Dissonance

Chapter 6: The Beast Within

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dragon Age or their characters or their stories. Bioware is to thank for bestowing us such amazing work. I only claim my own original character and any other made up character that I have created.

Anger is a killing thing: it kills the man who angers, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before - it takes something from him.

-Louis L'Amour

Sin lost track again after turning another corner. Each hall seemed like it went on forever, leading the pair into an infinite game of impatience and frustration. Sin was beginning to feel his patience slowly melt from his will after each step he took. He couldn't find their scents either which made Sin very cross when he could only smell wet dirt. On the other hand, Altair was very frantic. He didn't walk, he ran. It wasn't until their recent turn that he had to stop to catch his breath. He rested his hands on his knees before standing back up. Sin approached beside Altair with many queries as to his urgent haste.

He decided to ask after a long period of silence between them, "Why are you so eager to escape?"

Altair slowly faced Sin, "I think I have more questions than you." He stated as his gaze did not express sincerity, but only question and anger, "What the hell was that back there? You just…" Altair turned away from Sin, almost like he was disgusted.

Sin looked at the ground, "It's who I am. Sometimes, I can change into the beast but sometimes I don't focus very well. Instead of physically turn into a beast I was meant to be, I only change my behavior. That is something I cannot control."

To many, it was confusing. Not many people hear very much about Sin's transformation or his explanation about it. Frankly, Sin didn't know either. He only knew what occurred in him because he can control it. But he doesn't understand how it truly occurs and what differs from his true beast form and his primal form.

"I guess the rumor was right then…" Altair said to himself, but Sin was able to hear him.

Altair sighs heavily before turning back to Sin. His expression had relaxed and he was much calmer, "I got my answer. Now I will answer your question." Even his tone had calmed, "I am more eager to find our companions than finding a way out of here, if that's what you're asking."

"Is there a particular reason why?" Sin responded with another question.

Altair ran his fingers through his hair, "Tell me, why are you in a rush as well?"

It seemed like a game now. Whenever Sin asked a question, Altair wanted an answer for his question and vice versa. He knew the game now, so all he had to do was play it.

Sin fidgeted, he was in a rush to get out of this forsaken place but there was something driving him. But what was it? Sin raised his brow, more of so towards himself and not to Altair, "I want to find the others."

"I imagine by others, you mean Marea."

Was that why he wanted to get out of here? He had promised Marea to drop her off in a town and dammit he was going to do it, he never goes back on a promise. If he made a promise, then he swore his honor. A warrior never goes back on his honor, it was all they had.

Altair chuckled, "I guess we are both looking for people we care about. We may not be that different."

There was the answer to Sin's question. Now he decided to bend his next statement, "I have been tormented enough with your vague answers. I want an explanation."

Now Sin had turned the tables, "Very well." He begin with a smirk, "I was contracted to kill Saiph. I wasn't told by whom and I wasn't planning on asking questions. But I arrived in Kessel, did my research and found out her schedule. She was walking in the streets after dark when I had decided to finally finish the job. But after learning so much about her, and after seeing her for the first time, I didn't' want to kill her. I just couldn't." Altair coughed in his fist before continuing, "So I attempted to leave Kessel and go into hiding so I wouldn't be beheaded by the Crows. But the rest, you know already."

Sin understood now. Altair expected for his contract to be simple, but he was deflected by the most unknown defense, love. He was willing to forsake his oath as a Crow to let her heart beat for one more day. Perhaps, Altair wasn't as bad as Sin had thought.

Altair chuckled, "I never imagined falling in love through a contract, shit I don't think I've ever been in love to know how it feels."

Sin could sense in Altair's tone that he was worried, but he was brushing it off to act calm and collected. Finally, Altair turned to Sin, "Have you ever fallen in love with someone before?"

That question was difficult to answer for Sin. He didn't know what love was. He can't explain how it feels because he never felt love for anyone ever before, and he doesn't imagine he would be experiencing it in the future either. Asking Sin if he had ever been in love, was a pondering question.

But Sin only simply replied, "No."

