Chapter two here we go, started off with his first proper quest in this chapter hope you enjoy.
A Beast's Blood And A Tree's Sap
As he entered the grotto he was instantly confronted by Apacci, she jumped up and over one of the boulders on the higher level on the grotto down and landed in front of him. She didn't spare him a glance as she begun rummaging through the cart of supplies.
"Ya get my Honningbrew mead? Been waiting weeks to get some more." She complained till she spotted it under some new clothes, she let out a pleased huff as she tucked the mead under her arm. "Good job runt, I would have had to bury you if you forgot like Mila always does." She stated causing him to roll his eyes.
"The meadery is outside the city you could go yourself if its so important. Where is Tia? I want permission to go on a hunt and take a small group of wolves with me." He asked pushing the cart following Apacci.
"She's just got back from picking up bounties for your initiation. You'll end up on the edge of our territory if everything goes to plan, I heard your first location will be Fort Greymoor and the rest of the route will be leading you around and up to Bleakfalls Barrow killing of the bandits around there." She stated causing him to smirk, Fort Greymoor was the edge of their hunting ground so it was a given to wipe it out.
"About time those Bandits have been set up for like three weeks now, have we allowed them to stay that long just so they could distract me until I come to my senses?" He asked getting a shrug from her.
"Pretty much, they seem to be a new bandit group so they aren't equip very well so they pose no threat to the power of a werewolf. What about this hunt you want to do then, what is it you're hunting?" She asked as they stopped in front of their small housing area tents built from thick mammoth pelts each easily big enough for them to live in.
"You wish to hunt something? Not another sabre cat I hope." Tia's voice called out as she walked out of her tent which was understandably larger then the rest. Her face was amused as he gave a huff not liking the reminder to his injury. Mila and Sung sun seemed to hear and come into the area as well as he left the cart in the centre for them to get their supplies from.
"I was hoping to ask for permission to take a small segment of the pack to a place called Orphan Rock, it's north of Helgen. A priestess of Kynareth wants a blade which some Hagraven has to save a tree. I thought it would be a good hunt for some of the pack." He stated causing Tia to frown.
"It's a bit far to go without one of us... but I'll allow it, you may have twenty wolves and three ferals aid you but first you will go through the initiation tonight." She stated, instantly he perked up he thought he was going to have to wait at least a few more days.
"Hircine wishes to speak to you tonight after that I shall give you my blood and lead you on your route." Suddenly he felt worried, would everything go okay? Would he go feral? Would he die to some petty bandit while he was out of control?
"I can see your concern, but relax we are confident you'll be able to do this." Tia said putting a soothing hand on his shoulder, he nodded he trusted them if they say he can do it then he can... he wouldn't fail them. Mila laughed.
"Can't be any worse then what happened with Apacci, I mean seriously." Sung sun had to cover her mouth as she laughed, Apacci as instantly became pissed off.
"Screw you at least I didn't get turned off my route thanks to chasing some bunny instead, then you didn't even catch it!" Apacci shouted. This was a first, he'd asked many times about their initiation but the only one who gave him an answer was Sung sun whose initiation went flawlessly.
"Yeah well at least I started on my route! You spent eight hours chasing your own damn tail!" Mila shouted back. He was starting to understand why they never told him about their first time turning. In the background Sung sun was trying and failing to contain her giggling as the two continued to bicker.
"Enough you lot, we have work to do all three of you are going to be busy tonight as well. You'll all be running recon with some wolves keeping tabs on anyone in the area. Sung sun if any come close to the grotto have them killed, Apacci if any escape Ichigo's attacks then chase them down and kill them and Mila you are to distract or lead away any guards or soldiers that may stumble upon us. We can't risk being attacked during a hunt or we may lose track of Ichigo." Tia ordered instantly shutting up the arguing girls each nodded and accepted without a word.
"I'll be the one who leads Ichigo through his route and makes sure he awakes safely, you are all to leave a few hours before us to gather the wolves and prepare. This is our first time doing it so close to a town or city so we must be ready for anything." She stated. "For now unpack the supplies and get ready."
The three girls instantly went to work. Tia led Ichigo over to the fire where they both sat as she filled him a bowl of stew from a pot hung over the fire. He accepted and eat steadily as she filled a bowl for herself as well.
"Thank you Ichigo, I appreciate you going to Whiterun for us. How was the trip anything interesting happen involving being close to some wolves?" She asked glancing at him slyly while he rolled his eyes in faux annoyance.
"Yeah I met the Companions as you can smell. They were fighting a giant near one of the farms and I got involved. Warned me that they wouldn't have our back if we got into any trouble." Ichigo stated making Tia nod, the others had got similar warnings from them.
"Apart from that I stayed in the Inn mostly, I took a trip to the temple of Kynareth and they healed the rest of my injury... met that girl I helpped little over a year back she's become a prodigy healer apparently." He reported as he listened to Mila and Apacci arguing in the background.
"Are you ready for tonight? We will not think less of you should you choose to remain a human hunter, you are family now no matter what." Her voice was calm, he knew she was trying to give him one last chance to back out, but he wouldn't.
"I want this, you've all given me a life I can be proud of and I've been waiting for the gift of beast blood for many years now, to become great like Lord Hircine wants I need to take this step." Ichigo's voice was soft but his words steadfast.
"I understand, then prepare yourself be well fed so you are not too hungry when you transform it makes you easier to predict if you're not trying to fill your stomach." She stated. He nodded, it made sense a hungry wolf was an annoying one.
