Half Soul Chronicles

What are "Wolves?"

  Pulling me up, her strange eagerness made me less so to find these “wolves” she speaks of. Of course, anything to get free from her curse and her whims I’d kill a million of these wolves: I have an actual enemy to destroy and being trapped in the Abyss will only drain the time away from the mortal plane. 

“Where, exactly, are the wolves?” I asked. Hurrying to the corner of the room, she pulled free a cloak, a ratty dark thing that she happily tossed to me before digging out a pristine dark shawl that she pulled over. 

Shrugging, she ripped a belt from a bookshelf-she really needs to organize her space- while also pulling a small red book and three bulbs of dark liquid, all of which she hooked to her belt. “They migrate over the plains, they’re fast beasts that devour all of my crops each season.” She said rushing past me, going outside. 

Watching her, I felt the thin cloth and grimaced. “Well?” she huffed popping her head back in the shack. “Are you coming?” 

“Oh! You meant now?” 

Frowning, like I was the dumbest creature she’s ever encountered, she closed the door behind her. Pulling on the cloak,I rushed to follow her. 

The clouds swirling into a cyclone above, I watched it carefully, Kora chanted in a language I didn’t recognize, swirling her wand in a broad circle, dark thunder clouds swirled with her wand, growing and collecting until a raging and snapping bird-like beast with wings as broad as tree trunks with legs as powerful as Gemini's appeared from the storm clouds, the wild beast’s eyes glowed a powerful blood red; roaring like thunder it flapped its powerful wings, spitting flames into the sky. 

Watching the beast, I gasped, in awe of its raw power and strength. “THIS is a friend to be proud of!” I gushed coming close to it, raising my hand to it, it snapped its beak to me, roaring its powerful roar, snapping at my hand, nearly taking it off. 

“Better be careful, it's not keen on anyone..even me,” Kora said hopping on its back, reigns materialized around its neck and in her hands. 

“Its power is magnificent! It could probably rip my arm off with one bite!” 

Narrowing her eyes at me, she rolled her eyes. “You’re a strange one-” 

“Coming from the mortal who lives, willingly, in the Abyss.” I said smiling at the beast. “What manner of beast is this? What’s their name?” I asked getting close again-they snapped at me again, its white hot beak singing the palm of my hand. “You’re a feisty one!!”

“It has no name, and is no beast. It is.” She said neutrally looking ahead. 

“Well that’s no way to treat your friend-” 

Flinching, she scowled. “It’s not my friend. This serves as my mount when I need to travel. Beasts can’t be friends-” 

“Thought you said it wasn’t a beast-” My breath suddenly leaving me,my blood glass, I gagged falling to the ground. 

“If you’re done wasting time, we have wolves to slaughter.” She said, the curse lifting. 

“Wicked mage..” I gasped pulling myself up. 

Shrugging she took off just as I tried hopping on the back of her mount. “Wh-WHAT ABOUT ME??” 

“RUN! You need the exercise!” She yelled over her shoulder. 

Grumbling curses at her, I had no choice but to run after her-and her beast who could take six steps to my one. Following far behind, my entire body was on fire, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation where my healing didn’t keep me moving as I pushed my body to its absolute limits, and never have I ever had to try so hard to get the bare minimum. 

The uneven lands, the waist length and untamed grass of the endless plains made it almost impossible to keep pace, that and my body was not the same as it was, but thankfully the flaming claws of her mount (who will be given a name if I have anything to say about it) made it easy to track; even as the grass grew almost as fast as it burned. 

True, as I read in my studies, the Abyss is mostly empty grassland, ambient neutral spirit and energy populated the air above and all around me, harmless things that didn’t notice my presence as much as I wasn’t bothered by theirs; mostly formless creatures floating, it occurs to me now that this is as close as I’ve been to any spirit world. Mother always crosses over to speak to the ancestors, to gain guidance from them before making any big decision. She’d be gone for days, weeks, months even. I think, despite my natural affinity for attracting spirits, I’ve never had much use for the actual spirit worlds. They take up too much time, especially when the real one is constantly in chaos, chaos that needs to be fixed. 

