authors note: after really examining the Tiberinus theme, I have decided to drop it all together. Quiet frankly, I am disappointed in myself for even considering it. I am sorry that I began delivering something that now disgusts me. In my defense, I've been having a few beers. This isn't a story for sexual relation or hidden images. Not only am I a beginner writer, I have no clue how to orchestrate one. More or less it was trash. On top of that it seemed I deleted the finale copy that kept the story flowing without such nonsense. I uploaded the version never supposed to be seen. It would also be hard to cope with Wolvine from different shores and the fact Lupus is one of the very few survivors. As such I will continue part two as a flashback to Lupus's early life. In my opinion this will fill in important questions in a better way, from Wolvine start to Miria rejoining, while keeping with the theme that the yoki illness only occurs in non-humans.
That and I ran out of ideas...
Special thanks to the readers.Thank you all round, and please understand Tiberinus was a train wreck waiting to happen. I only hope the last chapters I wrote did not mar the image of the story.I'm sorry. I'm sorry I did this to you. I took his life before your eyes. You were right, insurrection was justifiable and now when I finally listen, I still have to pay the price. The others were blackmailed, so was I. Clare has the child, Deneve finds it dishonorable to abandon us and Helen, I'd rather not say. Not that I would want to know anyways. As for me, I let myself get called back into the ranks, just to see you one last time. I have a plan Lupus, a good one. And I am ready to sacrifice myself for you to help us...
He chose the town for its density in solid stone buildings and narrow pathways. It was all too clear to the first group sent in to locate the "wolvine Yoma." Every corner spelled potential ambush and every stretch made it easy for one to charge into a group of many. With the spectators high above watching the fight, their potential destructiveness was diminished greatly.
There were only four total scouting the area. Omi, Nerial, Dasante and Melissa, and only the last one mentioned held a single digit. As reckless as it was to use inexperienced warriors to hunt a Wolvine, the Organization felt it would be unnecessary to risk the lives of those who were. That was why Miria was retained with blackmailing the execution of her fellow sisters. Thus, under the orders of Alicia, the beast was to be located, identified and monitored until they could send word about its exact whereabouts.
Lupus carefully watched the Claymores from the distance of the alleyway. Shrouded in darkness and a low supply of yoki, not one could identify him as their target. All they saw was shadow and void. To further aid in his hiding, not one storm watcher relayed his position as they glared down at the invading army. Whether it was out of respect or a desire to see a gladiatorial arena in their own town, Lupus did not know nor did he care.
Ermita watched Lupus with his lips pursed behind a veiled mask. Despite his desire to see a famed legend in full action, the concept of letting four Claymores was as such unwanted. In the silence of the town, where only came the drips of rain and breeze, a leader of the Organization played watchman for the warriors below. All it took was a somewhat hidden wave of his hand to attract Melissa's attention and direct her to where Lupus hid.
Lupus keenly noted the sudden pause in one of the Claymore's advance. With great eyesight he determined to where she looked. 'The roof.' That old man hidden behind numerous layers of scarf and clothing was to who she looked at. 'A spotter.'
Lupus slinked back deeper into the alleyway and disappeared entirely. Once on the other side he gave the rooftops a quick look over and bolted to a stable. If he knew Claymores, they would jump at a single noise, sprinting to intercept the person responsible before he could leave. Whether or not it was an accident, it was always best for them to catch the opponent before he had a chance to flee.
Ermita did not realize the wolf man had left; Lupus preparing and retreating in a dark space told him Lupus was planning an ambush. With a nod he directed the Claymore's foreword and waited. Any minute now there would be the clash of steel, a monstrous cry and a lone Claymore rushing back to inform the others the beast had been spotted.
They were there, he could feel them. With fuse lit he tossed a pop rock into the stables. A childs toy perhaps, but the small amount of black powder was all that was necessary to spook a whole herd.
Taking cover from behind a barrel, he loaded a bolt and aimed it just past the alleyway. The fuse was timed and he began the countdown. 'Five, four, three…'
"Where is he?" Dasante whispered, inching cautiously forward.
"He fled," Omi muttered while she examined a pile of crates.
"Perhaps he his above us?" Nerial said in a tone on par with whimpering. Being the youngest of the group, she still had little field experience to wear away the last bits of uneasiness, fear and hesitation.
"Just keep quiet," Melissa ordered. "Keep moving."
With their signature blades drawn the four women crept through the alleyway. It was stupid to even think about splitting up; the potential one-by-one slaughter was apparent to both scared and experienced. Jumping to the rooftops was out of the question since they would be spotted first or risk drawing a fight to the people above. So they would stay as one whole unit on the streets below, regardless of the tight fit. It's not like he was a sniper or anything after all.
If they had known that they were dealing with a sniper, well…
The pop rock went off and kicked the horses into a frenzy. "Showtime," Lupus said through clenched teeth, his hand reaching for the lever. The satisfying click of a bolt being armed was drowned out by the animals' riot.
"There!" Omi screamed, darting forward with unprecedented speed.
"No, Omi!" Melissa yelled, but it was too late. She was already out in the open in a blind dash to crash into the stables. And more importantly, she was in the sites of the hunted wolf with an armor piercing arbalest.
On a normal day a Claymore seemed to the outside world a silent, sullen being. No word was spoken, no movement shown, whenever they were at standstill. Such was the case for the mass army of Claymores patiently waiting the order to advance. But if you were to see the Claymores, the moment the wounded cry of their fellow sister punctured the silence, you could have seen a virtual change in their normal silence so staggering, time had virtually stopped.
As the moment of contact passed and motion once more appeared in their ranks, numerous protests of waiting could be heard. What could have caused a Claymore to scream in agony, her cries carrying along the wind? Why were they doing nothing when it was clearly obvious it was better to swarm the beast and end its life quickly and effectively? The Organization knew why, and so did Miria.
She was sickened by the hunt. The desire to end his life throbbed in her heart along with her other past mistakes. She was unsurprised that the leaders would take precaustions in exterminating him. She was afraid, knowing deep down that a terrible monster was about to be released. This monster could not be so easily killed, or predicted. Unlike half-ascended ones like herself and even the Abyssal Ones if one were to believe it, Lupus was immune to the concept of someone helping to revert his rage and terror back to humanity. How can you reason with someone who has been hunted by your kind, watched the slaughter of his people and has been gifted with revenge? You can't. Then again, Lupus isn't a human...
Lupus, in God's will, they are innocent.