Chapter 19

/

"Well Alonus...here we are. Wherever here is." Jezelle was standing in the middle of a forest clearing, with a big boulder to her left that was part of the mountains, covered in moss. On her right, a stream ran through and crept onward, the water giving an eerie glow in the moonlight. Alonus was near the stream's banks, smelling the air and in deep concentration.

This must be where he is...somewhere around here.

That helps dear, really it does.

He's close...but so faint...I can't quite pinpoint his location. Jezelle my new friend, use your gifts. Help me find him...call out to him in your mind.

Jezelle sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "All right..." she whispered quietly, and closed her eyes. She tried to recall the visions she had seen during the Blood Exchange. The eerie forest, the strange atmosphere of the night sky...the howling.

Wolves. It was the wolves who could lead them to Dinarius she was sure of it. The darkest and largest of the wolves, that one was the leader. The one with eyes the color of rust, so intense and staring.

So if only I knew your name...

Then the strangest thing happened. An image of a small and furry grey bat entered her mind.

Jezelle shook her head and opened her eyes.

"Alonus?"

"Hm?" The one she spoke to was still staring out over the water.

"You know anything about a bat?"

The female heradus chuckled. "Oh yes. That bat is little Puvo...I remember him."

"Is he like the familiar you were talking about...like that cat you once had?"

"Yes. But Puvo well...I haven't seen him in so long...I'm not sure if he was destroyed or fell apart himself...or if he even still exists. Why?"

"Cause when I was trying to think of those wolves...the Ring of the Full Moon you spoke about...I tried to get the lead wolf's name...only to have an image of the bat pop into my mind."

Alonus chuckled. "Puvo is the actual leader of the Ring." When Jezelle raised an incredulous eyebrow at her, she just smiled. "You see originally Dinarius wanted a Ring of bats. But they are very hard familiars to create, I'm not sure why...they just are. It was too much for the mages to make an entire Ring of bats...and so the wolves completed the Ring instead."

"So...this Ring of wolves is led by a small bat?" Jezelle didn't bother to question about these mages. She knew eventually Alonus would tell her the story, as she had promised.

"Yes. That is true."

Jezelle chuckled, giving a slap to the knee. "Ha ha...chile you have no idea how crazy that sounds. Well...I guess I better try and call to Puvo then. He might just help me find Dinarius."

She took a seat next to Alonus, her black skin glistening in the light. A bat leading a pack of wolves. Really...I HAVE heard everything now.

With the returned image of Puvo in her mind upon calling him, Jezelle had a very strong sensation that there was a path behind the big boulder that led upwards into a well hidden cave.

/

Trisha slowly came to and instantly groaned as she did so. Her body was aching all over, but particularly in her nether regions. She was on a big pile of hay in the middle of a cold, dank cave...and a very large one at that. For a while, she was just utterly confused as to where she was. Then the memory came raging back at her, the running, the screaming...the pain...

OH god...rape...he RAPED me...where am I?! Trisha began shaking. She wanted so bad for the whole ordeal to have just been a nightmare, but the throbbing pains told her otherwise. Gathering her knees close to her chest, she began to rock herself in an attempt to soothe her already shattered nerves. Clearly, the Creeper was probably going to kill her after all. Alonus was wrong, and that crazy bitch Ami was certainly very wrong. There was nothing good about this monster. Nothing at all.

So you are awake.

The unbidden, unwanted deep voice came into her head and Trisha yelled out inspite of herself.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Get the fuck out of my head!" She grabbed her head with both hands and shut her eyes tightly, sobbing.

You hear me now.

"I don't want to hear you! GO AWAY!" She forced herself to calm down, her arms going limp against her sides. "Listen, listen..." her voice was very quiet now. "If you're going to kill me, just get it over with. I don't even want to live anymore with what you've done to me. I'm pregnant, aren't I?"

No answer.

"I'm telling you I would rather kill myself then give birth to a monster, you hear me? Do you hear THAT?!" She screamed out, her whole body shaking. Trisha went pale, obviously going into shock from her ordeal.

In her mind, she could have sworn she heard a defeated sigh, but then there was anger, a real and raw anger flowing through her that was not her own.

No, you will not do that. I simply will not let you. Our race will return...and you will help to do that...because you are a breeder. It is not your choice.

"Screw you, asshole. You better believe I'm not going to do this. I will fight you tooth and nail, every step of the way."

