Chronicles Of the Ren-Ky Warriors (Book 1)

Chapter 17

Lance gripped the rope tight as Gale trailed behind. Hoping that Luna and Fang had some luck finding one of the shop keepers that might have Gales cure. Gale started to act weird. Lance walked up to him, trying to make sense of what was going on, looked around to find he was lost. Lance began to panic as the feeling of getting lost overwhelmed him. Looking around trying to find his barrings, a young girl kicked Lance in the shins. Hard enough that Lance had noticed her. Lance turned around to see the girl stare at him. Her long brown hair and elvish features caught Lance off guard as Gale walked over, seeing what was going on.

“Is something wrong—” The girl began to ask when she noticed Gale and his strange behaviour.

The girl rushing over to Gale while Lance tried to stop her, but she was too fast for him. She pulled Gales sleeves and collar to find the unknown bit mark. The girl started to shake as Lance tried to figure out what was going on. The girl turned to Lance as her gaze sent shivers up his body.

 “When did he get this bite mark?” The girl asked as Lance stood shooked. Leading to her grabbing Lance by the collar of his shirt. “Are you deaf? When did he get the mark?!”

The girl pointed at Gale as he pulled at the rope. Lance looked at Gale, then slowly back at the elven child as she became more irritated.

 “S-s-sometime l-last night, but hours before dawn.” Lance stuttered as she let go of him.

Lance stumbled back as losing his footing in the process. The girl sighed as she rubbed her head, placing her hand on her hip. Then the girl looked back at Lance before grabbing the rope that held Gale. The girl started walking off with Gale in tow, glancing back at Lance.

 “Follow me if you want to save him from being food.” The girl barked.

Lance stood up, grabbing Gale's rope as she walked through the crowd.  Lance gripped the rope tightly as he followed. The girl turned into a creepy-looking shop, with weathered and creaking floors. The window boarded up as some of them were shattered. The shelves are covered in dust and cobwebs with potion and tonics linning the shelve clean and proper. Lance was shocked to see the shop was kept as the child turned to him, as fear rattled his being.

 “Don't stand there. Get in.”

Lance swallowed his fear, entering the shop with Gale, racing to a plate of sweets. The girl slapped his hand before scowling at him. Gale whined as he rubbed his hand. The girl then turned to Lance, who was glancing around, rubbing his arms in fear. The girl sighed as she reached out and grabbed Lance's shirt. Sending a jolt up Lance's body as she dragged him to the back with Gale right behind.

“This way, wuss.” The girl scowled.

As they entered the back, the girl let go of Lance as a new type of awe waft over him. The room was filled with shelves and drawers filled with ingredients and tomes on clean and proper shelves. Lance turned to see that the front set the vibe while the back was clean and ready for the alchemist. Lance then turned to The girl as she shot up a ladder grabbing tomes and vials.

 “Um, do you know what's going on with my friend here, um, miss…” Lance waved his hand, trying to figure out what to call her.

“Call me Alli,” The girl answered as she flipped through a tome before descending. “and yes, he was bitten by a vir hound. They target emotionalist or almost emotionalist people.”

Alli shifted through some of the drawers pulling out small vials filled with liquids and powders. Lance stood in the doorways, astounded by her knowledge. Gale walked towards Alli, curious to what he was going before she grabbed his ear and sat him down, placing a bowl of sweets from the festival in front of him. Gale clapped in joy as Lance cringed at the sight of his friend and prince.

Alli jumped into the chair next to Gale as she opened the tome with a leather cover to a page will a sizeable dog-like creature on the page. Lance walked over and sat down as she pushed the tome before him. Then pointing at the page for Lance to read.

“As you can see, the only cure is something most people don't want to hear.” Alli stared into Lance's eyes as he was fixated on the beast.

Alli could see that he was not reading the words as the beast resonated with him. Alli sighed as she leaned back in her seat, waiting for Lance's response.

 “So what is the cure?  I wish to tell my companions? That is if you can save him here and now?” Lance’s eye filled with hope as Alli analyzed him.

Alli’s face stiffened as she leaned over the table. Lance, filled with a fire to save Gale no matter the cost. Stared deep into Alli’s eyes, seeing if he was sure about everything.

