OmegaOnyx

Wanderers in the Void

The woman raised an eyebrow, easing off the bed as she watched him draw his weapon. Standing next to the door, she tried to pick up a scent as he gazed out, eyes widening as she heard flesh puncturing. Before she could say anything, heavy footsteps took off elsewhere, only assuming they were his. Fearing more danger awaits, the girl took off after him, transforming along the way. Her body glowed, her inner lycan forming around her as red crystals before its color solidifying into fur, sprinting on all fours once her legs shaped, powerful muscles assisting the wolf in catching up with the man. The canine carefully walked up behind him, examining the dying perpetrator.

"Hmph, well then. You know where they came from?"

She spoke to the giant through telepathy, standing on her hind legs as she pawed at the stranger's body before looking up at him. With her nose pointed toward the sky, she stayed wary for another's scent. Eventually, her ears perked up, an arrow whizzing towards her. A barrier quickly formed around the beast, the arrow snapping on contact. Catching onto the human's scent, she charged towards its direction, her quick speed allowing her to tackle him down before he could launch another arrow. Pinning down his arms and legs, the mage coiled vines of arcane around the assailant, keeping him bound to the ground. A shriek came before her howl, easing off the young man, simply standing nearby to let her accomplice make the choice of the attacker's fate, as he was the only one who could hear her.

"I'll let you do the talking or killing, maybe both. I wouldn't know how important it would be to you to see where this bastard and his
friend came from."

Her trap rose the man from the ground, cocooning his body except for his head and neck. He only grunted and squirmed, even biting at the vines near his mouth. One of the tendrils wrapped around the back of the man's head, the end splitting into four smaller ends to force him to look up. With fear in his voice, he screamed at the mage.

"You'll be sorry, you damn freak! Now release me or else!"

Wanderers in the Void

She listened carefully, curiously raising an eyebrow as she caught his stare. It's not easy to intimidate her or let her show it, a cocky grin proving such. Crossing her arms behind her head, she stretched her body before sliding off the table, her cloudy pupils finding his eyes.

"See something you like, or is there still blood on me?"

The girl teased, making her way to the bed, promptly sitting on the edge with one leg tucked under her, huffing as she collected her thoughts, straightening her back before speaking.

"But to be serious, I admit I don't know much beyond my own magic, at the same time I can learn. I suppose I can easily put it as I'm not ready to call this journey of mine to an end. I can already see the Hellish place I have in the afterlife. There's no honor for me to die
with, so I'll stay in the mortal realm as long as I can, now that I'm free from Daku's bond."

To be a show-off, the mage snapped her fingers, a glass-like shard of magic forming from thin air. The piece slowly floated down onto the table, glimmering in a velvet-crimson hue.

"You can touch it, it's just energy. If you were in my village long enough, then I'm sure you know about my bloodline's ability to manifest arcane to our will, and how we are made out of illusion magic. It may not be much compared to your ability, but it still has power, that is
if I'm not being a coward."

She twirled one of her dreads between her fingers, staring off to the side, disappointed in herself. Shaking her head, the girl quickly dismissed those thoughts, as she has always done. Perking up, the mage's grin returned as she formed two floating wolf heads from the same substance, sending them to rub up against the brute's face, as they still had the texture of fur. Eventually, the canines disappeared into smoke, she couldn't help but giggle.

"Hehe, sorry. It was for my own amusement."

Wanderers in the Void

The female nodded in response, teetering behind him as they made their way back to his home, eyeing him down carefully. Confusion couldn't pass, it felt like so much exploded at once to her. Regardless, she quietly stepped inside behind him, tapping her boots at the door before closing it. Listening carefully, the woman found a seat on the table.

"Well, I've thought about it. I'm not exactly sure what to do now, but I know I'm not calling this the end of my journey yet. I'll take
your offer though to stay here, give myself a few days to decide what I shall do."

She couldn't help but observe him, curious as could be. In her closed palms held a spell, a powder of arcane, empty of abilities.

What can get me a peek inside your troubled mind...

The mage thought to herself, staying silent as her eyes trailed down to the floor. Shaking her head, the dust disintegrated into thin air when his back was turned.

I shouldn't, as much as curiosity kills me. The time will come when it's right, it's not my place to force it out of him, and it would
seem to cause me more trouble than good.

She gritted her teeth in shame, her head in her hands. Clearing her throat, the girl hesitantly asked.

