They came at dawn. Not thousands. Just ten. Ten Darks arriving together. The first wave. The scouts. The beings sent to observe before the thousands followed.
We felt them before we saw them. Felt the weight multiply. Felt ten ancient forces pressing against reality. Felt presence that was familiar but different. Similar to the seven but harder. Colder. More resistant.
The fifteen packs gathered. Thousands of wolves standing ready. Not for battle. For demonstration. For showing. For proving.
The seven Darks moved forward. Dawn leading. The others flanking. They stood between the ten newcomers and the packs. Protective. Defensive. Ready.
"I am Dawn. Once I was the First Dark. Now I am Dawn. I chose existence. I joined something. I became what you might become." Dawn's voice was steady.
