Ganyu joined them shortly after they arrived in the room. He was the village elder for a reason, being one of the oldest in the village and the Alpha before Duncan. His hair had long since turned grey and he hunched over slightly.

Duncan sat at the head of the table, with Malicade and the wolf at the opposite end. Ganyu and Malicade's father sat on either side.

Malicade wasted no time explaining the events leading up to when he found Reculan in the clearing. From here he took a brief pause, not sure how to explain what he had to say. He knew they would all be skeptical, but him confirming Artio's existence was most likely to cause a serious issue, it was borderline treason.

"From here on, what I'm about to tell you is going to be hard to believe to say the least. I have no proof of any of it. Except for the thing laying in a ball at my feet asleep." Malicade said.

He started explaining the events that took place at the clearing, his father looking exceptionally proud when he went over his fight with the bear. Duncan and Ganyu listened intently, they exchanged a brief glance of eye contact for a moment when he mentioned the clearing. Malicade then explained how Lycaon had appeared in front of him and saved his life. Ganyu and Malicade’s father both dropped their jaws when he did. He went on to explain his conversation with Lycaon, including the part where he said Artio is real.

"That's absurd!" Ganyu said slamming his fist on the table. "He must be lying!"

"I didn't raise a liar." Malicade's father said, "No matter how hard I find it to believe, I know the kind of man my son is. He would never lie about something like this."

"You're his father, of course you'd defend him!" Ganyu said.

"That's enough Ganyu!" Duncan barked. "I will stand for no further interruption during his story. Malicade please continue."

Ganyu looked at Duncan in complete shock but remained quiet.

Malicade continued, first about his encounter with the Bear Tribesman and how he took their life, then about Lycaon's final words to him. Careful not to miss any detail. Duncan and Ganyu again exchanged glances at certain parts of his tale. Finally Malicade explained the strange things he noticed after waking up and his journey home up until he reached the front gate.

After he finished everyone sat silently, his father in complete shock. Duncan was lost in thought, carefully stroking his goatee.

Finally Ganyu broke the silence, "I find almost all of what you said next to impossible to believe." He said plainly.

Malicade bowed his head.

"I'm sorry. I have no proof of any of this." He said.

Finally Duncan spoke.

"I'm not so sure about that Malicade, and Ganyu, I don't appreciate you acting ignorant on this matter. You know just as much about the legends as I do, if not more." He said confrontational.

Ganyu looked at him displeased.

"What do you mean legends?" Asked Malicade's father.

Duncan waved that question aside for the time being.

"Um, what did you mean about not being sure I don't have proof?" Malicade asked.

Duncan allowed a smile to briefly poke at the corner of his mouth.

"Tell me Malicade, did your eyes always look like that?" He asked.

"What do you mean my eyes?"

Duncan called for someone to fetch a mirror. While he did that both Ganyu and Malicade's father studied his eyes and leaned back in shock.

"My God." They both said.

"What's going on?" Malicade asked, the worry obvious in his voice.

"Wait a minute Malicade, smile for me would you?" His father asked.

So he did. His father and Ganyu reacted similarly to before. Duncan did nothing but smile.

When the mirror finally came Malicade eagerly took it and examined his face. What he saw caused him to recoil in his chair.

"What the-" he started, unable to finish.

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He was too busy studying what he saw. His eyes which everyone had been commenting on were indeed strange, they were no longer that of a human. They were that of an animal, a specific type of animal. The kind that was currently laying at his feet.

Sensing his discomfort and unease, the wolf perked her head up and looked at him. Her emerald green eyes peered into his soul. His eyes were a perfect copy of hers. From the emerald green color to the pupil, they matched exactly. There wasn't a difference to be found if you wanted to.

"No way." He said.

That's when he noticed his teeth. The canines were incredibly sharp and pointed, they looked slightly longer than they had been before, but not by much. His ears were also ever so slightly pointed, it was extremely difficult to notice at a glance but if you paid attention you'd see it.

"Malicade, would you please stand up and remove your shirt for us." Duncan asked.

"Uh yeah I guess."

He stood up and did as he was instructed. Once again everyone but Duncan displayed surprise.

"What?" Malicade asked.

"Look for yourself, take a careful look at what you see."

Malicade looked down at his shirtless torso. At first he noticed nothing, but then it slowly started setting in. He was much more muscular than he had been the previous day. His chest was more pronounced, his abs popped out much more as well. His biceps and shoulders were quite a bit larger and more defined. On top of all that his chest was much hairier than it had been as well, yet not as hairy as last night when he made camp and removed his shirt so Reculan could have a pillow.