Out of breath, my legs and lungs aflame, I caught up to Kora on top of a cliff overlooking a wide basin of dark water spilling down for what for what looks like eternity, across the basin the plains resumed despite the sudden break in landscape. 

Gasping for air, I leaned on the beast-it snapped at me, its sharp tail smacking me in the face knocking me on the ground as she continued to gaze out. “W-what...Oh my Goddess I think I’m gonna die-what are..looking at?” I gasped. 

“I’m watching the air, looking for any trace of the pack before I have to cross the basin.” She said over the roaring waters, the spray of it spilling up into the air on my skin cooling me a fraction. 

Nodding, I pushed myself up. “Well, it looks like it’s only a few seconds over the water, I say we go-” 

“Despite your constant talking, I never asked your opinion.” She said flatly. “Get on.” She said. 

A jolt of childlike joy surged through me, leapt onto the beast getting a wild protest as it bucked and kicked-Kora snapped the reins calming it a fraction, although I’m sure it would gladly kick me off if it had its way.

“I wish you were a green Elvin, I wouldn’t have to share this ride,” She grumbled. 

“My green siblings don’t share their knowledge of flight, I’m afraid.” 

“Pity,” she said, snapping the reins again. 

The beast flapping its mighty wings, it exploded up into the air and across with a speed that was breathtaking. So high over the basin, I nearly lost my breath, holding onto Kora tight I yelled into the sky. 

“W-what are you doing??” She yelled. 

“We’re FLYING!!” I cheered, the air frigid against my skin, blowing my hair back away from my face, and forcing tears from my eyes-yet I’ve never felt more alive. 

“Okay?” She asked, annoyed. 

“LIVE A LITTLE!!!” I Cheered letting go of her, raising my fists into the air, I yelled again into the clouds. 

A stray, sharp gust of wind struck my shoulder nearly pushing me off, gasping  I scrambled  to grab Kora’s shawl tightly, pulling myself into her back again. “Idiot..” 

Looking down at the endlessness, the water glittered like black gems as it fell, swirling like a cyclone, the constant roar of falling water filled my every sense. Looking up, thick dark clouds surrounded us, carefully lifting my hand up, it glided through the clouds, dividing them, curious sprits spilled from the tear flying and surrounded us as we ripped through the sky. It was then that I noticed the distance between the breaks in land, its all so wondrous, so unique, I can see why she likes it here from this view alone. 

Diving down towards land, the grass coming ever closer, I shrieked in joy as my stomach flipped at the change. Holding on tight, we landed smoothly through the grass, I cheered. 

“That was amazing! Let’s do that again-” 

The beast bucking me off, I plopped onto the ground, my head colliding with the dirt. 

“Guess you got your answer..” Kora said, the two of them moving ahead. 

More fields, more running, the cloud high mountains stretched all around us, but with the quick running I could barely take in my surroundings as I chased the two-she’s not one for slowing down allowing others to keep up. How can a person be so keen on being isolated? My entire life I’ve been surrounded by family, friends, and spirit alike. I’ve always had someone to aid if I needed, for someone to willingly be alone it’s...very odd. 

Ryh is like her in that respect, they both craved solitude and preferred to be alone then with someone at all times, I don’t know, I guess the silence of being alone has always been so deafening that I always avoided it. I hope she’s not alone now..I pray she found our friends or maybe the arms of a new lover? 

Slowing as we approached an odd clearing, I caught up last as the beast sniffed at the cleared grass. “What’s it looking…” trailing off, crushed remains of a small-infant like person were scattered across the clearing. Tiny dark bones, a torn book, dark black blood splattered over the dark grass. Kneeling to the bones, where the blood was more abundant, I touched the blood-hoping to get a sense of what happened, but nothing happened. 

I felt no stir in my mind, no images of what this poor abyssal might have seen; rage bubbled my blood but I stood, wiping the blood on my pants. “The blood is fresh, whatever killed them couldn’t have gotten far,” I said looking around for any further traces. 

“Not far at all, we’re being watched.” Kora said scanning the grass. 

Slowly moving my hand to my blade, I watched the grass carefully, the air suddenly still-like the moments right before a thunderstorm.

