Chapter 1
“Please I have no idea where she is, nor what the stone is needed for !” The screams sound underwater, a light echo rings inside the box.
“Did you really think you could out run me old man?” His question so cold yet it’s the middle of June.
What did this guy do? Or what does he have? Whatever it is can we get on with it already?I’m just ready to finish this mission, the box gets smaller every day and every year.
" Please have mercy! I’ll tell you, please spare me Boy, I have a daughter and grandchildren waiting for my return.”
The walls of the box rumbled stamping into the ground.
“Please boy, I hadn’t no choice-” , muffled screams of agony unable to finish his sentence.
“Boy? Do you think a mere boy has my abilities?!” Eirik questions in disgust,“I could care less about your generational garbage. Where is that Vile Witch?” Sounds of metal slowly scrapes the outside corners of my box.
Shaky words spill from his mouth, “Please commander, believe me I am nothing but a slave to Mira, I’m no warrior.”
“Actions speak louder than words , I’m sure you’re familiar with that saying, Old man.”
sniffles and gravel noises echo through the box corners.
“Go on, out with it Old man. I’ve got witches to hunt and stones to collect .” Eirik’s voice gets more course then before.
“AHHHH!” The old man shrieks in pain, the scent of Burning flesh appears. “Enough!! The burns are far too much!” He cries out to Eirik.
“Time is ticking , where is Mira!? ”
“Please...spare me..” the old man says in two breaths,“She’s on her way to The City of Stones, she’s searching for another .”
“Another what?”
“I told you already! I’m just a slave , I don’t know!”
" Oh so you don’t know?” I could tell Eirik has a smirk on his face, one that would make you second guess.
“Please I’m no value to her-”
“Then why have me chase you through these woods?”
CLANK CLANK
“Did you hear that? He said he’s no value to her even after all that chasing.” Eirik chuckles after hitting his sword against my box to wake me, I’ve told him to stop doing that already.
“W-whats in the b-box?” A moment of silence fills in the response as the wind and sounds of crackling fire fill the space.
“Oh so you can see my beautiful case?” Eirik questioned, how can he see the box? No one other than Eirik can see my box.
“Please, I just wanted to take care of my family! I-I ”
“Stop. All you witches and warlocks are the same. Disgusting liars, liars of God, liars to yourself.”
His footsteps faint away , the sound of rocks crunching take over the lack of exchanged words.
“Pitiful old man, I won’t kill you...after all you gave me the intel I needed. But the chasing.. not a big fan. Luckily for you I am a man of my words, I’ll show you what’s in the box.“, Eirik laughs a bit to himself at the thought of what’s to come next.
A whistle is echoed through the box-My breaths came in short gasps as my heart pounded out my chest. Slamming my hands against the door as my drool begins to pool at my feet.
BA BUM BA BUM.
“RELEASE!”
The door holding me hostage drops to the ground, my legs crack like twigs finally being able to stretch out.
“EAT, Girl.” Eirik commands me, my eyes can’t even focus on the target, but I don’t need my eyes to see.
Sucking in the air I lock in the target’s scent, my stomach caves in to the smell of his blood, a full-throating howl releases from me and echos through the forest. Blinking the blur out of my eyes, the moonlight illuminates the area as Eirik’s blade was dripping blood until he ignited the sword in blue flames burning off the blood.
That smell.. that uncontrollable..smell.
My vision clears focusing on the old man his skin was like tar, if I seen him before he’d be unrecognizable. He cries out,“He’s no regular wolf... that’s a Demon!” his palms cloud over his face shaking as if we’re in snow.
I dig my hands into the rigid dirt arching my spine and extending my legs. Vibrations of battle rattles beneath my fingertips and feet, drool drips below me as I snarl towards the old man.
He wasn’t wrong, these aren’t the actions of a saint, wolves can eat someone but it’s quite distasteful and unethical. I’m the only exception, I’m what they call different and unusual my father would say.
A freak of nature is what the wolf clan would say.
“First of all, it’s she’s.” Eirik sways his stained sword as if he’s drawing a message on the old man’s face. He smiles exposing his sharp teeth but it’s not a contagious smile.
“This isn’t the end, but yet a new beginning.” The old man whispers over and over with his hands pressed together.
Eirik guffaws, “If it’s a spell it won’t work on me, I already absorbed your magic. It’s pretty frail by the way.” as the old man’s eyes widen the same time Eirik’s laugh grew.
My claws dig deeper into the dirt, ... a deep growl almost as loud as a midnight howl rumbles from my stomach.
Eirik raises his hand ever so gently to...
SNAP.
Passing Eirik’s face, I sink my bottom teeth into the old man’s jaw, tearing into the bridge of his nose. His screams masked the taste of his vivacious blood. More- I need more.
