Chronicles Of the Ren-Ky Warriors (Book 1)

Chapter 13

Lovell looked back once more to see Marewood. Lovell could see Marewood, seeing nothing had gone arie than if he had meddled in the town’s affairs. Lovell could only hope one day that it would be freed from the Faremin kingdom and give Luna a place to come home too. To where Luna could live in peace until her day’s end, but Lovell knew that it wouldn’t happen.

Lovell gripped his chest when he felt a dark energy swirl within him. Lovell looked down at his hand and could see th energy forming as a cold sweat ran down his body. Lovell knew of what was happening and what he started. Yet never knew the name of what the cause was. Turning his head away, Lovell’s thoughts turned to find a way to be ridding the dark energy. As it was the sign of the darkness in his heart.

Lovell felt if he was more aware of what he was, why he sought out Luna and the possible reason why his mother told him to save her life. He felt torn to return to his friends but knew it could end in disaster if he did. And with the new dark force, Lovell felt more dangerous to be around as the energy disappeared from sight.

Lovell shuddered as he found the courage to ventured off. With hopes that he could find a way to combat the darkness within his heart. Taking one step at a time, Lovell let his feet take him wherever they would take him. With hours passed leading to the day’s end. Lovell looked over to see a small shack sitting on the top of the hillside. He recognized it as his old home when times were simpler.

The home where Lovell first met Luna. The very same village that the Faremin destroyed in one night. Lovell looked around to see the rest of the town consumed by the surrounding forest. Twenty years for Blacklight's small village to vanish from sight with his first home to be the only house to stand.

 Lovell felt a chill in the air as he shivered. Lovell rubbed his arms to warmed himself a bit before heading over. As he touched the door, a nostalgic feeling washed over him. Lovell smiled before a sharp pain ran through his body. The strain was overwhelming as Lovell collapsed in the doorway. Lovell began to lose consciousness, trying to force himself to stay awake. But ultimately, Lovell lost the battle and fell to the floor. Lost into a deep sleep as a chill in the air washed over him.

Lovell’s eye slowly opened as the shape of a hand placed a cloth over his forehead. Lovell was not sure about what just happened. But he could see the person walked away as Lovell tried to set himself up as pain washed over his body with a fierce heat following shortly after. The person heard Lovell grown and rushed back over. Forcing Lovell back down.

“Don’t get up too quickly; you have a fever. Rest for now.” The person persisted.

Lovell's visions started to see the person more clearly as they became a young wolf beastman woman. Her dark-grey—almost back—fur seemed familiar to him but couldn’t figure out where he had seen it. The beastwoman took the cloth off once more and dipped it in cold water before patting Lovell's head. Lovell caught a whiff of scent as a nostalgic feeling washed over him. Before he could ask her who she was, Lovell felt the pain wah over him, making him pass out once more.

Lovell woke once more. This time, the beastwoman was not around. Taking the opportunity, Lovell sat himself up as the pain over his body had subsided. Lovell glanced around the room and noticed that he was in his childhood home—with changes to the layout. But Lovell could recognize the general format. The woman opened the door, saw Lovell was up. Lovell started at the beastwoman and noticed she had honey-blonde hair with her dark fur, with blue eyes. It was an unusual colouring as she turned to look at Lovell.

“How do you feel today?” Her smile warming.

Lovell sat up more as he winced in pain. “I feel much better than before. Thank you… umm…?”

“Ulva.”

Lovell smiled through the pain at Ulva. “Well, I thank you, Ulva, for helping me, but I must be…” Lovell started to thank Ulva.

 Lovell was lost for words as Ulva walked over and sat beside him. Her hand was checking its temperature. Lovell was confused as she closed her eyes.

“Um, Ulva?”

Ulva smiled as she got up. Her eyes were soft as the ocean waves licking the banks of a sandy beach. Before Ulva walked to the kitchen.

