//------------------------------// // Kadzite. Part 1 // Story: Guilt of a Phantom // by Powerdrainer //------------------------------// Edited by Slayerseba and Halusm Kadzite Part 1 <<>><<>><<>> With a strained grunt and a display of spectral might, the many Lifebooks that surrounded Bon Bon and Danny disappeared with a flash pulled into Danny's spectral self.  Grunting, Danny dropped to a knee with a thud far heavier than his thin build would suggest.  Holding his side with a hand, the other on the floor for added support, it took him a good number of minutes before he caught his breath and found the strength to push himself back up again.  "Damn," he groaned. "That took more out of me than I thought it would." He rolled his shoulders, then twisted his upper body a few times. "Feels heavy, too." He stretched his back. "Well, I did just take in all those books. Guess that makes sense… somehow." "Ho- how did you… Wha?" Bon Bon sputtered, her mind failing with what she just witnessed. "You have no idea how many times I have wondered the same," Danny replied. Then, looking at one of his hands, flexing it, then balling it into a fist, he channeled his spectral energy, making it glow green. "Okay, that still works as it should." He then levitated up, holding his place half a meter above the floor. "That too," he hummed, "but it takes me a lot more energy to maintain myself." He dropped down, and another heavy thud filled the air.  "Okay," he placed a hand on his neck, pulling his head from side to side. "We got the books. Now where to put them." He stopped his motions, looking down at Bon Bon. "Can they stay in your base? It's out of sight, and will allow you easy access for when you find an opportunity to bring them to the other agents." "I-" Bon Bon shook her head, forcing herself to accept the bizarre turn her life had taken. "It may be possible," she told him. "Few ponies know of my basement base, and fewer have any need to come down there. But inspections do happen from time to time, and if this were to happen with those books there, it would be difficult to explain." "And I don't suppose they will make it known in advance when these inspections happen?" He asked, to which Bon Bon shook her head. "Figures," he muttered. "Another way to ensure you're kept under control, no doubt."  He sighed loudly, shaking his head.  "Well, another thing we can do is leave the books with the frost giants. They will keep them safe, and you can go to them when you need them. But this does mean you need to make repeat visits to the Everfree Forest, which will be difficult to explain, too." "Maybe…" Bon Bon paused for a moment, thinking. "Making those repeat visits won't be a problem. Even if they see me, they don't see me. Besides, I know how to move around without notice." "Fair point," Danny nodded.  "But more importantly, keeping the Lifebooks there may work in our favor."  "How so?"  "If we're going to do this, eventually our numbers will increase. I do not doubt that. But when this happens, we need a proper fallback point where we can regroup and plan our next moves without anypony noticing." "And the abandoned castle would be perfect for just that," Danny realized somewhat excitedly, not realizing how far his voice traveled in the mostly silent library. "It would be," Bon Bon agreed.  "And I'm sure the Elder would be able to help us keep this operation of ours hidden, should the need arise. Then the only thing we still need is a way for you, and the potential others, to enter and exit the castle, while also keeping others out. Especially Maud, or any of the other hunters. Which, I may have an idea for, but I need to make sure it's possible first. But if this works, we have a proper place to work from, away from prying eyes, with direct access to the Ghost Zone and the Lifebooks." "And then I would be able to work on character profiling of the other agents, determine who would be best suited to give a Lifebook, while also keeping up appearances back in Ponyville and send false reports to the princess," Bon Bon added, starting to feel a rush of excitement she had rarely felt before. Now with a clear goal and target, and a rapidly forming plan to work with.  "Meaning we both can maximize our efforts with the least amount of risk. And when the other agents learn the truth and, hopefully, come to join our cause, things will move forward at an accelerated pace," Danny felt a similar rush of excitement take hold, not noticing the shadow that fell over him. "Perhaps some of them are even in a position or profession where they could help us in new ways altogeth-" He froze mid-sentence at the puff of cold air flowing out of his mouth, and seeing the alarmed look on Bon Bon's face as she looked up and behind him. Slowly turning around, half wishing to find the librarian there to complain about their volume, he instead was greeted by something all too familiar.  A green glowing, bloated body with eight tentacles, a beak, and a pair of wide, red glowing eyes.  "Ghuruwaaargh!" The ectopuss gurgled in shocked surprise, dropping the books it carried in one of its tentacles. Both ghosts looked at each other in silence. Slowly, Danny reached for the thermos clipped to his belt. With a cry, the ectopuss turned around and fled the area; tentacles flailing.  "Shit!" Danny swore as he grabbed the thermos, popped the cap, and fired a beam of captive energy in a well-practiced, fluid motion; only to miss as the ectopuss knocked over several bookcases, causing the beam to be blocked by the Lifebooks falling down.  "Damn it," he shouted. "I'm way out of practice. No way that thing would've been able to sneak up on me like that in the past." He turned back to Bon Bon. "Eclipse, keep Bon Bon safe while I chase after that guy!" "As you command!" Eclipse replied, rising up from the ground. Jumping up, Danny did not waste any more time and followed after the ectopuss, shooting past the librarian with a hasty apology, and began the hunt. <<>><<>><<>> Slamming into bookcases left and right, the ectopuss threw as many obstructions in the air as it could while fleeing from the ghost it remembered all too well. Crying and screaming with a gurgling voice, it flew as fast it could to the exit while beams of blue narrowly missed it.  Behind the ghost, Danny struggled to keep up; the books held in his spectral self were too heavy for him to keep pace.  "Get back here!" He yelled in frustration, panting. Seeing its chance, the ectopuss made a dash for the doors, slammed through amidst more beams of captive energy, and fled outside. "Damn it!" Danny swore. Slamming into the doors as well, he nearly knocked them out of their frame as he came to a skidding halt outside. Scanning the area, he quickly noticed the rapidly retreating form of the ectopuss as it fled into the depths of the Ghost Zone and he knew that his fears had come true sooner, rather than later.  Before long, word of his presence in the Zone would have spread far and wide. And with it, a whole slew of new problems with them. "God dammit," he cursed, placing the thermos back on his belt. Following the shrinking form until he lost sight of the fleeing ghost. "This will make things way more difficult for me. I just know it." <<>><<>><<>> Many towering forms surrounded them, and Bon Bon couldn't stop her nervousness from showing as they stared down at her and Danny.  Danny on the other hand didn't seem bothered by the attention on him, and he stepped towards one of the giants whose arm was made of clear ice, showing the bone underneath.  "Great One," Frostbite said, all serious, easily seeing the hardened edge in Danny's eyes.  "Frostbite," Danny replied with a stiff nod.  "I take it you were successful."  "I was," Danny nodded. Then, with a grunt of exertion, a band of energy surrounded him, which rapidly extended outward and a great number of books appeared as they were pulled out of his spectral self.  Dropping to a knee, panting, he looked up at Frostbite.  "These are all the Lifebooks that answered my call," he grunted, pushing himself up. "I can't keep them all with me, nor would it be wise for us to take them all to Ponyville in one go. Please keep them here until either I or Bon Bon comes to pick them up." "Say no more," Frostbite responded, and made several gestures to the other giants.  With fluid coordination, the many books were picked up and carried away to a safe location in record time.  "I can tell there is more that you need to discuss," Frostbite said. "You can say that, yes," Danny stiffly nodded. "While in the library, we were seen by an old… acquaintance of mine, and I was unable to stop it. No doubt word of my presence has already started to spread, which will not go without a response." Frostbite sucked in a breath, nodding in understanding. "We will keep a vigilant eye out for any and all signs of activity in response to this," he promised. "Thanks," Danny said, but shook his head. "But I worry most about what might happen should word of this reach my world. And especially Vlad." "I fear there is little I can do to prevent this," Frostbite said, worried. "No, you can't. This is out of our control now. We just need to deal with whatever comes from this." "Uhm… excuse me," Bon Bon spoke up. "What just happened?" "Right," Danny pulled a hand through his hair. "Sorry, a lot happened just now. Long story short, that ghost was an ectopuss. And seeing how it clearly recognized me, most likely one of the two ectopusses who attacked me and my friends years ago. The first two ghosts I ever fought, and managed to beat… barely. Needless to say, it was the kind of ghost you should rightfully fear." Sighing, he turned around and scanned the crowd.  "Is the Elder here? I have something I must ask of her." "She is," the Elder replied, standing behind Danny. "I'm not even gonna ask how you got there without me noticing," Danny replied, clearly not in the mood. "We may need your help with something. Earlier, you managed to hide the portal in the castle from view, as if it wasn't there at all. Can you do this with other things as well?" "I can indeed," she confirmed. "For how long?" "As long as I am present. But I also see what you're planning, and I can make this happen by infusing some of my might in your construct. To the eye, nothing will be there. But it will still be tangible in all senses of the word." "Good enough for me," Danny nodded. "Okay, Frostbite," he looked back at the village leader. "Bon Bon and I will use the old castle as our base to free the other agents of Celestia and plan our next moves. In time, hopefully, more ponies will join us, and gain entry to the Far Frozen. We'll need to figure out how to deal with this once this happens, but for now, it's just Bon Bon and I. We need you to keep those books safe until we can bring them to the agents." "I see," Frostbite replied, eyes lighting up. "The castle will prove most valuable to grow your resistance." Danny nodded, then turned back to the Elder.  "There is still a ghost hunter out there. She's called Maud. She's tenacious, and not to be underestimated. I have no doubt she will make her way into the castle at some point." "I think I know a way to keep her from finding out the truth," she said. "Good," Danny nodded. "Hopefully I will be able to help her too, someday. But for now, she's to be avoided at all costs. Her trauma is too deep, and her skills are too honed. If she were to stumble on any of this, it would be an absolute disaster." He shook his head, sighing.  "Okay… one problem at a time," he looked out into the distance, seeing a small shimmer where the portal was. "Elder, Bon Bon. Let's go. There's a lot we need to do." "Then lead the way, Great One," the Elder gave a small bow to Danny. "We will follow." <<>><<>><<>>   In the darkness of the night, Danny, Bon Bon, and the Elder moved outside of the castle, their path illuminated by the gentle glow of the Elder's staff.  Eyes aglow to aid him to see past the border of light, Danny looked at the chasm separating the castle from the rest of the forest, then at the flimsy remains of the rope bridge that once crossed the distance.  "It would be too obvious to put it here," he said, more to himself.  "Put what here?" Asked Bon Bon.  "A way across for you, and others," he answered.  Looking around, he then followed the edge counter-clockwise, until they passed some ruined houses.  "This could work," he remarked, looking at the overgrown terrain.  "The disturbance in the foliage would eventually give away the path," the Elder informed him.  "Dang, you're right," Danny muttered, looking further. His eyes then lit up, figuratively, when he spotted a partially collapsed building edging the chasm, with the wall collapsed near the drop in terrain.  Moving closer, a quick inspection revealed the interior of the building was mostly stable, and provided a somewhat clear path to an overgrown, but still passable road to the castle.  "Perfect," said Danny.  Moving to the edge, he held up a blue glowing hand and created an ice bridge, wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and a knee-high fence on either side to prevent anyone from falling off.  "And now for me to mask the truth," the Elder took Danny's place, placing her staff on the bridge.  The jewel in the staff's tip began to glow a vibrant red, and the same glow began to shine all throughout the bridge. Then, gradually, the frozen construct began to fade from view until no sign of it remained.  "Yeah, that will work," Danny nodded appreciatively.  "What did you do?" Asked Bon Bon, confused.  "I created a path across for you, and the Elder hid it from view. So unless you know it's there, no one will be able to cross without wings."  "You can do that?" Bon Bon asked, flabbergasted.  "We just did," Danny smirked. "But to prove the point," he turned to the chasm and took a step forward, then another and another, until he seemingly stood on nothing but air.  "Bwuh?" Was the intelligent articulation of Bon Bon upon this impossible sight.  "Now you try," said Danny. "Just don't look down, and be prepared for that weird sensation in your hooves again."  Bon Bon looked at him as if he were crazy, then wondered the same about herself.  Closing her eyes and steeling herself, she took a brave step forward and realized she didn't immediately plummet to the unyielding ground below.  Cracking open an eye, she looked down, seeing nothing but darkness underneath, and only her training kept her from panicking.  Taking a deep breath and holding it as long as she could, then slowly exhaling, Bon Bon looked forward and cautiously moved to Danny who, by now, stood in the center of the invisible bridge.  She did quickly notice the strange sensation she felt previously, traveling up her hooves and up her legs, but it was quickly ignored when she bumped into the bridge's wall with her left flank. Realizing she had drifted to the side, she quickly moved back to the, assumed, center; meeting Danny halfway, then they both crossed to the end. Looking back the way she came, a chill traveled up her spine when only a dark drop down could be seen. "Yeah, that'll work," Danny nodded.  "If I wasn't already going to have nightmares, I certainly will now," Bon Bon sighed. "I know the feeling," Danny sighed out.  "Though that does make me worry about Princess Luna finding out," she added, worried.  "How do you- Crap, the dream diving thing she does," Danny slapped a hand over his face, groaning. "Wait, then why hasn't she taken action already? Surely she would have been able to see the dreams of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo."  The Elder chuckled.  "Oh, you do not need to worry about that. I have taken the liberty to properly shield the children's minds the last time I saw them." "Really?" Danny said, a tone of suspicion present.  "Is that so hard to believe?" The Elder replied, still chuckling.  "No, but it kinda feels tacked on, somehow," Danny told her. "Why not mention this before? Feels like they should know you did something to their minds."  "Perhaps you are right," she agreed. "An oversight on my part."  Danny gave her a quizzical look.  "I am not all-knowing, Daniel. And I, too, make mistakes."  Danny sighed and nodded, having to give her that much.  "Fair enough," he then turned to Bon Bon. "Do you want her to do the same to you? Keep your mind shielded from prying eyes."  "... I feel like I should object to something here," Bon Bon replied.  "You and me both," Danny agreed. "Sooo?"  Bon Bon sighed, looking away. "Might as well. We don't want to be found out already."  "Very well," said the Elder, pointing the tip of her staff at Bon Bon, a red light shining from the embedded gem for a few short seconds. "That should do it."  "Just like that?" Asked Danny.  "Just like that," the Elder confirmed.  "How do you feel?" Danny asked Bon Bon.  "Fine… I suppose," Bon Bon replied.  "Okay, then I think we're set," Danny said, looking back at the castle. "Now all we need to do is make the impossible possible."  "You make it sound so easy," the Elder commented, a hint of humor and excitement in her voice.  "Wouldn't be the first time. And somehow, I doubt it will be the last time, either," he replied, completely serious. "Right, we all know what to do-" he paused when Fenris suddenly spoke to him. "And it seems there is something else we must do, too," he looked back at Bon Bon and the Elder. "Better not waste any time. Let's go."  <<>><<>><<>>   'Remember what I told you.'  The words echoed through the Alpha's mind, the things shown to him only two nights ago replaying before his mind's eye over and over again.  Something had changed.  He had changed.  