《The Pack: A Forgotten Kindgom (Book 2)》


 Prologue

    A young woman who wore a dark green cloak knelt next to the unmarked grave that was once Scarlett''s.


    Though ashes, the girl was able to trace the magic from the dust of human remains.


    She chanted a spell that summoned the dead witch''s magic, which drew into a dark, black crystal. Once the transition was complete, she looked down at the small crystal in her palm before grabbing the chain that was attached to it and wore it around her neck.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    The girl looked down at the crystal again, very entranced and proud of what she completed.


    Finally, she thought. After all these years, she was finally able to claim the magic as her own.


    Her sister didn''t deserve to hone this magic, she never did.


    She looked down at the pile of ashes that belonged to Scarlett, she smirked and chuckled to herself before turning back into the dark, misty night of the woods.

 Chapter 1: Mica

    The red eyed creature searched desperately for shelter from the pouring rain seeping into his fur.


    He sighed irritably as he watched the rain patter over the darkened forest.


    He shivered, but it wasn''t just from the cold, it was also from the feeling of loneliness and despair.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    He needed his pack, as much as he needed someone to serve. That traitor, Shadow took it all away from him!


    The thought of Shadow made him growl.


    Mica HAD friends, and now, they''re all dust in the ground; and here he stands alone in the rain. He had a life, now it was completely destroyed.


    All because of SHADOW!


    He WILL pay the price! He will suffer the consequences!


    Mica''s shaking body snapped him out of his thoughts. The bulky muscles tensed up and his bones began to ache.


    He HAD to find shelter!

 Chapter 2: Matthew

    It was good to be back in his actual body, in his actual mind. He smiled as he woke up from a good, long nap. He looked at his friends, Max, Zack and Shadow, who all were still asleep. He then glanced up at Rose, who had just returned from collecting blackberries from a nearby bush.


    "Rose, you know the boys can get their own food?" Valerian sighed.


    Rose shot a glare at her. "They''re no longer CURSED. They''re allowed to have REAL food, instead of animal flesh!"


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Matthew then replied. "We didn''t mind the animal flesh..."


    Shadow then awoken. "Sister, we''re fine to have meat in our diets too! Besides, it seems like THOSE boys-" He pointed his finger at Matthew, Zack and Max. "- were already hunters before they became cursed." He yawned.


    Rose looked down at her brother very sternly. "I AM NOT going to let you guys hunt!" She retorted.


    "Us or ME?" Shadow teased.


    Rose sighed. "Witch boys aren''t meant to hunt..." Shadow stood up and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Things are different now." He grinned.


    Matthew could tell from the look on Rose''s face, that she doesn''t want him to wander off if it means losing him again. Her face said a lot more than her words ever could.

 Chapter 2: Matthew (part 2)

    Rose looked at Matthew and the other boys, who were still asleep. She sighed again, before looking back at her brother. "Okay, just....promise me you''ll be back, Gabriel."


    Shadow nodded.


    "Trust me." He whispered.


    It was funny to Matthew that they''ve only moved to the den a few months ago, they''ve been hunting with Shadow, and she hasn''t made a fuss about it until now. Maybe it WAS because not too long ago, they''ve hunted for so long that they lost track of time, and they didn''t get back until the moon was high in the sky.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Rose knelt down and dumped the blackberries into a massive heap in the middle of the den.


    The girls, Matthew and Shadow ate. Zackary slowly came in to grab a few berries. Matthew looked around the cave.


    "Where''s Max?"


    Zackary looked at him. "Give him some time." He replied.


    Matthew sighed heavily. "Alright."


    Ever since Max knew the truth about his relation to Scarlett, his demeanor had slowly changed over the passing months. He was growing distant and............quiet.

 Chapter 2: Matthew (part 3)

    Matthew wanted to do something for him, but every time he mentions it to Zack,  he would always convince him not to bother him. Give him time, give him space, he''ll come aaround.


    Everyone else but Matthew understood, we''ll, he understood too, but he still wanted to be there for Max; and Valerian....she has a hard time showing him sympathy......it''s probably because she grew up around shitty people.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Max finally stepped inside, but only to grab a handful of the berries, then he was outside again.


    "Oh, come on Scratch." Matthew muttered. Zack clapped a hand on his shoulder.


    Shadow eventually walked outside to talk to him.


    To Matthew, Shadow and Max were more like brothers than both him and Zack.


    "How come WE can''t talk to him, he''s OUR brother TOO!" Matthew complained.

 Chapter 3: Shadow

    He stepped outside to check on his friend. When he saw Max, Shadow knelt down next to him.


    Max was sitting cross legged, slowly eating his berries. Shadow turned to face him. "Are you alright, Max?"


    His friend didn''t reply.


    Shadow chuckled as he was reminded of how he was to them when they first met.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Do you want to talk about it?"


    "No." Max finally replied. "I don''t really."


    Shadow sighs. "I can understand where you''re coming from, we all can." He said calmly. "It''s a lot to take in, I know. Not only being the child of someone so evil, your adoptive mother rejecting you, your brother no longer here? You''ve definitely had it rough, buddy."


    Max finished the last of his berries, then looked directly at Shadow.


    Shadow changed the subject. "Where will today''s hunt be this time?"


    Max shrugged. "You''re the expert, Shadow."


    He smiled. "I suggest we hunt in the Valley."

 Chapter 3: Shadow (part 2)

    Max scoffed. "I thought it gives you nightmares!" He said sarcastically.


    Shadow smirked. "So, what do you say Scratch? You ready?"


    Max twirled his index finger. "Round them up!"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Shadow called for Matthew and Zack to come.


    "Are we ready for today''s hunt?" Shadow asked the group.


    "Aoooo!" Matthew cried.


    "Alright!" Zack said as he clapped his hands. "Where are we going?"


    "The Valley!" Shadow replied.


    "Wait, what?" Shadow, do you remember six months ago? We can''t go there!" Matthew begged.


    "Oh, I remember well." Shadow said.

 Chapter 4: The Valley

    "So, why are we going then?" Matthew asked. Zackary elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Shut up!"


    "Ow, okay! Sorry......" Matthew exclaimed.


    Max groaned. "Will you two knock it off!"


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Surprised at this retort, Shadow looks at Max.


    "WHAT?" Max looked back and sung his arms out.


    "Calm down, it''s not that bad." Shadow replied gently.


    "These guys are getting on my God damned nerves!" Feeling offended, Matthew looked at Max.


    Shadow placed a hand on Max''s shoulder. "I know, but this isn''t the way, trust me."


    Max took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder. "I''m sorry guys."

 Chapter 4: The Valley (part 2)

    "It''s okay, man. We know you didn''t mean it." Zackary said.


    Matthew didn''t say anything. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon some deer in the tall grass. What are THEY doing here?


    "Uh Shadow, why are there animals here? This spot has been keeping them away for a long time, what''s changed?"


    Shadow stopped and so did everyone else. "The phenomenon seems to have disappeared."


    "How can it just mysteriously disappear?" Matthew wondered.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "I don''t know..." Shadow replied. Strange, Matthew thought.


    "Let''s continue on, shall we?" Shadow then said. Suddenly, their blond haired friend left them and disappeared into the tall grass.


    The boys looked around for him.


    "Where did he go?" Matthew wondered.


    Suddenly, Max screamed as Shadow jumped out of the grass and landed on top of his friend. He laughed, and so did Zack and Matthew.


    "You should''ve seen the look on your face, Max!" Matthew cried.


    Max looked at Shadow in disbelief, then eventually laughed as well.


    Now Shadow, with hands on his hips, announced to the group. "Come on, let''s see who gets scared the most!" He took off again, disappearing into the grass.


    Max, Zack and Matthew exchanged glances before splitting apart.

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek

    Matthew moved carefully through the grass, hoping to hear a voice; hoping someone won''t jump out at him.


    Suddenly, he heard rustling behind him.


    Matthew smirked as he got on all fours and began to crawl. He stopped once he heard the noise again, only it was in front of him.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Slowly he rose up, careful to not make the grass sway. He attempted to reach his hand out to touch the unknown person. Before he could do anything more, the grass moved really fast, making Matthew jump.


    "Fuck!" He screamed.


    Zack laughed. "Gotcha!"


    Ha - ha!" Matthew grumbled.


    "Okay, now that we found each other, let''s split again." Zack declared.


    Matthew shrugged. "Alright."

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek (part 2)

    When they split again, Matthew ran the opposite direction if where he was. Hopefully, his target will be Max, the thought of that made him laugh deviously.


    Suddenly, he tripped and went hurting through the grass.


    He groaned as he got up. His head pounded, and BOY did it hurt! When he opened his eyes, some sort of light was beaming in them, causing him to look away. Slowly he looked back at the strange light and saw that it was......PURPLE?


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    How hard did he hit his head?


    When the light dimmed, he noticed that the glow was coming from a rock the size of his palm....lying in the dirt.


    He must''ve unburied it when he tripped. He put the small stone in his hands. When he peered closer at it, it DID appear to be a very deep purple......almost as black as night. He stuffed it in his pocket and decided to go back to where they all started, and surprisingly, Shadow, Max and Zack were there.

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek (part 3)

    "Are we ready to hunt now?" Matthew asked Shadow.


    "What? Hunt HERE?"  Shadow teased.


    "Wait..." Matthew held a finger up. "So, we came out here........for nothing?"


    "Yep." Shadow said simply.


    Matthew shrugged. He then remembered the stone that was in his pocket, he pulled it out and showed it to his friends. "Does anybody know what this is?"


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The other boys looked closely at it. Shadow held out his hand. "May I?" Matthew nodded and gave it to him.


    Shadow examined the rock, he then looked at Matthew. "Where did you find this?"


    "Uh, just in some hole in the ground...on the....east side of the Valley." Matthew answered.


    "Do you know what it is?" Zack asked Shadow.


    "It belongs to a witch." Shadow answered. "Well, all witches have access to crystals. Um, I don''t know who exactly it belongs to or what type it is. Matthew, do you know what energy came out when you found it?"


    "Uh, it was a purple light?"


    Shadow looked down at the crystal again. "Hm, let''s bring it to the girls, they know a lot more than I do!"

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek (part 4)

    Valerian examined the crystal given to her. "Hmm, interesting. You said you found this in the Valley?"


    Matthew nodded.


    "There was someone I used to know that owned this, but she''s long gone."


    "Who was it?" Matthew asked her.


    "She was the daughter of a merchant and miner.....her father was the one who gave it to her as a present. She wasn''t a witch though, but her father thought it suited her." Valerian took another look at the crystal.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Do you know what kind it is?" Shadow asked her.


    "Yes, it''s known as The Apple of Eden, which was fitting for her. Eden was her assassin name."


    "The girl was an assassin?" Max then spoke. Valerian nodded.


    "The story goes that she and her brothers killed the king and queen."


    "What? Why?" Zack wondered.


    "Their wealth."


    Matthew changed the subject. "Okay, I don''t know much about the old Biblical texts about the place known as Heaven on Earth?"


    "That''s Lemuria, what you''re talking about is The Garden of Eden."


    "What does this have to do with the crystal?"

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek (part 5)

    "EVERYTHING! This gem has the same effect as the original apple, also known as The Forbidden Fruit." She explained.


    Matthew could tell that Zack, Max and Shadow were getting pale, and he didn''t understand why. In all his life, he never learned of this stuff.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Eager to know the effects of the crystal, he looks back at Valerian. "What does it do exactly?"


    She gave him a stern look. "Evil things."


    "Yeah Matthew, you don''t want to touch it." Max told him.


    "It''ll be like opening Pandora''s box......hell will unleash." Shadow glanced at him. He wasn''t the black wolf anymore, but that stare made Matthew shiver.

 Chapter 5: Hide and Seek (part 6)

    That night, Matthew lay awake, thinking over and over about what Valerian had said about the crystal. Why would such an evil thing be created? He wondered to himself. Would even touching it cause harm to a person? No, cause not only him, but Shadow and Valerian touched it, and they''re not affected.


    "I don''t understand, what makes it so EVIL?" He mumbled to himself.


    Suddenly he was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Shadow mutter.


    "What was that, Shadow?" Matthew whispered to him. Oh, he forgot. Shadow talks in his sleep. Sometimes Matthew could wake up to him speaking something that wasn''t English.


    Matthew jumped when he heard him again, so he got up to check on him. The moment he put his hand on his shoulder to wake him, Shadow grabbed his wrist. His grip was hard!This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Hey! Let go!" Matthew cried. When Shadow opened up eyes, he let go of Matthew''s wrist and pushed him away.


    "What the fuck are you doing?" Shadow glared.


    "I was just - I - uh, you were in trouble! Matthew stammered.


    Shadow looked around. "You''re LUCKY we didn''t wake the others!" He growled.


    "I''m sorry!" Matthew said. "Jeez, you don''t have to be an ass! You''re not the black wolf anymore!"


    Shadow looked away angrily, then sighed. "Don''t remind me of those times..." he then looks back at Matthew. "Alright?"


    Matthew nodded shakily. "Yeah."


    Shadow then clapped a hand on his friend''s shoulder. "I''m sorry."


    "Nah, you''re good, man."


    Shadow then nods. "Go back to sleep."


    "What about you?"


    Shadow stares into the distance. "I''ll be fine."


    Matthew sighed. "Look, what I was saying a second ago about you no longer being the - "


    Shadow slowly locked eyes on him, sternly. Matthew sighed again. "I''m sorry about that. I didn''t mean that....it''s just that you''re different than the person we met several months back. I mean, it''s a good THING, but....you know."


    "Just go back to sleep, Matthew." Shadow said calmly.


    "Again, Shadow....I''m sorry."


    The blond haired boy looks at Matthew, then said. "It''s alright, it''s all good."

 Chapter 6: Creatures of the Dark

    Shadow lay in his spot to rest and sighed. He didn''t like "the black wolf" topic to be brought up. The past is in the past.....he wasn''t the black wolf anymore!


    I don''t even know where they get "the" from, he thought.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    It annoyed him that Matthew brings it up the most, treating it like it was some sort of disease.


    He hated that!


    Why? Why is it an illness to Matthew? And why do they think that that part of him is scary? Have they MET his so called friends before?

 Chapter 6: Creatures of the Dark (part 2)

    Rose wasn''t afraid of him, though. The thought of his sister made him turn his head to see her fast asleep some distance away from him.


    He sat up and crawled over to her. He looked down at her as she slept. He remembered those times she would comfort him when he would wake up from a nightmare......


    Five year old Gabriel ran into his sister''s room. "Rose, Rose!" He cried. When his sister woke up, she looked at him with concern.


    "What is it, Gabriel?"


    "It''s the darkness, it''s too scary....I can''t sleep!" He crawled into her bed and shuddered and cried in her shoulder.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Rose comforted him. "Gabriel, it''s just the night - "


    "I can''t see what''s out there!"


    "Shh." She whispered softly. "The night will be over soon; daylight will appear in the darkness. Are you having those dreams again?"


    Gabriel shook his head. "They''re outside......those monsters!"


    Rose had been aware that her little brother had been haunted by visions of black wolves. It started ever since their parents died.


    As if hearing her thoughts, Gabriel then said. "They killed them, Rose!"


    She held him tightly. Growing up, the both of them have been taught that seeing a black wolf will bring death. They''re considered bad omens.......Rose didn''t really believe in the superstition, but her little brother bought every word.


    Now every time he tries to sleep at night, he struggles.....afraid that the black wolves were out there......watching him. Those wolves camouflaged themselves to the darkness he is now afraid of.


    "They''re not going to come for you, I promise." She soothed.


    Her little cried, shaking his head. "That''s not what I''m afraid of, I don''t want them to take you away from me!"


    "Gabriel......"

 Chapter 6: Creatures of the Dark (part 3)

    Shadow was lost in his thoughts until suddenly, he can hear Rose.


    "Gabriel, you okay?"


    "Oh, yeah.......I''m just fine......I was just talking to Matthew over there."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Rose smiled.


    He smiled back at her as he began to say, "May I - ?" She scooted over for him. He then lay down next to her.


    "Just like when we were kids, right?" She said.


    "Yeah."


    The siblings eventually fell fast asleep, as the sun rise into the sky, peeping within the dark of the night.

 Chapter 7: Max

    He isolated himself from the rest, gazing at the stars...hoping that someday, Ben will come back.


    But he''s dead! His subconscious mind shouted.


    "No." He whispered to himself. "He''s just....on a trip. He''s going to come back soon."Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Max sighed. No, he''s gone. All gone.


    He could then hear Shadow and Matthew talking. They thought they were the only ones awake, but they''re wrong.


    He turned his gaze back to the stars.


    Why did you leave?


    Why did you leave me behind?

 Chapter 7 : Max (part 2)

    Ben though wasn''t the only one who left him behind, a father he barely knew, and a bitch he thought he knew all his life left him too.


    That last thought made his adrenaline spike with hot anger.


    All because we were freaks! She turned on her family, her sons and her husband.


    Max''s anger grew. It''s real shitty.......only getting freshly cured from a curse that changed their bodies that the villagers then had to poke their sticks at them. Firing their guns, with hot bullets shooting from them.


    What was next for them? They had no home, nothing but a fucking tiny den!


    He growled to himself. And what about Ben? He just left him here all alone with no one by his side.


    No, he then thought...forcing the blame away. That wasn''t his fault. Ben always stuck to his side, until the Plague took over his life.Stolen story; please report.


    The Plague was deadly, it only happens once in a blue moon. It was so strong that it could sweep the lands, stretching for miles. Wiping out and killing nearly eighty per cent of the populations in every town.


    The Plague was the perfect death planner for the Grim Reaper.


    Seemed like the first time Max was hit with the Plague, he almost died. Then a few years later, it happens again, but this time, it only affected him just like a flu. And just two years ago, it happened again....this time, nearly killing him.


    He couldn''t blame Ben for the Plague. Or Shadow for refusing to bring him back.


    When Ben died, Max was in so much pain he tried again and again to make Shadow to bring him back. But as much as he wanted to.....Shadow refused.


    Max remembered from after that day, he didn''t talk to Shadow or even look at him when he passed by. That went on for weeks, until Shadow decided to talk to him and even apologized for it. For him being not only a witch, but a necromancer, he HAD to follow the rules of witchcraft. Max slowly accepted that.


    Shadow wasn''t the only person Max refused to talk to, there was also Zack and Matthew....and of course Rose and Valerian.

 Chapter 7: Max (part 3)

    Suddenly, another thought slipped into his mind...but this time, it was set on that crystal Valerian discussed with them hours earlier...


    Could that possibly raise the dead too? Could it bring Ben back? Maybe his father?


    He then found himself crawling over to the sleeping silhouette of Valerian. He noticed the shiny purple object in her hand.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He reached out his hand to grab it until Valerian turned in her side....making the task difficult to proceed with caution.


    Max decided to give up and went back to his spot away from everyone.


    No, he can''t be stupid, he knows damn well given by Valerian''s warning, he shouldn''t touch that!


    Why though? What would happen to someone if they get too invested in it?


    God only knows..........

 Chapter 8: A Prophet in Chains

    She woke up coughing, which only makes sense if you''re chamber was inside a room filled with mustiness and black mold growing in the walls.


    The room she was in had absolutely no light whatsoever.....no warm...which she likes best.


    The worst thing about being in her cell though was no freedom to walk around....for she was chained up to the wall.


    At least she was in silence, which she also liked.


    Suddenly, her master appeared. She groaned miserably.


    Her master was always dressed in a dark cloak that covered him from head to toe, he had a black mask on. One thing that stood out from his dark features, was his glowing deep purple eyes. The veins in his eyes were very noticable and very black...almost the color of ink.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    She looked down to see that he had that damn unlit torch in his hand again.


    He likes to use fire on her, he likes to burn her.....she could swear to the gods she once prayed to,  he likes to her blood curdling screams.


    But no, the real reason he uses it on her, is to force prophecies out of her. To force the right action to take, the right people to trust or imprison .....like her.


    Her master opens the cell door and enters. He reached out to touch her face, but she didn''t feel any warmth....either it was because she''s numb or he''s really that cold of a person.


    Suddenly, her master''s hand still touching her face, emanated fire, causing her to scream until she could see different colors and different shapes....until a vision appeared once again.


    "Tell me..what do you SEE?" Her master, known as Azazel hissed. She then gazed into his deep purple eyes, noticing that his face under the mask twitched.


    "There''s trouble afoot...coming from the south...."


    Azazel eyed her wickedly. "What needs to be done, witch?"


    He burned her again, and once again, she screamed.


    "Don''t let enemies too close, friends too far....keep your foot on the ground and head in your shoulders..."


    Azazel then let go of her, and slowly he left the cell, only turning around to lock her up.

 Chapter 8: A Prophet in Chains (part 2)

    She waited eagerly for Azazel to leave, and when he did....she lifted her head up and began to pray to a new god or goddess she didn''t know.


    But she knows one thing......she won''t be freed. This is her punishment.


    All the things she had done were immoral, heinous, unforgivable. She deserves to suffer......


    And she will never forgive herself for that, she''ll never be redeemed no matter how desperately she craves it.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    This is her fate, she needs to deal with it.


    She suddenly found herself singing a lullaby her mother always told her.


    A lullaby about finding light within the darkness, the warmth within the ice. Follow that light, feel that warmth.


    She chuckled to herself, if only she could feel warm instead of numbness; but that warm hurts her, the light blinds her....it''s too much!


    Hopefully if she could find a star, it won''t hurt her.


    She then lifted her head up, trying to find the sky, but in front of her stood a wall, up above her stood the next floor.

 Chapter 8: A Prophet in Chains (part 3)

    She cried softly to herself, at least her tears were cold and not burning her like the fire Azazel would traumatize her with over and over again.


    This is your punishment, there is no redemption for you, accept it!Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    A loud clang startled her, she looked at the cell door, but thankfully, Azazel wasn''t there. Only a tray of food for her.


    She chuckled to herself.


    Pathetic.


    She attempted to look at the sky again, hoping there''s a hole for her to peer through...just one tiny star!


    But there was none, just the ceiling.


    Welcome to Hell, she thought to herself.

 Chapter 9: Matthew

    He woke up, yawning and smacking his lips. He looked around at the group of friends he had, who all were awake.


    He yawned again before getting up.


    "Good morning my fellow friends! Anyone slept good?" Matthew clasped his hands together.


    Shadow was talking with his sister, Zack was sitting by the stream, and Max was far off into the distance again.


    Matthew looked again at Shadow, remembering the conversation they both had last night. He went over to see him.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    After the siblings'' conversation, Rose left and Shadow looked up at Matthew.


    "Hey." Shadow said cheerfully.


    "Hey, how goes it?"


    Shadow shrugged. "Alright I guess, you?" He said as he smiled.


    "Mm, yeah I''m good!"


    Shadow nodded his head. "Look, Matthew, what I was saying last night, I didn''t mean to make it all.....harsh, but you know I don''t like the past brought up, so .........please...let''s drop the subject, okay?"


    Matthew nodded. "Ah, I understand..."


    Shadow nodded again and gazed at the stream.


    Matthew smiled as he looked for Max. "Do you know where Max is?"


    Shadow looked back up at him and shook his head. "I don''t, but I''m sure he doesn''t want to be bothered."


    Matthew sighed in defeat.


    Fine.


    He decided to go see Zack instead. When he approached him, Zack looked at him and grinned.


    "Still worried about Max?" Zack asked.


    "Yes, always." Matthew grumbled.

 Chapter 9: Matthew (part 2)

    Zack chuckled. "He''ll come around..."


    "That''s what they always say!" Matthew retorted.


    "And it''s true." Zack said.


    Matthew sighed defeatedly.


    "Morning." Max said. Matthew jumped and looked up at him in shock. "Dude, what the - ?" He then finds himself looking to Zack.


    Zack gave him a look as if to say, "I told you so!"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Matthew looked back up at Max, who now was beginning to sit down.


    "Hey, uh....how are you....f - feeling?" Matthew stuttered.


    Max shrugged. "Awake."


    Matthew rolled his eyes and looks a Zack again. This isn''t the Max he''d always known. Who was he?


    On the other side of Max, Shadow sat. The blond kid brushed a bang from his face. He then looked at the three.


    "Pleasant morning, is it not?"


    Max smirked. "It would be even more pleasant if we had food, what are we catching for breakfast?"


    The thought of food made Matthew''s stomach scream with hunger.


    "Anyone know how to hand fish?" Shadow said.


    Hmm, fish sounds good.


    "Gabriel, I told you that witches don''t hunt!" Rose hollered from a distance.


    Shadow pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned.


    Matthew''s brain couldn''t decide whether to feel sorry for him or to laugh his ass off at the situation.

 Chapter 9: Matthew (part 3)

    "Aw, come on Rose....he''ll be fine with us! We''ll watch over him." Zack teased.


    Shadow laughed. "Shut the hell up!"


    Matthew giggled.


    No further words came out of Rose''s mouth, only a small sigh.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ........................................


    After feasting on some trout, Matthew relaxed. In all his life, he had never felt so peaceful. Alive! Invincible! Free from society.


    The woods were quiet and truly a good home, with good friends....old and new.


    Max wandered off to hang out at his usual spot, this time, with no one else looking....Matthew decided to go finally talk to him.

 Chapter 9: Matthew (part 4)

    Matthew made a light approach to him, and when Max saw him, he was back in his previous state........aloof.


    "Hey, how''ve you been?" Matthew asked him softly.


    Max didn''t say anything, which was making Matthew trickle with sweat, until finally, Max spoke.


    "I''m alive.....why are you here?"


    "Because, I care, Max. We''re family.....bros for life!" He nudged him by gently placing a fist on Max''s shoulder.


    Max chuckled and shook his head. " ''Bros for life...'' "Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "Yeah!"


    Max shook his head again. "I thought Ben was my brother...."


    Matthew pointed at Zack from a distance. "We''re your brothers too! We''re with you to the end!" He spoke confidentially.


    Max then lowered his head. "Ben was there to the end too....his end....."


    Matthew placed a hand on his shoulder and tried to say something else, but Max then grabbed his hand and pulled it off of him.


    "I''m sorry, Max."


    Max didn''t say anything though, it was like he wasn''t there anymore.


    Matthew was torn. His best friend, lost in grief. Where is Max? This can''t possibly be him he''s talking to right now!


    "Max......"


    His friend didn''t say another word.


    Matthew sighs. "I''m just trying to help .." he then turned around and walked away from Max, a friend he lost to in time...


    When he got back to his spot, Zack looked at him sternly. His arms were folded. "I told you not to talk to him."


    Matthew glared at him, then sat down at his relaxing spot next to the stream.

 Chapter 10: Zack

    Zack noticed Matthew was walking toward Max, he sighed.


    When will he ever learn?


    Shadow approached him, he too was looking at Matthew. He sighed.


    "Got to let him learn the hard way I guess..." Shadow said.


    Zack tsked as he shook his head. "He doesn''t know what it''s like to lose someone you love, you know?"


    Shadow looked at him with interest. "You never told me how Matthew ended up living with you."Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Zack shook his head slowly. "He lost his parents a long time ago, he had no family to turn to, so I asked my....my pa if he could stay with us."


    Shadow nodded.


    "How we met, you ask....um....he lived in the Village with me....i don''t know how to best explain it, but basically, he was the first kid I played with growing up....then came Max."


    "I see."


    "Yeah.....Matthew lost his family too early, he barely knew them. So he doesn''t understand what it''s like to feel grief for someone he loves so strongly."


    Shadow nodded again.


    A sudden thought about his father rejecting him slipped his mind, before it could take a toll on him, Zack immediately changed the subject.


    "Seems like you''ve been calmer, less.....angry." he pointed out.


    Shadow smiled as he looked at the blue sky. "What can I say? It''s been peaceful!"


    Zack looks at him.


    Shadow then sighed. "I''ve been forcing it down.....I''m trying."


    Zack smiled.

 Chapter 10: Zack (part 2)

    Matthew was then walking back towards them, Zack could see a glimpse from his friend saying, "it didn''t go very well."


    Zack folded his arms. "I told you not to talk to him."


    Matthew glared at him and sat down.


    Zack turns to Shadow. The other blond only shrugged.


    "I''m going to plan tonight''s hunt..." Shadow said awkwardly, he then walked away.


    Zack looks down at Matthew. "Feel better now?"A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Matthew stared in the distance. "Why can''t he just be NORMAL?" Zack patted him on the shoulder before trailing off himself.


    Nobody''s been normal ever since the Village incident. Not even Zack.


    All the feelings of betrayal, that hurt, that anger he had for his father....his own FATHER aiming his godforsaken spear at him. He was going to kill him, yeah, he wasn''t feeling normal either.


    He had to force his own feelings down, and it hurt, but Matthew''s right about one thing......


    Max may be going through a lot, and it may take time to heal, but he can''t just leave his friends out of the picture, a good support group he has, he shouldn''t push them away.


    How will he bring this up to Max? Hopefully, this own pain of Max''s won''t be destructive to him or anyone around.


    Will he get a wake up call before that happens?


    Hopefully, he''ll actually come around.


    In the meantime, Zack Shadow and Matthew need to back away, and give him his space.

 Chapter 11: Shadow

    Yeah, he thought to himself. He''s trying......it''s not good enough, but he''s trying. Trying to keep his cool. Trying not to lash out every time something startled him. Trying not to scream every time someone says something wrong. Yep, trying.


    Zack was right though, he HAS been calmer than many months before.


    Nothing has changed for him though, every time something bothers him, he can bite his tongue all he wants, but he''ll still hear the vicious screams in his mind.


    When will this ever stop? I thought I''m free! Why do these things still haunt me?This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    To take his mind off of things, he did what he said he was going to do, and plan the next hunt.


    They weren''t going to enter the Valley anymore....he knows HE didn''t want to anymore than they do. That one trip was just for fun.


    Shadow laughed at the memory of him scaring the shit out of Max! He even laughed at Matthew saying, ''We came all this way, for nothing?''.


    He sighed. Good times, good times.


    He crouched down in front of a patch of loose dirt and grabbed a stick. He ran the stick over the dirt to form a location. He then remembered the thick patch of trees that were not very far from where they camped. That area is full of game. His mouth watered at the thought of having a nice plump peasant for dinner. He smiled at the thought of that.


