Carter held on for dear life as for the second time that day, his stomach was left behind as the tiny rowboat reached warp speed. Water sprayed his face, thunder rumbled over head, and lightning crackled making the hairs on his neck stand on end. A scream stuck in his throat.

The rowboat came to a sudden stop. Carter lost his balance, falling on his hands and knees. He sat there for a moment, shaking.

"I swear to the gods," he muttered to himself, shakily getting to his feet. "If I never get in another boat again, it'll be too soon."

He climbed out of the rowboat, which had managed to beach itself with its supersonic speeds. He slowly made his way along the beach, eyes scanning the jagged mountains that rose up into the clouds. He frowned.

"Definitely no climbing." He glanced behind him. He couldn't see the ship through the fog that surrounded the island. He sighed. "I really hope that damn boat is still there by the time I get back."

To his right came a low hissing noise. Carter turned toward it, brows furrowing. He squinted and was just able to make out a cavern entrance through the fog. He made his way towards it cautiously. "Oh, yay. So much fun." He grumbled and climbed through the entrance.

His footsteps echoed off the rocks, adding to the creepiness factor. He felt like he was being watched with every step. A pebble skittered in the darkness and he froze, waiting, listening. The sounds reverberating off the cave walls made a weird echoing noise in his hearing aids, making it hard to decipher where any particular thing was coming from. Carter was starting to wonder if he should've fought more for Douxie to come.

With a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and kept walking. The cave seemed to go on forever, an endless tunnel of wet rocks and craggly stone. But soon, a new entrance opened in front of him. It led to a circular grass field. The storm was worse here, the wind blowing so hard it nearly knocked him off his feet. The thunder was loud and constant, and the lighting struck the ground multiple times.

Carter froze when he saw the lone figure laying in the middle of the field. A giant wolf, easily four times larger than a regular wolf, was laying calmly in the center of the stormy field, glowing blue eyes watching him carefully. Around its front two paws were long bronze chains that seemed to keep it in place.

"Fenris…" Carter breathed out, fear and wonder sinking in. He never broke eye contact with the beast.

The Wolf seemed to smile at him. A cold, vicious sort of smile. "How long I have waited for my revenge." His voice echoed in Carter's head. "Come closer, son of war. Let me see my victory."

Carter took a step back, hands going to his scimitar hilts. "No thanks."

Another voice rang urgently in his mind. "No! Do not turn back! The gods made the mistake of mistrusting the Wolf! Show him what you can do. Prove yourself worthy of his devotion!"

"Of my what?" Carter hissed under his breath. He wasn't even sure if the magic head voice lady could hear him talk outloud.

"Battle him. Fight Fenris and win. Best him in combat and he will serve you."

Apparently she could.

"Not sure if that's a great idea."

Head voice lady remained annoyingly silent.

Carter closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Slowly, he met Fenris' gaze again. "What do you want?"

Fenris snarled with a grin. "My freedom, child. I've been imprisoned here for a millenia because the fools who run your world saw me as a threat."

"What if I could free you?"

Fenris seemed to consider this, cocking his head to the side. "A challenge?" He seemed delighted by the idea. "What is your wager?"

"If I defeat you in single combat, I free you but you remain loyal to me." Carter couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. "No bringing about the end of the world."

"Fate is not an easy thing to avoid." Fenris said, almost in a warning.

"Hey, I died and came back. Avoiding fate is kind of my thing."

A spark lit in the wolf's eyes. "And if you lose?"

"You eat me, I suppose?" Carter walked forward. "That's what you were going to do anyway, right?"

Fenris chuckled. "You have spirit, child. I like that." He bowed his head, standing to his feet. Carter realized the chains were long enough to allow him to move around. Shit. "I accept your challenge of single combat."

Carter activated his hilts, his weapons growing to full size. They circled eachother slowly. "Let's make this quick. I kind of promised my boyfriend I'd make it back alive."

"Promises, promises." Fenris chided before he lunged.

Carter dove to the side, rolling before springing to his feet. He turned just in time to see sharp teeth going for his face. He slashed upward, hitting Fenris under the jaw with the flat of his blade. The Wolf shook off the attack as Carter retreated a few steps back.

They did this dance a few more times. Fenris would lunge, and Carter would deflect him and move away. He wasn't really sure what his strategy was. He was pretty sure it was mostly just, "don't die". He dug into his pocket, pulling out the bronze sphere necklace Archie had retrieved from his mom's apartment. They'd had it for ages. Might as well put it to good use.

Carter swung it around his wrist like a bracelet, clutching the charm in his hand tightly. "Clypeum!" He shouted. Immediately, a shimmering shield made of magic appeared over his arm.

Just in time for it to block the sharp claws that came flying at him. Carter grunted as he was knocked to the ground, a large paw pressing on the shield, pinning him to the ground. The shield slowly became more solid, more real. Transforming from a transparent magic spell, to an actual celestial bronze shield.