Altair nodded, "Understandable. It's just…" He pauses, "I've always done things by the book. The Crows were practically my family, my skill, my religion and my life. It was all the things I had grown to love. But once I found Saiph, I changed."

He then shook his head, "I just want to find her so I can have just one chance."

Even if Sin didn't understand love, he has seen it before. He can see in Altair's gaze that he's very dedicated to find Saiph, even if it means trailing through this endless maze forever.

Sin noticed Altair staring straight into Sin's eyes, "Do you plan on traveling with Marea for long?" He asked.

This was a new subject and a new question, "I promised her I would take her to Highever. It might be a while." Sin responded.

Sin didn't understand why it was Altair's business to ask that sort of question. It didn't really pertain to anything that was on their hands at the moment. Sin wanted to find the others now so he can escape out of this place before the Templars begin to crack down.

"Does she know what you are?"

Sin shook his head. To his knowledge, she didn't know who he was, hence her first reaction when meeting him. She wasn't afraid, maybe that was why she didn't express fear when she first saw him.

Altair's blue eye pierced through Sin's amber eyes, "If you want to keep company around, then I suggest you don't tell her." He warned sternly.

Up to this point, Sin had been very careful to hide his inner beast throughout this entire journey. He has kept track of the lunar cycles to know when the day he cannot control it is near. Sin was lucky enough that the moon had not became full yet, but from memory, it will soon. But Altair was right; Marea had no right to know what he was. After what had happened in the torture cell, she would think of him differently if she had seen him like that.

Sin was about to answer when a variety of scents filled his nose. His mind concentrated on the scents and began to separate them. It was difficult to decipher a few of the scents being that it seemed to have melded into one.

Altair then turned his head to the corner of the hall. He placed his hands on the ground while crouching down low. After a few seconds, he stood back up on his feet, "People are coming, or more to say the Templars are coming." He whispered in case the Templars would hear them.

Sin didn't have his weapon, his pride. In many ways he was much like a Qunari. He wasn't anything without his sword, the one thing that he was actually attached to.

Altair quickly threw himself against the wall. He looked over to Sin, "Distract them." He whispered as he turned himself so he was facing the wall.

Sin sighed and shook away his dishonor for a moment to focus on the task at hand. He didn't focus on whatever in the world Altair was doing as he quickly ran around the corner. There were about eight to ten Templars marching their way towards him when they stopped. A few were taken back until they got their senses, "There he is! Kill him!" One ordered from behind the group.

Sin didn't have a doubt in him that they weren't planning on killing him sometime in the future. He might as well raise their hopes now. Two Templars charged to Sin, but he focused and strides to the left. He then kicked one of them in the back and hooked his arm around the other Templar's neck and threw him down. The Templar that had knocked him down charged back at Sin but he managed to grasp onto his wrist and twisted his arm. After he let out a scream of pain, Sin tossed him down to the ground.

The other Templars hesitated before they decided to attack Sin as a whole. Their swords were brandished at him but Sin managed to attack one of the Templars and clawed his throat out. After that he managed to steal his sword. Now he was able to attack. Sin jammed the sword in the chest of a Templar and bounced off of him, taking the sword. He then landed on his feet and turned to face the rest. But he could see more coming his way.

Just as the Templars were about to make another push, Altair fell from the ceiling and landed on top of one of the Templars. He broke a neck with his knees, he stabbed someone in the back of the neck with a dagger, and hopped over his head.

Watching an assassin like Altair put his training to good use was an interesting sight to Sin. It was rare he would get to see someone else fight others and not him. The Templars then landed on the ground, with no signs of life. Sin looked up to Altair who was searching around for a living Templar until one seemed to be groaning in pain.

Altair placed his boot on the Templar's chest plate and pointed the dagger right on his throat, "Where are the other prisoners." He said while glaring at the Templar. He didn't respond, but kept groaning. Altair pressed the blade harder, "Tell me where Saiph and the others that came with us." He urged.

The Templar croaked, "They're down the hall to your left with the scratches on the door."