 “Are you sure? It might end up being worse than death to you and your friends?”Alli asked.

Alli picked up a vial, stared at it before looking back at Lance. Lance nodded as Alli narrowed her eyes.

“Well, okay, but I am warning you. This might make you have second thoughts.” Alli pointed the vail towards Lance then towards Gale. Preparing herself to give Lance the answer. “The cure is for your friend to turn into a daemon. And the only way is in this vial.”

 Lance's heart sank. Alli could tell that Lance was having second thoughts. Seeing him turn away from her and Gale. Alli then tapped the bottle on her small shoulders. Her eyes filled with regret as she leaned back and rested the vial on her chin.

“You could always say no—”

“NO! GALE AND THE OTHERS WILL UNDERSTAND!” Lance stood up and slammed the table. Gale sat was unfazed by Lance’s reaction. Alli closed her eyes as her heart sank. “Even if he turns into a daemon! Gale…Gale will be alive, and…and I know he would do the same for me. If I were in the same situation.” Lance lowered his head at Alli, “So, please save him no matter the cost.”

Alli sat stunned at Lance's answer. Alli smiled as she felt Lance’s resolve. She looked at Gale, who was interested in child-like wounders.

“Alright then, but I will warn you right now. Your friend will be asleep for some time, depending on which daemon  species he becomes.”

Alli's smile softened as she leaned over and patted Lance on the head. Lance could feel the tears welling up as he felt relief overcome him. Alli’s smile soon left as she pulled back into her seat.

 “Also, do not leave town until he has woke up. I will need to check over him and know what species he becomes. If that is okay, Ren-Ky Warrior of the Wind’s of Freedom.” Alli smiled as she waited for Lance to look at her.

 Lance nodded as he lifted his head, his eyes red and swollen. Alli smiled as she handed him the vail.

“Now, slip this into your friend's food—sweets will work the best—and he will be out like a light in four to six hours,” Alli instructed as Lance took the vial from her hands. “Oh, and those dang hounds know when someone has taken that. So, you don’t have to worry about them. Your stay in Riverlight should end nicely.”

Lance thanked Alli for her help, bowing his head once more before leaving through the front. Alli waved as she sighed. A man with a cloak walked from the shadows as he put his hand on her shoulder. Alli looked up to see his red hair and the white spade and blue wolf crest of the Spade Dominion.

“Well, things are working in your favour. And did you have to do that to the boy?”

The man smiled as he leaned on the chair to Alli’s ear. “Yes, the boy will thank me for it later. Besides, you still have to keep up the act as you know what that young man is?”

Alli gritted her teeth as she pulled her small from tightly on the chair, “I see that now, he is a vail wolf or the famed Shadow Werewolves. I thought they went extinct during the reign of the Silvaun Empire? Where they were once the proud race of that land along with the Silvana Humans?” Alli looked up at her male guest. “So, how did you know? Tristan?”

Tristan smiled as he placed a finger over his lips. “That is for me to know and you to never know?”

Alli puffed her face as she watched Tristan walk away. Alli sighed as she got up to ready everything for Gale’s supposed transformation.

 Luna and Fang sat at the inn, disappointed that they could not find someone to help Gale. As the two walked in, Luna gasped to see a groggy Gale stumble around. Fang stood stunned that Lance had returned before them, while Luna rushed to ask what happened. Lance explained that he was able to get help as Gale was nodding off. Fang ran to catch him. Lance caught Gale as he fell and then asked for Fang’s help to get him back to their room. Fang nodded, helping Lance carry Gale over to their bedroom.

Fang sighed as he sat beside Lance on the opposite bed. Luna grabbed a chair as Lance began to explain what was going on and that he got the cure. Fang raised his brow at the fact as Luna grew concerned.

“So, what is this cure?” Luna promptly asked.

Lance looked at Gale. As he moved over to the other bed to push Gale’s hair out of his face. Before turning to Luna. Lance’s face was stiff and heartbroken as he closed his eyes.

“By…by turning him into a daemon,” Lance answered.

Luna stood up as she stumbles back as Fang turned his head away.  The thought of forcefully turning a person churned Fang's gut. Lance sighed as he looked at Fang's reaction.

