~Origins~
"WAKE UP!"
Electricity crackles through my veins, shattering the heavy silence of prolonged slumber. Consciousness pierces the dense veil of my dormancy, and a primal, visceral command surges from deep within. It is demanding my movement and to take action. Every nerve that has been silent, now trembles with an inexplicable, urgent intensity. All these sensations merge, compelling me to rise and respond to an unspoken instinct.
"WAKE UP!"
Anguish seeps through my being, a visceral torment that penetrates my core. Frigid emotions cascade internally, descending into a shadowy abyss where my essence once resided. A spectral image emerges, a fragile white wolf, trembling, coiled tightly against an unseen threat. Soundless cries reverberate through my consciousness, a silent symphony of despair. Tears cascade unbidden, a liquid manifestation of our shared suffering. Our connection transcends physicality, her pain becomes my own, our spirits intertwined. My heart fractures in synchronicity with hers, each jagged fragment reflecting a profound, unspoken anguish.
"WAKE UP NOW!"
I growl ferociously as I open my eyes for the first time to the world. I adjust quickly to the faded light, I sniff the air and already understand everything. The blood, dirt, the stench of the other creatures here. My ears flicker catching sounds close and far, the rising heartbeats yet beat so slow.
I feel every part of my existence fill with energy that is surging through my veins, every nerve alive and vibrant. My gaze travels down my lithe, elongated frame, noting the sleek contours of my body. My fur is an obsidian cascade, so dark it seems to absorb the very light around me, blending seamlessly with the surrounding shadows that barely register against my midnight coat.
My senses are razor-sharp, the fog of uncertainty lifting like a veil. I stretch, feeling my muscles ripple with newfound strength, my heartbeat a rhythmic pulse of clarity. Every nerve hums with quiet confidence, my awareness expansive and precise. I glance around the fighting arena briefly to take note of everything before my attention falls to the dead wolves lay bleeding out. The blade my sister was biting onto lays beneath me, it is stained red from tip to handle.
I glare upwards, deep growls rumbling fourth. They fought her to the brink of death. I stomp the ground and step forward, rage growing stronger. The remaining wolves hide behind their masters, whimpering and pissing themselves as I take them in my sights.
The fact I was forced awake tells me everything, I am fighting for my own life now. The sound of movement pulls my attention back to the present, everything else will have to wait. I raise my lips, baring my fangs. Drool and blood drips from my gapping muzzle as I prepare to lunge.
"FIGHT!"
For years my baby sister suffered at the hands of these people. Fighting and beatings, till her white fur was stained red. Unrelentlessly, she stood strong till the very end. I feel my fur stand on end as my blood begins to boil even more. The rage taking me over, a thirst building I can't describe. Twisted creatures torturing her and breaking her spirit.
I glance around the group of men, bloody chains lay motionless in their hands. My blood is on those chains too. The horror and shock at seeing me in place of my sister. She was but a mere small white pup, while I am the opposite. The shift locks them in time before my gaze.
"KILL!"
These werewolves, these creatures, broke my sister till her human died and now her own spirit is breaking. A ripple of hatred takes root in my bones.
"KILL THEM!"
I lunge at the closest man, my jaw crushing his throat effortlessly. The taste of his blood revolting but I don't stop. Ripping it from his body as I push off his chest. Instinct and adrenaline guiding my motions.
"KILL THEM ALL!"
I turn and savagely attack the remaining men swiftly, satisfied as their bodies lay mangled and dismembered. I turn and push through the steel doors of the fighting house.
"RUN!"
I dash towards the trees to the right, I block everything out and put all my focus into my paws. I ignore the urge to hunt, bury the burning flames in my throat. I am carrying my broken sister inside, hoping distance will save her dying soul. Soon I can't even think at all as the feeling of wind in my fur pulls me in.
