Chapter 11 - Clash of titans

788 I.C, January 29, Birchtooth Forest, Morning

Rays of wandering light pierced the canopy as Talwin glanced out of the crevice, "Do you think it's safe?"

A strange but curious sensation radiated form my bare paws as I stood up, "Yeah."

"It stinks," Talwin said with a huff of disapproval as he sniffed the air.

"At least be happy we weren't sitting in the stream," I said with a chuckle as I took a few tentative steps,

Talwin moved out of the crevice and I followed. The gentle wind felt strange on my fur, it pulled at the strands and I could feel it across my skin, yet I could no longer feel the chill of it.

Even the tail pulled at my behind and seemed to live a life of its own as it brushed by my legs. I reached back and felt along the base of my buttocks, the tail was thick and warm yet a gentle squeeze revealed the solid vertebrae within.

To my disappointment it only had a short but soft layer of black fur. It made it look like it belonged on a feline rather than a proper canine.

I stepped out of the crevice and stretched, my bones popped and resettled as I yawned and felt sharp teeth brush by the black lips of my muzzle. Talwin glanced back and watched me with a neutral expression, his tail soon betrayed him as I noticed that it had started to wag.

"What?" I asked.

Talwin grew a shy smile, "It's a shame we don't have a big mirror."

"Hmm, maybe we do," I answered.

"Huh?" Talwin asked in surprise.

I stepped back and reached down to my doublet as I fetched Rastlin's Tome and a yellow crystal.

'Mirror,' I thought as I opened it up and watched the page fill with a short description.

"Do you know what makes magic so powerful?" I asked.

"That's because... It can do things you normally can't do," Talwin answered.

"True, to some degree. But the real power of magic is the ability to imitate the real world."

"What do you mean?" Talwin asked in curiosity as I walked up beside him.

"I've taught you how to create a field of magic and how to tune it, right?" I asked.

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

"By tuning a magic field we can make it interact with the physical world, for example, a fireball is an aetheric field of energy tuned in such a way that it creates intense heat and light."

"Yeah?" Talwin said with a nod.

"A mirror is little more than a flat surface capable of reflecting light, and so..." I asked as I motioned to Talwin.

"By tuning a field in the right way... You can reflect light and thereby create a mirror?"

I held up the yellow crystal, "Correct. This is an amplifying crystal, it can absorb aetheric energy and release it at a higher tone so to speak."

"Like a gearbox?" Talwin asked.

I raised my brow in confusion, "You know what a gearbox is?"

Talwin nodded, "Dad showed me the one in the city planetarium."

I cocked my head, "Planetarium? What's that?"

Talwin motioned with his hands, "It's like a big machine of metal and spinning orbs that represents our solar system. A kind of gearbox drives it so that the different planets move at the right rate."

"You mean the sun, our planet, and the two moons?" I asked.

Talwin smiled, "There's more than two moons, there's a load of planets in our solar system."

"Oh... How interesting."

Talwin glanced away for a moment as he grew a sheepish smile, "I'm sure that Dracwyn has a planetarium, we could go visit it."

"That we could. Anyway, just like a gearbox."

Talwin made an eager nod, "I understand."

I focused on the area in front of us and began to weave threads of aetheric energy, "We start by creating a thin but flat layer of aetheric energy. We can then tune it into a very high pitch and reach a level where it starts to mimic metal."

The thread of magic looped into the crystal and started to climb in pitch, soon the air began to shiver and a rectangular outline began to form in the air.

Within the blink of an eye the aetheric field reached its threshold and became reflective. Talwin jumped a little as the large mirror formed and showed the two us staring into it.

I held up the crystal and focused on Talwin, "Can you sense what I'm doing?"

Talwin looked at me and pondered it, "Somewhat. You're guiding that thread as you call it into the crystal, and it comes out... different."

"Good, you're starting to get the hang of this."

"So I take it you can't do this on your own?" Talwin asked.

"At least not without a lot of effort, this is simple and effective by comparison."

"So what happens if you push the tone even higher?"

"There are lots of ways to manipulate and combine aetheric energy, this is one of the simpler forms. But to answer your question, if we increased the load on the crystal further, then it would burn out."

"Burn out?" Talwin asked.

"Or explode rather, so exercise caution because you don't want these things blowing up in your face."

Talwin's ears perked as he looked at the crystal, "Oh, I see."

I looked back at the mirror and motioned to it, "So how do I look?"

Talwin's tail picked up pace as a sheepish grin grew on his muzzle, "You look good."

"Good?" I asked.

Talwin nodded and inched closer, "Yeah, you really changed last night. Before this you looked like a weird human and now you look like one of us, even if your fur is a bit short."

I moved my jaw and felt along the length of my muzzle, "How's my speech?"

"A bit darker but good, you sound like a fur now. How's your fe- paws I mean?"

I glanced down and flexed my paws, the toes moved a little but most of the mobility had been lost to the change, "Rather weird actually. The ground is cool and interesting, though it's clear my old shoes won't fit any longer."

Talwin made a bemused nod, "That's nothing a bit of wood and some rope can't solve."

I nodded in agreement as I flexed my hands and watched the pads that now covered my palm and the insides of my fingers. The thumb felt inflexible but I could still make a solid fist with ease.

"That's odd," Talwin murmured.

"What?" I asked as I looked up.

Talwin stepped up and took my right hand in his own, "I didn't notice before."

I looked at my hand as Talwin shifted two fingers and focused on a short flap of dark skin binding them together.

"Oh, the webbing?" I asked.

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

I made a feral grin and inched closer, "Feral ancestry, just like you as I recall."

Talwin looked up with a slight if troubled smile as his ears folded back, "Yeah, none of the other canines have it."

"It helps when you're digging through the snow, and it gives ample grip when you need to run."

Talwin nodded, "Yeah, and the same goes for sand."

I held out the crystal as I let the mirror fade, "Do you want to take over?"

