(Sorry for the late update guys.)
Death Fury: Thanks.
Chapter 26: The Great Spirit
(Unknown location, the next day, late in the day)
Drew woke up in a warm bed, he saw his belongings in the room around him. The room looked to be a mix of rustic and modern in style, which he soon came to realize the house was in the same style. He liked it, it felt homey and accessible to various needs/wants.
"Have any pleasant dreams?" A familiar voice asked.
Drew turned to see Ulva on the stairs, smiling at him.
"No dreams, none that I remember anyways," Drew answered.
"That's a pity, I love dreams," Ulva sighed.
"Same," Drew said.
"Anyways, if you will follow me," Ulva said.
Drew nodded. Ulva led him out of the house. A crowd, though not pack together, stood outside the house. They all turned to look at him, with the same eyes he saw in the darkness before. They had looks that ranged from friendly to curious, but none aggressive or uninviting.
"You all know, Drew. But Drew, meet the original pack and clan of our people," Ulva said.
"I-It's an honor," Drew said, his head lowered slightly in respect.
The crowd responded with warm smiles and head nods.
"After the great spirit bonded with us and before we defeated the cannibal clan, she instructed us to take spirit quests to realize and embrace the beasts within us. Those of who follow the spirits and beasts within them and have the 'access' to such things do this, werewolf or other therianthrope. That is what you will do during the ceremony," Ulva said.
"Spirit quest?" Drew said.
"Indeed. You'll see, but first you must be tested by another," Ulva replied.
Ulva and her clan started walking towards the mountainous part of the region and Drew followed. They travelled through the trails that the clan had walked for several millennia and Drew had just begun to. Something in his blood and bones told him there was some ominous but not unfriendly about this place. He wasn't sure what it exactly was. Not long into the hike they walked into an open space in the side of a mountain overlooking the forested valley. In the space against the wall are paintings like he had seen in the cave earlier. The biggest one was men and women who, as they walked towards a fire, transformed into wolves and from that fire stood a giant spectral wolf. Not far from the painting was a set of logs for a campfire. Around the campfire are ancient drums made with animal skins and other natural materials. Despite being of ancient origin, they look brand new.
"Whoa," Drew gasped.
"A wondrous sight, but there will soon be more," Ulva chuckled.
"How…How has no one found this place other than you all?" Drew asked.
"My clan isn't the only one to have been here. The raiders came here, others of our people later in history, and other therians have visited this place. But a powerful magic protects this place and in the past few thousand years none of those not of such mystic nature have entered here," Ulva answered.
"Like Themyscira?" Drew said.
"In a way. That magic was shaped by the Greek Pantheon, but ours comes from the magic we still hold onto from when we marked these stories on these walls," Ulva replied.
"And it's lasted all this time?" Drew gasped.
"As long as there are wild lands and beasts that thrive anywhere in the world, this magic will hold strong," Ulva said.
One of the men said something to Ulva in a language Drew didn't recognize. Ulva responded in the same tongue. She turned to him.
"We will teach you our tongue and other tongues you haven't and still wish to learn. But first, we must call upon her," Ulva explained in English.
Drew didn't have to say anything, he felt he knew who Ulva spoke of. The clan gathered in a circle around the wood as Ulva started the fire. The moon became full as the clan chanted in their ancient tongue. Soon they all shifted into wolf forms. Drew had turned to look at Ulva who stood beside him in her wolf form, fur black as night and the same size as a large African lion. Drew suddenly found himself in wolf form. Soon the fire roared as new life burst from the flames and turned a deep red. From the fire emerged the shape of a great wolf, even larger than Ulva. The clan bowed their heads in respect, Drew felt himself doing the same and unable to meet her gaze. There was an incredible feeling, an aura, about her. It was of comfort, strength, will, love, compassion, ferocity, and unity from her. It was Drew had ever felt from anyone he had encountered. He had met remarkable individuals in his life, perhaps the most remarkable being Ulva. But the spirit's presence made him feel something truly inspiring and humbling.
"My children, it is wonderful to see you all," the spirit said, her voice strong and warm.
"It is wonderful to see you too, mother," Ulva said as she raised her head to meet the spirit's gaze.
The spirit turned to look at Drew.
"And who is this? A son I know yet not know?" The spirit asked.
"Yes, one who was unintentionally brought into our world, but welcome nonetheless. Not fully one of our own, but still one of us," Ulva answered.
"Look at me, my child," the spirit said.
Drew didn't feel fear in her presence, but he was still utterly nervous. He barely managed to raise his head to look at her. His eyes filled with wonder, his heart pounded with excitement, and he felt tears come to his eyes.
"Yes, it is alright. You are with family now, my son," the spirit said.
"Y-You're…You're the wolf spirit?...but how…how did the moon?" Drew stammered.
"Dear pup, I am the wolf and moon spirit, both and neither. You have the blood and spirit of many beasts within you, but I am your mother just the same as theirs," the spirit chuckled.
Drew couldn't say anything even though he wanted to say so much.
"Mother we have accepted him on the physical plane. But as advised by you so long ago and now still, he must go through the spirit quest of the hunt," Ulva said.
"Yes, as you all must be there with him to bring about the truest sense of the quest," the spirit agreed.
The spirit turned to look at Drew.
"Are you ready, my son?" The spirit asked.
Drew raised his head, still nervous, but nodded.
"Very good. I will instruct you on the mission, but you must fulfill it with your own will. Now, I shall send you all there," the spirit said.
The spirit inhaled and exhaled. Drew felt a calm yet strong wind that rang of what he believed to be an ethereal melody as it drifted around all present. He felt himself seemingly fall asleep, but knew that something else awaited him.
To be continued…
(Again, sorry for the late update.