw him down. The blow did not stop the Afel’s fangs from clasping onto the deer’s right leg, snapping the thin bone with a sickening crunch. The poor creature struggled in vain hope to escape its fate, but Radjka’s jaws held firm as Felkor grasped onto its back, sinking his fangs into its soft hide. The rest of the pack assembled and forced their dying prey upon the ground, Alastriona giving its neck the final snap to end its struggle. All but Aniki, who watched the bloody frenzy of snarls and ripping flesh in horror. His body felt cold as it trembled. I could never do this. I can’t…

From above, a raven circled among the branches, waiting for his turn to scavenge. His caws mocked Aniki in amusement. “What is this, a wolf who does not join his pack for the feast? Foolish creature does not accept the laws of nature, does not accept what he is. Ha!”

The young red wolf snarled at the impudent creature, but he only laughed as his wings brushed the leaves, taking rest on a branch high above where he would watch. Aniki whined and laid down in the tall brown grass. He stared in despair at the earth, watching tiny creatures carrying bits of leaves and soil as they crawled on their way. The raven was right, he thought. He didn’t accept what he was. In fact, he was beginning to wish more and more that he was someone else. Someone normal, and unimportant. Someone who had no destiny but to lead a simple existence.

He glanced at Tai, who seemed unfazed, as though he was meant to be one of the vag, snarling instinctively as his fangs ripped through flesh. Aniki felt a deep pang in his chest, wondering why Tai was able to accept the ways of nature, but he balked at the harshness of it.

There was a soft thud before him, and he looked up to see a large chunk of meat from the deer, Alastriona standing over it and gazing down upon him. “You should be hungry, Aniki.”

Aniki stood and backed away, nervously. “I can’t eat that… I’m not a wolf…”

The icy wolf growled softly. “You will be. In time.”

The pack turned back and trotted the path to their den, carrying much of what they did not finish with them to bury for later, and some for the old wolf who stayed behind. Night covered the forest in a dark and misted cloak, shadows bleeding through the moonlight as they traveled. A sharp chill made the hairs along Aniki’s spine stand on end at the sound of Radjka’s ghostly howl. His call was answered by Frang’s voice, a higher tone and more lengthy, followed by Alastriona’s chilling note, creating a dark and melancholy symphony that poured out across the land.

Aniki listened to the song of the pack, his muscles tense as he ran behind at first, but the closer he listened, the more beautiful the haunting sound became to his ears. Every wolf has their own unique voice in the chorus, and together they told the story of life, of its struggles and hardships, of anguish and sorrow. More than anything, it told of freedom to be who you are, to follow your instincts and discover that all creatures have a place in the pack of life. All are born with an important role, a unique voice that must be heard to complete the chorus.

After a long and tiring day, the wolves were happy to be back in their warm den for the night. They laid close beside one another in a circle, telling stories of the ancient days passed down from their ancestors. The realm was full of legends, Tai and Aniki realized as they listened with interest. The tale that grasped their minds the most was one told by the old wolf, Takoda.

“When I was but a young pup, my father told me always the stories passed down of the days of the Thousand Year War. A great battle had been raging for months to the north, the demon army holding the people of Risola under siege. The wolves did not aid the humans during those troubled times, they hid in the forests and did not pity them… However, there was one lone wolf, the silver wolf, who pledged that if he found there to be but one man with a heart of gold, he would take the man into battle and fight alongside him to win the freedom of the city. For many nights, the silver wolf watched and waited upon a high cliff above the city, until one evening, a brave man escaped from the walls of Risola, his hair as red as the scarlet blood that painted his clothes. The wolf leapt down from the cliff and stood before him, gazing deeply into his eyes. He asked, “why have you come?” and the man responded, “I seek the help of your mighty strength to save my people.” The wolf felt the pure energy emanating from his soul, and swiftly forced the man upon his back. With a howl of pride he swept down the mountain side with incredible speed, a powerful determination in his heart and in the heart of the man, so equal were their souls that the most amazing thing happened. The two became one, fused together into a single body, a mixture of human and wolf. This new creature was more powerful than either race, and as he joined the battle, the demon army was destroyed, and the city of Risola was free. Though the creature has never been seen since, for he hides himself always… many believe that creature is what we now call the Mystic.”

“Is that what the Mystic looks like, then? Half wolf and half human?” Aniki questioned.