Talwin's ears perked as he raised his hands, "Is that safe?"

"That depends on you, Talwin, there are few safe things in this world."

Talwin's ears flattened as he gave me an irritated glance, "Could you ease down on the philosophy?"

A slight grin formed as I answered, "Don't you trust me Talwin? Do you think I'd ask you to do something dangerous?"

Talwin's eyes widened as he pondered it for a moment, "Yes, on both accounts."

I couldn't help but snicker as I eased the crystal into his hand, "Give it a try Talwin, the worst you'll do is to burn yourself."

Talwin gulped and stared at the crystal as he rotated it, "How do I start?"

"A thread of magic spinning in a loop, let it feed into the crystal and feel it change."

Talwin's stare turned into a glare as he focused on the crystal, moments later a field of aetheric energy formed in the air. It leaked into the crystal and made it glow as the air hummed.

"I... Am I doing this right?" Talwin whispered.

A bemused grin grew on my face as the large field triggered the alchemical recipe in his fur, it made it shift hue into a bright orange that spread down his arms.

"Ack!" Talwin jumped in fright and let go of the crystal as the color flowed down his hands.

The crystal landed in the soft moss and I leaned down to fetch it as Talwin watched his fur return to normal.

"What did I do wrong?" Talwin asked as I stood up once more.

"You need a thread Talwin, not a large field."

Talwin looked flustered and frowned as his lips pulled back for a moment, "Right."

"I understand Talwin, it's not easy."

Talwin made a reluctant nod, "Yeah, I know."

788 I.C, January 29, Birchtooth Forest, Evening

I glanced beyond the tree and caught sight of a solitary deer munching on some fresh growth by a bush. The mere sight of it filled me with an intense hunger that differed from my old self.

My claws itched while the world seemed to blur as my focus grew, the scent carried on the wind and I felt the inside of my muzzle water. The sounds grew louder and I could hear the distant crunch as the deer chewed on a fresh branch.

Part of me felt urged to chase it but the hunger demanded success and magic was the surefire way of doing it. I glanced back and caught Talwin looking at me, his ears were perked and there was an uncertain look on his face. He seemed lost and perhaps a tad frightened.

"Hungry?" I asked.

Talwin's hand sank to his abdomen as he nodded, "Yeah."

We were starving, both of us.

"Are you up for another lesson?" I asked.

Talwin blinked but then seemed to harden his expression as he nodded, "Sure, what do you have in mind?"

I raised my hand and pointed a black claw toward the deer, "Kill it."

Talwin's hardened expression shattered in an instant, "What? How!?"

"Magic of course, you spin an aetheric thread like I've taught you, strengthen it, and then impale the deer like using a spear."

Talwin cocked his head, "What does that do? I could understand a fireball or something, but what can a thread do?"

I motioned with my hand as I spoke, "Life and magic go hand in hand, destroy life and there is no magic, drain all magic and there is no life."

"So what does this spear do exactly?"

"It punctures the subconscious shield that all life surrounds itself with, worse is that it thrashes and destroys what's inside. Like the wound of a knife but without the physical mark. Threads can also be used to cut things but that's still beyond your skill, this is going to be like the sting of a wasp carrying a deadly poison."

"Is that how you kill people as well?"

I shook my head, "Even those that have no magical aptitude still have strong subconscious shields to protect themselves from the natural aether. It is far easier to simulate physical effects and to cut a person's head off rather than pierce a shield using pure aetheric energy."

"Efficiency in other words?"

I nodded, "Yes, the strongest of wild animals pale in comparison to the weakest of sapient beings. Duels between mages are a careful balance of resources and tactics."

Talwin leaned to the side and looked toward the deer, "It's rather far away."

The hunger made me impatient as I cocked my head and gave Talwin a sharp eye, "Do as I ask Talwin and show that you're capable of applying what I've taught you."

Talwin's ears folded back, "No pressure huh?"

My lips pulled back in a wolfish grin, "Now get to it."

Talwin stepped back and made a deep sigh as he closed his eyes, moments later the aether began to hum around him. Aetheric energy flooded the air while a turbulent essence reached out of him.

The coyote grimaced as the essence began to twist and sharpen into the unrefined form of a thread.

"Don't strain your muscles Talwin, relax and focus on your state of mind," I said.

"It helps," Talwin muttered.

"For now, but the tension will hamper your future efforts. Relax your body and imagine it in your head, a sharp spear poised like a snake ready to strike. A high pitched tone filling your essence."

Talwin relaxed and the thread began to lose form, moments later the aether began to sing with a uniform tone while the essence coalesced and sharpened like the point of a dagger.

"That's it, well done Talwin. Now keep that up, sense the aether, approach the deer and strike it dead in a single strike."

Talwin opened his eyes and glanced ahead, in an instant the aetheric essence began to unravel once more.

"Shut your eyes and focus, you should be able to sense the deer at this distance," I ordered.

Talwin gulped and closed his eyes once more, "This is hard."

"But necessary," I added.

Talwin's turbulent thread began to move along the ground and created ripples in the aether. The deer ahead felt like a steady glow set in a shifting fog.

Without warning the deer perked up and flicked its ears as it glanced around. I imagined that it could sense the disturbed aether but couldn't understand it in a way that we could.

Talwin's breath picked up pace and he began to pant while leaning onto the tree.

"Focus, just a tad longer Talwin," I said.

"What... do I do now?" Talwin asked as the aetheric thread neared the deer.

"Lash out with all you have, slam the thread into the deer and let your body go with it. Anger, determination, emotion."

The writhing thread of aetheric energy began to shudder as it rose above the deer and poised itself like a distorted wave. It was losing form and the deer looked ready to bolt.

"Now!" I snapped.

Talwin stumbled forward with a grunt as the air surrounding the deer sparked and crackled while the energy slammed down. A pained bellow was heard as the deer made a spastic kick and fell to the ground flailing.

