The Lycanwolf

Day 2

Jane walked into the Festival Grounds that had been set up, and she realized that all students had been required to attend this lecture this morning. She sat on the front row, and was surprised it was MacTavish that walked to the dias.

"Yesterday you all learned that the way we train to cast spells can also be physically taxing. Several times we were asked the purpose of all the Physical Training we are requiring of you all. The answer is actually quite complex as there are many aspects to it. First, the forms we practice for each of the separate paths are the basic moves that you will need to master in order to cast the spells you are about to learn.

"Second, you must increase your physical strength and endurance. Magic has certain costs, and the energy must come from somewhere. The stronger you are, the more energy you will be able to channel into a magical spell.

"Third, the learning of Martial Arts teaches discipline, integrity, and control. Each of these reasons alone is enough for us to require it, but with all of the complex reasons, it makes it essential that each of you focuses on these studies and make an effort here.

"There are several rules to magic that you need to know before we begin. These rules can be bent, but most cannot be broken. Never attempt to raise the dead. This rule has been broken and many have paid with their lives as the spell drained them of their mortal power.

"All spells have a cost, and most times it is paid with energy. At first this energy will come from yourself, and as you progress you will be able to draw power from other people and things. Be very careful with this aspect, as not all energy will be beneficial to you as you cast a spell." MacTavish said as he lectured.

He filled the entire lecture about the things they needed to know before they truly learned to cast spells. He ensured they were engaged in the lecture, and he knew that they were learning the information.

They all broke for the break and gathered where their physical training was supposed to be, and they were all surprised that the entire morning was devoted to strength training, as their power was directly affected by their strength. When they all got to lunch, they devoured every bite even though their portions had been increased to accommodate for the work they were doing.

That evening after the final lessons, Jane was summoned to the Administrative Building for the Pack Meeting that they were holding. She wasn't aware that Brian had taken the initiative to invite Clan Ingard to this session to set where everything was going be built for the Academy. They had decided that this would be made one of the largest Academies for both Mage and warrior training in the entire realm.

Jane was surprised to see the Clan Council sitting there with the Pack Council as she walked in. "Welcome." she said as she nodded to all of the council members. "I am glad that my absence during training hasn't dissuaded the Councils from continuing with our critical work." Jane said as she took her seat.

"We are prepared to move forward as has been suggested. It is amazing that you managed to achieve the blessing of the Knights for such a grand scheme." Deseray Ingard said sitting next to Brian.

"We will need to discuss how we will finance everything, how much is coming from the Wolves, how much from the Humans?" Meredith Ingard asked.

"I will be paying for the initial costs for the first 5 years. At that point we will need to find other funding avenues, but I am positive that with the other economic initiatives we are pursuing we will be able to cover the costs associated with the training program." Jane said surprising them.

"What do you mean?" Chief Ingard asked.

"The Luna has used her discretionary investment funds and set aside $30 million for the costs of building a new academy. For the next 5 years it will be receiving $20 million for construction and to begin a trust for the operations. If it is your desire to contribute, we can establish the Academy trust now, and any funds the Clan provides for this will automatically be added for whatever purpose the Clan wishes." Brian said.

"How much is the Luna investing in the proposals she has submitted?" Mathew Miller asked.

"$270 million." Luna Jane said knowing the exact amount.

"That is a lot of money for your Pack and our Clan." Chief Ingard said.

"This is an investment in our futures. The investment we will be making over the next 5 years will ensure that we prosper well into the future." Jane said.

The entire clan was surprised but Chief noticed how she said that. "When you answered our question, was it the total investment or the annual?" she asked narrowing her eyes.

"That is this year's investment, which will be matched each year for four years following this one. If we have survived that long, we will determine the next step forward." Jane said and the Clan was shocked. She was talking about investing almost $1.5 billion over five years, not even taking into account any contribution the Clan would make.

"How are we supposed to even come close to matching that?" Mathew asked.

"We do not expect you too." Brian said.

"He means wether you do or not will not affect the terms that we will agree to. We did not invite the Pack to join us in this endeavor, just to allow the financing behind it to dictate the agreement we make. No matter how large or small a proportion of the investment the Clan makes, we wish to move forward as one." Jane told them all.

It was clear the Pack Council was not exactly happy with these developments. They wanted terms favorable to them.

"What of the investment you have already made?" Miller asked arrogantly.

"Our current investments won't be renegotiated, and the taxes of all enterprise in the combined lands should be considered for the ability to pay for the expenses of the Academy. We can make other Packs or Clans pay for the training their warriors or mages will receive." Jane said throwing out just a few suggestions.

Chief Ingard nodded, knowing that there were many ways, and that the Clan would be adding their considerable school budget to the academy. "How much as one do you suggest this Pack and Clan become?"

"The closer the better, we can keep our separate areas that Humans and Wolves can be separate, but part of this proposal is to build a wall around our entire territories. Once we do this we may as well be one people, Human and Wolf combined. Working together to ensure we all survive." Jane answered.

"I move that the Ingard Clan and the Dragonian Pack combine the Territories of each into one. That in doing so these councils represent the will of all Wolves and Humans within our combined territory." Chief Ingard said.

"I second this motion." Brian said as Beta representing Alpha Todd.

"Very Well, from all those in attendance, all those in Favor?" Jane asked. She was surprised when every single representative from both the Pack and the Clan stood.

"Let it be known that from this day forth that Clan Ingard and the Dragonian Pack have joined as one. Let these council seats stand for all time, and be held by a member of the race that holds them now. Let all those in these borders be treated as equals." Jane ordered as she slammed the gavel.

