About a day has passed since my painful style change and I have a slight grip on my new capabilities. Interestingly the only real changes, besides pointy teeth and honestly looking creepy, was that I was a little faster and stronger than previously. Oh and better physical regeneration but that was nothing too new. Also I climbed a tree with my claws. Yup claws. Long sharp claws made from the middle of my “DAMN FINGERS!?!” yeah so the middle of all but the thumbs flicks out like a switch blade, their tips the bearing.. Claws aside, I struggle with how to proceed. Probably can’t go back to Deep Town given I’m supposed to be dead. Emmey probably got the news and I’m doubting she’d tolerate this change if discovered. “Or maybe I’m kidding myself but I’m not in the mood for introspection” ultimately, regardless of uh that, I’m steering clear of the capital for now. The unanswered question is where to next? “I mean fuck what am I even supposed to do at this point?” I ask in the open air atop my tree. “So I know where I won’t go” I pondered “why not a village or small town for some info then piece it together” with that settled I began my descent. Ending up being a little early to the ground, definitely on purpose and not because a dumb branch broke, and began heading toward the nearest town I remember. “Atten Woods should be close” I thought “wonder if Dernys still stationed there” I said thinking how I’d love to give the old guard captain a scare.

Atten was about a half week's walk from here but I could probably top that given my new endurance. Starting to pace there at sprinting speed, I skipped my way through the wood with new found ease. And after meandering my way through Wellens Woods hellish landscape, much sooner than expected, I was right at the tree line south of side Atten. “Lot faster than before,” I noted. I’d taken only a day and a half to get here and that didn't really feel right, but it was some comfort that I was at least fairly winded. Surveying the wooden palisade, pondering my best bet at entering, I decided to rest till night. So I set to climbing a tree and getting my breath back. Double layer wooden palisades surrounded Atten, it's not the most important place but being a border town security is not exactly light, hence the walls. “Guess I’ll just climb over?” I said as the sun began to scorch the horizon. Studying the people as they began to wind down and finish their menial chores, I noted that this place has seen better days. Fewer homes dotted the interior than I remembered, suggesting that the guards were having a harder time with the local “fauna” than really enjoyable. It also looks like they had a breach recently, so at least they’ll be a bit worn down. The sun was finally swallowed by the horizon, casting the world in black ink. Vaulting from my perch I began to make my way towards the wall while the guards switched shifts. Sneaking through the grass I let my claws fall open and began tearing into the wall as I made my accent. Once at the top the waiting guard could do little to prevent me putting her to sleep for the night. Gently putting her down I made my descent off the inside wall, assuring myself that I was being stealthy enough. “Now let's see where my favorite guard captain is” if I’d remembered correctly the guard house should be on the other side of town.

And low and behold I spotted good old Dern right outside, trading out command to his lieutenant. I watched the silver wolf mask bounce atop his head as he walked home. It shined in contrast with his dark hair only now sprouting grays to match. The mask was an old thing, a hunters thing, having clearly seen use. As well maintained as it is, one could do little to obscure the missing bottom left half of the wolf. When we finally made it to his house I was just about to make myself known, when he drew his sword and turned slowly. “Come out beast I can smell your stench” he barked. Creeping down from the shadowy perch, I made myself visible “You always did have a good nose on you Derny” I said with a fond laugh. “Made me take more showers then I care to admit” the grip on his sword loosened faintly. “Who in bloody works are…… Monster, is that you?” he asked, recognition showing through his aged features. “In the flesh, well maybe not the same flesh” I said with a shrug. He loosened slightly “Shoulda known the brass couldn't get rid of you that easily but what in the three fucks happened?” he asked while making brief eye contact with the pits in my eye’s. “Bit of a long story” I remarked sourly. “Care to invite me home? Can’t say I’ll explain but I could at least use some advice” He sheathed his sword begrudgingly, as if against his better judgment. But regardless he ushered me inside. “I don’t know what you're calling home but you’re welcome inside” he said with coldly masked acceptance “Oh come on you must be aware that this is more of a home then I’ve ever had Dad?” I said in a half joked tone. “Call Me dad again and I’ll report you” he growled back. “Oh relax they’ll know I’m alive soon away” I said with no small amount of snark in my voice. Dern sighed and sat down, relaxing his broad shoulders, filling two glasses with whiskey and sliding the first in my direction. “Care to give me an idea then?” he asked stiffly. Sitting opposite to him I sampled my drink, and frowned a bit. I was never a drinker but this tasted awfully bad. Somewhere between piss and moldy bread I’d wager. Dern sat there patiently looking amused, stiff, and contemplative. “They sent me on a suicide mission” I said with no little mirth. He sat there and let my statement mellow in the air “well that's all I need to know besides why you look like that” he said in a more reassigned tone. “ A gift of sorts and it came with some pretty advice” I said “but I guess I’m legitimately “touched'' now” I leaned back while placing my glass on the table. “Thoughts?” I asked. “None,” he said. “Just get out of town, they’ll know you’re not dead soon enough” I sighed at that but before I could get up to leave he began unfastening his mask. “Take it” he said, tossing the mask to me “you may look a bit different now but you’re still recognizable” I looked down at it “any advice?” I weakly laughed. “Don't die Monster” he stood up “ and don’t stay a lone wolf long” he said, wrapping me in a hug. "They tend to fall alone” he caught me really off guard with the embrace but not so much the advice. “Alright Derny! Yeesh no need to be emotional” I said with annoyance. He just smirked and let me free. “Alright, off you go” he said “oh and if you’re unsure what to do why not revenge? Brass could use a change in command” I made my way toward the door. “My thoughts exactly Pops” I said before fleeing into the dark; his curses fading behind me. “Guess I better pick a mark then” I pondered aloud, while gazing at the mask with respect, before placing it into a rough leather satchel. The old man really did something by giving me that mask. No hunter could just wear “that” and not be something to be reckoned with. Either he intended it as a sign of respect or he just wants to give the brass a good scare. “Lone wolf traitors are scary enough, but what if they let a “touched'' become one? There would be one magnificent scandal. Some confusion is always welcome in situations like this, but I wondered where to start. Several strategies came to mind but only two stuck. First I could attempt to work my way up the chain, start with lower ranking officials and slowly cross them off, and like a frog in pot it would be too late by the time they realized anything. Or I could do the complete opposite and just lop off the head of the snake and slaughter them amongst the confusion. Normally I’d be in favor of the ladder but either caution or fear kept me from going back sooner than needed. I opted for the first, regardless it would be safer. “Just gotta pick one”

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