“Yeah, I know. It does not help that if we were in opposite situations, Gale would do the same for me.” Lance looked a Gale as he slept quietly.

Luna stood shaken at Lance’s answer before resolving herself to the same answer. Which Luna had feared. Fang closed his eyes before looking at Lance. Lance was smiling sourly as the notion of Gale becoming his old self filled Lance with some sort of joy. Fang grunted as he leaned in closer to Lance.

 “So, did this Alli person also tell you how long Gale will be out?” Fang's voice cut through the air like a cold winter storm.

Lance nodded as he shifted himself to face Luna as well. Luna grabbed her arm as the idea still haunted her. Fang could see the tears welling up in Lance's eyes as he forced himself to answer.

 “It all depends on what kind of daemon he becomes and that she wants to see him after he wakes to assess him so that we all know how we can help him adjust to his new life.” Lance could hardly hold the tears back as he looked up to the ceiling.

Luna pulled her hands close to her chest, “It must have been a hard dissection to choose, death, or to turn him.”

Lance shook his head as he wiped the tears away. With his thought shifting.

“Surprisingly, choosing to turn him was the easy part. the hard part was finding him something sweet he would like to eat without him finding the potion was on it.” Lance stared at Gale as the torment riddled Lance’s mind.

Luna lightly laughed at his answer as she sat beside him. “What was the winner?”

Lance hung his head as he laughed at the idea. Filling him with renewed hope.

“It was candies pears.” Lance lifted his head as he closed his eyes, remembering their past. While a smile dragged across his face. “Gale always did have a sweet tooth for pear when they were brought into the castle. At least he lives, to see more of this world.”

Fang smiled at Lance's optimism. Luna hugged Lance as he could no longer hold back the tears. As Lance wailed out in pain. Knowing that he could have done more. Luna cradled Lance as he let out the frustration and heartache.

As the day wained, Fang sighed as Luna passed out and carefully carried her to her room. With Lance passed out beside Gale's sleeping body. Fang sighed as he returned. Grabbing a blanket and laying it over Lance as he slept. Fang looked out the window to see an elven girl with brown hair sitting on the windowsill.

Fang grinned as the girl smiled back at him. “So, it was you? Alli, the ancient. You are the one who helped Gale?”

Alli reached her hand out with a piece of candy. Fang walked over to her and took it from her before leaning away from her.

 “Thanks.”

Alli playfully grinned at him. As she looked out into the streets.  “Your welcome, and yes, I did. To think Lunatica's reincarnation has lived this long and her Warriors are finding their way to her side is quite amazing, to say the least.”

Alli turned to Fang as she aged herself up. Showing her adult body, her feature more defined as she leaned in closer to Fang.

 “What you upset your not one of her chosen warriors?” Alli chimed as she watched Fang glance at her.

Fang crossed his arms as he turned his attention to Lance and Gale. Alli’s smile faded as she knew the real reason.

 “No, I'm more worried that Lady Lunatica will get herself killed before they can end this long feud between her and Lord Deamora.”

Alli sighed as she looked out the window. “You mean the feud between the Krisniks bloodline and your grandfather? True, but does Lunatica know about the whole story? Between her and Demora?” Alli poked at Fang's wounded soul.

Fang turned his attention to the moons as his face stiffened. Alli watched as he stared intensely.

“No, and I'll keep it a secret until Lovell has joined us,” Fang answered.

Alli smiled sinisterly as she turned back into a child. “And who is this Lovell fella that you speak of?”

 “He is my half-brother on my father's side.” Fang's voice became coarsened. Alli dropped her candy in shock. Fang smirked uncomfortably at the idea. “Yeah, to think I have a younger brother after all these one thousand years of walking this world.”

Alli prompts herself up as she changes once more to her adult form. She could see the sour taste that was left in Fang's mouth.

“Well, that must have shocked you more than me. Even if the dark lord himself has lived for six million years fighting the Krisnik's clan and hunting Lunatica's every reincarnation. All leading to this point in time.” Alli felt disbelief as the idea ran through her thoughts.

Alli covered her mouth as she continued to wrap her head around how Lovell could have been born. Fang shifted his weight as he turned to Alli.