Altair then smirked and cut through his throat, cleanly. Sin then turned to the end of the hall which had two ways from left to right. All they had to do was go down the hall and turn to the left and find the door. Altair joined beside Sin, "Follow." He said as he began jogging down the hall.

The two had made it past the directions and towards the hall with a variety of wooden doors. Before Sin could even begin to look for the door, Altair beat him to it. He pulled the ring of keys from his pouch and stuffed the key in the keyhole and unlocked the door.

He then swung the door open and walked in. Sin slowly walked towards the door arch to see Altair crouching by Saiph to undo her bounds. Sin looked to the side of the room to see Meeres lying face front on the ground beside Marea who was sitting politely and patiently. When she saw Sin, her face immediately lit up.

"Sin." She smiled as she fixed her position.

Sin rushed to Marea and inspected her iron cuffs around her wrists. It seemed like she needed a key. He then looked over to Altair who seemed to be leaning towards Saiph, "Altair. Get Marea out of here." He ordered.

Altair quickly turned around and nodded to Sin. He walked over to the two and used his lock pick to unlock the cuffs. As he succeeded, the cuffs fell onto the floor with a clink. She rubbed her free wrists and smiled to Altair.

"Alright let's go." Sin said as he helped Marea onto her feet.

Saiph walked towards Meeres, "We need to bring him too." Sin cocked his eyebrow, "We don't have time." He commented.

Saiph sighed, "Yes, we do. And I have to repay him for defending us."

Sin groaned as he looked down at Meeres's unconscious body. He picked him up and tossed him on his shoulder. Altair led everyone out of the cell, "Let's get out of here."

The three ran through the maze of stone walls, following the Crow. Sin knew that Altair didn't know a way out of here, but there was no other way they could get out of here. He followed him only because he didn't know where else to go.

Then everyone stopped in their tracks as they reached the final room, and their exit. Sin glared at the husky Templar standing at the exit with his huge axe to compensate for his size. The Templar slowly approached them, "I am Ser Theroux. The Maker has blessed me with the strength to be rid of evil such as you demons." He introduced. His face was stoic and lifeless, almost like he was a Tranquil.

Sin handed Altair Meeres to hold to at the moment. This fight was for Sin. He could not transform, not in front of Marea and he had no weapon. But Sin was confident he could take this brute of a Templar on.

He stopped in front of Sin, "Your fighting technique is unique and strong. Were you taught by Katarina Sinclair by chance?" His question only brought anger to Sin's face, "Perhaps I was."

The Templar nodded, "She used to be a companion of mine when we were Gray Wardens. It was sad to hear what had happened to her."

"Enough!" Sin sneered aggressively. He could feel his primal state beginning to rise, but he pushed it back.

Ser Theroux nodded, "Very well." He responded as he readied his weapon.

With that Ser Theroux charged to Sin. He quickly moved to the side but the Templar was fast as well, and swung his hammer in a new direction. Sin was caught off guard and threw himself back to avoid getting hit. Ser Theroux charged once again and cleaved the air in front of him. Sin drew himself back to the wall before he rolled out of the way as the hammer clashed against the stone with pieces of stone flying everywhere.

Sin used the handle of the hammer to swing his leg in the air and kick Ser Theroux in the face. He then followed through and hopped over the Templar's head to his back. A flurry of punches bombarded the back of the Templar's back until he punched a nerve cluster. Ser Theroux collapsed.

Sin then kicked the hammer out of Ser Theroux's reach. Altair approached beside the Templar and looked to Sin. Sin knew that to kill Ser Theroux brutally wasn't what Altair wanted Marea to see. So Altair flipped his knife and stabbed the Templar in the mouth. Sin turned away so he didn't have to see more, but it didn't stop from hearing the choking and gurgling.

Saiph walked alongside Marea, who was carrying Meeres on her shoulder, joined Sin by the exit as they waited for Altair, "I can take him off of your hands." Sin commented as he nodded to Meeres.

Marea shook her head with a smile. It seemed like she was strong enough to carry a grown man over her shoulder like that. Sin was impressed.