Closing my eyes, praying for some kind of miracle-maybe the thrill of a actual battle would wake my crippled abilities, but nothing, I could only hear my own breath and the small shifting of grass, the gentle thrum of my soul blood as it coursed through me. 

The softest of footfalls snapped my wrist into action, ripping my blade free, I spun around just as a large white beast ripped from the grass lunging for me. Slashing across as it snapped its massive maw at me, i dove away as it landed with a thud sliding across from us. 

The massive beast had fur white as falling snow, glowing a soft iridescence catching on the dark surroundings reflecting the dark back at us, claws long and sharp as daggers on each of its four paws. Four ears sat upon the top of its head, two long thin tails flared as it narrowed its sharp yellow eyes on us. 

Growling, it snapped its maw, opening its mouth wide-splitting into six mouths of rows of razor sharp teeth, each one perfectly capable of severing flesh from bone if given the chance. It was a magnificent beast, powerful, if this was a different time I’d honor it more before I tore its soul from its body. 

Lowering its body getting ready to lunge, my ear twitched-ducking as fast as i could two more of these wolves ripped from the grass, slamming and tearing into Kora’s beast, knocking her free as she flicked her wand zapping a bolt at one beast. Slamming on the dirt, she groaned as I pointed my blade at the three animals as they circled us. 

“Smart wolves,” I chuckled keeping my eyes on the reflection of my blade, keeping all of them in my sight. It’s going to be tricky trying to attack and kill all three of them without my magics and my barest of strength, my arms burn, my legs are throbbing-but I’ll be damned if I die again, especially to these minor beasts. 

“I hope you don’t plan on staying on the ground during this entire fight,” I deadpanned watching the wolves. 

Spitting dirt free, she scoffed at me. “i***t, just don’t die.” getting up, pointing her wand at the narrowing wolves, she slid her hand in a secret pocket pulling free a blue bladed dagger. 

The growling chorus spiraling around my head, the wolves lunged in unison, two of them attacking me-they can probably smell the weakness from me-can’t blame them, I’d attack the weakest of two myself. 

Dark lightning exploding from the ground surrounded us, springing out, crashing into the wolves, my legs reacted faster than the rest of me could, pouncing on one, it growled, snapping its disgusting mouth at me. Slamming my foot into its throat, I slammed my blade through its chest, a sickening snap of severed bone and cut organs silenced the beast as the other two wolves barked loudly, both of them lunging for Kora. 

Rushing to her aid, she flicked her wand at one wolf, dark flames cooked and disintegrated the beast as if it never existed, quickly-almost without thought, she flung her dagger at the last wolf, the blade plunging deep through the open mouth of the beast and out through its skull before flying back in her hand. 

Impressed, admittedly, I looked at my pathetic kill and sighed. “You’re a hunter,” 

Sheathing her dagger, she wiped her arms clean of dirt. “Your observations are unparalleled…” kneeling she flicked her hand over the dead wolf, a mist flowing around its body, it twitched and groaned before snapping up panting and wagging its tail at her. “Take me to your den.” She said staring deep in its now glowing white eyes. 

A low gruff bark came from it before turning and darting through the grass. “You can also necromance?” I asked, my hand falling for my blade. 

“I’d be careful who you accuse,” She warne. Flicking her wand at her beast, lighting it aflame before chasing it. 

Letting my blade go, I guess it wouldn’t make much sense for her to betray me, kill me, then bring me back to life just to kill me again. Still, it’s disturbing to come across someone so powerful but has told me nothing of herself or why she’s helped me in the first place. 

Dark clouds swirling overhead I watched them carefully, catching up with her and the enthralled wolf as it sprinted through the fields. 

“So, you shed no tears over your fallen friend-” 

“How many times-” Stopping herself, she sighed. “That beast is a spell, its physical form is merely a convenience to me. It doesn’t even know it exists at all,” She said running, the wolf leaping over a stark white river, tiny white flowers with black leaves flowed down its stream. 