"What was your first transformation like? You've never mentioned it." He asked and instantly her face became firm her emotions becoming hidden. He instantly regretted asking.
"I was like you, I was a slave. I was born into slavery in High Rock and repeatedly sold until I ended up here in Skyrim as I've told you before, but I when I had found a book informing me of the Daedric Princes and their power I carved a small totem and prayed to each of them. I begged for the power to free myself." She started, placing her bowl on the ground seemingly lost interest in her food.
"All of them ignored me, so I begged again and continued to do so until one took notice. Hircine appeared before me in the form of an ethereal wolf, he told me he'd give me the power I wished for so badly enough power to make those who imprisoned me to pay... but in return I'd form a pack of great hunters and warriors in his name." Her lips curved upwards into a cruel smirk.
"A vial of blood was his only gift before he left, and I didn't hesitate to drink it accepting his terms. With the power of the beast I killed the entire fort ripped apart all those who'd taken advantage of me all those who'd hurt me, no longer was I powerless. Over the next few years I came across those three, they called themselves the Tres Bestias at the timeand I gave my gift to them, each of them promising to help me form the Hunters of Hircine. Which led us to where we are today." She finished her eyes seemingly dazed as she remembered her past.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up painful memories... but if only to repay you I also swear to help you build this pack into the great warriors that you promised." He stated his voice quiet, he knew her past was bad but he knew that the life of a female slave was much worse then the life of a male one.
"You already have, since you've joined we went from seven werewolves to almost thirty not to mention the countless lesser wolves whom follow us. Then there's you, a fearless warrior and a talented hunter destined to reach great heights. Just you being yourself has helped make this pack great." She replied, he couldn't stop the blush on his face, he was never great with taking complements.
"Go finish eating, the Tres Bestias will finish their jobs and leave soon to prepare. Come to the shrine when the moon is high I will have everything prepared."
The moon was high in the starry night sky as he walked into the shrine room. On his way many wolves and werewolves bowed their heads to him as if showing respect to him for how far he'd come from the weak runt he once was.
The he could smell the burning candles before he even entered the room, the air seemed to radiate power like the wind was humming. He knew it to be the all to familiar presence of Hircine.
As he entered the room he saw the large imposing figure of a werewolf stood beside the humming statue. He knew it was Tia, he could recognise her anywhere by now, at her feet was a bowl filled with blood.
"Calm yourself, young Ichigo." Hircine's voice seemed to echo from the statue. He knelt before them both, head lowered in respect.
"I only wish to give you a congratulations on reaching this step, the tasks I've handed to you in the past and the training from the pack was not easy for one as young as you, yet through will and determination you push yourself to greatness and I wish to inform you of your new position." The voice was serious as it drew their gaze.
"You Ichigo will become my new champion, my new representative in this mortal realm. You will be the one to change this world and raise allies in all corners of it. You will become my greatest champion ever to have stepped foot onto this realm!" The prince's voice was almost gleeful in it excitement.
Him? The champion of Hircine? He could feel the pressure on his shoulders growing. Becoming the greatest of his champions sounds like awfully large boots to fill... but he wouldn't disappoint... never would he disappoint the one who'd saved him and given him a life... They were large boots to fill but they were his to wear.
"I will not let you down, I swear."
"I know you won't young one, now drink..."
If possible Tia's eyes looked proud as she pushed the bowl of blood into his hands, he gave her a smile and a nervous nod of appreciation before drinking the blood heartily. He could feel it dripping from his jaw as he dropped he bowl when his arms begun to spasm.
His whole body felt like it was ripping itself apart his bones protruding and fur breaking through his skin like needles. His vision was blurry before it was black.
He couldn't feel anything... did, did he die?
No, as he looked around he saw something he hadn't seen in years. The circular stone room from his dreams, he must have lost consciousness and fallen into a dream.
"Welcome back." The loud rumbling voice he remembered sounded above him. There was no roof anymore just the walls making it look like an arena. Perched on the walls above him was the pair of large red eyes he remembered from the night he'd been freed.
Only this time there was a dragon attached to them. A massive winged beast staring down at him, it's scales as black as night and a body larger than most buildings.
"So you are what was in the shadows." Ichigo mumbled he briefly noted he had his blades and his bow with him as well as his armour.
"Indeed, I'm a piece of your soul. When you were bound so was I, when you were freed so was I. We are the same. My name is Zangetsu and I'm happy to see you've grown." Zangetsu stated his head lowering into the room to stare at Ichigo.
Before Ichigo could reply the sounds of chains rattling caused him to turn, a doorway with a metal cage door which was slowly being risen by a chain pulley had appeared on the other side of the room.
"Yes I suppose you should see why you're here. Just as I am part of your soul so to now is he." Zangetsu's voice sounded almost annoyed.
From the darkness behind the fully opened gate a white blur rushed forward in attack, Ichigo barely having a moment to draw his blades and block the strike.
A large white werewolf had attacked him it's claws scraping against his blades and it's yellow and black eyes staring madly into his.
"So, your the one who wants my power? The you'll have to fight me for it!" The wolf had spoken, that alone had caused him to get distracted enough for its claws to break free and scratch him across his cheek.
"Damn pale basted." Ichigo seethed bringing his smaller blade across the wolf's chest causing it to jump back, for a minute they circled each other the wolf growling and Ichigo scowling with his blades ready.
"You sound angry carrot top, did you think you would just be given power? No prove yourself and defeat me and the power is yours... If you lose then I guess I'll just have to take control of our body."Ichigo jumped back into action at those words, he wouldn't become a feral, he would win.
