I’ve cooled off since that encounter with the owl, and I’m starting to take requests again. My world has gotten a good deal bigger, with the world forums and fate web. It’s a lot to take in at once. I’ve started looking at requests as a way to take a break from the paperwork.
Incoming Request
World: X-002
Spell Level: 0
Duration: 12 hours
Mana offered: XXX
12 hours?! Spell level 0? No karma information, either. This is not a normal request. That’s a nice amount of mana, though, and that just became a lot more valuable to me…
Request Accepted
Select your form.
Choice: Blood Wolf Alpha
Select spawn location.
A deep splash, and colors swell into shape. I materialize into a standing position deep inside a forest. The air is rich with mana; it makes my hair stand on end. I search for my client, but it appears I don’t have one.
The forms menu was different this time. I’ve never seen these forms before. There was a clear theme: pack master. I suppose I can just play the part while I figure out who summoned me.
I raise my head to release an “AWOOOOOOOO!” and three small wolves appear before me. Oh, this is strange. It’s like I’ve gotten 3 additional mind’s eyes, each showing me what a wolf sees. I can move their bodies, too.
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Just as I start getting comfortable with the controls, a bitter hunger comes over me. I must eat, NOW! We must eat. Scents from the forest collect in my nose; one is strong and heavy, fresh, and so delicious.
I gently jog to follow the scent trail, and the wolves fan out. We hunt.
*
We have caught prey and eaten well. I feel I can grow my pack, but it would cost me my rest. I will hunt again first before growing the pack.
It is clear now that I have no client. My summoning was a natural phenomenon. It was no coincidence that I spawned into a place charged with mana; mana had pooled up there to the point that it spontaneously became a summoning request. Maybe this was the origin of summoning, before the people of the worlds learned summoning magic.
A vile stench offends my nostrils. Whatever it is, it is not suitable for eating. And it’s headed right this way.
I maneuver the pack, circling away from the creature, that it won’t be able to locate us on its terms. The stench builds. The sound of running in the distance. Four enemies.
A body crashes through the foliage, revealing itself in the clearing. Bipedal and seemingly humanoid, but twisted and disfigured. Its ears move independently, searching for sound. I can’t smell its blood. Whatever courses through its body, it is not blood.
Three more follow: two small lanky ones, and a large stocky one. They know we’re here, but they haven’t spotted us yet. We quietly circle to get behind them, when one of the small monsters spots me and shouts. The four adjust their bearings and run directly at me.
A small monster, in its haste, gets near the brush near one of my wolves. I set the wolf on it, pouncing on it and pinning it down. The other two wolves exit the brush, behind the charging enemies. I rush forward, completing the pincer maneuver.
The medium-sized leader tries to shuffle away but it had gotten too close. I bring down a heavy paw on its shoulder and its legs give. I follow through and bite its neck, severing its spine. Its fluids are disgusting beyond description. My wolf tears the throat from the small monster, and I suffer through the taste again.
The second small monster turns to run. There is no sign of fear in its action. The large monster bellows and darts sluggishly toward one of my wolves. My wolves are fearless. Our separate bodies are an illusion.
My wolves surround the large monster while I approach. The large monster thrashes to keep them at a distance, while keeping its eyes on me. One of its wild blows finds its home on one of my wolves, shattering its body. It evaporates into mist.
It bellows again, louder. My wolves damage its heels, causing it to stumble. I land on top of it, stunning it, and sever its spine. Disgusting, but it’s over now.