"Halvar, right? Say that I do take your offer of living as an immortal once more. Does it carry the same dread as my own did? Or have I
mistargeted your troubles?"

Chuckling softly, she added a second question as she stared around the room.

"As well as where will this one rest?"

Wanderers in the Void

"Meh, I'm not sure myself."

She limped over to the tree, seeking protection by its branches from the ongoing rain. Though she still clutched her ribs, a smirk was painted on the bruised girl's face to hide how sore she was.

"Eh heh, did it work?"

Straightening her back, her eyes met with his, grin dropping instantly as she watched the giant tumble forward, crouching in front of him as she extended her spare arm out to him.

"You okay? I could try to help you up."

No answer. He just stared towards the sky, lost in space. She snapped her fingers near his ear, then tried shaking him, keeping her tone calm and soft.

"Hey, hey, snap out of it!"

She repeated several times, increasing her volume. Worry surfaced through her expression as she backed away, gazing off in the distance towards the cabin. The rain kept pouring, a chill running up her spine.

"Maybe we should head back."

Turning her attention back to the man, she could only stare confusedly as he wept. Why such sudden trauma she couldn't understand, but kept her judgment to herself, though still puzzling the randomness of this outburst of emotion.

Maybe he'll tell me after calming down. How am I gonna get him back there though?

Nonetheless, patience was the only thing she knew could be of help, calmly rubbing his back as her eyes kept darting back towards the direction of his home. Though the man was still a stranger to her, she couldn't a blind eye, especially after his help.

It's the least I can do, I think. I don't have my medicines with me though. Meh, there are surely other soothing herbs around here when
the rain clears.

Wanderers in the Void

Fragments of the wolf still floated around the woman, red smoke fuming out of her fur. She groaned when he picked her up, her eyes fluttering open. As they neared the cabin, more fur diminished into smoke, her attire from before weaving itself into reality, in worse tear than before. Multitudes of coin-sized bruises dotted her skin, an effect from her uncle toying with her soul. Her short, rapid breathing eased after he laid her down, faking sleep. After hearing him leave, she sat herself up, examining her body.

I'm still alive, must mean he's banished finally. Fuck, this hurts, argh. Just rest... can't push it.

She recognized the cabin, curious about where her accomplice could've wandered off to. Wincing in pain, she clutched her wrists, pulling back her sleeves to inspect more of the damage. With a heavy sigh, she stared at her own hands, her left thumb tracing over a circular scar on her right palm.

I'm too weak to use magic, I wish I left my damned bag here instead of being a hoarder. How was I supposed to know this would happen
though? I didn't even think I would make it out alive.

She shook her head, a smirk across her lips as she swung herself out of bed, pulling off her headdress to toss behind her, limping to the door as she held her side, her dominant hand slowly pushing the door open. Taking a step out, she scanned the woods through the rain trying to find any signs of the brute. A voice could be heard singing in the distance, the woman abruptly following its trail.

Is that..?

Her pace slowed to a halt, staring in awe as she listened to the giant's song. A wave of calm washed over her as she stood a few meters away from the tree he stood under, mesmerized to hear his voice, not daring to disrupt. Not the best she heard, but not the worst, she was yet glad to see him again.

Wanderers in the Void

Seeing him rush out the door, concern quickly grew. The woman poked her head out the door before rushing back inside to quickly redress herself and stack her gear back onto her body, refusing to leave anything behind. Running out the door, she bumped into the giant, falling down immediately. She scrambled to get back up, clumsily running after him, dragging behind by a few feet. This wasn't a time for questions, she merely followed his lead despite being oblivious to what was going on.

Answers will come later, just go damn it...

Eventually in her hurry she lost him, skitting to a halt as she frantically scoped the area to find the brute, her smell coming second to giving hints. A familiar voice rang through the air, her head spinning towards its direction before taking off.

Pushing her way through the shrubbery, she came to see her new acquaintance covered in blood and an eerie creature, spirit perhaps, killing off a panicked soldier. With a deep sigh, the girl easily hopped and weaved around the multitude of bodies across the field, staring at the collection of skulls with concern, but she agreed regardless.

"Alright, be prepared though. I questioned his strength and ability before and well, you know what happened."

She merely assumed this ritual followed her own chants that she was used to. Taking her stance, she ground her boots into the dirt before tilting her head up to the sky, her curse-giver's face in her mind.