Altair approached Sin, "There has to be more of them. We see where this exit brings us." Sin nodded in agreement. He decided to let Altair lead the group while Sin tagged along in the back just in case more Templars showed up.

The exit hall was long until they reached a set of stairs that swirled to a trap door. They climbed the stairs until they reached the top where Altair opened the trapdoor. Sin waited until everyone climbed out until he rose back to the earth. As he hopped onto the grass, he looked around at his surroundings. Aged stone ruins were plotted around green landscape that surrounded them. Judging by the infinite trees, Sin determined they were now in Free Marches.

"Where are we?" Saiph asked as she began to touch the grass.

"We are in the Free Marches, I recognize the smell." Sin responded.

He watched as Saiph touched the grass with her fingers, carefully moving them. It was like she had never touched grass before, let alone been away from her manor. It must have been a while since she had been outside. To feel the cool blades of grass against your warm skin must be a feeling like no other.

Sin felt something cold and sharp against the back of his neck. He slowly turned his head towards his shoulder. His blade was pressed against his skin in the hands of a Templar with a sly grin. But there wasn't just one Templar, there were dozens behind him. Sin glared at the Templar before turning his head back.

"I see Ser Theroux has failed me. Now I must take actions into my own hands."

The Templar tosses Altair's weapons onto the ground and keeps Sin's sword. Before Altair could reach his weapons, an arrow was shot in his thigh and he collapsed.

"Turn in your mages." The Templar ordered sternly.

Sin tightened his fists. He wasn't the one to give up so quickly, and he never will. He was going to turn in Marea or Saiph, and (even though he wanted to turn in) Meeres.

"You will not order me to your whims. I am no slave." Sin growled as he slowly turned his head back.

The Templar chuckled, "And what makes you think you have a chance against us?"

"Stop it."

Sin turned his head to Saiph, who was crouched on the ground. The Templar ceased chuckling, "Silence demon!" He shouted. Sin felt the blade press harder, at this point there must be blood. Saiph grabbed onto the grass, "I will take no shit from you!" She growled angrily, "I will kill all of you if you even dare hurt my companions."

The Templar waved his hand behind his back and a Templar began to slowly approach Marea with chains dragging behind him. Marea slowly began to step back. Before Sin could even move his legs, the Templar pushed Sin down the ground with his own sword in his face, "You see we have an advantage over you demons. We have the Maker and you only have the whispers of the darkness ringing in your ears. You are abominations of this world, and it is my duty to end it." His words were strong with confidence, an indication of his strength of faith.

Saiph shot up from the ground and faced the Templar. Her face was taut and vexed. She was not happy being pushed around. Her body began to glow a fiery blue aura while her eyes began to glow like a never ending fire. The aura became bigger, "And we have a god." Meeres groaned from his position on Marea's shoulder.

Saiph's body then couldn't be seen anymore and her form began to morph into a large creature, a very large creature. The aura then dissolved into the air and unveiled a dragon before them. The Templar's jaw was open, "By Andraste's shield!" He shouted as he dropped the sword and backed away.

The dragon roared and began to stomp towards the Templars. Sin quickly retrieved his sword and hopped on his feet. He dashed to Altair and dragged him behind the stone ruins. Marea followed him and placed Meeres down on the ground beside Altair to lighten her arms. Meeres was only half conscious while Altair was yanking out the arrow in his thigh.

"What the hell is going on out there?" Altair shouted through roar of the dragon.

Meeres looked up to Altair, "We get to see the Old God, Tallo in action." He smiled.

Just as Sin was about to move Meeres gripped onto his arm. Sin turned to Meeres, "She would no doubt mistake you for a Templar. It's best if you let her handle this." Meeres cautioned as he looked into Sin's eyes.

Sin sheathed his sword, and the only thing he could do, was watch.

The sun had passed its peak and drifted the west. The bright edge of the sun looked as if it rested on the tips of the trees. Sin turned his head away from the trees and back to Tallo. Her rage was begun to fade, as well as the Templars. Only two had remained. Her scales began to burn off like she was the fire burning in a torch, until all that was left was Saiph.

