Realm of Monsters

Chapter 187: They Don’t Deserve You

Authors Note:

Hello, everyone

I had a power outage thanks to a storm, so I was forced to go work somewhere else, which led to this release being a few hours late.

Nokuti Name Change:

From now on Nokuti shall be referred to as Nokti. The reason being that I realized that I pronounce Nokuti like: Knocked-tee, not No-coo-tee. The u was practically silent, so I decided to simply change her name to Nokti to prevent confusion of pronunciation. I will also go back and change all instances of her name to Nokti.

Thank you for understanding.

~Frostbird

Vayu surveyed the fells and cliffs of Widows Crag through the eyes of his hawk. It had taken some time for the hawk to return to Widows Crag from Hollow Shade, but once he had, Vayu's true purple binding magic was able to link with his hawks senses. It was difficult to spell cast through the pain, but Vayu didnt give up. 

As the predatory bird flew through the night sky Vayu sat leagues away with his comrades. Maximus rested on the grass, his multiple cuts and bruises finally beginning to settle in. Loh sat a few paces away, she tried focusing on wrapping bandages around Tauris broken fingers, but her mind kept wandering back to the students.

Anything yet? Loh asked for the tenth time.

I dont see any of the students, no, Vayu sighed.

Ow, Tauri winced.

Oh, sorry! Loh grimaced. She had made the bandages too tight.

You were never very good at this, ever since we were kids, Tauri chuckled painfully.

Yeah, Aizel was always better at the patching up part, Loh said with a tone of reminiscence.

And that thing killed him Tauris voice cracked. What was it?

I dont know, Loh whispered.

It acted like it knew you. And you called it something, Tauri said.

The Monster in the Dark, Loh admitted. I dont know what it is, honestly. Ive heard some stories about the creature, I never thought they were true.

Yeah, if someone told me about what happened tonight I wouldnt believe them either, Tauri nodded bitterly. Still, now that we know its real, I feel like its time to tell us what you know. We cant fight an enemy we know nothing about.

Tauri, I really dont know much. But if the stories are true and Im inclined to believe that they are, then it's best if we stay away from that Monster.

Are you kidding me right now? Loh, we just got our asses handed to us. Our entire elite squad of magi is dead. My ankle and hands are broken, your shoulder and leg are shattered, and Vayus knees are literally bent the wrong way! If we dont get magical medical attention soon none of us may be able to walk again!

Exactly my point! We should stay away from that Monster at all costs!

Wrong! That Monster has taken too much from us. If anyone deserves our vengeance its that bastard! Tauri yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

Loh stared down at the ground, Thats just it, revenge was my mistake. I should have never led us here I was selfish and everyone is dead because of my actions.

You were trying to avenge your brother, no one will fault you for that, Tauri sniffed.

You dont understand. I know the stories of the Monster in the Dark. My familys founder, Noir I, encountered it. He died seeking revenge against the Monster.

Founder? But that was like seven centuries ago, Tauri wrinkled her brow.

Exactly, were dealing with a creature thats been around for more than half a millennia.

Thats not possible, Tauri shook her head.

I didnt think a single person defeating a group of powerful magi with ease was possible either, but here we are. Here we are Loh pointed at their surroundings and the corpses strewn about.

My hawk is flying over the designated rendezvous, Vayu spoke up.

Are Stryg and the others there?! Loh asked anxiously.

...No. Theres only a single body on the cliff. Theyre face down, I cant see the face. But the hair is dark brown, its not Stryg, he said.

Loh sighed, she wasnt sure if she should be relieved or more worried.

Vayu cleared his throat, Um, theres something else. There are markings on the cliff, markings of a recent battle. I see bloodstains too. I think the students were here.

Loh felt a sharp pain clutch at her chest. What had she done? She should have never come here. Stryg had been waiting for her, the students were counting on her, but she wasnt there.

Please keep looking, Tauri said. 

Of course, Vayu nodded.

Im sure theyll be fine, Loh. Those kids are the best of their generation, they can handle themselves, Tauri gingerly placed her broken hand on her best friends shoulder.

Loh didnt respond. Her mind was running through the possible outcomes of what might have happened to the students. 