 “Yeah, to think that Ulva was able to give birth to Lovell before her demise is shocking, to say the least.  And yet, that is not all. Lovell also has another half-brother from Ulva. Though unsavoury on how he came to be in this world of war.”

Alli leaned into the window frame as she smiled.

“Slap me silly, that kids probably going through hell. It's not like he's the champion of hers too.” Allli joked as she looked at Fang, glancing back at her. “No?”

 Fang nodded slowly as he looked back outside. Alli turned herself out the window. Her legs dangling out in the open. Alli felt sorry as she gripped the ledge.

“Poor kid must be suffering inside. If he finds out who his father is—let alone his grandfather—the boy would be destroyed spiritually and quite possibly, emotionally!” Alli turned to Fang, seeing his grave expression. “You worry about him, even if you two never have formal met?”

Fang closed his eyes as he nodded.

“Yeah, he bears a burden that should never be put on anyone. Even I would have a hard time killing my grandfather.” Fang sighed as he turned to Alli, “It's getting late. You should go.”

Alli jumped onto the ledge and changed into her child form once again. Placing her hands on her hips, grinning from ear to ear.

 “Well, I'll act as if it's our first meeting when he wakes,” Alli turned to meet Fang's gaze. “You should try and not worry so much. Things seem to always work out for the better or worse.”

Alli jumped out the window as Fang watched her leave. Alli walking down the narrow alleyways back o her shop. Fang glanced back at Gale. Seeing Gale mumble in his sleep about something as Lance turned over and started to snore. Fang covered one ear as the noise was loud for him. Fang sighed as he walked back to his room, knowing the dawn of a new daemon was awaiting him.

As the sun crept through the building into Gale and Lance's room. Gale awoke to the sun dancing over his eyes. Opening his eyes slowly, Gale tried to block the sun’s rays as he sat up. Gale glance next to his side to see Lance beside him. Gale, unsure of what had transpired, seating himself on the edge of the bed. Gale got up and walked to the showers. Gale began to wash his body when he felt strange—in a way that he could not explain. Washing his hair, Gale noticed his ears felt different—almost elvish in shape. Gale’s gut sank as he finished cleaning up as he cleaned to mirror off. Seeing his reflection, Gale could see his eyes were a golden yellow other than his blue-eye’s.

 Gale then lifted his hair off his eyes to see them with a slight point of an elf. Shacking, Gale checked the rest of his body to find nothing else had changed. Taking a deep breath, Gale stood, shaken as his body calmed. Gale found he was able to collect himself as he could feel his body warm. Looking into his eyes through the mirror, Gale found the strength to leave and finish getting ready. Hoping Lance was not awake to see him.

Gale rummaged through his belonging as Lance shifted in the bed. Gale froze as he turned to see Lance sitting up on edge. Rubbing his eyes before looking at Gale. Lance walked to the bathroom, unaware of Gale’s awakening. Gale sighed as he grabbed his clothes and got dressed. Lance, meanwhile, stopped as he became more aware of his surroundings. Turned to see Gale pulling his tunic down. Lance teared up as he ran to Gale and bear-hugged him.

“YOU WOKE UP!” Lance screamed in joy. Squeezing Gale tightly, his tears streamed down his face. “I'm so glad you're okay!”

Gale looked back to see Lance bawling himself silly. Gale felt some relief that Lance okay. Lance slipped back onto the bed as Gale sat on the other bed. Curious about what happened to make Lance act this way.

 “Lance, what is going on?” Gale asked.

Lance tried to calm himself as he looked over Gale. Hearing his friend's voice was welcome as Lance clapped his face. Psyching himself up to tell Gale  everything

 “Right, you see…”

Lance began to explain what had happened yesterday and what happened as a result. Gale cradled his head as he tried to wrap his head around everything. Gale felt slightly different but not to the extent of becoming a demon.

“Yeah, it's a little hard to swallow, but I know you would have done the same for me, Gale.”

Gale looked at his hands. Knowing that Lance was right, he would do the same as he gripped his hands tightly. Lance could see Gale struggling that he was no longer a human.

“So, I'm a demon now?”

