.Chapter 8.

New Alliance

It didn't take Link long to realize just how primitive these fellow infected were. Some of the more animalistic types donned no clothing though still had a humanoid build. As for those that did still look more human they did have sense enough to wear some sort of covering which, being so human himself, he was happy for. Many of the more beastly folk were either covered in rich off-white fur or patches of it that did well enough at hiding the most private of regions on a male or female. However in females when it came to the chest area it was quite reversed. Many women still had the human structure of breasts and those that had so decided to discard all their clothing were left blatantly exposed. This was something new, surely, and such a raw display of a woman had Link feeling a bit awkward to say the least. It was one thing to shift forms and run around in fur; it was another thing entirely to have half naked women walking so calmly along beside him.

They all moved onwards in silence and due to more physical restrictions Link had fallen back with the other near-humans and near the center. From here he could see quite plainly that Darus wasn't the only one to walk on all fours; a few shapes up ahead were hunched down and trotted along with a distinct gait. Curious…not all of these people appeared to be turning into the same sort of animal either. While Darus was certainly overall a powerful feline-type it was clear that not everyone was destined to look like a hulking cat. One looked close to a bear; his head was even starting to slowly broaden to fit the muzzle that had started to form. As much as he didn't like the idea of mutating he did have to grudgingly admit that it would be nicer to have his wolf body back. The notion of being stuck halfway was unnerving. Unnatural. He didn't like it.

He'd frown and, choosing to scan those closer to him now, he'd turn his attentions to a female walking beside him with a long, flowing tail. She had a rather lithe build and still appeared overall human. She did lack, however, a top to hide herself properly but at least she still wore a loincloth-like garment on her waist. Even with her nudity it didn't stop Link from moving to fall into step with her. He'd have to get used to this sooner or later and he had questions. Too many questions really.

"I'm unsure how much you know of the virus yourself but just what do you know about it? Where it started, perhaps? The original host? When it started to infect humans?"

Though, rather than an answer, there was only silence. Huffing to himself, Link began to wonder if anyone here talked while traveling. Darus sure didn't seem too keen to talk, nor did the others. Turning to see if she'd even noted his presence, he was mildly surprised to see that she wasn't there anymore. Where'd she gone? Mildly irritated with the situation he'd snort and resume walking. That is until he felt something warm and alive collide with him from the opposite side. Snarling with surprise, he would instinctively fight back and struggle to gain the upper hand on his opponent. However a girlish giggle would cause him to pause and he'd soon realize it was the half-naked female he'd just been trying to talk to. He gave up, baffled at her behavior, but as she straddled his waist and grinned down at him he felt heat rise in his cheeks.

She'd make a soft sound in the back of her throat as she slid her hands suggestively over his chest, her eyes deviously narrowed with mischief. "What's the matter? Have you never seen such a beautiful female before? Are you pure?"

She seemed just as amused as she seemed aware of his discomfort; her hands not very innocent as they took up a spot on each shoulder. Pure? Link felt a combination of anger and indignity rise in him and he'd growl low with warning.

"I'm not blind; I've seen plenty of beautiful women before. Get off of me."

The female would just giggle again but she had enough sense to comply with his demand. She'd rise up to her feet and she'd even thrust out a hand to help him up. Still annoyed, Link would take it and she'd hoist him back to his feet with a surprising amount of strength. Together they'd begin to walk again, towards the back of the group now but not left behind.

"Alright, alright. Don't get your honor or whatever in a bunch. It's not every day we get new recruits as fresh as you and it's not any fun unless I get to harass them a little."

Glancing over at her, Link kept his gaze even with hers and arched a brow. "As fresh as me?"

"Yes! You are so painfully, obviously new! Your primal side hasn't fully kicked in yet. It would explain why you wear so much clothing and seem uncomfortable with all of us parading around like we are. Don't worry though. You'll get used to so many naked people near you. You may even come to enjoy it."

She'd give him a suggestive wink and, with another laugh, she'd move further away from him but not nearly far enough to be out of his radar yet. She certainly was a strange woman for sure. It certainly didn't pass over his attention how she kept glancing his way or how both her eyes and her fangs glinted devilishly in the moonlight. Was she planning on trying to tackle him again? Huffing, Link would eye her suspiciously, not abashed to show his own teeth in silent warning. He wasn't much in the mood for fun and games right now. Especially the kind she was apparently trying to offer.

