Erika waited and watched as Elders arrived to the Silverhide store, standing outside the meeting room chosen at attention, their comrades the trainees joined them in waiting one by one.

But the first to arrive, was Thorn with his trainer Elder Reo Archfang. The shrivelled-up male Lycan that was Reo slowly made his way through the doorway as a soldier held it open for him, with his walking stick so old, seemingly only Reo himself was older. A man Erika had never heard speak a word.

Thorn made his way to stand at attention by Gray and Erika, glancing briefly at Erika, his expression was one of solemn guilt. Straightening himself by her, Thorn whispered only two words, “I’m sorry.” Before going completely silent as then came the rest.

Second was Del, following after Elder Tenen Bone, a mature female Lycan approaching her elderly years but not quite. A strong figure who’s classy personality is only outdone by her classical appearance.

Third, came Seiki after her trainer, Elder Lano Rain. A strange and mysterious man who keeps himself entirely covered with a dark cloak and hood, then a green-grey mask of a wolf over his face. Only his silver eyes were visible.

Lano paused before the recruits and trainees, gesturing Seiki to enter ranks, he then briefly focused on Erika. “Hm, it should have been you.” He mused suddenly, before entering inside, leaving Erika confused.

She glanced over at Seiki, who seemed to not have reacted, if even heard his words.

“What…language was that?” Gray whispered, also confused.

Huh? Language?

“What do you mean?” Erika whispered back.

“He says weird shit like that here and now, I’ve grown to ignore it.” Seiki grumbled, “Nobody seems to understand him.”

Erika only grew more confused, she had understood him.

“So, this is why you took so long.” Came Kei’s growling voice as she and Teol arrived last.

Erika prepared herself for a berating, after all, there was no way Kei didn’t hear of the squabble she just had with the Ragtail family. Steeling herself for the vocal bashing of the century, she met Kei’s hardened gaze as she approached her.

Suddenly then swerving off, to come standing before Thorn. “You should be thankful, for if Elder Reo hadn’t defended you, for if our Alpha hadn’t stopped the fight. If a single hair on my recruit would have been damaged, your entire family, your entire clan would have made an enemy of mine.”

“You would dare, threaten my grandson in full ear shot of me?” Jackobe stormed out of the meeting room, coming to stand glare to glare with Kei. “Your gran daughter brings shame to your clan, hunt captain-”

“No, she does not. You bring shame to our entire community, Ragtail.” Teol then said, looming over the both of them. “This young recruit here, she has been training hard, showing progress beyond our imagination. She is lost to her world, as you know from my letters, lost from everything she once knew. Even then under the shock of that, she proclaimed to want to fight for us, for our people.” Teol began as he glanced into the meeting room, meeting Zarkon’s eyes. “I wish to proclaim her under my family’s protection, with your blessing my Alpha.”

Zarkon, just barely able to see Erika’s shoulder through the door way, simply shrugged. “If that is your wish, very well then. I grant her your clanship.”

Teol nodded, “Thank you.” Before nudging Erika to move, understanding his meaning, she also turned to face Zarkon.

“T-Thank you.” She also said, unsure of what had just occurred, until she turned to see her comrade’s wide shocked eyes staring fully at her.

“And Jackobe, what did I say earlier? Oh right, something along the lines of shoving your head through your neck and pulling it back out of your ass, so you can continue speaking as you do.” Zarkon then warned, Jackobe’s shoulders straightening at his words. “Sit back down you fool, we have too much to discuss.”

“Y-Yes?” Flabbergasted, Jackobe stumbled back to his seat.

“And let those rookies in too, they’ll have to find out sooner or later.” Zarkon sighed, gesturing them all inside.

Awkwardly, the five of them walked in, moving to stand at attention behind their trainers.

Once everyone was situated, Zarkon motioned his soldiers out, all but two remained as the rest closed the door behind them.

“I would have preferred speaking to each clan Great, but I guess three of them, and the elders all together, will have to do.” Zarkon mused, as he then motioned one of his subordinates forward. “Commander Dredgev, give them the run down.”

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Dredgev saluted to Zarkon before turning to the table, clearing his throat, “Mid summer of the year before the last one, the enemy forces began pushing much harder than usual, giving way to notions of a large scale invasion being prepared for by them.” The whole room was silent, only he spoke. “We usually see a rise in enemy forces during the winter, where the vampires know we are at a natural advantage to the humans, so they send more of their slaves to keep us from thinking of advancing beyond the forest. But this occurring during the summer, was unorthodox. So we called for the Front Regiment to join our forces on the battlefield, for the past year it has remained the same. Even last year’s summer, a large-scale enemy push occurred which we also just as the last, held back.”

Dredgev’s gaze hardened then, “Three months ago, once again, mid-summer. The same happened, yet something that hasn’t taken place in centuries also did. Vampire lords, took to the battle field.”

The gazes of everyone in the room suddenly turned cold and pale then. “V-Vampire lords? On the front?” Jared mused, rising forward onto the table.

“With them, was a large army of humans, ghouls…and demons.” Dredgev added. “We held back what we could, thousands of brave soldiers died, so did thousands of theirs over the past two months.”

