The mission IIThe moon hung high in the night sky, a glowing orb surrounded by a sea of inky darkness, casting a silvery light across the deserted quarry they had chosen for the trap. The place was secluded, far from the city’s edge, where the sounds of life faded into the quiet hum of nature. Jagged rocks jutted up from the ground like broken teeth, and the air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and pine. Sparse trees lined the perimeter, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, casting shifting shadows that danced across the uneven terrain.Claud stood in the center of the clearing, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight, his senses heightened by the full moon’s pull. His sharp gaze scanned the quarry as he stretched, feeling the energy coursing through him. His muscles tensed in anticipation, ready to pounce at the first sign of movement.Beside him, Lycidas stood, the eldershard crystal hanging from a silver chain around his neck. The amulet itself pulsed with a f
“We know you’re already here.” Claud's voice boomed out. His muscles were already pulled taut with tension.“Jeez, If you’re going to yell, at least give us warning so we can take off the earpiece.” Zakaria complained with a wince. “A new eardrum is not easy to come by.”“Shut up. I’m trying to concentrate.” Claud whispered into his earpiece before continuing. “Come out let’s settle this like men.”The boss turned to her right man, the one who suspected this whole setup to be a trap. “Go on then.” She started. “Find out what they want.”He grumbled before stepping out.“You’re the boss?” Claud asked. “I believe I am.”“I was actually expecting someone more powerful.” Claud said. “What are you? An ogre too?”He was surprised that Claud knew about the ogres but he kept his cool. “I’m a changeling.”“Sure whatever.”“I assume you called out to us because you wanted to return the crystal you stole?”“I don’t think it’s considered stealing if it was taken from someone who also stole it.”
The mission IIIDamien’s consciousness returned in waves, his mind sluggishly emerging from the thick veil of darkness. At first, he was aware of the ground beneath him—soft, earthy, and uneven. The smell of damp leaves and the faint, mossy scent of the forest filled his nose. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open, groaning as his body protested every movement.He was lying In a clearing, the towering trees forming a natural wall around him. Sunlight trickled through the canopy, casting long shadows that danced on the ground. For a moment, Damien just lay there, disoriented, trying to piece together how he’d gotten there. The last thing he remembered was being overrun by trolls and then… those figures. They weren’t human, that much he knew.His heart skipped a beat. Where were they now? Where was he? Panic surged through him, and he sat up quickly, his breath coming in sharp gasps. The clearing was eerily quiet. There was no sign of the people who had saved him, nor any indication of th
Damien got back home to an annoyed grandmother and a worried Clary. “Where have you been?”“Oh, grandma. I didn’t expect to see you there.”“Answer me. Did you run out on your training?”“No... No. Well actually yes but hear me out first. I met a man in the woods.”“What exactly were you looking for in the woods?”“Nothing really, I kind of felt a pull there and when I got there, I got ambushed by big strong creatures…”“…trolls.”“Then I was saved by some people. They said they were forest werewolves. The name of their leader was Wul… Wul.. Wul something Wolf.”“Wulfric Wolf.”“How do you know who he is?”“He was my husband and your grandfather. I haven’t seen him since… since the war.” Tara said. “If I ever lay my eyes on him I’m going to tear him limb from limb.”“What happened?”“He chose his pack over me and his son, that’s what. A war between Forest and mountain werewolves broke out and your dad abandoned us to side with his Forest werewolf pack. Family means sacrifices, making
SecretsLycidas surged forward, his fists glowing with raw energy as he slammed into the girl. She barely had time to react as the first blow connected, sending her spiraling through the air. Her body twisted violently, but she recovered mid-flight, summoning a barrier of energy around herself. Lycidas was relentless, smashing through her defenses with a brutal series of punches.He struck her midsection, his fist landing with a thunderous impact that folded her body in half. A shockwave rippled outward, and the girl gasped, winded from the force of the hit. She retaliated with a swift kick aimed at his head, but Lycidas caught her leg with a swift motion, twisting her limb before flinging her into the ground. The earth trembled beneath her as she crashed, leaving a crater in her wake.Grimacing in pain, the girl pushed herself up, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes blazed with fury, but Lycidas didn’t give her time to recover. He was upon her again in an insta
Lycidas’ glowing eyes remained fixed on the horizon, his path of destruction unwavering as he raised his hand again, this time aiming toward the outskirts of the city.In a moment of desperation, Claud rose once more from the ground, his muscles straining as he forced himself to his feet. Blood dripped from his forehead, but his determination burned hotter. “I’m not letting him destroy the city,” he growled, raising his hands toward the sky.Drawing on every ounce of his elemental power, Claud conjured a massive water bubble that formed around Lycidas. The bubble grew larger and larger, encasing him entirely. Lycidas, still consumed by the power of the crystal, didn’t react at first, but soon the lack of air began to affect him. He thrashed inside the bubble, fists slamming against the walls of water, but the more he fought, the tighter Claud made the bubble.“Come on…just a little more…” Claud whispered, his voice strained with effort as he held the water bubble in place, beads of s