"Impressive." Fenris did indeed sound impressed. "I have not seen one of those spheres for a long time. Did your wizard soulmate teach you that?"

"Nah," Carter gave a strained grin. "I'm kinda figuring it out as I go along."

"I'm almost tempted to let you win."

"Don't throw the fight." Carter warned, arms straining as Fenris continued to press down on the shield. "I want to win because I won."

"Fair enough."

Carter screamed in pain as the giant wolf shoved down hard. He felt something in his wrist break. He fought through the pain, thrusting his arms up, kicking Fenris in the gut. The Wolf went flying, skidding along the ground before stopping. Carter picked himself up, staggering a little. White spots danced in his vision.

He caught the next attack on the shield, shoving back. He felt another burst of power clawing through his body. So he let it out.

A blast of red magic burst out of him, sending Fenris to the ground again. Carter pointed his sword at the Wolf's throat before he could get up again.

They were both breathing hard, covered in blood and sweat. But Fenris didn't get up again. Instead, he inclined his head towards Carter respectfully.

"You have more potential than I knew." He said softly, a new kind of resolve in his voice. "A heavy destiny lays on your shoulders, half-blood. I would be honored to see how you battle it. And be there by your side as you do."

Carter cracked a smile. "Let's get those chains off you, big guy."

Fenris hauled himself to his feet. "Please."

With a quick and precise cut, Carter got the massive chains off with little difficulty. Fenris lowered his head to be eye-level with Carter. Carter understood what he was doing. He gently pressed his forehead against the Wolf's, hand resting on his nose.

A tiny spark shot through them both, connecting them.

"Our fates are tied together now." Fenris said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Where you go, I go."

Carter smiled, affectionately scratching his nose. He'd always been a dog person. "Man, Douxie is going to love this."

Fenris huffed a laugh through his nose, standing beside Carter. "Although," he said as they walked. "Be warned, we may not be out of danger yet."

Carter looked at him. "What do you mean-"

An angry screech split the air.

"Run." Fenris hissed.

They started sprinting across the field, towards the cave. Unfortunately that seemed to be where the screeching was coming. Double unfortunately, that was also the only way out. They ran through the cavern, very motivated to not slow down by the giant clawed footsteps scrambling behind them. Another screech rattled the cave. The air became hot and choking.

They scrambled onto the beach just as the thing chasing them came bursting out of the cave, sending rocks and dust flying everywhere. Carter dove out of the way of a giant scaled tail.

His eyes widened when he saw what it was. The beast vaguely resembled a dragon, but instead of four legs, it had two in the back, and in place of front legs were giant leathery wings. It hissed at him, acid dripping from its giant mouth. It was towered over them, stalking closer and closer.

It could swallow us and the boat whole. Carter thought, drawing his blades.

"We do not stand a chance of beating it." Fenris warned. "But it is bound to the island. If we make it out of range of the island's magic barrier, we can escape."

"Great!" Carter backed towards the surf. "Can you swim?"

Fenris looked offended. "Of course I can swim."

"Awesome." Carter squinted through the fog. He was just able to see the boat, and just able to hear Douxie yelling at Captain Beard. "If we make it to the boat, we'll be home free."

The wyvern screeched angrily. It lumbered towards them, running over the rowboat Carter had come in.

"Perfect." Carter grumbled. He ran towards the beast, sliding underneath it, slicing at its underbelly.

It screeched in pain, spinning around to find him. Fenris snatched him out of the way, hauling him to semi-safety.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"Pissing it off." Carter said. "I figure something that big isn't as agile as us. If we get it angry enough, it won't fight smart. Also, I'm buying time."

Fenris pushed Carter behind a large rock as the wyvern threw a fit on the beach trying to find them. "Clever plan. But it won't do us good if we're dead." He peered around the rock. "And what are you even buying time for?"

An explosion of piercing blue magic lit up the beach. Sand went flying and the wyvern screeched some more in alarm.

"That." Carter said with a grin.

Runes floated in the air, creating protective shields around the two figures on the beach ahead of them who were facing down the beast.

A very not happy wizard, wrapped in an aura of magic, was throwing everything he had at the wyvern. Carter ran out from behind the rock.

"Nice of you to join the party!" He shouted above the wyvern screaming angrily.

"This was the plan!?" Douxie demanded, holding a protection circle as the giant scaly monster tried to slam into it.

"Well, no." Carter activated his shield. "This was not part of the plan."

"What were you thinking, Carter!" Archie shouted from above them. He spewed a stream of fire at the wyvern.

"Lecture me later!" Carter shouted back, gripping his weapon. He looked at Douxie. "Think we can kill it?"

Douxie stared at him. "You're joking."