    Lovely.


    Suddenly, his mind flashed him a memory he wanted so badly to forget.....

 Chapter 11: Shadow

    "You have to be meaner than that, Shadow! I''m dead serious!" Beta said to eleven year old Shadow.


    "But - but it''s not who I AM!" Shadow argued. "I don''t want to be mean!"


    Beta shook her head. "It''s not about being who you are. In bad situations like this, you HAVE to do what it takes!"


    Shadow whined as he lowered his head.


    Beta sighed. "Shadow.....you''re a sweet kid, I love that about you...I don''t want you to change yourself, but......you''ve got to know that....you need to what you need in order to survive. Use this wolf body as your amor and your weapon; and also your voice!" She chuckled. "I don''t mean to offend you, but your voice.......is SCARY - !"


    "I know..." He mumbled. "I hate it!"


    "First of all Shadow, you can use your voice as a weapon, treat it like a very sharp knife......make it STING! Second, don''t you EVER hate yourself! Honor what you are! You got that?"Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Shadow nodded.


    "Another lesson you need to know is, ALWAYS do as you''re told, no buts!"


    Shadow looked at her, anxiety rising in his bloodstream.


    "If Scarlett''s pissed off with me, and she tells you to bite me, what do you do?"


    ".....bite."


    Beta nods. "And you have to do it right, she likes a good show."


    "How do I attack?"


    Beta laughed. "What I''ve been trying to teach your for the past hour, you have to get mean, angry!"


    "I don''t want you to get angry."


    "You know, for a pathetic little bitch like you - !"


    Shadow snarled. "Don''t say that!" Blindly, he lunged and tackled her, biting hard into her throat until he could taste her blood. He backed away in a panic. She was choking, but she laughed in surprise.


    "Oh my God, I''m so sorry! She always calls me that! I hate being called pathetic! Beta, I didn''t mean to!"


    "No, no, you did great!" She smiled.


    "I''m so sorry! Did it.....HURT?" Shadow asked her worriedly.


    She chuckled again. "Oh, don''t worry about me, love. Let''s start again...we need to list what makes you angry. That mechanism will help you for sure!"


    Shadow lowered his head again.


    "Shadow, let go of your old life. Sweetie, you need to embrace the new you. Back to the subject, what makes you mad........like......REALLY mad?"


    ......................................

 Chapter 11: Shadow

    Shadow was so deep in the memory, he repeated her question.


    "What makes me mad?" He mumbled.


    "Everything!" Max said, coming up from behind him.


    This startled Shadow, in reaction, he jumped to his feet and turned around to see his friend.


    Panting, Shadow growled. "Don''t! Ever! Do That!"


    Max held his hands up defensively. "See what I mean by ''Everything''?


    Shadow continued his panting. "That''s not funny." He said calmly this time.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Max looked down at Shadow''s scribbles. "Why did you draw the Tower?"


    "What?" Shadow said with confusion. He then looked down at his drawing. "Shit!"


    Max then looks at Shadow with concern. "Are we - ?"


    "No, Max...were not going there!" He retorted.


    "Then why did you -"


    "I JUST - !" Shadow then caught himself, he forced the negative emotions to back down. He then spoke lightly. "I don''t know...."


    Max nodded his head. "Okay. If not there, then where?"


    Shadow knelt down and wiped away the drawing, making the patch of dirt clear of any markings. "Here." He patted a spot next to him. Max knelt.


    Shadow scribbled his original drawing and  pointed in the direction facing east. "Remember the spot we went to that took us forever to come back from?"


    "Yeah?"


    "That''s where we''re going."


    Max nodded again. "Should I rally them up?"


    Shadow shook his head. "No, I will."

 Chapter 12: Valerian

    Valerian examined the crystal again, she was then about to put it in her pocket until an idea struck her. She decided to hook it up to a chain and used her tools to craft the perfect necklace.


    After her work, she then wore the necklace. She looked at the crystal one more time before tucking it beneath the collar of her dress.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Suddenly, she got a tingling feeling from her skin. She looked down at her hands and noticed the freckles were gone.


    Valerian then knelt down and looked at her reflection in the water. The freckles that were in her face were gone too.


    She sighed. "Damn it. Oh well, I''ve been waiting for this change anyway."


    Once a year, she would make a concoction that would make the adorable freckles appear again.


    Ugh stupid...you know thats not true!

 Chapter 12: Valerian (part 2)

    She sighed defeatedly at her appearance. "Too bad I ran out of ingredients..." She muttered.


    Valerian took off her white bonnet and released the long, wavy blond hair she has. She pulled out a strap and placed it in the grass as she wrapped her hair up into a high bun. Using one hand to hold her hair in place, she used her free hand to grab the strap and wrapped it for her bun.


    She then looked down at her ruggedly bonnet and tossed it into the stream. She never been one for bonnets.


    She looked down at her reflection again. "I only have until midnight to get those ingredients..."


    When she stood up and turned, she saw Matthew sitting on a rock. He seemed depressed.


    "You talked to Max, didn''t you?"


    Matthew scoffed. "I don''t know what the hell is up with him and......whoa!" He said as he looked at Valerian. "You''re different! What happened to your freckles ......that.....you know....make up eighty percent of your body?"


    "What? Don''t you like no freckles?" Valerian held her chin up.


    "Wel, uh ...what the hell did you do? Is this a witchy beauty thing you guys do?"The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Valerian shrugged. "only once or twice a year." She lied.


    "That''s......weird."


    "Enough about me, let''s talk about your issue instead."


    Matthew sighed. "Why is he acting like that? And why aren''t you guys helping him? Also, why is it just Shadow that''s allowed to talk to him?"


    She put a hand up to silence him. "He''s not acting like anything....he''s grieving, and he only lets Shadow talk to him because he listens, he understands him. You don''t need to be mad at him or Shadow for their connection."


    "It''s not Shadow I''m mad at.....okay, maybe a tiny bit because he only gets to hang with him....but I''m mainly mad at Max. He''s not the same!"


    Valerian folded her arms. "He''s the same as he always has been. Matthew, he lost a lot."


    "I know he did, I can help him...but he''s pushing me away!"


    Valerian held a finger up. "You feel useless."


    Matthew was about to argue, but no words came out. "I''m always useless, even when hunting!"


    Valerian was shocked. "Well, that''s very harsh to say about yourself."


    "But no, this is about Max....he''s always thinking about his own shit!" He folded his arms and rocked his legs. "It''s not about me feeling useless...this is about Max!"


    "Denial." Valerian said in a singsong voice.


    Matthew''s face then turned pink. "Yeah, you''re right.....but it''s not about me feeling useless, I am useless ......and it''s true! I can''t hunt like I used to, I piss everybody off, and I don''t know what else, but I know ...there''s a long list!"


    Valerian put her hand out, telling him to stop. "Let''s go for a walk....I need to find ingredients for my skin anyway."


    Matthew tilted his head. "I thought you didn''t like your freckles."


    "I changed my mind." Valerian said simply.


    Matthew nodded. "Alright, I''ll help you.

 Chapter 12: Valerian (part 3 )

    Valerian paused for a second and took her necklace off. She then gave it to Matthew. He was stunned when he saw the crystal.


    Valerian rolled her eyes. "Just hold that for ten seconds, it''ll help you to feel more worthy, and confident."


    Matthew looked at her with a pale face. "You told us this is bad!"


    "Not if you hold it for like two seconds. Here now hand it back."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He put it back in her hand immediately. "It''s not always bad...its positive qualities include helping someone to increase their self esteem. How are you feeling right now?"


    Matthew giggled. "Like I can take on the day!"


    Valerian smiled. "Do you want to walk with me?"


    "Sure!"


    Before they could leave, Shadow approached them and asked Matthew if he was ready for the hunt.


    "Oh yeah! I guess I better go, Val."


    "Don''t call me that!"


    "Uh, sorry, Valerian."


    Matthew then left with Shadow.


    Valerian herself left, but went the opposite direction to find her ingredients.


    Are they really for your freckles? One side of her asked.


    "Shh!" She said.

 Chapter 13: Matthew

    Matthew and Shadow walked over to Max and Zack.


    "Are we all ready?" Shadow asked them.


    "Ready when you are, Alpha." Max said.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Zack nodded, and so did Matthew.


    "Let''s go then."


    "We''re not going to the Valley this time, right?" Matthew asked him.


    Shadow chuckled and looked at Matthew. "Don''t worry."


    Matthew nodded. He felt a sudden energy surge within him, and it felt amazing. Valerian was right, it does help.


    The four boys walked together as they wandered off into the thick patch of trees far beyond their camp.

 Chapter 13: Matthew (part 2)

    They walked for hours until Shadow spotted something in the thick of the trees.


    Matthew was feeling very confident at this point. He felt like he WAS worth a fuck!


    Shadow made a gesture with his hand, telling them to get down. They all huddled behind a boulder and looked over at the giant moose that stood in place, grazing at the wild grass that rose just above the animal''s knees.


    "Whoa." Matthew whispered as he looked at the great moose in awe. "Isn''t that something."


    Max made a low, light whistle. "You found the big one, Shadow." He grinned.


    "Thanks." Shadow whispered.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Zack held his hunting knife and studied it. Matthew knows he''s damn good with throwing them. It''s a nice weapon, but he forgot he had his own weapon, a slingshot...good for distractions, and pelting squirrels. He''d been told in the past to not use his spear anymore ........he didn''t remember what that reason was exactly.....something about villagers using them. Shadow didn''t have any hunting gear, but with his new witch ability he developed, teleportation, he could sneak into the shadows and scare the living daylights out of the prey. Speaking of which, he was on his way to do that now.


    When Shadow got the big game alert,  it ran....but not for very long, because Matthew effortlessly sent a rock flying at a fast pace and hitting one of the knees, that made the game slow down. He didn''t know why, but the moose slowly turned around, facing them. Angrily, the beast charged at them.M ax then drew back his bow and made a shot into the beast''s chest, sent it crashing down. Max let another arrow fly and it finished the moose.


    "Whew! That''s dinner right there!" Matthew laughed.

 Chapter 13: Matthew (part 3)

    Matthew then turned around and saw Shadow walking up to them with a fat pheasant slung over his shoulders.


    "You couldn''t resist the bird, could you?" Matthew teased.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "You''ve never tried their meat, and it''s a good golden opportunity too." Shadow said.


    Max laughed at him. "Seems like you had done this to us the first time we met you! Leaving us to do the big work."


    "Well, hey, at least I got him going!" Shadow laughed.


    Matthew laughed too. He was really glad that Max was finally being himself again.

 Chapter 13: Matthew (part 4)

    Matthew could feel comfortable with him again.......well actually, just seeing Max interacting with Zack and Shadow again made him feel like he could be part of this too. Maybe he IS part of this!


    "I don''t know about you, folks - " Matthew announced to the group. " - but I''m taking the heart!"


    "Oh, no you''re not, the heart belongs to ME!" Zack teased.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "No, no, no Zack ...you''re taking the brain! I''m taking the heart, and Shadow will take the - hey are you okay?" Max asked Shadow, who was staring blankly at them. Their friend didn''t say a phrase.


    "Shadow!" Matthew said.


    Their witch friend then snapped awake and looked at them. "What?"


    "Are you alright? We kinda lost you there for a second..." Matthew pointed out.


    Shadow then aimed his blank gaze at Matthew. "Yeah, I''m fine."


    Max nodded. "Should we go then?"


    "Yeah ." Matthew said.


    The boys bundled up the beast with their long straps and dragged him, as Shadow walked gracefully next to them with his bird.

 Chapter 13: Matthew (part 5)

    Suddenly, the strap that Matthew pulled broke and it sent him face planting to the ground. He then got up and brushed off the dirt and aided the boys as they let go of their straps......and........pheasant, to take care of the broken strap.


    Zack tied it into one of those sailor knot things that his father taught them long ago......Matthew really didn''t have an interest in sailors and knots and that whole kind of gig, so he left that learning stuff to Zack, who found that fascinating.


    When the strap was tightened and secure, Zack gave Matthew a thumbs up and walked back over to his side of the moose.


    "You good?" A sudden familiar voice was heard, which shocked Matthew, but he turned to the voice next to him.


    "Yeah, I''m good Max."


    Max smirked at him and carried on.


    Before he could catch his tongue, Matthew spoke. "It''s good to have you back to you old self."


    Max smiled. "Yeah, it''s good to take my mind off of things for once."


    Matthew smiled back. "You miss hanging out with your buddies?"


    Max asked. "I guess you can say that I have."


    "Good, cause I''ve missed you!" Matthew then said. He got a sudden feeling that the magic the crystal provided for him was dying out, because he was starting to feel dread. He shook it off and did his best to keep his confidence up.


    "I''ve missed you too, Matthew. I''m glad to have friends like you." He said warmly.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Ah, brothers." Matthew corrected him.


    Max''s brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"


    "Well, you know, we''ve been loyal companions for years, we''ve reached the friendship mark....were beyond that....it''s more like the family mark." Matthew explained.


    Max groaned. "No, we''re not family."


    That word right there stung.


    Holding back his hurt feelings, Matthew tried to reason. "Max, you got to wake up, man. Family doesn''t have to be blood, you know that."


    Max then let go of the strap and faced him. Matthew''s anxiety began to rise. "Oh no." Zack was a ways behind Max.


    Shadow was still walking ahead of them, until he stopped in his tracks and looked back at them.


    Matthew turned back to face an irritated Max.


    "You don''t get it, do you? Ben was my only brother. My ONLY brother........my father''s dead, the last bits of my family are gone!" Max exclaimed.


    Matthew could feel tears welling up inside of him, as well as red hot anger. "You, are so fucking selfish! Welling up in your own God damn misery. Shutting people out, any one of us could have problems and you would immediately turn it back to you! YOU''RE FULL OF SHIT, MAX!"


    "Matthew!" Zack shouted.


    Out of fury, Max pushed Matthew to the ground. "You think I''m selfish? Really? All you do is whine and complain about every fucking thing. And that makes me a selfish one? I guess losing my father and brother is fucking selfish. And the fact that a whole fucking village nearly kill me because of prejudice....yeah.....makes me selfish too!"


    Matthew was now sobbing. Shadow then got in between them. "Enough, this isn''t the way!"


    Max glared at Shadow. "It took us the way." He then looks back down at Matthew.


    "Max, come on.....you need to wake up, Ben isn''t coming back. You have to stick with the support group you have now! We''re just as loyal to you as Ben was." Matthew pleaded.


    Max growled. "You''re fucking stupid! We ARE NOT brothers! The only brother I had was and always will be Ben!"


    All the pain he had inside welled up inside like a volcano eager to erupt.


    "Fuck you!" Matthew hissed. He then jumped up and started to run back to camp.


    "Go on, get your ass back to camp! You''re a worthless fuck anyway!" Max yelled.


    Matthew heard all the words swirling around in his head as he was making his was back to camp.

 Chapter 13: Matthew (part 6)

    He finally came back, and the moon was not quite ready to be in the middle of the sky yet. He wasn''t ready to face that fucker again, he needed to brace himself. He needed to find Valerian.


    "Valerian? Valerian, where are you?'' he cried. He wiped his tears using the sleeve of his tunic.


    "Valerian?" He called again.


    "She''ll be back in a minute." Rose said.


    "Thanks. Oh, sorry, did I wake you?"


    Rose shook her head. "I''m working on my own little project."


    Matthew tilted his head. "What''s that you''re making?"


    "A new hut for us, Valerian and I have been talking about building a house big enough for us all."


    "Oh. That''s nice!"Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Thanks!" Rose said cheerfully.


    Matthew then saw Valerian heading back. He raced over to her.


    "Hey, how was the trip?" Valerian wondered.


    Matthew sighed, doing his best to fight back tears. "Not good, look Valerian....you got to help me, I really need to hold that rock again!"


    Valerian stopped him and then looked into his eyes. "Tell me everything."


    Matthew explained the fight he had with Max.


    "Valerian, I can''t be near him. He''s gone, there''s nothing left of him!"


    "Hey, let''s go for a walk for a little while, take your mind off of things."


    Matthew scoffed. "How will a walk help?"


    "It''s soothing." She said simply.


    "Oh, okay."


    Valerian nodded. She then looked down at Rose. "If the others get back before we do, let them know we went for a stroll."


    Rose nodded in agreement.


    ..........................................


    Matthew and Valerian strolled in silence. She was right, for a walk like this, it IS relaxing. He could do this more often.


    The thought of going back knowing Max will be there, made his anxiety rise.


    "Valerian, I don''t think i can do this, I can''t!"


    Valerian then held his hand to calm his nerves.


    "Look, Matthew, there''s something I''ve been meaning to talk to you about."


    Matthew winced. "Valerian, you know I don''t like that word."


    "No Matthew, you''re not in trouble. There''s a favor I''ve been wanting from you."


    "What''s that?" He then asked her.


    Valerian stopped to face him." If you''d like to go on a journey with me?"

 Chapter 14: Shadow

    After a while, Shadow and the others worked in silence. They did get his pheasant strapped to the back of the moose. Shadow then took place of Matthew and pulled the strap.


    He looked at both Zack and Max. Max may not realize it, but he does look like he was feeling ashamed.


    "Do you think he hates me now?" Max wondered.


    This surprised Shadow, he turned to his friend and shook his head. "I don''t think he does, upset with you maybe, but I don''t think he really hates you."


    "That was too far, wasn''t it?" Max then asked. Zack looks at him.


    Shadow then said with a calm expression. "Yeah, that WAS pretty far."


    "Fuck!" Max muttered.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Shadow looks at Zack, and Zack began to speak. "He probably wants us all to be ..........uh .........can I say the word?"


    Max shamefully looks at Zack and nods.


    Zack continued. "Family. You know he was orphaned right?"


    Max shook his head. "I heard him say something about it before..."


    "He probably wanted us to be family because he had none growing up. I mean, he saw me as family after we took him in. He wants a hole to be filled in, you know?"


    Max didn''t say anything for a while until he finally said, "I''ll talk to him when we get back."


    ......................................


    When they reached the campsite after a long while, they destrapped the beast and began the process of cooking it.


    Rose looked at all of them and smiled. "How was the trip?"


    The boys said nothing.


    "That bad, huh? At least you got something good out of it, this will last us for weeks!" She looked again at the moose and noticed the bird on it.


    "That was you, huh Gabriel?"


    Shadow smiled proudly. "Mother always made good pheasant dishes!"


    His sister giggled with enthusiasm.


    "Where did Matthew go? I was going to talk to him." Max wondered.


    "He went on a stroll with Valerian, they''ll be back soon."


    Max sighed. "Alright."

 Chapter 14: No Tears (part 2)

    Shadow convinced Max to wait until they come back. In the meantime, they are what they could and saved and endless amount of moose and pheasant for their friends.


    Shadow looked around and wondered where they''re at.....it''s been a little over and hour since they came back.


    "Rose, are you sure they went for a walk?"


    "They told me, Gabe."


    Okay.


    After a while, they decided to sleep.


    .....................................


    "Okay Shadow, lesson one........no tears." Beta spoke.


    Eleven year old Shadow stood there, shaking. "What do you mean?"


    "Don''t cry, especially when you''re getting attacked."


    Shadow gulped.Stolen novel; please report.


    Suddenly, Beta jumped on him, biting him hard on the ear. Shadow cried in agony. It hurt so much, that tears dripped from his eyes.


    Beta sighed. "Look, the only way to survive is to not show your vulnerability. Got that?"


    Shadow nodded


    "No matter how much it hurts, DON''T SHOW IT!" Beta said sternly. "Ready?"


    Shadow nodded again.


    Beta then came in and stretched out her claws and swapped him.


    ..........................................


    "Argggggghhhhh!" Shadow exclaimed. He got up to face his attacker, but that was then he realized that he was with Max, Zack and Rose, whom all were still asleep.


    Shadow panted, he looked in front of him and noticed that a tree branch was swaying viciously in the wind. The branch itself looked like claws. He suddenly felt something wet slowly trickle down his cheek. He ran his hand over his face and noticed he could see blood shimmering under the moonlight.


    Someone from the group stirred. "Shadow? You alright?"


    Shadow could see that the person that was talking to him was none other than Max.


    "Yeah, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to wake you."


    Max stretched. "Mmm, no you''re good." He looked around. "Matthew''s not back yet?"


    Shadow looked around too. He then looked up at the sky. The moon was almost setting on the horizon.


    Damn, he thought. It''s been hours!


    "No, he isn''t....." Which made him worry. Something wasn''t right.


    "Max, he wouldve been back a long time ago......it''s been several hours since we came back. Look at the moon!"


    Max followed his gaze, then his eyes grew big. "Oh, shit. Shadow, something''s not right!"


    "We need to wake Rose. We need to go find him."

 Chapter 14: No Tears (part 3)

    Suddenly, Shadow felt very  dizzy and nauseous.


    "What the fuck? What''s wrong with me?" Shadow muttered.


    "I don''t know, but I feel like I''m going to be sick!" Max exclaimed.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Me too, I can''t see straight." Zack stated.


    Shadow can now really feel the nausea rise up, fast.


    "I''ll be with you guys in two seconds." He exclaimed weakly.


    He then ran off deep into the trees to avoid being seen.


    Was there something in the meat? Was the animal diseased? What was happening?


    His nausea rose up, but no retching came after that. Instead, he passed out from the dizziness.

 Chapter 15: Matthew

    "You, want me, to help you bring the crystal back to its original owner?" Matthew concluded.


    "Precisely!" Valerian said.


    "Isn''t this going to be dangerous, knowing what it can do?"


    "Well, I can''t keep it here, besides...I do need a body guard." Valerian persuaded.


    "Really, I can''t do that, that''s more Shadow''s thing! I can only do it when I''m strong, like back when I was a wolf."


    "You miss being a wolf, don''t you?"Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Actually, he DID. His wolf has the speed and the strength to take down an enemy.


    "Why do you want me to be your body guard?"


    "Maybe it''ll help you boost your self esteem on the way..." She said.


    "Look, even if it''ll help me, I still can''t unless I''m a wolf....but I''m not anymore!"


    Valerian then gave him the crystal again. "Wish for it then!"


    A wishing crystal?


    He looks at her willingly. "You''re saying this will.....change me back? I can be a wolf again?"


    Valerian nodded.


    "Wh - what about the others? Can they be wolves too?"


    "Only if you wish it."


    "I want to be human though."


    Valerian held up her hands. "You can be both you know? You''ll have the ability to change whenever you like. Your friends too!" She said convincingly.


    Matthew giggled with excitement. He focused on the magic withing the crystal.


    Suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness and nausea wave over him. Before he could vomit, he collapsed.

 Chapter 16: Scratch

    He groaned when he woke up.


    Damn, how many of THESE am I going to have in my life?


    "Mmm, you good Zack." He looked around, but no sign of his friend. "Zack?"


    No answer.


    When he stood up, he could feel the familiar sensation of being on all fours again. His face grew pale.


    Slowly he looked down at his feet, and in replacement were paws and the familiar timberwolf color.


    "Oh shit!" He exclaimed. This can''t be, he''s got to be dreaming!The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Wait, if he''s back in his form, then that must mean.........


    He slowly turned around and saw Shadow.


    Oh fuck! The black wolf is back!


    When Scratch saw Shadow as the black wolf again, he was terrified.


    Shadow then turned to face him and glared.


    Shakily, Scratch croaked. "H - hey, uh, it looks like you''re a wolf again!"


    "Good, I need to be." His friend said.


    He couldn''t decide whether to be dumbfounded over the answer or to be shaken by Shadow''s familiar pitch.


    Shakily, Scratch pointed out. "It seems like you got your voice back!"


    Shadow glared at him again. "REALLY? You THINK?" His voice was low and harsh.


    Scratch gulped, then looked to his right to see Howl come into the picture. Looking at Shadow in his old form, Howl''s eyes grew wide. "Whoa!"


    When Rose went over to figure out what the commotion was, immediately, her hands covered her mouth as she gasped at the three large beasts in front of her.


    Shadow looks up at her, then down at the ground. "Sssshhhhit!" He hissed.

 Chapter 16: Scratch (part 2)

    "What happened?" She exclaimed.


    Shadow looked away from his sister and growled.


    Howl looks up at her and says, "I have no clue!"


    "Whatever the hell happened, we need to figure it out, because I sure as hell don''t want to be a wolf forever!" Scratch exclaimed. Suddenly, he could feel his body shift. What the hell was that? He looked down at himself and noticed he was human again.


    What the hell was going on here?


    The rest of them looked at him with surprise, that was then Shadow himself changed back into a human.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "Weird...." Shadow said.


    "Dude, why the hell were you being an asshole just now?" Max asked.


    "I don''t want to talk about it. We need to find Matthew."


    Max forgot that Matthew had been missing since earlier last night. "It''s morning, and he''s still gone ......."


    Shadow sighed. "Don''t worry, we''ll find them." He then turns to his sister. "Rose, you know which direction they took?" Rose pointed in the direction behind Scratch.


    Shadow changed once again. Scratch groaned and put his hands back behind his head. "Ohh, please don''t, I can''t tolerate your shit right now!" He begged him.


    "Hey, you''re lucky I don''t have any reason to kill you!" Shadow retorted.


    Rose pinched the nose of her bridge. "Gabriel, that''s enough." She said


    He looked up at her, the back up at Scratch. "Let''s find him."

 Chapter 16: Scratch (part 3)

    "I agree." Scratch said. He looked at Howl, his friend nodded.


    They made their way by just a few feet until he turned around and decided to go to Shadow.


    "You okay?" Scratch asked him.


    The black wolf sighed. "Let''s not talk about it, just go." For some reason, Shadow backed up and just within a millisecond, another giant timberwolf like him flew right across them.


    Shadow growled and looked at the figure. "What the fuck are you doing here?"Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The timberwolf looked at Shadow with mean red eyes. "I''ve come to seek my revenge!"


    Shadow laughed. "You''re full of shit!"


    Apparently the red eyed wolf didn''t like that very much. He snarled.


    "I don''t have a family because of you! You traitor!"


    "Yeah, yeah we''re past that."


    The red eyed wolf snarled again. "Fuck you!"


    Scratch barked to break up the tension. "Shadow, who is he?"


    The timberwolf proudly said, "Mica!"


    "An annoyance!" Shadow added.


    "A saint!" Mica corrected.


    Scratch barked again. "Look, we''ve got bigger fish to fry and we don''t need this  right now, we need to find our friend. If you want to help us find him, then come along. But if you want to cause issues, leave us!"

 Chapter 16: Scratch (part 4)

    "What?" Shadow exclaimed. "Have you lost you fucking mind?"


    Mica laughed. "Did you lose another fucker, Shadow?"


    Scratch growled at the red eyed wolf. "Start talking, do you want to help us or not. Whatever it is you choose, sorry, but there''s no killing each other here. Got that?"


    Mica sneered. "Why would I want to accompany you in your quest?"


    Howl then told him. "Because you''re alone, you need to be in a pack."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Mica stammered. "I - I don''t - I, uh - "


    Howl then said. "If you choose to cooperate, then come with us, but no one is murdering Shadow, seeking revenge, whatever, got it?"


    Mica snarled. "You guys are pathetic. Fine, I''ll come. So, who did you lose?"


    "Remember that small wolf that was with me when we attacked you, two to one?" Howl then said.


    Mica growled irritably. "Yes."


    "That''s who we need to find."


    Mica sighed. "Alright, alright, I''ll be in your party..." He then looks at Shadow. "What do you say, Alpha?" He said in a mocking tone.


    Shadow sighed irritably. "Fine, but stay with the group and stay alert, no bullshit business going on with you. Hear?"


    Mica nods. "This won''t change my feelings about you, traitor!"


    Shadow rolled his eyes." Fine then, let''s go. We''ve got no time to waste.


    They all walked along the forest floor, hoping they''ll reach them as soon as they can.

 Chapter 17: Something in the Distance

    When he awoke the next day, he noticed that his form has changed.


    Matthew yipped excitedly. "It - it worked!" He looked up at Valerian. She looked down at him and smiled.


    "Feel better?"


    "Much! Thank you! Now that I''m in my proper form, let''s go find that owner. What was her name again?"This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Eden, but.....her real name is Evelynne."


    "Who was she to you? How do you know her so well?"


    "My father told me about her long ago, he told me stories of the assassination."


    "Oh, is she still alive?"


    "I believe so."


    Matthew nodded."So, you said she lived in the abandoned kingdom?"


    "Mhmm."


    "How much longer until we make it to the castle?"


    "Only a few more miles."


    "I see!" Matthew wagged his wolf tail excitedly. He then changed into his human form. She looked at him with curiosity. "Just wanted to check." He said.

 Chapter 17: Something in the Distance (part 2)

    They carried along in silence, Matthew can feel the excitement he had for his new form, the ability to switch is incredible!


    Suddenly, a snap was heard in the distance, Matthew''s courage  faded away in an instant. Whatever it was, he didn''t like it.


    He turned to Valerian, and as embarrassed as he was about it, he had to say something. "Uhh......Valerian?"


    The girl next to him, who always seemed to be tougher than he was, cowered too. She gulped as she gripped the necklace. Matthew looks around.


    "Valerian, what is that?"


    The sound was getting closer....he wanted to run...but he needed to be her bodyguard. As much as he hated it, he stood in front of her, using himself as a shield. A sudden thought popped into his head.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Oh yeah, I can be a wolf now!


    The then changed and braced himself for an attack.


    "Matthew, we need to leave....right now!" Valerian whispered.


    "What? No, I can handle it!" Matthew argued.


    "Yes you can, now let''s go!" She demanded. Before he knew it, she was running like a bat out of hell. He then used his speed to catch up to her.


    He could tell that whatever was nearby was following them.


    "Valerian, we need to seek shelter....how far until we reach the castle?"


    "One more mile!" She called.


    Oh, fun! A half fucking hour of endless running! He thought sarcastically.


    "Is there a village nearby?"


    "I don''t know if there''s any residence, but we''re going to pass through anyway. You need to be human though, I don''t know if they allow Shifters like you into their land!"


    "Shifter?"


    "Yeah, you know.....shape shifter? A person that can be a human and change into an animal at will, like you?"