“Well, that’s not entirely true, it did exist. You just refuse to let it pass on-” 

“I fail to see your point. It’s a tool now,” She huffed flicking her wand at the water, a misty bridge materialized over the water. “Touch the water and you’ll forget you ever existed, tread lightly.” she said crossing the bridge. 

Following as she did, I searched the fields for any signs of a cave or hideaway for any of these wolves to hide, yet all I found was grass that stretched endlessly it seemed. “How many spells do you know? You’ve manipulated the air, can heal-” 

Snapping to me, she scowled. “I’m about to use one to seal this endlessly chattering mouth of yours. SILENCE!” 

“Says the one who just yelled..” I grumbled. “What was that!?” She said over her shoulder. “Just worried about the potential rain!” pointing to the sky, I fell in step with her. 

“Don’t be, once we find their den and clear out the vermin we can take refuge there.” 

“With all your skills and talents, you seemed perfectly capable of handling this yourself. Why do you need me?” 

“I don’t.” She said coldly. 

Crossing another series of streams that flowed down into a larger field of streams all flowing and surrounding a large cave mouth, Kora ripped me behind a large boulder, the rushing water drowning out any noise around us. Thunder cracked above us, the sky grew darker. 

“Do you know anything of wolves?” She whispered. 

Shaking my head, I peaked my head over the boulder, seeing the slightest movements below, hidden beneath the grass. “Until this very day, I had no idea what a wolf was,” 

“Well, fool, wolves can refract light and sound. Making them twice as deadly,” she said, the enthralled wolf snuggling under me, pushing its nose into my chin, licking my face. 

“Awww,” I scratched behind its ears and back. 

Flicking her wand, the wolf yelped before falling into ash in my hands. Staring at her, incredulous, I brushed the dust of my furry friend off of me. “You must hate joy,” 

“And you must hate being alive, focus Elvin!” She hissed. Peaking over the rock I watched her watch the streams and around the cave. 

Oddly enough, the hidden wolves in the grass rotated around as three exited the cave mouth as the hidden wolves went inside the cave, like a perimeter of protection. Odd for creatures to be this organized, but this is the Abyss i suppose anything can happen and I wouldn’t have the answers for any of it.

“Is this normal?” 

Cutting her eyes at the wolves, she huffed. “Unfortunately, wolves are highly intelligent...bastards.” Her book of spells flying open to a random page full of gibberish looking words and symbols, I had to look away-the wolves spreading through the tall grass in a wide open circle; one pounced into the grass; bopping its head out moments later, a rodent in its mouth. 

“Any ideas? Doesn’t look like we can just sneak through-” 

“Your need to fill every silence is quite extraordinary,” She said humorlessly. 

“Well maybe if you told me what the plan is I’d be more quiet!” 

“Somehow I doubt that..” she said as the pages flipped to a page where a crude picture of some kind of beast with broad strokes of wavy lines and crude drawings that barely resembled stars. “This is how. I can create a spell that can make us invisible until we get inside the cave,” 

“..where there’s double the wolves!” 

“Thought you wanted to battle, recover your strength? Did I resurrect the wrong Elvin?” She taunted. 

Scowling at my warden, I gripped my blade. “There is no one more capable than I to do this!” 

Something resembling a smile pulled at her lips, but never made it (i’m sure joy doesn’t come naturally to her) she peeked over our crude cover and pointed out. “See that runt?” 

Following her lead, my eyes found a smaller wolf towards the falling water, going in and out of camouflage barely concealing itself like its other invisible wolves.   

“I do,” 

“Good. Kill it, bring me a rear tooth and a sample of its blood.” she said while handing me a vial. “Be quick, wolves will smell the dead and, yes, they do hold grudges.” 

“Good to know..” Snatching the vial from her, I moved around the cover to the edge of the cliff. 

Not a long drop, and the wolves are distracted, the target lounging, will probably be unaware of my disturbance if I quickly dive into the water and strangle it or maybe slice its head free from its body so it won’t even get the chance to attack. Either way, I’m going to get wet, and unlike my black siblings, I despise getting wet. 