“I can’t say for sure, but the few who claim to have seen his face say so. I have never been fortunate enough to see him, in all of my years… and I am nearly a century! At the end of my days… I would have liked to have seen him, just once.” The old wolf mused.

The black wolf stared up into the night sky through the roof, his thoughts racing through the stars to times and places once so far away. The world of Origynn was imbued with myth and fantasy, the same as the earth of old portrayed through the texts of history. It was becoming clear, that perhaps there is no myth without truth, that the ancient people were much more wise in the ways of the universe than the people of modern day in the Banished Realm. These supposedly educated and civilized moderners have forgotten the world that their ancestors left behind, becoming trapped within the walls of their buried insecurities towards what lies beyond their blinded society. Tai’s eyes were beginning to open to this truth, yet he still held uncertainties in his heart for this new world, and at times even missed the numbing blanket of unawareness.

Weeks passed and the land froze under the spell of winter’s binding chill. Snow bleached all of colour to a pale and sparkling beauty. The winter season, the longest here in the forest land, was frigid and harsh, and worsened the further north you traveled up the eastern mountains.

The Valr pack worked hard with both Tai and Aniki for many weeks, well into the heart of winter, teaching them all that they could of the life of the wild wolf. Tai picked up the ways of their kind rather quickly, as though he had finally found where he belonged. Kindling Aniki’s instincts, however, was proving to be of great difficulty. Aniki’s nature was fearful and submissive, great weakness in the world of wolves. He refused to hunt, as he could not get past the human emotions that told him to pity the prey. However, what dismayed the pack most of all, was the red wolf’s silence. Though they encouraged him every night with their chorus, Aniki could not find his voice.

Even so, he was learning well how to better use his senses, which, though small, was a start. At the same time, the hwervags along with the elf, Elwyn, gave him lessons over the social lives of the people. The primitive people of Origynn were very different from those he was born and raised with in the Banished Realm. The culture was much like that of late medieval Europe, very simple yet harsh for many. Villages were small, consisting of nothing but the small stone or wood cottages, along with a main street market in the center. The markets were typically basic, with black smiths, herbal specialists, carpenters, clothiers, farmers, etc. The economy was mostly a bartering system, however, some people did use coin money, but these were solely the rich nobles who worked for the royals.

Since the assassination of the king of Risola, the capital nation of Talmactir, the city has been strewn with chaos, the outer lands thick with tension and worry. All waited and feared for the Darkside’s next move.

From far off in the distance, the howling of a wolf pack carried across the still, frosty air. The pale light of the breaking morning fell through the roof of the den, illuminating a pool of white upon the stone floor.

Tai opened his eyes and gazed at the glowing shaft, watching sparkling crystals of ice drift in and out from the shadows to the light. The chill of the air was fresh and crisp, the scent of purity cleansed his lungs and thoughts. While the rest of the pack continued to rest, he tiredly stretched and got to his feet, then leapt up to the top of the den.

The charcoal wolf gazed out across the glittering lands, his breath like puffs of cold smoke from his muzzle. The morning was beautiful, so delicate in its frozen slumber, yet Tai felt troubled and restless. Somehow, the world did well to mask the pain and sorrow of its heart, concealing the harsh realities beneath the veil of splendor. The wolf was beginning to learn this art for himself, hiding his nagging sadness beneath a mask of indifference.

Over and over, his mind pondered what he knew, and what he wondered. Tai knew that the wolves were being destroyed, that the world was on the brink of war, that he and young Aniki were somehow expected to put an end to it all. He wondered, though, why he was chosen, why the Mystic has never come, and what exactly he should do about all of this. Should he try and find the Mystic himself? Perhaps something had happened to the strange creature. If so, how would they then be able to stop the Dark Forces, when only the Mystic knows how?

Tai sighed and closed his amber eyes. Things were becoming far too complicated and discouraging, he thought. The soft sound of paws upon the roof broke away his thoughts, and he glanced behind him. Alastriona stood like a sculpture of snow, tiny shards of ice clinging to the tips of her fur and glistening in the sun’s rising luminance. The frost upon the stones floated about her paws as she moved silently beside him. For a while she remained silent, gazing over the land as Tai had, but finally her icy voice touched his ears.