He chuckled. The monstrous freak had the nerve to actually laugh at her.

You don't frighten me, Patricia Jenner. Remember it is I who frightens you.

"Yeah? I'll give you that. But I'm not Ami. You're going to wish you never, ever, did this to me." Despite her words, tears streamed down her eyes. And then as the shock truly set in and she felt unconsciousness taking hold, she cursed him until no thought remained.

/

Ami sat at the old house...waiting. She had been calling to Goliathus, but he wasn't answering her. Something was wrong...something was very, very wrong and she knew it.

I'm such an idiot...stupid, stupid idiot...what have I done to Trisha? That woman is probably scared out of her mind, even if he is flying her here.

Solarus was asleep in her arms, and she nuzzled him as her mind swarmed with anxious thoughts. Sighing she called to Goliathus again, this time more insistently.

Where ARE you?

In the cave, where else?

The answer sounded irritated, cold even...but somewhere in there she still felt a twinge of his affections for her. It was a confusing, swirling mix of emotions that made her head hurt.

Goliathus...did you find Trisha?

Yes.

Ok. That's a start. So what happened? Is she in the cave with you?

Yes.

Ami paled. Why didn't you bring her to the house? Why is she in the cave?

She felt his hesitation. And his emotions shifted...they became sad, angry, and bitter all at once.

She is a breeder, you know.

The words shook Ami to the core. Something was terribly wrong indeed.

A breeder? Ami paused for several minutes, absent-mindedly running fingers through her son's hair and tapping her foot. So...what does that mean? What's going on?

It worked rather quickly. Much like Aelia...the seed took fast. I do not know why I did it. I only just did. He went silent for a minute. Truly Ami...I am confused. I do not understand my own actions.

You...she...wait, what? Did you...rape her? Ami's whole body trembled now, as a tear streaked down the curve of her cheek.

Yes. What more shall I tell you? And she threatens to kill herself in order to stop this...but I will not allow her to do this. This little one...I already sense...is a girl.

Ami closed her eyes a moment and tried not to scream out loud. Instead, she screamed loudly at him in her mind.

WHY the hell did you do this?! WHY?! You aren't listening to me! Dammit you just don't listen! Not to me, your father, your MOTHER...NO ONE! She waited a moment to see if he would respond, but there was nothing. You just screwed your chances of ever making amends with her, do you understand?!

Ami also wanted to throw in how he cheated on her, but the notion seemed ridiculous. From the beginning, this was never any kind of normal relationship. Still...the pain was great, and she felt as if he was slipping farther and farther away from her every day. Did nothing she ever said get through to him?

I hear what you say. Since Ami had not yet learned the art of mental blocking, her thoughts were still an open book for him. I just cannot obey it. It goes against my very nature.

What..what are you talking about?

You mentioned an unseen force. Something that is not me in my mind. You asked me to get Trisha, and I went to do it...only to be overwhelmed by a need to ravage her. It seemed to literally come from nowhere and peak until I had no ability to resist. Much like the pile of people by the water whom I did not eat. I killed them out of rage..and then I did not know why.

Ami sighed deeply. Oh Goliathus...I don't...I don't even know what to say to you anymore...

If she will not raise the child Ami, will you?

His voice sounded hopeful, but Ami was shaking with building anger. You can't be serious.

I am. I am quite serious. You may need to protect the new little one from her.

Goliathus you raped her! And now you want me to raise this child of a rape for you?! She shook her head. Solarus stirred then, obviously catching some of her mental fury. He blinked up at her with big, moist orbs of gold.

Did you not hear what I explained before? I am already sorry for what I have done. There was no control...

Momma. New hewadus? Daddy? Sollie fidgeted, looking away from his mother and the spines on his head lifting slightly, a sign he was aiming his thoughts to a distance.

Yes. A half-sister. Was all he said to his son.

Solarus smiled. Momma...I have half sister. He frowned, confusion setting in. If she only half-sister, what is other half?

Ami sighed again. Her eyes were closed as she slowly shook her head, one hand pressed to her forehead. No it doesn't mean that. It just means that your daddy is the father but someone else is the mother.

Momma, who is mother?

Trisha.

Ohhh...but daddy not like Trisha.

No, he certainly doesn't.

Will I get to pway with new sister? He flexed his toes, giggling.

Ami couldn't help but smile. Of course...

I be a big brudder.

Yes...you certainly would. A sudden thought came to Ami's mind. Alonus. What in the world was Alonus going to think of all of this?