That was when Sin rushed into action. He drew his sword from his sheath and ran to the two Templars. In a flash, he sliced one of the Templars' heads off then stabbed the last Templar in the heart. Sin yanked his sword from the Templar's chest, causing his body to fall to the ground. Sin stared at the cascade of corpses on the ground, all caused by one woman. He has seen so much in his years and never before has he seen an Old God. He still couldn't grasp onto it. Sin turned to Saiph who was being brought onto her feet by Marea and Altair.

Sin sheathed his sword back in its scabbard as he approached the infamous Tallo in her human form. She was rubbing her eyes while they were still shut, "That was AMAZING!" Meeres exclaimed as he ran up to Saiph, "Never before in my life would I have had the pleasure of seeing such a display!"

Saiph then opened her eyes and stared at Meeres, "The boys at the Circle will not believe this!" He continued as he stumbled to retrieve his leather book from his pouch.

Altair promptly took the book from Meeres's hand and tossed it over his shoulder, "Look, it slipped." He commented with a smile.

Saiph looked up at Altair, then to Marea and Sin. She sighed with relief, "I'm sorry for doing that. It's something I haven't been able to control."

Sin understood.

"I want to get out of the Anderfels, maybe travel around. I have the whole world under my feet." Saiph smiled as she gently hovered her foot over the grass.

Now that Saiph was free from her dismal society, she can explore the world she had seen through her window. Sin took advantage of the world he was given, and he didn't hesitate to explore it. He acknowledged her choice.

Altair walked to Saiph's side, "I think I'll be sticking with Saiph. She needs a guide." Altair stated. He looked towards Saiph with a grin, and she smiled back.

Meeres then bumped in-between them, "I'm afraid I will be joining them too Sin. There is so much I need to document for my book and I can't go back to the Circle."

Sin nodded to all of them. He understood their choices if they wanted to travel separately from him. It was better this way. He wouldn't have to get too attached to them, which means no heartbreak if they do end up leaving. A warrior travels alone until he can settle with more of his kind.

"Sin," Sin looked over to Altair who had his hand stretched out to him, "I am in your debt. You have helped us through the roughest of waters. I must say it has been an honor working with such an icon. If you ever need assistance, another blade in battle or just a quick hand to pick a lock, I shall be there."

Sin was very unfamiliar with this gesture. He has seen how people shook hands as an agreement or a greeting or a goodbye, but he has never experienced it. He extended his hand out as well and shook Altair's hand. He wasn't putting much effort into it since Altair seemed to be leading the handshake. They release each other's grips and step back.

Altair nods and smiles to Marea, "Take care of her okay? You need at least someone with you." He added to Sin.

Sin responded with a polite nod. He didn't think much about it until the three had turned their backs to Sin and Marea before they began to walk down the road. He watched as Altair put his arm over Saiph's shoulder while Meeres began chatting away to them.

Soon, they were out of his sight.

Sin turned to Marea. It left them where they had started, with a promise. But as Sin looked into her eyes, something inside of him knew he had to take Altair's advice. Marea was the one who kept his sanity in check and most importantly his anger. He never really thought of someone like that, in a while. But she was the first one he wanted to be unharmed by him. Everyone knows of the horrible beast within him, but she didn't. She wasn't even intimidated by him at all when they first met.

Perhaps, he needed to protect her from himself. And that's why he decided to fulfill his promise.

"We should head to Kirkwall. We can get on a ship to Fereldan. "

The roads were barren and dusty like always with the hint of pine and dog. Not much has changed since Sin's last visit to his homeland. His last visit was only a few years ago when he needed a break from his dismal life in Fereldan. Sometimes when there are too many memories somewhere, one must escape them and that was exactly what Sin had done and now he was back to walking these roads.

Unfortuntely for the pair, the boat they stowed away on had made a detour into the harbor of Lake Calenhad, where they sailors were making their monthly trip to the Circle to drop off morsels. Thankfully Sin and Marea managed to slip off the boat before they were noticed. Now the two were on the road to Highever, as promised.