I am lost in the feeling of running, the cool breeze, the rich new smells. The sounds as my paws drum against the earth, all of it intoxicating. The moon rises and sets twice before I feel my body revolt. My pads are so raw, blood is oozing steadily. My lungs are in hell and my bones are screaming. I don't have a chance to react, I hit the ground hard.
My body collapsing like stone in water, the soft soil cradling me beneath the canopy of green. Sheltering me from the blazing sun high in the sky. It was bound to happen, my being took over my malnourished sister's existence. I'm just fur and bones sadly, it is a miracle I was even able to take us this far.
*Maybe it was the adrenaline of the forced awakening..* I laugh coarsely, still not able to even lift my head.
I sniff the air and there is nothing around that would pose a threat at least. I focus my hearing, listening to the sounds of the deep woods. The peaceful sounds of birds and insects fill the cooling air.
"Can you hear it little wolf? The sounds of the forest?" I breathe in deeply hoping she can smell the forest too.
I try to comfort the little pup but she has retreated so far inside the blackened void, she still doesn't respond. All I can hear is her faint whimpers deep inside. Feeling her tears as they burn my own eyes. I close them tightly and howl darkly. Filling my scream with all our pain, all her pain. I howl continuously to the sky while lying in dirt, my sister's pain flowing from me endlessly. Soon everything goes black, I fade to an empty sleep.
I don't know how much time has passed but the first thing I notice is the chain around my neck. Then the smell of dry blood, it fills the musty air and stings my nose. The scent here nearly identical from where I first woke, not a good sign at all.
I jump to my feet, knowing what I need todo. I snarl lowly while looking around my surroundings first. Being familiar with cages through her memories, I yank hard against the chain. Repeatedly throwing my weight away from the anchor point.
It slowly begins to give and soon it is hanging from my neck, the end of it with stone still attached. I waste no time and lunge at the bars, they break easily as if I were biting a stick.
I bolt through the hole and run the narrow halls, my nose tracking the sent of fresh woods. Finally a metal door comes into view and I ram it as hard as I could. It flings wide open when my shoulder lands solid, the sun momentarily stunning me.
A large white wolf steps into my view, his bright green eyes swirl with gold. He stares at me with such uncertainty. I growl a warning then immediately dart for the woods away from him.
*Running again...* My baby sister was stuck with all the fighting and all I can do is run.
I roll my eyes at my weakness but continue to push forward, I pick up the sounds of paws not far behind me. I must stay alive yet I feel the revolt already within my malnourished body. I can't keep running with them so close and risk collapsing.
I flip in the spot, turning and planting my feet. I watch as the white wolf slows down with others coming up to his sides. Feral snarls tear from my burning lungs, my blood stained fur standing on edge. I watch a flicker of emotions dance in those strange eyes as he looks at me.
"Leave!" I take a warning step forward, trying to buy a moment to rebuild my strength.
I watch the white wolf look around with surprise and then he steps forward, his body shifting to a new form. He steps closer with his hands raised up in front of him.
"I said LEAVE!" I snap towards him and he jumps back this time.
"Easy now young killer. I mean you no harm." He moves forward pointing at the collar around my neck, "I will remove that...If you allow."
It is uncomfortable but I don't trust this man. I bring my front paw up and slip it under the collar, ripping it easily off.
"Let me leave now." I growl stepping backwards.
"You are much too.. young, to be running in the rogue lands." He steps forward, nervousness emanating from him. "Why have you shifted so early?"
I step backwards again, growls resonant loudly from deep within my chest. My thoughts filling with my sister wolf's memories, "Why do you care?"
I snarl warningly, I already know the ways of this world. He doesn't care, none of her memories show anyone ever caring.
"Given the state of you..." His hand points toward my body. "You are skin and bones for starters.. Plus you aren't a rogue...."
"I just need to hunt." I glance around, none of the others are making a move. I have one good sprint in me still.
"If you would give-"
I turn and give it everything I got left, I feel the ground disappear beneath me. I block everything out again and put the last of my energy into my legs.