“I’ll make some food. You just rest. You still have a Darkness fever ravaging your body. Some food will do you some good to regain your strength to fight it off.”

Lovell turned to Ulva as he blinked at her. Ulva glanced over some herbs before Lovell opened his mouth.

 “Darkness fever? Never heard of it?” Lovell asked. Confused about what Darkness fever was. “what is a Darkness fever?”

Ulva plucked some herbs as she started to prepare some food. “It’s a curse that attacks the soul with dark thoughts and clouded minds attack a pure soul,” She began chopping some ingredients away. “by tempting it with dark pleasures before taking hold of them. It masks itself as an illness as that is its first stage.”

Ulva turned to Lovell as he sat confused even more as he pondered the Darkness fever.

“Many people die from it before it reaches the second stage where it might take years to overtake. Where the third and final stage—in a sense—kills the person, and they are the new dark version of themselves.” Ulva continued. “Those who enter the second stage and will survive are ravaged with anger and will lash out without knowing friend from foe. No one has ever overcome this curse.”

Lovell sat back in the bed, now understanding more about what was happening to him.

 “So, I’m being tempted to turn evil in a sense.”  Lovell gritted his teeth a the idea.

 Lovell looked at his hands, remembering the vision that Flora had shown him. Knowing that even if he had lived, he would have turned against his friends. As well as Luna.

“So, why did you save me, Ulva?” Lovell turned his head to her, Ulva continued what she was doing. “It-it’s okay if you don’t want to answer me?”

Lovell turned away. Ulva stopped for a moment. She lifted her head at Lovell before gingerly smiling.

 “Because Lady Lunatica needs you to stop him,” Ulva answered as Lovell whipped his head at her. “Surprised I knew, Lovell Queasy Krisnik?”

Lovell stared at her while Ulva walked over to him and sat beside Lovell.

“H-how do you know who I am?” Lovell stuttered as Ulva chuckled at him. “Ulva, just, who are you?”

Ulva smiled at Lovell before standing up and walked back to the kitchen.

 “That is for you to discover, little wolf.”

Ulva’s smile was misleading while Lovell sat back, knowing that he wouldn’t get any more out of Ulva. Ulva’s smiled faded as she watched Lovell sit back in the bed. Ulva wanted to say more but knew she could not tell Lovell much.

Ulva checked on her food and tasted the soup for flavour. Tasting that the soup was done, Ulva smiled as she looked at Lovell to see him staring at the fireplace. Pouring two bowls, Ulva walked over and handed Lovell one of the bowls as she sat on the edge of the bed.

 “Eat, you need you will need your strength to you are going to fight your inner darkness.”

Lovell looked up at Ulva and nodded, grabbing the bowl of soup from her paw-like hands. Lovell thanked Ulva for the food as he started to blow on the hot soup. Ulva smiled as she moved to the table and ate alongside Lovell. Lovell took his time as Ulva finished her meal. She turned to him as a severe expression dragged across Ulva’s face.

 “Now Lovell, what is it you think is good and evil as a whole?”

Lovell took a spoon full of soup before thinking about the matter.

 “Well, good is where….no, wait, the evil is…?”

Lovell found he did not answer the question and looked at Ulva in confusion to her question. Ulva could see Lovell struggling to find the answer as she swished her tail in excitement.

“Oh? No answer then? Well, let’s put it this way then.” Ulva grinned as Lovell looked over at her. “If a person helps another by giving them lots of money and then invites that person they helped over, are they a good person?”

Lovell touched his chin in thought before turning to face her, “Yes, they are helping them.”

Ulva busted out laughing, Lovell became confused. Ulva wiped the tears from her eyes before settling down. Lovell stared at her, wounding what he said wrong.

 “Yes and no, ask yourself what underlining reason does this supposed good person have to gain by helping him way too much?”

Lovell started to think about the matter of Ulva’s thinking. Ulva grinned even more as she could see the gears trying to understand her logic.