Eirik chuckles as he wipes the old man’s blood off his face, but it’s so thick it just smears. Eirik’s feet disappear as he has no care to watch me eat. He knows I’ll clean up well and that I lost control.
Devouring the old man whole and filling the hollow pit called a stomach, splitting meat from bones, limps from limps till satisfied. I wipe my mouth after finishing my meal as the rush and cravings wash away.
I fall back to the grass as I transition back to normal, letting out a sigh of relief to that it’s over. The night sky stares back at me with judging eyes.
How could I be a demon? Yet I can feel such remorse over a stranger.. a target? Why does right feel so wrong?
Suddenly Eirik squats next to me with a damp cloth in hand, “Why couldn’t I get a weapon who doesn’t cry after every meal.” He says while wiping my hands and mouth from the blood.
I hold back my tears, but they fall anyways, “I’m sorry.”
He wipes my tears using the fabric of his black gloves . I never understood how Eirik could be so strong, then again his will to becoming Warlord after Father is even stronger. He stares into my eyes which such disappointment, so much he wants to say yet he says nothing.
His eyes glimmering yellow as he’s focusing on cleaning my face. “It’s been 6 years since you’ve been officially assigned to be my weapon and somehow you still shed a tear for those who threatening our livelihood”, He pauses shaking his head “I will never truly understand you Sul.” He stood up to walk towards the fire pit he created, igniting the flames more using whatever was left over from the corpse.
“How can you not feel?” I questioned , I look towards his body that’s silhouetted by the fire he made.
He stares into the fire before answering, “There’s are no feelings in battle, no empathy for the enemies. This is war whether you like it or not.”
He comes back over to me placing a wool blanket he packed. “You’ll understand when your comrades are dying because of you’re incapable of controlling your emotions.”
His demeanor always softens when we’re alone, I wished it stayed like that forever.. But he can’t seem to keep it that way.
A night without sleeping in that cramped old box I’ll take any day, turning towards the fire to sleep, his footsteps faint away as he sits against a tree writing into his scrolls. He tucks away his fly away curls from his face as he watches over the area.
CLANK -CLANK.
A loud thump against the smooth metal causes my eyes to pop open.
I hate this fucking box!
I rub my eyes removing the built up crust from a long night.
CLANK -CLANK.
“Can we at least keep this ride the smooth!” I scream hitting the box back.
My ears would turn themselves inside-out if they could. “Stop!” Over and over he strikes the box, my fingers bury into my ears.
Something was off, I couldn’t sense his energy nor his aura. My chest caves in from the silence, my heart is pounding my ear drums.
Metal scrapes down the side of the box, the chains are being wrapped around the walls of my box, suddenly my back slaps against the wall of the box as if there’s a weight pulling my shoulders back. I’m going to be sick, felt as if the box is swinging.
My feet lift off the floor as my hair defies gravity, I run my fingers across the roof to brace for impact.
A loud dunking sound breaks the silence, why does it feel like I’m still falling? Am I- sinking?
“Eirik! Eirik! Please!” My eyes water, the thought of being stuck sinking into the bottom of the ocean alone. I pound my hands on the door, but I know the spell has to be unlocked by Eirik’s will.
How much pressure could his box could take, will the box burst open?
Can I even make it to the back to the surface in time?
The door burst open and the cold dark water invites itself in, rushing every air pocket.
Is this actually Eirik’s doing?
My chains twist and yanks my body towards the surface barely being able to catch a breath, I hold in my last. My legs sway in the pitch darkness and the air bubbles float pass my eyes.
A burning sensation sizzles in my chest, I gasp in the salt water unable to hold my breath any longer. All at once breaking through the disgusting saline water, my body smacks to the ground causing me to bounce.
The chains droop around my waist as I’m on all fours, the salt water makes me nauseous of whatever I had left over from last night. I try gathering myself but the puking causes mirages of last night’s meal.
“Is this supposed to be the weapon?” A deep voice laughed in question, his shadow hovers over me. I’m still coughing up the bitter water as the other voices laugh.
“It’s just some weak wolf?” His boot larger than my torso kicks me away, like a pebble in the wind.
Where the fuck is Eirik?
" Remember the orders, Tytus.” a monotone feminine voice commanded, my eyes focused on the voice that lead me to her eccentric beauty, I’ve never seen a face like hers before.
A dark cool under-toned skin with a slender physique. Beautiful brown orbs stare back at me, she’s simply captivating.
Her hair midnight black decorated with actual gold hanging from her curls. Her body masked by a matte white robe like a beautiful secret.
“It was just a tap .” his voice deep and rich like a tamed beast.
“Thinking like that would get you killed; never misjudge your opponent, Bonehead.” a husky voice peers out the corner of my ear. A toned figure with slicked back waves of mane , his body wrapped in bandages. I could only see the side of his face, and on the same side a white streak marks the side of his hair leaving the rest dark brown. His weapons being two samurai swords like Eirik’s, are wrapped in his hands.