    Oh


    They continued their running, until suddenly the were stopped in their tracks.


    Matthew gulped fearfully as they were stopped by an unknown predator.

 Chapter 18: Something Wicked This Way Comes

    He paced around in his private corridor, thinking about his prophet''s new given advice.


    "Keep enemies far........." He said out loud. He chuckled to himself. He has a certain perimeter he likes, how close are they? He wondered.


    No one likes an unwanted guest...


    The creature that he was put his black mask back on his face, only revealing his deep purple, devilish eyes.


    Way to keep enemies away is to make them look deep into his infected eyes.


    The thought of that made him laugh.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Now, back to the question.....how far are these......newcomers?


    He gets up from his chair and uses his magic to swing open the door for him. He wanders down the halls that led to the stairs, and down he went....deep under the castle. Into the dungeons.


    When he entered her cell, she was mute.


    Hmm, he thinks to himself. Not for long. He snapped his fingers and at the tips, a flame emerged.


    When she sees him, she groans. "I''ll tell you what I see, you want to know how close they are?" She whispers.


    "Every. Detail." He speaks calmly.


    She gulps. "Close enough to attack."


    He nods his head. He then looks back at her and sees fear in her eyes. He smiled at her.


    "Don''t worry, I''m not in a mood for your entertainment today." He then walks out and shuts the cell door behind him. She may be in chains, hooked up to a wall, but he locks her in anyway.


    ...........................................

 Chapter 18: Something Wicked This Way Comes (part 2)

    When he steps outside of the castle, he then changed his form.


    The purple eyed wolf tore through the dead town and reached the outskirts. He used his snout to find the enemies afoot.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Gotcha!" He says wickedly.


    Suddenly, his entertainment for torture came back. He cackled at the thought of his next victims. How will he want to punish them? Hmmm.....that''s a hard one, hell figure it all out once he arrives, uninvited in their tiny party!


    He tilts back his head, and howls with excitement.


    Let the games begin!

 Chapter 19: Howl

    They walked along in their wolf forms. Using their scent to guide their way of their friends'' presence.


    Howl could smell how far Matthew and Valerian had gone....and their travel together seemed endless.


    Shadow paced up to him and looked at him with his familiar obsidian eyes.


    "What?" Howl asked him.


    Shadow growled. "You were a fool to convince him! Both you and Scratch!"


    "Look, I don''t like him as much as you do, but we''ll spend hours standing around and bickering with him .......besides, we need an extra pair of eyes, who knows maybe HE''D seen them."


    Shadow growled again. He then walked ahead of him, until he was the one leading the group.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    What the hell has gotten into him? I thought he''s been better!


    "Shadow!" Howl called.


    The black wolf perked his ears, but didn''t say a word.


    Howl looked behind him to see Rose, who had her arms folded, shaking her head nonstop.


    Scratch barked at the pack as he looked at his surroundings.


    "Does anybody have any idea where they''re headed?" He asked the group. "Their trail keeps going, and it''s been hours since we began the search."


    The wolves looked at one another.


    Mica then shook his head. "Wait, wait, wait....I thought we were looking for just that runt. There''s someone else?"


    Howl glared at him. "Have you not been smelling the other person?"


    "Erm, she smells.......familiar."


    "Yeah, she was with us when we tried to rescue Scratch, remember?" Shadow said.


    "No, i know what you''re talking about.....but I - I think I met her before.... I just don''t remember very well." Mica explained.


    "Do you have any idea where they could''ve gone?" Scratch asked him.


    "I don''t know for sure......I''m almost convinced that they''re on their way to the castle...." Mica answered.

 Chapter 19: Howl (part 2)

    "The castle?" Howl remembered the castle on the map in that one room of the Tower. Shadow took them there.


    He looks at the black wolf.


    Shadow nods. "Why would they want to go to the castle?" He muttered.


    Mica shrugs. "Beats the shit out of ME!"


    Scratch looks at Shadow. "How much longer do you think that will take?"Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "I''m guessing a few more miles, but it''s about to get dark." Shadow then changed into his human form. "I suggest we make camp for the night."


    Mica jumps back. "Jesus! What the fuck! You''re also a FREAK?"


    Shadow looks up at the sky with great irritability. "Mica, you''ve known that I WAS human before I met you."


    "Well yeah, but now you''re REALLY a freak!"


    Shadow sighs.


    Howl and Scratch decided to change their forms as well. This is still so new to him.


    Scratch, who is now Max looked at Rose. "Did we pack up the remainder of that moose......and pheasant last night?"


    Rose nodded. "As much as I can carry."


    Max then wandered off in search of firewood. Howl, who is now Zack followed him.

 Chapter 19: Howl (part 3)

    When Zack caught up with Max, he noticed that his friend was crouching on the ground, his hair hanging past his ears as he faced the ground.


    "Max? What''s wrong?" He asked him as he picked up a small log.


    "I must''ve been a real asshole to him." His friend said.


    Zack didn''t know how to answer him, all he could do was agree. "Yeah."Stolen novel; please report.


    Max continued to stare at the ground. "You should''ve stopped me..."


    "I should''ve....but it''s not my responsibility to keep you in line every time you do this."


    Max glared at him. "Why?"


    Zack was about to argue with him, but held his tongue and sighed. "Look, I''m going to help you take some wood back to camp....but I''m not saying anything more."


    Max''s face flushed with anger. He then ended up calming down, and nodded his head. "Okay." He agreed.


    Zack nodded his head and continued to work.


    After a while, Max and Zack gathered enough for a good bonfire.

 Chapter 19: Howl

    The next morning, everyone got up and stretched their legs and carried on.


    ...............................................


    Zack was surprised that the red eyed wolf was still with them......maybe he does need to be with a group. He''s lonely.


    He hasn''t changed his feelings from their first encounter. For a wolf like him, Mica''s a savage one. He could be useful though. He suddenly turned his gaze to Mica. The red eyed wolf looked up at him.


    "What?"Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "I''m surprised you''re still with us." Zack told him.


    Mica scoffed. "ONLY to help you guys, then I''m going to be off!"


    Whatever.


    Max changed into a wolf and ran up to Zack.


    He looks down at him. "What is it?"


    Scratch looks up at him. "Shadow says that we''ll reach the village in about half a mile."


    Zack nods his head. "Perfect."


    "I''ve been thinking about what you said, and you''re right. It''s not your responsibility."


    "I''m just giving you the honest truth, Max."


    Scratch nods. "Hey, I''ve been thinking too, that when we are in the wolf forms, we go by our nicknames, when we are human, go by our regular names? Hows that?"


    Zack smiled at the suggestion. "That sounds like a good idea!"


    "I still prefer to be called Shadow!" The black wolf said. Rose looks at him with surprise. "What about Gabriel."


    "Only to you." He added. Rose nodded in agreement. "Fine by me, little brother."

 Chapter 19: Howl

    Zack then decided to change into Howl and continued his walk, until a dark sensation in the air caused him and the others to stop abruptly.


    Everyone looked around, feeling on edge.


    "What the hell is that?" Shadow growled.


    "I don''t know." Howl said.


    Rose looked at their surroundings too. "What do you think it is?"The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Shh!" Mica said.


    They all listened, no one dared to move a muscle. Howl perked his ears. Shadow''s hackles raised.


    Suddenly, they could all hear a distant cackling. The air suddenly felt colder. Scratch gulped. The noise was getting closer and closer.


    "We need to move." Howl declared.


    "Right there with you!" Scratch said as he began to run. The rest of them did the same.


    Howl could sense they were being followed. What was going on here?


    All of a sudden, something made them halt, facing the mysterious opponent.


    Strangely enough, the entity who chased them was a wolf, just like them!

 Chapter 20: Enter Azazel

    The wolf was a very dark wolf, almost black, but there was nothing normal about him. The eyes were a very deep purple, but at the same time, they almost appeared as if they glistened. The eyes showed bulging veins that looked black. His dark fur was lined with dark purple streaks.


    The beast also twitched its body as it moves closer to them.


    "Oh. My. God." Mica exclaimed.


    Scratch and Howl panted fearfully, Shadow''s hackles raised higher...he began to bare his teeth. Rose stood frozen, unable what to do.


    The creature slowly circled them as he eyed them warily. A cackle escaped his throat. "Well, well, well...isn''t this a surprise! Newcomers, oh BOY isn''t this going to be fun!" He cackled again.


    "Who - who are you?" Scratch asked the beast.


    The beast then lunged on top of him and slowed himself as his muzzle pressed on his ear. "Your worst NIGHTMARE!" He hissed in amusement. He twitched again as he eyed the crowd. "Mmm, now which one shall I pick first? Tough decisions......"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH US?" Mica shouted. The beast jerks his head to the red eyed wolf.


    "What do I want? I want fun, ENTERTAINMENT! Something good!" He chuckled. "No, what I really want is you guys to LEAVE!" He said simply. "This is my territory, you''re not allowed to be here! Turn around and go back where you came from!" He demanded.


    Scratch them walked up to him. "Look, we don''t want any harm...were just looking for a friend..."


    "I don''t care! Whoever shows up on MY doorstep gets killed....maybe THAT''S what happened to your friend. Now, go away, really fast.....or...I''ll torture you! Piece by piece!" He said simply.


    Scratch shook his head . "Please, if you let us find him, we''ll leave you alone. Please."


    Howl looks at Scratch, then back to the monstrosity of a wolf.


    The beast pretends to yawn, and looks again at the crowd. "I''m getting pretty bored here. How about we make a game out of this?"


    Everyone exchanged glances with each other. The beast continued.


    "You go find your friend, but.....you''ll have to be fast....it''ll be like a tagging game! Anybody who gets caught by me, dies! The game starts in three seconds...."


    Scratch pleaded, but the beast kept going. "Three.......two........"


    They all ran as fast as they could.


    That creature is fucking insane!

 Chapter 20: Enter Azazel (part 2)

    Shadow raced through the trees and at the same time, watching his surroundings. Scratch and Howl ran a distance from him, and Rose and Mica were just ahead.


    Come on, come on, think of SOMETHING! Don''t let your friends get killed!


    He looked around the trees, desperately trying to find something to help them. He payed attention to the details, the width and length of the trees, the bushes....


    The shadows.


    Suddenly, and idea formed in his head. He looked at his sister. "Rose!"Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    As she ran, she looked over her shoulder to let him know that she was listening. He ended up speaking a language only witches know, asking her if there''s a way that both of them can be able to teleport multiple people at once.


    She answered yes.


    Okay, that''s good.


    In the witch language, he asked her where she thinks they can go?


    Think of the village near the castle, she says. We''ll hide there...that place has been abandoned for a long time. She tells him.


    He nods in agreement.


    You can''t be a wolf though, you have to change. She adds.


    He nods again as he changed his form. He looks to the wolf nearest him, Scratch. Near Rose, he could see Howl and Mica run with her. Shadow looks down at Scratch again.


    "Scratch, get closer to me!" He shouts.


    Scratch looked up at him with concern.


    "Trust me....."


    Scratch ran in his direction and Shadow caught him by the scruff, and he took the both of them to a shadow, where they teleported.

 Chapter 20: Enter Azazel (part 3)

    Everyone teleported to the village near the castle. Shadow looked around at the darkness surrounding them. His sister was right, this town was indeed abandoned. Everything to him felt as empty as death.


    Scratch changed form, as he took looked around him. "Where ARE we?"


    Rose panted from the endless running she had to do. "Away from him. We''re safe, but we need to get into hiding. We''ll find a way to reach Matthew, but we need to hunker down for the night."The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "We can hide in HERE." Mica told the group. He pointed to a door to a two story building. Half of the house was taller than the other.


    "Is it locked?" Zack asked him.


    "It shouldn''t be." Mica replied.


    "You make it sound like you lived there." Max said.


    Mica nodded his head. "Long before Scarlett. This was my home."


    "Looks like a place for a pet." Shadow teased, which infuriated the red eyed wolf, but he calmed himself before answering Shadow.


    "I''ll explain inside, come on." Mica escorted them in.

 Chapter 21: Mica

    It''s been so long.....he thought to himself as he looked at this familiar place, filled with mining tools and maps full of gold sites. He wandered to what used to be his bed. It wasn''t much but a thin cloth over a stone floor. He enjoyed it though, it was.....comfortable. He then looked up at what was once his owner''s bed. Great gratitude filled his heart again after so many years. He will never forget that very day, when he was just a pup in a den, his soon to be owner was on the prowl, and his tiny self hid away, thinking she was going to hurt him, since there was no one around. His mother got shot in front of his eyes by a bunch of poachers who assumed that wolves were the big bad, when that was actually, in fact, bears. When his soon to be owner stepped in the small cave after hearing him whine, she noticed him as harmless, he wouldn''t touch her for him being so small. It took her a while to get him to come to her and when she did, she held him in her arms and cradled him as she took him home.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Father''s prejudiced, but he''s just going to have to deal with it." She said to him. His brown eyes looked into hers. He was very happy that he wasn''t going to get shot. And she was confident that with her having a prejudiced father, she wouldn''t let him phase her..........sounds like she can kick his ass! A month after his rescue, his relationship with her father grew. He adored him.


    "She needs a name!" Her father hollered, for she was in the other side of the house.


    "HE, you mean?" She corrected.


    "He, she, whatever. We need to give it a name!" He responded.


    "I was thinking about ''Mica''!"


    "Mmm....." Her father didn''t sound like that was the right decision." How about ''Predator'' instead, or ''Runt''!"


    "Nah, I like ''Mica'' better." She said.


    "Fine...he''s your bastard anyway." Her father said defeatedly.

 Chapter 21: Mica (part 2)

    He smiled at the thought of her and her father. They taught him how to hunt and survive, she ended up doing the most insane shit. She taught him how to be a watchdog too.


    He looked around his surroundings and noticed that surprisingly, after many years, the house is still in tact. He then noticed the group was watching him. He then grew irritated.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "What? Can''t I have moment in my old home for once?" He barked.


    The timberwolf known as Scratch looked at him curiously. "Who owned you?"


    Mica sighed. "Her name was Evelynne."

 Chapter 21: Mica (part 3)

    Howl examined the maps. "Hey, didn''t Valerian say something about a girl being the daughter of a miner?"


    "Oh, yeah!" Scratch exclaimed.  So, wait." He then turns to Mica. "You lived with them?"


    Mica was in shock about what has just been mentioned. "Um, yeah.....who told you this?" Shadow then looked at him with concern in those sky blue eyes. "You know her, don''t you?"


    "Um, okay l....first of all, I prefer the scary, obsidian eyes from Hell..." Shadow rolled his eyes at the response. "....and second.....I wouldn''t trust her if I were you!"


    "What do you mean?" Scratch asked.


    Mica then said. "She''s not who you think she is...let''s just say that."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Rose stood pale faced in the center of the room. "She''s my FRIEND! What did she do?"


    "It''s more than what she did, it''s who she is..." Mica looked up at her with concern.


    These guys seriously don''t know who she is?


    "Wait, I thought you saw her at the Tower..." Rose said. "If she really is dangerous, why didn''t you tell us before?"


    "Mainly, I saw you, she was just in the background.....but she had her back turned and I couldn''t recognize her. Also, I was too busy on my own mission to go tell on Traitor."


    "Mica, if it weren''t for me, no one would have been freed." Shadow told him.


    Mica wheezed. "Freed....I call that bullshit! Because of you, everyone died there!"


    Shadow corrected him. "They were already dust in the ground."


    Howl then changed to Zack, Scratch changed as well.


    Mica sighed. "Whatever you say. Anyway, back to the subject. Does anyone know about the Crone Witch?"


    No one answered. Mica muttered under his breath. "Of course you don''t. Alright, I''ll tell you about her."

 Chapter 22: The Crone Witch

    The Crone was dressed in a faded green cloak to match her once blue dress. She wandered the streets with her cane. She planned her trip to meet the one she saw in her vision, a girl dressed like a pirate, complete with a brown hood to match her color.


    The Crone had visions of the crystal the girl wore round her neck. Yes, yes, she was going to pay her a visit today.


    She traveled through the streets of the lively, bustling town nearest the castle. She walked on until she found the girl outside of her home sitting on a stool, flipping the hilt of her knife. Right next to her, a large timberwolf with brown eyes lay. The Crone smiled, ignoring the long gray hair that was tickling her face.


    When the Crone arrived, the girl looked up at her and sneered. She seemed to be a person who didn''t like the elderly much. "What business do you have here?" The girl said. The timberwolf shot his head up at her and bared his teeth and growled.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    As irritated as the Crone was at this response, she forced the feelings down and expressed a nearly toothless smile. "Oh, yes, I wanted to know if you have any.....gems lying around somewhere?"


    The girl frowned in pity. "Sorry, but my father''s out of town today, if your interested in ores or gems, you have to wait for him to come back."


    "Well, is there a way you can help ME then?" The Crone politely asked.


    "No can do.....I hardly assist him." The girl said simply.


    The Crone eyed the pouch that slung from the girl''s belt. She then saw a small shimmer of purple inside.


    "Is...there a way that I can trade you for that gem that''s in your pouch?"


    Mica growled and the girl sighed. She then stood up, pinching her nose as she faced the witch. "Listen, Granny, I won''t be remorseful if I have to kick you to leave me alone, if you want to avoid that...go back where you came from and - !"


    Suddenly, the Crone changed her form. Her wrinkles were quickly fading, her hunchback disappearing, her gray hair lightening and her teeth grew back. Even her faded clothes became more colorful. She changed herself into a beautiful woman the same age as fifteen years old girl. The young witch then threw her cane and held her hands together in front of her in a polite manner.

 Chapter 23: The Crone Witch (part 2)

    The girl looked at her in complete shock. The large timberwolf tilted his head in confusion.


    "You were saying?" The young woman said calmly. "To be honest with you, I can kick your ass anytime. I can win every fight."


    Ignoring her response, the girl stated at her with utter amazement. "Whoa! How did you do that?"


    "I''m a witch. I can do magic." The young woman said simply.


    The girl smiled. "I can SEE that!"


    The young woman only smiled. "Now, where we''re we? Oh yes, your pouch?"


    The girl didn''t listen, she continued to ask questions. "So what else can you do, huh?" The timberwolf then began to growl with suspicion, but his owner ignored him.


    The young woman sighed impatiently. "Look, let''s cut to the chase, I have important business to attend to, I need to see what''s in that pouch!" Apparently the timberwolf understood what she was saying, because he stood in front of the girl with her precious pouch. He continued growling at her. "Mica..." His owner warned.


    The young woman too growled. "Can you get him to shut up? He''s getting on my nerves!" The girl looks down at the wolf, and kneels down to pet his fur. "Oh, he always does that."


    "JUST shut him up, please!"


    "Ah, ah!" The girl held up a finger. "IF you show me a magic trick first!"Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    The young woman groaned. "Fine!" She hissed. The wolf continued to growl at her as he bared his teeth, ready to chomp her down. The young woman rolled her eyes. She pointed her finger at the wolf, then suddenly he began to shake and whimper in pain, thrashing his head around until he stopped. He then looked back up at her and this time, his eyes were a different color. The girl looked at the wolf in shock. Instead of showing fury, she showed interest. "Whoa, he looks better than before! That''s incredible!"


    The young woman smirked. "Now that''s better."


    The girl scoffed and looked back at her. She stood up. "So, you were saying something about my pouch?"


    "I need that crystal..... It''s more valuable to magic than you think."


    The girl pulled the crystal out and held it in her hand. "My father gave this to me, though."


    "And it''s worth more than you can imagine, all the witches in the world will have their hands on that thing." The young woman explained.


    The girl continued to clutch onto it like it was a rag doll. "Why? What does it do?"


    "Everything you can ever dream of becoming relies on that thing. This crystal wields great power."


    The girl nods. "Alright, I''ll give it to you, IF you tell me how you changed from an old lady to someone my age in a matter of seconds. And if you can make me what you are."


    The young woman rolled her eyes. "Very well, what I do to keep my youth is to create a concoction that will immortalize you and keep you young for thousands of years."


    "Huh, how often do you drink the potion?"


    "Once to twice a year. Drink it on a full moon night though."


    The girl frowned. "Hmm." She then gave the young woman the pouch containing the crystal.


    The young woman nodded and went her way, but the girl ran in front of her, forcing her to stop. "There''s someone I thought you''d like to meet, she a witch too. I think you''ll like her."


    The young woman folded her arms. "Very well, then." The girl begins to walk with her, but stops herself and turns to the witch. "I''m Evelynne, and this is Mica." She pointed to the timberwolf.


    The young woman nodded her head. The girl smiled. "Your name, love?"


    "Valerian."

 Chapter 22: The Crone Witch (part 3)

    After a while of talking, Valerian suggested they could go over there only for the crystal.


    "What''s wrong with the crystal?"


    "It needs to be protected. She needs to coat it, so that it won''t fall into the wrong hands. It will repel them in an instant.


    "I''ll take you to her." Evelynne told Valerian, she then turned to her wolf. "Mica, come."


    When they got to the hut, Valerian noticed that the door wasn''t made of wood. She looked at the decor of the place. Skulls were planted on stakes, and animal carcasses lined the walls of the house. A deep, marking that looked like it was made from blood painted the door made of mahogany.


    "She - she''s a - " Valerian stuttered in shock.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "A black witch? Yeah, her name is Ebony. Don''t worry love, she''ll like YOU. She likes a fine lady who dresses formal for the occasion" Valerian looks to her with uncertainty, then she held her hands as she waited.


    Evelynne knocked on the door. The  black witch then opened it. "Sorry." Ebony said. "Shop''s closed."


    "Hey, I''m not looking for anything. I just came to you for help." Evelynne explained.


    "What is it this time, Evie?" Ebony spoke. The black witch set her eyes on Valerian. She smiled. "Who is THIS lovely lady you brought with you?" The black witch stepped closer, circling Valerian.....even smelling her. Ebony''s eyes furrowed.


    "An ageless woman - !"


    "I have spent years keeping my youth." Valerian interrupted. "Once a year to twice, I drink a concoction, only on a full moon night though."


    Ebony but her lip in amusement. She then turned to Evelynne.


    "I LIKE her! I see that''s she''s a Green Witch?"


    Valerian nodded.


    "I see, what your name, darling?"


    "Valerian."


    Ebony nodded her head slowly, then turns back to Evelynne. "What is it exactly, I don''t mind making a deal!"


    Evelynne explained.

 Chapter 22: The Crone Witch (part 4)

    Before they made their arrangements with Ebony, someone then appeared in front of the open door. A person dressed in a very deep gray gown looked at them awkwardly.


    "Oh, uh, shoot! Am I too late?"


    Ebony held a finger up to Valerian and Evelynne as if to say, "One second." She walked up to the witch, who stood uncertainly. "The shop is indeed closed........but, since I have guests inside who are already bargaining with me, you can come in!"


    "Oh, thank you!"


    "What may be the trouble?" Ebony asked the witch.


    "My husband cheated on me with that wench!" The witch scowled.


    "Oh, I''m sorry to hear that. Well, you''ve come to the right place for revenge seeking. So what will you like.....truth serum for confrontation?"


    "No, I want to see him now down to me and beg me mercy!" The witch replied.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Hmm, forcefully?" Ebony asked.


    "Yes, absolutely!" The witch said with glee.


    Ebony walks with her. "I have just the right selection for you to choose from. I''ve got some nice tools for Blood Magic on display! Pick what you like!" Ebony explains.


    "Oh, wonderful! Uh, which one will REALLY make him suffer? Something that will kill him slowly?"


    "Oh, you''re looking for a Blood Magic tool that''s more fiery, huh?" Ebony says excitedly. She points at a wand with a very sharp tip at the end of it. "That''s the one I believe you''re looking for?"


    "Oh perfect, thank you! What will the payment be?"


    "Oh, don''t worry about coin, save it for your family''s supper tonight. How about a trade instead?"


    "Alright, thanks! What will I give you?"


    "Your ex - husband''s head!" Ebony said simply, she then caught herself. "Oh, I''m sorry......where are my manners. It''s personal, you''re probably going to want  to keep it!"


    "Actually no, I don''t want to keep him or his memories in my house! I''ll give you the head. Do me a favor though...."


    Ebony lifts her chin up with interest, raising her eyebrows. "What will that be, honey?"


    "I don''t want to see it next time I''m here."


    "Oh, don''t worry. I''m planning to hang him over my bathroom sink. It''ll be a nice decor for my luxurious home!"


    The witch''s eyes furrowed. "Huh, I never thought of decors like THAT before....."


    "Do you want him then?"


    "No, I hate his guts enough."


    "Ebony smiled. "Understandable."

 Chapter 22: The Crone Witch (part 5)

    When the witch left, Ebony closed the door gently and turned to face the girls. "Now, where were we?"


    ............................................


    After a while, Ebony coated a protection spell on it.


    "It''ll be like Evil Eye, keeping jealous ones away, and power hungry sorcerers at bay!" She then gave the crystal back to Evelynne...who gave it back to Valerian.


    "So this will bring stuff like..." Evelynne began.


    "Confidence and self esteem boost, pure delight. It''ll give calming effects and hope for people who are suffering. This is like a wishing well in crystal form, but Valerian''s right....it is too powerful to be placed in the wrong hands."


    "Wh - what will happen if it does?" Evelynne winced. Valerian turned to her.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Ebony answered. "The stone will be like a drug if used too much! It will cause greed, hate, selfishness. The wrong hands don''t just have to be about the already evil people in the world.......it can already be considered evil if not used wisely. Evie, what''s wrong?"


    Evelynne was starting to hyperventilate, but stopped herself before she got worse.


    "What did you do?" Valerian asked her.


    She looked at her slowly. "There was a time in my life, over a year ago....there was someone I let borrow the crystal. He was my friend......he - he changed after that..." Her lip quivered in fear. "I took it away from him and I always kept it in here." She pointed to her pouch. "That''s why I was unsure about giving it to you, Valerian....even Mica knows it''s magic."


    Valerian and Ebony exchanged glances worriedly.  Evelynne then said. "If my father finds out what I did, he''ll kill me!"


    Valerian then looks back at Evelynne. "Where is he? The infected friend of yours?"


    Evelynne whispered. "Hiding among the darkness....he doesn''t like the light. He could be anywhere. I trust that you''ll take good care of the crystal, Valerian? You seem  more knowledgeable about it than me!"


    Valerian nodded. "I promise you, it''s in good hands."

 Chapter 22: The Crone Witch (part 6)

    Mica then faced the group he was with, all the shock and horror that fell in their faces .......all because they fell for that bitch!


    "That was the last I saw of Evelynne."


    Rose was on the verge of tears, all the lies that she''s been told, all because of someone she thought she could trust.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Mica then sighed. "As much as I hate all of you..........you didn''t deserve her presense. You may not see it, but she is the embodiment of evil itself."


    "So the......THING that''s out there, hunting us now.......do you know if he has her?" Scratch asked him.


    Mica shook her head. "I don''t know."


    "That''s who else we need to find, Evelynne. Maybe she can help us." Scratch said.

 Chapter 23: Scratch

    The next morning, they carried on in their wolf forms. Rose surprisingly said nothing to the pack, which was understandable. Shadow felt sympathy for her, in all his life....he never really liked Valerian, and now he can see why.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Mica was the one to lead the pack this time, since he knew the environment well enough.


    Scratch and Howl watched their backs for the strange creature they encountered yesterday.


    .......................................


    It took them a long while to reach the castle gates....thankfully no one was there.

 Chapter 23: Scratch (part 2)

    Before they entered, they looked around. No one was in sight.


    ......................................


    Inside the entrance, they decided to turn off to the side to prevent being seen. They then made their discussions.


    "Okay, if Matthew IS here, then where do you think he''ll be?" Scratch asked.


    "Don''t you remember, we learned something new about Valerian.....the only question is......what did she really want with Matthew? It was more than a stroll. If she was planning to go to this place, why? What''s her reason?"


    "She still has it, doesn''t she?" Mica said. "The crystal?"


    Scratch nodded.


    Shadow looked up at his sister with worry. She looked down at him, he could sense a lot of hurt from there. "I never should''ve let her take him. I''m the reason they left, had I known her history sooner, none of this would have happened." Rose told the group.


    Scratch looked up at her. "That''s the thing, you DIDN''T know. Neither did we.....it''s not your fault, Rose."


    Her arms were folded. "Thanks, Max."


    "Guys, I hate how quiet it is in here, let''s just get moving before we''re seen....hopefully, he isn''t here yet." Howl announced to the group.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "That''s where you''re wrong!" A familiar voice said to them. A loud cackle escaped his throat. Mica lunged at the beast, but the beast changed into a tall figure, dressed in black. The only thing that wasn''t covered was his glistening dark purple eyes.


    Mica stood frozen, and looked up at him. The dark figure kicked him in the ribs, he then looked at the group. "You were clever to have beaten me at my own game, but not for long..." He let out a wicked laugh. Suddenly, a flame emerged from his hands. Scratch jumped back. Mica slowly got up and looked suspiciously at him. "What the fuck are you? ARE YOU A FREAK TOO?"


    The dark figure laughed. "I suppose I am. The name''s Azazel." He then looks down at them with closer examination. "Hey, I think I recognize you!" He pointed with his free friend at Shadow.  The black wolf snarled at him, waiting to strike.


    The figure in black laughed. "You''re the Necromancer the world is talking about. I am in deep fascination of your death work, you could say that I''m a fan!"


    The black wolf eyed him with deep anger. "Back off....." The dark wolf laughed. "I think I will, just give me a second...." He then shot his flame at Shadow, who dodged and began to lunge at the figure. The figure known as Azazel changed his form again into the freakish creation of a wolf. He cackled. "Alright, I like this. You are really starting to make my day a grand one! Let''s go!" The black wolf fought with him, Scratch couldn''t let him get tackled alone, he and Howl helped.


    With great fury, Azazel changed again. "One at a time! I fight him first! Then, whoever''s next will be their turn!"


    Scratch and Howl stepped by either side of Shadow. "That''s not going to happen!" Scratch said.


    "Sorry, but you''re in my playground.....it''s my rules." Azazel held his arms out.


    "In your dreams, asshat!" Rose hissed. Suddenly, a bright sharp light was sent toward Azazel, slicing him in the eyes. Where he stumbled backwards as he screamed.