Secrets IIClaud was home with Lycidas and the others nursing their wounds when he heard a loud bang upstairs from Damien’s room. He went their cautiously and saw Damien there with an unknown man.“Dammy, what’s going on? Why are you back so early and who’s that?”“Hi I’m Jeremy.” The man said, extending his hand for a handshake but was snubbed by Claud.“You’re unbelievable dad.” Damien started. “So you sent me to England so you can take over my mission?”“What gave you that ridiculous idea?” Claud asked.“I think that’s my cue to leave.” Jeremy said before disappearing. “Well, for one. The news. The forest’s explosion? You and I know that only you are capable of causing so much havoc without leaving a trace.”“Yeah, ‘no one will notice’.” Lycidas said from across the room. “Now’s not the time for sarcasm Lycidas.” Claud shouted back.“Who’s that?” Damien asked. “Just some friends that I called.”“So you took me out of my mission so you could put in your friends?”“It’s not like t
After what felt like hours, but was probably only minutes, Matilda stood up from the ledge, brushing her hands against her jeans. “Come on,” she said, offering Damien a hand as she hopped down to the solid rooftop. “Let’s get out of here.”He took her hand, her warmth lingering as they made their way back through the stairwell and down to the street. The city still buzzed with life as they walked side by side, the neon lights flashing, casting colorful reflections on the wet pavement from a recent drizzle.As they left the noise of the rooftop behind, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn’t tense, but something quieter lingered between them now, a silent understanding from the shared view they’d had. They didn’t speak much as they moved through the streets, their footsteps falling into an easy rhythm.Eventually, they reached Damien’s neighborhood—a quieter, more residential part of Riverdale, tucked away from the city’s chaos. His place was a modest, modern apartment complex, built with sl
As Seraphiel and Orionis floated into the sky, Orionis glanced at Seraphiel with curiosity. “Why didn’t you take away Damien’s powers? That was the price for Matilda’s life, wasn’t it?”Seraphiel smiled, his gaze fixed on the stars above. “I saw something in him. There’s no one more deserving of the title of the chosen one than Damien.”Orionis chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “I suppose you’re right.”“Just don’t tell Astrid yet. I hate it when she’s right. She’ll rub it in my face.”With that, the two celestial beings ascended higher, their forms disappearing into the night sky, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of their presence.The wind was harsh against Damien’s face as he walked back home. The air heavy with the scent of rain. The sky was an inky black, clouds hanging low, blotting out the moon and stars. A faint drizzle started to fall, tapping lightly on the ground, and he pulled his coat higher on his shoulder. His boots crunched against the gravel as he strolled
The end?The family of four walked slowly through the familiar streets of Riverdale, but this time, it all felt different. The trees seemed taller, the air crisper, as if the town itself had transformed while they were gone. Claud glanced at the cobblestone streets, feeling a sense of nostalgia pull at him. It was as if each house they passed, each flower blooming in a neighbor’s yard, held a memory waiting to be rediscovered. Lupa’s hand brushed against his, her eyes flicking around, taking it all in with a quiet smile. They hadn’t been gone for long, not even up to a week but somehow, coming back made it feel like an eternity had passed.Damien, walking just behind them, was unusually silent. Normally full of chatter, he now took in everything with wide eyes, as if seeing their hometown for the first time. Clary had fallen behind to inspect a cluster of daisies on the roadside, twirling one between her fingers before skipping back to the group.When they finally reached the fami
The Challenge of the ChosenDay 4As dawn broke on the fourth day, the sun’s rays pierced through the thick canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was crisp, and the sounds of chirping birds filled the space around them. They packed up their campsite, the smell of charred wood still lingering in the air, a remnant of the stories shared around the campfire.After a quick breakfast of rations, they set off once more, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Wulfric led the way, his expression serious as he felt the shift in energy around them.“Today will be different,” he warned, his voice low. “The trials will test the chosen one in ways we haven’t encountered yet. The challenge ahead will require not just strength but also wisdom and courage.”“How do you know so much about the chosen one and these trials?” Damien asked.“I’ve been studying these things for a long time because I’ve always craved having a place that we wouldn’t have to hide but be free to be ourselv