“Who are you calling a bonehead you walking patient -” .
“Tytus, focus.” Her voice so soft yet commanding. I turn to the right to see if he’d listen, truly then I grasped the mass of the man who kicked me. His scarlet red hair wrapped in tribal beads and shaved around the sides , exposing his tribal markings.
His skin like granite stone, his pigment forest green with melted silver material covering his fist.. if you should call them fist, they’re more like giant green boulders. He pounds his them together as if that’s his way of introducing himself.
All I could think was -
“Where the fuck is my brother?” I lift my body up slowly, coughing up left over water, I grab my locks wringing them dry like a wash cloth.
“Listen you useless dog, we’re here for the Ultimate weapon. Hand it over and you could go run free back to your little pack.” her eyes pierce through mines, she doesn’t look away.. it’s intimidating but not to me, I’ve seen worse.
“If you think I’m going anywhere with you freaks-” I growled, my face twitching with anger.
BA BUM BA BUM .
My chest pounds pumping fire through my veins, I could feel my emotions ignite my skin, this is anger..no it’s RAGE.
My claws extend and my sentiments are now existential, covering my whole body in flames. I wet my lips contemplating which part of her I want to save for later. She smirks, her eyes no longer dull, is this what she wanted? She crosses her arms unfazed, Who does she think she is?
“What a waste of anticipation.” Tytus laughed, he’s the most obnoxious one and the only one who got the chance to hit me.. but he’s not who I want. My eyes don’t leave hers and vice versa. I feel like we’ve meet before yet I’ve never be allow out village or in the castle for that matter? Why does it feel like bad blood?
“You really are a Big Dumb Fucking Idiot.” The words spill from my mouth like hot lava, before the giant could respond, I already leaped on his back wrapping chains around his neck.
He drops to his knees unable to scream, his fist wrap around my entire body as he launches me forward detaching my claws from his back. My plan unravels perfectly, our eyes meet again, as my jaw extends, I could get a whiff of her bitter sweet scent.
But she doesn’t move and her expression doesn’t change, it’s no longer my plan but her own orchestrated scheme.
For some reason mid-air I’m stopped and pulled back by an invisible force, my body can’t control. She smiles showing her pearly whites, as our distance somehow becomes millimeters to yards. But before I can inspect, I’m repelled forward a feeling almost like a magnet.
Could she be a witch?
This time the swordsman is in-front of me blocking her, expressionless... but maybe that’s just the bandages, maybe he’s focused, or angry that I almost bit their leader’s head off.
But he stays silent and begins to lifts his swords ready to slice away.
What would Eirik do?...
I never fought without his commands but I have no choice. My claws and his swords clash creating some type of forbidden music, all this training may have gotten me somewhere. But an ambush by myself seems unattainable.
I have to find Eirik there’s no way I can hold off all of them by myself. I break away creating some distance from him , he’s highly skilled but I can’t tell if this is all his power or if he’s holding back.
“Where’s my brother?!” breathlessly I question, smelling my surroundings. But his scent isn’t anywhere close... in-fact I can’t even focus on trying to find his scent, there’s too many attacks and distinctive smells. Just thinking about the possibility of losing this battle just infuriates me more.
“Enough about that incompetent wolf! You’re here now that’s what you need to focus on.” she stands on the boulder she was sitting on previously, giving me a stern look. As if she’s in control, our eyes piercing each other’s again, I could feel hatred for her like she’s been a rival for years, I’ve never had anyone other than my family command orders from me.
“Watch your mouth?” I growled showing my teeth as a threat. Unfazed the corner of her lip raises so does her brow, I hate her confidence just the way she’s able to control her emotions is an insult.
“You stupid dog, you’re not even worthy enough to spit-” her hand raises to the green giant ready to defend her honor.
“You know.. maybe you’re right, maybe I have been letting the boys have all the fun. Let me see you dance, flea bag.” The silk cloak surrounding her body drops to the ground swiftly unraveling her glossy brown skin. She wore an all white body suit with a brown leather vest holding weapons around her waist, her vitial points like her neck, chest, and shoulders were protected with gold.
I stared a bit dazed from her esthetics, this is different, no she’s different. My only familiarity is through the hallways of painted portraits, my royal wolf family.
“I’ll make this quick, no more wasting time on a prisoner.” She declares before leaping over closer to me.
“You’re gonna regret opening Pandora’s box, bitch.” I roar rushing forward full speed, envisioning slicing her throat open with one swift slash but instead she dodges without countering any attacks.
“Too easy, you’re just full of rage and no brain.” she says moving briskly pass my strikes with ease.
“Shut-up!” I leaned in aiming to bite through the gold around her neck, I miss and tumble behind her and before I could get up, she whips out two chains from behind her and they quickly wrap around my body like two snakes. There’s no way...there’s no way she’s won without even fighting me, I struggle with the chains refusing my defeat.