The wild animal kicked and twisted on its back with a shill cry as Talwin stumbled back and opened his eyes with a look of fright.

"I thought... What's going on?" Talwin mumbled as the deer kept twitching.

I motioned for him to follow, "Another lesson, come on."

Talwin followed as I marched toward the deer that was now wheezing and twitching on its side, froth appeared by its short muzzle as the legs kicked along the ground and disturbed the heavy moss.

I pointed to the deer, "If you puncture the shield and wreck the insides, then it will be dead in no time. That's not what you did, the blast was unfocused and while it made tatters of the shield it didn't reach deep enough. This is the death of a thousand cuts as the natural aether reaches inside and slowly chokes it to death."

A sudden warmth along my chest caught me by surprise, it made me reach toward my chest as I felt the star grow active.

"What do I do?" Talwin asked.

The star took precedence as I crouched next to the deer and held the star. It pulsed with warmth as the aether grew odd and cold. I focused on my senses and closed my eyes for a moment.

Life itself was rushing out of the deer while the shifting currents of the aether tore at it, the strange part was that the aetheric life force wasn't turning into useless flux. Instead it was funneled toward the star.

"Avery?" Talwin asked.

"I need a moment Talwin, don't worry," I murmured as I focused my attention on the star.

The star was absorbing the life force and it made the aether hum as if there was an invisible presence.

More...

It felt like a whisper and it made me reach out to the deer. My now furred hand touched its side and sent a spark of sensation up my arm as the life force jumped and began to flow along my arm. A tingling sensation familiar to that of Rastlin's life crystal filled me as the deer strained and trembled.

It made my hunger flare as I felt the beat of its heart and the rich scent in the air. Cool air touched the inside of my muzzle as I leaned closer and felt the saliva drip.

One hand forced the deer's head down while the other clamped down on its side. It was like a tantalizing drug urging me on as I moved my maw over its neck and felt the looming heat and blood rushing through the veins.

"Avery?" Talwin voice was like a distant whisper as I bit down hard.

The deer jumped as my new canines pushed down and pierced the thick hide. Blood seeped from the wound and felt like an electric arc as my senses were hit by the thick and distinct taste of iron.

I pulled and bit as I worked my teeth and loosened the flesh, it was warm and slippery while tingling with the presence of aetheric energy. Trails of red seeped and dripped to the ground as the deer grew still.

Flesh ripped and I worked it to the back of my throat, it was easy to swallow and the growing taste urged me on as I ate in earnest.

Without warning the sensation began to fade and within moments I found myself in the waking world once more. Only now I was leaned over a cooling deer with the taste of blood and raw meat filling my mouth.

It wasn't revolting by any means but it lacked the enticing lure that had ensnared me. I swallowed with a large gulp and leaned back as I noticed that the eyes of the deer had glazed over and lost all signs of life.

Like a click I realized that I had forgotten all about Talwin. It made me look back as I caught sight of him once more, his tail was nowhere to be seen and his ears were clamped to his head as he held his hands with a worried if stunned expression.

I wiped my muzzle using my hand and felt a wet sensation seep through the short fur, "Sorry."

Talwin's muzzle opened as if he was about to speak, he hesitated and was left staring at me.

It made me cringe as I felt my own ears fold back against my head, "You... Sorry Talwin."

"... How does is taste?" Talwin asked without warning.

The question made my ears perk as I glanced up in surprise, "What?"

"... How does it taste?" Talwin asked with a curious expression as he leaned a little closer.

I licked my lips and felt a renewed taste of the thick blood, "It tastes... good. Fresh and warm."

It may have been subconscious but Talwin seemed to lick his lips for a moment, "I see."

I looked back at the deer and motioned to it with one hand, "Do you... want to taste?"

Talwin gulped, "I'm not supposed to."

The statement made me grin in amusement, "You're not supposed to?"

Talwin shook his head, "Civilized beings don't eat raw meat, only beasts do that."

I cocked my head and glanced at him, "Have you ever eaten it?"

Talwin drew a deep breath and shifted his paws, "Of course I have... I grew up in a coyote clan."

I rose and felt my tail shift as it started to wag with a mischievous sensation in my heart. Talwin watched me in silence as I walked up to him and held out my bloodied hand. For a moment there was silence, then his nose started to huff and sniff as the scent of the blood intensified.

"Taste?" I asked as I inched closer and watched a droplet hang by a black claw.

"I..." Talwin whispered.

"Martha and George wouldn't approve? I won't tell anyone, I promise," I said.

Talwin hesitated and I moved my finger closer, it touched by his fuzzy lip and his tongue shot out as it lapped up the blood. I could see him taste and ponder it as his eyes brightened while his ears perked to life.

"Want to eat?" I asked.

A shy smile spread on his muzzle as he nodded, "Yes."

788 I.C, January 30, Birchtooth Forest, Morning

I knelt next to the stream and leaned forward as I looked down. The water was clear and the reflection glinted with light.

The human known as Avery was no more and in its place was a wulfkin with perked ears and a big muzzle covered in black fur. I blinked and cocked my head with a gentle smile as I watched the reflection of sharp fangs.

It made me grin as I reached into the water with cupped hands and brought it up. I eased my muzzle closer and felt a surprising sting as the cool water touched the edge of my nose.

Instinct rose to the surface as I extended my tongue and pulled it up like a scoop carrying a load of the refreshing water. I shut my muzzle and swallowed with a gulp, it was a strange sensation but it worked as I began to lap and quenched my thirst.

Water dripped from my muzzle as I settled and glanced back toward Talwin, he was laying on the blanket and held his bag while watching me with a curious expression.

"What?" I asked.

Talwin yawned and blinked as he shook his head, "Nothing."

"How did you like your meal?" I asked with a wolfish smile.

Talwin made an embarrassed chuckled, "I liked it, but..."

"What?" I asked.

"I don't think we should do it again, it's rather monstrous after all."