Daku Blackclaw! Come forth from the Spirit World!

Silence followed for a few moments after her call before she fell onto her knees, clutching her chest. Red smoke engulfed the altar before the silhouette of a wolf rose, its dark brown fur slowly fading into color. His face was severely mauled, covered in scars and his snout twisted slightly, part of his lip taken. Even hunched over, he loomed over her at 6'7. The shaman fell to the ground on her side, howling as her body heaved, slowly morphing into her lycan state. The grey wolf snarled and growled, trying to force herself back into a human. Daku only stared with a blank expression, toying with the girl's soul to force her into the animal underneath, speaking through telepathy.

You summon me? I can feel the hatred in you though. I've given you what every warrior has killed for, and you still despise what you're born into. Be what you are, kill off these scum that threatens your life. You are a wolf, Rida!

Though he couldn't see, his senses felt a presence near, only assuming there would be hostility. He floated towards its direction, no change in his face, only tilting his head to the right slightly.

"Not..everything..is battle. I never..asked.. for this.."

She wheezed, clawing at the ground as her energy flicked and radiated around her, the inner turmoil exhausting her strength.

You are a Blackclaw you fool! What doesn't your pathetic ass understand? You failed your bloodline, but you don't care about anything but your own hide.

He spun around, soaring across the air until he landed infront of her, lips curled into a snarl. With a low whine, the now she-wolf collapsed to the ground, eyes blinking slowly as she gasped for breath. The spirit huffed, staring down at her in attempts to intimidate. She returned the harsh glare, slowly rising onto her feet, her clothing fading into her translucent body as she stepped forward, also having the ability to speak through telepathy.

"Well, here I am. I don't know what you mean by life-threatening scum around beside you."

She seemed to crack a smile, snorting as color filled her body. Feeding her magic through the ground, five vines of crimson arcane sprouted, shooting for his legs, arms, and neck. His own magic warded off hers, a shockwave of black energy disintegrating her attack. The wolves circled each other, Daku being the first to lunge forward, encased in his own magic, an enlarged shadow of himself sharp to the touch. Rida threw up her arms in an X, drawing a circular shield in front of her in the split-second of contact, thrusting forward to knock him down before summoning yet more vines, this time multitudes cocooning his body, much thicker strands. She forgot the ritual, the intentions meant for it, and about the man aiding her. This was a moment she waited for, to kill the one that caused her suffering.

"Fuck bloodline, fuck tradition, and fuck you!"

Her anger caused the coils to tighten around the madly shifting wolf. He broke his right arm free from its grasp, wildly clawing away as hazy, dark shards flew around him, slicing away at his prison. Clenching her fist, the female mage tightened the choke around his neck, trembling from rage, however, this didn't seem to affect him. The floating shards cut off the ropes to his throat, allowing him to sit up and break off the rest of the trap. She took this as an opportunity to attack, the gem infused into her head glowing in a bright scarlet as she blasted an array of orbs towards his direction. The spirit merely closed his eyes, his shadowy armor taking the hits before fading into smoke. The she-wolf bowed down onto all fours, ready to charge before she felt the same stinging feeling in her chest, hitting the ground with a thud, her energy radiating outside of her body. Floating towards her, Daku only stared in disappointment as he forced the unconscious battlemage to shift back into her human state, covered in slight bruises all around her body.

Pathetic. Trying to kill the undead? What a futile attempt.

Wanderers in the Void

She accepted the drink, sniffing it before taking a sip. Her attention was towards him, trying to make the best of what she can understand. Unsure feelings were in place, perplexion showed across her face as she stood up to place the empty mug on the table. She placed her weapon by the door before returning to her original choice to sit, setting her headdress on top of her satchel and letting her tattered coat drop off her shoulders, wearing a brassiere underneath, showing more tattoos that covered her arms, back, and stomach.

"Thank you. I'm sure I won't cause any havoc."

She chuckled softly, laying back as her fingers toyed with a purple crystal tied around her neck. The shard seemed to glow with the shaman's touch, though merely another trinket of the many she has, seeming to keep her calm.

Become a Lich... pay a thousand souls? Do I want to do this? I'm sure I've lived long enough as it is. Though he calls this a curse and
acts like his own lifespan is glorious. Maybe I'll do it anyway, got more to gain than to lose...

