Jak-Daxter: Pinning Hura-Lycans down with electropes Ah yes finally!
Backup!
Thraxenel lunges into the scene with an army of vampires following. Not surprisingly Raven was with them.
Thraxenel: Update's here guys! Sorry it took so long...I'm having my mid-year exams so yeah. The pain was excruciating...
Dragon of Zanarkand: Not as painful as my bite if you don't update quickly enough!
Thraxenel: Whines ..........................................
Vorador: All right people! This is it! The Transformation lessons will be carried out here, in this lonely clearing until the next few months. Now, I want to get over this quickly so let's get started right now. YOU!
He pointed at Fenris, who froze.
Vorador: Step up here.
Fenris stepped shakily forwards.
Vorador: Name of your father?
Fenris: Turel.
Vorador: Ah yes, I thought so. You'd be perfect.
Sig: (Squirms slightly)
Vorador: (To Fenris) All right now, Fenris I'm going to need you to concentrate. Do you notice how bright your moonstone necklace is? Good, it's ready allright. Now....feel its energy course through you. Look at the moon. Feel its connection.
Fenris looked up to the moon above, and almost immediately his limbs began to shake. His knees trembled and his eyes were unusually wide.......
Sig felt his stomach qelch sickeningly.
Fenris: (Starts to shudder) I...I...feel strange, sir...Urghhhh.....
Vorador: (smirks) Don't fight it, Fenris. Feel.
Fenris didn't reply; he looked as if he were about to be sick. His eyes shut tight in a painful grimace, and at this the moon suddenly shone so bright that the whole area was bathed in its eerie silver glow. A pained yelp burst from Fenris's lips, and blood dripped down his nose....
Fenris: (In pure agony) Grrrraaahhhh-arrggggghhhhh!!!!
Vorador: (Backing, but calmly) Relax, Fenris...don't be afraid. Feel. Immerse yourself in your mind. Feel. Fenris' next scream pierced through the dark atmosphere like a blade, searing Sig's guts and petrifying the other students watching. There was total silence and nothing moved, not even the chilly wind. Fenris fell to his knees, both arms clutching his arms tightly. More blood dripped down his chin from his nose and mouth, and as tense seconds passed Sig watched with growing revulsion and horror as metal began to form around Fenris's shoulders, legs and arms. His face lenghtened into the vicious wolf like face, haloed by the metal guards on its forehead, cheeks and jaw. Vorador's smirk widened as a bright yellow gem emerged from Fenris' beastly forehead........
Proteus: Dear god....
A roar burst out from Fenris's huge jaw, and the students all screamed in unison. The huge metalhead beast, or Hura-Lycan as the legends called it, roared once more, white eyes locked on Vorador's.
Vorador: (Calmly) You've earned yourself an A-, son of Turel. Two points off for being rude, though.
The Hura-Lycan let out a soft growl, eyes still fixed on Vorador's. Vorador went up to him, and as he moved he transformed into the huge Hura-Lycan beast that he was with well-learnt ease. Fenris stiffened, as if shrunken by the presence of the larger and more dominant Hura-Lycan. Vorador slowly dropped to all fours, but even hunkered he dwarfed Fenris's towering beast form.
Vorador: (Metallic voice) Can you hear and understand me, Fenris? Connect yourself with the Moonsapphire and hear me. Feel.
Fenris lowered his huge head, and the moonsapphire seemed to respond immediately.
Fenris: (Metallic voice) Yes, Sir Vorador, I hear and understand you.
Vorador: (Circling him) Very good. You're a quick learner. As you can see, students, we are still able to think properly even when we are transformed with the help of the Moonsapphire gem. It might be a bit blurry for you first timers, but we'll work on that soon. Take brave Fenris here as an example. (Growls softly) Now, who wants to be next?
It was the worst night Sig had ever had.
One by one, reluctant students revealled to themselves their true beastly forms. Vorador remained as a Hura-Lycan for the whole night, growling orders at the transforming students and giving them nasty roars if any of them misbehaved. This went on for six hours, but none of the the students look one bit drowsy. Vorador taught them to properly transform back to themselves before he allowed the next student to give the transformation a try, and with each return he graded them. Several got Cs. They screamed too much.