 “The good person was buttering them up to harm them later. See, the person is trying to win false trust, and most people fall for it. It’s just how darkness works. Sometimes a good thing is a bad thing, and a bad thing is a good thing.”

Lovell glanced up at her then down to the food in his lap. Lovell was unable to understand her as Ulva leaned closer to him.

“Kind of like your vision, right?” Ulva narrowed her eyes as her tail swayed faster, seeing the guilt wash over Lovell. “Yup, same idea. You thought by attacking the Faremin first and getting rid of them. That you were doing the right thing, and yet, in the end. You caused a tremendous amount of suffering that now plagues your heart, allowing the darkness fever to settle in.”

Ulva stated as she moved in and pushed her finger at Lovell's heart. Lovell felt guilt sink deeper as he closed his eyes. Ulva sighed as she stepped back and started to walk away. Lovell gripped his chest before shooting his gaze at her. His eyes filled will fear, regret, and determination.

 “So, how do I get rid of this darkness?” Lovell asked, stopping Ulva in her tracks.

Ulva turned around to see his expression over his whole being. Ulva turned away as tears started to well up in her eyes.

 “Finish eating and rest for now. We’ll talk more once your strength has returned more. Okay?!” Ulva composed herself before looking back at Lovell. Lovell’s face became stern as he nodded. “Good, now eat and rest. Doc’s orders!”

Lovell finished his food, then handed the bowl to Ulva. Lovell felt some relief as he settled back down in the bed. He could feel his body become heavy as if someone was hugging his very begin to sleep. Ulva smiled at him as Lovell passed out from the comfort. Ulva could no longer hold her tears back as she sat beside Lovell and stroked his hair. Then kissed Lovell on the forehead before walking off.

The next day, Lovell awoke to Ulva gone once more. Looking around, Lovell noticed a picture in the distance. Feeling healthier, Lovell sat up on the edge of the bed to get up to try and see the photo more clearly. As he did, he could feel his physical strength vanishing. Forcing him back down onto the bed.

 Lovell could only wait for Ulva to return and ask her about the photo. Moments later, Ulva returned, her honey blonde hair tangled with twigs and leaves, as she placed a basket of herbs on the counter. Lovell watched as she began to prepare what seemed to be tea.

“What is it you are making this time?” Lovell asked, forgetting about the photo.

Ulva turned to Lovell and smiled, “Nothing more than a simple herbal tea that boosts strength.”

Ulva used a spell to speed up the drying process. Then turned to Lovell.

“Are you hungry?” Ulva asked as if on queue Lovell’s stomach growled.

Lovell turned red as Ulva chuckled and grabbed some food and put it on the counter.

 “I’ll whip something up for you then as the tea brews.”

Lovell thanked her as he glanced back at the photo. Lovell decided not to ask her what the picture was. Instead of but out of her life. Ulva glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, and she seemed pleased by his presence. Handing him a plate of food, Lovell took it from her and began eating. His gaze was returning to the photo once more. Ulva was saying that she’ll be back later to see how he was doing. Lovell nodded as she closed the door behind her.

Lovell sat himself up, finding he had some energy. Lovell tried once more to stand. His legs were shaking as he stood up. He could tell that his strength was returning quite fast, though Lovell wondered if the darkness fever would ever take over, like any other illnesses.

Lovell wabbled towards the phot and could see Ulva standing bay a man. Lovell could not see the man clearly as he tried to make his way to the chair. Lovell fell short of the chair as his legs gave out beneath him.

Lovell sat on the floor as the feeling of helplessness overwhelmed him. Lovell then curled into a ball as the frustration migrated out. Tears streaming down his face, he sat sobbing in his wallow. Ulva returned shortly after to see Lovell in his state. Ulva rushed to Lovell's side and started to comfort him.

 “Just leave me. I will only cause you misery and your death just…” Lovell’s voice was cracking as Ulva pulled him close to her. “Just like everyone I loved or cared for did.”