The roads seemed to show much promise in the hour when the sky painted to the color of a ripe fruit in season, ready to be eaten as the sun nestled itself behind the horizon. Sin watched the coming road ahead of them as he attempted to remember where the roads led to. He couldn't remember where the road to Highever was that well. If he remembered correctly, there was a separate path that cut through the woods to get to Highever nearby. In about a few yards they were going to make the turn.

Marea stuck close by him the entire way. She never seemed to have left his sight, which was good since he didn't want to lose her either. But what worried him was that she didn't have a weapon to defend herself with. She could depend on her magic, but lately she hasn't been using it. The last time Sin saw Marea use her magic was when Sin was being attacked by those bandits, and she hasn't used it since. He didn't know what went on her that mind of hers, but he just want to be sure she could defend herself if he's going to be leaving her in Highever.

The turn finally came, and Sin lead Marea down the path through the woods. The path in the woods slowly began to fade as they continued until it was nothing but rocks. He didn't keep track of how long they were walking, but Sin stopped for a second to look up at the sky. The sun appeared to be in hiding, and the darkness began to encompass the sky. Why did today seem important? Sin's eyes remained trained on the sky as he thought.

Then it finally occurred to Sin as he stepped on a twig. They were on that ship for a few days. Four moon phases have passed since they arrived here: new, waning crescent, last quarter and waning gibbous.

Tonight is a full moon.

Sin knew his body well and on a full moon is when he can't control himself, when his beast takes over him for one night. He will be forced to change if he dares to even look up at the moon. Altair's words echoed within his mind as Sin's eyes fell to Marea who seemed to be walking ahead of him. If he wanted to continue having company, then he should keep his secret a secret.

He didn't know how Marea would react if she saw him as he truly was and he didn't want to think much of it. But she needed to know if he did, go out of control.

Sin finally caught up with Marea as they entered a clearing. He then pulled her back and had her face him, "Marea, I must tell you something." Sin began nervously. He exhaled, "There's something you should know before—"

Sin's ears perked up hearing the sound of rustling leaves and footsteps coming towards the two of them. He quickly unsheathed his sword and readied his stance just as men in unfamiliar uniforms gathered around Marea and Sin. Sin's eyes dart from each of these hostile men until he sees a man with blonde hair approaching them with the same uniform and dual blades rested in their sheathes attached to his belt. Sin could see the blonde man's face was baby like but his blue eyes were something catching yet mad.

The blonde man only stood a few yards away, out of Sin's teleporting reach. But Sin remained his ground, glaring at these men until the blonde man spoke, "Ah. If I am correct, you are Sin? The man who stole our employer's property?"

Sin was silent. Then the blonde man spoke again, "No response? Very well. I don't mind talking. Call me Reynard and we are the Rough Runners."

Rough Runners didn't ring in Sin's mind, even though he's tangled with plenty of mercenary groups before. They must be a new group who was hired to get rid of Sin and retrieve Marea.

Sin wasn't going to break his promise.

Sin kept his lips sealed and his stance steady. Reynard chuckled, "I heard you were going to be a problem. Just by your lack of words means that you have no interest in speaking with me. That only means you are weak."

Before Sin could make his first attack, a blast of fire hit near Reynard and the other Rough Runners around him, causing a few of them to be burned by the blast and others to roll out of the way. Sin turned his head to Marea who was standing beside him, with her hand emitting flames. She must know why they are here. She might not be as thick as Sin thinks she is.

Reynard rolled back onto his feet, his face seemed to be unscathed. He then pointed to Marea, "Use the silver!" He ordered to his men.

Sin quickly turned to the men at his flank in order to protect Marea, but something didn't occur to him until a few seconds after the men were running towards him. The word silver was poison on his tongue. It wasn't Marea, it was meant for him.

