Chapter Thirteen
"The creature you heard of is called a werewolf, and they're not supposed to exist to tell you the truth. They were supposed to be a myth. The only known crosses between human and animal are the elves that have the ability to shift part of their bodies into that of a chosen creature. Now, while werewolves aren't supposed to exist, it is now obvious that they might. In that case, they are very rare creatures." Brom explained, pushing the book further my way. I read the text with some surprise.
Werewolves, the cross-breed between human and wolf are among the rarest creatures in Alagaesia. They tend to be found alone, but when given the opportunity they prefer to hunt and live together in packs. They have the ability to change into their half-human, half-wolf form each night after sunset, though they are most confident on the nights of the full moon, when they are the strongest. This is when they are most often seen, for the light of the moon makes their furry pelts shine and encourages them to reveal themselves to the local inhabitants of this world.
Werewolves most commonly eat humans, needing to eat a human heart once a month in order to survive. However, werewolves have also been known to dine on deer and even rabbits when they are in a very unpopulated area where human food is scarce. When a man changes into a werewolf, it is very common for them to forget who they are, and who the humans they come across are. Often times, werewolves have been known to kill their best friends when they come across their paths.
Furthermore, the werewolves howling are often answered by a call from one of the same kind, and encourage the ritual mating all werewolves take part in when meeting with one another. They often group together in packs and never fight amongst themselves, choosing a single Alpha male and female before settling into a regular routine. Werewolves are very secretive creatures, and have been so good at hiding themselves that their very existence has passed into myths and legends that are told to children as scary bedside stories.
However, while the memory of a werewolf may not recognize those it has seen before, many of the older werewolves still hold the common sense and structure of mind that they had while they were human. Often before has a human been confronted with a werewolf that has not wanted to kill them, but simply visit with them. This most commonly happens on the nights of the full moon, when the werewolf is the strongest and also the closest in mental strength to their human forms.
Werewolves have uncommonly long life spans, living one year to every normal human's ten years. Werewolves have been known to live for hundreds of years, passing through time in the blink of an eye. Werewolves often pass down their genetics to their children, but can also willingly change the average mortal into a much more powerful being. In order to do that, they must perform the Werewolf's Kiss, where they pierce the flesh of the human above the location of the heart, allowing their venom to flow through the bloodstream and consume the body.
Young werewolves have the least control and are often reckless, fighting with other werewolves and being seen by humans that it doesn't kill. In other scenario's, young werewolves have been known to slaughter entire towns without considering why. Their thoughts are based completely on instinct. Only after years of experience do werewolves gain enough maturity to control their werewolf form the same way they control their human forms.
Also, it is the nature of a werewolf to recognize its own kind when they are still human, and they often group together out of loneliness and the need for the comfort of their own kind, much as the residents in a small town do. All werewolves can also recognize those who hold magic, and initially shy away from them. Magic can scare away a werewolf if they don't know the personality of its holder. However, it is not uncommon for those who use magic to create unbreakable bonds of trust and friendship with werewolves who recognized their power.
This has allowed the two species to live in peace for a long time, and they have often been seen fighting side-by-side in battle, through the days and nights. In order for a magic-using mortal to gain the trust of a shape-shifted werewolf, they must simply demonstrate their magic in a peaceful way, or by helping the werewolf when they need it. There have also been rare cases where a werewolf and a regular mortal become bonded in friendship, eventually turning the mortal into a werewolf companion for the original one to share a life with.
Werewolves are often seen as misshapen wolves. They have the snout of a wolf, and many also have the tail. All werewolves are covered in a fur depicting to their personalities, and their eye color reflects their inner soul. They have the even arm and leg lengths like a wolf does, but the limbs are longer and thinner than usual, made almost completely of muscle to support the rest of the body. Many times they travel upright on two legs, but when speed is necessary they travel on all fours. Their spine is sometimes visible through the fur, and often gives them a slightly curved back.
Many times, a werewolf has its hair grown out so that it's connected with their fur right where their shoulder blades meet. However, it is not uncommon to see a female werewolf with a long patch of what was once normal hair going down her back and connecting to her fur at her waist. Werewolves have extremely sharp canine teeth, and their claws are very similar to small daggers. They are much faster than they seem capable of for their enormous size, often standing to a height of eight and a half feet. Also, their muscle look small and thin, but they can usually lift up to five times their own weight, which is slightly higher than the average weight of a human their sex. Also, it is very common for werewolves to re-visit the same places night after night, out of simple tradition and a sense of familiarity.
Werewolves gather together once a month at every full moon, spending the night hunting together and singing Pack-Song, often making people creep to their doors with weapons in hand, terrified by the loud racket they cause when in groups. It is very uncommon for a werewolf to attack people living in settlements, especially when grouped together in a town or village. However, werewolves have been seen walking around neighborhoods in the middle of the night, exploring with their burning curiosity and new senses that they wouldn't have during the daytime.