Journey to the unknown IIDay 3The morning fog hung thickly in the air, enveloping the forest in an eerie shroud. Unlike the gentle morning mist that usually lifted with the sun, this fog felt heavy and charged with ancient energy, as if the very trees were watching them. Each footstep Damien took sank slightly into the ground, a reminder of the trials ahead, testing their resolve as they ventured deeper into the woods.He glanced at his companions. Claud moved ahead, ever vigilant, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. Tara walked closely beside him, her posture alert and tense.“This feels different today,” Damien muttered under his breath.“It is,” Wulfric replied, glancing back. “We’re getting close.”As they continued, the path twisted and changed, narrowing in some places while expanding in others, as though the forest was shifting to confuse them. The trees seemed almost alive, their bark rippling subtly, pulsating with a rhythm that hinted at something deeper below.“Ke
Journey to the unknown.Day 1The pack moved in near silence as they walked through the dense forest, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the occasional rustle of branches in the wind. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, though none seemed to draw near. The air was cool, and the smell of damp earth and pine needles lingered as they pushed deeper into the woods.Damien led the way, Wulfric walking close beside him, while Claud, Tara, Lupa, and Clary flanked the rest of the pack. Wolves prowled in their animal forms, eyes glowing faintly in the shadows, while others remained human, their hands never far from their weapons.The further they walked, the more the forest seemed to change. The trees grew taller, their trunks wider and older, and strange glowing fungi dotted the bases of the trees, casting eerie light across the ground. The pack moved cautiously, alert but undeterred.After several hours of walking, the group suddenly c
ReunionsDamien moved through the dense forest, his footsteps muffled by the thick bed of leaves underfoot. The trees stood tall and imposing around him, their branches twisting like gnarled fingers above his head. Sunlight flickered through the canopy, casting scattered patches of light that danced across the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the earthy scent of moss and pine. Every now and then, the sound of a rustling branch or distant bird call made his heart race, but he pushed the anxiety aside, determined to keep moving.The deeper he ventured, the more familiar the path became. He had been here before—just days ago. This was where he had encountered Wulfric, the mysterious figure who had saved his life and then disappeared into the woods. But Wulfric was more than just a savior. He was family. Damien’s grandfather, though that fact had only recently come to light. And now, after days of wrestling with the truth and the destiny Wulfric had spoken of, Damie
Hovering above him, Damien loomed closer, his eyes glowing brighter with every second, his chest heaving with the intensity of his anger. Stephan spat blood onto the ground, a faint smile curling on his lips despite the pain. “I guess… anger really does take a werewolf’s power to the next level,” he muttered, wiping more blood from his lip. His gaze sharpened as he stared at Damien’s cold, unyielding eyes. “But if you want a real fight… let’s make it more interesting.” With that, Stephan reached for the Eldershard crystal that hung from his neck. As his fingers curled around the amulet, the crystal pulsed with an ancient power. It began to glow, its silver light expanding outward, wrapping around Stephan like a cocoon. The energy crackled and surged through his body, and he let out a guttural growl as the crystal’s power fused with his very essence. The air around him began to shimmer, distorting with the raw energy being unleashed. Stephan’s injuries disappeared in an inst
Phase Three II Matilda soared through the sky, her heart pounding as she pushed herself to fly faster. The wind whipped through her hair, but her mind was focused on one thing: the Eldershard crystal. It was the key to everything—the only thing that could stop Stephan from carrying out his plan. Her father was fast, but she was determined to get there first. The hidden location was nestled deep within a mountain range, shielded by ancient magic. As Matilda approached, she spotted the faint glimmer of the crystal tucked away in the crevice of a towering rock. Without hesitation, she landed and reached for it. The moment her fingers brushed against the Eldershard, a surge of energy pulsed through her, warm and familiar. She held the crystal in her hands, feeling its immense power thrumming beneath the surface. It shimmered like a captured star, glowing with an otherworldly light. But before she could fully absorb its energy, a voice echoed from behind her. “Matilda.” S
After the meeting concluded, Orionis accompanied two celestial guards as they descended into the depths of the celestial prison. The shimmering hallways were lined with ethereal runes designed to keep even the most powerful beings contained.At the far end of the prison stood a door, shimmering with protective wards. The guards exchanged glances before opening it, revealing Stephan, the former arbiter, sitting in the dimly lit cell. His form was diminished, but his eyes still burned with an intensity that suggested his power had never truly faded.The guards unbound him, their expressions filled with distrust. As they stepped back, Orionis remained, his gaze locked on Stephan.The moment the guards were out of sight, Stephan stood and stretched, his joints cracking in the silence. He turned to Orionis with a smirk that sent a chill down the Stellar Guardian’s spine.“Phase two, complete,” Stephan said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.Orionis stiffened, his galaxies swirling in