Talwin had a point and I made a reluctant nod, "Yeah."

"Thanks," Talwin answered.

I raised a clawed hand and pointed at his bag, "So what do you keep in there?"

Talwin glanced down at his bag, "Memories."

I got on all four and inched closer, "Show me?"

Talwin glanced up as if pondering whether I could be trusted, "It's silly."

I moved up next to the blanket and settled in front of him, "I wouldn't consider it silly given the way you're guarding it."

"I guess," Talwin answered as he opened the bag and reached in, moments later he pulled out something long and white with several holes lining it.

"What's that?" I asked in wonder.

"A bone flute, it's a musical instrument made out of skeletal remains, coyote remains."

I leaned closer and saw that the bone was hollow and covered in carved squiggles, "That's rather morbid, isn't it?"

Talwin made a slight chuckle and nodded, "Yeah, it is. But in coyote culture it is an honor to be of use even in death, in particular to create such beauty as music."

"Strange, but I guess I can see the warped beauty in that."

Talwin placed one end of the flute by his muzzle and then held his fingers near the drilled holes.

A gentle tone was heard as Talwin blew, the tone turned into a shifting melody as his fingers began to dance over the holes. It was a simple but relaxing tune that lasted for about a minute until Talwin stumbled on the notes and lost his concentration.

"I never could get that part right," Talwin whispered as he removed the flute.

"Who taught you?" I asked.

Talwin shrugged, "Mother, but that was with a regular flute. I doubt she'd approve of me playing a coyote bone flute."

"The melody as well?"

Talwin shook his head, "No, that's something I remember from the clan."

"I see... Strange, I had figured you would be more averse to anything coyote."

Talwin set the flute on the blanket, "I know, It's just..."

"What?" I asked.

"It's like a guilty pleasure I guess. I hate it yet I can't let it go," Talwin said as he looked up.

"I guess I can relate to that, I don't approve of wulfkin society but that doesn't mean I have to hate everything about it."

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

"Got anything else?" I asked.

Talwin dug into his bag and pulled out what looked like a small book with a decorative cover of leather, it seemed old and faded as Talwin eased it open with a gentle touch.

"A book?" I asked as I leaned closer.

"Yeah, it doesn't make much sense though," Talwin said as he tilted the book and allowed me a glimpse.

What I saw caught me by surprise as there were arcane runes spread along the pages, even stranger was the fact that I recognized them as the necromantic arts.

"You can't read it I take it?" I said.

Talwin held the book so that I couldn't see it as he answered, "Oh, I know how to read it, it's ancient Karashian."

My jaw dropped open, "What?"

Talwin motioned to the book, "The language of the coyote tribes, but it's not meant to be read aloud. Rather it's like a series of symbols representing concepts and actions."

Confusion set in as I settled back, "So what's this about?"

"It's a story I guess, or a recollection of events. At least, the parts of it that I understand."

"Tell me about it?" I asked.

"I can try, but as I said, it's like a serious of concepts so I'm going to paraphrase a lot."

"Do your best Talwin," I said.

Talwin cleared his throat and started to read, "Eternity gazed upon the world and saw chaos, suffering, cruelty, death and despair. Why?"

Talwin flipped a small page and continued, "Eternity traveled the world in search of the means to break the cycle. In the west he found knowledge of perseverance. In the north he found knowledge of survival. In the east he found knowledge of creation. In the south he found knowledge of manipulation."

Another page was flipped, "Knowledge of survival unlocked the art of perseverance. Knowledge of perseverance unlocked the art of creation. Knowledge of creation unlocked the art of manipulation."

Talwin paused for a moment and then flipped another page, "Eternity revealed himself to the tribes of the coyote. All saw his wisdom and a new empire was forged, not in the name of coyote but in the name of Eternity."

Talwin took a deep breath and continued, "Jealousy and ignorance brought forth the banners of war. Armies gathered and by the front was Antalos of Cascantum, a man praised for his skills in war and unmatched leadership."

"Eternity faced the armies by himself, the battle waged for days yet no blood was spilled as none could pierce the wisdom of Eternity. Antalos realized his folly and in turn sought to defeat Eternity in a battle of words. They spoke for weeks and Eternity shared his wisdom with Antalos, he was reborn and pledged allegiance to Eternity."

Talwin flipped to another page and turned it around so that I could see the contents. Depicted on the page was a sketch of a large ziggurat surrounded with pillars tall enough to reach into what looked like a brewing storm.

By the bottom were a series of runic symbols that spelled out the concepts, 'Aether, Tuning, Aeternus'

I reached out and pointed at the symbols, "Can you read this?"

Talwin nodded, "Some of them, manipulation and Eternity."

"The first one is the symbol for aetheric energy and you're wrong about the second one, it means tuning rather than manipulation."

Talwin blinked in surprise, "You can read ancient Karashian?"

"I'm not familiar with the language you speak of, but these looks like arcane runes to me."

"What? Arcane runes?" Talwin asked in shock.

"Instructions on how to wield magic, but there are many types and contexts, many of which I don't know. One thing that's certain though is that this is going to make your lessons easier, and you might even know things that even I don't."

Talwin glanced away as if deep in thought, "Oh."

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"So what does it all mean?" Talwin asked as he looked back.

I shrugged, "As you say, it sounds like a story written by using arcane runes. Which is rather weird since runes are expected to be more like recipes rather than language. Without any kind of context of additional information it does sound a bit like gibberish, or preaching."

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

I motioned to the book, "Go on, how does it end?"

Talwin looked down at the book and resumed reading, "The temple of Eternity was built upon the center of aether, in the lush and vibrant lands of Karashak."

I blinked in surprise, "Hold on, Karashak? Does it really say that?"

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

"The same Karashak that is home to the burning sands and endless deserts?"

"I know it's strange but that's what it says."

"Hmm, go on," I said.

"The aether was aligned and ascension was close at hand. However..."

