Azura kept her sights on the uwallo, which was a large beast with thick fur and two tusks. The tallest uwallo could stand at six feet if not a bit more. Uwallos could prove to be just as dangerous as a wildabeast. However, they were harmless if left alone and were omnivores. Unless one of them craved meat they could be extremely dangerous.

“On your mark Azura.” Whispered Embry as she had her crossbow aimed at the uwallo just like her.

“I get the head and you aim for its legs. If my arrow doesn’t kill it then immobilize it.”

“Understood.” Replied Embry as she adjusted her aim.

Just as Azura was about to take the shot two more large uwallos emerged from the bushes.

“What now?” Asked Embry.

Give their odds they could kill one, perhaps two before the others could react. However, there was no telling how fast the creatures were, but they needed those furs if they were to survive in the Ruh’ Wani Ice Lands.

“Aim for that one’s head. When the third one comes at us reload as fast as you can. I still have my pistol.”

“Got it.”

Azura and Embry fired their crossbows at two of the uwallos. It took the whole magazine to drop them both. The third own howled as it saw its brethren fall to the ground. Azura pulled out her pistol just as Embry finished reloading and fired. The beast charged at Azura as she unloaded her pistol. Suddenly she was empty and the uwallo was nowhere near death. The uwallo caught up to Azura and jumped on top of her. The uwallo attempted to bite Azura, but he blocked its teeth with her pistol. The beast gnawed at it as she tried to hold it off. Just then Embry brought up her crossbow and emptied the magazine on the beast. The beast fell right on top of her.

“Ugh!” Groaned Azura. “Get this thing off of me!”

“On it.” Quipped Embry.

Azura got her bearings and inspected her pistol. Other than a few scratches it was still serviceable.

“Let’s bring them back to the sky sailor.”

The duo dragged the uwallos back to their landing site where they caught the slight scent of smoke and meat. They saw Baphomet speaking with Onyx who was still in his feral state.

“This recipe that my great granddaughter made is to die for. Quite literally as a dozen inquisitors tried to cut off her head. Or maybe it was her arms? No, it was her tongue because she pissed off the commander for insulting her food that’s it. Now many people will tell you how great potatoes are, but those people are wrong. Potatoes are a compromise not food. Meat is food, unless of course you’re a vegetarian like my second wife. Are you?”

Onyx snarled in response.

“Good answer. They’re all crazy.”

“He understood him?” Asked Embry.

“Everyone likes meat Embry. So then what do we do now that we have these?”

“Ah good now we get some rest here for the night then go see the Stone Hoofs. They’ll happily skin them for us to make coats. I know an old workhorse there that owes me a favor.”

“Is he still alive?” Asked Embry.

“If not then maybe their family. Thankfully they’re only a day or so away from here.” Answered Baphomet as he stirred the pot.

“I got something that I want to ask.” Began Azura.

“Yes the secret ingredient is love. It’s always love, and it will always be love.”

“Ugh not that.” Sighed Azura. “I’m talking about the Yukingawari. You mentioned someone by name Yiriv I believe. Tigris said something about them being an ancient legend.”

“Hmm… Where to begin indeed. Yiriv was the first one.”

“The first champion?” Asked Embry.

“The first animalist my dear, although champion is accurate too. There are many versions to her story that it is impossible to say which is the more accurate, but some versions do have some similarities. They all agree that she was the first animalist and first champion.”

“You said we had to beware of her back in your house. Why is that? If she’s that old she should be dead.” Sated Azura.

“Did you know that not all champions are remembered? When one is offered a gift from the Divines there is a strong possibility that they might die, another that they change completely not even resembling a person, and that they obtain unimaginable power.” Baphomet paused for a brief moment to taste the stew.

“So she’s immortal?” Asked Embry.

“I certainly could not believe it when I saw her for the first time. Yet there she was… A relic of the Mythic Era in the flesh.”

“How did she outlive the Divine? Did Gaeric free her? She’s not mentioned in any of the accounts…” Embry started her line of questioning before being cut off by Azura.

“Start at the beginning.” Said Azura.

“It started with a simple wish really. All that Yiriv desired was a family of her own, but she could not bear children. It is unclear if she was barren, if she suffered an injury, or perhaps an illness that prevented her from doing so, nonetheless this part at least remains a constant. Several Divines had named champions, and given a fraction of their power to them. Yiriv sought that power to heal herself, but… It was perhaps too much to bear, perhaps Gaia intended to make her that way, or…” Baphomet trailed off.

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“Or?” Embry asked.

“Or maybe she gave up. It’s hard to say. Regardless, Yiriv continued with her due diligence as a champion. Then came Tangeth Fire Fang, another of Gaia’s champions.”

“Isn’t Tangeth the one that Gaeric kills? That’s how she became a champion right?” Asked Azura.

“That’s right, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Tangeth fought Yiriv… Was it for the right of leadership? To become a champion? She got one of his sons killed? I can never remember. Doesn’t matter in any case he won and cast her out. He exiled her as he could not kill her, or perhaps because Gaia prevented him from doing so, or maybe to torture her. In any case she was forced into exile.”

“Gaia didn’t kill her?” Asked Azura.

“No… Or maybe she was unsuccessful in her attempts. In any case Yiriv was forced to walk Eris alone and desolate, a relic of a bygone era.”

“What was she like when you met her?” Asked Azura.

