1 Prolouge

"Life has many meanings and only one ending." ~ Cala God of Death

Not many people can say that their death from a millennia ago was the start of a myth. But, Sarrayel was one of those exceptions. Her story is shared in the pages of old books where humans and the supernatural alike can read it. And like all great myths it began with a love story.

It began with her falling in love with Rulen, the god of the moon and the night. It was a long, long time ago, when the moon always full. When she had lived deep in the woods of Valo. She had fed, protected, and played with the wolves of the woods whom roamed there, earning their favor. And like any other night at that time it was another full moon when a twisted laugh echoed through the woods and an arrow whistled amongst the trees.

It is believed that she had jumped in front of a hunter's arrow in attempt to save her beloved wolves. But, Sarrayel knew better. That arrow was aimed at her from the start. Her beloved wolves were frantic in their behavior as they circled her fallen form that laid twisted on the ground. They paced around her and whimpered as she bled out the life Goddess Vein has given her.

The wolves were unable to save Sarrayel, unable to speak the tongue of man they could neither call for help. It was then that the first howls towards the moon was ever heard. Their howl called the moon known as Rulen in his godly form. And soon he found his beloved sprawled out on the land created by Vein the goddess of all life. Sarrayel's life blood seeped from her chest where an arrow protruded. Tears streamed down the moons face and dripped off his cheeks. Carrying with them the soft glow of the moon. Creating the stars the stars that decorate the night sky.

He was unable to save her. All he could do was sit by his lover's side as she grew closer to death, closer to Cala the god of death. If he did nothing she would soon visit Arvelin the resting place of souls and be placed under the wing of Cala's cousin, Shaylok the god of the underworld and wisdom.

Rulen cried out for Sarrayel as Cala came to collect her soul. And when Death reached to collect her soul Rulen's was crushed. Feeling defeated he grabbed the ankle of Cala and begged and bartered, but death was adamant that he had to bring a whole soul to Arvelin to his cousin's care.

With tears glistening on his face Rulen the moon cried to Cala to death himself.

"Beloved Cala take half of mine. Hated Cala take half of hers."

But death couldn't agree to the moons request.

"Rulen my dear friend. My dear moon. I'm afraid I can't do as you say. A body will soon decay with out a full soul to retain it."

In the myth this is when the wolf Sarrayel saved steppes forward to help. But, Sarrayel knew the truth. That although she did not try to save her ever loyal friend. The wolf knew that she would have and decided to step forward to save two dear friends.

"Peaceful Cala I will share mine. Vengeful Cala they can each have half." Howled the wolf. Only death could understand the wolfs wish. But he was not appeased. Splitting souls was a dangerous activity. And it would cost his dear friend Rulen the god of the moon more than he thought.

He went to say no once again but, Rulen was desperate and with all his might through one last plea he granted Death himself, the moon.

"Dark Cala take the moon let it reflect the cycle of my life. Light Cala give me the reason I can shine in the dark."

Unable to deny a friend that was willing to give up everything that made him the god of the moon in order to save his lover. Cala, granted the Moons wish. Dear Cala the god of death then took the moon from the moon himself and gave him the light he needed to shine in the sky. With this the first mated werewolves were born and the cycle of the moon began.

Sarrayel found the whole thing to be filled with a half truths and sappy romance worthy of one of the goddess of romance's plays. While she was killed in the woods it wasn't by the hands of a hunter and she wasn't trying to save the life of one of her wolves. She was the one being chased, the one in danger. And whomever or whatever it was concealed themselves in so much darkness miasma it was impossible not to be terrified.

And in each new life those memories carried with her. While Rulen's memories never awakened until she found him. And Sarrayel always found him. And she was always killed by the same creature. Resetting the cycle. It wasn't until her third life after her that she started to search for answers. She knew that what ever it was, it was painted in darkness and the gods were unaware. After dying twice, both times painful and tragic by the claws of something she knew was well hidden, and unknown it was time for her to take action. To weave some plans into place no matter how many lifetimes it would take.

That's why during one late evening of her third life she sat in a creaking wooden stool in the Crooked Tap laying on the outskirts of their small town of Ashlock. In this life time she was a young man named Jel Calloway son of the werewolf and Duke Kal and the noble lady Salay Calloway a distant relative of the Royal Callo family. Food was scarce in recent times due to a drought enough so that even the nobles were going hungry.

There been rumors of bandits called the 'Crick' roaming in the area. Jel was sure they were up to no good. Alas that was not why she was here. Or perhaps he considering her current anatomy. But that was besides the point. He or she was waiting for her half brother on his mothers side. A result of one of Salay's dalliances of her younger human years and probably the reason she was out here in the middle of no where.

Aylin Calloway slid into the bar with out a word. But even a quiet entrance, couldn't stop all the eyes that turned towards him. He had all the features of someone from one of the kingdoms from the east. Except instead of dark hair and skin of caramel Aylin had pale skin and white silver hair pulled up into a clean tie on top his head. His presence was an odd contrast to this shabby little tavern lit dimly by dying glow stones.

Aylin's hair fluttered along with the tail ends of his blind fold as he expertly dodged grabby hands, as he made his way towards me. Aylin frowned as the stool across the table from him creaked under his weight.

Aylin leaned back against the wall before crossing his arms.

"What is it that you need Jel?"

"You're good with your knives and sword right?"

"As is all 'Children of Zaylen,' Jel. We tend to be undesirables and only hirable as mercenaries."

Jel wasn't sure how to react. Aylin just told him he had no family. He didn't know that Jel was his half brother.

"May the God Zaylen guide you well, then."

Aylin nodded his head in a show of acknowledgment.

"What kind of assistance do you acquire Jel" he asked.

I turned to him knowing full well the growing scope of knowledge of the supernatural and that it was one of 'its' plans. I also knew the law of Vein shared among all unhuman's alike.

When my first creations share a widespread knowledge of those who came next. My job as the goddess of life will be reversed and I shall be known as Neiv the end of life. You shall not know Cala. You shall not know Waylo. Just Neiv.

It was a threat directed at the world of the unhuman's one that held no governance. No way to protect and keep their secrets. We needed an organization.

"I would like your help in creating an organzation called C.O.M.P.A.S.S. or the Central Organization Maintaining Peace And Supernatural Secrecy."

That was the start of my adventure across life times. But, now the rest of my story resides in the lives of Zevi, Adahy, Elisha, and Theo.