The sun was starting to rise when the elder’s fortress came into view. The rest of the trip, after their encounter with the human, was uneventful. The rest of the trip since then, Keil just told Verik more about humans and other things in this world. “Humans are frustrating creatures.” Keil explained. “They are very biased and closed-minded. They fear what they do not understand, but they also seem to be afraid to understand in the first place. Not only that, but they are very violent in nature. Major conflict between Wolfen are nearly nonexistent. But humans seem incapable of living with each other in peace. They start wars with other humans, sacrificing a disturbing amount of lives to resolve petty disputes that could have been avoided entirely if they were more accepting of others.”

Verik flicked his tail in annoyance. “I’ve heard and seen enough of the humans. Tell me about something else.”

Keil stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Let’s see. Ah, yes. You remember what I said about those goblins from before? Their entire lives and thoughts are guided by a single emotion. There are other creatures like that, but not all of them are evil. For example, the Iseyla are beautiful creatures. They live to help others. There is no conflict among them, no bad thoughts, nothing. They will help anyone. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they have done, as long as they need them. I have only seen these creatures once, but I have never had any interaction with them. They like to stay hidden for the most part, watching silently.”

Syla leaned against Verik’s shoulder and said, “It’s my dream to meet them sometime.”

They continued sharing with him their knowledge about the world until they saw the fortress. Verik looked it over. It had tall walls that ran all the way around it. On the inside, there was a massive dome that rose higher than the walls. It was probably large enough to hold hundreds of people comfortably. “How many are the Elders?” Verik asked.

“I believe there are five. Most of that space is for their experimenting.” Keil said, realizing what Verik was thinking. “There is also a handful of rooms to accommodate visitors.

“What kinds of experiments do they do that requires that much room?”

“I don’t know. They enchanted the entrances to the fortress so that nobody can enter without their permission, and they are very careful with who they give it to. No one has ever been able to spy on them.”

Nari playfully pushed past them. “Come on, let’s get going. I am quite interested in what they might say and I don’t want to waste all this time talking about them.”

A smile appeared on Keil’s face. “She’s right, let’s go.”

/.\ /.\ /.\

Myorakk, kept his body low to the ground as he stared intently at the group walking toward the fortress about a mile away. He lifted a long wooden device up to his eye that let him see things very far away. He took it off a human’s body and found it quite useful when scouting.

He observed the group of wolfen, waiting for them to turn so he could get a better look at them, but they were too focused on the fortress to look around. He was only interested in one of them, in particular. The one with the blue fur. However, he needed to see his face better to make sure he was the right one. He had to get his attention somehow.
He lifted up his hand and formed a small fireball in his palm. Focusing energy into the flame, he made it explode, causing a high cracking sound. They all turned to see what that noise was. Quickly pulling the device to his eye and examining the blue wolfen, he saw what he was looking for; horns protruding from his skull, scales on his snout and hands, one yellow eye. This was the one his master was looking for.

He waited for them to turn around and resume their walk before he got up. He spread his wings as far as they could go, letting the wind push against them, inviting him to take to the skies. It had been so long since he felt the wind. His master would like very much to know about what he found. So he leapt into the air and flew back to report what he saw.

/.\ /.\ /.\

Keil put his hand in a fist and rapped his knuckles on the large wooden door. Several seconds passed and there was no answer.

“Maybe you should knock again?” Verik suggested

“No.” Keil shook his head. “They know we’re here. We just need to wait for them to acknowledge us.”

“Oh…” He was unconvinced.

Nari started to express her concern. “Are you sure they—” She was interrupted by the loud clanging sound of the latch releasing and the doors being pushed open on squeaky hinges. In the opening, there stood a young wolfen, about thirteen years old. His fur was a bright red with a tint of grey from lack of sunlight. Around his neck was a long silver chain with an intricately carved metal pendant.

“Hello, travelers. We have been expecting your arrival. My name is David.”

“David? Isn’t that a human name?” Nari said with slight hint of disgust.