"I'll be honest I have no idea what the dragon was talking about, you both being part of my soul. Never was really into magic or anything really to do with souls so this is new. In fact I'm sure I'm dreaming but in the slight chance I'm not, you're going down you white bastard!" he exclaimed jumping into action his blades meeting the wolf's claws hit for hit.
He prided himself in being fast but the wolf was on a different level. The wolf seemed to move before he even attacked and was able to counter most hits easily cutting deeply into Ichigo many times. But he had power as well, he slashed up with his smaller blade cutting into the wolf's blocking arm before cutting across with his large blade deeply gashing the wolf's torso as well.
By now they both sported a layer of blood over themselves but they didn't slow down in fact they seemed to speed up the wolf's attacks were like a whirlwind swipe after swipe with no breaks, it attacked like a wild animal... it was a wild animal.
It was the beasts instincts that was how it was able to counter and dodge, it wasn't thinking it was just reacting it's instincts forcing the beast to move on a moments notice.
He smirked and pressed forward, he threw his smaller blade it cut through the air like a dart and at the same time brought his large blade down in a heavy chopping motion.
The wolf did what it's instincts told it, it dealt with the larger threat, it raised both claws to catch and stop the large blade before it cut him in half and ignored the smaller blade which lodged itself in the beasts chest... what it's instincts didn't know was that the bigger threat had been the feint.
Ichigo's second hand shot forward with an arrow grasped tightly as he shoved the arrowhead into the wolf's neck only cutting slightly but the threat was clear.
"Submit, beast." Ichigo stated, the wolf went ridged when it realised it'd been duped. Neither moved for a few minutes but in the end the wolf backed off stumbling back snarling.
"Fine, the body is yours. You win, but you realised it didn't you? I'm your instincts. Now that you're a wolf I'll always be part of you... good job King." The wolf retreated back into the darkness with a last glance over it's shoulder.
"I guess you will, White." Ichigo mused smiling before turning to the dragon which still watched on from its perch.
"If he's my instincts then what are you?" Ichigo asked the large creature who only response with a uncommitted hum of thought.
"For now you can say that I'm your Dovah, you are not yet ready to learn anymore than that." Zangetsu stated turning it's head away, Ichigo frowned.
"Dovah? What the hell's that, does it mean something is it even a word or did you make it up?" Ichigo asked annoyed at the giant beast.
"Now is not the time, now is the time for you to wake from your initiation, but don't fret this isn't the last time we'll meet Ichigo. Next time we speak I shall explain more to you." With those words he felt his vision fade.
He groggily opened his eyes wincing slightly from the light he noted the biting cold causing him to sit up instantly the furs that had been laid over him fell off revealing his armour. He was covered in snow he realised as he brushed a hand through his hair causing some snow to fall from his hair.
Next he noted the air was thin meaning he was high up. He looked around as he fought back a shiver. Mountain tops surrounded his veiw. He then realised he was atop a structure, it took him a minutes but it finally clicked, with no small amount of amusement he realised he was laid atop Bleakfalls Barrow.
"Good morning, how about you get up so we can get moving?" Tia's voice asked. He stood and turned to see her on a lower part of the roof sat ready with a bow drawn obviously keeping an eye out for others.
"Sorry, how was I?" He asked joining her, then he smelt it, blood he could smell massive amounts of blood. He looked over to edge spotting dozens of bodies half covered in snow which was dyed red from their torn up bodies... he really went on a rampage. Following his gaze she spoke.
"Do not concern yourself, none of them were innocent. As for how your were, in one word? Fast, you were constantly moving around. Fort Greymoor was cleared in an hour we hunted a mammoth and came to this mountain where you cleared it of any bandits that were housed here." She stated standing up and leading him down the large Barrow and in front of it motioning to its front door which was heavily scarred with deep claw marks.
"You got annoyed when you couldn't open the door so instead you attacked it before you climbed to the roof where you proceeded to howl for an hour before falling to sleep." He could see the edges of a smile on her lips.
"Has it been cleared of any bandits?" he asked getting a nod, he'd been busy it seemed. He briefly noted all the scents he could smell, all the details he could see. His senses seemed to be in constant overdrive... Tia took notice.
"You'll be used to it by the end of the day." she stated causing him to nod absently. He looked around at the bodies taking noting that they'd already been looted meaning Tia likely had some down time after he fallen asleep.
"So my charm worked first time? My clothes were completely intact and my weapons were here aswell." He asked, referring to the Hircine necklace he wore. It sported a wolfs head carved out of some gemstone. Tia had told him many years ago that the charms were to help with transformations by sending their clothes and weapons into an armoury in Hircine's realm of Oblivion then allowing them to return once their transformation ended.
"Yes, I assume Hircine was watching over you the entire time and made sure it worked as intended... We should get back, we have much to discuss with the others, being a champion is no small thing." Tia stated causing him to frown but nod all the same.
"I wasn't expecting that, really took me by surprise but I don't intend to fail him. What do you think it means? To become a daedric prince's champion?" Ichigo asked as they started walking down the mountain. Whatever it meant it wasn't good if her expression was anything to go by.
"It widely known that champions are only really taken in times of conflict or at the turning of an age. It means something is going to happen and we're going to be needed, it may be the civil war or it may be something else it's hard to tell without Lord Hircine telling us directly." She replied causing him to nod he knew that, but he didn't want to believe it... he was going to be relied upon by his pack in this time of need and it only added to the pressure he was feeling.