“You have no reason to be afraid, Tai. You will not take on this task alone, but we need your help. We are all needed to win this war, it will be lost unless we work together. You should be honored to be able to help. I am. When I was young, your age, I wanted so much to do something great, to help our race survive. So… I went to find the Mystic, disobeying my parents and ignoring my sister’s pleas to not get involved. He was pleased with my curiosity and eagerness to be of use.”

“But you chose to get involved. I didn’t get to choose…”

“Tai, we do not choose our destiny. None of us do. Our destiny is made by the choices of those before us, and by our reactions to the world around us. It is our reactions that we have control over. So how will you choose to react?”

Tai gazed at her, the icy stare of her sapphire eye searching for an answer in his face. He sighed. “I don’t know… Alastriona, I feel that the Mystic must have made a mistake… I can’t do something so important… what if I fail? And everyone dies because of me?”

“It is better to try and not succeed, than to have never tried at all. If you try, and do your best, there is always that chance that you will succeed… but if you shy away from the world and refuse to step up to your place, the only certain thing is that you will fail. No one is perfect, everyone fails from time to time. There are many things that you cannot do, Tai, but only you can follow your path. No one else can do it for you. No one else can fill your place. If it is one thing I have learned in my lifetime, it is that life is filled with pain and sacrifice, whether it be your own or those you allow to hurt instead. We face a dangerous force, the force of evil. You can either succumb to its pressures, or fight against it. But in the end, the choice is yours…”

Tai looked down again at his paws, trying to take in all that she had said, but her words were lost as she spoke once more. “We will be leaving soon to hunt. You may stay here with Aniki to watch Theos and Aren, Takoda needs to get out of the den once and a while. He may not be able to help us hunt, but on a beautiful day like this, he will enjoy the travel.”

The black wolf nodded in agreement, watching the rest of the pack as they joined the two of them on the rooftop.

“We will return by early evening, if not before. Remember to keep your senses alert at all times, and do not stray far from the den.”

After the pack followed Radjka down the cliff and off into the snowy forest, Tai sighed and jumped back down into the den to help Theos up to the roof. At four months old, he was getting a bit heavy for the young wolf to lift and hold while jumping up out of the den, especially when he had a habit of squirming.

“If you don’t hold still, I’m going to leave you in the den.” Tai mumbled, keeping hold of the pup in his jaws. Aniki watched in amusement from behind, holding little Aren by his scruff.

“Ok, fine.” Theos whined, but fell still as the black wolf leapt up through the entrance, then placed him down on the frosted stone. “I wish I could go on hunts…”

Aniki snorted after he set Aren down, having leapt upon the roof as well, and laid beside the tiny dark brown pup. “Why? There’s nothing fun about hunting. It’s all… bloody, and violent… ”

“Exactly! It’s great!” Theos exclaimed, jumping around and playing in the frost.

“It’s gross.”

“What’s so gross about blood?”

“I just don’t like it. I’m not like the rest of you, remember? I wasn’t born a wolf, so to me, blood is gross and raw meat is gross.”

“I know, you were born a human. Humans are weird. How come I’ve never seen you turn back into one?”

“Because I need to be in wolf form to be around the pack.” Aniki sighed and gazed down the side of the cliff.

“Can we go to the ground and play in the snow?” Theos had turned to Tai now, bored with Aniki’s negativity.

“Sure, Theos.” Tai got up and lead the pup safely down the cliff’s rocky side, leaving Aniki with Aren on the den roof. Theos bounded through the drifts of snow, then paused to gaze into the river’s glassy surface, a thin sheet of ice covered the swiftly flowing waters. As the pup was about to place a paw on the ice, Tai stopped him.

“Don’t step on the ice, it’ll break.”

Theos sighed, but did as he was told and walked away from the river. For a while the pup entertained himself, but eventually became bored. He hunkered down behind a drift of snow, then darted towards Tai, leaping onto the black wolf’s back and biting the shaggy fur around his neck, growling playfully.

Tai stood up and shook off the noisy pup. “Cut it out, Theos.”

“Aww Tai, I’m bored! Can’t we play for a little while?” The pup whined.

“The pack should be back soon, it is afternoon…” The black wolf thought aloud, ignoring Theos’s whining. His nose twitched as a strange scent caught his attention. Something new was nearby, something that smelled strongly bitter. “Do you smell that?”