"Yes?" I asked.

"An argument arose between Eternity and Antalos, look upon all that we have achieved, the cycle has already been broken. Eternity answered, our achievements will fade and the cycle will be renewed, nothing has been broken, only allayed, do not be deceived. Antalos agreed but in his heart grew darkness once more."

"The temple was completed and the world stood on the precipice of... What does this rune mean?" Talwin asked as he pointed at a sign.

The sign was foreign to me, "I have no idea."

"The world trembled as the shackles of creation began to crack. In a single swipe Antalos the betrayer slay Eternity in cold blood. In a single swipe Antalos the betrayer robbed the world of its future. The..."

"Yes?" I asked.

Talwin pointed at another rune, "What does this mean?"

"Flux," I answered.

"The earth was pierced and flux spilled into the world, the lands died, the rivers dried up, burning sand grew to encompass all that could be seen."

"That's it?" I asked.

Talwin nodded and shut the book, "Yeah, based on what I can read at least."

788 I.C, January 30, Birchtooth Forest, Midday

Fletcher looked around the glade, it seemed peaceful and the large pool set in the rock-formation gave it an almost mystical look. One of the canine beasts was crouched near the edge of it and was staring at a clean if almost polished stone.

"What is it? What do you see?" Fletcher asked as he crouched next to the canine.

The lips on the canine twitched as he bared his teeth, "It's not what I see, it's what I can smell."

Fletcher leaned a little closer and focused his senses, it smelled like the forest and he could hear the sound of water but little else.

"What do you smell?" Fletcher asked.

The canine made a disturbed frown, "Blood, from the north."

Fletcher cocked his head in curiosity, "You've been to the north?"

The fuzzy ears folded back as the canine made a slight nod.

"Everwinter?" Fletcher asked.

The canine glanced over with a troubled glance, "I'd rather not talk about it."

"This is important, are there wulfkins here?" Fletcher demanded.

The canine looked back at the spot on the ground, "I don't know, maybe. It could be one of the children."

Fletcher was about to speak up when the canine stood up without warning and looked toward the forest. A ripple seemed to move through the expedition as every person in sight froze and looked around with a sudden sensation of unease.

It left Fletcher in a rather confused state as he stood up in wonder of what the others had noticed.

Moments later he heard it, a whisper on the wind that shifted like distorted screams of pain. The birds had become silent and the rushing sound of water seemed to fade as he felt goosebumps tingle across his body.

The mages started to gather while the canine drew his sword and made a low growl. Fletcher looked around and caught sight of Cyrus, the cloaked mage looked stunned and stared into the depths of the forest.

Fletcher marched over and made a quick on his equipment, the utility belt was intact, the mini-crossbow on his arm was ready to be loaded, the crystals within the armor hummed with energy.

"Cyrus?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus' short muzzle hung open as he whispered, "It's a trap, they led us here."

"What!?" Fletcher snapped.

Cyrus whiskers bristled as the feline frowned in anger, "You! Are you in on this? Is this what the crown planned?"

Not only had the expedition lost its hierarchy but now whatever paranoia that had gripped the mage threatened to kill them all.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Cyrus," Fletcher said as he raised his hands.

Cyrus hissed with anger, "Bullshit! The crown has been placing pressure on the underground, trying to rein us in, it'd be a lot easier to take control if you cut out the influential agents."

"And we'd do something like that using wulfkins? Are you insane?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus stared as if pondering the question, moments later one of the canines barked out, "Sir!"

Fletcher looked toward the canine and saw something emerge from the shadow of a large tree. It was a gigantic wolf lumbering at least twice as tall as a human with a frame that would rival the biggest of bears.

The bipedal wolf had a piercing set of yellow eyes and was covered in a thick mat of gray fur. It had a cold expression and wore dark leather armor fixed with plates of metal.

A huge claymore made out of a black and dull metal rested at its side, a single click was heard as the wulfkin grasped the weapon with a paw-like hand. The wulfkin swung the weapon in a smooth but decisive arc that made a rushing noise through the air.

More wulfkins emerged from the trees in a circle around the expedition and made the mages stumble back.

Fletcher inched closer to Cyrus and whispered, "We need to work together if we're going to survive this, I am not your enemy Cyrus."

"Any suggestions?" Cyrus asked.

"Give me command and focus on controlling your mages."

"As you wish, glorious leader," Cyrus whispered with a reluctant disgust in his voice.

Fletcher raised his voice as he addressed the others, "Circle formation, ranged weapons at the ready, use your magic to control your surroundings. Remember, they're immune to aetheric influences."

The expedition began to gather around the rocky pool as the air began to crackle with the presence of magic, boulders lifted into the air and branches were turned into sharpened spears.

Fletcher found his attention drawn to the behemoth, it was the biggest of the wulfkins and no doubt their leader. To his horror the big wulfkin grew a bemused grin that made yellow fangs glint in the light.

"Have you ever fought wulfkins before?" Fletcher asked.

"No, you?" Cyrus asked.

Fletcher shook his head, "That grin is worrying me, we should be careful."

Cyrus looked around, "There's a dozen of them and we outnumber them two to one, we'll be fine as long as they don't get close to us."

The area around the rocky pool came to life as barriers of earth and jagged rock formed. Wisps of magic flickered into existence while the wulfkins watched in silence.

Fletcher drew his sword as the large behemoth marched forward and headed toward the canine from earlier. The air bristled with magic as several hovering spears and boulders moved and took aim at the behemoth.

The canine raised a large crossbow and took aim but the behemoth didn't waver. A heavy thwack was heard as the crossbow fired. A rippling shimmer was seen as the bolt slammed into some kind of aetheric bubble that enveloped the large wulfkin, the bolt was disintegrated as the wulfkin rushed forward with the claymore at the ready.

The spears and boulders flung forward but encountered the same interference as the air rippled and crushed the projectiles while nudging the boulders to miss their target.