"We're going to need more allies, we'll seek out the Companions first while the Tres Beastia work on other matters... we'll discuss this all when we get back, it's bound to be a long conversation which I only wish to have once." She said with finality, he knew that meant she was still thinking out her options, so for now he wouldn't question her.
"Wait you've got to be kidding me, he just up and made him his champion?" Mila exclaimed, around her was the rest of the none feral werewolves including Ichigo now. While sat or perched around the Grotto were all of the ferals some looking down from rocks others huddled together around them just listening in.
Apacci and Sung Sun also sat beside their other third, they looked at Ichigo as if expecting him to be somehow different from it causing me to fidget slightly.
"That is not why everyone was called here. By claiming Ichigo, Hircine has all but stated that something is on the horizon and we need to prepare, I suspect we'll at least have a few years to get ready but Hircine has made his move meaning something has happened." Tia's voice was loud and firm daring any of them to cut her off.
"First, we seek an alliance with the Companions. They are having trouble with the Silver Hand at the moment, we shall aid them for the Silver Hand is our problem as well. They haven't made any direct attacks on us but it's only a matter of time, we need to wipe them out before we are needed for whatever events are to come." She continued her eyes closed helping her keep her cool and calm appearance.
"You think they'll aid us if we help them with their troubles?" Sung sun asked politely with an eyebrow raised. "They have stated on many occasions that they will not aid us in anything, you think this may sway them?" She asked.
"No, I hope it might but I'm unsure either way we need to get rid of the Silver Hand fast. Our efforts would be doubled with us working together. If after that they are still adamant at staying out of it we either try to hire them or we leave them." She'd been thinking about this for hours on the way down the mountain so he knew she didn't stop there.
"While our pack is declaring war on the Silver Hand, Ichigo will be conducting missions when he is not helping us." She quickly turned her eyes to him causing him to gulp slightly.
"What is it you'd have me do, I'd much rather hunt along side you rather than hunt solo." He mused. He had no room to disagree he knew, she'd likely already decided that he was going on these missions.
"You are the champion and therefore the face of our pack, I will be sending you out to gather allies. You're first task will be after you save this tree for Whiterun they need to see you as an ally since whatever is going to happen is liking going to reveal us so we must make lasting impressions with Whiterun." It made sense, if they were bound to be caught up in battles in the future it would be best to try and stop Whiterun getting involved in attacking them too.
"After that, you'll be aiding us on the front lines against the Silver Hand for the first few weeks till we kill their largest threats to us. Then I'll be sending you to meet another band of werewolves who had expressed interest in merging with us before we lost contact with them, once those two are completed I'll have more for you depending on the situation." Ichigo felt like he was a solider taking orders from a higher up, but right now it wasn't far from the truth.
He didn't like that he wasn't going to be fighting with them the entire time but he understood where she was coming from, if he could gain allies and favour from behind the lines while also supporting the main fight when needed then it would be a massive aid to the pack.
"Understood, I'll try and finish it's task for the Kynareth priestess within the week then I'll aid you in the first set of attacks? Do we know the locations of their bases?" He asked. Sung sun rose her hand to answer.
"We have spotted four likely locations before but I would be happy to tail them through the week and find any others while also gauging their strength." She replied as calm as always, it made sense for her to take that job, she was easily the most stealthy out of the lot of them.
"That will be necessary Sung, while you're doing that Apacci and Mila will both gather the wolves into the plains ready for an attack on their strongholds." Tia stated getting nods from the girls.
"Right, for now I will seek out the Companions alone to brief them on the situation and our aid. Sung Sun will start her task of locating and assessing the Silver Hand while Mila and Apacci hold down the fort, Ichigo you will leave tomorrow for your quest. Am I understood?" She asked and everyone nodded while the feral wolves howled in agreement be for scattering into the darkness.
Preparations for war begun.
Helgen, it was a nice town, he'd been a few times before when crossing into The Rift in his early days among the hunters but hadn't visited it at least four years. He couldn't see much from where he was, only the towns towers and walls a few miles away.
He and a small pack consisting of twenty lesser wolves and three feral werewolves where crossing high up in the mountains hoping to cross the town without being spotted so he could move up to Orphan Rock to retrieve some old magic blade.
It'd been a day and a half since he'd left the grotto meaning he still had lots of time, he planned to kill the Hagraven tonight, rest at her camp and travel in wolf form back to the plains near Whiterun so he could arrive to by evening tomorrow.
He huffed blowing some of the falling snow out of his face, leading them was a few wolves which were checking for scents of any dangers having already warning them of a snow troll they'd run into allowing them to be prepared.
Ichigo had charged it while the lesser wolves had ripped out its leg muscles downing it and giving themselves some fresh meat. Ichigo had made sure to harvest some of the trolls fat since it was good for starting fires.
Walking beside him were the werewolves hunched over walking timidly, ever since he became the champion of Hircine all the ferals had become much more obedient to him, forming the outer ranks were the lesser wolves acting as an escort almost.
Several of the wolves had been chosen as pack carriers allowing them to carry enough food for them all should they be unable to hunt, the two fastest wolves acted as messengers specially trained by Apacci to be able to track for each of them to deliver messages between them should anyone ever need back up.
They each had harnesses built for them which allowed them to perform each of their tasks, the carrier wolves having sacks akin to saddlebags sewn into their harness while the messengers had a small pocket to hold paper, quills and ink as well as a metal cylinder which held notes.
Most of these implementations were Sung Sun's idea, non could deny how useful it'd all proven to be for each of them. It'd taken a few years to train so many of them but in the six years since they settled in at Bloated man's Grotto they had all the spare time needed to do so.
