Ambition, Hatred, and Sacrifice...
Mona, Cyrus, and Aerin stand in a triangular formation in the depths of a massive cave that's part of an entire system integrated into the lives of the Lycans and their snowy village nestled in the shadow of a mountain. The air is warm and stuffy compared to the cool and crisp bite of the open cold outside, and giant glowing crystals jutting from the highest walls of the cavern brighten the place for a showdown. Mona wants to inquire about them, but holds off; now's not the time to ask and wonder about irrelevant shit. She has to get her head in the game. However, she suddenly notices something that destroys any sense of silence...
The walls bear slash wounds that are larger than life to her...
It's as if a Beast once rampaged in this cave a long time ago.
Mona starts falling into a deepening cycle of deciphering the history of this cave in her head; she's never heard of Tyr. Cyrus' loud and confident words snap the young woman from her thoughts, though, and Mona turns those eyes on the Berserker as he holds his hands out and addresses the Lycans watching from the edges of the cave's walls. Everyone listens when the strongest living Lycan speaks...
"Today..." Cyrus pauses and paces, his boots crunching loose grovel with every step. "The future of the Lycans shall be definitively decided by the victor of this battle between a Protector, a King, and a Threat..." The man's words fall into eery silence when his eyes settle on the Human, and Mona takes a deep breath to hide the chill she feels when he sees her. Cyrus keeps going...
"However, while I am sure that most of us want Eve's Descendant dead, our King and my little brother believe that she can be an ally like Adam was to Lycien in the past..." Cyrus' voice stalls at the end as he looks at Aerin, the former's eyes narrowing with disapproval, but his re-emerging voice gives fair understanding. Every word out of Cyrus' mouth is spoken with respect and consideration, even if it's laced with disbelief and irritation.
"That is not an unreasonable assumption, nor is it any less likely than this Human going down Eve's path and betraying us again..." Cyrus scowls, his fists tightening for a moment pointing his well-muscled arm hidden beneath a puffy black coat Mona's way, drawing a reluctantly confused expression from the smaller Human as he continues. "The sins of the Mother shall be visited upon the Daughter. Our ancestors trusted you once and it cost the future generations our land and status..." Cyrus straightens his posture and his general vibes grow intimidating as the look in those hard, steel-hued eyes; he's a Lycan: An Apex Predator.
"I will make sure that history will not have a chance to repeat itself by killing you this day."
Cyrus declares his intentions to everyone watching, then looks at his younger brother...
Aerin's eyes meet his brother's with a hesitant and conflicting expression; he's a little nervous when Cyrus looks at him. His older brother has always been stronger and better than him. Aerin's aware of this in every sense, so when Cyrus speaks to him, Aerin's heart jumps; he knows that his brother is serious.
"So, I pray that you're ready for this, Aerin..." Cyrus rarely says Aerin's name unless he's serious, always calling him little brother when he can otherwise. Aerin's eyes remain strong as he meets his brother's stare, but Fenrir's Chosen subtly shivers inside as Cyrus speaks them in the most intense and serious tone he's ever mustered toward his brother.
"Our mother made me promise that I'd look out for you whether you understood my decisions or not. So, if you truly believe that this Human can be an asset to us instead of a threat, then give this fight your all because I'm not going easy on you," he assures with a subtle coldness to his words, and Mona suddenly speaks, thankfully ripping attention away from Aerin while he wrestles with Cyrus' challenge.
"You keep alluding to the assumption that I'm Eve reincarnated?" Mona asks, and her question surprises everyone but Cyrus, who scowls, but allows her to speak; she's not living to see tomorrow anyway. Still, Mona can't help but express herself as she steps forward, speaking loudly so that her voice echoes and bounces in the cavern enough that everyone hears it. She's in the thick of it now, there's no point in holding her tongue or watching her words. If she's to earn the trust of the Lycans and keep their trust, she needs to do what she does best.
Confidently be herself. It's all she can do...
"It's getting annoying, honestly!" Mona reinforces with an aggressively exasperate exhale before staring Cyrus down with an intense look that catches Aerin's attention; the King watches and listens in awestruck silence like the rest of his people, and Mona stands her ground. She looks into the palms of her pale hands as she talks, her facial expressions a vague orchestra of all kinds of similar emotions that fluctuate and twist like her irritated and yet determined tone. It's her moment.
"I started this journey to change the world in an attempt to save my brother like you're doing now..." Mona hesitates continuing, even flashing a look of anxious fear that only Aerin picks up on; it's like that other time. He keeps an eye on his brother's movements in case Cyrus decides to attack before Mona can finish, but barely invests in doing it. Cyrus is a man of honor in the sense that he's rarely one who goes for cheap blows. Especially when everyone's watching. He hears her out like the rest of the Lycans, and Mona finally gathers the courage to keep going...