/

The path behind the boulder looked like it went for miles, and was mostly covered with foliage and rocks everywhere that made passage difficult. Alonus told Jezelle she could merely fly them up there.

I like that idea better.

After a brief flight (with Alonus doing her best to remain stealthy just in case) the two landed near a yawning cave entrance, dark and dank...which was a little too unsettling for Jezelle. I got you here, but I'm not going in there!

Don't worry. Alonus smirked at her. I understand. You stay here and I'll try and see what I can find.

The moment Alonus stepped in, she sensed a very strange atmosphere and a scent undetectable to humans. It was the scent of dark magic.

I bet the wolves have been here...they must be guarding my nephew's remains...

After traveling for a while, the darkness became difficult for even Alonus' night-vision. But she pressed on, until the cave divided into two different directions, one path more narrow than the next.

Dinarius? She called, hoping to have some of his energy still be around. There was no answer, which left her feeling uncertain he could be restored at all.

Puvo? Little bat, do you hear me?

There was a weak response. A faint image lasting for perhaps three seconds flashed into her mind, of little Puvo hanging near a particularly large stalactite. But where?

Puvo?

She heard a squeak, faint, but echoing throughout the vast cavern. Following the sound, Alonus headed to her right. It felt like she traveled for hours. How big was this place anyway? Suddenly the scents shifted again. And just as she recognized it as wolf, she heard snarling, and many pairs of eyes in varying shades of gold and silver were staring back at her.

Oh. Oh my.

Leave. Guard. Must guard. Will attack! A strong and foreign voice came strongly into her mind.

It is me. Do you remember me, Kitsune?

Who? An absolutely huge dark grey wolf crept forward, it's eyes glowing brighter.

Alonus. I am Alonus.

The snarling ceased. Their came instead a loud symphony of excited yipping and barking as twenty wolves ran for her and she was knocked down, covered in tongues and wagging tails.

/

Ami really didn't want to be back in Goliathus' cave again...but here she was, and trying to console an extremely upset Patricia Jenner. She had woken up from her faint, saw Ami, punched her square in the jaw (which was now throbbing) and screamed endless curses at her. As if the entire situation was her fault...and as far as Ami was concerned...it pretty much was.

"You know I'm going to try and kill this thing inside me."

"I get that, yeah." She sat down next to her, rubbing her painful jaw. "That's gonna bruise you know."

"Good." Trisha spat, and leaned back against the cave wall, breaking down into sobs again.

"I'm not happy about this either." Well, that was the understatement of the year. Trisha huffed at this, and with eyes puffy and red, lifted her arm and clenched her fist as if she might punch her again. But she hesitated, slowly shaking her head.

"You know what? You're just as much as a victim as I am. You don't even see it, Ami... I think you're suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. You say you love this monster, but in the end, didn't you do all of this just to survive?" She blinked, narrowing her eyes as she gazed at Solarus, who was looking back at her with wide eyes.

I no monster.

Trisha cringed at the child's voice in her mind. This one was much easier to take, more like an irritating itch than a painful stabbing in her brain. You're innocent in all of this. I don't like you, but you are what you are.

Sollie's bottom lip quivered. You no like me?

You're going to grow up and become like your father.

NO. Solarus hiccuped, tears falling down his face now as he clung to his mother more tightly.

Momma, I won't! I won't!

Ami frowned at Trisha, her lips tight. "Don't you upset my child like that. Solarus is NOT his father, and he never will be."

Trisha huffed again. "You just won't believe anything else, will you?"

"Why don't we wait and see, instead of making that judgement now?" Ami had had enough, and bristled, she rose to her feet and walked away from Patricia Jenner.

/

Alonus laughed and tried her darndest to get the mass of fur off of her. "Okay okay, enough you silly beasts, enough!"

Finally Kitsune gave a warning yip, and the other wolves backed away, although their many bushy tails kept wagging.

Alonus. Queen! Friend.

Yes my dear Kitsune. Where is my nephew?

The wolf snorted, ears drooping. Bones. Bones. Nothing but bones. Guard nonetheless.

Alonus nodded, glad that Kistune could understand. He was the only one magical enough to understand her and be able to communicate back, even if this was limited. The other wolves could not talk to her, but they did understand their leader, who was in all respects a translator for them, using the wolf's language.

I see. Still, show me. I will do what I can to restore him.