    "Guys, go!" Rose shouted over Azazel''s screaming.


    They all ran.


    Behind them, they could hear Azazel yell. "Do you think it''s going to be easy? If so, you guys are fools to think so!"


    As they ran, they heard a loud snap, and suddenly they all vanished from the rooms.

 Chapter 23: Scratch (part 3)

    Scratch looked around and suddenly the air felt cold, and everything was so dark he couldn''t see....he could only feel the cold stone underneath his feet and hear the constant splash of water, echoing in the space.


    Suddenly, a groan was heard. He whipped around, following the voice that sounded demonic. "Shadow?"


    Shadow growled. "You should''ve let me fight him!" He sounded like he was in pain.


    "I wasn''t going to let you get your ass kicked by that maniac!"


    Shadow barked so loud in the silence, it startled Scratch. "I COULD''VE HANDLED HIM!"


    Scratch himself growled. "Alright, alright....I''m sorry!" He said defensively.


    Shadow laughed. "Damn right, you are! None of this would''ve happened if you hadn''t been such a jackass to your friend!"


    Scratch scoffed. "I wasn''t trying to be....he keeps pressing the right buttons!"


    Shadow groaned irritably. "Maybe he''s right, maybe you ARE selfish! Thinking that everything is about you!" Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Scratch bit him hard in the ear, causing chaos to form. Shadow lunges at him and takes him to the ground, getting on top of him, and scratching the life out of him. Scratch wriggled out from under him and bit him again, this time getting his shoulder. Shadow cried in pain, but he kept going. Suddenly, a cough was heard, alerting the both of them.


    Scratch and Shadow listened. Another cough was heard, along with the sound of something like the rattling of chains.


    "Hello?" Shadow called.


    "Shh, he''ll hear you." A soft feminine voice said.


    Scratch slowly approached the feeling of metal bars, as he tried to follow the source of the noise. "Who are you?" He whispered.


    "My name is Ebony."


    Ebony, where did he hear that before? Apparently Shadow thought the same thing, because he looked at Scratch with a surprised look on his face. Scratch continued to speak. "Ebony? You''re Ebony? Someone told us about you."


    "Who was it?" She demanded. "I need to know!"


    "Um, Mica?"


    "What? You can speak his language? Who are you?"


    It was then Shadow''s turn to answer. And to be honest, the sound of his voice in the pitch black and cold was bone chilling to say the least. "We''re Shifters. We can be able to speak to him that way."


    "Mica......remembers me?" She chuckled. "He''s always been an interesting fellow."


    "We''ve been told you''re a black witch?" Scratch asked her.


    "EX black witch. I''m nothing more than a freak show now. I..I''m not.......human anymore."


    Scratch tilted his head. "What are you then?"


    It took her a long while to finally answered, when she said it, her words were hollow. "Death."

 Chapter 23: Scratch(part 4)

    At the response he was given, Scratch automatically looked at Shadow. The black wolf continued to stare into the darkness.


    "If you don''t believe me....." Ebony whispered. "Shine the light."


    Shadow then shifted and felt around for something for light. He eventually found a wall with a loose rock wiggling around as he moved it. "Scratch, help me with this...it''s too big!"


    Damn, polite tone in his voice this time. Scratch rolled his eyes, he then changed into Max. Max strode over to his friend and helped him to move the rock. When they finished the task, a big light pooled into the darkness, revealing the room as a dungeon. When they turned around, they stood in shock at who.....or what.......was speaking to them.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    She was indeed what she said, not human....or no longer.


    She was chained up to the wall by the bone. And by the bone indeed. There was not a bit of skin on her. She was all made of bone and cartilage. There was only bits of her that somehow stayed. The skeleton had her long, black hair covering her face. She wore a headdress that seemed to be decorated ram horns. If you look closely, you can see that her eyes are still in tact. She wore a black Victorian dress....but she was barefoot.


    "Oh my God! What happened to you?" Max said. He was shaking at this horrid appearance.


    "Death didn''t let me go. I''m stuck here." Ebony said.

 Chapter 23: Scratch (part 4)

    "How? Why?" Max exclaimed.


    It was hard to hear Ebony''s voice with that raspy breathing. "Fate. I''m being punished for my sins." She stated.


    "I''m so sorry." Max felt sympathy for her. What did she do to deserve this?


    As if hearing him, she began to cry. "He was just a little boy." She sobbed. "My magic......it was too strong.......I went too far.......the villagers........I''m supposed to be dead!"


    Shadow attempted to open the cell, but it was locked.


    "No, please don''t. I will already be punished for even talking to you. Just leave me be. Please go, or he''ll find you." Ebony begged.


    "He sent us down here." Max corrected.


    "He''s just getting started, you need to get out of here as fast as you can! Far away from this hellhole!"The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Wait, we''re looking for a friend. His name is Matthew, he''s been traveling with.........Valerian."


    A sharp gasp came from the skeleton''s throat. "She''s dangerous! Her having someone is no surprise. She''s not to be trusted. How is she with you?"


    "It''s a long story....but right now, she and our friend have been traveling alone....we''ve been told they were to be here. Please, if you know Matthew, he should be here.....if you''d seen him. Please, just tell us."


    Suddenly, the girl gasped like she saw a large spider, then she said. "I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I can''t find him......it''s too late."


    Max punched himself hard on the side of his head with irritation. "Come on, I know he''s not dead. He can''t be! Where is he, Ebony?" He demanded.


    "I''m sorry, but if I were to tell you, believe me....my words will cut you deeper than a knife would. Just go by what I said and leave this place. You don''t have much time - "


    Max growled. "I''m NOT leaving without him! Tell me where he is!" Immediately, he could feel someone tugging at his arm, he whips around and sees Shadow, urging him to move forward.


    "You need to hide." Ebony warned. "Leave now, quick! You don''t have much time."


    Max turned to Shadow. "Where?"


    Shadow looked around desperately, suddenly he face lit up. "Follow me."

 Chapter 24: Rose

    She and Howl were transported to a different part of the castle...they found themselves in a chamber that was locked in the outside. Ugh, seriously?


    She banged hard on the door, but a gentle hand stopped her from doing it again. She sighs.


    "If he''s separated us, he''s probably looking for us right now....just think...this is a game to him. We cant be spotted by him." Zack said.


    Suddenly, a loud booming voice filled the halls. "Come out, come out wherever you are!" Azazel laughed. They could hear the sound of his footsteps two doors down. They could also hear the sound of jingling keys and a lock clicking.


    Shit!


    Thankfully, she knew what to do. "On my signal, you stand very close to me." Rose whispered. Zack, who was now Howl, didn''t argue.


    When Azazel was on the other side of their hiding place, they could hear the jingling of keys and the lock clicking. Rose eyes Howl, and the wolf obeys. He stands in her circle and quietly, she held her palm facing up, right above them, and with that power, they turned invisible.


    Azazel looked around, Rose held her breath as he scanned the room, when he got closer to her, she steadied her breath as her heart pounded in her chest, she prayed in her mind that he''s not  hearing her thudding heart. He turned around and walked out of the room, he then calls out. "Come on, don''t be shy.....I''m not your typical psychopath!"


    When they could hear Azazel''s voice become more distant, they looked out the door that was now open....Rose swiftly rushes to the door to shut it, but Howl stopped her once again and says, "He may come back here and notice this is different now. We need to leave it open and find a better hiding place. I don''t even know if coming here was a good idea, we need to get out of this place. It''s not safe."The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Rose sighs and looks down at him. "But he''s one versus the five of us, we can handle him."


    "He''s not normal, who knows what he can do that we don''t know of yet." He persuaded.


    Rose nodded. "You''re right."


    "Come on, let''s see where we can go that''s safer."


    "Howl?" Rose began. The blond wolf tilts his head at her. She then said. "What''s wrong with my brother......why''s he being like that with you guys?"


    Howl lowers her head. "I don''t know.....he was like this when we first met him. I thought he''s been getting better over the months....but.....I honestly don''t know what''s changed. He''s gone back to the same being he was in the beginning."


    "Howl, he was never one to be aggressive.." Rose complained.


    Howl nodded. "I know....but you got to remember, he''s been with.....HER for a few years. Who knows, maybe SHE taught him to behave like that."


    Rose''s stomach flared up with anger. She HATED what that bitch had done to her brother. "It''s not just her that taught him negativity like that...."


    Howl looked at her again.


    She continued. "It was also my parents....he and I have been taught about many things that were considered bad and evil.....I never gave in, but.......he sure did. Necromancy''s bad....black wolves are bad...." She laughs to herself, then silences herself at the new thought given to her. "Do you think that''s why he treats you badly? Because he sees that he has the very things that our parents assumed were bad?"


    Howl shrugs. "I don''t know....it could be a possibility. But it seems like from what he told us, he acts like he''d rather be this.....being than.......Gabriel...you know?"


    Rose shook her head, her face flushed red from anger. "I hate her for what she did to him." She pounded her fist on the wall. "He''s not the same...."


    "Hey..." Howl reassured her. "He''s always going to be your brother no matter what. Out of the rest of the pack, he respects you. He....looks up to you."


    Rose nodded again. "That''s because I had to take care of him after my parents died." She then looks at him. "Do you think, if I talked to him about whatever''s going on with him, he''ll be open to?"


    Howl sighs with uncertainty. "I don''t know for sure, but....right now, let''s work on getting out."


    Rose smiled. "Agreed."

 Chapter 24: Rose (part 2)

    Before they got working, they paused when they heard the sound of sliding brick. They whipped around and faced their opponent, before they could strike, Shadow emerged.


    He looks at the both of them. "Come on, we''ve got no time to waste....we need to get out of here." He said grumpily.


    Rose''s inner fire boiled from inside, making her face turn red as she stared irritably at her little brother. Howl looked at the tension that was aimed at him, seemed like Shadow then noticed this. The black wolf sighed. "Rose.....please?" He begged, this time he sounded calmer.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The fire within crackled and sparked, but she didn''t say anything....she only sighed and looked at Howl. Howl nodded reassuringly. Rose then turned her gaze back to the black wolf. "Let''s go then." She said.

 Chapter 25: Shadow

    They didn''t speak a word to each other as they moved through the wall.


    "Where are we at?" Howl whispered.


    Shadow shook his head, ignoring his question...thankfully, Scratch answered. He didn''t need to talk to anyone. He shouldn''t.


    Suddenly, he could no longer hear his friends. He grumbled to himself and looked over his shoulder. "Are you coming or not?" He demanded.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Scratch them said. "We found Mica."


    "Let him rot..." Shadow ordered.


    "He could help us..." Howl persuaded. The black wolf groaned as he managed to turn around and go back to them.


    Scratch peered through a hole in the wall, Howl was right next to him. Rose held back a little ways. He looked at her. He heard Howl and Rose''s conversation behind the wall. He didn''t know how long he listened, but Scratch then interrupted the eavesdropping as they opened to door, Scratch changed to get the door. Shadow didn''t change yet, he still wanted to remain as his current form.


    She doesn''t get it. He thought to himself. She never does......but I can''t blame her for that.......she doesn''t know...

 Chapter 25: Shadow (part 2)

    Scratch then changed once again to open a hidden door. When the door was fully open, Mica looked at them, he seemed pretty stunned.


    The red eyed wolf then sighed in relief. "Thank....GOD! How long does it take to rescue one person!"


    Shadow growled. "I don''t know if you''re aware of this, but there was a few people that were spread out. I had to find the closest one."


    Mica growled back. "You''re a jerk, you know that?"The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Shadow rolled his eyes. What the fuck ever. "Get your ass in here before I change my mind." The black wolf then noticed that behind Mica was a large window. That led outside. Mica decided to walk into their line. Shadow halted him before he can make another step.


    "Hold on, Mica do you see a door that leads to the outside?" Shadow asked.


    Mica looked to his left. "What, that one? Why?"


    "We can escape through there."


    Scratch then nudged him. "What if it''s locked?"


    "We''ll be fine!" Shadow snarled irritably. "Let''s get outside, before Azazel knows where we are."


    They all walked out, Max tested the door, and it was already unlocked. He opened the door for everyone.

 Chapter 25: Shadow ( part 3)

    ..............................................


    They made camp a little ways outside the castle walls and village.


    Shadow was in his human form. He and his friends......except Mica who wasn''t in their circle.......talked about random things they remember happening to them in their lives.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The laughed and made jokes to each other. The tension that Shadow wore for the past few hours faded away, and he felt more relaxed.


    Out of the corner of his eye, Shadow saw Rose sit by herself underneath a shady tree. She had her back to him, which reminded him of what she told Howl earlier that day. He decided to get up and walk over to her.


    Is she even open to talking to him? He was aware that he had been getting on her nerve........but he didn''t know for sure why that was.

 Chapter 25: Shadow (part 4)

    "What are you thinking about?" He asked her as he smiled.


    She shrugged. "All those years ago, if you would''ve waited two more days, and you discovered your powers then, I would''ve comforted you......and told you everything''s going to be okay."


    He chuckled as he sat right next to her. "Well, if that happened.......I would''ve never met the friends I have today!" He said positively.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "And you wouldn''t be acting so aggressive to them either!" She added. She tried to be soft about it, but her words ended up being sharp.


    Shadow''s smile fell away in an instant. He folded himself up into a fetal position and looked straight ahead, not looking into her eyes.


    Rose sighed. "I''m sorry."


    He then stood up and walked away from her. "Forget it!"

 Chapter 25: Shadow (part 5)

    That night, and Shadow was the only one awake. He lay underneath the stars, looking up at them in awe. The night always comforted him better when the stars were out.


    He jumped at the sound of his sister shifting position. She always tossed and turned in her sleep, but he had the strongest feeling that she was up. In the past, she would stay up after something unexpected and negative happened. It must''ve been from a few hours earlier. A pang of guilt hit him as he remembered his reaction. She was just trying to have a conversation.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    A conversation about him......something she doesn''t understand...


    He then decided to call her as quiet as he could. "Rose?"


    No sound was heard from her; but he knew she was awake. He attempted again. "Rose, I......I''m sorry about earlier. C - can we talk?


    He noticed her moving again, this time she half sat up and looked his way. She didn''t say anything though, she then lay on her side, her back facing him.


    He sighs in regret. She''s his SISTER,  he shouldn''t have been mean. He has no reason to be like that.


    "Im sorry....." He whispered. He found himself falling fast asleep with a heavy weight in his heart.

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin

    Mica lay in a spot VERY far away from the group. He wasn''t worried about the purple eyed freak out there, he can take him down anytime. He smirked at the thought. Wait until I rip his throat out and use it for a chew toy!


    He lay there in his comfortable spot as he thought about his previous owner....he smiled as he fantasized about seeing her again.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Someday, he thought....he''ll see her again. He just knew it!


    He smiled peacefully as he fell asleep.


    .............................................


    He didn''t know why his dream was suddenly his memory of her..but he played along anyway....

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin (part 2)

    After the visit with Ebony, Evelynne meant to part ways with Valerian, but something else came up....their damn curious conversation:


    "Well, it was nice meeting you, Valerian!" Evelynne said.


    Valerian bowed down respectfully. "As for you, Evelynne." The girls shook hands and departed.


    "Wait....." Evelynne began. Valerian turned around. "What are you going to do next?"


    Valerian smiled at her. "I''m going to track down my sister with this..." She said, holding the crystal up to shimmer in the light.


    Evelynne nodded. "You know a lot more about that crystal than I do!"


    Valerian put the crystal in her pocket and looked back at Evelynne. "What about you, what will you be doing in the meantime? Cause I''m looking forward to visiting you again in the far future!"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Evelynne scoffed. "What kind of visit do you prefer, a hike in the mountains, or invite me to a tea party with a plate of cookies?" She smirked.


    "Very funny.....no...I mean going on the adventure that we just had today? With Ebony?" Valerian said.


    Evelynne held a finger up. "Ohh, the incident the three of us had with that little boy? Oh, yeah! That was TONS of fun! I ..........wonder how Ebony''s holding up..? Seems like she hasn''t been too peachy about it....hmm, it was probably boring to her." She laughed. "But, she DID get invited to a big open party downtown, maybe that will butter her up!"


    Valerian nodded.


    "Anyway, what you were asking before about me?


    Valerian held her chin up with interest. "What may that be?"


    Evelynne gave her a wicked smile. She looked around their surroundings to see if anyone''s listening. "I''m going to raid the castle tonight!"


    Valerian scoffed in surprise. "That''s a big castle! How are you going to do this all alone?"


    Evelynne waved a hand. "Ah, I''ve got me, and my dog, and my army!"


    "Really?" Valerian then said.


    Evelynne cackled again. "Oh, that''s not all, love....I''m going to kill the queen!"

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin (part 3)

    After a long while of walking through the forest and entering a secret passageway that leads underneath the city..... Evelynne and Mica finally reached the door to their base.


    "They should be in here by now, wait here..Mica stay." Evelynne said.


    Mica obeyed. He didn''t want to be with this bitch, if only he could speak, he''ll be able to warn Evelynne of her energy.


    When the door opened again, Evelynne ushered them in.


    The room was very spacious, the size of a large house...only one room. Evelynne announced to the group.


    "Welcome everyone, welcome.....we have a new guest that will like to accompany us in our quest tonight." Evelynne steps next to Valerian and pats her on the shoulder. "Meet the Green Witch, Valerian. She has the same fascination of killing as the rest of us!"


    The crowd applauded with delight. Suddenly, a dark tan boy of about seventeen stepped up on the stone stage to meet Evelynne and Valerian. He gave Valerian a handshake, and he gazed at Evelynne. He then whispers something in his ear. Evelynne''s expression then saddened with grief. "No, Malakai''s still out there." She told him softly. He nods.


    Shaking the bad feelings away, Evelynne turns to the witch. "Valerian, this is Hunter, he''s my second in command."


    Valerian nods politely.


    Evelynne then began her speech. "Alright, I''ve got a plan here." She placed a paper down on the table. "Shitty drawing I know, sorry, my dad''s not a cartographer...." She muttered.


    The group of a dozen or more all inched together to examine the paper.


    "Eden, is this the right route?" One person asked her.


    "No Twitch --- sorry, I''ll get you a new name soon, after what happened to Malakai - " she paused.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Hunter placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You''re good, proceed." He encouraged.


    "Yes, this is the right route through the castle. You five over there!" Evelynne hollered. The group of five boys walked over. "You boys will take out the guards. You!" She then pointed the opposite direction to a pair of girls. "I want you do disguise yourself as maidens for the princess. She needs to be taken out, no bad karma will come to us if she''s dead too." She paused again and turned to Valerian, who looked at her with interest. "I want you to go down to the kitchens and make as many poisons as you can. You actually sneak inside first, then the boys who will distract the guards, then the fake maidens over there, and I and Mica will go through the passageways. Hunter, what will you do?" She looks at him with curiosity.


    "I''ll take the king, you''ll take the queen. Make it clean, Eden." He demands calmly.


    She smirked and looked down at the paper. "The rest of you will go underneath the library floors and get all the gold and jewels you can find!"


    Valerian stopped for for a second. Evelynne looks up at her. "How do you know the castle so well?"


    "Eh, my father''s a miner for the Highnesses, I''ve been inside with him several times."


    Valerian nodded. "Okay."


    "When will we begin?" The kid called Twitch asked.


    "Now!" Evelynne smiled wickedly.


    .............................................


    "A band of thieves huh?" Valerian said.


    Evelynne cackled. "Yeah, it''s been fun, but this time....we''re gonna be richer! I can taste it!"


    "Why do they call you ''Eden''?"


    "It''s my third name."


    "Named after a holy place where Adam and Eve lived in for a few minutes?" Valerian wondered.


    Evelynne chuckled. "You''re too funny! I use the name to mock the religion. I don''t believe in ''God''!" She laughed louder this time. "Oh, it''s so funny, when I make someone beg to their Divine creature for mercy. I make them question their reality when I bend down to their level, and I make them look into my eyes as I dig my blade through their heart, asking them, ''Do you believe in God''?"


    That cold as ice personality cut through Valerian''s internal organs, making her shiver. She smiled with enthusiasm. "I take it that this isn''t going to be your first kill?"


    Evelynne shook her head. "No, when you steal, and you know you''re going to get caught, you need to save yourself and kill the victim. It''s better that way, but this time.......it''s not just for the riches......I DESPISE them! No one needs a ruler, we all should be free!"


    Valerian smiled at her. "A governless world!" Evelynne smirked at her. "You got it!"


    It was then Valerian''s turn to laugh coldly. Evelynne rounded them up, Mica at her side...they began to rise under the dark of the night, beginning their big attack.

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin (part 4)

    "Good luck to you, Valerian." Evelynne said, shaking hands with her once more. As she watched the witch leave.....they waited a while for the signal. In the distance, a candlelight was burning in the window of the kitchen. Evelynne waved to the boys, and on they went to get the guards. Then, her, Mica and the rest of the group slipped their way into the tunnels underneath the castle. One of the tunnels led to a fork, Evelynne pointed left, and that will lead right into the passageway, inside the walls of the castle. They crept through, trying not to make a sound.


    The girls then peered through a small hole and they turned to Evelynne. "Two maidens are passing through."


    "Alright, when they turn their back you take them out."


    The girls did just that. They looked around and quickly changed their clothes. Evelynne took their clothes and carelessly threw them down in the passage. The girls now in their aprons glider up to the Princess''s room.


    "You ready for this, Mica?" She looks down at him and assumed he said yes.


    When they were in the clear, Evelynne ushered the rest of them out. "The library is right next door. Go! Make sure you''re not spotted." She ordered.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The dozen obeyed and carried on, with knives in their hands in case any danger is lurking.


    She then turns to Hunter and Mica. Hunter nods. And on they went. "Mica, if anyone slips out for help, you know what to do!"


    Mica agreed. This was going to be fun!


    When Evelynne and Hunter reached the room, it was locked, but she had a lockpick. When she opened it, Mica slipped in and went right underneath the bed. Evelynne smirked. "Good boy." She mouthed.


    Both her and Hunter took either side of the bed, as Evelynne pulled out her dagger, the king woke up and lunged at her, screaming "No!"; but it was too late, Evelynne thrust the blade deep into the throat of the queen. Behind the king though, Hunter stood and thrust the blade behind the king''s back, the other end of the blade that Evelynne could see, stuck out of his chest. Then Hunter pulled the blade out and shoved it in his pocket.


    Evelynne scoffed. "Why let it go to waste?" She complained. "God!" She put the side of the blade up to her mouth and licked the queen''s blood.


    Hunter smirked. "You''re crazy...how does it taste?"


    "Rich!" She cackled.


    He chuckled to himself too. "You''re sick!"


    "I accept the compliment. Now, let''s see how well our soldiers did their homework."


    Together they strolled down the castle halls, opening every door, whatever person lived, they stabbed. All of a sudden, a guard gazed at them in horror. He began to charge at them.


    But Eden was ready!

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin (part 5)

    She pulled out her pet''s leash made of chains and wrapped it around her hand as the guard got closer to her. She whipped the chains, hitting the guard past the helmet and into the face. The guard screamed in uncontrollable pain. He found himself in the floor, crying over the fire that the metal took to his face. He backed up in fear, foolishly pointing his sword at her. She examined the sword that was pointed at her, and pushed it away, using her fingers. The man had a look of desperation on his face.


    Mmm, okay.


    Evelynne turns to Mica. "Mica, fetch!"


    The now red eyed wolf tore through the floor and took a nose dive into the man''s face.


    "Mica, stop for a second...I forgot something..." The red eyed wolf obeys as Evelynne walked up to him, the chain whip singing along the floor. "Take off your helmet or I''ll beat your fat ass!" She exclaimed. The man immediately took off his helmet. "And the chest plate." She added. Nervously, the man slowly took it off too. Evelynne then looked down at Mica, who waited patiently. "NOW, you can go, Mica."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    She then left Mica, and the red eyed wolf did his job. She heard the man scream bloody murder as his throat was getting ripped out of him. His screams rapidly became gagging as he choked on his own blood.


    Mica ripped out his throat, and turned around to see Evelynne. He wagged his tail excitedly.


    She smiled lovingly at him. "Is that the biggest toy you''ve got in a while?"


    He then shook his head vigorously with the spine in his mouth. The spine slung around side to side as Mica shook it.


    She laughed and adored him like he was a cute little kitten playing with a ball of yarn. "Good boy!"


    "Eden, we must get going." Hunter said. Evelynne nodded, she turned back to Mica.


    "Come boy." She said encouragingly. The red eyed wolf then whined disappointedly at her.


    "Don''t worry, there''s plenty of bones you''ll play with tonight." She then patted the side of her thigh. "Come!"


    Mica dropped the spine and trodded along with her.


    Evelynne then whipped her chain at the air. Good weapon, she thought to herself.

 Chapter 26: The Crooked Assassin (part 6)

    Mica had many bones that night, but he''ll never forget that first one.


    Good times, good times.


    He then dreamed about his loving owner nudge him awake, but when he turned to her, she was replaced with Max.


    Mica groaned. "I was having a good dream. What do you want?"


    "I heard you mumbled in your sleep. You must miss her don''t you?"If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Uhh, yeah?" Mica said.


    Max sighed. "Im sorry....."


    "I''ll find her though." Mica said confidentially.


    Max nodded. "So, is it true? Did she assassinate them?"


    "Yes and no. She had more than one party helping her out. Valerian volunteered to help too."


    "She did?"


    "Yeah."


    Max groaned. "I can''t believe she''s been with us."


    "I can''t believe you''ve been with HER!"


    Max nodded.


    Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Mica got a flash of something fast in the moonless sky. Then Mica and Max got alerted to the sound of a loud cry coming from the trees. The cry sounded panicked and in pain, like it was getting murdered by something devious.


    Mica looked up at Max. They both ran to the source of the noise.

 Chapter 27: Shadow

    "Kill him Shadow!" One wolf declared excitedly.


    "Rip him apart!" Another wolf encouraged.


    Shadow looked at the audience that circled him. He was cast into an arena with a small innocent wolf. He did his best not to show fear, but he couldn''t help it.


    "He doesn''t deserve this .. I helped him escape!" Shadow whined. "It''s my fault...punish me, not him!" He begged.


    Scarlett raised her hand to silence the crowd. She then turned her gaze to Shadow as she announced to the crowd.


    "A prisoner convinced our Shadow to release him and escape with him. BROTHERS, he called them. "BEST FRIENDS....our poor Shadow fell for that, now the beast who manipulated his mind, will pay the price."


    "No!" His friend pleaded. He then looked into the eyes of Shadow. The black wolf fought back tears for his friend. This was the worst way for this to end. Shadow held his breath as he looked up at Scarlett who sat in her throne. "I will not MURDER him!"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "HE DOESN''T HAVE A CHOICE! Now, do as I say, or you''re going to regret it, Necromancer. I know where Rose is, and I''ll hunt her down and kill her brutally if you don''t do this!"


    Shadow then shed tears as he prayed silently to himself. "Please don''t make me do this, please don''t make me do this..." He didn''t want his sister to die, or his friend, who was already too scared to die. The small wolf was shaking in fear.


    Shadow fought back though. "I won''t kill him!" He shouts. Out of fury, Scarlett stood up and she shouts at Mica, ordering her to go find her and kill her. As Mica does so, Shadow then stops them.


    "I''ll do it!" He announced. He then turned to his friend who was now crying uncontrollably. Shadow looked into his gray eyes and said in his mind:


    I know you''re scared of pain, I''ll make this as quick as possible. You won''t feel a thing.


    I trust you.


    He then attacks, biting him hard into his neck. Please don''t let him feel pain, please don''t let him feel pain!


    He then watched the life fade from his friend''s eyes.


    "I''m so sorry I got us into this..." He whispered softly. "Go find your family, you''re free from her now."


    He refused to look at the body, he shut his eyes and turned back to where Scarlett will be. "There, I did it! You happy now?"


    "Oh, you''re not done yet! Come on, Necromancer...I believe in you....don''t be shy. Show me something good! Something pure!" She encouraged


    Oh no, now she wants a show. She''s interested. He forced himself to look at the body and attacked.

 Chapter 27: Shadow (part 2)

    When Shadow snapped out of his nightmare, he suddenly found himself on top of a mangled up wolf. In a panic, he changed into a human and backed away rapidly . He examined it and indeed, the small wolf was dead..


    "No!" He screamed, his voice became shaky as he trembled at what he had done.


    I killed him.......I KILLED him!


    He backed up some more as a strong shot of panic filled his veins. He couldn''t breathe, his body was trembling. He couldn''t move. It was as if he was paralyzed.


    "I killed him, I killed him!" He sobbed.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    He was in such a state of shock, that he didn''t pay any attention to his friends rushing over. He didn''t pay attention to Rose as she tried to comfort him.


    "It''s ......all my........fault! It''s my FAULT he escaped. I''m sorry!" He cried. His body kept trembling, and his breathing got worse. He tried to gasp for air, but no oxygen was present. What he then felt was his sister brushing her hand through his hair. Then she sang her sweet lullaby to him.....a song he hadn''t heard in a long time. He forgot that with her siren voice, she can do any calming magic on him.


    "I''m sorry......" He whispered to the small wolf in front of him. He suddenly felt his breathing steady, his body was slowly getting back to normal. He continued to hear her voice. He........felt like he wanted to sleep. He could then hear his sister say, "Shhh, shhhh. Everything''s alright." She soothed. He wanted to say something about the corpse, but her melody.....it kept him from worrying about it. He then eventually found himself falling asleep.....

 Chapter 28: Mica

    As much as he despised Shadow, he had to admit....he felt major sympathy for him.


    Max, Zack and Rose whispered to each other about the situation.


    "If you guys are wondering what he was talking about about, I''ll tell you."  He found himself say.


    Everyone looked at Mica.


    The red eyed wolf sighed. "He had a friend who was the omega of the pack. One day, he was caught bad mouthing Scarlett, she threw him into a prison cell. There, Shadow was forced to guard the cell; but eventually, they became best friends....One day, they attempted to escape, but they got caught instantly. Shadow tried to tell her that he was at fault, but she didn''t listen. She made him kill his own friend. He''s been an asshole to everyone ever since."


    Rose gasped, her hand over her mouth.