Vorador: SIGFRIED! (Sig stiffened) YOUR TURN-
Suddenly Vorador stopped in midsentence, for off in the distance there suddenly came a loud bang of some sort, followed by loud, horrible screeches of some unearthly creatures. Sig's heart skipped a beat; he knew that sound just too well...
Vorador: (to himself) God damn...The Wastelanders are back!
Voice: (In the distance) Eat dirt, ya metal-losers!
Voice2: (In the distance) Don't stain da head, you bum. Krew ain't gonna like no dusty things on his wall.
Vorador: (To the students) Class dismissed, students! Hurry back into the Gates NOW!
Confused, but glad to end the lesson, the students rushed back to the direction of the Gates, guided by the Sentinels. Vorador, still in his beastly form, followed them closely from behind.
Suddenly-
Voice1: (Somewhere nearby) Hey, guys! You see something over there?!
Vorador: (Whirls around and stops) No....they've spotted us...
Voice2: (Nearer now) Yeah! There's something in that clearing!
Vorador: (To the sentinels) Lead the students to the Southern Gate, it's nearer and safer for them there!
Sentinel: But it's a bit too far, sir! They'll catch up and see us!
Vorador: (Growls) Don't disobey me, captain! I'll handle those Wastelanders....
The Sentinel captain looked shocked, but nodded quickly. He went off and rounded the students to the left, towards a clear pathway leading downwards to the unseen city gates. Sig glanced over his shoulder to look at Vorador, and watched with wide-eyed shock as strange new people arrived into the area. They were men just like him, only that they wore strange garments and carried guns that looked more advanced than the usual Sentinel assault rifles.
Surface people, Sig suddenly realized. Sig immediately understood why his fellow Metamorphagans alienated themselves from them. Unlike his peaceful underground society, these surface men looked harsh and cruel and there was something about their scent that bothered Sig deeply.
Sig watched as the beastly Hura-Lycan Vorador charged towards the band of surface men, growling fiercely and blocking the students from their view. Excited cries filled the air and furious gunshots were heard, so loud and sharp Sig's ears began to throb. But then came the screaming, and the horrible sick sound of torn flesh made Sig's throat run dry.......
Proteus: (Grabbing Sig by the collar) Don't look, Sig!
Sig tore himself away from the gorey scene and ran off with the students. Soon enough the Southern Gates came into view, and the students all rushed in. Even through the gates Sig could still hear Vorador and those strange surface men battling....
Fenris: (Slightly wearily) He's gonna get himself killed out there!
Proteus: Who were those men?
Sig: I think they're surface people.
Proteus: I've heard of em...I think my father called them Wastelanders....
Wastelanders. They sound awfully like hunters. Metalhead hunters at that.
Sig: (Slightly nervously) I think they're Metalhead hunters.
Proteus: (Making a poor attempt at a joke) Heh, if I weren't a Metalhead myself I wouldn't have anything to worry about.
Sig: Humph.
Fenris: I hope Vorador comes back all right.
Proteus: (Slightly doubtfully) I think he will; I mean...did you see how he bowled Brutus over when that dumbass tried to bite Fenris? I mean, I won't wanna be one to piss Vorador off....
Fenris: Yeah, Brutus does get alittle beastly sometimes. If he keeps this up, he's gonna end up getting killed one day....
Sig: (Snorts) I wouldn't give a damn if he did.
Proteus: Hey look, the Sentinel's are telling us to go home. Guess that's it for class today. See you in the morning.
It was a Saturday the next day, and Sig was grateful for the holiday. Sure enough, news spread of Vorador's fight with the Wastelanders. Sig was somehow relieved to hear that Vorador returned at dawn earlier on that day, and was even more relieved to hear that classes were cancelled for that night. He told Proteus, and to his amazement Proteus was disappointed.
Proteus: What? Classes are cancelled tonight?
