Prologue
The stony hallway grew chilly as I hastily passed through the cavernous halls of the Sanctorum. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor as I sped through. Reaching the thick wooden double-doors sculpted with circular patterns, I pulled the ornate wooden door open. The Wisfieldian and their designs, I thought to myself.
I ignored the thought and continued on my way. The door opened into a spiral set of stairs going upwards. The staircase was made from marble and was very elegant. It's grace and curves were proof enough of the mason's caliber.
Continuing up the stairs, I thought about what I was about to reveal. It would change everything about our community. But it had to be done. It had to be done this way. I needed to be strong now more than ever.
The only way. The thought banged on my head like a drum as the realization numbed my every sense.
I finally reached the large set of stone doors that opened into the heart of the Sanctorum; the chamber of Liunella, the Moon Goddess. I pulled the door open and entered the sacred chamber.
"You have made us all wait too long, Idaos." Said a booming voice the moment I entered inside.
I composed my thoughts as I walked to my designated seat. I could see sixteen other members sitting around the table. They were sipping on fine wine made promptly available along the table. The room was dark, and was lit by a fire in the hearth that provided a little warmth. I could feel the scrutinizing gazes of all of the elders upon me as I finally sat down on my seat and took a deep breath, in a fruitless attempt to calm myself.
"Thank you, Elders, for answering my calling and arriving on such short notice. I would not have called for you if it was not a matter of utmost importance."
"Alpha Idaos, we are bound to arrive when the council is called. We know our oaths, and clearly would not break them. I do hope that the call was not in vain." Said Alpha Eyolf. I looked towards him and took in his appearance for a moment. He was old, like most of the council. He was the oldest member of the New council.
The New council was established not very long ago, mere hundred years. The new elders mostly consisted of the alpha's of the new era. Regretfully, they weren't as strong as the old alpha bloodlines which grew scarce now. Only a handful now were left in Vascya and the new council only had two, Alpha Eyolf and myself. A far cry from when the council was full of them. Of course the council was a lot smaller back then. Five members, but now, seventeen.
Taking in a sharp breath, I glanced around at everyone in the chamber before continuing."This might come as a surprise to the council, but I was down in the dungeons examining the old archives. We are all aware that those archives are filled with all our Lycan history and secrets. I stumbled upon a set of documents which, initially, seemed to be of no importance, but as I read through it, I..." I paused.
Taking a deep breath, I retrieved a small torn piece of paper from my greyish long robes. It was old, crumbled, yellowed in appearance. I placed it on the centre of the table, for all the elders to look at. "I stumbled upon a prophecy." I finished, my voice gruff.
Alpha Amarog raised his eyebrows in utter disdain. "You called the council for childish tales, Idaos? This is highly disrespectful." Whispers flowed through the room from the gathered elders. I kept my silence.
"I believe, that the prophecy it mentions, will come true in the near future and that, if we do not take actions now, the whole Lycan way of life will suffer the consequences of our ignorance." A roar of confusion and disbelief erupted throughout the chamber.
"What is the meaning of this, Alpha Idaos? You are afraid of a mere prophecy?" Alpha Canagan scoffed. He paused for a moment, and then added. "However, I have to say, I am intrigued. Do not keep us in the dark and reveal it." There were various noises of agreement from the other end of the long table. Canagan was by far the youngest of the council, a mere thirty five years of age.
I picked up the delicate paper once again, my insides burning with dread. I wasn't like many other Lycans. I had been blessed by the Moon Goddess with the ability to feel the future. And this rusty tome filled me with dread, a result of my enhanced, prophetic senses. I cleared my throat and began to read;
"Blood turns on blood,
the cull will begin,
Lycans will fall,
Damned be the sin.
There will come those that rise from the depths of destruction,
To restore what once was,
the bearers of the God of Death.
Two there shall be
and their guide will be extermination,
They will hold the key of endless death.
To low upon this world,
should the two ever mate.
The power and strength will be in their bond,
the lycans will bow.
The stink of death surrounds us all,
to storm and fire,
Vascya must fall."
When I finished reading, placing the paper back where it had been on the table, I glanced again at everyone in the room. Their shock was evident, and the surprise was clear on each of the elders' faces.
They were all quiet, the only sound the cackling of the wood still burning in the fire.
"Are you absolutely sure that this prophecy will come true?" Alpha Amarog said in a low voice, almost a whisper.
"Elders, I believe you are aware of my gifts. When I read the prophecy, I could sense only utter destruction and death. Destruction of our society and packs. Destruction of Lycans. Which is why I called the sacred council." Another uproar broke out at that. I slammed my hand on the table loudly, calling the Elders back to order swiftly. "What can we do about the mates mentioned in the prophecy, Idaos?" One of the Alphas asked reluctantly.
"I have examined the prophecy closely myself. It doesn't indicate any particular wolves, Alpha." I paused for a moment, then continued. "But, I might have a solution." I spoke earnestly.
"Go on, Idaos. We are all willing to hear this." Alpha Remus urged him on.
"I propose, we hunt and kill down all the mated wolves in order to avoid such destruction." I had expected a mixed reaction to that, I didn't see it going over easily, after all, it would be a high number.
"Have you lost your mind Alpha?" Alpha Canagan muttered in shock. "We cannot allow such a thing! We absolutely cannot hunt and kill mates. The Lycan race will suffer. The Moon Goddess has always destined a Lycan with a mate, we cannot oppose her!"
"I am aware of that. Do you think I am that incapacitated to suggest such a horrific deed without adequate reason? I have thought and calculated all of our options. Believe me, I have. If I had other options, I never would have suggested such a terrible thing." I said with cold dread evident in my eyes.
"I am against such notion. We are the sacred council. We should protect, not become, the jaegars. I do not support your notion, Alpha Idaos." replied Canagan, his decision clear.
Anger filled my body like a wave. I curled my hands into fists. I knew I could not go berserk in the sacred chamber, something like that would never be tolerated. My eyes darkened, showing that my wolf was eager to come out.
"Look at the damned prophecy and tell me you aren't blind to it's words. If we do not take any action, these wolves that are mentioned will take everything from you. " I pointed at him.
"Each one of you, and me. Your home, your family, your life. Everything! If you think this notion that I suggest is extreme, so be it. But, this is the only way you can choose to keep yourself safe in the troubled times ahead. My senses, the powers given to me by The Moon Goddess do not lie. I was meant to find this prophecy and guide you all. I know the path I suggest is destructive, but it's the only salvation we have left!" My voice was laced with anger, and desperation.
This time, there were no retorts.
"Are you sure about this, Idaos?" Alpha Eyolf asked. "Yes." I stated breathlessly.
That's when the Bloodletting began. And the entire race felt the shockwaves of the decisions made that day. Alpha Idaos almost betrayed himself as the hint of a smile played at his lips.