"Eve might've done horrible things to you all in the past, and you've every right to think that I'm an extinction-level threat to you as well. Her Karmic Debt dwells inside of me and I won't deny that my weakness allowed it to come out and murder Kraven. However..." Mona's hesitant and sorrowful expression switches to a look of motivating determination and confidence as her magic starts swelling around her, seeping into her muscles, tendons, flesh, and bones in preparation for the battle to come. Aerin and Cyrus realize that Mona's far more combatively capable than they thought; the pressure and density of her magic draw visible caution from the Lycans.
But, the weight and composition of her energy feel distinctly different from the aether the Lycans felt when she killed Kraven; it's more focused, refined, and calm. It's like a controlled storm compared to the raging chaos she once wielded. Cyrus readies himself with a subtle smirk as if he's at least impressed by the young woman's strength when Mona speaks again: her voice is direct and fierce, and most of all, her words come from her heart.
"I am neither Eve nor Adam. I am Mona: ME! And I refuse to let the sins and actions of my ancestors, or anybody decide my actions..."
Flamelike black tattoos resembling fire extend across Mona's exposed flesh from an epicenter hidden at the base of her neck...
They run across her body, creeping down her arms and legs, wrapping around her waist and thighs, and even decorating her face...
That's...
Those markings are His...
Mona loudly and boldly matches Cyrus' intensity as she proudly states...
"History does not decide my fate or write my destiny. I DO!"
Mona claps her hands together, igniting a burst of Spirit Magic that she then draws backward into a Flaming Arrow aimed at the Berserker; her eyes brightly shine with His energy as well; it stuns everyone into silence. The Lycans look at Cyrus as if suddenly doubting the man's accusation, but Cyrus' steel-hued eyes nonchalantly size Mona up. Then, he glances at Aerin with a snort before speaking to him.
"And what does the King intend to do?" Cyrus addresses his brother for all to hear, and initially remains quiet. Cyrus turns and faces his brother, doubling down. "As the King and Fenrir's Chosen, can your motivation and determination match ours?" he genuinely asks with a straight face with eyes expecting a worthwhile response. All eyes fall on Aerin save for Mona's, who keeps her attention on Cyrus with her arrow still drawn; she's not lowering her guard.
Aerin glances toward the Lycans near the cave entrance, all gathered and spectating the three. Then, he glances toward Cyrus, the latter standing tall with crossed arms and a waiting look. Finally, he looks at Mona, who very briefly notices his gaze and meets his eyes; she gives him a wink, and everything suddenly makes sense. Aerin's expression slowly, but visibly switches from uncertainty to determination as well, and he meets Cyrus' eyes with a newfound look worthy of his elder brother's attention. There's a brief silence as Aerin laments, clenching his fists before loosening up and taking a fighting stance: his knees are bent as if to rush Cyrus, but his arms are raised and crossed over his face as if he's bracing himself. He's like a wolf ready to lunge into war.
"Anesthesia, I'm sorry I couldn't save you..."
As the King suffers inside, his physical form changes...
A slow rush of Bestial Energy amasses around Aerin. This bluish energy has presence despite the fleeting feeling it emanates as if it's a wisp of wind. That distantly familiar feeling quickly thickens and gets denser, and Cyrus lofts his brow in subtle awe before flashing a slight smile. His brother's been hiding this display of strength from him. Cyrus meets Aerin's eyes, noting a tinge of internal pain in them; he wonders what Aerin's thinking about...
"Kraven, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..."
This Bestial Energy surrounding Aerin swells into his black-clothed body and emits an ominously eerie howl. It's so distant and subtle that Mona can't hear (but definitely feels) it over the roaring sounds of her readied Arrow, but the Lycans hear it. As Aerin's aether gathers, his messy silver hair and naturally sharp, handsome features take on a more feral appearance: his pupils are thin slits surrounded by an ocean of glowing blue energy, the bangs framing his face and hanging over his eyes are rougher like the raised fur of a Beast, and his nails and canine teeth elongate just enough to be visibly frightening weapons.
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"Ymir, I'm sorry that I rebelled against my role. I was weak..."
That red-eyed woman flashes in Aerin's mind, reminding him of her overwhelming strength and how she would've killed him had Kraven not saved him. He remembers that feeling when Fenrir's power flowed through him during that fight. Oh, how powerful he felt in that moment. That's the strength he needs to be a King. The silver-haired Lycan's expression goes calm and subtle, matching the now nearly silent rush of vividly swirling Bestial Energy arcing from his form. The unnatural quietness of his aether is another trait unique to his natural strength outside of being Fenrir's Chosen. After all...
Lycien's Ghost never liked loud noises...