“You are half right,” Alli answered as she landed on the window frame.

Lance and Gale screamed as Alli grinned at their reaction.  Fang rushing in as Luna trailed behind, seeing Alli in the window. Fang sighed as he leaned against the doorframe as Alli laughed.

“Sorry, didn't mean to startle you all.”

Lance looked up to see Alli slipping through the window. Raising his brow, Lance became confused about how Alli was able to find them. Fang growled as he glared at Alli’s entry. While Gale huffed from the shock.

“Wait? Alli—?Your—? How—?” Lance asked, bewildered by her abilities.

Alli posed proudly. With Fang wanting to shake his head in embarrassment. Luna sighed as she enters the room and taking a seat.

“How did I find you here? Yeah, I know. I have a sixth sense for these kinds of things.” Alli answered promptly as she turned her attention towards Gale, “And well, you young man—to honest—you are more of a surprise than me?”

Gale looked Alli in the eye as she moved in closer.

“What do you mean by that?”

Alli crossed her arms as a cheeky grin dragged across her face, drawing closer ever. Lance grew uncomfortable from her reaction while Gale pulled back for her advance. Alli narrowed her eyes as she leaned in.

 “Well, for starters, you are more emotional, and two, the drug, for some reason, only turned you half daemon?” Alli began to explain.

Gale furled his brows as Alli flash stepped to his face. Gale pulled back as she to close for comfort.

“It is quite fascinating, to say the least, but back to the main reason I'm here.” Alli jest as she pulled back while clasping her hands together.

 Scanning over Gale, Alli move in once more to stare into Gale's eyes. Gale felt somewhat uncomfortable with her actions. Alli narrowed her gaze as Gale could feel her gaze piercing through him.

“Hmm, the daemon half in you is another surprise, too…hmmm.” Alli pinched her chin in thought.

Fang grew ever worried as they watched Alli analyze Gale. Lance leaned in as he became concerned as well while he peered over to her eyes.

 “How surprising?” Lance asked, his voice shaking.

She closed her eyes and pulled away. Crossing her arms. AS she increased the tension in the room. Alli smiled as she looked at Lance.

“Well, the species is called Vail wolf. Better known as the Shadow Werewolf.”  Alli proudly answered.

Alli could feel the air grow stagnant as she looked around. The expression on their faces showed that they have never heard of ‘Vail Wolves’ or Shadow Werewolves.’ Alii then puffed her cheeks out of frustration. Fang stood stunned as he glanced at Gale then back at Luna and Lance, staring dumbfounded. Fang sighed as he walked to the other side of Alli. Placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Vail Wolves are an extinct breed of were-type that could move between the vail of the world—also known as the shadows. The spell is commonly known by several names: shadow-walking, shadow-step or shadow-vail. Most people who utilize shadow magic—step into the vail to jump on their opponents or hide from their enemies. Vail Wolves were also very versatile in lightning magic.” Fang explained as he reached over to Gales' shoulder, gripping it tightly. “This also means that you just have to learn how to shift between you were form and back.”

Alli smiled childishly as she patted Fang on the back, “And the best teachers are theyan's. They have to learn the hard of losing themselves first before being able to change freely.”

Fang's expression turning to irritable as he turned to look at Alli. Alli grinned sinisterly at Fang as Luna clapped her hands in joy, smiling at the good news.

“Yes, that's true. Fang can teach you the basics.” Luna turned to Gale as he turned red.

Gale sighed at the idea, feeling overwhelmed by it what was going on. Then Gale began to feel strange. Gale smiling uncomfortably at the notion of Fang teaching him how to transform when he felt a sneeze coming.

Gale tried to hold it back but never the less, let out the sneeze. Gale was enveloped in a shadow-like light as he turned into a wolf. Gale turned to Lance with a piqued looked written over him for Lance to don't laugh at the situation. Lance snickered as he tried to hold back his laughter. Fang turned his head away as he was shaking.

 Luna smiled at the position as Fang could not contain himself anymore and burst out laughing at Gale’s predicament. Everyone in the room whipped their attention to Fang as he bent over laughing. TO the point that Fang was almost on his knees. The room filled with awkward silence mixed with Fang's perplexed laughter.