Wait, I think I see something. The purple sigils around Vayus neck and head flared. About a league from the cliff. There is a hill, its been scorched pitch black.

Is anyone there? Tauri asked.

Yeah, a few people. Theyre students! I cant believe it, Lord Noir is down there with them too. We have nothing to worry about, Vayu grinned broadly.

Is Stryg with them? Loh asked, hope dripping from her voice.

Uh no, hes not, Vayu shook his head.

Theres still a chance hes out there, Tauri said reassuringly. Vayu, keep looking.

On it.

Vayu, how many students are with my grandfather? Loh asked quietly.

Less than ten

That doesnt mean they are dead, Tauri said.

It probably does, Loh mumbled.

Thats odd, Vayu furrowed his brow.

What is it? What do you see? Tauri asked.

My hawks flying over the Dire River next to the cliffs. There is this weird fog near the shoreline.

How is it weird? Tauri asked.

Well, usually it wouldnt be. Fog naturally appears over the river, especially on warm nights, like tonight. The weird thing is this fog is concentrated on only one area near the rivers shoreline. Im having my hawk fly lower for a closer look. Huh, maybe Im seeing things but the water near the fog seems to be freezing?

Lohs face paled, Thats not fog Its frost-mist. Vayu, get your hawk out of there now!

Vayu screamed and fell over.

Vayu! Loh limped to him and shook his shoulder.

What happened to him? Tauri asked worriedly. 

Im not sure I think something happened to his hawk, Loh bit her lip.

Ugh Vayu grimaced.

Hey, its okay, youre alright. Can you hear me? Loh asked.

Vayu opened his eyes with a wince, Loh?

Im here. Youre okay, she smiled, relieved.

What happened, Vayu? Tauri asked.

Vayus voice went taut, I I was with my hawk They got him. He died.

What got him? Tauri frowned.

Loh stayed quiet, but she had an awful inkling.

Vayu swallowed, ...My hawk was flying near the fog. Thats when I saw it. The fog parted for a brief moment. I saw these giant wolves, at first I thought they were dire wolves. But there was one It had snow-white fur and it was big, bigger than the rest of them. And it saw me, it saw my hawk

What did it do? Loh asked, but she already knew the answer.

It howled, but it wasnt so much a howl as it was a roar of pure power directed at my hawk. I could feel his wings break, his feathers turn to shreds Hes gone, Vayu broke down in tears.

Loh looked away and gritted her teeth, Dammit.

Do you know anything about this? Tauri asked.

Yeah, I encountered them once before. Theyre called frost-wolves. I wasnt certain it was the same pack until you mentioned the big one. Thats the alpha, a powerful dire by the looks of it. Their species is native to the Rupture Mountains, Loh admitted.

Then what are they doing in Dusk Valley? Tauri asked.

I asked myself the same question, she sighed.

Loh stiffened, she felt a shiver run up her spine. Her blue eyes slowly looked up at the blood-red moon. Strygs words from that night echoed in her mind, Frost wolves, the fabled harbingers of Lunae they only leave their home to enforce Lunaes will.

It cant be, she muttered.

Loh, there was something else, Vayu brushed away his tears. I saw something else in the fog, amidst the frost-wolves. I saw him. I saw Stryg.

What!? Loh spun around and grabbed his shoulders.

His eyes were closed, there was a lot of blood on his shirt, but I noticed his chest move, if only slightly. He was lying on the sandy shore.

He was there? Stryg was there? With the frost-wolves? Were they hurting him? ...Were they trying to eat him? Lohs voice cracked.

Vayu shook his head, No, they were just all standing around him, almost like I dont know, it was strange.

Welp, that doesnt make any sense. Are you sure you saw the little blue goblin? Tauri crossed her arms.

I know what I saw, Vayu frowned.

Tauris right, Loh muttered.

See, she gets it, Tauri nodded.

No, you dont understand. Stryg once told me he was a bad omen from Lunae, Loh said.

Lunae? Tauri swallowed.

Then the red moon? Vayu glanced at the night sky.

I dont know. But Stryg is in danger, Loh clenched her fists. Maximus!

The centaur pushed himself to his feet. I heard. Im ready to go when you are.