Sig: Yeah. Hey, I've heard that there's an Eco Burst later at 8.30 at the Black Pits. I'll treat us to some yakow burgers, eh?
Proteus: Err-no thanks, Sig. I'm kinda busy.
Sig: Busy?? About what?
Proteus: (Eyes widened) You mean you don't know?
Sig: Don't know what?
Proteus: The exams are coming soon.
Sig's stomach quelched.
Sig: Eh? School exams?
Proteus: No. Transformation exams.
Sig: (Stumped) What transformation exams? You mean Vorador's gonna test us on this transformation thing??
Proteus: (Shrugs) That's what Fenris told me. And you know Fenris doesn't like to lie, Sig.
Sig: Isn't it a bit too early for exams? I mean- we've just started Transforming yesterday night.
Proteus: Yeah I know. But Vorador's got some plans for us, and I reckon it ain't gonna be pretty. It's coming soon, but that's all I know. It involves some fighting if I'm not mistaken
Sig: That guy's out of his mind!!!
Proteus: (Sighs) I know, I know...it's the Order of the Council, specifically from that guy named Kronos...eitherway, I'm going down to the Library to get some notes on transformation. Wanna join me?
Sig's instincts told him to say no, knowing that the wounds in his memory weren't healled yet. But no matter how much he hated to be a Metafor, he knew he must get through this incoming exam. Sighing and feeling quite reluctant, Sig nodded and accepted Proteus' offer.
Days passed, and they were the worst in Sig's life. Not only he had to endure hours trying to comprehen the complex ways of transformation, he had schoolwork to do. Vorador still conducted his classes at the clearing on the Surface, and more and more students transformed everynight. Fate seemed to be cheating on Sig, though, because throughout all those nights, Vorador never called out his name. Though Sig was grateful, he was also feeling a bit left-out. The moon had a tantalizing effect on him, and deep inside himself he felt a strange sense of longing...to run out, to escape reality and be free as the wild beast that he truly was inside....
Little did he know that his unwanted desires were about to be fulfilled - the hard way.
Thraxenel lunges into the scene with an army of vampires following. Not surprisingly Raven was with them.
Thraxenel: Update's here guys! Sorry it took so long...I'm having my mid-year exams so yeah. The pain was excruciating...
Dragon of Zanarkand: Not as painful as my bite if you don't update quickly enough!
Thraxenel: Whines ..........................................
Vorador: All right people! This is it! The Transformation lessons will be carried out here, in this lonely clearing until the next few months. Now, I want to get over this quickly so let's get started right now. YOU!
He pointed at Fenris, who froze.
Vorador: Step up here.
Fenris stepped shakily forwards.
Vorador: Name of your father?
Fenris: Turel.
Vorador: Ah yes, I thought so. You'd be perfect.
Sig: (Squirms slightly)
Vorador: (To Fenris) All right now, Fenris I'm going to need you to concentrate. Do you notice how bright your moonstone necklace is? Good, it's ready allright. Now....feel its energy course through you. Look at the moon. Feel its connection.
Fenris looked up to the moon above, and almost immediately his limbs began to shake. His knees trembled and his eyes were unusually wide.......
Sig felt his stomach qelch sickeningly.
Fenris: (Starts to shudder) I...I...feel strange, sir...Urghhhh.....
Vorador: (smirks) Don't fight it, Fenris. Feel.
Fenris didn't reply; he looked as if he were about to be sick. His eyes shut tight in a painful grimace, and at this the moon suddenly shone so bright that the whole area was bathed in its eerie silver glow. A pained yelp burst from Fenris's lips, and blood dripped down his nose....
Fenris: (In pure agony) Grrrraaahhhh-arrggggghhhhh!!!!
