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Spiritwolf
An early version prolog that was reworked into Scarlet Witch
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Prolog
The first thing she registered was the warmth. Then, she realized she was lying on the ground, and there was a chill in the air, indicating it was late at night. The thing that was keeping her warm, was fur; an animal was lying next to her. There was a strange tingling sensation in her back… right where… The memory hit her like a runaway horse cart, and she shot up as she remembered the arrow that had struck her, but, when she examined herself, she found no wound, just dried blood sticking to her shirt, and a hole in the fabric where the wound should've been. The area was tender, but otherwise there was nothing to indicate that she had been wounded at all. She startled as the animal next to her sat up and whined at her; translating in her head as 'are you ok?'.
She stared; the animal was a large, grey wolf, nearly twice as large as a normal wolf, with a scar on the side of his muzzle. "Did…did you just talk?" She asked.
The wolf tilted his head. §I did.§ He said. §And you understood me.§
She was confused. Her ears had heard no words, just growls and huffs, but, in her mind, she knew what the sounds meant. "How can I understand you?" She asked more to herself than anything else, but the wolf answered her anyway.
§You have the blood of a werewolf, Little One.§ He said. §But you also have the blood of a human.§
"A… A Werewolf… that can't be!" She insisted.
§You would be dead, if you didn't.§ The wolf told her. §It appears your wolf-blood has awakened, which is extraordinary. Half-breeds don't usually develop any abilities until they are well into their 50s, if they live that long.§ The wolf studied her curiously. §You also have the scent of a werewolf on you, meaning you've been in close proximity to one for long enough for their scent to permanently linger on you. Their aura must have accelerated your development, enough for your wolf-blood to trigger when you needed it the most.§
"I…" She started but stopped herself, looking away. Her eyes widened as she finally noticed the state of her surroundings. It was a war-zone, nothing was left, just the scorched and destroyed remains of what was once a beautiful forest. The only thing left untouched, was a small circle in which she and the wolf were sitting. "What… happened here?" She asked terrified. Then, a thought hit her. "AHJUSSI!" She shot to her feet and yelled, but her legs failed her and she collapsed onto the wolf's back.
§Careful.§ he said. §You're not strong enough to move yet.§
"But, my uncle…." She was determined to stand, but her body wouldn't listen. "I need to find him."
The wolf looked at her, and remembered the battle he had witnessed. §Once you've regained your strength, we will look together, but I fear your uncle is half responsible for the damage you see.§
She gasped in shock. "What do you mean?!" She asked.
§When I protected you from the blast, it was because I could sense that your soul was still in your body, though your heart was not beating.§ The wolf started. §Werewolves are prone to rage; losing themselves to their instincts, and the desire to hunt and kill those who have harmed their loved ones. If your uncle is the wolf I witnessed, your 'death would very much have been the trigger to his fury.§
She looked around. "…Who was he fighting?" She asked.
§A Noble. A man with short black hair.§
She recognized that description. "Raizel?" She thought. She then turned to the wolf. "What's a Nobel? Assuming you're not talking about a human."
§Nobles are ancient and powerful creatures.§ The wolf explained. §They are protectors of the human race, so, if your uncle became a threat to them due to his rage…§
"Raizel would have tried to stop him." She concluded. "What happened to them?"
§Given their power, it is possible that they both may have succumbed to their injuries.§ The wolf said. §And given the lack of a massacre… I fear your uncle may have been defeated.§
She slumped, finally allowing her body to go limp. "What do I do now?" She thought.
The wolf gently settled down with the girl still slumped over his back. §May I ask your name?§ He asked.
"Ashleen." She said. "And you?"
§I don't have a name.§ The wolf said. §But, if you want, you can give me one.§
Ashleen looked at him. "You're staying?" She asked, her voice cracking a bit.
§I am.§ The wolf said. §Someone will need to teach you how to be a wolf, and, since you're likely to be killed if another werewolf finds out about your existence, that leaves me.§ He nudged her cheek with his muzzle.
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