9 Chapter 9 Warg ?
Today was meant to be a joyous occasion, filled with parties, children's games, and delicious food. It truly began that way, but in an instant, happiness gave way to terror and fear. Rose bore witness to the darkest side of humanity, a side that often proved more monstrous than any creature of the night. They were the servants of destruction and evil.
As Rose watched in a mixture of hatred and fear, her cherished home was ruthlessly torn asunder. The children she had grown to love were now engulfed in despair, a boy she had watched grow was subjected to brutal torture before her very eyes, and her friends, who had shared their lives and laughter with her, were being treated like mere playthings.
She knew who these attackers were; she had been born into a wizarding family. Even Rose was nothing but a pseudonym; she was a failure, a squib. Her parents had pulled her away from the wizarding world at the tender age of 10, compelled by the need to maintain appearances. Among the esteemed Holy Family of Great Britain, her only close relative who had never abandoned her was her sister.
The thought of revealing her true identity briefly crossed her mind, but she knew it would make no difference to these heartless creatures. Her family also had no allegiance to the upstart dark lord. In the end, she felt hopelessness creep in.
A man approached her, spewing insults and threats. In her fear and anger, his words were nothing but a cacophony. She could only hear a loud voice, even as he drew dangerously close.
"You filthy wretch, put that child down and serve me. You'll still be of use as a plaything," he commanded, his eyes greedily feasting on his next victim, relishing the idea of having his sadistic way until she broke, just as he had done with so many others.
"Alright, but you must spare the child's life, sir," she pleaded desperately, hoping the child could survive.
The Death Eater interrupted her, his patience wearing thin. "Don't tell me what to do, you wretched witch. Avad—" he began to utter the Killing Curse.
Rose, anticipating the man's intentions, braced herself to receive the spell, taking one last look into Vincente's purple eyes, bidding him a final farewell, and closing her eyes in resignation.
...
Seconds passed, but contrary to her expectations, no spell came. She hesitantly opened her eyes.
She found herself no longer in the orphanage with Vincente in her arms. Instead, she was surrounded by a meadow of vibrant flowers, roses of every hue, a paradise of blooms.
"So, this is it; I'm dead. If only he were safe..." she murmured, voicing her concerns for the child she had come to love as a son.
Her reverie was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a being before her. It seemed like a magical creature, small and about the size of a five-year-old child. Its white hair shimmered with golden undertones, crowned with delicate horns. Pale, almost ethereal skin, pointed ears, sharp fangs, and eyes of a familiar purple hue that sparkled like precious gemstones.
Despite the differences, Rose soon recognized who it was: Vincente. He gazed upon her with tenderness, silently watching her. Thoughts swirled in her mind, questioning their differences and what they might signify, many of them tinged with doubt. If he was here with her, did that mean he had also perished?
"So, what is happening?" Rose inquired with a tone heavy with sadness and despondency. One moment she was under attack, the next she found herself in this flowery field.
"This place is a bridge between inner worlds, a kind of temporary spiritual dimension that connects our inner realms," Vincente explained, gesturing toward the landscape behind him. "This is my inner world."
The landscape he pointed to was bleak—fields of withered wheat and overgrown weeds, neglected and hungry livestock, and a shoddy wooden farmhouse.
"It doesn't seem like a welcoming place," Rose remarked, her eyes fixed on the desolate scenery.
"No, it isn't. Your inner world is a reflection of your being, everything that is a part of you is mirrored here. Take a look," Vincente replied, pointing towards the landscape behind Rose.
Her own inner world was vastly different—cheerful and inviting, with a garden brimming with life and verdant greenery. In the midst of this idyllic scene stood a magnificent grey wolf, trapped within metal bars.
"I recognize that wolf; it appears in my dreams," Rose noted, her gaze locked onto the majestic creature within her lush world.
They approached the enormous grey wolf, its fur exuding majesty, and as they drew near, it unleashed a resounding howl that made the entire dimension tremble.
"Are you truly Vincente?" Rose questioned, her mind grappling with the incongruity between the baby she had cared for and the being before her.
"Yes, it's me. It seems we both have our secrets," Vincente gently prodded as they drew closer to the magnificent wolf in the cage.
"When they attacked, I saw it in your eyes—you recognized them and understood what was happening," he continued, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. In the world of the mind, where ten minutes equaled a mere fraction of a second in the real world, time was of the essence.
"Yes, I know of them. They are dreadful individuals spreading death and chaos throughout Great Britain. People call them Death Eaters," Rose replied with evident concern.
"The city is in chaos, and they may well eliminate everyone in the orphanage, including us," Vincente commented as they approached the massive cage. The imprisoned beast grew agitated, kicking the bars vigorously in an attempt to break free.
"Could we stay here forever?" Rose asked, her voice tinged with fear. Reality was far from ideal, and if there was a way to remain in this tranquil place, she longed for it.
"It's not possible. We have about ten minutes here," Vincente replied candidly.
"So, there truly is no hope?" Rose muttered, her hopelessness palpable.
"Actually, there is a way, but it's your decision," Vincente paused, standing before the agitated wolf.
"What can I possibly do against those people?" Rose questioned incredulously.
"I can grant you the power to fight them, but it comes at a price," Vincente replied, meeting Rose's eyes. Everything hinged on this moment.
"What kind of power will you give me? Will I become a mage like them?" Rose inquired, her final question before making a life-altering decision.
"I can bestow many abilities, but currently, I lack the Demonic Energy required to grant you the powers of a witch. However, I can address two issues simultaneously—your inner wolf and your human self will merge. You will gain the Gift of Beasts, the ability to transform into an infernal Warg Wolf," Vincente explained, detailing the power she would obtain.
"The contract I offer you is a familial one, and it will bind us for all eternity," he added, presenting the terms of their agreement.
After five minutes of deliberation and negotiation, they finalized the following rules:
Clause 1: Absolute loyalty and eternal servitude to House Mez'roth. Clause 2: Obedience, except when it conflicts with Clause 3. Clause 3: The right to freedom of choice, unless it contradicts Clause 4. Clause 4: Prohibition of actions against House Mez'roth.
With the terms settled, they conducted a small ceremony. Rose knelt as a sign of respect and began the ritual.
"I, born Aradia Greengrass, offer my body, my soul, and my life. I ask that you accept me into your House," Rose's voice held solemnity, and her eyes brimmed with anticipation.
Vincente summoned his Grimoire, approached, and cut her hand slightly to collect a few drops of blood. The book radiated a crimson glow, signifying that she now belonged to him. Vincente completed the final step of the ritual.
"I am Volak of House Mez'roth. I accept and welcome you into my household," he declared with regal solemnity.
"Aradia, or rather Rose, rise," Vincente said, now free to use her real name at his discretion.
With the contract sealed, Vincente harnessed the power of his essences. The cage shattered, and Rose and the wolf merged in an instant. The process was swift, and the full extent of their newfound powers would have to be explored later.
...
The Death Eater couldn't finish his incantation, his words cut short.
Rose lunged at the masked man, transforming mid-air into a massive gray wolf. In one swift bite, she severed his head from his body, ending his life without a chance for retaliation. Shock gripped everyone, including the masked assailants, who momentarily halted their actions to comprehend the inexplicable.
The eight-foot-tall wolf, its silver-gray fur and obsidian eyes crowned with elegant horns, lifted its head and let out a thunderous howl. The non-mages fell unconscious, and the wizards were momentarily paralyzed.
During the howl, Vincente conjured four illusions of two-meter wolves, creating the illusion that they had been summoned by the Great Wolf.
The wolves wasted no time in attacking the immobilized wizards.