Vorador: (Backing, but calmly) Relax, Fenris...don't be afraid. Feel. Immerse yourself in your mind. Feel. Fenris' next scream pierced through the dark atmosphere like a blade, searing Sig's guts and petrifying the other students watching. There was total silence and nothing moved, not even the chilly wind. Fenris fell to his knees, both arms clutching his arms tightly. More blood dripped down his chin from his nose and mouth, and as tense seconds passed Sig watched with growing revulsion and horror as metal began to form around Fenris's shoulders, legs and arms. His face lenghtened into the vicious wolf like face, haloed by the metal guards on its forehead, cheeks and jaw. Vorador's smirk widened as a bright yellow gem emerged from Fenris' beastly forehead........
Proteus: Dear god....
A roar burst out from Fenris's huge jaw, and the students all screamed in unison. The huge metalhead beast, or Hura-Lycan as the legends called it, roared once more, white eyes locked on Vorador's.
Vorador: (Calmly) You've earned yourself an A-, son of Turel. Two points off for being rude, though.
The Hura-Lycan let out a soft growl, eyes still fixed on Vorador's. Vorador went up to him, and as he moved he transformed into the huge Hura-Lycan beast that he was with well-learnt ease. Fenris stiffened, as if shrunken by the presence of the larger and more dominant Hura-Lycan. Vorador slowly dropped to all fours, but even hunkered he dwarfed Fenris's towering beast form.
Vorador: (Metallic voice) Can you hear and understand me, Fenris? Connect yourself with the Moonsapphire and hear me. Feel.
Fenris lowered his huge head, and the moonsapphire seemed to respond immediately.
Fenris: (Metallic voice) Yes, Sir Vorador, I hear and understand you.
Vorador: (Circling him) Very good. You're a quick learner. As you can see, students, we are still able to think properly even when we are transformed with the help of the Moonsapphire gem. It might be a bit blurry for you first timers, but we'll work on that soon. Take brave Fenris here as an example. (Growls softly) Now, who wants to be next?
It was the worst night Sig had ever had.
One by one, reluctant students revealled to themselves their true beastly forms. Vorador remained as a Hura-Lycan for the whole night, growling orders at the transforming students and giving them nasty roars if any of them misbehaved. This went on for six hours, but none of the the students look one bit drowsy. Vorador taught them to properly transform back to themselves before he allowed the next student to give the transformation a try, and with each return he graded them. Several got Cs. They screamed too much.
Vorador: SIGFRIED! (Sig stiffened) YOUR TURN-
Suddenly Vorador stopped in midsentence, for off in the distance there suddenly came a loud bang of some sort, followed by loud, horrible screeches of some unearthly creatures. Sig's heart skipped a beat; he knew that sound just too well...
Vorador: (to himself) God damn...The Wastelanders are back!
Voice: (In the distance) Eat dirt, ya metal-losers!
Voice2: (In the distance) Don't stain da head, you bum. Krew ain't gonna like no dusty things on his wall.
Vorador: (To the students) Class dismissed, students! Hurry back into the Gates NOW!
Confused, but glad to end the lesson, the students rushed back to the direction of the Gates, guided by the Sentinels. Vorador, still in his beastly form, followed them closely from behind.
Suddenly-
Voice1: (Somewhere nearby) Hey, guys! You see something over there?!
Vorador: (Whirls around and stops) No....they've spotted us...
Voice2: (Nearer now) Yeah! There's something in that clearing!
Vorador: (To the sentinels) Lead the students to the Southern Gate, it's nearer and safer for them there!
Sentinel: But it's a bit too far, sir! They'll catch up and see us!
Vorador: (Growls) Don't disobey me, captain! I'll handle those Wastelanders....
The Sentinel captain looked shocked, but nodded quickly. He went off and rounded the students to the left, towards a clear pathway leading downwards to the unseen city gates. Sig glanced over his shoulder to look at Vorador, and watched with wide-eyed shock as strange new people arrived into the area. They were men just like him, only that they wore strange garments and carried guns that looked more advanced than the usual Sentinel assault rifles.
Surface people, Sig suddenly realized. Sig immediately understood why his fellow Metamorphagans alienated themselves from them. Unlike his peaceful underground society, these surface men looked harsh and cruel and there was something about their scent that bothered Sig deeply.