Lovell buried his face in Ulva’s shoulder. The sound of his cries became muffled. While Ulva gently held him. Lovell started to calm down as he noticed the scent of Ulva’s fur seemed calming—and yet familiar. Lovell could not help but relax and fell asleep in her arms. Ulva watched Lovell as she could see the suffering within his youthful appearance.

“Poor thing, I wish I could have been there for you much more than I have been my boy.” Tears began to stream down Ulva’s face, pulling Lovell close to her chest. “If only you knew how much I miss you, my little wolf pup. If only you knew.”

Ulva picked Lovell up and placed him back in the bed, kissing him on his forehead before making some tea. Glancing over to watch Lovell sleep soundly before turning to the photo above the mantle. Ulva picked it up to show a man standing beside her with dark hair and amber eyes. Ulva smiled as she caressed the frame before placing it back on the mantle—face down.

Hours passed as Lovell woke to the smell of food being cooked. Sitting up, Lovell glanced around to see Ulva sitting by the fire—rocking back and forth as she softly sang a song to herself. Before changing the song into a hum.

Lovell recognized the song, a lullaby about hope. Looking over to his side Lovell noticed that the food he was smelling was beside him. Lovell grabbed the plate and ate what Ulva made for him. After a while, Ulva stopped her humming and turned to Lovell, picking at the food. Ulva could tell he was not feeling well after earlier.

 “Eat. You will need your strength.”

“I know, ma’am,” Lovell answered, his heart heavy with pain from within himself. “Hey, Ulva?”

Ulva glanced at Lovell's face as she stood up. Ulva walked over and grabbing a chair before sitting down beside him. Ulva knew the pain he felt was due to his past actions.

“Thanks for everything.”

Ulva reached over to Lovell and cradled his face. Lovell was on the verge of tears once more as he thought of his rash actions in years prior.

 “Dear, I know you’re in pain but honour their lives.” Ulva leaned back. “Morris would be distraught to see you in this state.” Ulva chuckled at her thought before softly staring into Lovell’s eyes, “He probably would smack you silly till you started yelling at him like Ark.”

Lovell turned white as he grabbed her hands, his expression that of a shock to what Ulva had said.

“You knew Morris?”

Whipping the tears from her eyes. “Yes, they were my friends at one time before…”

Ulva’s voice faded as the kettle began to whistle. Ulva stood up and rushed to the kettle.

 “Oh, I’ll get you some tea. You never got any earlier.”

Ulva tried to change the subject as she poured Lovell some tea. Lovell raised his brow at her reaction as she handed him the beverage.

“Here, drink up. I need to be somewhere. So, try and stay put. Your strength will be at ninety percent tomorrow, okay?”

Before Lovell could protest, Ulva rushed out the door. Slamming it behind her. Looking at the tea and food, Lovell sighed and wolfed the food down. Taking a sip of the drink, Lovell felt rejuvenated and feeling as if things were finally turning around. Tears were creeping out as joyed seemed to fill the pain within. Finishing his tea, Lovell closed his eye’s and thinking about Ark, Gale, and Lance and how they were still alive even though Morris, his birth parents, and his foster mom—Maria—had left him.

Lovell curled up in the bed as his mind wandered. Lovell looked around as the voice repeated itself. Lovell realized it was telepathic communication. Lovell closed his eyes and focused on the voice.

‘Where are you?’ a voice called out. ‘Where are you? Please tell me?’

Lovell could tell the voice was that of a female.

‘What do you mean, where are you? who are you calling out for, and who are you?’ Lovell was answering the voice. Wondering if they would answer back.

‘Me, I’m Luna.’ The voice answered.

‘Luna! Wait, you’re here!?’ Lovell bellowed at her.

‘Yes, I’m searching for you, but I can’t find you anywhere. Please, guardian of light, show yourself to me. Please, I’m begging you...’ Luna’s voice faded as their connection dispersed.