Wait, what? Youre leaving? To go get Stryg? Tauri asked.

Exactly, Loh nodded.

Maximus picked up the lithe drow and placed her on his back.

If my grandfather is in Widows Crag, then that means he got my message. In other words, there should be several squadrons of magi on their way to help us. I dont doubt they will soon find you two and bring you back to Hollow Shade safe and sound. Stay here and rest until then, Loh said.

This is crazy, you cant just leave. You dont even know if Stryg is with the frost-wolves. For all we know Vayu saw wrong, Tauri tried getting up. She winced and stumbled, her broken ankle made it impossible to stand.

Tauris right. Even if Stryg is there, youre walking into a death trap. Youre exhausted and badly injured. Even if you somehow manage to grab Stryg, you wont be able to fight back against the entire pack, Vayu warned.

Loh smiled half-heartedly, I still have to try. I cant abandon him, not again. This missions utter failure is my fault entirely. So many people have died... I wont let Stryg be another casualty. Maximus, lets go.

Loh, wait! Tauri yelled.

Maximus galloped away.

~~~

Maximus climbed the last rocky hill and looked down at the Dire Rivers shore. Or at least, he tried looking at the shore, the entire area was covered in thick frost-mist.

So, what exactly is the plan? Or is the more of a suicide note kinda thing? Maximus asked.

If its the latter? Loh smiled wryly.

Well, it wouldnt make much of a difference to me I died a long time ago, he muttered.

Id ask, but I dont think youd tell me more, Loh said quietly.

Youd be right So, do you have a plan?

Kinda, it really depends on them, she pointed at the frost-mist.

What do you mean?

If what Vayu saw was true, then the frost wolves didnt kill Stryg yet. Which means, at the very least, they have a certain level of intelligence.

Or, counter argument, Stryg was right and he is a bad omen. In which case the frost wolves are being controlled by Lunae and are waiting to sacrifice him or something.

I really doubt that. There has to be an explanation for all of this. But whatever the case may be, we wont find anything out if we simply stand here, Loh said.

Maximus nodded and trotted down the hill. Loh winced with every step he took, even while on the saddle her shattered shin screamed in agony at the slightest movement. She gritted her teeth and tried to endure it.

The frost-mist parted when Maximus and Loh neared. The magical fog curled around them and blocked off their retreat. In a handful of seconds, they were surrounded by the frost-mist. The temperature dropped, Loh could see her own breath slip out of her mouth in white wisps. Maximus and she began shivering, out of sheer cold or fear she wasnt sure.

Icy blue eyes appeared in front of them, then behind, and to the side. Suddenly they were surrounded by pairs of blue eyes watching them. A dozen frost wolves growled through the mist. Maximus gripped his double-sided ax tightly.

Whats the plan again? He whispered.

The frost-mist stirred and retreated from Maximus and Loh until they found themselves in a small clearing amidst the mist as if they were in the eye of a storm. Almost two dozen frost wolves, each larger than Maximus, surrounded them. Frost-mist rose from the wolves bodies, curling about their black and grey fur.

A small unmoving body lay at the edge of the frost-mist. Strygs shirt was dyed with dried blood and his body seemed to be covered in scrapes and bruises. He was soaked wet, yet the mist did not freeze over him. His eyes were closed, but his face contorted in pain.

There! Loh pointed.

A large white paw stepped in front of the blue goblin. A snarling wolf stood above Stryg, its fur was snow-white, and its long claws dripped with blood. The wolf was larger than the rest by far, standing at almost twice the size of the others. Its blood-red eyes stared at the two intruders. The alpha growled in a low rumble. The other frost-wolves bowed their heads and took a step back.

You have a lot of gall to show your presence here, drow, the alpha snarled.

You can talk!? Lohs eyes widened.

Oh shit, Maximus muttered.

What idiotic idea possessed you to face us again? The alphas voice rang deep in their ears.

Loh was stunned, she didnt know what to say, she had expected some level of intelligence, but not sapience. Her eyes wandered over to her apprentice, who lay unconscious underneath the alpha.

Loh clenched her fists, cleared her throat, and looked up at the alphas looming figure, I have come to save my apprentice.

