Crawford cradled the body of his comrade. Long dark curls framed her cold face. Her shoulder that once shone brilliantly with The Wolf Spirits crest now lay dark and bare. His shoulders shook with grief.
They'd won. Didn't they?
The evil defeated and sealed away. A small cluster of gems still radiating with power. Carnage was strewn across the field. Dark cavernous grooves were carved into the landscape. His comrades lay still in the ash and ruin never to wake.
His soul felt raw and bare. The ravens presence left him the moment they were consumed by the darkness. The mark on his hand now faded into nothingness. He tried to reach out of the bond for his patron only to find nothing. A deep void that only seemed to grow wider with every minute.
It was worth it, wasn't it?
At least that was what he kept telling himself. It was hard to see how when one was alone in a mountain of ruin surrounded by the corpses of ones friends and comrades. He'd never hear Tito's songs or listen to Merlins long rambles on the arcane. Shaya would never tell her tales nor would Mia embroider another tapestry. Never again would a spear leave Shani's hand or a blade be wielded by David.
At least the world was safe from the scourge that tried to plunder it into darkness. At least for now.
A shining silvery mist filtered into the air. It gleamed under the light of the full moon as it took form. Shifting and forming under an unfelt breeze. A familiar presence washed over Crawford. He learned to recognize it the day the raven selected him as their champion.
Within the blink of an eye he was staring into the eyes of a shimmering moonlit wolf. Her grace and beauty never ceased to awe him. Her aura was alway full of light and wisdom. A radiant beacon in the dark. Any other day he would basked in her glory and allowed her power seep into his spirit. But not today.
You fought well
"We won. He's been sealed away forever," He breathed.
For now, The spell was incomplete
He cursed. He was afraid of that. "I don't suppose your going to select another champion?"
In time
"The next wolf marked is going to need a teacher." He stated, "Someone to help them defeat him once and for all,"
The remained silent. Her moonlit eyes studied him unblinkingly. Crawford was already certain that she knew what he was going to propose. "I want you make it so that I will live long enough to train the next wolf marked and see Malic Korvoth truly vanquished,"
Are you certain?
A complex array of emotions washed over him. Remorse mixed with pity soon followed by intrigue and finally acceptance. He tried to block them out as they were not his. But The Wolf Spirits presence was strong.
Very well. But beware the price may be far greater than you can bear
His whole world was enveloped in silver.