The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XX (Liam)

The Rabbit hole was a place full of secret and magic that no one knew how was possible to make. One of the biggest secrets was the training room. It was an open green plain, almost a hundred square kilometer. There were no landmarks or change in the scape , only one tall mountain peak that stood out of the flatness of green fields. One could find an invisible wall if he walked for hours and he could follow it around the place. The air was always warm and fresh and filled the men who entered with joy. Nobody knew its original purpose but currently it was used for train the recruits as they could hide a large group of men indoors ye still outdoors. There they were preparing for the fight they knew might be the last. They either can take over the throne or die trying as there were no other choice left with the recent events. The drill instructors were harsher than ever, yet no one complained. They gritted their teeth and put all the effort they had to learn more as they knew their life will depend on it. This time there were no come back. The same train of thought led Liam to the top of the mountain. He sat there half naked balancing on a plank over a thin edge. He was in deep meditation fighting with his inner beast trying to find the balance and tame it. His body continuously changed back and forth between the wolf form and the human and none could take over totally. All the chains were dropped, all power that would restrict the feral monster was abandoned. He needed the power and he needed to obtain full control of it. While he was in his meditating trans he realized a lot of thing about his inner beast. It has been there way longer then he thought, it was not the result of the experiment that put that inside him, it was just awakened by his father and the masked man. This newfound information didn’t let him sleep, he started to doubt himself in everything, not knowing weather it was the idea of himself or the wolf. He did not dare to talk to any of his comrades, because he was terrified of the idea that they would saw him as he saw himself. A terrible, bloodthirsty monster.  He the thought about ending his life came to him almost every second, yet he knew if he would do it, there would be nobody left to take over the leadership in these critical days. His mother’s teaching came to him one time.

“Never think that you are irreplaceable, but always keep in mind that you at certain times you might be the best chance for the others. We are all fighting with our own worries and inner monsters. You will be able to tame yours I am sure. You were born special. You are a leader my little cub, and you have the strength in you to bear the responsibility of it.” She used to say when Liam was in doubt about if he would be able to take his father’s place one day. 

Remembering it made him cry until he just fell asleep, but also brought him relief. The next day he decided he will face the wolf inside him and make it yield. He owed this much to his men who were preparing to follow him to this battel and die for him if the need arises. Thus, he was sitting in the top of mountain, meditating for days. Now he could feel that they were both at the end of their rope both him and that giant black wolf he saw every time he looked inside his soul. The beast’s tongue was out as he tried to catch his breath and his legs were shaking. Liam weren’t in the best shape either. He was sweating and close the collapse, yet he willed himself the make another effort. They were exchanging blows within this spiritual place, ripping pieces from the others body, trying to gain dominance. Almost another hour went by with no result when they both fell to ground again and stopped.

“Ah..Argh. You are a true fighter young wolf.” Spoke the gigantic black beast for the first time. His voice boomed through Liam shaking each bone in his body. “I feel like we are peers in both strength and stubbornness.” And to Liam’s biggest surprise he started to laugh. It was so out of place so weird that the young Fenris could not help but joined him.

“It was a good fight thought, the best I had in years.” Added the young man.

“Yes indeed.” Agreed the wolf with a barking laughter.” It was refreshing to find a worthy representative of your line. I have been waiting for centuries, trying to help and serve my lord through your family, but none of you could stand my power besides you. “

“Your lord?”

“Yes. I am Fenrisúlfr. I am, I was a celestial wolf in the servitude of the emperor’s bodyguard. He was you ancestor, and my dearest friend. He found me as a cub and raised me. When we both fell while we protected ruler, I promised him that I will join my soul with his descendants and provide them the chance to protect the new emperor and fight for what they believe in. We have been fighting long together in the upcoming years of darkness against the one now you all call the Forger.”

“The Forger? How can that be. That would make him thousands of years old.”

“That he is little  cub. The evilest being on these lands, and the one who betrayed our beloved emperor.” Explained the wolf in a deep sad voice.

“Your line grew week during the years and there was no one worthy to bond with me. Until today. Yet you are also strayed from the right path wanting my power to fight the wrong war.”

Liam looked up the ancient beast, with no fear remained in his hearth.

“You know what? Let’s make a bargain you and me. We will have to live together for a long time why not live in peace? “

“What is the deal you offer little one? “ Asked the wolf with genuine interest.

“I shall help you out to achieve your goals and you shall help me to achieve mines. That’s all, sorry I am not good at thinking abstract. “ Laughed Liam as he looked up to the wolf.

“Oh, you remind so much to my friend Jhonas. You also have the same smell, which means I can trust you. You have a deal.”

“How strange I got my middle name after him.”

“That’s indeed strange, thought might not be a coincidence.” Said the wolf with a wondering glance. He bent down and touched the forehead of Liam leaving a shining bright star on it.

“Thus, I Fenrisúlfr, form a bond with you as equals. May we hunt together until one of us perils.”

“Thus, I Liam Jhonas Fenris, form a bond with you as equals. May we hunt together until one of us perils.”

They said in unison. When they finished Liam woke up from the meditation. He could steel feel his partner inside him, but it was no longer a worrying but a reassuring presence.