Tired Wolf POV

The hunt is over, and his time is done. He supposes this was for the best, the pack had gotten too big, and the lands they visited weren't enough to feed everyone. They had already lost a third of the pack's strongest and oldest, trying for the food of the people with little success.

When that massive beast attacked us, that was when the pack lost their sanity, rampaged, and chased anything that moved. The food was so close, the scent of fear so overwhelming. Yet his body failed him, and he was too weak, hunger clouding his mind. When he clashed with the greater beast, all he could do was let out a final howl as he went down.

But finally, he was no longer hungry, no longer in pain… He could rest.

Young Wolf POV

He awoke with a start, his eyes greeted by the warm glow of a faintly pulsing green light. Looking around, he couldn't help but notice the intricate variety of scents having filled the air around him. The young wolf was so distracted that they didn't even notice the source of the green light until a voice echoed within him.

'Ah, you're finally awake. Good, I was hoping everything went well after I finished re-attaching those limbs of yours... How do you feel?'

"My... Limbs... What?" The young wolf looked startled, glancing around as they struggled in the stone sand to get to their feet. Though their stance is shaky, they stumble down more than once. However, a realization hits him as they lick their teeth thoughtfully. "Did I say that?"

'Oh good, so you can also talk, and with no training required. I wonder why? Hmm... Well, that is a topic for another time. You're the remaining son of the previous leader of your roving pack. I'm almost positive you're the right one based on the memories I've gone through... I have an offer for you since it is mostly my fault my Executioner utterly demolished your entire pack. Umm... No offense.'

The wolf looked more perturbed than anything as its eyes darted around before finally landing on the glowing green jewel in the center of the room. Finally, he started to collect himself as he slowly padded off the stone sand, making his way to the more solid stone pathway before the jewel on its pedestal and taking a sit down, his tail curling around protectively over his paws as he watched the glowing green gem curiously. "A-are you the one talking? What do you mean by an offer?" He asked with an inquisitive tilt of his head, the wolf not entirely sure how it knows and understands these words at a fundamental level. "W-wait, am I dead? Is this some kind of afterlife?" The wolf asks in an increasingly distressed tone, despite his apparent confusion.

'Whoa, whoa, slow down there, wolfie. One question at a time... Let's see here, no, this isn't the afterlife; yes, you did die but don't worry, you got better. I brought you back since it seemed you had a strong desire to keep living despite your circumstances.' The voice goes quiet momentarily before resuming with a sense of gentle confidence. 'My offer, if you are willing, is to come under my service. Take a name from me and guard my land. If you accept, I'll help you bring back most of your pack, those who also have the same kind of desire that you do. You won't feel hunger under my influence, and I'll provide you a territory to keep and protect so you no longer have to wander and ultimately provide your pack somewhere warm to stay in the winter.'

The wolf's ears drew back, anxiety and nerves getting the better of the young predator as it watched the glowing green gem. "And what if I refuse? Will you just kill me again?" It asked, their newly discovered voice cracking and squeaking under their nerves as they muster up their spine.

The voice was silent for a good while longer, much to the bane of the young wolf's growing anxiety as its ears went further back on its head. Finally, it spoke up. 'As easy as that would be, no, I won't. I have a soft spot for canines like you... And there's something about you, what you are, that makes me think about someone precious to me that I haven't seen in many years... No, if you refuse my offer, I will still bring back those in your pack who wish to continue living, and I will give you all a place to stay the winter; however, you will ultimately still have to rely on yourselves for food, and you will be prohibited from wandering the entirety of my territory.'

The young wolf fidgets in place, letting out the slightest of whines at the two options set before him. His ears flicked as he sat a little taller while looking into the warm swirling light within the green gem. "What about my father? You said you would return most of my pack; what about the others?"

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The voice echoed with a gentleness it didn't hold before like it was trying to spare his feelings. 'Your father wished to rest, as well as the rest of the older wolves.' He was silent for a time before continuing. 'I understand the feeling if I'm being honest. The fight to survive and live grinds one down to the bones. Especially when one bears the weight of the lives of others. It's rather impressive for an animal to have such will and determination; again, no offense. So I respected his wish and the wish of those like him and left them to their eternal rest.'

The young wolf seemed to sag, his ears drooping while his demeanor shrunk into himself. "I… I see. So why me?"

'Why not you? You're kind, compassionate, and you put others before yourself. Those are excellent qualities in a man, let alone an animal that lacked sapient intelligence until just an hour ago.'

The voice seemed to study the wolf; he could feel an intense gaze almost measuring him up and peering into his very soul.

'You've got good genes, great potential. I watched your father shrug off the arrows of a skilled hunter and put up a big fight against my Executioner despite the advantages she had. I want you and quite possibly need someone like you on my team. I'm willing to give you what you need and what you want to make it happen, and I'll not force you into anything you don't want. That's why I've already given you a boost in the mental faculties so we can better talk about this.'

The young wolf sat up a little at the voice's words, considering what they entailed and meant for him and his pack. "I'll… I'll do it. Thank you for giving me and mine a second chance."