"I intend to take you down, Cyrus," Aerin declares, and all of that Bestial Energy swirling around him vanishes, flowing into his form and finalizing his Partial Beast Transformation. Cyrus chuckles, admittedly satisfied with his little brother's answer. The black-haired man rolls his shoulders after tossing aside his coat, revealing his muscular and bare form for all to see. The Strongest Lycan always shows off his physique in battle.
"Then let's see if you can make it happen..." Cyrus savagely sneers before rushing Aerin with enough speed and power to tear through metal. "SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT, KING!" he exclaims like a rabid animal, his expression a twisted visage of excitement, anticipation, and intent to dominate. He covers the distance between them faster than most of the Lycans watching can follow, but Mona's even quicker than Aerin in reacting; she lets the magical arrow in her hands fly forth with the fury and speed of the wind. It zips through the air with a distinctive sound of crackling flames and tempest gusts. Her accuracy and speed are nearly perfect.
Nearly.
Cyrus dodges the arrow without even looking at it, his sense of hearing and spatial perception beyond most. His dodging gives Aerin a ready opening that the silver-haired Lycan capitalizes on. He stomps forward, rushing toward Cyrus with a vicious right jab toward his face, but Cyrus laughs when he blocks it before swiftly tossing Aerin across the cavern with ease, then swaying past another arrow. The man's grey eyes focus on the Enhanced Human aiming him down from afar. The look in her eyes is one of intense focus and concentration. Cyrus understands it too well.
No words need to be said between them...
Cyrus rushes at Mona and makes it halfway to her within seconds, but quickly pivots mid-dash to defend against Aerin by crossing his arms over his face. Aerin intercepts him with a vicious airborne kick at such high speeds that his blow carries enough force it displaces the air around them on impact, a powerful shockwave arcing across the cavern. Mona's speechless; Lycans are this strong even without transforming!?
Cyrus' imperfect but effective guard absorbs the brunt of the force, and he manages to repel Aerin, but it's too much for him. Aerin swiftly and perfectly corrects his posture while airborne, landing on his feet without missing a step, then rushes Cyrus again. Cyrus is rattled, but still more than ready and engages his younger brother in a brief and vicious melee exchange that seems like a stalemate for a short while, but slowly slides toward Cyrus' favor. Aerin's older brother is simply too strong, tough, and experienced in fighting to lose a brawl.
"You've definitely gotten faster and stronger!" Cyrus comments, keeping most of his attention on Aerin's aggressive martial attacks in his Partial Beast Transformation. Aerin's punches, swipes, kicks, and shot selection are sharp, swift, and vicious, all mixed into a fluid display of acrobatic athleticism only attainable by those with supernatural physiques. Even Mona's impressed; it's like she's watching a choreographed battle. Her eyes snap in fear when Cyrus catches one of Aerin's kicks with little effort, and raises his fist in retaliation. Aerin's impressive to everyone, even his brother, but he's not worthy of Cyrus' true praise. Meanwhile, Mona's paying close attention to what's happening...
She's studying Cyrus' attack patterns...
"Let me demonstrate what a real punch feels like, little brother!" Cyrus casually tells his seized sibling before smashing his hand into Aerin's last-minute imperfect guard with full force. Cyrus' punch buckles Aerin's entire body and sends the white-haired Lycan tumbling backward almost twenty meters. Aerin eventually rolls to a stop and lies still, dazed and stunned from a blow that would've knocked him out if he hadn't blocked it. His Partial Transformation's increased resilience is likely the only reason he's still able to move. Cyrus wasn't kidding about not holding back. Without waiting, Cyrus rushes Mona with a bloodlusted glare, his speed picking up when he hits all fours running.
Mona's eyes widen; Is Cyrus about to Transform!? She needs to get distance. NOW!
Mona fires off three Spirit Arrows in rapid succession to buy time before dispersing her energy and jumping backward into the air, several meters above the ground; in less than two seconds she's halfway up the height of Tyr's Coffin where those large gashes are, and she's already prepping her next attack. Sparks of magic flicker in her hands...
Cyrus isn't letting her go and jumps into the air after her without the need to augment his body, reaching her within seconds and lashing out with razor-sharp claws to tear her throat out. Everything happens so fast that Cyrus barely notices Mona's taunting smirk before a bright flash of energy overtakes him, followed by an intense unseen force when Mona thrusts an open palm at him moments before contact.
Blastwave!
A burst of concussive energy smashes into Cyrus throwing him back toward the ground with enough force to fracture the ground, which happens as Cyrus lands on his feet with his boots; the stone caves beneath his momentum and weight. He snarls like an animal, spitting at the ground while popping his neck. Mona's reflexes and skills don't go unnoticed by the Berserker; if anything, her talent for dodging death pisses him off.
