44 CHPT 44: Infection
Claude sat in the pond in silence, he let the light morning breeze hit his wet skin and cool him down. He didn't know where to begin— or what question he would be able to handle the answer to. In simpler terms he was scared.
"[Claude, come on. We have to talk.... it's very important— and the sooner we talk the better.]"
Claude decided to settle on asking a question that wouldn't have an intense answer and build from there.
"Alright. Why wasn't it safe for me to talk to the detective yesterday? And why did you want me to exercise so bad?"
"[If detectives now are anything like the ones from my time, then he would've been dirty— he would've used underhanded tactics during your interrogation. Secondly....well, to be frank your second question is actually directly connected to the first..]"
"Alright continue." Claude said.
"[Theres a part of you that now requires you to exercise, as a means to increase strength and a requirement for survival in society. You see, if you don't get enough exercise you will become...unstable and...wild.]"
Claude stopped as he heard that word again. "Unstable...what the fuck does that mean?"
"[Hmph...think of it like this, you have a vast new source of energy inside you and if you don't use that energy on a daily basis, you'll become restless and aggressive. You remember what happened with the doctor and that boy Tai? You were close to losing control in those moments. Now just imagine having to sit with a crooked detective whose backed by someone as rich and influential as those twin boys parents...I saw their expensive attire so I know.]" the voice laid out the predicament to Claude hoping he understood.
"You think I don't have a hold on my anger?? I could've spoken to him and cleared my name." Claude said stubbornly.
"[No, you don't understand— you don't have a hold on your anger like you think you do anymore. You would've lost control with that detective.]"
"Lost control and what?" Claude said as he smacked his hand into the pond.
"[God dammit Claude! You don't get it. Your not human anymore!]" the voice yelled after losing its patience.
Claude choked on air as he heard the voices response. "Yea, right. Don't do that." He replied.
"[You think I'm lying? Look at your system.]"
Claudes hands shook under the water while he reluctantly thought up his system.
DING!
The green holographic system screen came up with the words "Beast Tamer" on the top of its stylish border. He opened up the stats section and to his surprise some things were in fact different, very different.
***
[Name: Claude Grey]
[Title: Disciple of Fenrir]
[Race: Lupine of Romulus]
[Level: 4 (0/400) Exp]
[Stat Points: 1]
[HP: 300/300]
[MP: 200/200]
[Stamina: 30]
[Strength: 25]
[Will Power: 15]
[Intelligence: 10]
[Accuracy: 10]
[Agility/Speed: 20]
[Skills: (Beast Assistance LV2), (Beast Trait LV2), (Canine Affinity LV4), (Unbound LVD), (Aura), (Nature/Forest Element)]
[Racial Abilities: (Enhanced Senses), (Enhanced Physical Abilities), (Enhanced Recovery), (Prey Drive), (Lunar Empowerment/Lunar Madness), (*Bite*: Currently unavailable)]
Racial Requirement: (Daily Exercise 93/90mins)
[Fenrir's Blessing: Undiscovered]
***
Claude was astonished, his stats increased and he gained new skills. But, none of that mattered at the moment— none of that haunted him as much as a certain something.
"W-who the hell are you?"
"[For now, just think of me as your guide— to help you survive and understand what you've become. Call me, Arne.]" he said in his strong English accent making it sound more like "Ahn."
"And what..I've become a werewolf? Like Samuel and Tai....and my Father?" Claude asked nervously while remembering his hands and teeth in the morning.
"[No. Lupines and Werewolves are similar but also very different. Your father and the twins became Lupines of Remus— a wild and mindless branch of the Lupines. You became a Lupine of Romulus which are physically weaker than their counterparts, but can learn to retain their mind and humanity during transformations and have incredible potential in other aspects.]"
"Why did I become something different if we were all bit by Lupines of....what was it...Remus?"
"[There could be two reasons but one of them is highly unlikely. You see, you could be an inheritor which is someone who had a relative that was a Lupine of Romulus...but Remus hunted them all down a long time ago. So, that leaves the rare and highly respected; Potentials. Potentials are individuals that represent the values that Romulus himself had which were intense focus, will power and determination to the highest degree.]"
"Romulus and Remus....as in the brothers that founded Rome????" Claude asked slowly remembering his old world history lessons.
"[No, they adopted the names due to their upbringing...it's a long story for another time, you've already got enough to think about.]" Arne responded.
Claude took a deep breathe and tried to process the information as best he could while he twirled his finger around in the pond.
"So...I'm a Lupine of Romulus?"
"[Yes, some considered it a great honor in the past.]"
"Yea, well I consider it an infection, you just told me I've become a monster." Claude said as he remembered his father killing that boy in the field.
Before Arne could say anything, Claude spoke again. His voice was emboldened by his conviction.
"I'm actually ok with that...with this infection I mean. If I have to become a monster to avenge my father then so be it, I'll become a monster no one ever forgets." He said while raising his clenched fist towards the rising sun that broke through the trees above him.
"[I must say, your quiet different from most Lupines of Romulus.]"
"Speaking of, where are the other Potentials? Will they want to kill me? Will they force me to work for them?" Claude asked. He now began to think up dozens of unfortunate scenarios about what they'd want with him.
Arne stayed silent for a moment trying to find a way to give Claude the answer in the most digestible way possible. He eventually gave up and stated the truth flatly— hoping the boy wouldn't freak out.
"[Claude, you're the last Lupine of Romulus on earth..]"