    "That''s AWFUL!" Max exclaimed.


    "What was the threat if he didn''t obey her orders?" Zack asked him curiously.


    "It was either his friend....or...." Mica then turned his gaze to Rose. "Her..."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Rose went white with surprise. She then looked down at her little brother and brushed his hair. "Oh, Gabe!"


    Max looked down at Shadow as well. "What''s he dreaming about?''


    Rose smiled. "It''s happy memories. In the past, he would have really had nightmares....I use the songs to kill him to sleep. Seems like I still got it......after these past few years..."


    Mica then turned his gaze to the battered up body caused by the black wolf. "What do we do with the body?" Max too looked at the corpse. "Bury it." He said, turning to Zack. "Ready?" Zack nodded. The two Shifters left, and Mica walked up to Rose. He looked at Shadow again.


    "So what you told us...." Rose then says. "That''s why he''s aggressive towards them?" She asked him.


    "There''s a lot of story that you don''t know, but.......the root of the problem? Yes, that''s what caused his behavior to take a turn. Also, Beta''s the one that coached him.


    She was then infuriated. "Why? Why would she teach him this way?"


    Mica sighs. "She wanted to protect him......like I said, there''s a lot more to this story that you don''t know."


    Rose then calmed down and looked down at Shadow. She kissed him on the forehead.


    "Believe me, the things he says or does, he doesn''t really mean. At least, not to you." Mica then added.


    Rose fought so hard not to cry, but she wasn''t strong enough to hold them back. "You should''ve met him when he was younger......" She sniffled.


    Mica nodded his head as the boys came back. He then walked back over to his original spot and slept the rest of the night.


    "Tomorrow....." Max said. "We''ll try again to find Matthew, I''m not leaving until he''s home." He announced.


    Zack then looked up at him from his resting spot. "We need to wait for Shadow to get better."


    Max nodded. "Alright."


    Mica chuckled to himself. When is he EVER better?

 Chapter 28: Mica (part 2)

    ....................................


    Ebony was hung by her chains. When she woke, she sensed Azazel approaching her.


    She looked a little ways to her left, even though she doesn''t see him, she knows he''s there.


    "Your friends are looking for you." She whispered.


    Azazel then held a blade up to her bony neck and scratched her. She screamed in agony. He then grabbed her chin and forced it in his direction.


    "They can ALL go to Hell!" He hissed. He then pushed her jaw away from him.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "If you despise them so much, why not kill them?" She questioned.


    "It''s all part of a game! Damn, you sure are the party shitter, aren''t you?" He yelled. "In fact, you''re part of the fun too now!" He laughed.


    She prayed to an unknown god silently as he unchained her and opened the cell door. It may seem like freedom, but there''s no freedom when it comes to him, only torment.


    "Where are you taking me?" She demanded.


    "Oh, don''t worry, darling. I think you''ll enjoy it much better than being cooked......I mean......COOPED up in here!" He laughed maniacally.


    "You''re insane!" She squeaked.


    "Oh, darling....in this game......We''re all a little MAD here!" He laughed wickedly.


    He then grabbed her by the collar of her dress and dragged her. "You better cooperate or I''ll change and bite you like a chew toy!"


    She did as she was told.


    Together they walked to her next level of torture.

 Chapter 29: Max

    Max sat by himself, looking at the pond filled with fish. Since Shadow wasn''t awake yet, he offered to catch breakfast. But, looking down at the fish, they were as scrawny as straws of hay in between your teeth.


    Ever since Matthew left them, he never stopped thinking.....never stopped worrying. Why did he have to push so hard? Why couldn''t he shut up and leave him be? He didn''t mean the things he said to him. He''s a good guy, he''s annoying at times, but he has his heart in the right place. Max definitely owes him. Was this his punishment for how he''s been treating him? Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him and a grunt. He glanced over his shoulder, and there Shadow was, coming to sit next to him on a log. Max smiled at him. "Hey, how''re you feeling?"Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Shadow groaned as he put a hand on the back of his neck. "Good I guess." He looked down at the pond then at Max. "What are you doing?"


    Max laughed. "I wanted to find breakfast from this pond, but these guys are too skinny!"


    Shadow laughed as well. "They sure are! Damn!"


    "Yeah, I thought I do something for everyone and let you sleep, but I guess you''ve slept enough."


    Shadow exhaled. "Yeah, I did. Listen..about last night.......I''m sorry I got like that. That hasn''t happened to me in a long time!"


    "Hey, hey.....you don''t need to apologize for anything!" Max said. Except for the fact you''re a constant ass all the time......"You''re good, man!"


    "Mica told you, didn''t he?"

 Chapter 29: Max (part 2)

    Max sighed. "Yeah, he did."


    Shadow nodded in acceptance. "You guys had a right to know....and I never talked about it....that''s on me."


    Max clapped him on the shoulder. "I''m sorry you had to lose a friend like that. I - I can''t imagine - "


    "He was my FRIEND!" Shadow sobbed, then he placed a hand over his eyes. He sighed once again.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Max felt strong sympathy for him.


    Shadow then said. "I''m sorry...I didn''t even realize that I''ve been such an ass to you guys lately." He sniffled. "I see it now, and I''m sorry."


    Max hated to ask this, but the question burned in his mind. "Why do you do that, ONLY as the black wolf?"


    Shadow stared straight ahead. "It''s how I was built. I had to be.....strong like that.....I''m not supposed to show vulnerability....it just etched in with the way I lived, I guess. I''m used to being like this all the time.....and I''m sorry I take it out on you guys."

 Chapter 29: Max (part 3)

    "It''s okay, just....next time you get like that again, aim it on the enemy and not on us...." Max pleaded.


    Shadow smiled. "Will do."


    "Especially when you got that voice - from - Hell thing going on.......it''s intimidating!"


    Shadow scoffed. "I honestly don''t know why I have a voice like that to begin with..."


    "Cause you''re practically a demon!" Max teased.


    "Pff....the fuck do I know." Shadow then said.


    Max laughed.


    "From now on, I won''t be aggressive towards you, or, I won''t try to be." Shadow then looked ahead at Mica from a distance. "Except him, he gets on my fucking nerves!"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Max laughed again, Shadow then smiled. "Are we good?"


    Max nodded. "Yeah."


    They both stood up, and when they turned around, Zack and Rose stood there with them. Shadow flushed Pink with embarrassment, then he calmed himself. He then looks at the rest of the group.


    "I do mean it guys. I do." Shadow told them.


    "Gabriel..." Rose said as she pulled him into a hug. He accepted the embrace.


    Shadow then turned back to his friends. "Yeah, if I do act out again, call me out on it, alright?"


    Max folded his arms. "Yeah, as long as the black wolf doesn''t bite us FIRST!" He teased. Shadow showed him the middle finger.


    Zack looks at the three of them. "Should we be on our way, then?"


    "We need to come up with a plan though...." Shadow added.


    "We should get back to Ebony! She knows where he is, I just know it!" Max exclaimed.


    Zack looks at him with confusion. "Ebony? The one Mica mentioned to us?"


    Suddenly, a thundering of paws was heard and there stood Mica. "EBONY? She''s over there?" He said excitedly.


    "Yeah, but......Mica, she''s not in the way you think?"


    "Why? What do you mean?"


    Shadow and Max exchanged worried looks. Before they could say another word, Mica shot toward the castle.


    Shadow groaned. He then changed into his wolf form, Max and Zack did the same, and Rose followed behind. They all went after him.

 Chapter 30: I Stand Alone And Embrace My Fiery Fate

    When Scratch and the rest caught up to him, they noticed that Mica was standing frozen in fear. Scratch and Shadow followed their gaze upwards and noticed a full bodied skeleton hung over the castle gates like a decoration.


    "Ebony!" Scratch cried out.


    "Wh- what did you just say?" Mica squeaked. The skeleton of Ebony looked down at them and recognized the red eyed wolf. "Mica!" She said faintly. She still sounded like she had a hard time breathing. "It''s been so long!"Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Mica gulped at the monstrosity above him. "Oh my God! Is this really you? What happened to you?"


    "Fate." Ebony whispered.


    "You - you never came back from the party!" Mica complained.


    Ebony shook her head and laughed in amusement. "Your owner is one to tell many stories....I fancied her for it. No, the party I went to......it wasn''t a party at all. They punished me, as I punish myself for what happened to the boy."


    Mica shook his head. "The villagers....they hurt you!"


    Ebony laughed again. "They did more than that......."

 Chapter 30: I Stand Alone And Embrace My Fiery Fate (part 2)

    "What have I done? What have I done?" Ebony whispered as she wept.


    I''m so sorry!


    She turned to the crowd, whom all were slowly closing in on her.


    The preacher sneered.


    Ebony cried. "I never wanted this to happen!" The preacher held a knife up to her throat. She gulped, but accepted their anger with her.


    Believe me, I''m angry with myself too!


    "I understand what you need to do, I accept the punishment. If you want to kill me, do it!"


    ............................................


    When she woke up, Ebony was standing on a platform, facing the crowd. She felt her hands were tied. When she looked behind her, there stood a wooden post.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    She heard the people say, "Burn the witch!"


    As nervous and scared she felt, she knew the price.


    The preacher announced to the group of what she was accused of. After his speech, she heard them all day again, "Burn the witch!"


    She lifted her head up to the sky.


    "Please forgive me." She cried, now feeling the fire as it was getting thrown at her in all directions. The pain was unbearable. She couldn''t tell what was scarier, the flames that tortured her, or the sound of her cries. Slowly, the crowd left her to cook. She could smell her flesh melting off.


    How long will it take until I''m dead? She wondered. She continued her screams. The pain was so strong, she could no longer process it. Soon, the fires left her for dead, but what she really dead?


    After a while of agony, she felt that the rope that tied her was no longer there, no boards, no platform, no pose. It was only the dirt.


    Her body felt numb. She struggled to stand up. "Why am I not DEAD?" She whispered. She screamed again over the pain. She looked down at herself.


    Her skin has completely fallen off, but her black Victorian dress was still in tact, even her shoes. She still wore her headdress of ram horns, her hair and her eyes were there. She looked down and saw that her hands were all bone.

 Chapter 30: I Stand Alone And Embrace My Fiery Fate (part 3)

    "What happened to me?" She whispered again, looking up to the sky once more. She prayed in a witch language only SHE understood.


    "If this is a way for me to fix my mistake, so more it be."


    Already you a fucking fool? She tells herself in her mind. There is no redemption for the wrong that you have done! There''s no hope for you, only more pain and suffering!You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    This is Hell now! Accept it!


    ...............................................


    "After that, someone captured me and placed me in the cell. I''ve been there ever since, wrapped in chains, hooked me up to the fucking wall.....now it''s Azazel''s turn to torture me!"


    The four wolves didn''t know what to say. Rose held a fist up to her lips as she listened to the horror they''d just been told.

 Chapter 30: I Stand Alone And Embrace My Fiery Fate (part 4)

    Suddenly, Ebony had a pained expression on her face as a familiar voice was heard behind them.


    "Oh, Ebony....I thought we had a better relationship than that!" Azazel teased. The four wolves and Rose turned their heads, and their stood the purple streaked wolf. The dark timberwolf twitched.


    Scratch''s hackles raised. "What do you want with us?" He demanded.


    Azazel circled them like before and looked into the eyes of every one. Rose steadied herself for a fight. He chuckled. "What I''ve always wanted with you fucks......to stay off my property!"


    Scratch nodded his head. "You''ve been fucking with us ever since we got into the grounds. We came here to find our friend, and we''re not leaving until we find him! Please, if there''s anything you can do.....we need him back. We''ve been told he''ll be in there. Come on, at least give us a clue?" Scratch begged.


    Azazel laughed. "Even if I DID have him, especially alive and well.......why would I want to tell you anything?"


    Scratch took a step toward him. "Azazel.....please....both of you." He looks up at Ebony, then back to him.


    Azazel growled irritably. "What''s the purpose? Everyone''s together again? Happily ever after? Okay, I admit it, I have seen him! Your ''friend seemed small and weak......but i don''t know where he would be? Even if you DID find him, he will never want to go back to someone who''s been a dick!"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Scratch flushed red underneath his fur. "How do you know this?"


    Azazel calmly looks up at the skeleton. "My prophet up there, she sees everything that happens miles and often times....worlds away! She gives me good news, bad news, interesting news......and boring news!" He scowls at her as if it''s her fault. He twitched as he turned his gaze back to Scratch. The dark timberwolf smirked and laughed wickedly.


    "I know everything, Maxwell! Child of a Dark Sorceress, along with his buddy, who''s the Necromancer who brought her back to life....!" Shadow growled at him.


    "Watch it." Shadow warned.


    But Azazel pressed. "Poor Shadow couldn''t save his friend, Crimson when he had the chance."


    Shadow took a step toward him. Scratch stopped him. "Shadow." He warned. The black wolf then turned his glare to Scratch.


    What? He''s pushing me!


    Don''t let him! That''s what he wants...


    You don''t tell me what to do, Scratch.


    Yes, but remember our conversation earlier.


    The black wolf''s glare slowly softened, Scratch nodded. The black wolf sighed.


    Azazel snickered. "Good lad, handling your temper!"


    Scratch got in front of Shadow. "Leave him alone, this isn''t about him!"


    "What?" Azazel had a puzzled expression on his face. Then he nodded. "Ohhhhh, right! Because it''s ALWAYS about Max!"


    "What? I - I --" Max exclaimed.


    "NO ONE FUCKING CARES!" Azazel twitched again.


    Then the purple eyed beast changed into the figure in black. He suddenly turned his eyes to the skeletal figure in chains. He conjured up his magic and shot flames from his hand, hitting her.


    She screamed.


    "What about her, huh? She''s just as important as you, I guarantee it!"

 Chapter 30: I Stand Alone And Embrace My Fiery Fate (part 5)

    "Matthew''s important too. Where is he, Azazel?" Max retorted.


    The dark figure picked up a boulder and sent it hurtling towards them. The four wolves dodged.


    Azazel then let out a wicked laugh. "Your friend is DEAD!" He twitched again.


    "Look, I know that he''s still alive. I know that you''re the crystal''s first victim. Evelynne got you addicted to it. The addiction changed you! Azazel, help us to find him. You know where he''s hiding."


    Azazel twitched before laughing again. "Fools, if only you KNEW!"


    The addicted wolf left them, then after he was fully gone, Ebony began to speak. "He''s lying to you!"Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "What?" Max said.


    "The only thing is, he''s not who you think he is." Ebony then turned to face Shadow, who transformed into his human form.


    "Broken hearts, broke minds,


    False companions, false binds.


    In the wake of broken dreams,


    Things aren''t always as they seem."


    Shadow''s brow furrowed. Rose then looked at her brother and back to Ebony. "We need to get going."


    "No, I''m not heading back until I get Matthew!" Max said stubbornly.


    "Max.....?" Shadow warned. But Max ignored him, as he changed and took off.


    "Leave! " Ebony warned. "He''s not worth saving....she''s coming! You need to go hide!"


    "Who?" Zack asked.


    "The Crone Witch."


    Shadow slowly looked at them. "Valerian....."


    "She''s headed straight for the castle." Ebony claimed. "Run!"


    "Max is right though, if she IS coming, we need to get Matthew, quick!" Zack said, Shadow looked at him and nodded. Ebony shook her head. "You''re going to regret what you see!"

 Chapter 31: Valerian

    She awoke with a splitting headache, thankfully, she had the right potion for that!


    When she was digging through her pockets, she realized something.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The crystal wasn''t there.


    Wait -


    She looked around and noticed that Matthew was gone. She pounded her fist in the ground.


    "DAMN IT!"


    That little bastard''s going to pay!


    She suddenly had a vision, a picture of a castle was in the clear.


    "I see where you''re hiding, you little brat!" She sneered.

 Chapter 31: Valerian (part 2)

    That stupid fucker owes me!


    She continued to track him, but like she thought before....he probably had gone to the castle.


    That foolish little drat, Evelynne''s -


    Suddenly, she caught a flash of something hiding behind a tree. She stopped and slowly crept up to the mysterious being. When she rounded the corner, a fox pup was seen. The baby looked up at her fearfully, he then decided to dart through the trees....just ahead of her.


    Ugh, she''s near. Anything that has to do with animal young, she''s nearby. Great, she thought to herself. Can''t this day get any worse?


    She turned around and there the animal guardian was.....a fifteen year old girl who wore clothes like she was a maiden to the castle. She wore a long black gown with sleeves, a white apron covering mostly the torso. She wore a black bonnet. The girl had grey eyes to match her looks. She smiled cheerfully at Valerian.


    "Hi there!"The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Valerian groaned. "What are you doing here, Acalia?"


    Suddenly, the baby fox went up to his caretaker and she gently picked him up like he was a house cat. She petted him softly and cradled him. "Oh nothing, just...on the hunt for his mother!" The girl named Acalia looked around.


    Valerian furrowed her eyes. "She''s probably dead."


    Acalia waved a hand at her. "Oh, don''t be silly - !"


    Valerian pinched the bridge of her nose. "Acalia, you''re aware there are HUNTERS in these woods?"


    Acalia looked at Valerian with wide eyes. "You - you mean......she''s DEAD?"


    Ohhhhh, brother of my friend!


    Acalia''s eyes formed tears, she sadly looked down at the pup. "I''m so sorry your mommy''s dead."


    Valerian groaned again. "Please don''t say what I think is going to come out of your mouth next!" She begged.


    Acalia ignored her as she continued to look at the pup. "I''LL be your new mother!"


    She said it.


    Valerian did her best to control her fury. "Acalia, I have more business to take care of here! I really should get - !"


    Acalia shot a look at her with interest. She gently placed the fox pup on the ground and looked at Valerian again. "Where are you going? I want to go!"


    "To your home." Valerian said. "Where you shouldn''t belong....."


    Acalia giggled. "Oh, Val. Don''t worry, no one''s seen my magic yet. Besides, I love the work..."


    Crazy bitch!


    "Believe me, it''s not safe! If anyone pissed you off, you''d be caught right off the bat!"

 Chapter 31: Valerian (part 3)

    "What this?" Acalia teased. She then conjured water from her hand and made it float around her. "It''s harmless.....and fun!" She squeaked and threw the water at Valerian, splashing her in the face.


    "Argggggghhhhh!" Valerian screamed.


    Acalia giggled.


    "So why are we going to the castle?"You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "None of your damn business?" Valerian replied gruffly.


    "Is it because of the boy that just ran through this forest hours ago?"


    "Okay, if you know already....why are you asking?"


    Acalia ignored her and looked down at the pup. She then looks at Valerian. "Isn''t he cute?"


    "No." Valerian simply replied.


    In fact, he seems to look like decent food to me. I''m starving!


    Acalia then looked around in boredom. "What should we do in the meantime? I want to play a game?"


    "Shut up and keep walking!" Valerian demanded.


    Ugh, worst day ever!

 Chapter 31: Valerian (part 4)

    After Acalia left, she continued on through the woods to the castle, where she would get caught by the staff there and probably be sentenced to death for being a witch, prejudiced asswipes! It''s her sister''s fault though. She HAD to bring harm to innocent''s with her magic, causing she world of witches to go into hiding. Some would hide in their huts, some would go into the deep caves of the mountains, and some would blend in with society.


    Wait, what is she even saying to herself? Is she just as delusional as that pixie, or is she just lying to herself just like that pixie?


    She knows that a century ago, she helped the leader of the thieves, Evelynne or ......Eden to take down the castle, wipe out all the staff and assassinated the royals. She even remembered that.........If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Funny, that guilt was starting to rise to the surface? When has SHE felt guilty? She only snuck into the kitchens dressed as a maiden and conducted a poison that will wipe out all the staff in the kitchens.


    But she couldn''t get her out of her head.......she remembered the wide eyes of fear gaze up at her from the floor she cracked herself in, that girl. Her name, was Ackaylia.


    Was that the girl that she just spoke with? No, the girl she just talked to was A- kah -lia. Not the same person.


    She snickered to herself. Quit bullshitting yourself, you know you''re seeing a ghost.


    Valerian forced herself to push the feelings aside, but a flashback hit her like a cold, icy splash of water hit her right in the face.......

 Chapter 32: Acalia

    A wave of sadness hit the girl as she remembered the last time she even saw Valerian. How long ago was that anyway? Seemed just like yesterday, when it was really a hundred years ago.


    That night, when she died, she attempted to run outside into the town and call for help, but people looked right past her when she was invisible. She cried to herself as she missed the life she had.


    She didnt have any friends EXCEPT for Valerian. Or, at least, she Thought she was her friend, until she forced her to drink the poison. How could have she been so naive? So.......stupid?


    Everywhere she went, she remembered how ugly she looked, how boring or annoying she was. She even tried to show off her powers to her new "friends". How wrong she was to believe that her life is more than anything in this world. Her life was as worthless as a maggot!Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    She sobbed again. The only friends she had were her animals....they all went away from her too. Only because she got so mad one day, that her water turned to ice and it froze all of them, so they didn''t really run. Though, overtime, she did notice that people with fire magic melted away the animals for her, only for them to be eaten.


    She sniffled as she looked out the window of the kitchen.


    She wanted more than anything to kill Valerian. She knows damn well what she is, and she''s not supposed to be alive!


    But something stands in her way, that was the purple eyes creature that lurks upstairs....and a talking skeleton a floor below her. She attempted to go down to help her, but she was too afraid.


    Maybe one day I''ll have either the courage to go down to the dungeons to see her, or I will find a way to get past Azazel and hunt down Valerian.


    She needs to die!

 Chapter 33: Scratch

    He wasn''t going to give up, there was absolutely no way that he was going to leave Matthew.


    "Please, Matthew...come back. I''m sorry..." He whispered to himself.


    He chased down Azazel, until he caught up with him in the palace courtyard.


    "Azazel, stop!" Scratch demanded.


    Amused, the dark timberwolf looked at him, his purple eyes glowing with interest, his body twitched.


    Scratch continued. "Azazel, please, I beg of you.....where is he?" He pleaded. "We''ve been told that he would be here!"If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Azazel growled irritably. "You never stop, do you?"


    "Please Azazel....."


    The dark timberwolf sighed. "Fine, but on one condition."


    Scratch said nothing, he only glared at the creature in front of him.


    Azazel then said. "Okay, let''s play a game here, because.....we all love a good pawn game, don''t we?"


    Scratch''s hackles raised. Azazel tsked as he thought of what new game to play. He yipped excitedly.


    "I got it! How ''bout a game of fighting to the death, hm? Doesn''t that sound like FUN to you?"


    Scratch shook his head. "Not to the death. One fight, one round. Whoever gets injured first loses!"


    Azazel growled, baring his teeth at him. "I make the rules, asshat! Whoever dies......loses. Oh wait, of course the person who dies loses! He''s dead!" Azazel laughed maniacally.


    "You''re a twisted fucker!" Scratch snarled.

 Chapter 33: Scratch (part 2)

    Azazel laughed again. "I just can''t wait to start the game!" He twitched excitedly. "Ready? Fight!" Before Scratch can think, Azazel lunged.


    When Azazel landed on him, Scratch bucked him off. He bit hard into the infected wolf''s neck. Azazel cried in pain as he laughed.


    "Oh, it feels good to be alive........you won''t be though, Max!" He lunged again, this time, Scratch couldn''t move fast enough. Azazel''s claws stretched out before landing on Scratch''s eye. Azazel scratched him, not only permanently scarring his eye for life, but also blinding him.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Scratch screamed over the pain. Azazel laughed once again. "It feels good, doesn''t it?"


    Before Azazel can lunge at him again, Shadow jumps in, attempting to bite into the infected wolf''s throat, but he didn''t succeed. The black wolf then got distracted by Scratch''s cries. He turned over his shoulder. Azazel then changed and gripped hard on Shadow''s scruff. He threw him against a tall tree, where the black wolf then changed as his body slammed into the tree and fell directly on his back, knocking the wind out of him. Shadow gasped, doing his best to breathe.

 Chapter 33: Scratch (part 3)

    Azazel tsked. "You know, Scratch? He turned to the timberwolf, who now changed to Max. "You were right, it IS funner to see me beat the shit out of you guys, OVER, and OVER again, than it is to see you die! Great idea, I''ll do that from now on."  He cackled, before  running back to the castle.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Max cried out in agony again. Shadow forced himself to get up to come to his aid.


    "How bad is it, let me see." Max uncovered his injured eye, and Shadow can notice that the color of his eye turned gray, with blood coating it. He could also see the deep claw marks.


    "I''ll take you to Rose." Shadow said.

 Chapter 33: Scratch (part 4)

    He couldn''t comprehend what was going on, all he was aware of, was that it hurt.


    He couldn''t understand what his friend was saying, he only felt him tried to help him off the ground. His vision grew blurry, his eyes were getting wetter and wetter. His head was pounding and he felt himself get dizzy.


    "Stop, stop, stop." He pleaded, but his friend ushered him to keep going.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "We''re almost there...." Shadow reassured.


    Everything around Max swirled and he was slowly becoming blind in.....he couldn''t tell if it was both eyes, or just one.....he actually didn''t remember what happened. It just.....was.


    He groaned weakly as he let Shadow carry him the rest of the way.


    Rose then took him and made him lay on the grass. The light from the sun shine on him, he looked away and covered his eyes. It was too bright.

 Chapter 33: Scratch (part 5)

    "We got to get away from the sun. As much as I don''t want to be in the castle right now, we need to find a way in without Azazel noticing us." Shadow announced.


    Zack looked down worriedly, he then looked at Shadow. "What exactly happened? You went after him, I didn''t."


    Shadow explained the story. Rose looked from Max to her brother with worry. "I want to work on getting you guys healed up."


    Shadow held his hand up. "Sis, he''s more important than I am. I''m fine."


    But Rose didn''t buy it. "No, you guys need an equal amount of care, no injury is more important than the other."


    Rose, Zack and Shadow carefully helped Max to get up. Ebony sighed.


    "I believe I can help you with this...." She began. "Go down to the dungeons, where I stayed. If you release me......I''ll keep a lookout. Azazel doesn''t go down to the dungeons anymore now that I''m here. He only went down for me."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The boys looked at her with confusion. "I thought you wanted us to leave this place." Zack said.


    Ebony nodded slowly. "That''s what I want, but right now, this is important.....I need to be in a place with darkness same as he does...I know the dungeons are the best place."


    "We went through the passageways." Shadow explained.


    "It''s easier to go down the halls. Like I said, I''ll keep watch. I''m even a seer, I''ll visualize where he is, and where he plans on going."


    Mica groaned. "But you''re all made of bones now, how is this going to help?"


    "Trust me, Mica." Ebony whispered. She nodded at the boys. "Help me down."


    Rose summoned a key from her hand and helped her to break free. Ebony fell, Mica did his best to help her up, Zack came in to aid him. He pulled Ebony up and had her lean on him as he carried her. The skeleton slowly began to walk.


    "Where did you find that?" Shadow asked her.


    "The Tower. These keys are also castle keys." She said simply.


    "I got it now, thank you!" Ebony said. Zack listened and he let go of her.

 Chapter 34: Shadow

    He winced at the cold pain he got from Azazel throwing his body against a tree. After Max was settled into the dark of the dungeons, Rose turned to Shadow. "Take off your shirt, I want to see how bad it is." Rose said.


    I''m fine, sis! Promise!


    He chuckled as he pulled his shirt off. She then gasped.


    "What?" He wondered.


    "You have such a bruise! He got you good, it looks like you landed right on your spinal chord!"


    Oh, great! No wonder it hurts bad.


    He turned to her. "You got anything in that satchel that you can use on me?"


    Rose nodded. She pulled out a salve from her satchel and rubbed it on him. He winced again at the pain.


    "Sorry..." She said.


    He groaned. "Fuck!"


    After she rubbed the medicine into his back, she had him go lay down on one of the beds she made for everyone.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Shadow sighed. "It''s gonna hurt to change, huh?"


    Rose shook her head. "I don''t want you to be transforming at all.....both you AND Max!"


    "It''s okay." Zack then said, looking down at Shadow. "It''s not a big deal for you guys to take a break."


    Shadow chuckled. "You just don''t want to hear my sweet, sweet voice!"


    Zack paused before saying, "Yeah, that too."


    Shadow thought about his lack of shifting. He then looked at his sister. "Rose, come on. Please? There''s got to be something in there that lasts twenty four hours?"


    Rose then sighed to herself.


    "Rose, I meant what I said earlier, I''m not going to be an asshole!" Shadow pleaded.


    "It''s not about that, Gabriel. You need to take time to heal!" She retorted.


    "Rose, how long?" Her brother pressed.


    "A few days at least."


    Shadow sighed. "Aw, shit!" He grumbled. "We don''t have that much time until he finds us!"


    Zack turned to Shadow. "Shadow, stop!"


    Shadow slammed his fist on the metal bed. He then caught it, was he too late though? He took a breath before looking at his sister. "Sorry..."


    Rose herself calmed down as she looked at her brother. "It''s okay. Just get some sleep."


    "Mica, Ebony and I will be on the lookout." Zack mentioned. Mica glared at him, but did as was told.


    Shadow turned his gaze to Max, who was knocked out by one of Rose''s sleeping potions. "How bad is he?"


    Rose shook her head. "Pretty bad..his eye isn''t completely damaged, but he''s got a scratch in his cornea.....his eye already lost its color. He can''t be exposed to light, I need to get a patch for him."


    "I know where the medicine room is....I''ll go find one." Mica announced.


    Shadow sighed to himself. "Just don''t be seen."


    Mica rolled his eyes. "Yeah, cause I don''t want to get my ass kicked too!"


    Shadow put his hand over his eyes.


    ...........................................

 Chapter 34: Shadow (part 2)

    Later that night, Shadow woke up to the sound of rattling coming from the kitchens nearby. Alerted, he shot up, and as surprised as he felt, he should have been in pain, but he wasn''t!


    How?


    Suddenly, his eyes found the answer for him. Next to him sat a small jar with balm in it. When he looked at the description, it read:


    Heals fast within the hour!


    He clutched the jar and looked at Rose, who was fast asleep in her cot.


    Guilt swept through him. He looked at the others, who were all fast asleep as well. Suddenly, Shadow caught a glimpse of Max moving.


