It had been two days since Adrien and Fenrik had camped at the temple. They had found the existence of a complex catacomb filled with monsters which Fenrik and Adrien took advantage of to farm food and beast essence cores. Most of the beasts were not by any standards weak, but were not overwhelmingly strong that they could not handle them.
Fenrik had become more close with Adrien and now sported a pair of fierce wolf ears and large tail. "You are growing stronger everyday, at this rate, you might reach my level soon, cub." Fenrik said as he used his muscle-packed wolf arms to rip off a stone scorpion's mandible and open it's abdomen, exposing its core.
"The problem's i can't continue until i can successfully choose a class for my self." Shadows rose from the ground and wrapped around a massive worm's body and with Adrien's control, he cut through the exoskeleton of the worm, severing it into many pieces.
[+1700 exp]
"Don't worry, we will figure something out." Fenrik re-assured the boy. "Don't be so gloomy, let's return and prepare for the night, he said as he slung his arm on Adrien's shoulder.
-4 hours later
"This is really good, where did you learn to cook like that!" Adrien said as he tore of a chunk of roasted worm flesh, mixed it in crab tendons and toke a greedy bite. Fenrik smiled and was about to respond when he sniffed the air strangely. He placed the meat down and warned adrien. "Something is wrong." He said with a serious expression.The fire cracked, sending sparks into the darkening desert night.
A figure emerged over the ridge, limping heavily, armor scuffed and splattered in crimson sand.
"By the old gods… Galvir?" Fenrik rushed forward, supporting the dwarf as he collapsed by the fire.
"The Peace has been broken," Galvir rasped. "The vampires and the wolves… war's coming. And it's spillin' into the desert."
The fire sputtered against the howling desert wind, sending plumes of smoke into the blood-red night. Galvir lay resting inside the crude stone shelter, his wounds dressed with torn cloth and trembling hands.
Fenrik paced near the fire, growling low in his throat, a sound barely human. His claws dug trenches into the sand with every step.
Adrian watched him silently, his familiar, Nyarixis lying down peacefully, adrien, feeling the tension coil tighter with every heartbeat.
Fenrik says, voice raw. "You don't understand, kid. This war... it won't be like those beasts we've faced. Blood will drown these sands. My people need me. If I turn my back now... I'm no better than the bastards who started this."
Adrian calm but firm, replies. "And if you leave? What happens then?" "You think they'll care? You think dying for a lost cause will save anyone?"
He stood, facing Fenrik squarely. "We survived because we stood together. You told me that." Fenrik snarled, turning his back to hide the glint in his eyes — the shame, the anger. His tail flicked in agitation. Fenrik says, hoarsely. "I owe my pack. I owe them more than you know."
Adrian says, lowering his voice. "And I owe you my life.
But running headfirst into a slaughter won't bring peace. Maybe..." He glanced at the swirling sands on the horizon. "...maybe we don't have to pick a side."
Fenrik turned back slowly, fangs bared in a humorless grin. "And what, cub? Face both armies alone?" Adrian replies serious, voice steady. "No. We find the Chalice. We end the war... before it devours everything."
For a long moment, only the wind spoke between them. Then Fenrik laughed, a bitter, broken sound that melted into a real one — the sound of a wolf choosing his path. "By the old gods... you're a madman."
He grabbed his axe from the ground, slinging it over his shoulder. "Good. I never liked sane people anyways. We leave at dawn." Above them, the Blood Moon pulsed, as if the world itself was watching.