He stopped when the front wolves alerted them of danger, the messenger wolves and carrier wolves instantly retreated into the middle as Ichigo and the werewolves joined the other lesser wolves up front.
Buzzing.
Suddenly as if walking out from inside a tree a Spriggan appeared sending out its swarms of hornets in attacks which were mostly aimed at the lesser front wolves.
He jumped forward chopping one of its arms off as the wolves began biting at any part they could grip. One werewolf clawing along the Spriggan's face cleaving chunks of wood out of it. The wooden creature didn't seem fazed as it began clawing at the werewolf with its one arm.
The wolves weren't good at fighting these creatures they didn't know their weak points, but Ichigo did, slashing across its chest with his smaller blade to make an opening. The Taproots which each of the creatures held, destroy or remove them and the creature becomes lifeless.
With the opening made he fully impaled the Spriggan with his large blade cutting it's Taproot in two as he did so causing it to shudder and die impaled on his blade. He knew he'd be running into these the closer he got to Orphan Rock, he was told that the blade was used to kill Spriggans so it made sense that the Hag was using Taproots to attract more of the creatures.
He glanced around the wolves, minor scratches no wounds too serious. He unpacked a singular potion from one of the pack wolves, dripping a few drops onto the wounds helping to heal the quickly.
He knelt before the Spriggan, whistling over the wolves while gesturing to its chest before ripping out the destroyed Taproot showing it to them.
"This is their heart, this is how you kill them. Understood? Just rip out the glowing thing right?" He asked them repeating the motions until them seemed to understand. He sighed, he wasn't the one to train the wolves meaning he had very little idea how too, he just hoped they'd understand for their next fight.
And they seemed to, they had to kill two more Spriggans he took out one while the werewolves ripped open the chest of the other ripping out the Taproot. He smirked they were smarter than he gave them credit for sometimes.
It wasn't long before Orphan Rock was in sight, he could see the Hags tent and hear her noisy shrieks as she worked on some potion in her massive cast iron pot. He quietly told the support wolves and one werewolf as well as half the lesser wolves to wait while he got closer with the rest of the lesser wolves and the other two werewolves.
He got closer, well close enough till he heard a conversation. He watched carefully hidden in the foliage with his wolves, all of them controlling their breathing and movement to make as little sound as possible.
A witch, talking with another. They were dressed in black robes like most witches he'd met, he scanned his eyes around spotting two others sleeping in a small open tent, they must be takeing shifts.
"You two, you're going to kill the two sleeping witches before they can wake up. Silently. Got it?" Ichigo whispered to the two werewolves each of them nodded before stalking off into the darkness slowly so not to make a sound. He glanced down at the lesser wolves all of whom were waiting for orders.
"We're going to kill these two. When I kill the first one you all start attacking cause panic, spread out she can only attack one of you so surround her and rip her to pieces, I'll be going to the Hag as soon as I take down the first one." He relayed and instantly the wolves readied themselves to pounce each of them waiting for his signal.
He smirked as he spotted the two werewolves stabbing their claws into the sleeping Witches while covering their face with their other claw to stop them screaming out. It was his turn, he readied his bow and notched his arrow aiming it steadily at his target.
With one last breath he released the arrow, direct hit in her head killing her instantly. With barely a second of delay all the wolves jumped out from their hiding and begun their attack, Ichigo didn't even wait to see how they did as he started running.
The Hag was wailing in anger now her claws burning with magic fire, as he ran he released another arrow aimed at her hitting her in the shoulder causing the monster to shriek out and turn its gaze to him. The Hag didn't hesitate to release a massive fireball at him forcing him to roll out the way lest he be burnt, but that was the Hags last chance of stopping him reaching her.
She was stood on a heightened piece of land connected to another by a fallen tree, which he was already halfway across as he tossed his bow choosing his blades now that he was in close combat. A streak of lighting fired at him causing him to bring up his blades to block it and redirect it into the ground.
As soon as the attack was finished he jumped at her, her arms were outstretched in an attempted to end Ichigo with another blast of fire... she never got chance as his blade came slashing across severing both her arms ending the magic spell before his smaller blade was stabbed forward hitting her between the eyes.
He sighed as her eyes rolled back into her head before withdrawing his blade, he glanced over the ridge spotting the last screaming witch who was on the ground as the wolves teared her apart. He glanced around spotting two dead wolves, one was badly burnt and the other was still burning.
He sighed, he knew that some would likely die but it didn't mean he'd be okay with it. He looked around the witches camp spotting some dead Spriggan thrown over a table to be harvested... it made sense now why all the Spriggan's till now had been so aggressive, they were used to being attacked so they thought they were defending themselves.
He felt bad for a moment but he knew that there was nothing to be done about it. The two werewolves came too him while the lesser wolves waited across the tree bridge.
"Any injured come to me, I'll try patching you up. One of you go gather the wolves we had waiting and bring them into camp. We'll be resting here for a few hours so rest, eat the witches if you want I don't care but stay close. We'll be leaving early morning when it's still dark so we can get past Helgen without a problem." He exclaimed so all the wolves could hear him. One of the lesser wolves was quick to run to the messengers and carriers to bring them back.
"I want one werewolf awake at all times and patrolling, take shifts I want you all to have some sleep. We will be running most of tomorrow to arrive back at Whiterun." He ordered, walking over to the Hags body removing many of her feathers and taking her claws as well as picking up a small dagger from the body, it looked like an ebony blade but was instead slightly green and much lighter. He gave the Hag one last look before kicking her body to the ground below.
