The Cardinal let out a sigh, "I'm already beginning to feel the effects of the bond even though she is not in the immediate proximity… Minerva, she will be living in my personal wing of the palace so make sure to bring her straight here. I may lose my mind if I wait too long."
Minerva quickly nodded her head in understanding. Valtaeru's lycan blood was the strongest in the world, placing a difficult burden on her shoulders when it came to giving her mate time to adjust as every cell in her body would be screaming at her to mark the person her soul was bound to.
And to make things worse, if she was too far from her mate, she would begin to lose her mind. It happened to normal Lycans so Minerva didn't want to even comprehend what could happen if the Cardinal Majesty were to lose her mind. "It shall be done," she then vanished from her spot and into the darkness, as if she had never been there.
Hikari began to shrink, her nine tails folding into one, until she was as small as a baby fox. Then the ball of fluff jumped onto her shoulder, nuzzling her face as if trying to provide comfort. The little creature didn't look like much, but she could easily kill a dragon with one swipe of her claws if she wanted to. Nothing in this New Dark Age should ever been assumed.
She patted Hikari's head before addressing her Beta, "Rowan, your mind sounds like mine. Can you feel the bindings in your soul trying to bring you together?" She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear him say it.
"Yes, Val, I don't know how you can stay so composed. It's pulling me in the direction of our guests."
Only those closest to her were permitted to call her by her name, let alone her nickname. But she and Rowan were like siblings, especially after the torture they experienced together. After her, Rowan was the closest there was to a 'pureblooded' Lycan after the experiments. He was second only to her. Not that the two were even slightly comparable in strength. There was nothing they didn't know about each other.
Plus, her being composed right now was nothing but a ruse. Unlike the other wolves, including Rowan, she had already seen her mate through the mindlink. She was close to going insane, barely able to keep animal instincts in check.
"I know, I feel the same. All the more reason to make sure the program is successful and…" she lowered her voice to a dangerous growl and her mouth pulled back, her fangs growing longer, "figure out where Dr. Requiem is. He is a danger to our people and this world as long as he remains alive." She gritted her teeth together and suppressed herself from shifting. That was the last thing she needed to do right now. If she did, she wouldn't be able to control herself nearly as well and would scare their new residents.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Dr. Requiem. The head scientist of Project Atlas and their torturer. While she had since destroyed his lab, the truth was that this continent used to be his playground. Well, at least the surface was.
The continent of Asura actually held a secret. The fabled City of Atlantis was directly beneath their own capital city.
Dr. Requiem desperately wanted to break into the structure, but the city didn't accept him, branding him as an abomination. Still, he never stopped trying, even building his secret lab beneath the sea. Unluckily for him, his experimentation led to his downfall.
Even after spending years as his favorite experiment, Val knew virtually nothing about him or how he went from ordinary person to sickening monster. All she knew were his sadistic desires. The doctor wanted to rewrite the world's laws, but he soon he learned that they never needed to be rewritten.
He discovered many creatures that were thought to be mere fantasy actually used to exist. So he decided to bring them back, and by bringing them back, he brought magic back.
He ruthless awakened dormant bloodlines causing countless to die while only a few successfully lived on. Those that only awakened half-way lost their minds and became devils. The doctor's true goal was only known to a select few. Herself, Rowan, and Minerva.
The World Core. A magic source that never went out and was protected in the deepest part of Atlantis. The city could actually manifest it's own will and it was this will that abhorred the doctor and eventually resonated with her, creating something similar but different from a familiar bond.
Rowan couldn't agree more, "The last place to look is Kumia. Not only that, but we picked up his trail along their borders."
"Good, tell them to proceed… and kill anyone that gets in our way." She let out a fierce growl before clawing into the wall beside her. If he remained free, she had no doubt that he would continue his 'work.' Plus, 'As long as he lives, we are in danger… Especially her…' Her eyes glowed gold nodding at Rowan before seemingly disappearing into thin air along with Hikari.
Rowan sighed and ran a hand through his silver hair, his red eyes seeming tired. 'Things are going to be busy. But…' He grinned happily, 'I finally get to meet my life-long partner.' Without a second thought, he ran through the hallways, into his room in the palace, and jumped over his personal balcony.
He glowed lightly for a second before black and silver fur sprouted from his arms and he dropped to all fours. A dire wolf. His massive form would have easily knocked down the pillars in the foyer with one move from his tail. Black patterns and gruesome scars covered what otherwise would have been a pure silver coat.
The pack would run together tonight, as it would be awhile before they could do so without…bothering their new guest. A melody of howls filled his ears and he howled in return, taking off in a sprint towards his fellow Lycans.