(Sorry for the late update guys. Things have been…difficult lately and I've had trouble writing or planning anything. I don't want to get into it. Anyways, hope you all enjoy this new chapter.)

Death Fury: Thanks.

Chapter 25: Ancient Answers

(Unknown location, an hour later)

Ulva led Drew through on a path in the dark forest. Drew had been quiet for the entire walk, his head hung low. The werewolves around them walked all around them, though some had hung back to keep their eyes on the League and team as they left.

"I'm sorry for what happened back there, Drew," Ulva sighed.

"It's not your fault," Drew said.

"This was the likely result of the hidden truth. I hoped it wouldn't be, but I wasn't surprised," Ulva added.

"I'm…I'm still shocked by what you told me. How can that be?" Drew asked.

"The blood was taken in wolf form, during a waning lunar phase. The lunar phases and the lunar eclipse is when are power fades and temporarily vanishes when the moon is out of sight," Ulva explained.

"When I went into that portal months ago, it was during a waning phase. I soon found myself without my powers after I was transported away," Drew said.

Ulva didn't say anything, but she rubbed her chin as she contemplated on what he said.

"But if I'm not a werewolf…not a full one…what does that make me?" Drew asked.

"You are a werewolf, partially at least. But you are our kin and that's all that matters," Ulva answered.

Drew's eyes opened a little in surprise, but he couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you," Drew said.

Ulva smiled and nodded.

"Come, it's time for you to see our people's ancestral home," Ulva said.

"Yes ma'am. But oh, what about my stuff back at the Watchtower…I have some things in there I rather not be parted with…but I suppose that doesn't matter now. To risky to retrieve them," Drew sighed.

"Don't worry, as I said: I anticipated the outcome and made arrangements for your belongings to be retrieved," Ulva chuckled.

"Thanks…there's…just some memories that some of my stuff that I feel are more connected with them," Drew replied.

"I understand. But for now I want to show you something," Ulva said.

After several more minutes of walking through the dark forest, they came upon a cave entrance.

"Time for a history lesson," Ulva said.

The two entered the cave, but needed no light as their keen eyes could see in the dark (which glew in the darkness). They walked deeper into the cave system as time went on. But soon Drew spotted something in the dark cave: ancient drawings.

"Whoa," Drew gasped as he looked in awe of the drawings all around him.

"This is the story of our people, one that began dozens of millennia ago," Ulva said.

Drew saw drawings of people dancing and congregating together around fires with the moon and stars above, with animals around them. The next shows another group of humans chasing the same group. The former group runs towards caves and exits them to enter a forest & valley. They gather around a figure who holds something in their hand. The figure danced alone below the moon. In a mist or aurora, a wolf appeared before the figure. The full moon turned red and the figure became a beast, a wolf. The people that were with the figure became beasts as well. The people that had attacked them in the earlier drawing were the ones on the run from the towering beasts. The final one was of the beasts howling at the red full moon.

"My people were once human, a tribe that lived peacefully in the land until a tribe of raiders came to wipe us out. We had hunters and our magic, but they outnumbered us and didn't want to risk losing any lives if we could. Despite escaping, we feared they would continue to come after us. Their mystic told the tribe that she would speak with the spirits for guidance. When she did, a great spirit came forward and gave the tribe the strengthened spirit to survive and thrive. The raiders came and were crushed by the tribe's newfound mystic strength. The decided to make the new land they had come to their home," Ulva narrated.

"Whoa," Drew gasped.

"The great spirit answered my plea for guidance. She gave my people an eternal connection to her, the natural world, and the Red & the Blue or Clear along with those who followed us in connecting with the Red and the whole of nature," Ulva said.

"Those who followed you? I know about the Red. Vixen said it's the mystic and natural web of life that connects with animal life that live on land whilst the Blue is those of aquatic nature. She told me after one of 'nights' together," Drew said as he blushed.

Ulva chuckled.

"Good, she has taught you some. Those who followed were and are other werebeasts or therianthropes, though they are all each greater in number now than we are. They connected with other spirits from the Red or the Clear. Despite being different because of geography and habitat, they are still tightly linked because they are connected to animal life," Ulva said.

"So how do I fit into all this?" Drew asked.

"You are of werewolf blood, but also of other beasts as well. You can transform into all manner of creatures, past and present. That was the melding of science and magic. From a mystic source but applied by science. Powered by the lycanthropic blood and connected with all of the Red and Clear. You've explored the spiritual in some depth in your ninjutsu training, but you must be trained in the ways of our people," Ulva said.

"How so?" Drew asked.

"You shall see," Ulva answered.

They continued through the cave until they saw a dim light at the end of a tunnel. They exited it to and stood before a great forested valley. There are some houses in the valley with other buildings and signs of civilization, but it still mostly wilderness. Drew looked at Ulva.

"Your lessons will begin soon and then your own journey will need to be taken. Apokolips comes and we all must be ready," Ulva said.

To be continued…

(Again, I'm sorry for the late update. It's been difficult to write anything for awhile…things have been difficult for…different reasons…I hope to update my stories more from now on…if I'm able.)