    He quietly left his bed to see him. Max wore an eye patch, and with his seeing eye, he noticed Shadow. "Hey." He smiled weakly. "Thanks for coming to save my ass."


    Shadow grinned. "It''s my job to look after my family."This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Max chuckled to himself. "What happened to you? I''ve only seen you come in front of me for a split second."


    Shadow shook his head. "He slammed me against a tree. I tried to stop him, but couldn''t move fast enough."


    "Oh, shit!" Max whispered. "How''re you feeling? How bad of a hit was it?"


    Shadow shook his head again. "Not too bad. Rose examined the bruise....which I can assume has faded. Let''s not worry about me, though. Let''s worry about you!"


    Max groaned. "I''m fine....just feel light."


    "She gave you painkillers." Shadow said simply. "She said that you won''t be able to shift for a while."


    "Oh, Jesus Christ..." Max groaned. He then looked around him. "The.....dungeons? What are we doing here? We''re gonna get caught!"


    Shadow sighed. "I know.....Ebony says its safe, but we need to go after what we came for, so we need to move....soon."


    "So, if Matthew''s in the castle ......where would he be? We don''t know where to look. Do you think there''s anybody that you can talk to here?"


    Shadow furrowed his brows in confusion. "I don''t get what you''re saying, no one but us and that psychopath is here!"


    "No, I mean.....the dead. You know.......GHOSTS?" Max suggested.


    Huh, he never thought of that before. Shadow then looked at him again. "If I were to start looking for ghosts....I can''t be spotted....also..." He looks at his sister who was still asleep. "She''s gonna kill me for this....but I will need to change ..to blend in. That''s a good idea, Scratch. I''ll notify Zack, he''s on watch tonight."

 Chapter 34: Shadow (part 3)

    After his notice to Zack, Shadow changed his form and left their base.


    Where should I even start? He looked around him, sniffing the air, for any sign of Azazel. The black wolf slid into the darkness. Nobody will notice him.


    .........................................


    After a few minutes of searching, he suddenly heard rattling coming from upstairs. He braced himself and did what he could to sneak in the corners. The rattling was heard again, this time it came from the kitchens. He walked up to the door and changed. He peered inside and saw no one. He pulled out a key he stole from his sister and slid one through the slot. It eventually clicked. The door creaked open and he changed form again, making his way inside.


    He walked stealthily as he could as he walked through the kitchen. Suddenly, he heard someone crying. It sounded feminine. He peeked around the corner of a large island and noticed the ghost.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    She appeared to have been a maid here. She didn''t pay attention to him though, she moped and cradled herself. Tilting his head, he began to step toward her, but when she saw him....she was terrified.


    Shadow attempted to comfort her....hopefully he won''t have to change just for her to hear his voice. It''s alright, I''m not going to hurt you."


    She gasped, immediately clasping her hands to her mouth. "Why - why do you sound like that......are you a DEMON?" She whispered.


    "No, it''s just the way I sound! Don''t worry." Oh shit, he IS going to have to change after all! He forced himself to change and looked at her while smiling. The girl calmed down a bit. "Wh - what are you? And how can you see me?"


    Shadow continued to smile at her. "Well, you see....I''m a necromancer."


    "And you can become an animal too? Strange magic!" She replied.


    Shadow nodded. "I promise I won''t hurt you....I just need some help."


    "Doing what?" The girl asked him.


    "Finding a friend."

 Chapter 34: Shadow (part 4)

    Shadow explained the story. She shook her head. "I''m sorry, but there''s nothing for you here....it''s only HIM."


    "We''ve been told he would be here." Shadow said.


    The girl shook her head again. "And he''s not.......not in the way you think anyway." She whispers. "I hear through the walls, I hear what is happening. You shouldn''t be here. I take it Ebony already told you that, though."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "What do you mean by that, how is he present not in the way we think?"


    The girl sighed. "I''m sure you already know."


    Shadow thought about the riddle that Ebony gave them earlier. Then it was like something hit him right in the stomach, causing it to sink. He shook his head. "No, no this can''t be! That freak up there, he''s Malakai!"


    The girl shook her head once more. "Follow me, I''ll show you where he''s buried."


    "Malakai?" Shadow was still in a state of shock, he couldn''t think straight, but he forced himself to be more focused anyway. The girl nodded. Shadow then looked at her again. "Tell me what happened....."

 Chapter 35: Mica

    Mica was nudged awake by the blond wolf. He stirred and glared at him.


    "Can you give me five minutes?" He complained. Zack shook his head though.


    Fine.


    Mica walked his way up to the entrance of their room. It was his turn to be on guard. Zack notified him that Shadow was out there.


    "Ghost hunting, huh? He should tell that stupid soldier that I enjoyed that bone he left for me!" He snickered. Zack rolled his eyes.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    You don''t get a good joke, do you?


    Mica sighed. "You''re no fun." He murmured. Zack turned to him. "So, that thing up there......that''s who Evelynne cursed?"


    Mica shook his head. "Nah, Malakai''s dead." He then lowered his head.


    Zack''s eyes widened. "So, if he''s dead, then who''s.....up....there?" Mica scoffed. "Beats the shit outta ME!"


    Zack shook his head, before facing him. "You never told us that story.....about Evelynne''s friend?"


    "Pff, it''s a long one...." Mica warned.


    "I''m interested." Zack said eagerly.


    Mica sighed, before beginning his story.....

 Chapter 35: Mica (part 2)

    Evelynne walked with Mica and her friend Malakai. It seemed like everyone in their group was busy doing other important things today, so she and Malakai went alone. Today, they were planning to sneak into an old widow''s house and take her jewelry.


    Evelynne pictured the jewels in her mind. She could TASTE them! Excitement washed over her and Malakai as they traveled alone at midnight.


    Malakai looked up at the stars. "How many stars in the sky do you think can be counted?"


    "Mmm.....don''t know, don''t care." Evelynne replied.


    Malakai shrugged. "Fair enough." The dark haired boy turned to her. "What''s the plan exactly?"


    "Easy......just got to sneak in through her window....knock her out, kill her.....whatever you want to do.....she''ll be yours. After that, we''ll go upstairs and collect her treasures! How''s that?"


    Malakai chuckled. "Sounds fun!"


    Evelynne smiled at him and looked down at Mica. "What do you think boy?"


    Mica yipped excitedly. This....is gonna be good! He thought to himself.


    Once they got to the two story house, The three of them snuck in through the back. Malakai picked up a hatchet from the stove and went behind the window, who was sleeping in her chair.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Evelynne looked down at Mica and petted him. Once Malakai was done killing the widow, they went upstairs and inside was a surprise!


    Inside the room, was stuffed with what looked like fifty gold bars, next to the pile sat a vanity with a small drawer. Evelynne licked her lips as she opened her bad and scooped all of the jewelry she can find. Malakai was on the opposite side, grabbing at the bars. Mica sniffed around for any hidden treasure. There was none, which wasn''t the end of the world....seemed like they hit jackpot right there. When he heard Evelynne gasp, he immediately rushed to her side to see what was wrong. Malakai heard her too, he ran to her side in a flash. "What is it?" The dark haired boy asked her.


    Evelynne pulled out a long necklace with four long pieces of wire strapped to the end point.  Immediately, she pulled out a crystal from her pouch and examined it, she then twisted the wires together until the were snug, holding the crystal in place. Malakai was fascinated by this.


    "That''s a neat gem, Eden!"


    "Mm, my father gave it to me....it''s not that special." She explained.


    "Can - can I hold it?" Malakai asked her, putting his hands together as if he was holding water. Evelynne dropped it in his hand. Suddenly, Mica could noticed that Malakai''s hands were twitching and their friend giggled. "What IS this? I feel so alive!"


    "Yeah, yeah.....that''s because it''s super shiny and it makes you feel like the king of the world..let''s go before we have to kill someone else.....which I''m not really in a mood for, tonight." Evelynne announced. Malakai looked at her in disappointment. "Do - you want this back?"


    "Eh, not really worth anything to me, you can keep it." She replied.


    "R -r - really? H - how - how much d - do - ?"


    "No charge, just keep it. I''m not in a mood for bargaining tonight either. Let''s go!" Evelynne said.


    "W - w -w - wow!"


    "Save you tongue." Evelynne added. They walked out of the house. Malakai was so excited to have that weird thin in his hands, he put the necklace around him.

 Chapter 35: Mica (part 3)

    A couple of days had passed since their mission. Evelynne and Mica got prepared to go to the Thief''s Meeting.


    When they made it to their destination, Evelynne jumped when the door was open for her, on the other side of the door stood Hunter. He had a look of deep concern in his eyes. Evelynne tilted her head. "What''s wrong?"


    "MALAKAI - isn''t here!" Hunter''s voice became stern. Evelynne scoffed. "You think I had something to do with his absence? Jeez, Hunter...you''re a good leader....but why are you assuming I do this kind of shit to my club members?"


    Hunter folded his arms, his eyes grew stern. "Remember the last member you killed?"


    Evelynne held a finger at him. "First of all, mate....I killed Griz because he nearly ratted us out, I HAD to slit his throat. Second, Malakai hasn''t betrayed me.....yet. He''s probably sick, or he''s taken into that widow''s funeral which he doesn''t care about! He likes to see people in deep emotional pain....he''s fine!"


    Hunter sighed. "Okay, Eden...I believe you, but there IS something going on, I don''t knows how to explain it.....but something''s not right. Maybe we should go check."


    Evelynne shook her head. "No need for that...he''s probably at that funeral!"


    Hunter nodded. "I thought so too, until someone reported to me that he wasn''t seen over there!"


    Evelynne gasped. "Oh shit! Yeah, I''ll go look for him."


    ..........................................


    After a while of searching for her friend, Evelynne decided to take a break and go home.


    Once she walked in, she decided to go count the jewels she''s collected this time. Funny that every time she comes home with gold or silver, her father would be proud, because in HIS mind, she was mining. This assumption amused her.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone knock on the door. She sighed loudly in irritation, then got up to answer it...and there stood a customer, who smiled at her. "Hello, is the store open today?"


    "Usually...." She answered through her teeth.


    "Oh wonderful! How much would it be for - "


    "My father''s not here!" Evelynne bickered.


    "Oh, well I thought I heard from your father, that when he''s gone....you watch the store for him." He said with confusion.


    "That''s what HE thinks......but that''s not the case......" Evelynne was growing annoyed with this. The customer grew red faced and walked off.


    Good riddance!


    She went back to collecting gems and gold coins. Until suddenly, she heard another knock on the door.


    She growled and stomped over to the door. "WHAT DID I SAY?" She yelled. But when she opened the door, there stood a dark haired boy. "Malakai!" The boy that stood before her didn''t seem too good though, his light tan face lost it''s color....making him look pale as a vampire! Evelynne gasped at this. "What the hell happened to you? Are you sick?" Malakai only shook his head, she can notice that as he moved, he twitched. "No - no - no.....all good!" He said positively.


    Evelynne only stared at him with eyes widened. "Then.......why are you......here?"


    Malakai wheezed. "I wanted to show you something!" He said, his lip twitching this time. "Come!"


    She took his hand and walked with him. They walked for a while until they got to his place. Inside, he showed her something he had on the desk. Sitting by itself on the middle of the desk, was the crystal she gave him. Malakai looked at her excitedly.


    "I wanted to show you this!" He giggled. She peered down and noticed that the glowing purple it once was, had a new addition to it. There formed streaks of black that spread throughout the crystal, inside out. She looked at him with confusion. "What did you do? HOW did you do it?"


    "Well, uh, I accidentally cut myself with it!" Malakai said simply.


    Evelynne nodded. "Well, it IS yours after all......you can do what you want with it."


    "Yeah!" He whispered with a hoarse voice to her.


    Evelynne grinned. "That''s pretty cool! Hey, uh, I forgot to ask if you''re coming to the meeting? We were wondering if you were going to show up!"


    "Oh, yeah, um I j - just wanted to study this first....this is fascinating!" Malakai smiled. "I''ll swing by later!"


    Evelynne nodded, shook hands with his twitching arm and left him. "I''ll see you later, mate!"


    Malakai then said. "Aye!"


    She then looked down at her wolf. "Let''s go, Mica."

 Chapter 35: Mica (part 4)

    A few hours later, Evelynne showed up to the meeting....Hunter raced over to her. This time his eyes were wide with fear. Evelynne snickered. "What? Did Beast put another tarantula under your pillow?"


    "No, Malakai''s here....and something''s is wrong with him. I think you should come see for yourself...." He started walking, then stopped to look at her. "By the way, THAT THING wasn''t a tarantula, it was the fucking size of my dog!"


    Evelynne snickered as she looked at Mica. "He says it was your size!" She cackled.


    Hunter then was freaking out and making a noise. "It wasn''t THAT big, fuck, Evelynne....now that''s locked in my brain!"


    She laughed and looked at Mica again. "He doesn''t like fuzzy wuzzy animals!"


    "Oh, Fuck You Eden!"


    .........................................


    When they reached the small room, Hunter braced himself as he opened the door with caution. Evelynne stepped in, and she was horrified by what she saw.


    Malakai now had streaks of a deep, almost black, purple bulging out like veins all over his face and arms. His eyes were no longer black, they became a shiny purple....the same shine that the crystal had. He was scratching vigorously at his arm, causing a rash.


    Evelynne then tried to pull his arm away, but he was too strong! "Hey, hey, you''re going to get an infection!" She made another attempt to draw his arm away from him, but he ended up hitting her in the face. "DON''T TOUCH ME!" Malakai shouted. This made Evelynne jump. Her friend wasn''t the kind of person to be aggressive.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Look, go to a medic, I''m sure you can get help from somewhere."


    Malakai growled at her as he lunged in her direction, completely smacking her head on the stone floor. She groaned in pain. Hunter grabbed him and backed away slowly.


    "I''m only trying to help you!" Evelynne croaked.


    "YOU INVADING MY GOD DAMN SPACE DOESN''T HELP ME AT ALL!" Malakai shrieked.


    Hunter let go of him and immediately grabbed her and together they ran out of the room. Hunter turned around and locked the door, before Malakai could escape.


    Evelynne cried fearfully and hugged Hunter. "What''s wrong with him?" She whimpered.


    Hunter sighed. "Did you give him that crystal.....that belonged to you, right?"


    "Well, yeah! I''ve had that with me for a few years. He just got it two days ago! Why doesn''t it affect ME?"


    Hunter shook his head in disbelief. "I don''t know..."


    She cried. Her friend would never act like this......he was always warm and kind to her. He was her best friend. Now he''s turned into a fucking maniac!


    "We have to take that crystal off of him, I believe that will help him recover..." Hunter suggested.


    Evelynne shook her head as she remembered what Malakai showed her earlier that day. "He cut himself with it, it won''t do any good if we take it off of him."


    "Aw, shit!" Hunter said disappointedly. "We cant have him suffer like this...." He grabbed his knife and unlocked the door, but Evelynne grabbed his bicep. "Let ME do it.." Hunter then gave the knife to her.


    Hunter stayed in case if Malakai goes berserk again. She slowly walked inside with the blade in her hand, Malakai had his back turned to her, exposing his neck as he continuously scratched himself harder and harder until he bled. She closed her eyes as she felt the blade go in through his neck. She cried when she heard him gagging and choking on his own blood. "I''m sorry, Malakai." The dark haired boy lay on the floor, motionless.


    Immediately, she pulled the chain off of him and stuffed the crystal in her pouch. She then turned to Hunter with tears staining her vision. "This won''t happen again!" She said.


    Never..........again!

 Chapter 36: Zack

    Mica had finished the sorry and it left Zack stunned. Ebony, who was listening, spoke up. "I''ve heard about what happened. He seemed to have been a good friend."


    Mica nodded. "Loyal to the end!"


    Zack pressed his fingers to his lips, Shadow, who was in his wolf form, peeked behind them. "Oh, good. She''s still asleep." He sighed.


    Zack smiled. "Any luck?"


    Shadow changed and answered him. "Just one that I''ve seen."


    "Does she have any knowledge?" Zack asked him. Shadow looked like his face was growing pale. His expression seemed like he was deeply disturbed.


    Zack though, knew the answer. He couldn''t get himself to fully admit that Azazel has been the friend they were looking for this whole time. He spoke softly. "The answer''s been right under our noses." Suddenly, he winced when he heard Max''s voice behind him.


    "WHAT? What do you mean?" Zack could tell that Max was starting to panic. He turned around and noticed that Max had his hands on the back of his head. "No, no, no,no ,no ,no ,no!" Max whispered to himself. Zack too was in a state of shock, but not as bad as this. Rose shot up from her sleep and noticed the commotion. She ran over to them. "Wait, what''s wrong?"The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "MATTHEW''S - !" But Max couldn''t bring himself to say it, so Zack said it for him.


    "Matthew''s been right under our noses the whole time......he''s............Azazel!" Zack couldn''t admit it until he just spoke it. He found himself slamming his fist into the wall. How can this be? His childhood best friend.......


    "Shh! He''s coming!" Ebony whispered.


    "Everyone, get in here!" Shadow ushered them to the secret passage inside the wall.


    "Hurry!" Ebony warned. They all raced into the passageway, Shadow forced it shut. Seconds later, they heard him come into the room they''d just stayed in. "Aww shit! No one has a surprise for me? Such a shame!" Azazel said. Shadow gestured with his hand to get going. They all crept along inside the narrow passageway. They eventually reached the entrance. Shadow silences everyone to listen in, before letting them out.


    "So he knows nothing about the passageways." Mica concluded to himself. "What a dumbass!"


    "Would you rather he did know, so he can find us faster?" Zack retorted.


    They all made it to their camp outside the castle walls. Everyone was in such shock, that barely any words came out of their mouths. Max covered his mouth and sobbed. Zack sat on a log, his hands out, and his head hung low. He sniffled. Shadow paced around in shock....unsure of how to feel or act. Rose wept. Mica and Ebony stood alone, looking at everyone in distress.

 Chapter 37: Max

    He couldn''t believe it....how could it be? How could such an annoying little shitball turn into a psychopathic monster?


    ........................................


    Everyone slowly began to talk to each other.


    First it was Ben, now it''s Matthew? How much more can he LOSE?


    Max sniffled and cried to himself, before Zack showed up. His blond friend sat next to him. "We''ll get him back." Zack said.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Max growled. "How can you say that?


    "I just have faith, Max." Zack replied calmly. "We won''t give up hope yet."


    "That thing in there isn''t Matthew and you know it." Shadow chimed in. He decided to sit with them on the log. "I believe he''s still in there underneath....Azazel." he added.


    Max sneered. "No he''s not! He''s gone!"


    Shadow tilted his head at Max. "I didn''t believe that when you turned into a zombie and turned on me!"


    Max gave him a shocked look. "What the hell, Shadow? We all agreed not to talk about that!"


    "Well, now we don''t have a choice." Shadow said. Max grumbled.


    Shadow gave him a pat on the back and left them to talk. Zack decided to get up and take a walk, Max followed after him.


    Suddenly, Max found himself venting. "Why did this happen? First it was Ben, now it''s Matthew! Why is this happening to me?"

 Chapter 37: Max (part 2)

    Suddenly, Zack snapped at him, which made Max jump. "Enough, Max! You''re not the only one who has lost someone! Don''t make every fucking thing about you!"


    Max was taken back. "WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" He retorted. Zack looked at the ground, his hands on his hips. "Forget about it....." Zack then walked away.


    "No, what the fuck is it? What is so important to you, huh?" He instantly regretted saying that, Zack immediately threw his fist at Max. He was appalled by this, as he looked at Zack in surprise. He then noticed that his blond friend was crying. "I lost someone too!"


    Max scoffed. "Zack, nothing bad ever happens to you...."


    Zack then pushed him. "How can you be so SELFISH! Matthew was right.....you''re not the same!"


    Max groaned. "DON''T YOU FUCKING TALK ABOUT HIM!" He then found himself crying.


    "YOU''VE CHANGED MAX! I - I don''t even KNOW you anymore!" Zack said with disbelief in his eyes. His friend then took off, leaving Max speechless.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He found himself screaming at the top of his lungs with anger, regret and grief. He kicked a big rock into the pool, and watched as it sunk to the bottom; he watched the ripples disappear until he can see his reflection. Max knelt down to examine. He took off the eye patch he wore and looked at the scar created by Azazel''s claws. When he slowly touched the wound, it stung, making him wince.


    He then noticed his scarred iris, it lost its color, it turned a cloudy gray. He sighed. He took one more look at the monster he has become, he closed his eyes in shame.


    He HAS changed.....


    Shadow was right.


    Zack was right.


    Matthew was right.


    How could have I lost myself? Was that what Zack was talking about? He turned around and saw Zack standing behind him. Max shook his head.


    "You lost me...." Max concluded.


    Zack shook his head. "I don''t know if you remember the Village incident....."


    Max nodded. "Yeah, I do."


    Zack teared up and sniffled. "My father.......he turned on me." He sobbed. "My own father......wanted to kill me!"


    Oh shit!


    Max felt a huge wave of guilt hit him in the core. "Zack......I''m sorry.. I''m sorry I''ve been so selfish. You guys were right......I''m so sorry."


    Zack looked at him with sadness. Max went up to him and embraced, they patted each other on the back.


    "I pushed you all away...." Max realized. "I turned you all down....even him...."


    Zack hugged him tightly and let go. "Do you need a minute?"


    Max nodded.


    Zack smiled as he left him, once again.


    Max then turned to the reflection of what he had become.

 Chapter 38: Zack

    He returned to the group. Shadow looks up at him with concern.


    "Where''s Max?"


    "He needs a minute...before we do anything else..."


    Shadow nodded. Zack looks at him curiously. "Is there a way that we can save Matthew?"


    Shadow tsked. "It''ll be difficult to do with the new powers he has. Especially if Valerian''s going to be here any minute. She''s too powerful for all of us, I know that..........even now knowing who she is and what she''s capable of......she''ll be too strong....stronger than him."


    Zack tilted his head. "She told us before that YOU''RE too strong for her magic."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Shadow wheezed. "Look, I don''t know all that she''s told you, but one thing I do know is that........since DAY ONE.....she hated me! Now that I can weild death magic, she has a new reason to. You told me before that she''s supposedly ''scared of me'', that''s not the case.....what she wanted was to lead you guys into MY trap!"


    Zack nodded.


    Shadow looked deep into his eyes with sternness. "She........is EVIL."


    Rose then spoke up. "She never liked children....but she chose to take us in anyway, she would''ve taken me and left you to get eaten alive by wild animals.....but she didn''t."


    Shadow nodded, then looked up at Ebony, who spoke up now.


    "Do you remember what I was telling you what happened to me?" Ebony looked at the group, she turned to face Mica. Mica tilted his head. She continued.


    "Me, Valerian, and Evelynne decided to do a summoning ritual, that involved using the blood of an innocent child. We picked the child that wandered through the woods, casted out from his group of friends. No one liked him, so we picked him instead. We planned to take a little blood, but Valerian had other plans......."

 Chapter 39: The Preachers Son

    Evelynne bounced with excitement as she looked at Ebony with wonder. "So, what color are you going to coat it?"


    Ebony smiled. "Black as night! But, before I can begin with this - "


    Evelynne interrupted. "I can bring you the finest diamonds I''ve stole from a crippled man with a broken leg. He mentioned he needed the diamonds for an expensive surgery on his leg, but he''ll be fine!"


    Ebony chuckled. "No, honey I actually have something better....you remember my yearly ceremonies to honor my gods?"


    Evelynne nodded.


    Ebony continued. "For this year''s ritual, I want to do a more......traditional way to please the Mother Goddess of Darkness...."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Evelynne laughed with excitement. "What animal are we sacrificing THIS time?"


    Ebony laughed as well. "No, no the Goddess wants something...better...."


    Valerian chuckled and whispered to Evelynne. "She means a child." She then gazed at the black witch. "How much are we taking, and who are we taking it from?"


    Ebony bit her bottom lip. "Someone the Mother Goddess can care for in her life. Someone who''s the black sheep of the family. No friends, no one to love. That sort of thing. Mother Goddess LOVES to care for children and seek blood spilling vengeance on anyone who hurts the child."


    Valerian held up her chin. "I see."


    Evelynne looked at the both of them. "Do you have any idea who?"


    Valerian then held back her head with a force and gasped.


    Evelynne looked at her not with worry, but with interest. "What is it?"


    When Valerian came to, she said, "The Preacher''s Son."

 Chapter 39: The Preachers Son (part 2)

    "I''m only taking a drop of blood for the sacrifice, no more, no less." Ebony said sternly.


    Evelynne clapped her hands. "Alright! When?" She turned to the black witch.


    Ebony grinned. "Tonight!"


    .............................................


    Ebony commanded the girls to spread out. They hid behind the houses and crept closer to the Preacher''s home. Ebony gestured for Evelynne to go first.


    "Nah, sorry, love...kids aren''t my thing."


    Ebony nodded. "I understand, what I wanted you to do anyway was to distract the Preacher....uh, did you tell me he doesn''t like wasted people?"


    Evelynne giggled. "Yeah, he hates them."


    Ebony nodded again. "Good, what I want you to do is act like you''re drunk." Evelynne gave her a thumbs up. The black witch then turned to Valerian. Before she could say anything, the green witch spoke. "Kids aren''t my thing either..."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Ebony rolled her eyes. "Don''t worry, I''ll enchant the kid, you just siphon out his blood." She pulled out a small sewing needle and a little jar and gave them to Valerian. "One drop."


    Valerian nodded obediently and once Evelynne got the Preacher out of the house, she followed behind Ebony.


    When they got upstairs, Ebony noticed that the little boy was asleep in his bed.


    Oh, isn''t that precious! I love children!


    Ebony smiled and focused her magic on the boy, slowly she began to enchant him with her siren song. The boy woke up, and immediately, he was entranced by her beautiful, motherly voice.


    The boy slowly walked closer to her and then Valerian jabbed him with the needle to take the blood. The boy didn''t budge though, he continued to stare at Ebony as she sang.


    When she was done with her song, she looked at Valerian and whispered, "Patch him up with your ointment, so his father won''t notice in the morning."


    Valerian obeyed and did her work, afterwards, Ebony and her new friend then tucked him back into bed. "Goodnight James, remember, this was just a dream about your mother who died when you were only an infant, came to sing you a comforting lullaby. She misses you very much!" Ebony then kissed him on the forehead and slowly walked outside with Valerian, where they saw Evelynne.


    Ebony tilted her head. "What happened to the Preacher?"


    "Don''t worry, I sent him on a wild goose chase, he''s still trying to find me. Shall we go?"


    Ebony nodded with excitement. "Yes, now....let''s go do the ritual!"

 Chapter 39: The Preachers Son (part 3)

    A few hours later, and the ritual was all set up. Ebony held her ritual in the middle of the forest, away from town. A few decors were in the table, with a small mortar and pestle of herbs sat in the middle. The full moon was high, and a couple of minutes until midnight, and they''ll be ready!


    Ebony wore her fancy, black Victorian dress with some beautiful shoes to match.  She wore a headdress of ram horns on it. Valerian and Evelynne dressed their usual. Ebony began to host the ritual.


    "It''s time to bring a new, unloved child home to the Goddess, may her love guide his soul in this life, as his protector and savior! Valerian, would you like to do the honors?"


    Valerian nodded and held the jar of blood, but didn''t do anything with it, instead, she stood still and suddenly, she threw the jar, in the distance, they heard the jar break.


    Ebony was shocked by this action. "Wh - what are you doing!" Valerian turned to her wickedly. "I have a better idea!"


    Suddenly, the green witch vanished before their eyes, and two seconds later....she came back with a familiar person. The little boy that they took blood from.


    Ebony cupped her hands in horror, Evelynne looked in confusion, the boy looked at everyone with terror in his eyes.


    "Wh - what am I doing here?" The boy whimpered. Ebony looked from the boy to Valerian, and glared. "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?"


    Valerian chuckled. "Come on, sing for him again, I love that voice.....deary!" Ebony then grew more horrified as she stood frozen, watching Valerian take a knife from the table and sliced the boy''s arm, making the kid cry out in pain. His blood curdling screams made Ebony feel dizzy.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Valerian looked back at Ebony. "Come on, just be yourself for once! I know how much you sirens CRAVE screams. You FEAST on it....it makes you feel good!"


    Ebony felt herself slowly lose control. She pulled her hair by the roots and screamed. "STOP IT!"


    Valerian laughed wickedly. "Ebony.....your a black witch! You CHOSE this path! Embrace it!"


    She made another deep cut into the boy''s arm, and he shrieked. Evelynne looked at Ebony with unease. "Uh......Ebony?"


    Ebony suddenly felt the energy surge from inside her, creating a forcefield around her, making her eyes black and soulless, making her grow fangs and claws......making her feel......hungry.


    Valerian laughed again, Evelynne looked at Ebony with worry. The boy was then let loose by the green witch, as he took off, running back home.


    Without a second thought, Ebony chased him through the woods to the edge of the town. She pounced, pinning his weak body to the ground. The boy looked at her with fear. Ebony snarled. "Don''t worry..this won''t take long. Just a little bite!" She tilted his head to the side, exposing his neck. Her fangs then pierced through layers of skin and muscle, until she finally reached his veins. The boy cried out in agony.


    Must get more!


    Ebony clawed her way deeper into his flesh, nearly reaching the bone. She chewed and clawed until she could hear him choking on his own blood, gasping for air, doing his best to scratch her deep,but eventually, he moved less and less.


    She didn''t know how long she fed, but the sun was rising from the horizon. She could hear people slowly walk out of their houses. She could hear screams and people calling her a monster, but she continued her feeding.


    It - it tasted so good! Why WOULD she stop?


    When she got up, she looked down and noticed that the boy barely had any meat on him. It was as if a vulture kept eating until there was barely anything but bones! She stated in horror at what she''s done! She looked at the crowd that gathered around her.


    The Preacher then showed up and broke through the crowd to get to his son''s remains. Ebony''s mind blocked out the screaming and yelling from the crowd. The cries from the Preacher. The retching of some parts of the crowd.


    What have I done!

 Chapter 39: The Preachers Son (part 4)

    Ebony looked at the group she talked to. "That''s what happened to me."


