CHPT 329: Another Dilemma, Another Path to Power.....

After the pack disposed of their newest batch of HellBreeder spawn, the following hour or so was one shared through light labor as they hauled the two hundred and fifty plus pound monsters back to Rollan's home where a wooden sculpture was already prepared for them.

Claude had questions as soon as he laid his eyes upon the new structure-- now a crafted in the shape of a massive overweight man with a club slung over his hulking shoulder. Only this time, he was given answers instead of vague half truths.

Rollan refereed to the statues as Effigies-- also once called Wickermen or The Wickerman. Giant wooden sculptures Druids crafted and used for sacrificial purposes meant to reach the gods. Which is who the current and past statue were made for.

"The Queen of Fire" as Rollan once called the sculpture was actually a sculpture of Brigid-- Goddess of many things-- one which being fire and healing. Something he needed very much after being studded with arrows by his first band of Centaurs.

Unfortunately, Rollan wouldn't tell him who the most recent statue was made for. He could only hope it was something that benefited them in their upcoming travels. Travels he thought about endlessly, even as the putrid burn of the Demonic carcasses was long since brought to ash and the statue was no more than a steaming charred mess.

He sat in a nearby river, thinking and considering while a certain thought lingered at the back of his mind. A mental seed that Arne planted an hour before, only for it to grow wildly as soon as the distraction of conversation left him parting ways with Ursula in pursuit of their objectives.

She had the social skills and the free-time, so she would talk to Rollan about venturing out into the city every now and then. And he had a new array of Skills-- and mysteries, that had to be sorted..in a fashion he may not like.

So, he found himself in a nearby icy river rushing with hard waters that splashed and wooshed up to his lower chest as they washed away the dirt, grime and old blood. It felt good, but did little to quell his anxiety. The only thing that could do that was getting answers...

"[Just keep a cool head, Claude. I don't think it's anything serious, but it will put an idea in your head that I happen to know you're vehemently against. Other than that, I think it's time you learned what you can do as an Alpha Lupine.]"

Claude took in a deep breath, failing to inhale fully with the pressure of icy rushing water surrounding his torso before agreeing and opening his System screen to view his Alpha Lupine Power-set.

"Please don't say I have to eat people....." He groaned anxiously.

***

Name: Claude Grey

Title: Disciple of Fenrir, (The HellSlayer), (The Second Progenitor of Romulus)

Race: (Alpha) Lupine of Romulus

Level: 23 (700/2400)

Stat Points: 11

HP: 715

MP: 420

Stamina: 38

Strength: 32

Will Power: 20

Intelligence: 10

Accuracy: 11

Agility/Speed: 32

[Lupine Alpha Power-Set]:

(Commander's Howl LV1): Lacing the bone-chilling call with your own boosted Wild Magic and intentions, this emanation of ferocity can be used to energize/boost your pack's power or to weaken/subdue the enemy.

(Shift Inspiration): As an Alpha, your pack will follow and be inspired by what you do in battle, transforming is not exempt from this. Meaning that your transformation is also theirs, making the shift easier for new Lupines and seamless for the experienced.

(Alpha's Bite LV1): Your bite as an Alpha is far more potent in Magic and transforming capabilities, making those you change require less time in slumber.

(Pack Bond/Boost): A Lupine with a Pack is a Lupine with power. Literally. Through the formation of a pack, every member's strength is grown through the shared unity. And so too is their understanding of each-other that grows through the bond. Which allows you all to see feel and understand each-other to create potential for deadly levels of synchronization in combat. +20% boost to all physical stats for Physical Classes within the Pack, +30% boost to all Magical stats for Magical Classes within the pack, +5% when Commander's Howl is active at Level 1.

***

Claude felt his stomach loosen while Frosty and the Phantom Wolves played in the river further up the stream with the bird cawing overhead, "Arne....these are all good things."

"[Indeed they are. They're also not what I was referring to. You received something else after changing Ursula-- something that's only seen once in a lifetime. I've never even seen it....and I think it relates to that random Stat Point...]"

Claude sat in the waters for a moment, running his hands through his soaked black hair. it didn't take long to understand what Arne was referring to. It was the first thing he saw that was relatively new.

"The Title..."

"[Mhm.]"

The anxiety returned as he opened his screen once more to read up on the Title that was separate from the Skills he'd gained upon becoming a Lupine Alpha.

***

(The Second Progenitor of Romulus): As the one who has brought a once extinct race back into prominence, you are no longer normal. You are the head of the Lupines of Romulus, and their success is yours. As a result, you gain a Stat Point for every Stat Point your growing race experiences through each Level Up. Their strength is yours, and yours is theirs. Don't let it be your end....because they will follow.

***

By the time Claude finished the entirety of the message he was fully submerged under the water, trying his best to cool the rising heat of anger that tightened his skin.

It should've been good news, it should've been great news. Except it was news that changed from great to horrific depending on the person, their temperament and their experiences. If it was someone other than him, it would've been lovely news. Only it wasn't.

It was his System-- and Race, telling him that one of his paths to real power was found in repeating the very process that broke his brain and scarred him in a million ways. It felt like some kind of sick joke.

He rose from beneath the cold waves, letting the tingly energizing sting of the water run along his tired muscles in the form of glimmering droplets, "So....that's how Romulus and Remus became something like Gods?"

"[It has to be the bulk of it. They were strong before this.....but a gift l--]"

"Not a gift." Claude growled, more as a mental reflex than a true thought out response.

"[Forgive me. This....Skill, it's otherworldly. It's stacking potential is like nothing I've ever seen in all my travels, Claude. Think about it. Even now, Remus is growing-- even in his slumber, his potential only grows as his Race purifies itself and spreads its influence. Claude...he's more dangerous than I presumed if he has something similar to this.]"

For the first time, Arne's crisp English accented voice was laced with dread.

***

They sat in silence for a while before being interrupted by a certain someone.

"...He said it's fine, but he wants to talk to you tonight at the....Ancient Oak?" Ursula's thoughts cut into his mind, in reference to Rollan and his acceptance of their much needed venture into the City.

"Nice, some good news.....sort of." He said aloud.

"[Yes, I think this is also the perfect time for you to begin your pursuit of a new goal, now that you've unlocked your combat stance and are well within the training's of being a Druidic Warrior.]"

"How so?" Claude replied before preparing to get out of the water that was only now beginning to affect his insides.

"[Part of Ursula gaining more power is her being able to do what all functional Lupines do. Transform.]"

"....."

"[Claude. SHIFT INSPIRATION! You need to unlock your transform ability. As a result, she will be able to follow in times of danger. I understand your schedule is already more than full, but I believe fitting this training in will be rather beneficial....and quite a bit less intense than you think.]"

"I agree. I think it's time I learned how to transform at will anyway."