The Last Moon

Chapter 23: Caleb's Quest

The Alpha and the new shifted pack members have returned he saw his Luna holding Caleb in her hands while Amelia woke up from her trance.

"What happened?" the Alpha asked

"He hasn't woken up yet and Amelia here has been possessed for a brief moment and she spoke something about Caleb needing to return home and needs to be evaluated or judge whether to continue the task or not,"

"It was a prophesy or should I say a quest for Caleb to return to the underworld and he needs to bring with him, the flame and the bearer of the moonlight," Elder Lucas spoke, "Our task when we were sent here is to keep the balance and we need to fulfil this task either the bearer of the moonlight or the flame has been loosened from the underworld and needs to be returned,"

"Did you got the prophecy?"

"Yes and it goes like this, 'The guardian of the underworld must come home along with the flame and the bearer of the moonlight, he will be judged if he deserved to continue the task or to fully come home' that was the phrase which the young Babaylan has uttered after touching Caleb" Elder Lucas said.

"So it was time to come home, do we know how he can fulfil this?" the Luna asked

"I will look into it and see how we can help the young Alpha," Elder Lucas said, "I must say that Caleb has been chosen among our people to fulfil our task, and this is not an easy quest to accomplish,"

"We may need to cut the celebration short and discuss this to the council so we can all focus on what we need to do ahead," the Alpha said

The celebration has ended quickly but the whole pack along with the others were intrigued by the events that have taken place. 

Matthew is now back to his human form and Jason has joined him on his walk.

"What do you think will happen to Caleb?" Jason asked Matthew

"I am not sure yet, but the first thing that needs to happen is for Caleb to wake up so we can know more from him if he remembers anything or if his wolf had remembered the quest,"

"This is the first time that an Alpha has not been able to run after the transformation or that a Thalon to have blaze in a fire,"

"This is my first time to hear a prophesy told, have you seen Amelia's eyes glow and the orb disappeared while her voice changed sounding like a big man-beast talking," Jason said

Caleb's POV

It was so dark and I cannot see anything, I can sense movement around me but I cannot move my body nor my eyes. Am I dead?

"No, you're not dead," Another voice inside me speaks, the sound was big, trembling and full of authority. 

"Are you my wolf? What is your name?"

"Yes, I am. I come in many names, I have lived and died in several lifetimes but this is the first tie I came in a wolf form so pardon my inability to help you shift but it seems that we need to fulfil a task given to us  to enable us to shift into our Thalon form,"

"Among the names that you had which one should I use? How should I call you?"

"Call me, Alab,"

"Alab, flame you mean. You also have this ability, I felt it during the shift,"

"Yes, in my first life, I have the power of the flames from the underworld, which is my home. And this time I was given a chance to bring it with me but we need to complete the quest,"

"We will have to complete this task, I will help you. Do you know where to start?"

"We need to find the bearer of the moonlight,"

"What does that mean?"

"I felt her during our shift, it means she is living in your world all we need to do is to find her,"

"So it's a girl. How would we know it's her?"

"You will feel her power,"

"Do you think this person will come with us to the underworld?"

"There's only one way to find out since it would be a choice and if she would choose her destiny she will have to come,"

"And if not?"

"We still need to go to the underworld, for you to complete your quest," 

"Very well then,"

"But I must warn you, I am not sure of the outcome of this journey so you must be ready,"

"I am born for this, so I am ready,"

"I have healed our body, you should wake anytime soon now,"

"Thank you Alab,"

"Caleb, you and I are one. My strength will be your strength, my destiny shall be yours and when we completed this quest you will be given a gift from the gods themselves,"

"It is an honour to be your human and to fulfil this quest with you,"

I felt a damp cloth touching my face and I slowly woke up from my reverie, when I opened my eyes the light is blinding me so I raise my hand to cover my eyes. Then I heard people talking beside me and felt that someone's holding my other hand. I heard my Mom's voice.

"Caleb, are you okay?"

I furrowed my brows and slowly opened my eyes, I can see my parents, 2 elders and the pack healer.

"I am now okay Mom," I slowly lifted my head and my body and leaned on the headboard,"

"My wolf Alab told me I needed to complete a quest in order to complete my transformation,"

"Yes, we heard the prophecy of your return to the homeworld," my father spoke

"This is the first time, the gods have asked one of us to return and to evaluate if our existence is still needed in this realm," Elder Lucas speaks, "Do you know how to complete your mission?" he asked

"I must find the bearer of the moonlight that is the first task,"

"How about the flame?" my Mother asked

"My wolf is Alab, the flame,"

"But why do you need to bring the flame if you are the flame already?" another elder asked, "Does this mean that your wolf can choose to leave you?"

"I am not sure, I need to consult him about it," I know, Alab is listening, 

"Why did the prophecy says I need to bring the flame  back to the underworld if I am with you?"

I felt how he has consumed my whole being and from there he was able to control my body and he speaks from my mouth "I do not know the answer, As I have explained to my human this is the first time I have been a wolf and the first time I manage to bring my power along with me. In my other life, I was only able to bring my strength, and other abilities but not the power to control the flames,"

"If so there is a possibility to lose them before you reach the homeworld," Elder Lucas said

"I believe so," Alab once again spoke and afterwards my eyes and my senses return and I felt him retracted inside of me, in that corner of my mind.

"Alright, take your rest now and we will discuss this with the council," the two elders along with my Dad went ahead and left me, Mom and Amelia's mom.

Amelia's Mom took my temperature and checked all my wounds, "He should be okay now, everything is normal but if there's anything unusual please call me," she stands up and gathers her things

"Thank you, Minda," my Mom said, "I will visit Amelia tomorrow, to check on her,"

"Thank you and Goodnight Luna, Caleb,"

"Goodnight Aunt Minda," I said and nod as she leaves.

I looked at my Mom and asked her, "What happened to Amelia? Did she also shift?" I asked

"No son, she was the one who spoke of the prophecy. It was new progress from her being a daughter of the pack's Babaylan. This is the first time we have seen her powers to think that she has not undergone the Babaylan training or shown to be a shaman, like her mother,"

"I understand, being a Babaylan is not the same as us, it is not an inherited gift rather acquired, they are chosen by the gods,"

"Yes, she's a very rare one," 

"What happened to the celebration?" I asked her

"Your father has to lead the pack run since you did not complete your shift, and we need to cut it short this time because of the prophecy"

"I hope I did not disappoint you,"

"No, not at all. We are proud that you are chosen to come back to the underworld and execute the task which we are bound to accomplish,"

"I am glad this is what you feel, I was ashamed not to complete my transformation or run with the pack on my wolf form,"

"Those will come on time, everyone witnessed how special you are,"

"Thank you, I feel at ease now,"

"Take a rest and let's see what tomorrow will bring,"

"Can I go out for a while? I think I wanted to see what I can do,"

"Alright, bring Matthew and Jason with you,"

"Yes, Mom,"

"Alab, do you want to go for a run? I know we cannot shift into my wolf form but I just wanted to check something,"

"If you wish I also wanted to see the full moon. I believe you can use my speed and strength even not in the wolf form,"

"That's good to know, let's go for a spin and test it," 

I tried to link Matthew, I should be able to do it now since I have my wolf. 

"Matthew,"

"W-o-w is that you Caleb," Matthew answered

"Yes, it's me. Can you get Jason and meet me at the packhouse in 15 minutes, I would like to go for a run,"

"Sure, will be there. We will be in our human form right? Since Jason hasn't turned yet,"

"Ask Jason to bring his motorcycle,"

"Copy that,"

 After talking to him I change my clothes, got my jacket and cap and went out.