A loud rumble was heard as the boulders slammed into the earth while the behemoth leaped forward and swung the claymore. Shock and fear filled the canine's expression as he stumbled back and raised the crossbow to block.

The sheer difference in size and power became painfully apparent as the claymore crushed the crossbow, slammed into the collarbone, and almost cleaved the canine in two with a heavy but wet crunch.

Blood flowed and the upper body began to split as sunlight touched the inside of the canine. The behemoth raised one paw and gave the canine a solid punt while ripping the claymore from its new home.

The canine fell to the rocky ground with a wet thud as the behemoth looked up with a malevolent grin and locked eyes with Fletcher as if asking, 'Who's next?'

Just a few seconds had passed yet everything had collapsed once more, the age old tactics would not work and the confidence of the group was now in tatters.

The wulfkins moved en masse as the expedition was herded toward the rocky pool. Fletcher glanced back at Cyrus but found little relief as the mage stared toward the forest with an empty if defeated look.

One of the mages lifted his hand and summoned forth what looked like mist that glinted with a blue glow. Moments later it burst from his hand like frozen fire and surged toward one of the wulfkins, the magic crackled and distorted as it turned into little more than a glittering but useless haze.

Fletcher may not have been a mage but he could understand the stunned expression carried by the mages. Magic immunity combined with stable aetheric shields should have been impossible, the two should have canceled out by their very nature.

"Any ideas?" Fletcher asked.

"... No," Cyrus answered with a hushed whimper.

"Can you transport us?" Fletcher asked.

"The aether is too disturbed, it would be suicide," Cyrus answered.

"How is this possible?"

Cyrus shook his head in desperation, "It isn't, they've got support. Skilled mages wielding some kind of magic not hindered by the flux."

"So we take them out, where are they?" Fletcher asked.

"I don't know, it's all over the place, the aether is strange... like a cloud hanging over us."

Fletcher could not sense the magic that Cyrus spoke of yet he entertained the idea that someone could have been hiding in the trees as he squinted and looked up. The treetops seemed undisturbed and he was about to give up when something caught his eye, a darkened spot hiding in the glaring light of the sun.

He held up his hand and focused as he caught sight of something hiding in the stark light, a blackened obelisk hovering above the glade.

Fletcher looked toward Cyrus and whispered, "Don't look up, but there's something above us, a black obelisk."

"What?" Cyrus said.

"It's hiding in plain sight, straight over us."

The wulfkins were climbing the barricades and the other mages were nearing the edge of the pool. Within moments there would be a slaughter at hand.

"Any ideas?" Fletcher asked.

"... I've read about these machines built by the necromancers. Do you have that bullet from earlier?"

"Yes, why?" Fletcher asked.

"I think it's about time you tell us about it, before we're all dead."

"... It's a secret weapon. I have no idea how it's made but it's the perfect mage killer, it pierces any shield."

Cyrus made a slight nod, "We're taking out that thing above, hopefully that will make these monsters vulnerable to the old tactics."

"How? Your magic can't even touch the bullet?"

The other mages began to perk up and glance between each other as if a secret plan had been made.

"Watch and be amazed," Cyrus whispered.

The air grew heavy and started to quiver as if it boiled, Fletcher could taste a tinge of metal in the air as the ground began to rumble. An aetheric bubble formed around the pool as the mages raised their hands.

The wulfkins seemed to hesitate for a moment and the behemoth cocked his head in confusion.

A crackle of rock was heard and Fletcher glanced back to see the pool change as the rock grew and altered as it reached into the sky.

"The bullet," Cyrus hissed.

Fletcher reached into his armor and fetched the blue crystal bullet, Cyrus was quick to snatch it out of his hands. The wulfkins did not hesitate any longer and rushed forward.

Arcs of light danced across the heavy shield as the wulfkins slammed into it, the mages looked pained and stumbled back as they looked on with fear.

Fletcher focused on the pool as Cyrus climbed the forming tower and placed the bullet inside what looked like a hole. Moments later he jumped off and glanced back as the base of the tower that now covered the pool began to glow red.

A guttural scream cut through the air as part of the shield shattered and a wulfkin broke through, the mage was dead within the blink of an eye, gutted and pierced by a wulfkin that carried a ferocious snarl.

Fletcher was about to move as he heard Cyrus voice, "I wouldn't do that."

More screams began to fill the air as a clatter of swords broke out. It was a slaughter and Fletcher couldn't help but feel the weight grow on his shoulder.

"Look," Cyrus said as he glanced up.

Fletcher looked up and saw the construction, the tower was now formed like a large gun aiming straight at the obelisk in the air. The tower glowed and the hiss of steam leaked through every crevice.

BOOM!

Something inside the tower broke apart and a piercing jet of steam rushed up like a ray of light.

CRACK!

Something slammed into the obelisk and black glitter of dark pieces shattered from it, it glinted in the light like a thousand pieces of glass.

A sudden and mind-shattering shriek filled the air and expanded outward from the obelisk like a shockwave. The wulfkins screamed out in pain and the mages soon followed as the ripple slammed into the ground.

It felt like being engulfed in flames as the world seemed to shatter into a thousand pieces. The shriek numbed his senses and his nerves frayed as he felt his legs weaken.

Perception faltered as Fletcher felt himself hit the ground, the world darkened and seemed to flicker out of existence as he saw the obelisk slam into the ground with a loud thump that sent dirt flying.

788 I.C, January 30, Birchtooth Forest, Evening

I looked ahead and saw Talwin moving along the woodwork. He looked peaceful despite the circumstances and seemed to enjoy his time as he wandered along the trees with his tail wagging. It was encouraging if a bit worrying.

I pushed the thought aside and focused on something that I had been ignoring for far too long, the mystery of the star and the presence of the wulfkins.