Kitsune's ears perked back up. Bring master back?

I will surely try...we need him. Goliathus must be stopped...I need to-

She sighed, the words eluding her. Kitsune growled at the name of her son, but said nothing in response. His gold eyes were fixated on her.

Much like your grandfather. Human eater. He said finally.

Alonus nodded slowly, fighting back tears. Did Barabas tell you all of this?

We know, Came the simple answer.

She didn't feel the need to press the issue, it wasn't important. Is Puvo here?

Yes. Little bat here. But barely alive. We wolves, we eat flesh of deer. Survive. Magic is weak. More like regular wolves now. But Puvo needs master. He is living bones.

Living...bones? Alonus felt very uneasy about those words.

Skeleton. Stay still. Use little energy. Puvo will die if tries to fly. Must stay still. Little energy left. Almost gone now. We spared some. Ours.

Oh...I understand now, my friend. She smiled at Kitsune, at his revelation of giving magic energy to the little bat.

She moved forward, the wolves following, as she searched the tall ceiling. She found him then, a small bat, who was indeed nothing but bones with little skin left and hanging in shreds. It reminded her of herself...trapped and lost in that coffin under the stone table in the cathedral. Puvo just hung there...anyone else who would see it would have surely thought it merely the mummified remains of this animal and nothing more.

She reached up and carefully plucked the small form from the stalactite, and as she did so one of the tiny bones crumbled to dust in her clawed hand.

Careful. Not good idea. Kistune growled low, but Alonus assured him she knew what she was doing.

Puvo. You sent me a vision before. Do you still hear me?

Again a faint and weak image of the very form she was holding flashed in her mind, but there was no movement.

Fortunately, you will be a bit easier than my nephew...since you are so small. She gave a quick grin before using a claw to puncture her own wrist. The blood which welled up from the injury was then dripped onto the bat's carcass. As she did this, flesh and sinew began to reform and slowly Puvo's body filled out. Lastly the fur sprouted back, until a soft and warm little body, renewed with life, was quivering and moving in her claws.

Ah there you go.

More images flashed in her mind, this time in a rapid frenzy. Puvo was attempting to catch up on many lost years all at once.

All right, all right, easy little one. Puvo was nipping her fingers, obviously very hungry. She looked at Kitsune, who gave a nod and the others flowed around him.

We will find a large deer. For leader, and for master. With that, they all went running out of the cave and into the welcoming dark of the night, excitement of the hunt on their minds. She heard some of their howls as they faded out of hearing range.

Wolves are wolves, even magical ones. Aren't they, Puvo? She giggled, bringing her furry friend up to her face and kissing his nose. Puvo squeaked, a little disgruntled at her holding his wings out as she did so. It seems everything is in place and so you must get back to flying, little one. I will need your help with a few things.

A question mark appeared in her mind.

Well the first thing you will do, once you are fed, is to go and find Ami, a new and very important friend of ours. A human friend, Puvo, can you imagine that? Stay with her and help protect her, while I work on restoring Dinarius...if I can still do so. It will take a lot out of me. I need you to guard her while I am occupied, do you understand? Barabas is getting weaker, and he cannot really offer her protection anymore. But you, little bat, are a mighty force to be reckoned with. She grinned. You may be small...but I know your magic is great. For how else could you have survived in that state for so long? Will you do this? She nuzzled the little bat again, who this time licked her nose in response.

Thank you. Thank you my sweet little friend.

In short time, the wolves returned, each carrying large chunks of deer flesh in their maws. Puvo ate his fill, and then quickly flew off to find Ami. Meanwhile, the rest of the meat was piled near Alonus. It was for her, and after they watched Puvo fly away for a while as if entranced, the canines went back to hunting for more.

Their queen was going to need it.

/

End of Chapter 19.

I am taking the story off hiatus, and attempting to find time to finish it, but please do not send me reviews demanding chapters. That isn't a review, it's just harrassment. I do like that people like to read my fanfictions, but say something positive, not negative, please. People have lives outside of writing and spending a lot of time on a computer. That said I also have health issues and am doing my best to improve that, and sometimes it means I am very slow to get energy to do anything.. I almost quit, I do admit...but then realized I had the ideas still in my mind and wanted to get them completed. TGC will also be finished it only has maybe three more chapters or so. You will see the ties between that story and this one, this story is pretty much just an alternate version of TCG. Many thanks to any and all reviews I may receive!