Over the next hour he tended the injured with potions and looted the area of anything useful. But he eventually got some sleep... he'd need his rest for the amount of running he'd be doing tomorrow.
He howled into the air, the adrenalin pumping through his blood felt like euphoria as his feet ran along the ground. This was what it was like to be a wolf. This is what he'd been training for.
Ichigo stood tall with thick black fur and yellow gleaming eyes. His wolf form was the definition of intimating, his wolves howled with him their voices echoing into the dark night.
They ran, the speed he had, the power in his paws, he was fast. Other wolves struggled to keep up and he had to several times stop and wait for them. He remembered Tia telling him he was fast but he didn't know to the extent she meant.
Soon the night turned day meaning the morning would be ending soon. Not that it mattered, he had arrived. They were hidden in a cluster of trees he allowed his body to revert with no small amount of reluctance.
When he took that form he felt powerful, to come back to his human appearance was necessary but was much less thrilling for him.
He glanced to his pack and frowned, it was day they couldn't be out to long otherwise they might be seen.
"All of you apart from five wolves go home, I want one carrier and one messenger plus three fighters. Everyone else return, let me give you a note to take." He stated pulling out a small parchment and quill which were attached to the harness of the messenger wolf.
'Just returned to Whiterun, I have the blade needed but I'm sending back most of the pack so I can move around with less chance of being seen. Will be back before we fight the Silver Hand, it might be a few days since they still need the sap from this Eldergleam tree.' He wrote rolling up the note and putting it into a tube on the wolfs harness.
"Take that to Tia." He ordered before he separated the rest of the pack leaving only the five wolves he wanted with him. "The rest of you head home, good hunting." He said causing the wolves to begin running in the direction of the Grotto.
"Right you five wait here for me, I could be a few hours." He stated causing the wolves to start resting, all of them still winded from the running. "See you soon."
He walked the rest of the way to Whiterun, with it being early morning he noticed all the farmers out and about tending crops and feeding livestock, the livestock had his pack to thank really.
They had joined all the wolves in the plains under one banner with rules not to attack livestock or do anything to draw attention, then with their hunting they brought the number of other predators down greatly.
A certain farmer caught his eye, he had bright red hair as well as tattoos on his face, he clearly didn't fit in around the other farmers Ichigo could see working. In the end he shrugged it off and continued to the city.
When he entered the Temple he noticed it was emptier then last time meaning no one must have been hurt, Orihime and Danica chatting together on one of the benches, When they spotted him Orihime was quick to come running over.
"Ichigo, welcome back is everything okay you've not been hurt have you?" He couldn't help but smile as he held out the tiny blade.
"Nah, I'm perfectly fine, can't say the same about the Hag and the witches. Danica this was the blade you wanted right? I mean it better be because I'm not making a return trip." Ichigo stated causing the priestesses eyes to widen.
"I didn't expect you to be able to make it... I mean I glad you have of course but it has surprised me." She amended when she saw Orihime frowning.
"But I wouldn't feel comfortable touching that blade... Since you've come this far would you be willing to see the to the next step?" She asked causing Ichigo to frown, what did she mean she wouldn't be comfortable holding it?
"Is there something about this blade I should know?" He asked but the woman waved a hand in denial.
"It's not dangerous, but Kynareth would not approve of me wielding a blade which is supposed to harm her creations." Ichigo nodded with a slight grunt of understanding.
"What's the next step? I don't have an amazingly long time to get this task done as I'm needed elsewhere." Ichigo admitted tucking the blade back at his waist. Danica nodded before pulling out a map with several locations circled some he recognised but most seem new to him. She pointed to one which was located near Ivarstead, in the rift, he crossed past the area a few times but never gone in it.
"This is the location of Eldergleam sanctuary, I have only been once before but the tree itself was blocked off by its roots. With this blade the roots should flee back if cut by it allowing you to get to the tree. Then all you need is to harvest some sap and bring it back." She replied handing him the map, Orihime seemed a bit shocked by this.
"Wouldn't hurting the Eldergleam anger Kynareth? Is there no other way?" Orihime's voice trembled slightly worried about what might happen. Danica seemed to brush her off.
"It will be fine, I'm sure Kynareth would be happy we're trying to save the Gildergreen. So Ichigo I know I ask a lot but will you do this?" She asked holding out an empty jar obviously to be filled with sap. He nodded.
"Yeah... I'd already guessed that you were going to ask me to go to the Eldergleam so I've had time to think. It may not be much of a hunt this time but just helping out should be fine." Ichigo stated with a small smile.
He had four days left, if he left at noon he should be able to arrive back on the seventh day with time to spare he mused looking at the map... but that would mean being in wolf form on the way there and back so he'd need to be careful.
"Be careful Ichigo, I'll wait for your safe return." Orihime stated causing him to smirk as he waved her off, she really did worry too much.
"I'm just collecting sap it'll be fine." Ichigo claimed as he turned to leave. "I'll see you when I return."
A few bandits and a bear was the only trouble he faced on the way, they'd stopped a few times to rest but his pack were well fed and stocked up. Truly they could go for weeks at this pace as long as they had breaks. None of the wolves that they take on missions were weak, only the strongest and most experienced got chance to come on these hunts in such a small group.
The weaker wolves had plenty of chance to grow as well when they are aloud to be taken on hunts with large groups normally led by Apacci, Mila or Sung sun. Once they grew in confidence on their hunts the size of the hunting group was gradually lowered allowing each wolf to get more action.
