A LIFE UNSEEN

THE NINE CLANS

Rad rapidly railed the group at the camp, pressing everyone to scatter and find cover.

The Alpha's soldiers had them surrounded.

A pack of grumbling werewolves, leaving no room for escape.

When everyone else found a safe place to hide. Rad stood with Selene and Rufus to defend them. The three formed a tight triangle, transforming into the werewolf form.

The leader of the soldiers came forth. “So this is where you're hiding Rad, the Alpha will be pleased to hear you're dead.

Selene's face gleamed with determination.

Rufus stepped forward

“ That will only happen if you make it back to your Alpha, because you'll have to get through me.” Rufus said.

With a chorus of growls, the three charged at the soldiers.

The leader leaped at Rad but he escaped with ease, his claws striking at the soldier's chest.

Rufus took down another with a crushing bite to the neck. While Selene mutilated another with her sharp claws.

Rufus, Selene and Rad continued to fight as a team,in perfect alignment. Their bodies smeared as they exchanged blows.

The fight raged on, the sounds of roaring and snapping filled the air. The other werewolves that went into hiding, decided to come out and fight, as the soldiers were more.

The fight became more intense and as it wore on, the soldiers began to flinch.

Rufus ran towards the leader, who wasn't ready to accept defeat.

With a swift of his claws, he sent the leader crashing to the ground.

They defeated the soldiers leaving no one to escape.

Rad gave out a howl as he walked closer to the leader whose breath was fading away.

“ You're defeated, and I remain alive to protect these innocent people. May the gods accept your soul.” Rad said, as he was about to kill the leader with his claws.

“ Wait, please let me go, your mother is sick and has been expecting you. Rumor says she has a few days to live. I can help you see her again.” the leader pleaded.

Rad was touched and took a few steps backward. Rufus and Selene went closer to find out why he hesitated.

He told them what the soldier said but they decided not to kill him but let him die from his wounds.

“ I'm sorry, we can't trust you but I will leave you to the earth, the gods will decide your fate.” Rad said to the soldier.

The other werewolves, who had joined the fight approached them, incised with exhaustion and relief.

He thanked them and acknowledged they came out on time.

“ I believe we will always conquer as a team.” Rad said.

He urged everyone to pack up, as they would move out to camp elsewhere.

Rad's thoughts were consumed with the fact that his mother was sick.

He bowed his head in disappointment.

Selene came to where he sat and held his hands.

“ Rad, we shouldn't give up. We have to get to our mother's side, I also want to see her again.” Selene sobbed.

Rad held onto her and promised to go with her. He looked at Selene's eyes, filled with sadness.

“ Selene, you have always believed in me and stood by me. You chose to leave home and join me on this journey of no return. I promise to protect you.”

Selene smiled and grasped his hands.

“ That's why you're my favourite brother, I have never believed in father's ordeal nor Redo. Our mother isn't but she's quiet, I couldn’t sit there and watch innocent people suffer.”

They both agreed to travel to the Nine clans to visit their dying mother.

They went to meet with the others and made known their intentions.

“ I'm coming with you Rad. I can't let you two go alone. I can't sit back here hiding, maybe this is my destiny.” Rufus insisted.

They all moved to a place that was safe and decided to camp there.

Rad instructed them to appoint a leader to look into their affairs until his return. After they were all settled. Rufus, Rad and Selene journeyed to the Nine clans.

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The kingdom was sprawled across rugged ground, marked by thick, shadowy forest, bumpy mountains and expansive, mist-covered fields.

The kingdom is centred around a large, forestlike citadel, made of dark stone. Surrounding the citadel are widespread territories, where the werewolves roamed freely.

Their villages are scattered throughout the kingdom.

The kingdom is ruled by powerful alpha leaders at the top and various ranks below.

It has an aura of ancient magic believed to be wielded by true hiers. With enchantments and rites whispered among its people.

But things had changed for years, since when Apollo, the current ruler was crowned.

His quest for more power and dominion, led him to destroying villages who refused to yield to his ambitions and swearing allegiance to him.

He didn't stop; he waged war with other non-werewolves Kingdoms and succeeded in conquering some.

Rufus, Selene and Rad arrived in the kingdom and decided to use a narrow village to the palace.

The village looked miserable, with some houses burnt down.

Rad and Selene wore a covering to avoid people recognising them. The atmosphere suddenly changed, the people went into hiding, The three also ran to a corner inorder to stay safe and understand the situation. A pack of soldiers walked into the village.

“ You people do not have to run, all you have to do is comply with us and bring all the harvest you have, or we'll be left with no choice but to burn down the remains of this place.” one of the soldiers ordered.

When it seemed no one was responding, one of the soldiers burnt down the house that was before him. The people in the house ran out in tears.

“ We can't watch these soldiers bully these people.” Rufus said.

Selene opted they needed to stay hidden to avoid being caught.

An old lady walked up to the soldiers with a bag of grain and pleaded it was all they had but the soldier pushed her and killed her.

A young lady who happened to be her granddaughter screamed and ran towards the lady's corpse.

“ How could you be so cruel? You all will die for this, may the gods bring justice to my grandmother.”

The lady wailed in tears. The soldiers laughed and ordered they bring out all their grains or suffer the same fate.

“ No! I can't let you do that.” Rufus said as he went out of hiding. Rad wanted to join but Selene held him back.

“ Rad, please know that it's not safe to reveal yourself here. Father will find out and I don't want to lose you.”

The soldiers, surprised to see Rufus, burst into laughter. “ You dare challenge us.” One of the soldiers said.

Rufus' eyes glowed with fierce determination as he transformed into his werewolf form.

His body became larger and fur stood on end. With a mighty roar, he charged at the soldiers, his claws slashing through the air.

The soldiers were stunned and transformed to their own werewolf form. The fight was fierce with snarls filling the atmosphere.

But then Rufus was outnumbered and it seemed like the flow was turning against him, a strange feeling rushed through his veins.

A great surge of magical powers burst from Rufus, wiping out the remaining soldiers and he was filled with the strength of a thousand wolves, thereby crushing the soldier that killed the old lady with his claws.

Some of the villagers, who had been watching in amazement, cheered as Rufus stood victorious.

Selene and Rad were also amazed and shocked. The old woman's granddaughter immediately approached Rufus, urging him to transform back and hurry with her. Rufus immediately found shelter and transformed.

He received some clothes from the lady.

Rad and Selene rushed to him, asking questions but the lady pleaded they left the village immediately as it wasn't safe for Rufus.

“ You need to leave right now, thank you for what you did but right now, you're in more danger.” The lady said.

Rufus refused and said he wasn't running away. The lady decided to give up after much persuasion.

“ Then you'll have to come with me to my house, I'll explain my reasons but first I need to bury my grandmother.” The lady said, as she led the three into her little house. “ Stay here, I'll be back.” She said.

Rufus offered himself a wooden chair, he was confused. Selene and Rad took off their covers and sat with him.

“ Who are you?” Rad asked. Rufus, confused and uncertain of an answer. “ I don't know..,” Rufus replied. “ I was told, I'm destined for greatness. First I saw myself transform into a werewolf, but I don't know what just happened.”

Selene, filled with concern “ we need to get answers. With the power I saw today, it means there's hope for the Nine clans. Since I was born, I have never seen any werewolf wield such power.

They decided to wait patiently for the lady to return.