Cyrus keeps his word, though...
There's not a person on this planet he can't kill...
Deep inside, something stirs...
From both of them...
Mona touches down a few seconds later, already readying another attack, but Cyrus rushes her again; he's too fast for his size! Mona's eyes widen when Cyrus leaps into the air intending to smash down upon her for a Meteoric Impact. The young woman's unable to make another Blastwave yet but readies herself as leylines of magic flood her body; it's do or die. She's got one secon-
BOOM!
Cyrus smashes into the earth, a burst of dust and debris covering the battlefield...
Yet there's no bloody corpse beneath him...
"Where is She?" Cyrus wonders as he scans the area, struggling to see through the smoke...
Where is Eve?
The Beast stirs inside again...
Cyrus perks and turns, smacking at an arrow that explodes upon deflection, covering him in burning energy that makes Cyrus snarl in discomfort. He staggers back in agitation, shaking away those fleeting flames from his steaming body and glaring at a faint light across the clearing smoke. When the smokescreen fades, Cyrus and Mona stare each other down, and Cyrus' rage stirs when he sees Mona's mismatched eyes. The traces of Eve's Karmic Debt enhancing the brunt of her Spirit Arrow trigger a domino effect in Cyrus; his rage is spiking.
Eve...
Eve...
EVE!!!!
Mona suddenly disperses the Spirit Arrow without saying a word and flashes Cyrus a taunting smirk. Whoever this was, it wasn't Mona...
Eve speaks when Mona reaches out to Cyrus, beckoning him with a finger while laughing...
"Dogs really do come back to their masters, don't they?"
Cyrus screams in rage at the top of his lungs when he rushes Mona, who snaps out of her Trance moments before death...
"I'll SLAUGHTER YOU!!!!"
Aerin slams into Cyrus before the latter kills Mona in one hit, but Cyrus still manages to defend against his brother's ambush. The two brothers crash and roll into a tumble across the cold ground toward the cavern wall, giving Mona a moment to catch her breath and gather her senses. She looks into her quivering palms in confusion, her eyes quivering with uncertainty until she blinks it away and focuses. Aerin's bought her time. She's got a little time to think, but Aerin and Cyrus' battle gets more intense by the second.
Aerin jumps and spins into a savage cyclone kick at Cyrus' neck, who retaliates by snatching his brother's leg and spinning him around by it; he's going to throw Aerin. The silver-haired Lycan is agile, though, and twists with his leg while being spun to smash his other leg into the side of Cyrus' face. Aerin's acrobatic counter-attack succeeds, and his boot slams into his brother's skull with a loud and heavy impact. Cyrus staggers for the second time, a new record for his little brother. The man stumbles back, then snarls like a Beast when he goes on the offensive but freezes as the world around him slows down. The adrenaline flowing through his blood at that moment is born from fearful anticipation.
He sees what everyone else sees...
Fenrir's Spirit at His Chosen's back...
He has awoken...
Aerin's already in motion for a follow-up, the young man's visage a blur of speed accentuated by the gleam in his glowing eyes as he cocks his fist back, aiming for his older brother's center mass while having an expression that can only be described as in the zone...
Aerin promised to protect Mona...
As Fenrir promised to protect Adam...
Aerin's Bestial Energy flashes Primal when it hits its mark...
Beastial Flash!
Fenrir's snarl echoes through the cave upon impact, accompanying a brilliantly intense flash of energy that cracks like lightning and sends Cyrus in a vicious tumble until he slams into the cavern wall...
Mona's jaw drops and everyone watching falls silent while Aerin exhales, still having his guard up. Mona wonders why, until a pillar of energy erupts from Cyrus' impact crater, and a vicious growl chills her to her soul...
Cyrus swore to protect Aerin and kill Eve...
Garmr swore to kill them all for their betrayals...
Aerin's focused expression turns shocked and fearful when that rush of malicious energy erupts from Cyrus' location and drowns out everything else. It's so dense, intense, and violent that the spectating Lycans start cowering and running out of the cave away from it, leaving only Aerin, Mona, and Cyrus as this arcing torrent of Hellish Aether accompanies a large, muscular Wolf Beast with fur darker than a starless night and eyes burning hotter than its hatred. Aerin's eyes widen with fear; is that his brother? The Beast he's looking at looks like Cyrus' Transformation, but Aerin can tell it's not Cyrus. This Wolf Beast is malevolent, with smoking chains shackling its bipedal arms and legs at the wrists and ankles, and a jaw lined with teeth so hot that having its mouth open burns the air around it.
And it's looking at Aerin...
Please protect Aerin from Garmr, Cyrus...
GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Garmr Attacks!
Next Chapter: Battle to the Death: Mona's Decision...