With these multiple thoughts in her head, she was staring up at the ceiling quietly. Dismissing her stress, she shook her head, her gaze turned towards him. The shard fell from her hand, its glow fading as the center turned blue. She grinned shyly, awkwardly continuing to fidget with her necklace. Clearing her throat, she tried to keep a focused demeanor, asking hesitantly.

"Halvar was it? I simply ask out of curiosity, but you seemed to have done this deed. Was it worth it to you?"

Wanderers in the Void

"Necromancy? It was my ancestor that laid this Hell on me, he was a warlord at most."

The mage was familiar with the dark magic, though never saught practice. It was a surprise to her that this brute didn't kill her on site since she heard tales about its mana corrupting its caster. She couldn't question it though, eagerly taking his offer.

"Well, whatever's the cause, if you think you can help me I'm willing to do what it takes."

She seemed to perk up a bit, even some excitement shown. To remove this dread from her soul was something she couldn't refuse, even from a stranger she wanted to at least give it a chance. Glancing towards the window behind him, she went into thought.

Maybe the rain will clear soon unless he offers space here. I never stayed in something like this though...

Being in the wild, she would find refuge in dense forests and caves, sleeping as a lycan by night. She slumped back against the wall before sliding down to the floor, sitting cross-legged as she stared off into space, recollecting memories.

"As I've said, it was a great spirit that placed this curse on me, Daku. He was my mother's great, great uncle, and saw how much of an irresponsible brat I was. He wasn't wrong, I cared more about magic than my home. I'm not entirely sure how to reach in contact again though. Immortality is something new to this ol' mage, even after roaming the Earth beyond the normal lifetime, so I trust that you're right, since you have all of your flesh and bones together as I do. Why you're willing to help surprises me greatly, along with your forgiveness, but I'm more than grateful. So tell me, what do you have in mind to make this work?"

Wanderers in the Void

Once she stepped inside, the woman shook her hair free of water, the wooden beads adorning her dreads rattling with every shake. She carefully set down her bag against the wall, crystals clunking together inside. After standing once more, she kept her back to him, sighing heavily.

"As much as I appreciate your kind words, you have to understand-"

Her words were cut off as she turned to the sound of his blade placed on the table. Carefully walking over to see, her eyes followed to the hilt, staring in awe.

"Hmm, peculiar. Another weapon you say?"

She still had her spear in her right hand, using it like a balancing stick as she watched him pull out a large, foreign weapon. Amazement couldn't be hidden, gazing in wonder as she listened to his story. Like a child, she was easily impressed to see such a high record and to hear such tales. Acknowledging his question, her eyes trailed to the ground, her raspy voice barely above mumbling.

"Well, there is a few. What happened after that day? Does the tribe live on? And... how are you alive? My reign was years ago, which could
only mean you're over a hundred years old. I don't think I could understand how."

The woman didn't appear old herself, but she didn't think that another would have the same fate. A healthy body and her skin still full, even though she had bluish-silver hair and slightly clouded eyes, it was a change that came with her curse, her sight still clear. She knew she couldn't deny what she saw in that vision, it was her home exactly like it was. Her gaze followed back to the man's marks, then to the ones across her right arm. Truly enough, they matched in ways. No doubt, he was right.

Wanderers in the Void

"Tch.."

She was confused, remaining in doubt that this stranger knew of her. Or if he did, thinking of it brought some fear into her. All these thoughts vanished at the sight of the back mist surrounding her, seeing her home in flames once more. She swallowed the lump in her throat, watching in sorrow as the scene unfolds. Her attention turned to the warrior, assuming it was a connection to this stranger. A chill ran down her spine at the sight of the woman and child, their corpses burning with their surroundings.

The woman's trance was broken by the thunder, gasping as her senses came back to reality. She followed his gaze towards the sky, huffing at the coming storm. Deciding to take his offer and follow, she hesitantly followed the brute, grabbing her satchel off the ground and realigning her headdress back onto her head. She nodded in response, keeping her distance by a few feet, not letting her curiosity overcome caution.

"So, who are you anyway?"

Might as well ask she thought since she's accompanying him out of the rain, and she was stern to get answers, however not wanting to pester. Slinging the strap over her shoulder, she waited for his lead, thinking to herself.

Maybe I'll finally see what I've searched for, there has to be something different behind this wanderer if those marks are real.

Even with this hope, the former alpha still held onto blame, unsure of whether she could redeem her abandonment towards her people. Not that it fully mattered, the lycan only wanted to be free from the dread of her mistakes.