It was obvious by now that the star carried a tremendous amount of power, despite that its presence in the aether seemed like little more than a toy. Some rather wild queries involving Rastlin's Tome had yielded something that I hoped would help. It was the spell and accompanying device of something the tome described as the Sight of Aeterius.

The device so far consisted of little more than an obsidian plate with several crystals and the accompanying runes to make it work. All that remained was the spell and a silent hope that it wouldn't blow up or do something even worse.

"Talwin?" I called out.

Talwin's tail twitched as he glanced back, "Yeah?"

"Want to stay here for the night?"

Talwin looked around and pointed at a nearby dry patch underneath a large tree, "Sure."

I walked over to the tree and sat down as Talwin joined me and leaned in with a curious expression, "So what's that you've been working on all day?"

"A machine meant to help view the aether."

"What do you mean?"

"It's difficult to sense energy states of a really high level, most of the time you can just ignore it as such states can't interact with physical reality."

Talwin cocked his head, "So?"

"I'm going to check if there's something we're missing, just to be on the safe side."

Talwin frowned a little, "Like what? They're tracking us somehow?"

I felt my ears fold back as I realized that I was still keeping things from him, "Yes."

"Uh huh, so... Will I be able to see it?"

I shrugged, "I don't know to be honest, it's difficult to predict things like this but the layout of this device is similar to a field generator. It's possible that the effect will be visible to our eyes."

"I see," Talwin whispered with a careful nod.

I set the aetheric device on the ground and focused. The air filled with energy and the threads began to feed energy and made the runes lit to life while the crystals began to glow. It took some prodding to push it all into sync but a few minutes later it clicked like the key to a lock.

The aether that surrounded us began to hum and grew structured as the field grew to envelop us.

Talwin's body grew a radiant orange glow while the air seemed to shiver like hot air, it suited his fur and highlighted his features as he looked at himself in amazement.

Something rather odd stuck out as I noticed an orange haze as well as a black trail on the ground leading away from us. It felt like a slap in the face as I realized that we had been leaving a trail of aetheric energy in our wake. Even worse was that Talwin's trail seemed to fade with haste while that black essence remained strong as far as the eye could see.

Talwin looked up and his tail grew slack as it dropped to the ground while he stared at me as if shocked by something. It made me look down at myself as I realized why, a black aura clung to me like a thick soup of tendrils. It dripped tar and the dark tendrils slithered along the ground.

Most striking of all was the red essence by my chest, it radiated with a dim glow and there was a mass of tendrils choking it. I lifted the star from my chest and watched as the tendrils followed. The tendrils weakened the further I held it from me while the glow grew stronger.

"Avery?" Talwin whispered.

Realization dawned on me as I clenched my hands and felt claws push against my pads. The star had never shielded from the master, I was the one shielding the star from the master.

My chest began to ache as it became obvious that Rastlin had never cared for me as anything other than a tool for his revenge, to make matters worse he had altered me somehow.

Talwin's stare annoyed me as I cut the connection and watched the aetheric vision fade away like fog.

"Are you all right?" Talwin asked.

When did he do it? When I defeated Titan? Before then? Did he alter me as a small child? Turned into a parasite that sucked the very life out of mother... Did the others know? What am I?

A hand touched my shoulder and my thoughts popped as I found myself in a darkening forest clutching my own chest. Talwin was kneeling next to me with a cautious expression.

Rather than being angry or disappointed I just felt empty as I looked up and met Talwin's eyes, "I'm all right Talwin, just realized something."

"What?" Talwin asked.

"Something about my past, that's all."

"And... that black ooze?" Talwin asked.

I cringed at hearing the word he said it, as if he was disgusted or scared, "My magic is different from yours."

"I see," Talwin whispered.

"Scared?" I asked.

Talwin made a slight if forced smile, "A little, maybe."

"Oh..."

"Do you still think they're coming after us?" Talwin asked.

I blinked in surprise, "Who?"

"The wulfkins of course," Talwin answered as he cocked his head.

"Oh... No, I don't think so. Not after what I've learned here."

To my surprise Talwin settled next to me and huddled close, "That's good."

His arm wrapped around me and I did the same as I held him tight. It was strange yet the touch was as soothing as the sweetest life crystal.

"Thank you," I whispered.

788 I.C, January 30, Birchtooth Forest, Night

Awareness crept into Fletcher's being with a pain that made him groan as he stirred and felt the abrasive surface of hardened rock.

He struggled to open his eyes and saw a world that was dark and blurred, it made little sense as pushed himself up and held his head in confusion. The memories came rushing back and it made him freeze in place as he listened to the world around him.

Spark!** Pop! **** PZZT!**

Something crackled and the noise made him look to the right as he caught sight of an eery blue glow emanating from the spot where the obelisk had crashed. Jagged black pieces were spread around the area and the now cracked obelisk whirred and clicked with activity.

Fletcher senses still spun as he sat up and looked around, the wulfkins weren't moving but seemed peaceful compared to the mages that looked like contorted mannequins. Their expressions had frozen solid in a frightening display of horror, bulging eyes, and blood that had seeped from both ears and noses.

The sight of it made Fletcher touch his own nose, to his surprise he felt something wet and sticky. A quick glance confirmed the dark presence of blood.

His eyes on a cloaked figure next to him. It was the feline mage Cyrus and he was still clutching his precious crystal. He was about to brush him off as dead as Cyrus made a sudden but slight twitch.

"Cyrus?" Fletcher whispered as he crouched next to the feline and reached out.

The feline was still warm to the touch and his breath was steady.

Fletcher shook Cyrus shoulder and whispered, "Cyrus, wake up?"

The feline mage did not stir as Fletcher looked up and felt worry that someone else may have survived as well. Fletcher pocketed Cyrus treasured gem and then eased him up as he rose on two legs. Cyrus slumped in his arms as Fletcher began to hobble away as best he could.

Click!** Click! **** WHIRR!**

A tingle of unease crawled up his spine and made him look back toward the obelisk. The glow of the machine intensified as it rumbled and began to lift from the compacted earth.