"We have much work to do to make this a reality, let us work through that at another time." Chief Ingard said.

"I believe we have made a great start, and that an event such as this must be finished with a binding ceremony." Councilor Jon suggested to them all.

"Yes we should, the full moon would be a perfect time for the announcement that we have joined." Chief Ingard said as she stood.

Death Valley

That night Todd reached the valley where they had battled the Titans to the end, before they were put into Tartarus. He looked over the valley with both sight and smell, and was relieved that he had beat Aries to the place.

He knew this was where he was going, as Zeus was obsessed with Tartarus and the security of it. He knew it would be a matter of hours before Aries arrived to secure the gates, as he was the fastest of the Olympians. He found a place to sit and wait not far from the entrance, right along the path that Todd was sure Aries would follow.

He hid along the path and cast a spell to hide himself so that Aries could not detect him. It was only a few hours before his hunch was rewarded when Aries rose to the top of the hill and slowly surveyed everything. He was cautious as he suspected that Todd was attempting to breach the barrier.

He knew there were several layers to the Depths of Tartarus, and the creatures that Zeus had betrayed to there would not be good for them to be released. The only good thing was there was no way to open the Doors to Tartarus. There was no keys made for this prison that He or Zeus knew of.

Aries looked over everything carefully, before he crested the hill and entered the desolate valley. It was the signs of Tartarus, when Haphestus had chained him here it destroyed the land from ever being inhabitable. He walked through slowly using everything he knew of Tantalus to look for traps.

Todd watched as he came closer, and was waiting for him to arrive at the door. It took him over an hour to arrive to the point Todd was waiting off the path when Aries froze sensing danger for the first time. Todd was less than 5 feet from him and smiled wickedly as Aries turned directly away from him. Todd cast the spell quickly, not uttering a sound as he was a true Master of Magic after all of his time.

The fireball erupted from his hand and slammed into Aries back, which sent him flying several dozen yards forward as Todd allowed his camouflage spell to fade and stood there looking at Aries laying on the ground for a moment.

"Well hello Uncle, I knew you would be here." Aries said.

"Actually if you had left well enough alone, I would not be here to teach you a lesson in manners. Also, bringing the key with you was a terrible mistake." Todd replied as Aries slowly stood up, his armor exposed through the robes now that he had been sent flying.

"You thought that Zeus would allow your escape to pass?" Aries asked seriously.

"His failures are not my issue, I did no such thing as escape. My prison exploded around me and I was sent flying to the Mortal Realm. His betrayal of me was not my doing either Nephew, but I assure you if you do not leave me alone I will ensure you suffer each time I kill you." Todd told him as he drew his sword.

"You know father will never allow you to roam free after what he has done. Did you ever think these foolish mortals were meant to last? His plans have been delayed by those pesky Guardians, but we have consolidated our power and we are ready to March to war again." Aries said as he threw the dusty robe off exposing his Olympian Armor. "You shall see what my training has prepared me for, I assure you I am much better now than I was when you got locked up."

With that Aries launched into a strong attack with his flaming sword as fast as he could. The attack was so quick that no Human or Wolf would have been able to see the blur that Aries became, and he was completely shocked when Todd deflected the attack and quickly followed one of his own that Aries barely dodged. Todd didn't let up on the attack as Aries was barely able to stand against him, and after a few minutes and several strikes Todd sent Aries sword flying from his hands.

"Seems that your skills aren't what you think they are. As soon as you are prepared to admit defeat and surrender the key, I will allow you to slink back with a message to your daddy. That is without being sent back through the Well. But if you force me to take the key from you and don't submit, you will still deliver a message for me."

"And what makes you think I will deliver a message for you?" Aries sneered at him.

"Because your daddy will want to hear this. Leave the Mortal Realm alone, and seal Olympus. The Wolves and Humans have despooled the loom of fate, and if the Olympians do not wish to join their parents in Tartarus, they will forget the Mortal Realm exists." Todd told him as his eyes went wide.

Aries drew his spear and renewed his attack against Tantalus and seemed to be making progress for the first 30 seconds. Than Todd drew a second sword in his opposite hand and was easily able to turn the tables on Aries again. It only took him another 30 seconds to send the spear flying from his hands and place a kick to his chest and Aries went flying into the door of Tartarus. He impacted it so hard it cracked as he slid down the front of it.

"Aries, it is time you understand that my brother is not going to be your saving grace. None of you have ever seen me at my true power, and followed the betrayer and helped him do it. Now he will reap his rewards if he comes at me, you know the choices, which will it be?" Todd demanded.

"I have no key, and don't know what your talking about. If I am going to die, I will do it gladly against you." Aries said as he drew a dagger as he stood up. It was the one his father gave him after the War had ended, and it was one of the most powerful in Olympus.

As soon as he drew it, Todd moved so fast that Aries saw him flash as he felt himself get lifted by the throat and the dagger taken from his hand.

"Took you long enough, and it is so satisfying that you forces me to take it from you. Now be a good little boy and tell Zeus this for me. Leave Earth alone, seal Olympus and we won't destroy the well and kill you all. If you come for us, you will learn why my betrayal was the worst thing he could have ever done, as I will take my revenge on all of you every time you come to my new realm. He may like to think I escaped all he wants if it soothes his ego, but I will not bow down to him again. I shall use the full force of my power against him, and he will learn the reason his coup was successful." Todd said before he plunged the dagger into Aries heart and he shattered into dust as his soul returned to the Well of Souls in Olympus. He looked at the dagger and knew that this was going to be an interesting day.