The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XV (Endrolin)

When Valance returned and told them what happened the old master just grabbed his staff and left the headquarter. He walked through the city whit his eyes closed, he saw this scenario so many times during his life. Endrolin one of the malakhim a crossbreed of angel and human. He got the gift of long life and magical power from his celestial ancestor. But Endrolin was even more special as he had the sight. It allowed him the peek into the future and see some part of it and his moment he saw many times. This was the moment when he steps on the path to his death. The knowledge didn’t have any effect on him. He has prepared for long for this day, he lived a long and good life. He looked up to the un and enjoyed the warmth as he turned into the Artisan’s district. He didn’t even hide his identity. He knew there was a man who needed to see him if he wanted the establish the future he chose. There he was the hunched little devil peeking from behind a carriage full of boxes. Endrolin chose such way through  the street, that would make him the most visible. Alas the little rat saw him alright and disappeared from the corner.

“Run you little weak creature run. Alarm you master that things have changed, his plan has been disturbed.” Thought Endrolin as he put his hood up and disappeared in the crowd. He met Liam as he came out the workshop. He could see he distress on the face of his pupil.

“Here you are lad!” He greeted Liam. “Sneaked out for a while now and already making trouble?”

“Oh, master. I did not expect you to come here. We must hurry on I have found a way to destroy most of the masks before they get handed out. “ Said Liam excitedly.

That was something Endrolin did not foresee. Maybe this lad has the power to forge an even better future then I saw.

“It is good news indeed, but you will need to do it alone.” Endrolin turned the young noble as a sudden shadow fall on the alleyway. “Listen to me Liam. I will be with you in a few minutes, but you shall not delay. I will catch up. Now go!”

 He pushed away the boy as he turned towards the man in the mask approaching slowly from the other end of the street. Liam felt that the master wanted space for a serious fight, and he would be in a way so all he said was-“Take care old man, I’ll see you back in the HQ. “ and he rushed away towards the cathedral. Endrolin looked at his foe and pulled back his hood.

“Shall we take it to a less populated are brat? It would be bad for both of us if someone sees the fight.”

The man in the ask smiled and draw some runes with his hand. The shadows enveloped both of them and a scene changed to cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. There cavern was illuminated by some kind of stones which gave a soft blue light providing plenty of shadows.

“Is this acceptable for you great Endrolin?” Asked the masked man with voice full of despite and irony.

“Valance my kid you should show more respect as I am way older. Also, take off that stupid mask. You don’t think you can fool me with something like that, do you? “ Endrolin scolded him.

Valance took of the mask with a bit of shock. His face showed genuine surprise.

“How long have you known it you old bastard?” His voice now was full of vile and hatred.

“Since your mom put you in the cradle brat. I did everything no lessen the damage you can cause in the years you were with the rebels.” Answered the master honestly and started to move in slow circular motion around his foe. Valance casually followed his motions, his hands in his pockets.

“You know. It’s a pity you recognized me. I thought I can just play with you and let you go later on, but you ruined my plans.” He said in a whinny voice to distract Endrolin, but the flash of his eyes betrayed him. The shadow tentacle he created only hit empty space as the master made a pirouette to the right.

“You could have been a ballerina.” Clapped the warlock and laughed. “Let see how you can dance then.”

He released seven other shadows and stared to smash everything. Endrolin closed his eyes and dodged all of them with ease. While he was evading the attacks, he started to gather his power. Marks all over his skin started to appear as he accumulated the power. The lights of the cavern faded as if the tattoos have sucked them in. Valance’s attacks made a screen of dust which hid these events from his sight. When all of the markings illuminated the master stopped.

“It is time to finish this. I really am sorry that your road ends here Valance.” He said his voice carried empathy.

“What...? “ Valance started to say, but a flash exploded from the monk and all he could feel is a hi on his stomach. He looked down when the light went back to normal and saw the old man’s hand going through his abandonment. Then he looked back the Endrolin’s  face frozen in puzzlement.

“Seriously what? Why did you ruin or game? We could have played for a few more hours.” He whined and started to laugh like mad man. Endrolin tried to pull his hand back but the shades from the hole he hit on Valance caught his arm. He could feel the shadow blades tear in his back as the kid scolded him.

“You are such a hard case. I will need to give you a lesson thought I can’t kill you. I will be a perfect bait for my next trap my dear.” As he started to torture him the master forced him self to pass out.

“You really have to ruin everything don’t you? “ Complained Valance when he realized the master lost his consciousness. He gave him a kick which made he old man’s body lift in the air, then enveloped both of the into shadows the teleport away.