Cool air filled my lungs, I focused on the task at hand and felt my feet lift from the ground. Diving so fast my vision blurred, I sliced through the pool, masked by the roar of the crashing water. Soaked to my bones, I quickly swam up, keeping my head just below the surface, I waited for anything to disturb the water. Curious fish and water spirit swarm around my ankles, watched me and what I was about to do, i smiled at the spirits and swore I’d make a meal from the fish. 

Peeking above the water, I was less than two stones away from the wolf I needed; lounging just free from the tall grass, out in the open, I have to be quick. No wasted movements and no wasted attacks. Kill it fast and make like a Goddess and run! 

Slowly, precisely, I hoisted myself from the water until I was on land. Kneeling to keep myself hidden from any preying eyes, every step measured and silent, every movement perfectly calculated. Grabbing my hilt, i slowly pulled free my blade as I neared the beast. It will sense me before long- I only have now- 

Leaping above the beast, I slammed my blade through its skull right as it noticed me, a low bark gruffed out before I silenced it completely. Ripping my blade free, I opened its multiple mouths, pulled and yanked on one of its back teeth-its breath ripe with filth and the strange stench of vegetable. Gagging, I ripped the tooth free. Pocketing it, I pulled free the vial and filled it from the wound that I made. 

That was easier than I thought, pays to be as powerful as I. Grabbing the tail of the beast, I yanked and started to drag it to the pool to hide my act. A lot heavier than it looked, the beast hardly budged even as I pulled with all of my strength; still it needed to move so I pulled even harder until the body was at the edge of the water. 

My ear twitching, I stopped and dropped the body. 

“...Bastards…” 

Ripping my blade free, a wolf lunged free releasing its invisibility, so fast I barely had time to duck and roll as it slammed hard across from me in front of the body. Compared to the runt, it was twice the size, twice the muscle, twice the chance of me getting ripped apart in my weakened state. Narrowing my eyes, I kept it in view as I pointed my blade at it. 

“You think I’m afraid to die? HUH!” I screamed, praying to all the gods that Kora could hear me. “You’re a beast! A mindless creature who will make a GREAT carpet!” I taunted as it snarled and barked. “My name is A’KE OF THE BLUE ELVIN TRIBES!! With this blade i will-” 

My ear twitched again, sharp teeth and paws ripped down on my shoulder and blade arm, a scream bubbled up and exploded out as I was thrown down into the dirt and tossed around, two wolves appeared from the brush surrounding the dead runt. My blood coating the dirt and grass, it tossed me onto my back and latched onto my leg. 

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING??” I screamed, reaching frantically for my blade, just out of reach, one wolf snatched it up with its mouth as the other two carried the body on its back. “UN-HAND ME-DAMMIT!!!” I roared using my good hand to swing as it started dragging me into the grass. 

Screaming and cursing at the wolves, they dragged me closer and closer to the cave as more and more wolves popped out of the tall grass. My ruined arm throbbed and gushed, the rest of me numb to the pain as my foot was yanked and ripped across the dirt into the smooth cutting cave.

Being interdimensional wolf lunch was not how I saw myself dying…

Dragged further and further into the dark cave, the gruff barking and paws hitting stone echoed all around me, complete darkness stretched in every direction, this wouldn’t be a problem if my blessed eye worked, but like everything else I can’t seem to activate that either. I swear to the Goddess if I die in a cave the ancestors and the gods will have A LOT to answer for! 

The growling growing louder, the roar of water filled the cave walls as a steep decline knocked against my head, the wolf dragging me down into a dimly lit cave floor where a open fire, burning wild and open sat nearly a dozen wolves, tossed across the audience, the following wolves set their dead wolf beside the open fire. 

All of them licking their razor teeth, growling and biting at the open air, I found the wolf with my blade in its mouth, I could summon it free but what good would it do? My one good arm and one good foot isn’t enough to kill these wolves. 

All of the wolves suddenly stopping their growling, bowed their heads, not to me, but to their fallen wolf and howled to the sky-a sad song that filled my heart and eyes with tears (both against my will) as if they ripped open a piece of me and injected their sadness in me like bastard medicine. 

Wiping my tears, the wolves parted letting in space for a mighty, long furred, white wolf three times as big as any of the others. Eyes as sharp as blades, rich as amber, claws a subdued gold, three tails that flowed like smoke, black rings surrounded its legs and neck as it sat across from me, behind the fire. 