The transformation from a human to a werewolf is said to be the most painful thing imaginable. Your body has to completely shift all of its bones and tendons, re-growing new body parts and becoming covered in fur. Those who were cursed with becoming a werewolf feel the pain as something close to death, but those that chose a werewolf's life feel incredible pleasure and triumph, often laughing during their transformations. Not all werewolves are the same, and because of their rareness it is difficult to find any more information concerning them.
However, if you ever get the chance to meet a werewolf, treat it like a human, not an animal. Werewolves are naturally proud creatures, and treating them like a simpleton may be the last thing you ever do. While it takes a werewolf a very long moment to retranslate out language into their own unique tongue, they are still able to hear and understand you clearly. If you are lucky enough to meet an older werewolf with human thoughts and feelings, you may be lucky enough to earn a lifelong friend.
I read the long passage with excitement bubbling up into my system. I met a werewolf, and they're such amazing creatures! I wonder if I'll get to meet him again? I hope so; I felt terrible for scaring it off like I did. I thought to myself. Brom waited until I was finished reading, and then put my picture in the werewolf entry page, closing the dusty book and going to place it back on the shelf. When he had done that, he turned to look at me.
"You're friend sure knows about one of the strangest mythical creatures in the world. If you're ever unlucky enough to meet one, then be warned. When people still believed they existed, werewolves were one of the darkest and most evil creatures on the continent. They killed innocent humans and worked for the users of dark magic to destroy towns and wreak havoc upon the world. They also held incredible power of their own. If you ever see one of these, turn around and run as fast as you can." he warned me.
I nodded silently, pretending to seem somewhat afraid, though on the inside I was bubbling with joy. Maybe I'll get to see him again tonight, and if I do then I may get a friend worth having. Those on the darker side of life never seem to be as truly evil as the lighter side believes they are, much like Durza. I thought to myself wistfully.
"Now then, I think it's time for our next lesson: meditation. This is something that calms your mind and soul, cleanses and organizes your thoughts, and brings you an inner peace that you'll later be able to summon at will in the middle of a stressful situation. It's a very useful trick when you're fighting for survival, or even your sanity." My ears perked up a little at this. Maybe it could help me fight those shadow demons that have been plaguing my dreams. I thought to myself.
"Now, for starters you need to be somewhere that you're the most at peace at. When you get to that place, you must sit with your legs crossed and your spine straight. Your hands are to rest either in your lap or on your knees, and you are to focus only on breathing in rhythm and clearing out your mind. The task is difficult at first because stray thoughts will pop into your head at times, but your goal is to try and empty out your head. Much like spring cleaning." he said, giving me a wry grin. I grinned back.
"Now, where do you feel the most comfortable?" he asked me. I thought back for a moment. I had always felt my best when I was surrounded by nature, so I often journeyed off into the woods or fields where there was plenty of wildlife. I smiled to myself. There was plenty of that in the forests surrounding us. I stood and Brom followed, wondering where we were going I suppose.
I walked outside and saw that Brom practically lived with the forest as his backyard. Choosing the large apple tree that dominated the back fence behind his home, I sat beneath it with my legs crossed and my hands resting in my lap. My spine was kept straight as I closed my eyes and focused solely on my own breathing. Brom counted quietly next to me, having me breathe in for five counts, hold for five, and then release for five. Then he would start over.
Brom soon fell silent, going into his own meditative pose. The sounds around me were unusually loud since my eyes were closed, but they all faded into a fuzzy background that served to push me deeper into my mental state of calm. I quickly cleared out my mind, thinking of nothing at all but the peace that surrounded me. I was drained of thought and filling up with energy, starting to feel the calm wash over me like the rippling waves in a pond, and the clear mind wrap around me like a soft blanket.
After a while, I sensed rather than saw or heard Brom open his eyes and turned to look at me. My clear mind enabled me to sense what was around me without actually seeing or hearing it. It was all about the aura surrounding the thing. I opened my eyes as well and turned to look at Brom, my mind still completely clear. Him speaking shattered the clear mind, but in a very gentle way. Everything felt cleaner, clearer, and sharper. I felt more aware of my surroundings than ever before, and I was far more alert.
"How do you feel?" he asked me quietly. I blinked slowly, calming down my newfound extra sense before choosing to respond.
"I feel rejuvenated and refreshed. I have more energy now, and my mind is as clear as it can be. I feel much more...alert now." I told him in all honesty. He nodded and muttered to himself "Very good."
After a moment, he slowly stood to his feet and helped me to my own. "Now then, shall I teach you with our remaining hours how to use those two swords on your back?" he asked. I nodded with a smile.