Theos sniffed the air, then tilted his head. “Yeah, what is it?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never smelled it before.” Curious, he climbed back up to the top of the cliff, the pup following along clumsily behind. Tai’s tension was quickly noticed by Aniki, who rose and followed him to the cliff. They stood together by the edge, gazing off into the distance, Tai searching for anything unusual. After a while, he sighed. “I don’t see anything. But we better stay up here where it’s safer.”

“What’s wrong, Tai?” Aniki questioned nervously.

“A strange scent. I’ve never smelled it before, but… it makes me uneasy.”

Aniki whined softly. “Do you think the pack is ok?”

“I don’t know. I figured they would be back by now, or at least close…”

Theos paced around the roof of the den for what felt like an hour, then finally laid down beside Tai, and fell asleep. For hours Tai laid upon the cold stones, watching and waiting for the pack to return from their hunt. As night began to fall with no sign of the other wolves, not their scent nor the sound of their returning howls, the young wolf became nervous. He glanced over at Aniki, who was curled up and dozing beside one of the large stones, little Aren’s nose poking out from under the red wolf’s blazing tail.

Stars speckled the night sky a few at a time as the blue faded into black, nothing but a small sliver of the waning moon, high in the north-western sky. Tai whined softly, accidentally awakening the sleeping pup at his side.

Theos yawned, making a soft squeak as he did. “Are they back yet?”

“…No. I wonder what’s taking so long…”

The pup sat up and began to whimper, waking Aniki and Aren.

“Uh, I’m sure they’ll be here soon. Maybe they had to travel farther south to find anything, it is winter after all…”

At last the sound of howling drifted across the atmosphere. However, the cries were less than pleasant, sounding more like the eerie wail of banshees searching for their next victim. It sent chills down Tai’s spine as he rose, the hair along his back bristled in fear.

Theos trembled behind Tai’s back leg. “W-What was that? It didn’t sound like a wolf…”

“I don’t know…” The black wolf sniffed as the bitter scent of blood caught his attention. “I think the pack is in trouble, we need to find them.” Just as he started off down the side of the cliff, Aniki protested.

“Wait, Tai, what about the pups? We can’t leave them here…”

“No, we’ll have to take them with us. Aniki, if… something finds us, before we find the pack, take the pups and run. Protect them with your life, and I will protect you with mine.”

Aniki nodded grimly, his heart pounding, and bent down to pick up little Aren. Aren was too young to understand what was happening, and instantly fell limp and silent in Aniki’s jaws.

“I don’t want to go out there! Something’s not right, I want to stay here… there’s something scary out there…” Frightened, Theos crouched upon the rocks, his tail quivering between his legs.

Tai growled with impatience. “You can’t stay here by yourself, so you have to come with us. Do you want whatever’s out there to find you alone and eat you?”

Theos whined. “No! I’ll go!” He quickly followed behind Aniki down into the snow, trotting across the open land towards the forest. The forest was dark and as silent as death itself. There was no wind, no winter birds, not even a stir of movement. The only scent was of blood and moisture, thickening the deeper into the woods they wandered. Tai’s heart was pounding, feeling the tension suffocate his lungs and cut off all logic. Only fear remained and flowed through his body like the rushing fluid in his veins. His golden eyes nervously scanned the forest, both floor and canopy and every space in between.

But there was nothing. Only tiny crystals of powder drifted through the air, sparkling in the shafts of moonlight that fell between the icy needles of the pine trees and the bare, twisted branches. The snow glowed a dim indigo against the soft, velvety shadows. The further into the realm of dark silence they traveled, a cold mist laid adrift upon the forest. Theos stayed close behind the large black wolf, crouching nervously as he shuffled through the snow. His fearful eyes caught sight of a gleam in the icy brush, and he paused, lifting his head and perking his ears. Curiously, he sniffed and took a cautious step toward the snow covered twigs of the bush. The moment his paw sunk into the powder, a horrible screech burst through the silence as a shadow tore through the air from the brush. The pup stiffened and leapt between Tai’s legs in terror, black feathers falling over him.

The black wolf spun around with a startled snarl, the hair upon his back bristled until he caught sight of the fleeing raven, landing and hopping restlessly upon a high branch. For a moment, he gazed at it, his eyes wide and shining beautiful gold in the moonlight. The raven cawed and ruffled his soft plumage as he moved anxiously along the branch. With a sigh to calm his nerves, Tai turned and stepped over Theos. After only a few steps he felt something wet and lukewarm on the bottom of his paw. He lifted his paw and glanced down at the dark liquid that strung out upon the snow before him. His eyes followed its thin trail ahead into the mists, and at first there was nothing.