Soon the sound of the followers fade away with the setting sun. And it's not long after I find myself collapsing again under the moon light. This time though, a stream gently hugs my exhausted body. I drink the water as it freely flows over my muzzle.
Not even able to remember the last time we drank anything this good. I feel the sting as my stomach fills with the cooling liquid. I just lay in the flowing stream a bit longer, feeling the water washing away the grime in my fur.
Standing on my feet finally, I snap my fangs into the water swiftly. Catching a large fish, not even bothering to chew, I swallow it whole and grab another. After eating my fill I follow the stream upwards, heading towards the mountain range on the horizon.
*No one will ever bother me there I bet.* I feel excitement grow at the thought of exploring.
"Hey sis, guess what? Fish are salty." I chuckle, filled with hope, "I think we will find a nice field and maybe you could lay in some flowers. I know you always wanted to smell the flowers."
I listen carefully but she still doesn't respond, I think about the words the white wolf spoke. That my sister is too young and inside I just know they are right. It's in werewolf nature to shift forms when the human side reaches maturity, when their human halves can handle it. However her memories don't show anything about her human side. I don't know what to do. I don't know how I am even here myself. I shouldn't be here.. This goes beyond my born knowledge.. My instincts.. Slight panic starts to ball in my chest.
I barely know the sister wolf, just the fragmented memories that flicker. I definitely felt her breaking and I don't want to die. I take a deep breathe and reflect back to when I first came aware. Everything was hazy and dark before, it feels like I was sleeping for along time. It was so natural when I opened my eyes though, just as it was easy for me to kill. I smile internally grateful that my instincts are so strong. I even took over her without even understanding the process. I felt her body die as mine came to life...
*Did I kill her?* I feel pain explode in my chest thinking that.
"*Elder...It's not..your fault..*" Her delicate voice gracing my mind suddenly.
"Hi little wolf." I say lightly, worried I might scare her away.
"*You are anxious..I feel it.*" Her voice so fragile I cringe.
"I'll be ok." I fill myself with confidence, trying to give some strength to her, "I will get stronger. I'll fight now, just rebuild your strength."
"*I'm tired, so very tired.*" Her little voice shaking.
"Then rest. Leave everything to me Little One." I stand tall, determined to get stronger.
"*Good night Elder Sister.*" I feel her pull away, our connection closing and just like that she is gone again.
Glancing around my surroundings, I am satisfied with this little river spot. It'll be good to rest a bit, I walk to the bank and find a nice nook. The roots of a giant tree are overhang on bank ledge and has created the perfect den. The soft soil is cooling to the touch, providing a comfort I didn't know I needed. I close my eyes with a full belly tonight, I can't wait to try more food. I grin to myself as I fall asleep. Soon even the songs of the crickets fade away with the sound of flowing water.
I wake to the morning sunlight warming my fur through the thick mess of roots. I yawn and stretch as I wiggle out of the little hiding nook. I trod over to the stream's edge to drink when an unfamiliar voice intrudes.
"Hi there," The deep tone signals that this is a male.
I glance across the water and see a very dirty human standing there, his eyes such a dark brown too. "You aren't from around these parts."
Growling as I stand up tall as possible, "Just passing through." He smells like those men I killed.
"As...are most..." He glances around nervously, "You...don't smell... like a rogue...or..."
"If you are what rogues smell like then I count myself blessed." I roll my eyes and back up, my body already feeling refreshed after a good meal and some rest.
"What...brings a...young one-"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I snarl with annoyance.
"You smell....strange...and so...fresh..." I watch as he steps closer, my fur standing up on edge.
"So you think." I step back knowing this wolf is dangerous.
"Don't be scared little pup." His maniacal laughter chills me to the core.
I hear the sound of a twig snap behind me but it's too late. I made a mistake and darkness takes me once more. Little did I know the darkness that awaited me when I woke.
Everyone pays for their mistakes in this world.