“I think we somehow broke Fang?” Lance broke the awkward silence.

Fang began to compose himself as he sat on the bed. Wiping the tears from his eyes as Alli reared away from him. Luna stared, confused as she started to smile at Fang, enjoying himself.

 “Sorry about that, but that was a very theyan thing to happen. And for you to have that happen to you, Gale—no offence—was gold for me.” Fang tried to explain before losing his composer once more.

“Well, that was unexpected,” Alli rubbed her head in disbelief. “To see the infamous Fang lose his head over something this small is shocking, to say the least, but I digress. I must take my leave, and you all take care of yourselves now.” All announced as she walked over to the window and jumped out.

Luna walked over to Fang. Fang still trying to compose himself as he stood up to see Luna standing in front of him. Confused about what Luna wanted. Gale and Lance cringed, knowing the atmosphere changed. Seeing the annoyance wash over Luna’s face.

 “Sorry, Fang, but you need this.”

Luna grabbed Fang on the shoulder as she smiled, then kicked him in no man's land, bringing him to his knees, stopping his laughing fit. Lance and Gale winced before looking at one another before turning their attention back at Luna.

 “Well, we leave at the first noon, even if Gale is still a beast.” Luna’s smile was scaring Lance and Gale as she walked out.

Fang wheezed in pain as he got up and sat on the bed. Gale glanced at Fang for help in turning back.

“Well, we should get packed. As the lady has spoken.” Fang wheezed.

Lance got up as Gale laid down on the bed, feeling useless. As Fang got up and ignored Gale. Alli listened in as Tristan walked up beside her.

“So, now he is awakened, the real journey starts for young Gale. I wonder when he will be able to fully control his transformations and when he will enter the Spade Dominion?” Tristan asked as he glanced at Alli.

Alli turned into her adult self as she smiled up at the window.

“We shall see, as you know, I know my time will come once I pass on that.” Alli smiled as she cradled her hands behind her head.

Tristan smiled as he shook his head. “Yes, you were given that foresight, and once young Lance takes up that mantle, his life will never be the same. But I wonder if they are ready?”

Alli glanced at Tristan as he turned and started to walk away. “You mean, will the Ren-Ky, be prepared to face the council of six and Demora?”

Tristan waved at Alli as he vanished into the shadows. Alli sighed as she looked back at Gale and Lance’s room.

“Well, I better head home and let the owner of the shop know I am done. I hope to see you soon, Lance.”

As the first noon came, Gale was able to turn back into his human form. Lance talked with Fang as they waited for Luna. Luna stepped down the stairs and walked over to the boys. Luna held her hands behind her back as she smiled gingerly. Gale felt a cold sweat down his back as he watched Luna walking over.

“Are we all set then?” Luna asked.

Lance and Fang nodded, and Luna continued to smile as she coughed awkwardly. Gale looked at Fang as their eyes met. Fang sighed as he leaned back in his seat.

“Where are we heading next, Fang?” Luna smiled as she sat next to Lance.

Fang pulled out the holo-map and placed it on the table. Showing the area and surrounding cities. Gale could see borders changed as Marewood was now a part of the Faremin Kingdom to the south. Fang zoomed out the map and moved the map over to a location with a strange landscape. The east of the land was white, while the west was gold in colour. And the north was oranges and reds, leaving the south vibrant greens, purples and pinks. The white area Gale could tell was a thick pine forest that looked to be blanketed in snow. While the others seemed strange yet not out of place.

Fang pointed to the gold area before expanding the site.

 “I was thinking of heading to Summerwind. We need to keep the enemy on their toes. So that Luna cannot be found. We were too close to being caught in Mare wood, and now we need a new plan.” Fang explained as he looked at Luna. “It will take us roughly twenty days to get there, but it's better than walking into enemy territory and heading south. Besides, I have an acquaintance close to the city. Plus, with the Hunters Society branch, we have added protection. Mind it will be limited.”

 Lance Luna and Gale nodded as Fang put the map away. Gale turned to Lance as they could recall a time where they wanted to join the Hunters. Fang grabbed Luna’s bag while Lance Gale grabbed their things. With Luna leading the group, head off to Summerwind City.