Beneath him, Theos trembled between his front paws as a large shadow moved slowly through the veil towards them. Tai’s ears perked, hopeful. It must be the pack, they’re finally here…

Nearer the dark figure drew, but as the mist peeled back around it, Tai noticed thin, flexible spikes along its spine, which were longer around its hackles. This creature was larger and hairless, with powerful muscles and massive paws adorned with long claws.

“…It’s a drovail wolf… a demon…” Theos whispered in horror.

Behind them Aniki froze, his muscles trembling as he kept hold of the helpless pup in his jaws. Aren, even as young as he was, could feel the fear surrounding him and tensed in reaction, but remained silent.

The demon opened its enormous jaws and bared the huge saber fangs, dripping with blood, then lifted its broad muzzle with a dreadful wail. The sound sent a sickening chill through Tai’s body, a sound of nightmares. All around them the demons came, snarling and their jaws foaming with eagerness to grasp their victims. The one that had called the others made a sudden charge, signaling the attack.

Tai braced himself. “Run, now!”

Just as Aniki and Theos took off through the snow behind him, the drovail wolf leapt for Tai, knocking him aside with its huge paw as he narrowly evaded its fangs. The force of the blow collapsed the air from his lungs for a moment, and before he could regain his breath the demon slammed its body against his, sending him rolling over the snow onto his side against one of the other demons. This one picked him up by the scruff of his neck and tossed him through the air as though he were nothing but a limp and helpless doll. The snow did little to soften his landing, and though he scrambled to his feet, the drovail pack surrounded him. He searched anxiously for a way to escape, panting in distress as he realized he was trapped. Behind him, one grabbed ahold of his back leg, pulling him down as another rushed to him and placed its heavy paw upon his side, pushing him down into the snow. His lungs struggled against the force, and he felt his ribs bending from the pressure.

It was over, he thought. He was going to die, and the legend would never be fulfilled. The Dark Forces, with their merciless armies, would take control of the innocent lands, everything would be destroyed in a cloud of evil. His friends would be enslaved and tormented as the world burned in suffocating darkness. And the Mystic, try as he may to overcome the great forces of the demons, would fail.

No. You must find the strength and courage to accept your place, and stand to fight for what is right. For those you love. Find yourself.

A voice, the one so soft and kind, spoke to him. It stirred a power within him, a strength he never knew was there inside. In a burst of determination, Tai swung his head to the side and his jaws clamped down upon the demon’s leg. Its paw released him in surprise, and in a flash of shadow, he leapt upon its back and his fangs sunk into the back of its head. With a quick snap of his jaws, the demon fell lifeless beneath him.

Without hesitation, as this new instinct took full force of his mind, he leapt off of the demon’s body and rushed through the snow towards another drovail wolf. With a vicious snarl, Tai jumped and snapped his fangs onto the demon’s throat. It swung its head in agony, but the black wolf held strong with a vice-like grip, sinking his teeth deep into the flesh.

Another drovail wolf grabbed Tai by his back leg, and with a mighty pull, succeeded in pulling him off of its wounded pack member. However, Tai never released his grip, and when pulled he tore out the demon’s throat. As it fell dying, Tai turned to face the foe that had a hold of his leg. In a quick and powerful movement, he twisted his body with such force that it snapped the demon’s neck. He easily broke free of its jaws as it collapsed, taking a moment to catch his breath as he stared down the last of the pack.

In a daring move, Tai slipped just past its parted jaws and flung himself against its massive body, knocking it down and rolling it over onto its back. Before he could reach its throat, the demon struck him in the side with its paw, sending him flying back. The drovail wolf pinned him to the snowy ground, its weight suffocating his lungs. Tai had to think fast, as its steaming breath neared his throat. The thought struck him. He waited until its fangs were inches from his fur, then clamped his jaws onto the top of its muzzle, biting through its nasal passage. It threw back its head with a distressful wail, inhaling nothing but its own blood into its lungs. Tai wrenched himself free from beneath it, finally tore into its throat, bringing down the last of the demonic pack.