Sig watched as the beastly Hura-Lycan Vorador charged towards the band of surface men, growling fiercely and blocking the students from their view. Excited cries filled the air and furious gunshots were heard, so loud and sharp Sig's ears began to throb. But then came the screaming, and the horrible sick sound of torn flesh made Sig's throat run dry.......
Proteus: (Grabbing Sig by the collar) Don't look, Sig!
Sig tore himself away from the gorey scene and ran off with the students. Soon enough the Southern Gates came into view, and the students all rushed in. Even through the gates Sig could still hear Vorador and those strange surface men battling....
Fenris: (Slightly wearily) He's gonna get himself killed out there!
Proteus: Who were those men?
Sig: I think they're surface people.
Proteus: I've heard of em...I think my father called them Wastelanders....
Wastelanders. They sound awfully like hunters. Metalhead hunters at that.
Sig: (Slightly nervously) I think they're Metalhead hunters.
Proteus: (Making a poor attempt at a joke) Heh, if I weren't a Metalhead myself I wouldn't have anything to worry about.
Sig: Humph.
Fenris: I hope Vorador comes back all right.
Proteus: (Slightly doubtfully) I think he will; I mean...did you see how he bowled Brutus over when that dumbass tried to bite Fenris? I mean, I won't wanna be one to piss Vorador off....
Fenris: Yeah, Brutus does get alittle beastly sometimes. If he keeps this up, he's gonna end up getting killed one day....
Sig: (Snorts) I wouldn't give a damn if he did.
Proteus: Hey look, the Sentinel's are telling us to go home. Guess that's it for class today. See you in the morning.
It was a Saturday the next day, and Sig was grateful for the holiday. Sure enough, news spread of Vorador's fight with the Wastelanders. Sig was somehow relieved to hear that Vorador returned at dawn earlier on that day, and was even more relieved to hear that classes were cancelled for that night. He told Proteus, and to his amazement Proteus was disappointed.
Proteus: What? Classes are cancelled tonight?
Sig: Yeah. Hey, I've heard that there's an Eco Burst later at 8.30 at the Black Pits. I'll treat us to some yakow burgers, eh?
Proteus: Err-no thanks, Sig. I'm kinda busy.
Sig: Busy?? About what?
Proteus: (Eyes widened) You mean you don't know?
Sig: Don't know what?
Proteus: The exams are coming soon.
Sig's stomach quelched.
Sig: Eh? School exams?
Proteus: No. Transformation exams.
Sig: (Stumped) What transformation exams? You mean Vorador's gonna test us on this transformation thing??
Proteus: (Shrugs) That's what Fenris told me. And you know Fenris doesn't like to lie, Sig.
Sig: Isn't it a bit too early for exams? I mean- we've just started Transforming yesterday night.
Proteus: Yeah I know. But Vorador's got some plans for us, and I reckon it ain't gonna be pretty. It's coming soon, but that's all I know. It involves some fighting if I'm not mistaken
Sig: That guy's out of his mind!!!
Proteus: (Sighs) I know, I know...it's the Order of the Council, specifically from that guy named Kronos...eitherway, I'm going down to the Library to get some notes on transformation. Wanna join me?
Sig's instincts told him to say no, knowing that the wounds in his memory weren't healled yet. But no matter how much he hated to be a Metafor, he knew he must get through this incoming exam. Sighing and feeling quite reluctant, Sig nodded and accepted Proteus' offer.
Days passed, and they were the worst in Sig's life. Not only he had to endure hours trying to comprehen the complex ways of transformation, he had schoolwork to do. Vorador still conducted his classes at the clearing on the Surface, and more and more students transformed everynight. Fate seemed to be cheating on Sig, though, because throughout all those nights, Vorador never called out his name. Though Sig was grateful, he was also feeling a bit left-out. The moon had a tantalizing effect on him, and deep inside himself he felt a strange sense of longing...to run out, to escape reality and be free as the wild beast that he truly was inside....
Little did he know that his unwanted desires were about to be fulfilled - the hard way.