"Afraid not." Fenris said, appearing beside them.

Douxie's eyes went wide. "Is that…?"

"I made a friend." Carter informed him. "Blue, focus."

Douxie shook himself off, returning his attention to maintaining the spell. "You adopted Fenris the Wolf?"

"In a way." Carter studied the wyvern, seeing a chink in its armor. "Think you can get me close, Fen?"

"You're perfectly insane."

"It's what makes me so charming." Carter slung his shield across his back. "Doux, cover me."

Douxie nodded, slamming another runic circle into the wyvern's side. "Be careful, Carter."

Carter smiled. "When am I not?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"It was rhetorical." He said, swinging up and onto Fenris' back as the wolf offered. "Try not to die."

Douxie gave him a meaningful look. "You too, Sunshine."

Carter nodded and then Fenris took off. He ran around the wyvern in a circle, howling to get its attention. It spun around, trying to snap at them, its sharp teeth barely missing Fenris' flank.

Douxie threw a barrage of spells at it to keep its attention off of Carter as the demigod leapt off Fenris' back and onto the wyvern's. He clung onto it for dear life as the wyvern screeched in outrage and thrashed around. Fenris attacked its legs to keep it from getting to Carter.

With a loud screech it leapt into the air with Carter still on its back, screaming profanities as the beast climbed higher. Soon they were lost in the storm clouds above. Seconds ticked by, the three of them staring into the sky anxiously. Then the wyvern screeched again and came plummeting towards the ground, Carter just in front of it.

Douxie screamed his name, scrolling through his vambrace to find an anti-gravity spell. Just as he was getting ready to cast it, gleaming bronze wings sprung out from Carter's back, catching him right before he hit the ground. He skidded to a stop, a deep gash on his arm. Around his neck was the bronze sphere pendant, runes glowing and pulsing with magic.

"Sunshine… how?"

"I have no clue." Carter said. He was missing his swords. "I'm literally winging it."

"Was that a pun?"

"No."

The wyvern crashed onto the beach, Carter's scimitars embedded in the chinks of its armor. It tried to stand, stumbling a bit as it turned to face them. It hissed at them.

Carter stood in front of Douxie, covered in blood, dirt, sweat, and soot, holding his knife towards the giant evil wizard. The wyvern stalked closer and snarled. Carter snarled back.

That was hot. Douxie thought helplessly.

The wyvern leered over them, fangs dripping with acid, smoke curling from its nostrils.

Archie unleashed a stream of fire into its mouth, causing it to reel back. Fenris leapt forward, knocking it to the ground, claws digging into its throat. The wyvern screeched and thrashed. Douxie flung his hand out, summoning magical bonds around it, keeping it tethered to the ground.

Carter walked forward, ripping his swords out of its side harshly. He stood beside Fenris, glaring at the wyvern as it tried to snap at his leg. Wordlessly, he drove his scimitar into its mouth. It screeched pitifully one last time before going limp.

Douxie watched him carefully. "You good?"

Carter looked back at him, a faint red glow fading from his eyes. "Yeah…" he looked to the side, gripping his scimitar a little tighter. "I'm fine." He grabbed the other one and ripped it from the dead wyverns mouth.

Douxie opened his mouth to say more when a loud boat horn sounded. He flinched and turned to glare at the captain who was tapping his wrist.

"Let's go, gays! Leave the carcass. It's too big to fit on the ship."

Douxie rolled his eyes, holding his hand out to Carter. "Come on, Sunshine. Let's go home."

Carter smiled softly, taking his hand. "Let's."

The four of them climbed onto the boat, Fenris snarling at Captain Crazy when he tried to pet him. Carter and Fenris sat near the front of the ship, the Wolf letting Carter wrap the raw skin of his legs where the chains had been. Douxie watched them, brows furrowed with worry. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the whole Fenris thing, but he was sure he'd get used to it. He'd done crazier things, so he couldn't exactly judge his boyfriend for it.

"Are you worried?" Archie asked, perched on Douxie's shoulders.

"About Carter? Always." Douxie picked at the wood on the rail. "But hey, he killed a wyvern. And not just any wyvern. The Gated Guardian."

"Well, Nazoc always was on the prickly side." Archie said, then inclined his head towards Carter. "Think he'll get into trouble for it?"

"Oh definitely." Douxie laughed softly. "But I don't think he really cares."

"Hm," he looked at his familiar. "This is why Merlin didn't want you to get involved with half-bloods. They break the rules."

Douxie smiled. "Sometimes rules are meant to be broken. And Merlin wasn't always right. Not about this… not about Carter."

Archie gently nudged him. "He'd have an aneurism if he could see you now."

Douxie laughed. "Oh I know he would." He looked at Carter and smiled, heart fluttering. "But he's so worth it, Arch. Everything about him is worth it."