He cut his musings short when a small geyser gushed up nearby creating a small mound of heightened water for a few seconds. He didn't like this area, a volcanic tundra, void of most greenery but heavily populated by Dragon Tongue flowers and other horrid little roots and herbs which gave off a strong scent, it wasn't a bad scent it's just now that his senses were increased having so many smells was distracting.
Then the constant noise from the flowing water, everywhere he turned all he saw was hot springs with bubbling waters.
He choose to keep looking for his target, there wasn't much around he could see some old forts around and a few other oddities but after awhile he stumbled into the area he was looking for. He could smell the greenery he was looking for as he walked in, what he wasn't expecting was for people to already be here.
The sanctuary seemed to be mostly a hidden meadow, with several smaller trees and a stream. One path seemed to lead right through the entire area.
"You lot wait outside." Ichigo said to his wolves not looking back knowing they'd follow his orders. A woman with light brown hair and wearing common blue clothes sat on a rock drinking a bottle of wine slightly into the hidden sanctuary.
He walked up behind her, she hadn't seen him nor had she heard him yet. She seemed to be relaxing in the presence of the tree, enjoying her drink as she basked in the warm climate.
"Drink alone often?" Ichigo asked causing her to jump up almost dropping her wine bottle as her hand reached for her small dagger. When she saw he wasn't reaching for a weapon she calmed holding her chest trying to slow her heart.
"Sorry, I'm used to being the only one here you gave me quite a freight." She stated sitting back down on her rock but placing her wine down. Ichigo just chuckled slightly as he glanced around spotting the massive tree.
"I'm looking for the Eldergleam, if I was hazard a guess then that would be it, right?" Ichigo asked pointing to the beautiful tree. She nodded smiling.
"My names Asta and indeed, it's amazing such beauty can exist within the volcanic tundra isn't it? This sanctuary is but a small glimpse at the beauty Kynareth offers the world, are you here to worship the divine as well?" She asked causing him to shake his head.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ichigo and no, the Glidergreen in Whiterun is dying and it needs some sap to re awaken it. I was asked to do this task." He asked causing her to frown.
"Saving the Gildergreen is a worthy goal but you'll not be able to reach the Eldergleam, it's roots reach far and cover the paths leading up you'll have to find another way to save the Gildergreen I'm sorry." She said looking truly apologetic.
"I'm aware, I was told before but I was sent to get this blade first." Ichigo pulled out the dagger causing her eyes to widen, then she looked almost horrified.
"Nettlebane, so the rumours were true... Please don't do this if you cause harm to the Eldergleam nothing good will come of it." Asta pleaded, Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
"I just need some sap, I was told Kynareth would be happy if the Glidergreen would be saved... either way I do need this sap and I don't have time to look for another option." He stated starting to turn away from her only to be stopped when she stepped in front of him.
"You can't just take whatever you want! Please I'm begging you don't do this." She again pleaded causing him to frown.
"As I said, I don't have any other options if you are concerned wait outside." He walked around her but she followed him pleading at him causing him to run a hand through his hair as he tried blocking her out.
"I'm ready for anything that might happen, but I'm not doing this for me, if I come back empty handed then they'll just send someone else anyway." He argued but she didn't let up.
"Then I'll plead with them as well." She claimed as he came to a stop in front of some think roots which covered the path when he drew the small dagger he felt her grip his arm.
"Please nothing good will come of this, you look no older than a lad you can't understand what it is you're doing." She stated causing his eyes to narrow dangerously as he glared at her.
"I've killed many bandits, I killed the Hagraven who had this dagger and I'll go on to kill a lot more, I'm not just some runt I've been trained to fight better then most fully grown men so don't think I'm weak because I haven't seen as many moons as you." He snarled ripping his arm from her grip, he wasn't weak, he hadn't been since he was a slave and he'll never be again.
"Leave, I'm going through with this and I can defend myself but you can't, not with a rusty dagger like that. If you stay then you'll be accepting your life is at risk too." He said before slashing the blade along the roots causing them to shudder and curl upwards opening the path.
She didn't leave instead she followed only a few steps back as he cut another root. He wasn't sure what to expect, but his instincts were shouting at him that danger was around and he was sure he could feel something gazing at him.
It took him only a few minutes to reach the actual tree, and it was magnificent truly it wasn't often to be able to take in such sights like this, sure he'd seen a lot of beautiful nature but this seemed divine, which was probably why people attributed it to Kynareth.
He walked over to the Eldergleam and knelt, then he drew the blade in a small gash down it's bark before slipping the blade back into his belt. It was quick that it began bleeding out sap but as he unclipped the jar from his belt and put it under the dripping sap, the sudden sound of buzzing could be heard all over the sanctuary.
He sighed heavily resting the jar so it would fill up on it's own as he stood drawing both blades and waited. Asta looked confused before her hearing picked up on it too and when she did she immediately paled.
"Oh Divines... we're going to die." She whispered as three Spriggans appeared walking up the same path they took, the only path meaning the only way past was to go through. He glanced around spotting a chest in the corner.
"I did say wait outside, too late now. That chest open it and see if there's anything better than a knife to fight with or just fund someplace to hide." Ichigo stated taking a deep breath to calm his mind, before he smirked when he heard the woman throwing open the chests lid.
When they reached the top of the path all three Spriggan aimed their palms at him and instantly swarms of hornets began swarming around them before shooting at him, but he didn't stay still. He felt several stings appear along his arm as he rushed past them and into the trio of tree people.