    Mica scoffed. "So, all of this because you needed to feed? That''s fucking BULLSHIT! You didn''t deserve to die!"


    Ebony calmed herself before saying, "Mica, I killed a child. In cold blood!"


    Shadow shook his head in disbelief. "It wasn''t your fault, Valerian forced you to."


    Ebony began to cry. "He was an innocent little boy! I killed him with my bare hands." Shadow then got up from where he sat and held Ebony''s boby hands. "You tried to control yourself, you were forced to. It wasn''t your fault."


    Ebony cried as her hollowed out eyes gazed at him. "Thank you." She then hugged him.


    Rose shook her head. "Another piece of knowledge to confirm how ruthless she is."


    Zack sighed. "I agree." Suddenly, he found himself staring at Max, who finally came back. Everyone looked up at him.


    Shadow smiled. "Hey, you alright?"


    Max nodded. "Yeah." He looks at Shadow, then said. "You were right, I HAVE been selfish.....I''m sorry." Shadow nodded too. He got up and embraced him, patting him on the back.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Zack looked at the group. "Should we get Matthew back into consciousness and bring him home?"


    Shadow nodded. "Yeah, let''s do it."


    Ebony then grabbed the blond boy''s shoulder. Shadow looked up at her. "We need to find the crystal and smash it.....it''ll break the curse. I attempted to coat it a long time ago, but Valerian ruined that chance for me!"


    Rose nodded. "Okay, can you sense where the crystal is hiding?"


    Ebony held her skull back and then looked at Rose. "It''s around his neck."


    Shadow sighed. "This better be the last time we enter this castle....I''m already starting to get sick of it."


    Max laughed. "I agree......you guys need to be spreading out though..."


    Shadow tilted his head. "What about you?"


    Max gave him a determined look. "I''m the reason he''s like this....I need to set things right with him. Who''s coming with me?"


    Zack raised a hand,and joined Max. Mica and Ebony exchanged glances. Rose looked at them. "I''m going to hunt down Valerian. Would anyone like to seek vengeance with me?" Ebony smiled and nodded. Mica proudly stood in between them. "I''ll accompany you guys....you need someone to protect you!"


    Shadow scoffed, and Mica glared at him.


    Max then looked from Zack to Shadow. "The black wolf is coming with us!" He declared.


    Shadow shot a surprised look at him and turned pale. "What.....what about the Necromancer?"


    Max and Zack exchanged glances. Max then turned back to him. "Eh, the black wolf!"


    Shadow then muttered, "Fuck me.", under his breath as he walked towards them. He looked at Max. "But, I''m a witch! Witches are good protectors!"


    Max looked at the sky in thought. "Mmm, yeah, but we need the black wolf."


    Shadow sighed. The group split into two and they went their separate ways towards the castle. Max and his group decided to make a bold move and go through the castle entrance, while Rose, Ebony and Mica took the tunnels.

 Chapter 40: Azazel

    He gripped the crystal in his hand, embracing the powers it gave him. He felt invincible. Like he could split the world in half with his bare hands.The thought of that made him giggle.


    "Ah, there he is...the very things that stole from me! You are a stubborn one, Matthew." Valerian spoke from behind him. He looked up at her and smiled, she smiled back. "What can I say, this is as addictive as candy!" He replied.


    Valerian politely folded her hands in front of her. "There''s no way, that I can steal it back." She assumed.


    Azazel nodded in confirmation. "Correct."


    Valerian inhaled. "Well, well, well. I guess I wouldn''t have a choice but to offer you a deal."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Azazel looked at her with interest, as he played with the crystal in his hand. Valerian continued. "I claim this castle.....add a few guards and servants to this place, and you rule with me. Actually, YOU will rule, and I will be under your feet as an advisor. How does that sound? And you can fully control the kingdom and kiss your old, pathetic life behind."


    Azazel nodded at the thought. He licked his lips. "That''s a deal!"


    Valerian smiled gleefully. "I can sense your friends are trying to come back to free you."


    Azazel cracked his knuckles. "I''ll kill them, don''t worry." Valerian nodded.


    "Good, ''cause I have my own business to attend." She walked away, going down the West Hall.


    Azazel stood up from his chair and walked down the steps to the entrance. "They''re coming back, you say?" He laughed as he twitched. "I''ll toy with them a little bit."


    Azazel whirled his finger, and one by one, empty knights in armor jumped from their stands and swept the castle, raising their swords and gathering their armored horses.


    Now THIS should be interesting!

 Chapter 41: Shadow

    The boys were in their wolf forms as they walked through the entrance. They walked through the large empty room, with not a creature but them in sight.


    Howl and the rest of them stopped. He scanned the area.


    Scratch looked up with confusion. "Something''s weird."


    Howl nodded. "I agree....seems like this is too easy!" Suddenly, he found himself getting knocked to the ground with such a force, he was sliding.


    "What the hell?" Shadow exclaimed. He too looked around and suddenly, he saw it. Standing before them were three knights with no faces, drawing their swords, ready to attack.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Howl stood up and rand back to them. "Shadow, is this necromancy?"


    Shadow shook his head. "No."


    The boys then were getting hit left and right as the knights kept attacking. Fighting back the pain, they slipped underneath one of them and ran off to the center of the room, where Shadow changed. He used his magic to send them back down in the ground, but it was no use. "Damn it! They''re definitely not bund by necromancy...it''s earth magic! These are objects brought to life!"


    Scratch exclaimed. "Oh, shit! Now what?" He said as he changed, Howl did too.


    Shadow scoffed. "Well, obviously we can''t keep trying to attack them, we''ll be dead for sure!"


    Zack looked at him worriedly as the knights slowly walked over to them. "What do we need to do?"


    Shadow sighed in defeat. "We need to hide." Before the knights can reach them, the boys changed their forms once again and fled the scene, making their way to the dungeons.

 Chapter 41: Shadow (part 2)

    The three wolves made their way into the dungeons. They stopped to take a breath.


    Scratch panted, then looked at Shadow. "Come on, I got to get up there."


    Shadow panted as well, looking back at Scratch, he said, "I know."


    Howl shook his head. "Shadow, is there a way you could teleport us to Azazel''s location?"


    Shadow turned to him. "I would, but I don''t even know where he hangs out. Besides, we need to find a way to reverse the earth magic done on those knights!"


    Howl nodded.


    That was an idea though, Shadow thought to himself. If only he knew where in the castle he would be. There was no way they can detect Azazel''s scent. He knew damn well as a wolf and a witch, that if you can''t get a scent from them....they''re not human. "If I teleport us, it''ll have to be a good guess, because I''m not doing this shit all fucking day. It''ll take too much time, and it''ll drain my energy. We cant push it." Shadow mentioned.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Howl nodded again as he looked at Scratch. "Right, so one thing we know about Azazel is that...he''s territorial."


    "His house, his rules." Scratch added.


    Shadow looks from one wolf to the other. "Where would someone that territorial be in this place?"


    Howl yipped. "The King''s chamber!"


    Scratch looked from him to Shadow. The black wolf nodded. "Alright, let''s go. He then changed his form and Scratch and Howl huddled close to him. Shadow thought in his mind about the next location, and just as they were about to teleport, a knight comes from behind Shadow, ready to swing at him. Shadow gathered up the courage to send Howl and Scratch in with him, but just as his friends vanished without him, Shadow was hit in the head by the knight''s weapon, the blow sent him skidding across the floor. His head slammed against the cold, stone wall, knocking him unconscious.

 Chapter 41: Shadow (part 3)

    ......................................


    Scratch and Howl emerged from the shadows of the hallway. They looked around and noticed that their black coated friend wasn''t present.


    "Oh, shit! Where''s Shadow?" Scratch exclaimed. Howl looked around too, hoping their friend is just around the corner. "I don''t know...."


    Scratch was starting to trembled over all the chaos. Howl looked at him and nudged him reassuringly. "Come on, we need to get going...he would want us to continue."This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Scratch nodded. "Right. Are you coming in with me?"


    Howl slowly lowered his head. "This is as far as I can go.." he said shamefully.


    Scratch understood. "Can''t bear to see him like this, huh?"


    Howl nodded slowly. "I''ll keep watch."


    Scratch nodded too. "If a knight thing shows up, you need to run! We cant face those things, even if we ARE human!"


    "Don''t worry about me, Scratch. If one does come...I''ll run and hide. Maybe I''ll be able to get back to Shadow."


    Scratch nodded again and looked at the door to the King''s chamber. His body trembled with fear and uncertainty. He didn''t want to do this, but he knew he had to.


    He is ready to face the music.


    He took a shaky breath and changed his form, he pulled out a key Rose had given to him, back at camp. He opened the door and slipped inside.

 Chapter 42: Rose

    She was in the lead of her small group. They carried on through the passageways.


    Ebony held her bony hands together as she walked behind Rose. Mica was behind Ebony, he hyper focused his senses on every little crack in the wall, every little bug they stomped on as they walked by.


    Rose rolled her eyes, and carried on.  Suddenly, she was stopped by Ebony.


    "She''s near." The skeleton whispered.


    Rose turned to her. "Where are we at?"


    "West Hall." Ebony replied.


    Rose scanned the wall for a door, and sure enough, there was. She opened the door and it led them into the hall.


    Sure enough, Valerian stood before them, with her hands together in front of her. She smiled warmly at them. Rose stared her down with ice in her eyes. Valerian stepped closer to the red head.


    "Oh, it''s so good to see you, my friend!"


    Rose clenched her fists. "WE....are NOT friends!" Valerian snickered. "Don''t judge what you''ve been hearing lately, all those nonsense rumors."


    Rose shook her head. "Why don''t you tell that to HER?" She hissed. She stepped out of the way, so Valerian can see Ebony and Mica.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Valerian laughed at the horrid sight that Ebony had become. "Well, seems like you had a wonderful day with those villagers...let alone, that PRIEST!" Ebony then shot forth some black magic onto Valerian, causing her to clutch her throat. But the green witch giggled. She sent a wave of magic of her own, causing Ebony to scream, but the skeleton fought back. She turned her voice into a weapon, she ended up screeching like a banshee. Rose covered her ears. Valerian was sent back a little ways, she laughed once again. She looked at Ebony and then Rose. Mica stood right next to them, baring his teeth at her.


    The three of them surrounded Valerian. The green witch seemed pretty amused by this. Rose prepared her energy for battle, Ebony slowly sprouted fangs from the jawbone, Mica was ready for command.


    Valerian changed herself into the Crone, and looked at Rose. "Aw, sorry we couldn''t be the bestest of friends, dear. Behind the Crone, Ebony was ready to strike. Rose nodded, and the skeleton struck, but the Crone was too quick for her. She threw a glass bottle of blue liquid and sent it under Ebony''s feet, causing fire to emerge, making Ebony cry in agony.


    "Mica, now!" Rose commanded. The red eyed wolf nodded in obedience and tackled the old hag. He grabbed hold of her arm and bit down hard and thrashed, making the fun and kill easy!


    The Crone shrieked from the pain, but she continued. Rose noticed her raise her hand, and she gasped.


    No, she can''t!


    Before Valerian can succeed, Rose summoned energy around her, causing the room to be full of light, her hair changed to a full moon white, and her skin turned platinum as she focused her energy on the Crone. The light and heat caused the Crone to scream over the pain as she was getting an intense sunburn. Valerian then collapsed and Rose changed back. The light slowly dimmed. The air was calmer.


    "Is she dead?" Mica wondered. The girls looked down at the Crone.


    "No." Rose answered. "She''s unconscious, we don''t have long until she wakes up....where do we take her?" She turned to Ebony.


    The skeleton smirked. "I''ve got JUST the place!"

 Chapter 43: A Friend Lost To In Time

    Max slowly entered, and before him stood the familiar purple streaked monster of a wolf. The wolf looked up at him and laughed wickedly.


    "I sure do love watching you guys suffer...tell me, how was the knight attack? Too much?"


    Max clenched his fist, but immediately calmed himself.


    Remember, your previous actions caused this.


    Max looked deep into Azazel''s glowing purple eyes. "Enough of the games, Azazel....I know the truth about you." The purple eyed beast slowly bared his teeth at him and glared.


    "Don''t even get started with me!" Azazel warned.


    Max shook his head, doing his best not to cry. "This isn''t you, Matthew - "Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Matthew''s DEAD!" Azazel shouted, then twitched. Max almost cried, he had to force the tears away. "How did you get this way? Why didn''t you tell me that nothing was alright?"


    Azazel growled. "You make things all about you, Max. Always the one that needs the most attention! Forget a small, pathetic RUNT like me!" The purple beast then changed into the dark figure. Defeatedly, he peeled off the mask, and turned to Max.


    Max could recognize the face of Matthew, only he was pale. His veins were showing, but the veins were violet, left from the crystal. His eyes were still a deep purple.


    "Oh, my God!" Max cried.


    "Oh, don''t be so surprised, Max." Azazel began. "You never gave a shit about me anyway, after all.......it''s always been you!"


    Max could feel the tears come down as he looked into the eyes of what was once Matthew. "I''m sorry I''ve been so selfish."


    Azazel scoffed. "Yeah, now you''re getting all gushy with me. Keep your bullshit to yourself!" He held his hand up to examine it, it twitched.


    Max looked at his hand in horror. "The crystal - it changed you."


    Azazel turned back to him. "For the better!"


    ...........................................

 Chapter 43: A Friend Lost To In Time (part 2)

    MANY DAYS AGO.......


    Matthew could feel it in the air, Valerian told him to run, and so he did.


    Both of them ran through the woods, but they were stopped by him, standing in front of them.....


    A giant grizzly bear stood before them, growling irritably.


    Matthew shivered and turned to the green witch. "H - how do we g - g -get past him?" Valerian turned to him and slowly pulled something out of her pocket. It appeared to be a blue bottle. Matthew looked at her disapprovingly. "Can''t you just.....teleport or something?"


    Valerian shook her head. "Not right now, my energy''s too weak."


    "Oh, well great!" Matthew complained. Valerian gave him a glare. "Just trust me!" Matthew nodded.


    When the bear charged, Valerian threw the bottle, and it set the grizzly on fire. The bear collapsed as it cried in agony. It eventually stopped screaming. Valerian looked at Matthew.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Dinner, then? You cook for us!" Valerian ordered.


    Matthew wheezed.


    ..............................................


    Valerian fell asleep right after dinner, while Matthew kept watching for more bears.


    Why can''t he be strong like her? He thought to himself. He wanted to produce fire like that. Suddenly, an idea popped in his head. Matthew slowly turned to the crystal wrapped over Valerian''s neck.


    He cautiously took it off of her, while saying, "Please don''t let me be caught, please don''t let me be caught."


    He succeeded, finally it was in his hands! He planned to borrow it for an hour, hopefully the crystal will make him feel more than just confident and powerful. He wanted magic!


    He snapped his fingers and suddenly, a tiny flame appeared. "Whoa!" He whispered. He aimed the flame at the fire and shot it forth, making the fire grow bigger. Alerted and startled, he looked at Valerian, but she was still asleep.


    Matthew clutched his heart with relief. "Phew." He held the crystal and looked down at it. The beautiful masterpiece he wanted to keep forever.


    No, he was just borrowing it, he needed to give it back.


    Or maybe, she was getting tired of carrying it? He can help.


    But, she''ll kill you! He argued with himself.


    Maybe, we don''t have to be in the same place as her.


    "Hopefully, Evelynne will be fine without this for a little while longer...." He convinced himself.


    He smiled at the thought of that. He left Valerian there as he walked toward the castle with the crystal in his hand.

 Chapter 43: A Friend Lost To In Time (part 3)

    Days after, he noticed tiny changes in himself. Like, his body spasmed for some reason he didn''t know, his veins were showing, his skin was getting paler.


    When he arrived to the castle, the first thing he did was walk through and see if he could find something for a new him. He didn''t want to be Matthew anymore.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    After all, Matthew was never loved. He was always the runt, the weak one, the coward, you name it. Max even said it best, pathetic.


    He wanted to be something different, some ONE different. He looked at himself in the mirror, and noticed the dark angel he was becoming. He never noticed his eyes were the same shining purple as the crystal.


    Weird....


    His body twitched again.


    He looked back at the mirror and smiled wickedly.

 Chapter 44: Shadow

    Shadow woke up and immediately clasped his hands on his head as he groaned.


    It took him a second to see where he was. When he looked around him, he noticed that he was in the kitchens.


    But how?


    Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard. He turned around and saw Acalia in her usual spot. She smiled at him cheerfully.


    "Pretty boy!"


    Shadow blushed. "Acalia, what''s going on?"


    Acalia put her finger to her lips. "Shh,  they''ll find you."


    "What? Those knights?"


    "Yeah, the big , scary metal guys!" Acalia nodded.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Shadow groaned as he stood up. "I need to find a way to take them down."


    Acalia looked up at him and nodded again. "I''m aware...I''m the only one that possesses that kind of magic."


    Shadow tilted his head. "You''re an elemental? Your kind is rare."


    Acalia sighed. "I''m the last of my kind....or.....WAS. Now I guess I''m an extinct species."


    Shadow held his heart. "I''m so sorry."


    Acalia shrugged. "Eh, you live and you learn, I guess."


    Shadow nodded. He looked around him. "I need to help my friends...I can''t do it with those knights around.


    "Yeah, sadly I''m the only one that can do it....you''re a necromancer, right?"


    "Mhmm."


    "Is there any way I can use your body? To reverse the spell?" Acalia wondered.


    Shadow looked at her with surprise. "That''s a good idea, channeling?"


    Acalia nodded with glee.


    Shadow gave this a thought. "Okay, all I need you to do is walk through me...I''ll focus on your essence."


    Acalia nodded once more before getting up and slowly walking over to him. She smiled. "Good luck!"


    Shadow focused on her energy and felt a wave of it surge through his veins, creating a whole new entity.


    He conjured up water from his hand and smiled at the magic he created.


    Wow, this is cool! Acalia exclaimed in his mind.


    "Yeah, it definitely is..." Shadow smirked.

 Chapter 44: Shadow (part 2)

    Shadow left the kitchens and right down the hall, there stood a knight, waiting to strike.


    He could feel the energy within. He smirked as he focused the magic on the knight.


    "Not so fast..." He said, but his voice didn''t sound normal...it was like an echo. Deep, cold and empty. This should be startling him, but surprisingly it different.


    Maybe it''s cause you already sound like a beast! Acalia said.


    Shadow formed a crooked grin. "I AM a beast!"


    Focus.


    The knight tried to move, but was stunned as it looked up at Shadow. The blond boy snapped his fingers.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Back to the depths..."


    The knight suddenly collapsed, the pieces of metal dropped to the floor with loud clunks.


    He picked up the pace and scouted out the rest of the knights. He could shift, but the thing is, they were made of metal.


    Shadow then walked down the halls and hunted for more. He could feel his internal body get cold, like he swallowed ice. He tried to ignore it, but he just couldn''t hear the thought that maybe this was a bad idea.


    What could I be doing though? He wondered to himself. He HAD to go through with this.


    Shadow sighed from the cold. "I have to make this quick, Acalia." The ghost didn''t reply.


    He could change his form, but he had no clue if they would even have a scent. "Acalia, do they have a scent I can pick up on?"


    Yeah, they have an earthy scent. She replied.


    He changed himself into the black wolf and continued his mission. Surprisingly, the black pelt kept him warm from the cold he was suffering from underneath.

 Chapter 44: Shadow (part 3)

    He followed the next scent he could find. But he wondered to himself how he could do earth magic without changing every time he finds one.


    I''ll guide you. Acalia mentioned.


    Shadow nodded. The black wolf carried on until he met another knight. The knight swung his sword, but the black wolf dodged it swiftly. He then eyed the piece of metal and concentrated. The knight then clunked to the ground.


    Shadow nodded and carried on. He decided to go down to the main entrance where the knights were clustered. He stomped out every single one with the power he held. He could feel himself getting exhausted from the magic.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Acalia noticed his pain. Let me try something! She ordered.


    Weakly, Shadow let her fully take control. Suddenly he howled in agony as his body was becoming frozen. He changed and stood up. He looked down at his hands and noticed they were freezing over. He cried in agony again, but Acalia did her job. With her power, it forced him to get stronger. Elemental magic swirled around him, and the earth then began to shake. Then it began to slowly crack. He sent the energy that possessed him out and he could see the elemental magic shoot out in every direction, causing knights to fall, even more upstairs as he heard loud clangs and clunks as they all hit the floor at once.


    Shadow was starting to shake, as Acalia left his body. He weakly looked at her. "Thanks."


    Acalia put her hand on his shoulder. "I''m sorry." She said.


    Shadow chuckled. "Don''t be. I''ve been through worse shit before."


    She smiled, as she slowly turned around and walked back to the kitchens. Shadow nodded.

 Chapter 44: Shadow (part 4)

    He was about to teleport to Max and Zack until, he saw his blond friend run up to him. Shadow looked at him with surprise. "What happened, where''s Max?"


    Zack tried to catch his breath. "I was separated from him when a knight attacked, so I raced down to come find you. Speaking of which, what DID happen to you? We saw that one knight about to take you down."


    Shadow sighed and looked at the floor with embarrassment. "He knocked me out."


    "Are you alright" Zack asked him worriedly.


    "I''m fine, let''s go check on Max." He changed his form once again, and Zack did too. The blond wolf looked down at the floor and jumped. "What the hell? What happened here? And where are all those things?"You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "I sent them back to the ground." Shadow said. Howl looked at him with surprise.


    "How?"


    "The ghost girl." Shadow replied simply. "She needed to channel through me so her power could stop them. She was an elemental witch. She had the earth magic ability."


    "You got possessed?"


    "No!" Shadow snapped.


    Suddenly, they both heard footsteps running up to them. When they both looked, there stood Rose, Ebony and Mica.


    "Are you guys okay?" Rose asked them.


    Shadow nodded. "Did you guys do the deed? Did you kill her?"


    Rose and Ebony exchanged worried glances. "No, but we have her chained up."


    Shadow nodded once more. "Good." He then looked in Howl''s direction. "We need to go."


    "Go?" Rose wondered. Then she noticed there was only her brother and Howl standing before them. She looked at her brother with worry. "Where''s Max?"


    Shadow growled. "He''s upstairs all alone with Azazel, ''cause THIS dipshit decided to bail on him!" He gave Howl a stern look.


    Howl shook his head. "Look - " but Shadow ignored him, and his sister, as he ran up the stairs.

 Chapter 44: Shadow (part 5)

    When Shadow reached the top of the steps, he was stopped by Howl. He sighed.


    "What?" He exclaimed.


    Howl gave him a stern look. "Come on, you promised us you wouldn''t act this way, you even TOLD us to call you out when it happens!"


    Shadow sighed, he decided to change....for the better. He looked down at his friend and carried on.


    Howl caught up to him, then they walked together. He looked up at him. "Thanks."


    Shadow looked down at him and nodded. He smiled a little bit. "Yeah."


    Howl tilted his head. "Are you okay? You don''t seem too good."Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Shadow did forget he just got frozen over recently. He did his best to ignore it, he looked back down at Howl as he walked. "Scratch could be in danger, and you leave his side..."


    Howl shook his head.  "Don''t be too upset about that, he told me himself that if things got bad, then I can go find you."


    "Oh, shit!" Shadow exclaimed and looked down at his friend once more. "I''m sorry."


    Howl scoffed. "You gotta let me speak if you want an answer, Shadow."


    Shadow put a hand on the back of his neck. "Yeah..."


    All of a sudden, the door to the King''s chamber busted open, with Azazel pushing Max to the ground, and pinning him there. He looked up and noticed the other two were present. Howl looked in shock at what Matthew has become. Shadow grew even more frozen, but this time...it was from horror at what was done to him. Howl was slowly beginning to back away. Shadow stopped him. "It''s alright, Howl." He did his best to comfort the wolf, but the blond wolf only looked up at him with a blank expression on his face. Shadow felt sympathy for him. He really wished he wasn''t rude to him two seconds ago.

 Chapter 45: Max

    Max found himself looking into Azazel''s direction. All of a sudden, he found himself getting pinned down by him outside of the chamber. Azazel turned to look at their other friends. Max looked too, and he saw how horrified Shadow and Howl were.


    "Who do you think will win in a fight, this fucker ....or me?" Azazel called.


    Max noticed that his necklace was exposed and their was the shining crystal. He grabbed it and threw it over the railing. Azazel looked down at him with pure anger and surprise. He slowly got up and looked down at Max and smiled wickedly. "Aw, MAN! That was my favorite accessory. I looked pretty charming with that thing on." Max couldn''t bear to see his friend this way. Matthew would never have behaved this way. This was all his fault, he turned him. He only wanted to be part of family and Max didn''t give it to him.


    "Let him go, Azazel!" Shadow demanded.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Azazel looked at Shadow with glee. "Aw, I was just having a little fun with this....that''s all."


    Hey, should the broken crystal reverse this spell now?


    Azazel laughed. "You guys are probably wondering to yourself, ''With the crystal broken, should he be back now?'' Sorry, this isn''t the case!"


    "That IS the case! Every crystal that''s shattered doesn''t work anymore....what did you do? Cut yourself with it?" Rose asked.


    Azazel giggled. "That''s EXACTLY what I did! Pretty neat trick huh? It was an accident after all, but....you know...."


    Max shook his head in disbelief as he tried to keep himself together. "There''s no way to change you back...."


    Azazel quivered his bottom lip to make an impression that he was crying. "Oh, Maxie can''t get his buddy back? That''s a shame...well I guess you guys have to suffer with seeing the new me!" He turned to face the rest of the group wickedly.


    "I want you asshat to scram....after this one, final game I want you all to play. How ''bout another finding game, hmm? It''ll be the same as the first one, but a little more...killing in there. One of you comes out alive!"


    Max closed his eyes. This can''t be happening again.


    "Three....two.....ONE!" Azazel snapped his fingers.

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek

    Ebony landed in the kitchens. She looked around for a knife. She needed to find a way to enchant the knife. He needed to die!


    She searched the area for the perfect one and changed a spell on it. She then decided to go hide in one of the cupboards up above.


    ...........................................


    Mica was sent to the dungeons where he looked desperately for a place to hide. Then he remembered the passageway. Pawed around for the hidden door, and slowly it opened for him. He quickly shut it.


    Mica chuckled. "That bastard''s too dumb to notice a passageway here!"


    ............................................


    Max stood in the Princess''s Room, he looked around for a place to hide, and a way to escape. He didn''t want to risk Azazel seeing him in the halls. Maybe he can escape out the window?


    ..........................................


    Zack was in the library. He looked around desperately. In this room we''re only bookshelves and two couches!


    He groaned. Where would he hide?


    It was stupid, but if he couldn''t hide under the too - low - to - the - floor couch, he had to try the bookshelf. He cleared out every book he could find, until he heard a click, and suddenly the floor underneath the bookshelf opened up. Her peered inside and noticed there were stairs. He went down them and noticed in the room underneath the library was filled with gold and other treasures. He had to find a way to shut the floor above him. He looked around for a way to shut it, and there he found a lever, which shut the floor for him. He sighed in relief.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ..............................................


    Shadow landed in the graveyard behind the castle. He looked around, unable what to do.


    One part of him ordered him to fight, the other one told him to hide. But he knew Azazel was too strong. He DID need to hide, then find a way to help his friends and get the fuck out of here....for good!


    He decided to go hide by Malakai''s grave.....Acalia showed this to him before.


    No, he thought. As disgusting as it sounded, he''ll hide in Malakai''s grave.


    It''s not as disgusting as having a ghost inside your body!


    Shadow had an idea. Didn''t Malakai suffer the same fate as Azazel?


    No, no you can''t do this again!


    Shadow shook the thought away. He will do it, and he will succeed. He didn''t want to risk being cold again, but he had to try! But Malakai''s not a ghost, he''s long gone.


    It won''t stop him from trying.


    If he were to channel Malakai, he would be just as powerful as Azazel is.


    He jumped inside of the grave and commanded the energy to come in. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain surge up his arm...his body began to shake. He could feel the effects of the crystal. It was super painful and super intense. He could feel the power come from within. He forced himself, hard, not to scream over the pain.


    When he was fully transformed into Malakai, he stepped out of the grave and headed for the castle. Though l, he couldn''t tell if it was Malakai making him walk or his own feet doing that, but he carried on.


    .............................................


    Rose was outside of the castle, by their camping ground. It was dark, and she could barely see. She decided to go further into the woods and hi behind a large pine tree.


    Where are the others?


    She panted, then immediately covered her mouth as she heard Azazel laughing in the distance. "I can smell you..." He said in a sing-song voice.


    Rose continued to stay quiet. She didn''t move a muscle. But she remembered that she had an invisibility power. She focused her magic, causing her to be unnoticed.


    "Oh, come on, Rosie........don''t be scared of the BIG---BAD--- WOLF!"

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek (part 2)

    Ebony hid in the cupboard, but she felt like she wasn''t alone. She shook her head and looked at Acalia irritably.


    "Yes, Acalia, what might be the problem this time?"


    Acalia tilted her head. "Where''s Pretty Boy?"


    Ebony scoffed. "Which one? They''re all good looking."


    Acalia held her chin over her hands and placed her back legs together and rocked them. She smiled big. "The one that''s the most innocent!"


    Ebony scoffed again. "Who? Shadow? I don''t know."


    Acalia looked down sadly and pouted.


    .................................................


    Zack looked around the treasure room for an escape. He searched through every brick, through every box...everything he can think of. Suddenly, he was startled by noises coming from up above. He prayed silently.


    All of a sudden, the library floors began to open. He held his breath and grabbed a weapon. But, to his surprise, it was only Mica.


    Zack felt relief, he pulled the lever behind him as Mica moved down the steps. The red eyed wolf looked around like it was home. "Ahh, great room huh?"


    Zack whispered. "I guess you could say that."


    Mica tilted his head. "So, what are you doing down here?"


    Zack controlled his annoyance. "I''m looking for an escape."


    Mica formed a crooked grin. "Escape? Well, you''ve come to the right place." The red eyed wolf walked up to a tall box next to Zack. "Love this....there''s a passageway leading to our old base!"