“Keep trying to get out the chains will grip you with mini blades and shred you to pieces, and that would be out of my control.” she states looking down at me, ignoring her because why wouldn’t I. I continue trying to wiggle my way out but the chains grip through my clothes cutting into my skin, ” This isn’t over!” I scream, I take a deep breath then perform one of my loudest howls.
“Is this what the wolf army was hiding away from us?” she asks in a disappointing tone.
“No.”
His voice shattering any sense of victory, it’s Eirik. Of course it’s Eirik, his voice sends alarms through my body like a tidal wave.
“Well if it isn’t mini Ragnarok, finally came back for your wea-”
“Enough chit-chat from an orphan hunter. Release my weapon or I’ll kill you and your crew of misfits, myself.” Her demeanor softens towards Eirik. Eirik sways his swords igniting his blades in blue flames.
Again a smile creeps up on her face as she stares back at him , “I have all that I need.” She’s says, retracting her chains from my body.
I thought she couldn’t do anything about the chains.
“I’ll have more time with you, see you soon Mutt.” Her eyes addressing me as a cloud of smoke surrounds them until they completely vanish.
Eirik puts his swords away, slowly walking over to me, I couldn’t feel anymore embarrassed. They were right, I’m practically useless without commands.
“Let me check your scrapes.” Eirik commands squatting over me, he turns my arms over to observe the cuts as he traces his fingers across feeling the cut patterns.
“These don’t look like they were bought but customly welded. The daggers have different hooks each meaning something..” his eyes hyper focused on my cuts while my skin is steaming away the cuts.
“What happened? Who the hell was that?”
“Shhh.” he shushes me ignoring my question, he pulls out a scroll and starts to trace, down my arm at each cut . I stare at him intensely looking for a scar or mark of some type, but nothing. He looks completely fine, better than ever at that.
" Have you forgotten your place?” His eyes glare at me causing me to look away. “Don’t question me.”
My eyes still avoiding contact he pulls out his sword swiftly cutting the shackles off.
“No need for those.”
He says standing up, my eyes roll to the back of my head, none of this makes sense who was that?
“Where’s your box, Sul?” He questions trying to summon the box. The palms of his hands glow mirroring his summoning symbols but they fail.
“We’ll I almost drowned so you sniff it out.” I reply resting my head between my knees.
“BLOODY FUCKING HELL SUL!! HOW USELESS CAN YOU BE? I WAS GONE FOR A FUCKING MINUTE!” He growls, I was too afraid to look up until-
-THUD
The ground rumbles beneath me I have no choice but to look up at him. He paces back and forth covered in flames .
He cut a row of trees to the ground with his blade burning the surrounding trees, I’m just glad it’s not me this time.
After a few minutes of him rumbling and pacing burning the ground beneath him, he sat on the stump he created as he’s flames shimmered down.
“You’re not usdhld.” Eirik murmured out his mouth.
“Huh?”
“You have fucking wolf ears I know you could hear me, I said you’re not Useless.” He growled, his teeth was still showing as a threat.
“So what now? How d we move forward without being seen”I asked in a low voice. I’ve never been seen by anyone I haven’t killed.
Just as before I’m a target, being the ultimate weapon, I’m not allowed outside the castle unless I’m in the box and we’ll that’s gone.
He tosses his cloak to me revealing his Beta Warrior uniform. Except his was almost identical to our father’s, the Warlord of the Wolf Village. Dark burgundy satin attire, his silver buttons lined against his chest, and his belt harness exposing his swords that are usually hidden. I wore the complete opposite, my attire is nothing more than a black sleeveless top and leather pants. Of course because he’s one of the symbols of our nation, but I’m just a tool of mass destruction. Who cares what the bomb is wearing as long as it’s a bomb?
“Put this on, we’re going into the city. That means no looking, touching, or talking. Keep your hoodie on even when you’re asleep. I should be able to find you another box by dawn” he pauses, “If I even catch you peeking at someone, this will be the last time you ever sleep outside your box or even touch grass you hear me?!”
His yellow eyes pierce mines and I didn’t need anymore intimidation, I know he’d do it. His jaws stayed clenched, it wouldn’t be hard to piss him off right now.
In fear just nod my head.
“And this stays between us, the last thing I need is a set back.” he steps closer annoyed, tightening my hood.
He slides his finger tips along the outline of the cloak before walking away, “This should help with your scent.” He sighs, “we’re traveling through the trees heading west, I have a checkpoint for Team 4 to regroup the clan. Keep your head low and don’t stay close.” He darts off through the trees and I follow his scent .
I haven’t seen this side of the village ever, I try to keep low avoiding any scenery. The last thing I need is another lecture of how incompetent I am to directions.