His first slash with his larger blade aimed low, cutting off one of the legs as he stepped forward stabbing the same Spriggan with his smaller blade using it as a handle to throw the Spriggan into the other two.
The other two merely stumbled while the third was crippled on the ground it's leg slowly reforming. He was forced to close his mouth and one of his eyes as the swarm began surrounding him. There was little he could do about them meaning he had to kill the ones controlling them.
Dashing through the walls of hornets he jumped forward and brought both his blades down on each shoulder of one of the Spriggans cutting cleanly though and leaving it without any arms before he kicked it back and stabbed down into the chest of the downed Spriggan killing it.
He found himself being forced to move once again as the hornets started forming and attacking again, only this time they didn't reach him, instead they blew up in a fireball revealing a wide eyed Asta behind them with her hand out stretched and a crumbling scroll in her hand.
He smirked, she'd found a fireball scroll in the chest, what luck. He instantly turned and cut the third Spriggan in half ending it. The only one left was the no armed Spriggan which had it's arms slowly re growing.
He didn't hesitate to finish it off chopping it from its shoulder to it's waist. The magical green light from within with the wood flickered before disappearing completely informing him of it's demise. He sighed heavily and winced at the pain of several stings along his body.
He forced himself to walk over to Asta who was close to tears as she knelt on the ground whispering apologise to Kynareth begging the Divine for forgiveness. He walked past her and grabbed the bottled sap closing it's lid and re attaching it to his waist.
The burning in his veins caused him to clench his jaw, now that his adrenalin was fading he could feel the effects of the poison left from the stings.
He let out a sharp whistle again startling Asta with the sudden sound causing her to turn to see him turned away, seconds later five wolves came running past her knocking her onto her back as they rushed next to him to her amazement.
He didn't say a word as he grabbed a couple potions from the carrier, something to stop the poison from the hornets and something to speed the healing of their stings. He instantly downed both drinks cringing strongly at the taste they left in his mouth, always so bitter.
"Thanks bud, we'll be heading home soon." He said patting the wolf on the head, he glanced over the contents of the chest before grabbing a few gems for selling when he got home as well as harvesting the Taproot for Sung sun. He couldn't help the small sigh of relief that left his lips as he felt the poison's effects leaving.
"Look, Asta I'm heading off. You did good for someone who carries a rusty dagger so thanks for the help I hope you'll come see the Gildergreen one day." Ichigo said as he began walking away at first she didn't say anything but just as he was about to walk back down the path he'd come from she spoke up.
"I hope the Gildergreen was worth it, it could be months before this place is safe again..." She said coldly causing him to frown.
"Sorry..." He again started walking... he felt bad, but he didn't have time to look for a solution that worked for everyone if he even spent more than a few hours here he could be late back to his pack.
He didn't turn to face her as he left.
He sat on one of the benches in the centre of the Temple Kynareth, he was mildly annoyed having to wait for Danica and Orihime to return from the alchemist where they apparently were, he wasn't annoyed because of them he was just annoyed because he'd been rushing everywhere meaning he'd had little time to get proper rest.
Eventually they arrived though they looked shocked to see him there so soon but we're quick to greet him.
"You can't be done already, a cart ride alone would take days to reach Ivarstead." Danica claimed he simply ignored her and placed the jar of sap next to him.
"Yes I'm done I told you I didn't have much time to get this task done so I've barely had an hours sleep on my way back, Orihime could you heal up some stings?" He asked motioning to the ones visible on his hands and neck.
She quickly nodded healing him through his clothes this time. Danica still looked suspiciously at him as if unbelieving of his speed.
"Look, I don't care if you believe me, that's the sap from the tree and I'm not in a great mood, taking the sap pissed of a bunch of Spriggans hence the stings." Ichigo stated annoyed that she'd think he was lying after all he'd just done for a tree he didn't care about.
"Sorry it was just hard to believe, thank you very much I hope this covers your efforts." She said handing him a pouch of coins causing him to look genuinely surprised.
"I was getting paid for this?" He asked, he just figured he was doing a favour for them. She woman laughed somewhat.
"Of course, no one should work for free, especially when it was something as important as this, again thank you I hope I can ask on you for help should I ever need it?" She asked causing him to think back to Tia talking about he had to try getting people to like him so that if their ever revealed they might have some help... The gold didn't hurt either he mused.
"I mean, if you need help feel free. Our hunt wouldn't mind helping out Whiterun with some issues, if we're ever in town feel free to ask any of us." Ichigo stated noting his healing was done he gave Orihime a nod in thanks.
"I should be off I have other commitments to tend to now... suppose there's no rest for me today. Thanks for the healing I'll hopefully see the Gildergreen in all its glory next time I'm here." He said standing and giving them both his farewells before leaving.
It was late evening by the time he arrived at the grotto, he could, smell others here to. He dismissed his wolves taking off their harnesses letting them rest in comfort after their hard work. He walked over to where he could hear discussion finding many unfamiliar people sat around the grotto's campfire with his pack, all of them drinking and eating.
A woman and four men sat with his friends. He recognised Aela and one of the other men from the fight against the giant which identified them as the Companions, Tia spotted him and gave him a warm smile before patting the space next to her.
"Welcome back Ichigo, meet the rest of our allies for our war against the Silver Hand, this is The Circle from the Companions."
Whelp here's chapter two, as a stated last chapter I'll try and get a chapter out every month or so. Hope you're enjoying it, feel free to ask any questions in the review section and I'll get back to you.
Cya next month.