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Baphomet

A young Baphomet clung to the fur as tightly as he could as he fought against the cold. His nose hairs had frozen over, and his limbs felt numb. The group of animalists trekked through the Ruh’ Wani Ice Lands to find their ancient mother. The Yukingawari always killed trespassers, but made an exception for animalists. Baphomet examined their guide as they examined the snow. Unlike their ilk the Yukingwari were more animal than man. They possessed a coat of fur that blended white and blue colors. They had large black eyes, a snout, and pointed ears. They had developed a resistance to the cold as their guide was shirtless and wore nothing more than trousers. On his back he carried a baby wrapped in a thin cloth.

“Are you sure the information the merchants gave you is solid? They looked rather young, and the boy looked like an idiot.” Asked Baphomet.

“Well the scroll was legitimate. Although I don’t really trust how he came by it. They might be those legionnaires I’ve heard so much about.”

The

“Forget uwallo skins. I want a skin made of his fur.” Quipped one of the animalists.

“T’wah yis!” Said their guide as he guided them through the snow.

“Let’s follow him.”

The group eventually reached a large ice cave with markings on the entrance.

“Is this it?”

The Yukingawari nodded then walked inside the glacial cave.

“Okay then Baphomet you’re with me. The rest of you wait by the entrance. Now let’s find this damn sword.”

“I just don’t see how she would know where Tangeth’s sword is. Especially if she’s been here forever.”

“Well she’s the only lead we’ve got.”

“If you say so.” Replied Baphomet as they made their way deeper into the cave.

After a while they found themselves in a large chamber that was several miles wide. At the center was a large ice structure that resembled a temple.

“Nice place she’s got.” Quipped Baphomet.

“Let’s go.”

Once inside the structure they saw the Yukingawari place the child on the altar, and immediately walk away from it. Then he got on his knees, placed his forehead against the floor, and began whispering to himself. The other two just looked around the walls for any signs of Yiriv.

“Who are you?” Echoed a voice across the room.

“We’re just like you.” The duo then transformed. “We want to know the location of Tangeth’s sword.”

“There’s a name I had not heard in millennia.” The voice seemed to get closer.

Suddenly a large figure dropped from the roof, and surprised the both of them. The figure opened its wings and revealed a creature unlike anything they had ever seen. Yiriv’s wings had eyes, she stood on four legs although her front legs were covered in fur and were mammalian whilst her hind legs resembled a pair of reptilian legs, her long tail was a three headed snake, and most of her upper body maintained a human like appearance with a few animalistic traits. On her head rested a pair of curved horns, her face lacked eyes, her teeth were sharp, as were her nails, although it was more accurate to say that they were claws, and she had a forked tongue.

“You’re Yiriv?” Asked Baphomet.

“I’am.” She answered.

“We’re looking for…” Began the other animalist.

“I know why you’re here. These eyes of mine show me many things. You two may leave, but I want you to stay Baphomet. You are very unique. U’vese La.”

The Yukingwari and the other animalist left the two of them alone. Yiriv then descended upon the child. She cradled the child in her arms.

“Now that they’re gone why don’t you show me.” Said Yiriv as she looked at Baphomet.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Do not make me ask again. Now show me!”

Baphomet transformed into his animal form, but then he transformed a second time into his beast form. His horns were longer, his lower body was covered in fur and his feet were hoofs. His face no longer resembled a man’s but a goat’s instead.

“How did you know?” Asked Baphomet.

“My eyes see many things. I have not seen a beastman transformation in… Well since Tangeth I believe. You should count yourself lucky as not many can do what you do, and even fewer can return from a transformation.”

Baphomet returned to his human form. “Yeah. So about the sword…”

“It’s in his grave. It’s buried with him. However, must warn you that it is protected.”

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“Were you able to retrieve the sword?” Asked Embry.

“No. She would not tell us of its location. In the end we packed and left.” Answered Baphomet,

“The beastman transformation you talked about. What is it exactly?” Asked Azura.

“Most animalists can do a simple transformation as you’ve seen with Tigris, but… There’s even fewer of us that can do a second transformation that we simply call a beastman transformation. I’ve heard stories that say that Gaia once had animals convert to humans before she had made humans turn to animals. Whether or not it’s true I can’t say.”

“You mentioned a child in the story. Did she… Eat it?” Asked Embry.

“Not as far as I know. As I understand it she has some sort of deal with the Yukingawari although I’m not aware of the specifics.”

“Well ancient champion or not we still have a long road ahead of us. Let’s turn for the night and pick up tomorrow.” Said Azura as she finished her food.

Baphomet did not tell them the whole story of what transpired then. Even now he was still trying to make sense of Yiriv’s message.

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“Is there some kind of ancient magic from the Mythic Era guarding the tomb?” Asked Baphomet.

“Worse. An old enemy of mine. He… If he can even be called such a thing anymore is… Difficult to kill.”

“I take it he’s a champion of the Mythic Era too?”

“Yes. However, he is not your problem. That will be for someone else to deal with.”

“Someone else? We could go right now. There’s a dozen of us and with you by our side…”

“I cannot. I can hold my own well enough, but against him… It’s a different matter altogether. Like I said someone else will deal with it and retrieve the sword for you.”

“Who?”

“I have not been told all the specifics, but they did give me this.” Yiriv approached a table filled with trinkets, and grabbed a small figure made of wood. The figurine was shaped like a person although half of it was colored white and the other was black. It’s face had a single eye aligned vertically.

“When a child comes bearing scales darker than the night sky, come bearing the idol that walks in the twilight. That is all he told me.” Said Yiriv as she handed the idol to Baphomet.

“When will I meet them?” Asked Baphomet.

“That I do not know. Could be as soon as you return, ten years from now, twenty maybe? This is all that he gave me.”

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Baphomet looked at Onyx who was still thrashing about in his chains.

“Longest wait of my time.”