One of the men had slashed Sin across the chest with his sword. On contact, it burned like hell. But the sword did not cut through his armor. Only the touch had burned Sin. While he stumbled back, clutching onto his chest Sin was flanked by a few other men. They bore chains that wrapped around Sin's neck like a collar. Sin was caught off guard and his sword slipped from his hand, and he fell onto his knees. Sin cringed as the silver burned his neck like the magma of the Deep Roads. But he kept his face to the side so the moon would not beckon him.

Marea ignited her arms into a fiery flame and approached the mercenaries. But while the men in front of her were cowering, Reynard threw a vial of gray liquid at Marea's feet. Once the vial shattered a cloud of smoke began to form like thick fog. That was when the mercenaries charged into the cloud and tackled down Marea. They dragged her out by her arms as she struggled while she was dazed. Reynard approached Marea while unsheathing his blades.

The pain was seeping into Sin's anger, they couldn't take Marea away. He had a promise to keep. He then looked over to Marea who was struggling. She was confused and in panic. He wanted Marea to just burn those men, but he didn't know why she wasn't.

Reynard approached in front of Sin and chuckled, "I thought silver would be your bane. I even picked out a nice little collar for you." He said as before pulling Sin's hair and pulling his head back, "I can go back to Tevinter and live like a god for taking down a wanted mercenary and a werewolf. And I thank you for that."

Sin's amber eyes couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the moon. His eyes didn't pry from its benevolence. The light beaming down him was like the warmth of a fire in his cold life. Sin's heart began to race, his blood began to fill with adrenaline and he began to feel his mind slip into something dark. He could feel his bones shifting, making him grow.

Reynard's voice faded and all he could do was stare at Sin. The sound of bones cracking, flesh shifting caused Reynard to step back. A darkness encompassed Sin like he was just a mere shadow as his size increased. The collar soon broke and it was difficult to see what was in the darkness. The only thing Reynard could make out was a wolf…

Then the darkness flew into the air like steam as the wolf let out a foreboding howl that resonated throughout the woods. Reynard slowly backed away as the large wolf which was almost his size, step closer to him. In an instant, Reynard was able to see that this wolf was Sin just at the sight of the amber eyes.

Sin then tackled onto Reynard. He then sunk his teeth in Reynard's flesh and tore his flesh away along with spurts of blood gushing from the wound. The mercenaries acted out in fear and attacked Sin with all of their might. But Sin quickly turned and tackled groups at a time and fought them all. Their mere silver weapons were no match for the monster in this form. A few attempted to stab their swords into the beast, but it was nothing to Sin before he would turn and attack them.

Then, there was one man left. But this man had dropped everything and ran for his dear life. Sin had no cause to chase after the man, after all, he did kill the Rough Runners. One runner would most likely have his group stay clear of Sin.

The beast looked down to the pools of blood around him as it reflected in the moonlight. The hunt was done, and this was his game. Sin tilted his head back and howled at the moon, afterward many other howls joined in with his. But something seemed to have slipped the beast's mind.

Sin slowly turned and there stood Marea, standing so still beside Reynard's mutilated body. Her expression was empty and a piece of Sin's mind became conscious. Everything around him was proof as to what he had done, right in front of Marea. She witnessed everything and what he truly was.

And now she was scared, scared like everyone else.

Marea slowly picked up her feet and began to walk towards Sin, slowly and carefully. Sin started to move his paws back. He didn't want Marea near him now. He knew he was going to hurt her. So Sin growled to keep her back. But she didn't hesitate, she kept walking towards him.

She then was in front of him. He began to feel his mind slowly degrade and he didn't bother to back away. Sin was close enough to snap right at her. Sin made a low growl and bared his sharp teeth. Fear was his weapon, and he used it well. There was no being alive who never ran from him. It was expected and he accepted it.

Marea cautiously extended her hand and pressed her hand against Sin's fur.

Sin's mind slowly began to return from her warm touch. He couldn't believe what was happening. He was becoming aware of what was happening around him, like he was in control in his beast like state. But overall what amazed him was the kindness in her eyes. There was no fear.

Marea was different.

A sharp pain on the surface of Sin's back caused him to sharply turn. But by the time he did, an arrow shot at him in his shoulder then another followed in his neck.

Everything went dark.