"What the hell." He said.

"You get it now don't you?" Duncan started, "You are the proof to your tale."

"Duncan you don't mean-" Ganyu began.

"I do." Duncan said plainly.

"If you don't mind, could you please explain for those of us who don't." Said

Malicade's father.

"I suppose you're right. Allow me to explain. I'm sure you're familiar with the ancient tale of "Lycaon's warrior" am I right."

"Yes" Malicade and his father nodded.

"Well I believe your boy is just that." Started Duncan. "Everything he said has lined up with the tale. From being saved by a giant wolf to his obviously abnormal physical features that, up until now, he has never once displayed." He finished.

The three men sat for a moment, quiet, lost in thought at the proposition a man they all respected deeply had just made.

It made perfect sense based on the evidence presented, but everyone in the room, including Malicade, found it hard to believe that an old wives tale could be true.

Seeming to read the room, Duncan continued, "I know it's hard to believe, but all the facts line up. We all know your son to be an honest man and the evidence presented proves as much. Both he, and his furry friend are proof enough."

The room was silent after

Duncan finished speaking.

Malicade was desperately trying to process everything.

Sure he'd heard the legend before. Everyone in his village had, but it was just that, a legend. Now that it was all very real he didn't know how to react.

"What does it all mean?" He asked himself.

"It should be obvious, but I believe you are the one they were talking about Malicade. The proof is all there. You were visited by Lycaon and you've clearly been given a gift by him. You're no longer an ordinary human, that much is evident. Not only that but you have a thought to be extinct Dire wolf, much larger in size than it should be I may add, that follows you around like a pet. I know it must be a lot to process but you must know it's true."

Everyone was quiet again. Malicade's father wanted to speak but didn't know what to say. Everything Duncan said made sense. He just watched his son in silence.

Malicade's entire world had just been flipped around, he didn't know what to think or do.

"Why me?" He thought.

Duncan broke the silence again, "Cain if it's alright with you I'd like Malicade to spend the night in the hall. The less of a ruckus caused the better, his wolf and new features will definitely cause that."

Malicade's Father nodded, "I agree. As difficult as it'll be, I'll convince my wife and daughter to leave him be for today, but I won't be able to stop them again tomorrow and keep my life in the process."

"That's alright. I'll make an announcement of some kind tomorrow as well, although what I'm going to say I don't know. Just remember what I said about this discussion not leaving this room until I say otherwise."

Everyone nodded in agreement but Malicade, who was still lost in thought. The wolf got up from her spot on the ground and rubbed her face against his, licking him.

"You really should think about giving her a name." Said Duncan.

Malicade was brought back to his senses, "Yeah, you're probably right."

Duncan stood up, "Very well, I think this meeting has reached its end now.

Malicade I'll show you to your room and have dinner for you and her brought shortly after."

With that everyone stood up and headed for the exit. Malicade and his father spoke briefly before leaving the room. Ganyu left straight away. After going their separate ways, Cain headed back home and Malicade followed Duncan to his room.

"The wash room is at the end of the hall on the left, I'll see to it no one uses it tonight so you can whenever you'd like. After your food is brought you won't be disturbed unless you ask for someone. If you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask."

Duncan turned to walk away but Malicade stopped him, "Duncan, are you really absolutely certain I'm the one the legend talked about?"

"I am."

Malicade sighed, "But why me? Why am I special? I'm sure there's someone out there who was a better choice."

"Only Lycaon would know. But what I do know is that he picked you and that's good enough for me, I have no reason, or right, to question his judgment. I also know from watching you grow up that you're both capable of and will do great things." He put his hand on Malicade's shoulder.

He relaxed a little bit, "Thank you."

"No reason to thank me, now go get some rest." and with that he turned and left.

Malicade and the wolf entered his temporary room. It was a nice size with a bed, with a table and chair set, and a large blanket folded up on the ground. The wolf eagerly pattered over to it and lay down to sleep.

"I really should name you." Malicade said.

Yes you should. she seemed to say.

Dinner was brought shortly after, like Duncan said it would be. Malicade didn't have much of an appetite after the events that unfolded during his meeting, his companion on the other hand had no issue scarfing down her food. He set his plate on the ground next to her.

"You go ahead and eat it, I'm gonna go to the washroom so behave." He said.

And with that he left the room.