“Yes it is. Back when humans used to live here with the elders, they found me abandoned. The humans suggested my name and the elders agreed. I am now living here with them and am their help in many things. One of them being their voice. This pendant connects me to their minds so that I can speak for them while they are busy.”

Verik frowned, but the kid knew what he was thinking. “Don’t get the wrong idea. They don’t make me do anything. Everything that I participate in is with my complete consent and total knowledge. As to being connected to their minds, their knowledge has advanced my understanding and wisdom way beyond any other wolfen, and even other humans, my age.”

Verik felt Nari lean over and whisper quietly in his ear, “I still don’t like it. That kid may be mentally advanced, but what about his childhood? That is a very important part of being a wolfen, but he has skipped that time in his life.”

“But I could turn out to be the wisest wolfen that has ever lived.” David responded to Nari’s concerns. “I am not boasting when I say this. I have essentially already lived several lives already. All the knowledge, memories, experiences that all five of the elders have experienced have become mine and I still have all of my life to live, to add more to what I have. Not many, if any, are able to experience firsthand the lives of someone else instead of reading it from a book.”

Nari’s frown just deepened. “Can we see the elders?”

“Of course. Follow me.” Then David turned around and started walking down one of the hallways. The walls were all empty, save for a few torches for light, though they were not necessary since they, being nocturnal creatures, were used to the darkness. There were many doors on the right and left of them. The scent of odd chemicals seeped through the wood.

“What’s behind those doors?” Verik asked, scrunching his nose at the revolting odor.

“Those would be the potion rooms. There, they gather many different plants and substances and try to find all their attributes to create many types of potions. This was a new ambition for one of the elders that has not proved very useful so far. We have successfully created a sleeping potion that will put you to sleep in less than thirty seconds. We have also created a potion that will start healing wounds almost instantly. However, that one has some undesirable side effects.”

“Side effects such as what?”

“We tested it on a wounded deer we found in the woods; probably some they prey of a human who failed to kill it. We administered the potion and the wounds did heal. However, the creature started foaming at the mouth and went crazy. It started thrashing around kicking out at nothing in particular. We observed it for a while, but it never improved. It eventually died of dehydration.”

They passed through one door that lead into an outside courtyard where many different flowers and plants grew. “This is what I like to do when I’m not busy. This place used to be just an overgrown grass field, since the elders aren’t exactly the ones who enjoy gardening.”

There was a stone rod that lead all the way around the courtyard and in the center of it was the huge dome-shaped building. The doors that lead inside were huge. It was made completely out of some sort of metal. “This door is enchanted so that it can never break. It can also not be opened unless the correct words are spoken to it. This was implemented because—”

“That’s okay.” Nari interrupted, “We do not need another history lesson. Just bring us to the elders.”

“As you wish.” David said, not showing any signs as to if offended. The he leaned over and started whispering things to the door.

Nari leaned over and whispered into Keil’s ear, “You’re welcome.”

Once David was finished, the doors started opening by themselves revealing another short hallway with a door on each side and another one at the end. “The elders wait for you inside.” He gestured to the farthest door.

Keil thanked him and lead the others through the door. Inside was mostly a large empty space. The stone floor was almost as reflective as a mirror. In the center, there was a deep pool of water in the center of the room and in the middle of that, floating in mid-air above was a glowing blue orb that lit up the room brightly. Standing around the pool were five wolfen wearing human robes.

They all turned to face the three visitors. The first thing Verik noticed about them was their eyes, which were completely black all around. They also wore many chains, bracelets, and other kinds of jewelry around their bodies. “Welcome to our fortress.” One of them who looked the oldest said with a welcoming smile. “How may we assist you?”

Keil stepped forward and licked his muzzle in greeting. “Thank you for seeing us. We have become aware of some disturbing news.” He retold everything about Verik’s visit from Vannah.