Lucky for him, rather than try to follow him she'd merely quirk a brow and her smile faded. Then with a soft scoffing sound she'd wave a hand towards him in disregard. "Fine, be uptight about it. I was only fooling."

Finally. She'd no sooner wandered further on ahead when he heard someone falling into step beside him. The chuckle was definitely male and gruff and when Link would look his way the stranger would be watching the woman. "Nelia never could figure out when enough was enough. She's a bit eccentric, isn't she?

This man was definitely more animal than not by now; similar to the same extreme Darus was though not nearly as impressive in size and power. Mostly covered in fur the stranger wore no clothing and his short tail accompanied with such a broad head, neck, and shoulders reminded Link strongly of a badger. The man would bare his teeth and show off a rather bizarre set of teeth though it wasn't of ill intent Link would note. He was smiling.

"So you called yourself Link, right?"

"That's right."

"And you are from that village we were just by, right?

At this Link would pause, debating his truth and how much was truly safe to share. However this man gave him no ill vibes. Matter of fact he had an aura about him that strangely reminded him vaguely of Rusl. "Yes I am."

"I thought as much. There were a few others here that thought you might be there to stalk that youthful woman. She is lovely."

He must be talking about Ilia. However Link didn't answer and would instead wait for the other to go on. When he did it was the most casual tone he'd take on too; as if they were discussing nothing more than today's weather. "My name is Veshte and I couldn't help but overhear your question towards Nelia earlier. I think the only ones that really know where this virus came from is Darus up there and Zaria. However Zaria is gone so I guess you'll just have to settle for our leader for answers."

"About your leader…"

"Our leader, you mean." Came the correction.

Link would refrain from wrinkling his nose in distaste of calling someone his 'leader'. For some reason or other the notion bothered him. Even if it was best to keep his head low and figure out what he could it didn't mean he was fond of the idea of bowing his head to someone like Darus. There just seemed something off about that man. Either way Link had already decided that he wasn't going to stay part of this pack for very long. Once he had his answers, he would leave and continue his quest from there.

"Yes; our leader. Just what was he before he became infected? Was he just human?"

Veshte would give a chuckling growl, his crimson gaze narrowed in amusement before he'd sweep a powerfully clawed hand towards the group as a whole.

"We were all once 'just humans'. After the virus takes a deep enough root we slowly start to change into what you see here. I think it's so that we can survive better if you ask me. It makes our instincts kick in and our senses are honed for more primitive ways anyway."

That made a lot of sense, actually, but Link wasn't done yet. He had a few more questions nagging him; vital ones to his very own survival. "Do we change entirely? Or is there a limit as to how far we will shift?"

"Darus would know better than me but I think that there is a limit."

"And there is no sudden death such as has been seen in animals and other wildlife?"

"You mean like drop dead? No; not that I've known of. Darus has been infected for nearly seven months now and he's healthy as you can get when it comes down to our situation."

That was one relief to know. But what was this about Darus being infected for so long? Seven months? That would mean that Ril and Urik had either lied about the virus from the beginning or had honestly never known. Judging from Ril's reaction to the reality of it infecting humans Link would have to side with the latter of the two options. They'd walk in silence now and he'd realize just how dense and wild the forest had become around them. Surely they were miles away from any civilization and were likely hardly a threat to any humans here. Link couldn't help but approve of this choice. Perhaps Darus knew what he was doing after all.

Suddenly a small, high-pitched sound would ring from the front and the entire group would slow to a respective halt. Up ahead Darus would rise; slowly rearing to stand erect and proudly poised on his hind legs. His tail would give a sweep behind him with purpose as his ears perked and he stared down his followers. His jaws would part, as if in slow motion, but when he threw back his head and howled the rest of the Infected were caught up in the moment.