Zarkon then raised his arm before standing up facing them all. “I feel, as saying the rest, is my duty.” He took a deep breath before continuing, “The forward fortresses have been lost, our lines pushed back into the Great Forest. All that stands between the Vampire lords and our civilization, is Bleak Moon, and Willow Front. I’ve set up the bulk of my forces at Bleak Moon for a last dish effort of pushing back the enemy, but we can’t help it if some make it past us, leaking into Willow Front.”

“T-This is unprecedented…” Jackobe said, sinking into his hands, grasping his face, “If B-Bleak Moon falls, the next fully fortified front is three villages behind us!”

“I’ve already sent envoys to retreat the villagers beyond Shallow Creak, the Left and Right regiments were ordered to station there and prepare for the worst.” Zarkon explained, “With my regiment and the Front regiment’s numbers down as they are, they hold the greatest of our forces and must be used to defend our people even at the cost of losing territory. The clans, even withheld their warriors for Shallow Creak. I’m afraid the people have lost all hope in me as their Alpha.”

“Hm, yes. You were never presumed to last.” Elder Lano mused, “Yet, I expected a while longer.”

Zarkon chuckled, “You presume and expect too much, Elder Rain. But things as they are, I must fulfil my duty of holding my ground within the Great Forest, for if I do not then I will have truly failed. As for you all, you have two choices. One, retreat back and join the forces at Shallow Creak, or Two, make your stand with me at Bleak Moon.”

“Why do you not order us to stand with you?” Teol then asked.

“Because, I suspect the rest of our world is awaiting my death, and already have their new candidates chosen.” Zarkon added with a shrug, “I hold little power of authority now, I wouldn’t waste a single soul here either, so there would be no repercussions if you do choose to disobey and retreat. And even if I did manage to force a number of you with me, you would only pose a weakness I’m not willing to take to the battlefield.”

“That’s…a melancholic way to look at it.” Kei grumbled.

“Zarkon, what might be Bleak Moon’s chances, without us getting involved?” Elder Tenen asked.

Zarkon chuckled coldly, “Bleak.”

“What are you thinking Elder?” Teol asked, turning to her.

“I’m pondering over smacking this young fool left to right, so he can retreat with the rest of us, but also over the devastating meaning of losing the Great Forest as our defence.” Tenen admitted.

“Which, brings me to the second reason I’m here.” Zarkon said, walking around the table then to align himself with the three Elders, he suddenly kneeled down. “I implore you, Elders, I require your power!” He exclaimed.

“Ohohoh, the youngsters need us now? After setting us aside for our age?” Reo snickered.

“Don’t be such a downer Archfang, we are too old.” Tenen added before glancing at Lano, “Most of us are. If we are to aid you though, I suspect all three of us, will have certain requests of you to be assured beforehand.”

“Anything within my power, please just ask.” Zarkon promised.

“If we survive this, then I expect Lee village, the old methods of training new recruits is long obsolete!” Tenen exclaimed, “I wish for a full-fledged school entirely cantered around training soldiers, you, will help me fund and get the other town’s acceptance for it.”

Zarkon grimaced, “You…drive a hard bargain, but very well. You will have your village, you will have your school.”

Tenen nodded, “Well, Reo, Lano? What do you two want then?”

“Ack!” Coughing out a fury, Reo bashed his walking stick down, “Hah! What else could I possibly want than the chance to pull out more vampire fangs! I want a full battalion under my direct command youngster and nothing less!”

“Done.” Zarkon said with a chuckle, “Always the warmonger, aren’t you? Bloodlust Reogulus Archfang.”

Reo chuckled too.

“Hmm, anything I wish, within your power?” Lano then asked, Zarkon fully focusing on him then, seemingly awaiting his answer the most. “What could you possibly give me?...Hmm.”

There it is again…that odd tone.

Erika thought, as Lano’s eyes turned to her briefly.

“You will take my student as your own,” Lano suddenly said, much to Seiki’s shock. “In return, I wish for this one.” He then pointed at Erika. “To be unequivocally progressed to trainee, and my new student.”

Much, to everyone’s surprise.

Except for Zarkon and the other Elders.

“That, is no longer up to me, now is it?” Zarkon replied, standing and straightening himself up then.

Lano glanced to Teol, who’s expression paled. “Uh, If Elder Tenen already wants to change the whole system…I guess, it doesn’t matter who trains-”

“It does matter.” Lano mused, “It very much matters.”

Teol nodded, not understanding the second part. “Well, as I proclaimed earlier. Erika is part of my clan now. While, I do hold the power to decide…” He turned to Erika, “I will leave the choice to her.”

Erika found herself with everyone staring at her now, glancing in between Kei and Lano, she just now realised the sisterly bond she had built with her trainer. How could she betray that?

“Don’t put me in the equation, fool.” Kei then said, “I’ve trained you as best as I could, I can’t take you further…The answer should be obvious.”

“I…I…” Erika was at a loss for words.

This…might be my chance to help, maybe even a chance to get stronger and…

As her gaze settled on Lano.

Maybe even find out, who, or what he is.

“I accept.”