Stories in the Storm

Jhinto sighed sadly as the storm rained down violently. He had taken shelter with the other citizens, but Metas, Myranda, and Jess had been outside waiting for Vincent and crew to return. The last thing he saw was the prickle of yellow lights that flickered around the mountain side, and a giant dragon's form disappearing into the clouds.

After he and Lara ushered everyone in, everyone sat around in silence as they all knew what that storm meant, and no one wanted to think about it with how hard they had worked earlier in the day, and how terrified they all were that now there was no hope left.

The old mage had seen these looks before, a very, very long time ago when a turf war broke out a long time ago. He decided the best practice in this case would be to turn to the same tale that had been passed down fora long time.

He cleared his throat and hobbled to the center of the large room where he took a seat and inhaled a long, deep breath before he started a tale to distract the poor pups and their parents who were with them. He started softly and calmly as any good storyteller would, and as he went, the eyes of sadness became full of wonder.

It was a classic, it was true, and it went something like this:

A long time ago when the Werewolves had gathered here at this mountain, the war with the humans had just begun, there were two beautiful female wolves who led their kind to salvation through the constant upsets and destruction.

Their names were Lilith and Ophelia, and they were seen as their first leaders of the Werewolves. The times were hard, and both Lunas were careful to ensure all of their kind were cared for - and some humans as well who had come looking for safety.

Not all of the magical factions had completely written off humans, and both Lilith and Ophelia felt that they could not and should not cast out every soul who crossed their paths. The humans hierarchy system was highly favorable to those with wealth, and the rest were left to lick up the crumbs.

Should any come for their aid, they would shelter mankind and integrate them into their society. It was beneficial too, for lots of humans who came to their home were doctors, or unappreciated workers who just wanted to live in peace like anyone else.

It worked for quite some time, but with everything around them being destroyed, and the last of humanity still waging war - their home was still very much under attack, and the area around them grew more deadly as time passed.

Then came the day when the last two remaining nations of humanity had found one another near their mountain range, and in an instant, there were booms, bangs, and shakes from the large impacts of bombs that hit the ground even inside the caverns where they hid.

The two Lunas knew they had to do something - anything - to try to protect their home and all of their charges. Magic was so potent back then in the 'firsts' (the prominent leaders of each faction), and depending on the bloodline, those who could tap into it could do wondrous or terrifying things.

For Werewolves, their magic manifested as protection - healing, regeneration, strength, and the ability to weather harsh climates. The Lunas used this, and their knowledge of raw, 'wild' magic to protect their entire colony, and shape the mountain their very kind lived in that day.

The two Lunas were mates, and not just that - they were fated mates. They had somehow figured out how to use their deep love for one another as a constituent and as a pair, they melded into a giant, shining white wolf that stepped from the mountain like pure energy and guarded their homes with their bare souls.

It was such a massive manifestation, that it was rumored that the people of the sea saw it shining far away like a star. They did not interfere with the battle, but sat patiently outside of the mountain range and watched like a spectator.

The two warring factions had decided that the large wolf that sat there and did absolutely nothing to them were somehow a threat, and instead of fighting against one another - they joined forces and turned on the two Lunas. They spared no time in firing everything they had at what they thought was an enemy.

The lovers were able to 'eat' and absorb the weapons as they lobbed forth, but in the chaos of trying to catch as many as they could, the areas not covered by their energy were sadly vaporized- including the crater in the mountain where the royal courtyard grew.

The couple stayed together in their ethereal form and took attack after attack, after attack until the armies ran out of ammunition.

When it was finally silent, all of the energy and power that their form had absorbed needed to be let back out in some form, so the two decided to unleash it all at the two groups who had so kindly gifted it to them.

The giant lycan stood, stared down at the little ants of life forms and slowly opened its mouth. As soon as the jaws had widened far enough apart, a beam of light emitted from the maw and blasted at all the little toys and gadgets below them.

The light was so white-hot that in darkness, it looked like the daytime. It wasn't long before they ran out of all the absorbed, and unable to keep their celestial body any further, the two Queens parted and the beautiful beast shining in the sky disappeared.

The old man had more to say, but before he could even get the next breath in, Metas could be heard shouting for assistance from the opening of the tunnels.