    Zack smiled. "Really?" He went over to where Mica stood and moved the big box and sure enough, there was a hidden hallway with a lantern lit.


    Mica nodded proudly. "We dug out the tunnel leading into this room, so no one can know it was us that did it. Come, we can escape through there."


    Zack had a troubling thought. "How do we get the others now? Is there another way to get to them without going back up through the passages?"


    "That''ll be a hell of a risk, just let them find their way..."


    "I''m not leaving without them!" Zack retorted.


    Mica sighed and shook his head.


    ..............................................


    Rose held her stance until she could hear Azazel''s footsteps become less and less noticeable. She slowly looked behind the tree and indeed, he was no where to be seen.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    He won''t stop until he finishes us off one by one!


    Her anxiety was beginning to rise at the thought of no escape.....


    Wait, that''s it....they need to fully get off the premises. But, shit where would the others be? Should she teleport to a random location and retrieve them, or should she find a better path? Maybe it would be best that she find a new, safe location away from the castle, she was already outside...why not make the journey?


    This is probably the stupidest thing I''ve done yet......


    ....................................................


    Max tip toed his way to the window and opened it. He looked down and noticed how seriously scared of heights he was, and also noticed that there was no ledge for him to stand on.


    Shit! He IS going to have to get out the other way. He put his ear on the door, for any sign of Azazel. He heard nothing. He pulled out the key and unlocked the door and slowly the door creaked open. Max poked his head outside and indeed, no Azazel was there.


    He crept down the halls and hugged every bit of wall he could find and looked behind the corner and continued his way down to the stairs. He needed to find that damn passageway. The closest one can be found near the library.


    Suddenly, he heard the sound of a loud crash. It made him jump and his body shook with fear.


    What the fuck was THAT?


    He heard it again, this time...he heard the creepiest sound he could ever hear. The sound of some sort of monster that lurked downstairs. Something besides Azazel...that wasn''t his voice. Azazel''s voice is raspy and as sharp as scissors. He gulped. He heard the sound of the monster roar, and it scared him shitless. He ran to go hide. He opened a nearby cupboard and slipped inside.


    He tried to hold his breath to slow the panting, but it didn''t work. He''s heard from folklore about these creatures that lived in the depths of forest. He was told about these giants that would roam the forests and wreak havoc, causing people to run because of the boulders the size of houses that were thrown. They would even pull Big pine trees from the roots and bash hunters with them.


    Did Azazel really have the gift of God to send giants their way?


    The voice from the creature sounded angry, and cold. He gulped, and suddenly, he felt no longer safe in his hiding place. The small cupboard he squeezed himself in was getting smaller and smaller, as if they were closing in on him.


    He couldn''t breathe...but he had to stay quiet.


    ................................................


    Shadow noticed Azazel making his way back to the castle. He hid behind the wall, before proceeding. He followed him into the main entrance.


    An unknown fury surged through his now deep purple veins as he coldly stared Azazel down. He continued to follow him.


    Azazel saw the sea of metal that surrounded him. Shadow noticed that he was examining a knight''s weapon: an oversized spiked ball hooked to a chain. Azazel picked it up by the chain and swung it in Shadow''s direction.


    Shadow found himself screaming in hot anger, as he caught the spiked ball and sent it flying in Azazel''s direction. The ball slammed itself into the wall, causing it to make a startling crash.


    Shadow found himself looking at Acalia in the distance, screaming excitedly, "Choose me, choose me!"


    He smirked at her and eventually, he found himself being the host for two spirits. He summoned the strength from Malakai and the elemental magic from Acalia.


    He could feel himself changed once again, to not just Malakai, but as Acalia. Azazel charged forward at him and immediately, with Acalia''s earth magic, he waved his hand and the brick wall and slammed it on top of Azazel. Shadow''s anger surged through him once again, and it caused his own voice to be warped as he roared.


    Azazel groaned. "You....are FUCKING crazy!"


    Shadow raced over there and planted ice magic in Azazel''s arm, causing him to scream. With his anger, the blond necromancer pounded his fist in Azazel''s face.


    Azazel got up and wiped the blood coming from his nose. He made a sick laugh. "Oh, this is FUN! What else can you do, huh Necromancer?"


    "This - " he changed into the black wolf and lunged at his target.

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek (part 3)

    ...............................................


    Max couldn''t hold it in for much longer, he NEEDED to leave his hiding place, maybe he can slip past that beast that Azazel summoned.


    When he ran out of his hiding place, he looked over the railing and was even more shocked. This answer before him was unbelievably worse than he thought.


    He witnessed Shadow throw a wall down on Azazel and used fucking ICE magic on him, and beat the shit out of him. Shadow was hollering the familiar voice he heard seconds ago.


    Is he really making that noise? What was going on?


    Max was even more horrified at Shadow''s appearance. He had the same deep purple veins that Azazel had, his eyes became an icy blue, like he froze underwater with his eyes open. His face was pale and some kind of earth mixed in with ice and dark purple shadows swirled around him as he stared down Azazel.


    When he changed, the black wolf''s appearance was also different. Deep purple veins poked through his fur, his eyes became white with the ice he used. How did he get this way?


    How? Was he.........possessed?


    He jumped when he heard the passage open, to prevent the others witnessing this, he raced over to where Zack and Mica were at.


    Zack was at the entrance of the passage. "There you are! I was worried about you! What''s wrong? Did he get you?"


    Max laughed nervously. "No, but he''s about to if we don''t move now!"


    Zack let him in and he slammed the door behind him. "Alright, let''s go find Shadow."


    Max wheezed nervously. "Um, yeah, he could be somewhere - uh, not - possessed!"


    Zack winced. "Oh boy, that would be a sight to see!"


    Mica laughed. "Just imagine his anger issues mixing in with something else, that would be FUNNY!"


    Zack and Mica took him to the base underneath the library. The banging and crashing kept on going. Zack and Mica looked up, while Max lowered his head and cradled himself tightly.


    "What in the shit in THAT?" Mica exclaimed.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Zack shook his head. "I don''t know, but I don''t like it."


    All of a sudden, the noises above stopped, and it grew eerily quiet. Zack stood up and walked over to the entrance to the library. "Do you think someone''s in trouble up there? Sounds like Azazel was beating the shit out of someone! I hope they''re okay!"


    More like the other way around, Max thought.


    Zack pulled the lever and went back to the entrance. "I''m going to check it out..."


    "No!" Max stopped hurried over to Zack and shook his head. "I''LL go, you don''t have to worry."


    Zack looked at him with surprise. "Oh, uh, okay! Stay safe! You know your way back?"


    Max nodded.


    Zack let him out, and Max ran to the passageway in the wall.


    ...............................................


    When Ebony heard the ruckus, she had to make the decision in her mind to escape. Acalia heard the crashing too and looked above them. She squeaked excitedly. "I want to see what that is! Sounds fun!"


    Before Ebony can retort, Acalia vanished. She groaned and rolled her eyes.


    The crashing then became more intense, hopefully Azazel won''t see her...she slipped out of cupboard and left the kitchen. She didn''t want to risk Azazel seeing her, so she decided to go further downstairs into the dungeons and use the passageway.


    There, that''s a safer decision.


    .....................................................


    Rose noticed Ebony running from the one of the castle entrances and racing over to her. Rose and Ebony ran.


    "What are we doing?" Ebony asked.


    Rose turned to her. "I''m finding a new home for us, where it''s safer! I don''t think I want us to be outside anymore, we need to be underground.


    Ebony gasped. "I know JUST the location...follow me!"


    ....................................................


    Shadow strangled Azazel''s throat with his teeth. He thrashed, feeling the cold ice seep through him and through Azazel.


    Shadow immediately changed back and grabbed Azazel and threw him outside of the entrance. He knelt down at the bleeding Azazel.


    The purple eyed creature coughed and looked at him and smiled. "Break time! I''ll save you for last!"


    Shadow suddenly found himself getting drained. Azazel got up, and to his surprise left him there. He walked outside of the castle and into the open field. Shadow went back inside to rest. He now needed to hide...even if he was the strongest person in the world, Azazel was still undefeatable. Shadow can immediately feel the two spirits he channeled, leave his body. He noticed his hands were changing back, he was now experiencing the familiar cold sensation again....this time, it was as cold as winter inside. He couldn''t wrap himself to keep him warm. He had to change so he could feel the warm pelt again. It doesn''t help him, but only a little. He shivered as he changed into the black wolf. He coughed and looked up at Max, who stood there completely traumatized.


    Shadow was too tired to talk, he shivered as he tested his head on his paws.


    "Dude, what the hell was THAT?" Max exclaimed. "Were you POSSESSED?"


    Shadow slowly shook his head. "Ch - channeling.."


    Max tilted his head. "What does that mean?"


    Shadow didn''t answer, he was too cold to talk.


    Max studied him. "Can you move?"


    Shadow shook his head.


    Max knelt down to pick him up, he carried him over to the passageway. "Zack and Mica found something in the library..." He whispered. "I think we can leave now."


    "Where''s my sister?" Shadow asked.


    "I think she''s out there.....why?"


    "Azazel......he''s......out there!" He said weakly.


    ........................................................

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek (part 4)

    Max stomped the floor of the secret room to alert his friend. The door was open and inside he went.


    By the time he went down, Zack noticed the black wolf in his arms. His eyes grew wide. "Oh my God! What the hell happened?"


    Shadow shivered and slowly looked at Zack. "I .........went too........far."


    Max explained what happened, and Zack was in shock, while Mica laughed his ass off.


    "Oooh, that was badass!" Mica said.


    Shadow looked at him and glared. "It''s not funny, dumbass!" Max set him down gently.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Are you feeling better?"


    "S - somewhat...."


    "Do we need to alert Rose?"


    "No! She can''t know what I did....I''m not supposed to be doing that yet." Shadow explained.


    Max sighed and looked at Zack. Mica pointed them at the hidden hallway. "Come on, fuckers, let''s go!"


    "My sister''s not! Neither is Ebony!" Shadow retorted.


    Mica gave him a side eye glance. "So?"


    Shadow snarled and lunged at him, making the red eyed wolf whine.


    Max grabbed Shadow''s scruff and pulled him off of Mica. "Shadow, stop! We cant cause chaos here, remember....he''s still hunting for us!"


    Shadow growled at him. "Don''t you think I already fucking know that?"


    Max looked at the ceiling. "You''re acting up again!"


    Shadow tilted his head. "What?" He then noticed it within himself that he was acting up again. He snarled loud.


    "Argghh, SHIT! SON OF A FUCKING BITCH! WHY DIDN''T YOU FUCKERS SAY ANYTHING?"

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek (part 5)

    Max sighed and looked at Zack.


    Shadow looked at Mica. The red eyed wolf glared at him. "You done?"


    "For now.." Shadow answered. "Are we sure this was all of us in this castle?"


    Mica nodded.


    "So they must be outside...." Shadow confirmed. He walked up to the entrance. Max catches him. The black wolf looked up at him.


    "You''re still weak, if Azazel shows back up, you''ll be dead! We''ll find a way to get to them....I think we should do what Mica says and follow him."


    Shadow sighed to himself, and looked at Max again. He nodded.


    "Okay, we''ll follow you." Max told the red eyed wolf. Mica excitedly led the way, while the others followed. Shadow stayed behind the group. Zack and Max looked behind them.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ....................................................


    After a while, they reached the old base. Mica sighed peacefully as he looked at the Thief''s lair.


    He proudly looked behind him to see the rest of the pack. He nodded.


    "So, what do you think? Cozy?"


    The room was wide, and empty. It was spacious enough to put a hundred people there.


    Max smiled. Shadow looked around for an exit. Mica shook his head.


    "You''re no fun, Shadow!"


    The black wolf ignored him as he scanned the room, hoping to find some sort of exit. He changed and ran his hands along the walls. He then looked at Max and Zack with worry.


    "We NEED to find them!" Shadow said.


    Max nodded as he looked at Mica. "Exit?" Slowly, the red eyed wolf pointed to a wall behind him. "That''s a hidden door."


    "How do we open it?" Zack asked him.


    Mica pointed to the stand in front of them. "Move the podium, the lever''s right underneath."


    Max did so, and he pulled the lever, causing one part of the wall to split in two,forming a passage. Mica nodded.


    "That leads further inside the mountain, it''s going to be a little walk, but we''ll get to them in time."


    Shadow then declared. "Let''s move, then."

 Chapter 46: Hide and Seek (part 6)

    They traveled through the passage until the reached the entrance. There stood Rose and Ebony.


    Max smiled as he watched Shadow rush over to Rose and hugged.


    He looked around his surroundings. "This makes a pretty nice home!"


    "For a few seconds...." Azazel laughed. "Think you could get past me?"You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Shadow looked at Azazel. The purple eyed wolf looked back. "You''re a pretty good fight, don''t worry....I won''t tell your sister anything!"


    Rose looked at them confusedly. "Wait, what did you do?"


    Shadow winced at her.


    Azazel laughed. "Oh nevermind, I''ll tell her bout it. He decided to get possessed by two souls and fight me with their powers!"


    Rose gasped and looked at Shadow. "I told you not to get invested into that! It''s dangerous!"

 Chapter 47: The Final Battle

    Shadow winced again. "I needed to protect us SOMEHOW!"


    Rose groaned. Azazel laughed. "Oh sis, you should be proud of him."


    "Don''t stand in their way, Azazel!" Max growled.


    Azazel giggled as he twitched. "Shut up!" He sent Max flying backwards, and all hell broke loose. Mica, Zack and Shadow tackled him to the ground, while Rose went to his aid. Ebony stood frozen at the sight of chaos.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Enough!" Azazel screamed. He then snapped his fingers and sent them to the trees and boulder in front of him.


    "Final round, then you''re all free!" Azazel declared. Zack and Mica hid behind a boulder Ebony stood by herself at a lonely tree. Rose, Max and Shadow together hid behind their own trees.


    Azazel continued. "I''m going to pick one to kill, then the rest of you are good!"


    Max lowered his head. "Shit!" Suddenly, he could hear Shadow panting uncontrollably. He turned to him.


    Rose turned her head too. "Are you alright?"


    Shadow groaned in pain. "It hurts, it - hurts!"

 Chapter 47: The Final Battle (part 2)

    Rose looked at him. "Gabriel, I''m getting worried......what''s wrong?" When Shadow turned to face her, she gasped. Suddenly, Max can feel the air getting colder, he looked up at the blacked sky and it used the familiar crowd circling above them. He turned to Rose. "Shit!"


    "What?" She exclaimed.


    "Get down!" Then she saw them  Zack recognized the birds and shouted.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Azazel growled. "Enough bickering, let''s get going!"


    Everyone stood still, except for Shadow, he turned to face Max and he saw that his face was paler, his eyes were soulless, no white whatsoever. Max shook in fear. "Shadow, what''s happening?"


    "EENY - " Azazel began. Max held his breath, and looked down at Zack, who got picked first.


    "Meany - " Mica growled to himself as he closed his eyes.


    "Miney - " Ebony hugged herself as she sobbed.


    Azazel then pointed in Rose''s direction. "Moe! "

 Chapter 47: The Final Battle (part 3)

    All of a sudden, the birds swooped down and attacked Azazel. The purple eyed beast cried out. He changed into the dark figure and yelled at them. Shadow then came out and struck him with his fist.


    "What the hell!" Azazel cried out in agony.


    Shadow smirked and backed up, using blood magic to control Azazel. He commanded the birds to bring him a couple of stakes. He then used the magic to life Azazel into the air, and spread his arms out so he can be in a perfect cross position. The birds delivered the stakes and Shadow sent them flying into Azazel''s arms. He screamed again.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The sound made Shadow''s heart sing. He smiled wickedly. He was about to make Azazel''s heart stop working until Max came in and launched himself at him. Shadow pushed him off like he was nothing. He looked down at him. "Stay out of my way, he''s mine!"


    Max was horrified by Shadow''s voice. It was much deeper than the black wolf''s. Harsher, meaner, COLDER!"


    Max slowly got up and faced him. "You''re not a killer, Shadow!"


    Mica and Ebony backed up, Rose stepped closer. Zack approached too.


    Shadow could hear Azazel bitching at him. The Necromancer snapped his fingers and it made Azazel''s lips seal shut. He then turned to the others who circled him. The birds wanted flesh, but he said to them in a different tongue, that they need to be patient.

 Chapter 47: The Final Battle (part 4)

    Shadow used his blood magic to force everyone to stay in place, except for Max. Shadow snarled at him.


    Max cried out his name, but Shadow ignored his plea for life. He smirked. He approached Max and pushed him to the ground. Shadow pinched him, over and over. Max dodged every blow.


    Shadow laughed and backed away, then the crows were sent in to kill Max!


    "Why are you doing this?" Max exclaimed.


    Shadow then simply answered. "You threatened me....besides, I need a new soul to claim." Max shook at how calm and ruthless Shadow was.


    He didn''t want to admit it, but he preferred the meaner, bitchier version of Shadow.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Shadow snarled at him again. Max looked into the deep, black, soulless eyes that took over his friend.


    "Come on, man. Wake up! This isn''t you!"


    Shadow snarled again. "You don''t get it, I''ve ALWAYS been this way!


    Max looked at Zack and Rose, then looked back at his friend.


    "Come on, I''m not losing you too!"


    Rose broke the spell cast on her, and she moved. She stepped in, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Brother, you don''t want this."


    Their soulless friend looked at all of them, then found his way back to Max. Seeing this, Rose raised her hands to summon her magic. "Gabriel, don''t make me do this!" She sobbed.


    But her brother didn''t listen, he continued to stare Max down. He raised his head, and the birds came soaring down. He looked at Shadow again. Anger struck him.


    "Do you think Crimson would''ve wanted this?" Then all of a sudden, the birds stopped. Rose and Zack looked at their surroundings.


    Max can notice the guilt behind Shadow''s eyes. His friend looked at the ground. Max shook his head at this. "Your friend wouldn''t have wanted you to kill."


    Shadow whispered, this time his voice changed back to a normal teenage boy''s. "I don''t know how many people died because of me."

 Chapter 47: The Final Battle (part 5)

    "That doesn''t matter, you were forced, you didn''t really want to do it. Shadow, you''re not a killer. Done be the monster the world fears you are!"


    Shadow then locked eyes on Max again, and suddenly, the storm clouds left, the night air became warmer, the crows left them, and his friend''s eyes became sky blue again. Rose came in just as he collapsed. Max and Zack raced over to him. Rose held him close to her. Max gave her a worried look.


    "Is he going to be okay?"


    She nodded. "He''ll be alright. He won''t be conscious for a while though...."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "How long do you think?" Max asked.


    She replied. "I don''t know........this shit can get intense sometimes if it gets out of control.....it might take him about a week to a month to come back to us."


    Max looked at her with wide eyes and looked at Zack. "Jesus!"


    Zack then asked his own question. "What was that all about?"


    Rose answered him. "It''s a thing witches go through. When things get too much, we.......become our powers. We get out of control in a threatening situation. We only do this when we are threatened." She looked down at her brother. "But this? This was because he kept allowing souls to enter his body. His energy got addicted to feeling powerful."


    Max lowered his head. "Oh my God, Shadow." He whispered.

 Chapter 48: Max

    "What do we do now?" Zack asked Max.


    He looked up at Azazel, who now changed into the dark timberwolf and dusted himself off. He looked at Max and growled.


    "The battle''s over, Azazel!"


    Azazel laughed and twitched. "For now, at least. Eh, I''m getting bored of you guys already. But, I''ll see you in a hundred years or so!"


    Max tilted his head at him. "What?"


    Azazel laughed at them. "Enjoy your immortalhood while it lasts!" Those were his final words, then he took off to the castle that stretched miles away from them now.


    Max looked at Rose with confusion. "What did he just say? We''re immortal? How?"


    Zack shook his head in disbelief.


    Rose had the shocking answer for them. When Valerian first gave him the stone, he was allowed any wish granted, that''s how he got those powers, that''s how you guys changed back into wolves. He wished it."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Max looked back at her. "Did he wish this immortality thing too?"


    Rose shook her head. "Valerian offered him some of her immortality. Since he''s already bound to us, Valerian''s immortality passed down to all of us."


    Mica scoffed. "Wait, now you guys are immortal? Fucking suckups!"


    Ebony clasped her hands together. "Mica....do you remember Evelynne?"


    "Always...why?"


    Ebony sighed. "I hate to tell you this, but I think you should know. I saw in my mind that after that day I was destined to die, she ran off into the woods in search of purpose. She stumbled upon Scarlett, Valerian''s sister, who took her in under her wing. Evelynne wanted to be immortal, powerful, sting...so she made a deal with Scarlett to change her into a wolf and work under her. She was granted the ability to change back into a human at will. Overtime, she was slowly losing memories of you, soon she became clueless as to who you were to her. She always loved you, Mica. She would never wanted to forget you."


    Mica was tearing up as he looked deep into Ebony''s eyes. "Who....was she?"


    Max already knew the answer. "Beta..."


    Ebony nodded. Mica lowered his head and sobbed. "I should''ve known!"


    "Scarlett tore you guys apart...." Ebony said to him. Rose looked at her in shock. "SHE was the one who assassinated the queen?"


    Zack lowered his head. "Damn."

 Chapter 48: Max (part 2)

    Ebony got up to examine the tree they just entered...slowly, her form began to change. She looked down and noticed that she was forming blood, muscle and flesh again. She gasped at the sight. Everyone looked her way and smiled with surprise.


    Ebony''s black hair became fuller and longer, her black Victorian dress was no longer faded. Her skin became fuller, no bones were showing. She looked down and noticed her feet were bare. She cried tears of joy.


    Rose smiled as she looked down at her unconscious brother. "I''m so happy for you, Ebony!"The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Ebony smiled with glee. "Me too!" She pulled off the headdress of ram horns and threw it in the river.


    The life she lived for so long, all darkness, no light. She should''ve been a better witch, but she chose the dark one instead. Suddenly, Ebony noticed that as she got her skin back, she was starting to fade away. She gasped and looked at Rose. "Is this .....redemption? Am I being redeemed?"


    Mica looked up at her and smiled.


    As Ebony slowly began to fade away, she told everyone goodbye. She then looked down at Mica. "Take care of yourself, know that I will always be with you!" A tear streamed down the red eyed wolf''s face. Ebony turned around and walked away, giving one last goodbye to her friends. Then she vanished. Rose cried tears of joy as well.

 Chapter 48: Max (part 3)

    After Ebony left, Mica faced the pack. "Alright, it was fun and all, but I need to get going! Tell Shadow I''ll still seek revenge on him one day!" Mica cackled.


    Max scoffed and shook his head. "Yep, I''m sure he''ll be looking forward to it."


    Mica smiled and ran further into the woods. He looked over his shoulder once more, before carrying on.


    ......................................................


    Zack and Max carried Shadow into the new location. Rose followed them.


    When they arrived at what was once the lair for the Thieves, they set up the base for their new home. Max blocked off the door, hopefully Azazel won''t find them here. Rose looked around the cold and empty room. " It sure is chilly in here."If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Zack looked at Max. "Should we get firewood? And food?"


    Max put his hands on his hips. "Sounds good to me!" Both of them looked down at Shadow''s unconscious body. He looked at Rose. "It''s going to take him a long time to wake up, huh?"


    Rose nodded and looked at him too. Shadow was placed close to the edge of one curved wall. Rose put him under blankets after Max told her his experience with him. She placed a hand on his forehead. "There''s no fever, so that''s good....and he is getting warmed up." She sighed and looked up at Max. "It probably will take a month or two for him to come back."


    Zack put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, he may be with us, but I''m still going to miss him.....which is a surprise ''cause....we know how he can be sometimes."


    Max nodded and Rose giggled. "At least he''s trying. He''s putting an effort, he even has you guys. You are all good people to him. He never really had any friends growing up." She brushed his blond hair.


    Max looked at Zack. "Should we get that meat and firewood now?"

 Chapter 48: Max (part 4)

    After Max and Zack came back from collecting meat and firewood, they went back to the base and prepared the fire. Max honestly felt safer in their new territory.


    Zack gave Max his hunting knife. "Skin the rabbit." He said. Max nodded. Once the rabbit was skinned and gutted, they prepared the meal. Max looked down at Shadow. Rose lay by his side.


    Max sat by her, she looked at him and smiled. Max smiled too. "Don''t be mad at him when he wakes up....he WAS trying to help us out after all."


    Rose wiped tears from her eyes. "Yeah, I know...you don''t have to worry about that....he''s not going to remember anything when he wakes."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Max tilted his head. "Really?"


    Rose nodded. "Believe me, this happened to me before......no recollection of what the hell I just did.....what I felt before....it''ll be blank."


    "Wow." Max said.


    Rose nodded again. She looked up at Zack, who came to sit by them while the rabbit cooked.


    Max looked around. "Sure is quiet here with just the three of us." He lowered his head. He missed his friends. He missed the way things were. He sighed. "I never should''ve been that way with him."


    Zack and Rose looked at him with sadness in their eyes. Rose patted him on the shoulder. "We''ll get Matthew back, I promise."


    The three friends embraced each other and talked about memories they had about Matthew.


    One day, they''ll get him back


    ......................................................

 Chapter 49: One Month Later........

    Max returned with the sticks for the fire. He walked back to the base. Zack caught up with him and smiled.


    Max looked at what he caught. He laughed at the pheasant he caught. Shadow would''ve loved that! "You''re such a dick, Zack."


    Zack shrugged. "He introduced me to a GREAT bird!"


    As they were walking back, Rose stepped outside and ushered them in. "Come in, come in!" She exclaimed.


    "Why? What happened?" Max gave her a worried look.


    Rose smiled. "He''s awake!"


    Zack and Max exchanged glances and raced inside.


    Shadow was sitting up by the fire pit. When he saw his friends, he was happy. Rose went over to him and they embraced. She cried. "I''ve missed you so much!"


    Shadow hugged her tightly. Max and Zack stopped what they were doing and knelt down on next to Shadow. The three of them embraced.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Oh my God, it''s good to see you! It''s been ages!" Max said.


    Shadow looked from him to Zack. "Really? How long was I out?"


    "It''s been a month." Rose replied. Shadow looked at her with worry. "THAT LONG? Wow! What happened?" Rose hugged him again. "You pushed it pretty hard, brother."


    Shadow rubbed his head. "I - I don''t remember what happened...."


    Max smiled. "We don''t expect you to."


    Shadow looked at the three of them. "I - still want to know what happened?" He turned to his sister. Rose folded her arms. "Let''s just say that you did something you weren''t supposed to, and it caused you to go haywire."


    "Mmm, I don''t recall....the last thing I remember is our battle with Azazel. We were here...I remember that I was in a lot of pain........what happened after that?"


    Rose shook her head. "Don''t worry about the rest."


    "Rose, please?" Shadow begged.


    Rose chuckled. "I forget how stubborn you are....." She explained to him, about him losing himself and embracing his darker side...what witches call "Embracing Their Potential". She told him that he nearly killed his friend in the process, but Max snapped him out of it. Shadow groaned with deep worry.


    "You''ve been knocked out ever since." Max added.


    "For a month." Zack said.


    Shadow looked at the three of them again and ran his hands over his face and through his hair. "Jesus..."


    Rose shook her head. "Hey, dinner''s almost done, thankfully you''ve woken up today, because your buddies brought in pheasant. Shadow smiled with excitement.

 Chapter 49: One Month Later.....

    That night, Rose sat up in bed and looked at the ceiling made of stone. She smiled, before turning to her brother, who was fast asleep next to her.


    Suddenly, he began to whimper. He then muttered in his sleep, in witch language, saying, "Don''t turn out the lights." He kept saying that phrase over and over again. Rose remembered how little he was when the nightmares began......he still has them? She held his hand. His body began to tremble. He tossed and turned. He whimpered again, repeating the same words. Rose shook him awake.


    Shadow shot up as he screamed. He looked at her. She looked at him back. "You''re having those dreams again." She said.


    Shadow looked down at the floor. "It was my fault they died, you know? I invited those things into my life, and it killed them. "I''M the reason the house caught fire, I''M the reason they burned! I destroy things everywhere I go! Everywhere I go, I bring danger.....all because I played with those things in the woods!"


    Rose sighed and put her hand on his shoulder. "Gabriel, I never believed those superstitions. Those ANIMALS out there are part of nature....not eveyone''s the same."


    A tear streamed down Shadow''s face. "They killed our parents!"


    She shook her head. "Gabe...it''s their nature.....they''re just the same as any other wolf, just a different color."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Shadow shook his head. "They watched me sleep every night, waiting for one of us to DIE."


    Rose sighed.


    "Now I''M one of them, one of those....black coated FREAKS!" Shadow looked at her as he cried. "Why? Why me? Is it because I represent DEATH?" he trembled.


    She looked at her brother lovingly. "It''s not about that at all......Gabriel, your childhood was ROUGH." She cried as she brushed his hair. "What you became tells a story about what you''ve been through. There''s been too much darkness and pain from that..." Rose chuckled as she sniffled. Shadow looked at her. Rose met his gaze.


    "There''s a lot of yourself that you have to learn. You need to learn to embrace that.....Shadow...side of you. I''ve been seeing you struggle with that, lately." Shadow put his hand on his face, and Rose pulled him into a hug.


    "I''m glad you''ve been feeling better, little brother. You scared me for a second..."


    Shadow looked down at the floor. "I know..."


    "Max told me you wanted to protect your friends, but......that really fucked with you."


    Shadow said nothing. Rose looked at him with love. "I don''t want you to be doing anything with your powers for a while....you understand?"


    Shadow nodded. "Yeah....." He looked back at her. "I can still shape shift.....right?"


    Rose nodded. "Just try to keep that temper under control when you do."


    Shadow nodded again. "I''ll do my best to behave....you know it''s hard for me to control it sometimes...right?"


    Rose grinned. "I do know that....but, you have a good support group with you...so, take their advice......and mine. Okay?"


    "Yeah."


    Rose fixed him a cup full of clear liquid in it. She then gave it to him. He looked down and smiled. "Apple cinnamon?" She smiled at him. "I added something in there to help you get better sleep. It''ll prevent nightmares. He drank the liquid. "This was my favorite growing up....I''ve missed this."


    After his cup, they talked some more and eventually went to sleep.