Villar roared, a massive shadowy appendage crashing down, shattering the stone floor below. Morgan skirted out of the way avoiding the attack only to see three more of the malformed shadows speed forth, striking her.
Morgan grunted, bracing herself as she was flung backwards. Crashing into a wall she snarled at Villar. "Your out of practice," she grinned. "All that power and you wield it like a novice." Morgan dusted herself off, mumbling a spell.
Villars shadowy kitsune form studied Morgan as the sorceress began to form a ball of light. Curiously the titan watched as the living ball of energy seemed to grow before Morgan launched it at him. The shadowy kitsune grunted, stumbling before dissipating. Villar now stood once more before Morgan, a soft laugh escaping his lips.
"You live up to your reputation," he smirked. "Most have fallen before that form."
"So you already know then you can not win," Morgan stated.
Villar simply shook his head, a maniacal grin forming. "No this is but the opening salvo. Now we test our true power."
**************************************
Gloria stood spellbound as she watched the werewolves bow before the carcass of the deer man. From her perspective they appeared to be honoring their prey as if he were family. "What are they doing?"
"Offering a prayer," Vega said solemnly. "As I said our civilization operates on the laws of nature yet we our not mindless beasts. Our preys sacrifice has given us life. We honor their sacrifice by offering a prayer for their soul, so that they may pass into the afterlife in peace."
Gloria nodded, their was something off putting yet beautiful about the gesture. As the three werewolves completed their prayer she watched as they gently picked up the deerman, moving him towards a large building. "Come King Lycaon is waiting."
Gloria now followed, continuing to watch the werewolves. While it was unsettling to see them hungrily gaze at her, wishing to pass on the gift, their was a certain beauty to their society. The were beasts all seemed to take even the most mundane of tasks seriously. Gloria watched as were tigers and wolves seemed to go through a ceremony while conducting their business. Wolves and bears exchanging a token of respect as they conducted business before parting ways.
"Their seems to be alot of ceremonies," Gloria commented.
"It is our way," Vega said causality as they entered the castle grounds. "Our society is one of respect. Natural law can be brutal but also beautiful."
As Gloria followed Vega further into the castle, she studied the castles interior. Pictures of the royal family and their history dotted the stone corridors. Gloria could see not only pictures of the family in beast form but in human guide as well. In all the pictures Gloria had a sense of the nobility and responsibility they projected.
"We are here."
Gloria turned, her eyes growing wide as she gazed at the royal family. The teen was already familiar with Winery, the snow white wolf princess gave off a friendly smile, a bandage still on her head from her run in with Villar. Sitting beside Winery were her parents.
"Greetings Ms. O'Toole," King Lycaon said. Gloria waved timidly, studying the massive king. Lycaon was a dark brown in color, if he had been standing Gloria believed he would stand nearly 15 feet tall. Sitting beside him was his queen, a snow white werewolf with a regal look upon her face. "This is my wife Queen Hilde and of course my daughter Princess Winery."
Lycaon now stood, Gloria's eyes going wide as the massive werewolf approached. "I wish to thank you personally for your actions in protecting our daughter," he said. "Few wizards would take the risk to assist our kind."
"Your welcome sir," Gloria stammered. "I couldn't let anything happen to the children."
"You are quite unique for a wizard," Lycaon chuckled. "Which is why our clan would happily join with the wizards, we have but one request."
"Request," Gloria asked curiously.
"Werewolves dont have magic," Winery said quickly. "We want to learn magic."
"I dont think that should be a problem," Gloria shrugged.
"Their is one thing," Lycaon stated. "Our people would be less than enthralled to be taught magic by a mortal. Were beasts have traditionally mistrusted wizards. We would want to make you part of the clan."
"Part of the clan," Gloria exclaimed.
"Give you the Gift," Lycaon stated. "I know it can be frightening but it would complete the alliance between my people and the wizards."
"I dont know about this," Gloria said sheepishly, her head spinning at the idea.
"Their is one other way," Hilde said quietly. "We would ask that one of the other wizards accept the gift. If another wizard were to accept the gift, our people would be more willing to accept your teachings."
"You may not know it Gloria," Winery said. "But when you protected us, you gained the respect of the entire magical community."
"Our people are some of the finest warriors within the realms," Lycaon stated. "Our combined strength may help to turn the tide of battle."
Gloria nodded as she now thought things over. She really didnt want to become a werewolf. Thinking things over she now tried to come up with an idea.