Something inside the cracked shell moved and seemed to glare with an essence of pure hatred as the air began to quiver with the presence of aetheric tendrils.

BANG!

A sudden bang made the obelisk shudder as something within its interior exploded with a crackle of sparks and debris. The ghastly tendrils dissolved in an instant as the obelisk turned and crashed into a nearby tree.

Survival instinct jumped into action as Fletcher turned to the woods and took off with Cyrus by his side. A frantic run took place as he stumbled across the now deceased crew and horses belonging to the expedition.

Several minutes passed before he felt the touch of sharp claws on his arm followed by a weak voice.

"What happened?" Cyrus groaned as he held onto Fletcher.

Fletcher gasped for breath as he stopped for a moment and looked back, "Everyone is dead, the obelisk is damaged but still functional. You need to get us out of here!"

"What?" Cyrus whispered in confusion as he held his head.

"We're about to be slaughtered by that thing, you need to transport us out of here Cyrus," Fletcher seethed with desperation as he focused on the still rattled mage.

"I..."

Fletcher shook the smaller feline and glared into his slitted eyes, "Focus!"

Cyrus seemed to snap out of his daze as he looked back and gulped, "My crystal, the supplies."

Fletcher reached into his pocket and fetched the large crystal, "I have the crystal, none of the supplies. Can you do it?"

Cyrus stood on shaky legs and took the crystal with a strange kind of reverie as if he had been reunited with something precious, "Yes, I think so. The aether is a lot calmer here."

"What do you need?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus shook his head and cleared his throat, "I need... Time."

Fletcher eased him down to the ground, "Start working and I'll keep watch. Okay?"

Cyrus nodded and seemed to focus on his crystal as Fletcher rose and looked around. His heart still thumped but the forest seemed to have calmed once more and the eerie glow of the obelisk could no longer be seen.

Step by step his heart began to slow as he listened to the wind that rustled the leaves and made the branches creak. It seemed almost peaceful as a gentle mist flowed along the forest.

Fletcher's heart jumped once more as the sudden sound of a wet and pained gurgle reached his ears. It was a choking cough mixed with the whimper of some beast and it made his blood run cold once more.

"Help," A strained and wheezing whisper called out from among the trees.

"Fletcher?" Cyrus asked.

Fletcher gulped, "Focus on your task, I'll deal with this."

"Please?" The voice called out once more.

Fletcher reached to his side and expected to find his sword, instead he found little more than an empty scabbard.

The sword... I lost at the pool...

"H- Help?" The voice croaked as the sound of stumbling steps came closer.

Fletcher looked around and kept silent as he reached for his utility belt and loosened a bolt. He clicked the bolt onto the mini-crossbow and armed it.

"S- Sir?" The voice wheezed and stammered.

Something moved in the shadows and Fletcher caught sight of something stumbling into sight. It was bigger than a human but nowhere near the size of a wulfkin.

A purple glow formed near Cyrus and helped illuminate the stumbling creature. It was one of the canines from earlier and he held his gut with both hands.

"Help?" The canine pleaded with an ashen look as blood dripped from a huge wound that had split the gut open.

A sudden rush of air could be heard, it was close and it triggered instincts that had been drilled deep into Fletcher's psyche. He crouched in an instant and heard a loud crash as something heavy slammed into wood and sent splinters flying.

SNARL!

Fletcher bolted to the side and caught sight of something huge that had sneaked up beside him. It was the lumbering behemoth from earlier and his eyes glowed with a feral anger as he pulled at the claymore and ripped it from the tree with a grunt.

The still struggling canine fell to his knees and toppled over with a tired sigh while the behemoth rushed forward with the claymore in tow. Fletcher leaped back, jumped to the side and kept moving as he raised his arm and pulled at the trigger.

A thwack was heard as the bolt loosened and hit the behemoth's chest. The beast didn't seem to care other than to make a pained grunt as he swung the claymore once more. Fletcher was already reaching for another bolt as he felt the rush of air brush by his chest.

GRAH!

The behemoth lunged forward as Fletcher took cover by a tree while clicking another bolt into place. He was about to leap from cover when something caught in his armor and forced him to a sudden stop.

With a rush he felt himself pulled back as a massive hand squeezed his side. It felt as if his ribcage was about to be crushed as he looked back and caught sight of a sickening grin plastered on the wulfkin's face.

Fletcher raised his arm to take aim as he felt himself being moved like a helpless rag-doll. A split second later he found himself slammed into the tree.

CRASH!

A world of pain slammed into his face as he felt harsh bark and a sudden pain in his nose, a moment later he found himself falling as he fell to the ground with stars glittering in his vision.

The world seemed waver as he saw a bright glow emanate from the side. Cyrus was now standing up and was surrounded by a maelstrom of aetheric energy and colorful wisps.

You fucking bastard...

The behemoth raised his claymore with a pleased growl and was about to strike as Fletcher made one last attempt at survival. He raised his arm and took aim at the beast's head.

THWACK!

A rush of air was heard as the claymore was swung while the crossbow fired. The behemoth twitched in surprise as it brushed by his eye while the claymore struck the ground with a resounding thud.

Fletcher expected himself to be cleaved in half yet found his heart beating as he looked to his side and saw the dark glint of the claymore embedded in the dirt next to him.

In an instant he rolled to his side and burst into a sprint as he set his sight on Cyrus. A fierce growl of anger was followed by heavy steps as the behemoth pursued.

The light surrounding Cyrus grew ever stronger and his presence seemed to waver and fade with the imminent transportation. Cyrus opened his eyes and seemed to notice at the last second, it was a piercing look of fright and anger that seemed to scream, 'Stay away!'

Fletcher ignored it and yelled out, " NOW!"

The two slammed into each other and a heavy thoom was heard as the fabric of reality was ripped in two and left behind little more than a puff of smoke and an enraged wulfkin.