Inhuman howls, barks, and roars would fill the night air to aid to Darus's powerful sound. It was loud, enthralling. Intoxicating. It tugged at something within Link, lulling out his inner wolf as the group reached a sort of zenith with this group cry. Without thought he'd let his own voice be heard among the rest, howling like the wolf he once was with all the strength he could muster.

Soon enough the noise would die down nearly all at once and Darus would draw a deep inhale, nostrils flaring with contentment. Settling back on his haunches, he'd eye them all from his vantage point and his powerful voice filled the still charged air. "Fellow Infected…we return! Let them fear our call and try to hide from the shadows we stalk. We will redeem our soiled souls soon enough!"

At this several around him would make barking sounds of agreement though Link felt skeptical. Who was he talking about? What was he talking about for that matter? The meeting seemed to be over now though as, around him, the others began to disperse and join with friends to form smaller groups. Yet a voice from nearby would collect his attention and he'd find Darus prowling closer with a rather smug look on his face.

"Ah yes; our newest member. I did promise you that I would teach you of our ways so I have a proposition for you. In a couple nights time some of us will be going on an organized hunt and I want you to accompany us. We will need to get as much meat as possible, understand? Our prey isn't easy to catch."

Link would perk a little. A hunt? "Just what is it we will be hunting?

Darus would chuckle as he trailed his tongue over his fangs and he gave a murring answer. "Meat is what fuels us, stimulates us, and compels us. Blood and flesh from dangerous prey only seems to give us all the more power. We grow from it. Thus, we hunt only the most deadly of foes."

"Then we will be hunting a fellow predator." Instantly Link thought of a bear or wolf, mildly concerned of just how they were going to take one down for a moment. He didn't have his sword anymore. "How will we catch it?"

The return laugh was a harsh one. "Why with our own power and intelligence of course! We will trap them, kill them, and devour them. Fangs and claws work well enough." A rather sly look crossed Darus's features now. "And no fear of being hurt, I hope. We cannot use swords and other weaponry. I feel you have already realized this."

They could not? Link's brow furrowed as he thought on it a moment and, indeed, would discover that whenever he attacked anyone it was without a weapon. He felt no urge or desire to wield one and, for practical reasons, felt that trying to do so would be futile. Animals didn't use weapons and apparently an animal of sorts is what he was becoming. Recalling what Veshte had said, he'd meet Darus's gaze once more.

"Where does this dark, primal nature come from? The virus seems to draw out the worst in us all and damns us to this life. Why is that? I was told you would know more than anyone else."

Darus would merely stare at Link as one would stare at a young child, yet that murring sound would return and he'd close his eyes with a smirk. "We are altered yes but I would not say 'damned'. If you really think about it this could be the start of something more. So fret not on what changes have come over you and focus on what they have to offer instead. We are rather supreme predators wouldn't you agree?"

Noticing how he'd neglected to mention the origin, Link would frown a moment and look away with a slight nod. He'd have to figure a better way to ask. Darus was hiding something and Link was going to get to the bottom of just what. The beast before him would make a soft huffing sound and move passed Link with a soft growl. "Just do as I say and you'll see what I mean. Now come. Dawn is approaching and we need to get to our shelter. The clan sleeps together as one."

Right then and there Link felt the urge to snap at Darus as he passed. He seemed respectable in most senses but there was darkness in him that Link knew from experience that couldn't be blindly trusted. Grudgingly he'd fall into line behind Darus and follow him towards where he could hear the roar of running water, like the tumble and crash of falls.

Likewise, others were making their way in the same direction though Link would take the time to cast a small glance towards the east. Once more the sky had already begun to pale considerably and he'd pause a moment as he remembered the last time he looked at this sky. Who would have thought that 24 hours since his run-in with Fado and Rusl he would be here? Far from Ordon and surrounded with other infected humans. There were more than just miles between him and his village right now but that didn't keep his mind from going back. Hopefully they would all be safe without him there; judging from the foolish boldness of the kids it was likely better off now that he was gone.

With such a thought Link would face front and proceed after the others without further ado. Sleep sounded nice right about now even though his mind burned with new information and new possibilities. Maybe Darus was right about one thing though. Perhaps it was time to look forward and think of benefits over losses. It sounded nicer than agonizing over what once was at any rate. And what could come.