Watching me with an intent unlike any animal I’ve seen before, I tightened myself for the killing blow. 

“Four of our clan have been slain by your hand. Three scouts, and one child. What was the reason for these crimes?” the White wolf asked. 

“Um…” stunned by their ability for speech, I just gawked. “The uh...scouts attacked me and my companion. The child..was needed for a spell…” 

“A spell…” the White wolf said sorrowfully. “How base are mortal..and Elvin desires, so needless are the crimes you committed.” 

“Hey!” I snapped getting growls from the audience. “Those three wolves did try and attack us!” 

“Did they? Or did you strike first and assume we had ill intent?” It asked. 

Frowning, not wanting to contemplate the moral repercussions of killing beasts (even talking ones , I looked back. The springing of the wolf-scared me into action, automatic, I swung first catching the skin of the first wolf before the others appeared and..reacted to our attacks. 

“We have broad territory, our lands are plentiful and rich, we respect the ones who have lived here before us, and scour the land for our crops-” 

“So you don’t eat..meat?” 

Balking at me, they barked. “MEAT? Foul, the bones you see before you are fallen brother and sister. There are no meals of mortal here.” 

So that’s why they keep attacking Kora’s farm, it’s not usually my style but if they can just talk maybe we can get out of here without more bloodshed? Well, my bloodshed! 

“So why bring me here? Why not let me die? Gods know that wolf’s teeth has already infected my wounds!” I grumbled pointing the wolf. “Yeah! I’m talking to you!!” The wolf bowing its head and pouting.  

“Simple.” The wolf said. “We will tear you limb from limb and feed you to the flames; penance for what you did to our clan-” 

“That’s not going to work for me, wolf.” I said. “My companion wants you gone, you keep stealing and eating their crops! Your penance for that will be with your lives!!” I roared holding open my hand, DeathBrine flew from the jaws of the wolf into my last good hand. 

“And how, Elvin, do you plan on doing that?” They said, the wolves around it growling and snarling. “We sense your weakness, have broken your body.” 

Good question actually. I was hoping Kora would burst in and save me in usual “me” fashion but it seems, as usual, I have to rely on my own abilities to get me with all my intestines inside of my body still. 

“Exactly, kill the elf. Bring me his head.” It said, stealing MY line. 

The wolves, on all sides of me, barked and growled snarling as they neared, all of them with the clear desire to tear me limb from limb. 

Closing my eyes, my ear twitched at the sound of the wolves lunging; there’s no way out of this, despite all of my magics and spells I learned in my long life, my first was gods given. The ability to move through space like taking a step, it saved my life more than any of the other magics I learned or discovered within myself. I wouldn’t even have to think I would just think of where I wanted and- 

My feet and body suddenly off the rough cave ground, the air around me was cooler, away from the flames of their site, opening my eyes I stared at the hanging jewels of the cave ceiling-I collapsed myself! My-magic? Well one of my lost magics!

Chancing a look down, I spun my body, pointing my blade at the confused wolves as they sniffed the ground looking for me. i***t wolves. 

Diving, knowing this is going to hurt, I collapsed myself forward, even faster than before, I tore through the body of an unsuspecting wolf before crashing and collapsing away into a far wall. Slamming hard against it, my body rang like a bell, pain as sharp and hot as flames coursed through me, before collapsing onto the stone. The wolves barking, I pulled myself up, spit the blood pooling in my mouth and pointed my blade. 

“I’ve killed daemons with magics as black as the underworlds. Gods with powers that would tear the strongest mind to shreds. I will not die at the hands of beasts!!” 

“Arrogance, even as you look your death in the face.” 

“I’ve already died. You’re going to have to do better,” 

Collapsing again, I tore the head from a beast as they reacted and snapped at me, clawing as I dodged as best as I could, their claws tearing into my side as I collapsed quickly, two, three, four times dodging and slashing, hacking and evading barely able to stand and taking more damage than I was giving out. Landing away again, I balanced on my one good foot, leaning on the wall for support, I pointed my blade out at the six remaining wolves and the one leading all of this. 