The alpha bared its fangs, Save? If it wasnt for you he wouldnt need any saving. He would have drowned in the Dire River if we hadnt come. Stryg isnt going anywhere with you.

...I never told you his name, Loh whispered.

The alpha cocked its head to the side, His name? You think you know Stryg better than I?

Loh knitted her eyebrows, Youre not trying to hurt him Youre trying to protect him?

The alpha spoke in a deep rumble, I was worried more than anyone when Stryg left Vulture Woods. The first moment he stepped out of Holos Shade we came to kill all of you and bring him back home. But Stryg refused, in fact, he made it very clear he would rather fight us and keep his friends safe. Stryg wanted to stay in Holos Shade. And I let him. Now, look at what has happened because of that choice. Stryg is going home now.

Loh frowned, To Vulture Woods? T-that isnt his home! That place only ever brought pain to Stryg. If you actually knew him, you would know that! Stryg has people who care for him back in Hollow Shade. Hes even married.

Why should any of those people matter? The alpha curled its black lips in a sneer.

What? Loh shook her head, It matters because Stryg cares for them all too! Stryg wants to stay in Hollow Shade.

Stryg is a baby, he is too young to protect himself, let alone understand what he truly wants.

Loh took a shaky breath, Thats not true. Otherwise, Id already been dead, right? You havent killed us yet because you know Stryg cares about me.

Do not push your luck, drow, the alpha glared at her.

The other frost wolves growled in agreement.

Loh bit her lip, I care for Stryg, too. Youre right, he is young and sometimes he bites off more than he can chew. But, thats why Im here, to make sure he stays safe until hes old enough to protect himself.

Then why werent you there when Stryg needed you? Youre his teacher, arent you? Youre supposed to protect your apprentice. So where were you when he was impaled with a spear through the heart? Where were you!? The alpha roared.

Loh and Maximus grimaced in pain at the blaring noise.

Loh looked down at the ground, I messed up, badly. Stryg placed his trust in me and I failed him. Countless people are dead because of my decision. I have no excuse.

Loh slipped off the saddle and jumped to the ground. She tried not to land on her broken leg, but it still brushed on the ground. She winced and fell on the sandy shore. Her elbows and knees cracked the thin layer of ice that had formed above the wet sand. 

Loh pushed herself to her feet with a shaky gait and limped towards the alpha. Stryg deserves better than me, I know that. Thats why from now on, I wont let anyone else, including me, take precedence over my apprentice. I will stop running from my problems and I will face them head-on. I wont abandon Stryg again, no matter the consequences, I swear it on Lunaes name.

The alpha growled and opened its maw and moved towards Loh.

She smiled half-heartedly, So take my life, but please give Stryg one more chance. Let him return to Hollow Shade and find happiness.

The alpha stopped, its fangs hovering right above Loh. She could feel the wolfs cold breath on her face.

The alpha slowly closed its mouth and stared at Stryg below. ...I believe you, little drow. Stryg doesnt want to go home, he wants to go back to Holos Shade Ill give him one last chance to pursue his dreams.

Youll let him go?

He will need a teacher to guide him. Perhaps your time in this world isnt over yet.

Loh fell to her knees, unable to stand any longer. She cried in relief, Thank you.

The alpha narrowed its blood-red eyes, But mark my words, if Stryg is ever left in a situation like this again, I will find you and eat you alive while I make you watch as I murder your family and every single person you hold dear. I will not fail in this, I swear it.

Loh swallowed, ...U-understood.

Get Stryg to a healer, now, the alpha turned away and faded back into the mist.

Right, Loh nodded.

~~~

The frost wolves peered through the frost-mist at Maximus as he carried Loh and Stryg up the nearby rocky hill. The alpha wolfs form shimmered with pale light, the fur and fangs faded away, and in its wake stood a woman. She towered over the wolves, the tallest of them barely reached below her shoulder. Her lustrous snow-white hair fell across her back and sashayed above her ankles. Her flawless silver skin was bare, without a single shred of cloth to defile it.

Lunae pursed her grey lips. Her blood-red eyes narrowed in thought, What do you see in those people, Stryg? They dont deserve you