Once Keil finished, the elder nodded and asked Verik to come closer. He examined the mark on his chest. “This mark appeared on you after you woke up? I need to warn you to be careful. This mark is just seeping with energy. I don’t know what that can do to you or others. It could not bet dangerous at all, just be careful. Anyway, there is great power growing inside of you and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. I have never seen anyone, even a human, with as much power inside them. I suggest you learn how to control it before it gets too strong.

“As for this “evil” that you spoke of, this is the first time we have heard anything about this. We have had no insight about it. We will spend the day meditating about this. You are weary from your travels. I suggest you get some rest and we will tell you what we find in the evening.”

“Thank you.” Keil dipped his head in respect.

David entered the room as if on cue, which it probably was by some mental instruction given by the elders. “Please, follow me to the living quarters.”

They exited the dome and went over to the outer part of the fortress. There, David led them to a more comfortable-looking area. It was a large room with a fireplace in the center. All around the room were many wooden pieces of human furniture that he did not recognize. Around the edges of this room were several doors. David approached one of the doors and opened it, revealing a small room with more human furnishing. The most eye-catching one being a large one that stood low to the ground. On top of it was a small pile of cloth.

“What is this?” Nari asked.

“It’s a bed. Humans use these to sleep on. You should try it. It’s actually quite comfortable. You know, this very room was used by the king of—”

“Thank you, don’t care.” Nari said as she entered the room and closed the door abruptly.

David watched her go with an emotionless expression, dipping his head as she passed. Looking back to Keil, Verik, and Syla, he said, “Well, I hope the four of you rest well. We will see you tonight. Feel free to choose whichever room you like.” He turned around and left them alone in the living quarters.

“I don’t think Nari is too fond of David.” Keil said, grinning.

Verik shook his head. “She is just angry with the elders for taking his childhood from him.”

“That is understandable. To us wolfen, childhood is a sacred and beautiful thing. However, I cannot deny that David could prove very useful and a big help to many people.”

“I don’t know. It just seems…unnatural.”

Their thoughts were interrupted by a loud yawn from Syla. “You can discuss this with Keil, but I’m going to sleep.” She said and entered one of the empty rooms.

Keil stifled a yawn as well. “It has been a long day. I think I’m going to rest as well. Hopefully I’ll be able to sleep on these ‘beds.’”

They all separated into their own. Verik got into his bed and actually found it quite agreeable. The tiredness from the journey quickly took control and he fell into a comfortable sleep.

He felt a cold chill running through him and he sat up quickly. But the room that he was in was gone, replaced by pitch black nothingness. He knew right away that he was dreaming. Unlike the last time, he was able to breathe he seemed to be sitting on a flat hard surface. He got to his feet and looked around, but there was nothing. There was a soft noise in the distance that got slowly louder. He recognized it almost instantly. Terrified, angry, and anguish-filled screams. It kept getting louder until it was beginning to become painful. However, it was interrupted by a monstrous roar that had to have been double the volume. The force of the sound sent him flying backwards where he collapsed on the ground, unable to move.

Verik’s eyes shot open and he was back inside the room, laying on the human bed. His body was covered in sweat. The dream unnerved him more than it did the first time. The screams, all though the same, seemed different. They gave him a feeling of disturbing nostalgia. He knew those screams from somewhere as if they were a distant memory. Maybe it was something from his forgotten past. The roar gave him different feelings, fear and hatred. Those emotions coursed through him so strongly that it made his whole body tremble uncontrollably.

He tried to calm himself and go back to sleep, but his strong emotions prevented him from getting any more rest. Finally giving up, he decided to leave the room and take a walk, maybe get some fresh air. As he got up, he noticed something strange about the room around him. Almost all the furniture in the room was all singed and smoking. The floor, walls, and ceiling were also stained black from intense heat. Looking back at his bed, he saw that it was the only thing that was not damaged by fire.

Did he do all this while he was dreaming? If anyone had been near him, he could have killed them all. The elders were right. He needed to find a way to control these powers before someone gets hurt.

To Be Continued…