My body ached, bleeding everywhere, my sides torn open, bites and tears shredded through my armor (even enchanted leather is useless in the Abyss), covering my side wound with my injured hand they both screamed at me. Gasping for breath, I couldn’t run, even with my power back I’m too tired to travel distances without them catching up first. 

Bastards, all of them. To die once, and then die again to wolves. How pathetic. 

The wolves nearing in, I thanked the Goddess for the time I had and  prayed the afterlife is as kind as they make it sound. 

“Heed!” The White wolf barked stopping the wolves, falling back, the White one parting the sea of wolf until it towered over me. “It’s not in my nature to let a grievance go unpunished. You will live today, but it is not because of mercy.” 

“Then what..for?” I huffed lowering my blade a fraction. 

“A darkness has been awoken and touched you, festering into every dimension and hidden place, searching for you. It knows you are alive and won’t stop until it devours you. Killing you now would only do its job for it-” 

“So you have no faith that I can kill it?” 

Staring down at me, it barked. “Do you have faith you can destroy it?” 

 Spitting, a sharp pain ran through my chest. “There’s nothing I can’t kill. If I had all my magics all of you would be pelts by now!”  

“Possibly, but all of your magics couldn’t kill it the first time-” 

“Just what are you? I’ve never given you anything about me!” 

“I’ve been alive a lot longer than you, Elvin.” Holding up its paw, it set it on my wounded shoulder. “You are deplorable. Arrogant, selfish, and quite possibly the least humble spirit that’s ever walked this cave. But...I fear you may hold a magic that can kill this ancient evil.” 

The Necromancer..Borolith...

My soul blood quivered, fear coursed through me. They got rid of me so quickly, killed me as if I was a common insect then tossed my body like trash. If it knows I’m alive now, they might try and finish the job, end me completely and leave no trace of me. 

“I have a magic that you will need, that’s kept me alive as long as I have been.” It said. “I can sense your base magics, mirror my healing.” 

This wolf must be very powerful, to sense a magic I’m not sure how’d I get back. Nodding, I gripped the wolf’s paw and took a breath. My mirroring magics didn’t appear to me until after about fifty years of mastery of my spatial magic. I remember the first time mother summoned a fire ball hot enough to melt through the Halls of Eternity at me to quickly test my spatial agility then instead of dodging, my spirit forced me to hold open my hands. 

The fire burned my palms, practically melting them before it swirled, I understood the flame, and it changed to silver, launching it back at her, she swiped it away and simply said: “Again.”  

My soul blood swirling, it flooded my wounds, over my hands and activated something deep in me, pulsing I coughed pushing myself away. Hitting the stone, a wave of magic washed over my skin, making it gleem its usual dark iridescence, my wounds began stitching themselves closed. 

Looking to the wolf, I bowed my head. “I’m honored you’d share this gift, and help me with my magics.” 

“It’s not to aid you. But the life plains as we know them. If I see you again, unprepared, I will take destiny into my own hands. That is a promise Elvin.” 

“And I will not fail.” I said back moving off the wall and towards the path back to the surface. “Oh, and for the record, I will come back!” 

Nodding, the wolves howled as I made my way out. 

Limping forward, my healing much slower than before, I stumbled and tripped until the blue, endless skies welcomed me; and a lounging Kora, sitting on a boulder surrounded by dead wolves. 

“Well?” 

“Well, what?” I huffed breezing past her. “Could’ve used your help! A lot actually!” 

“You’re alive aren’t you? Plus,” she said gripping my shoulder. “I think I sense magics in you-” 

“You knew I couldn’t kill all those beasts, you left me to die!” throwing her hand off of me. 

“You speak quite clearly for the dead,” 

“You know what I mean Kora, I needed you in there-” Gasping the air was ripped from my lungs, my blood turned to glass, I collapsed to the ground. Stepping over me, she kneeled over me looking at the cave beyond. 

“I’m not your mother, Elvin. I won’t coddle your fragile ego, and your inability to do what needs done. You failed to kill the wolves. That’s all. By the grace of your gods they let you walk free, it’s true, I had no real intention of helping you. But that’s only because you will not learn to stand on your own if I hold your hand. Now be the three hundred year old warrior you are, and stand. We have a journey home and I’d rather not get trapped in a storm if I don’t have to.” 