The voice spoke out within the wolf soon after. 'Excellent, now then. I want you to go lay in the sand and close your eyes. I'm going to pour my mana into you and use that to bring back your pack so they'll be linked to me through you instead of directly to me.'

The young wolf tilted his head curiously but didn't know what to argue or question, so he did as asked, making his way back into the stone sand and lying there. Slowly he breathed in before letting out a tired exhale.

'Alright, let's get started…' The voice said slowly, laying out the bodies of the wolves who wanted to live. 'I remember now… The name of the character she liked in that story. I hope you live up to it. I name you Legosi and title you Defender… Serve me well and protect those dear to you and me.'

With that, Legosi felt a rush of mana coursing through his body as it flowed through every vein he had. It was painful yet invigorating. His pack's scent filled his nostrils, yet he kept his eyes closed as he could feel the voice circulating the mana around him, each tendril of vital energy reaching through his pack mates, going from one to the next as the room pulsed with life.

Virtisa POV

She didn't know how to feel or what to make of what she saw. She didn't even know how she made it down to the mountain and the others. It was late in the afternoon now, and she could smell the workings of dinner prep coming from the longhouse. The kids were playing under the watchful eye of the other adults, a couple of those young prowlers among them.

Virtisa couldn't help but feel a sense of unease watching the little beasts, she knew in her heart that they meant her no harm, but she needed to confide in someone.

Clutching her satchel to her chest, she soon spotted Zasutir near the edge of their clearing, speaking with Woody as he and Twig were carving wood pieces for the smoker. She crossed the distance with hurried, quick steps, almost tripping over herself, much to the concern of Zasutir and the others as they noticed her approach.

"Virtisa, welcome back; how's Cinco?" Zasutir asked pleasantly, mildly concerned about how she was carrying herself but letting her take it at her own pace.

Virtisa swallowed as she glanced at Twig and Woody, offering a passing semblance of a smile as she stepped closer to Zasutir, gingerly grabbing at his sleeve as she stood on the tips of her claws, her other hand on his chest, all the while Zasutir leaned in curiously. "I must speak with you… Privately. Please…" She said softly as she pulled back, gazing desperately into the copper and emerald gaze of the Shepherd.

Zasutir looked confused and concerned, glancing over to Woody and gently placing a hand on Virtisa's shoulder. "Of course, of course." He replied gently, pulling back as he looked at Woody again. "If you'll excuse us."

The beaverkin man nodded intently as he whittled another cut of wood off the piece he was working on. "Of course, Shepherd, by all means. We'll talk later."

Zasutir nodded in return, Virtisa stepping away but staying close as she allowed Zasutir freedom of movement. The two lizardkin stepping away from the beaverkin. The Shepherd looked around for a few moments, before heading deeper into the woods towards the river. They don't go all the way of course, Zasutir stopping and turning to look at Virtisa curiously. "Alright, I don't believe we'll have more privacy than this… What's all this about?"

Virtisa pulled away anxiously biting a nail as she paced back and forth before looking back to the Zasutir. "You… You mentioned Vitmori was just a man… A human warrior. Right?"

Zasutir looked vaguely surprised by the direction the conversation took, but he nodded intently as he watched Virtisa. "Yes, I've seen his memories in my dreams before Vitmori began being more mindful of them. I couldn’t make much sense of all of them, but I know I got the important details… Why do you ask?"

Virtisa stopped pacing and looked over to Zasutir. "Well, I know that you asked me to keep quiet about the knights and acolytes, and I get it, I truly do… But…" She stepped closer, making her way up to Zasutir again as she gently grabbed his shirt sleeve. "That knight, the one you said now goes by Dread? He's a wolfkin now… Not a fully furred one, but with enough traits to look like he had a non-kin mother or father. I mean, what am I supposed to do with that information? Vitmori said he just made him into one, just like that. Is something like that possible? Of course, it is; I just saw it happen." She rambled on, feeling and looking increasingly unhinged.

Zasutir looked thoughtful, scratching the scales along the underside of his jaw. "Well… I have no answers for you." He admittedly rather bluntly after a minute or so. "I know just as much about Vitmori's abilities as you at the end of the day." He went quiet for another moment before looking at Virtisa again. "Quite frankly, I don't think even Vitmori knows the extent of his abilities. I'm certain we're all in for even more surprises to come." He explained as he reached out and gently pat Virtisa's shoulder. "I'm not gonna ask you to remain calm, but let's take things slow and keep an open mind." He suggested with a cheerful smile.

Virtisa looked exhausted at this point but nodded slowly as she sighed. "Okay, Zasutir, I'll follow your lead on this." Though as she said this, a cacophony of distorted howling bellowed out unnaturally in the air around them.

Despite this, both the lizardkin turned to look at the mountain, Zasutir letting out a hearty chuckle as Virtisa sighed a little more. "Looks like he's done something else. Shall we go and see what?" He enthused as Virtisa nodded; the two of them started to walk once more.