Releasing her chokehold on me, I sucked in the fresh air as her nameless stead appeared from the thundering clouds. “See? A tool.” 

“You are a wicked sorcerer…” I gasped pulling myself. 

“For that, you will walk until we get to the divide.” She said, the beast flapping its mighty wings and flew up, blowing me back into the grass as they did. 

Sighing, I started my long journey home. 

Hours (or what I assume are hours) later, I sat outside watching the falling gemstones, my wounds from the battle long healed, my muscles burned as my healing tried forcing them to their former state. She’s right, terribly so, I couldn’t defeat beasts. Back when I was the “A’Kei the Blue” I could tear through any enemy that was before me, the most dangerous elf with a blade in the last six centuries. Was it my own pride that made me so blind to rushing in? But how could I have known what the Necro had planned? That my own strength would be my ultimate downfall?

To rebuild myself is going to take time, time I may not have. That bastard could have leveled all of Yeral while I was dead, I could be heading back to a daemon paradise, desolate of the life I once knew. My family..my tribe..they all could be gone because I- 

Groaning, I slammed my fist into the nearest thing, a wooden beam holding up the raggedy roof. For such a capable sorcerer she’s taken no pride in her home, I’ve never seen something so worn before. 

What if I’m not strong enough the second time we face? If the great darkness is, in fact, the Necro, then whose to say i’ll be any better than I was before? I had four of the most powerful runes, more strength then any elf of my day, magics that felt endless-and it still wasn’t enough. I’ve never had so many doubts in my life, it sits heavy in my stomach like metal. 

The door creaking open, light streamed out, Kora came out holding two bowls, both of which smelled divine. My stomach growling, it occured to me that I haven’t eaten in over two suns. 

“Here.” She said handing me the steaming bowl. “Thank you, and here I thought you ate the hearts of children..” I said staring down at the orange soup. “Only on full moons,” she said flatly. 

Laughing nervously, I honestly couldn’t tell if she was joking or not. “Um..well, it’s appreciated.” taking a small bite, the warm broth burned its way down my throat, warming every part of me. Ingredients I didn’t recognize building a taste that was mostly salty but satisfying all the same. Then again, I killed ox and ate them over fires with no extra seasonings so who am I to judge one’s cooking? “This is good, what’s it made of?” 

“Don’t ask me questions.” She said shortly, taking a bite herself. 

“You see, this is not how alliances work. We have to, you know, talk to one another? Otherwise we’ll-” 

“Enjoy the silence that’s been stolen ever since you came to? Tragic..” she deadpanned. 

“No. That’s not what I meant. You literally know everything about me-” 

“Yes.” she chuckled making me blush. 

“..as I was saying, you know everything there is to know about me. I don’t know a single thing about you except that you don’t say anything about yourself. Like why is a mortal in the Abyss, willingly? How? Where do you come from? How did you learn so many powerful spells? Resurrection? A mortal with such knowledge could be the most sought after mage in all of Yeral!” 

Frowning at her soup, I could see the frustration building on her face, she’s going to choke me. “I…” bracing for her chokehold, I clenched my eyes closed, but felt nothing. Opening them she stared pensively at her soup. “...don’t know.” Opening my mouth to ask what she meant she stood. “Eat alone.” 

With a slam of the door, she left me alone again. She’s an enigma, one I don’t care for at the moment, but she looked different when I asked this time, another question surrounding her as the others swirled unanswered. 

Glancing at the soup, I stared up at the dark sky, I pray that my intuition is wrong; that Ryh and the others are still alive (hopefully mourning me still), fighting and hopefully putting the Necro through every torture created for killing me. 

The pit never left my body, it only grew as  I watched the rain fall. With it, a thought floated up; if the wolves are vegetarian, and only attack as they are threatened, what killed the abyssal found in the field? 

A chill ran up my spine, suddenly feeling watched, I ate the rest of my soup ignoring the feeling, but my ear never relaxed.