A foundation-shaking revelation; a truth he had known all this time, yet refused to speak, or even acknowledge. And all because of…  "Timo," he clenched a wooden claw into a fist, staring at the decaying wood. "Ĉiam estis timo. Kiel mi povis esti tiel blinda?" "Fear. It has always been fear. How could I have been so blind?" He dropped his claw down to his side and looked at the wolves around them, their green glowing eyes burning brighter than the pale moon above.  Several of them still lay in pieces, their bodies too damaged after their planned attack on that pony; their limbs broken, smashed, or downright missing. But this mattered little. It would take time, but eventually, the forest would provide the materials for their bodies to be rebuilt. Never dying, eternal damnation. Had this truly been what they sought after? And for what? Why? "Timo," he repeated through his teeth.  "Fear." A rustling of the leaves drew their attention to the creature approaching from the dark, his green glowing eyes equal to their own. "Fancy meeting you here," said Danny, scanning the wolves before him, and then settling on the Alpha. "I thought I heard someone talk." Behind him, Bon Bon carefully peeked past his legs, eyes wide. "YOU!" The Alpha roared. "Me," Danny replied in matching Esperanto. Bon Bon looked at him, confused. Confusion, that was shared with the massive wooden wolf, but he managed to hide it well. "You speak the language?" "Only partially. But enough to understand. Plus, Fenris fills in the gaps." A growl rose up from the gathered wolves. Danny ignored them. "I had a feeling we'd run into one another eventually, but didn't think it would be this soon." He looked away, taking a moment to study the broken forms of some of the wolves. "Still recovering, I see." "Our reward for doing as she told us to do," the Alpha spat. "Do not blame me for the consequences of your own actions," the Elder appeared from the trees, staff glowing and finally allowing Bon Bon the understanding of what was said. "I showed you the hypocrisy of your actions, past and present; showed you the truth of your own lies, and presented you with a chance to break free from ancient chains. And when you woke, lost, confused… afraid, I gave you guidance." "Your guidance saw us hunt and attack that pony, and for what?" The Alpha barked. "WHAT!?" Bon Bon called out, shocked. Danny held up a hand, face set. "Your attack on Rolling Stone was inevitable. He and you would have clashed, regardless of external factors. But by setting the stage myself, I can control the outcome, to an extent. And by doing so, I ensured his survival as others were present to save his life. And with it, a chance to break through long-held beliefs. Of course, it will be up to him to see the truth that will be presented to him, and whether or not he believes it. But all of that is out of my control. But regardless of that outcome, what is important here is what you will do now. Accept your failings, and begin with your long-delayed task of properly maintaining the constants? Or succumb to your newfound fear and fall into despair yet again?" The Alpha clenched his fists, growling. Joined moments later by the rest of his pack as they glared at the Elder, as well as the ghost carrying the taint of Fenrir.  Danny stepped forward, his eyes no longer a glowing green, but a black so deep his eyes looked more like pits of emptiness.  "Do not go down the path you have traversed for all those centuries. Not again," Fenris barked through Danny, startling the Kadzite, and scaring Bon Bon. "I did the same as you did, and look where it got us. You, stuck in bodies of death and decay. I, a soul lost to anger until the Phantom showed me my arrogance, and now a vassal in his mind." "You speak, yet you don't dare show yourself. Coward!"  The darkness in Danny's eyes vanished.  "Fair enough," Danny said in plain English.  The next moment, darkness rose up from the ground as Eclipse looked down at the wolves, and then she flew into Danny's chest.  With a grunt, Danny took a step back while his body fell apart into green smoke. A dark stain rapidly spreads to consume it all, while also growing in size. And mere moments later, the imposing form of Fenris glared down on the far smaller Alpha.  Bon Bon, at this point, had backed away against the leg of the Elder, truly concerned for her own well-being, state of mind, and the choice of creatures to work with as of late.  "And now we speak, face to face," Fenris spoke, his mortal blue eyes boring into the Alpha.  If the display had intimidated him, the Alpha didn't show it as he met Fenris' glare with one of his own.  "Fenris of the Three, Shepherd of the Night, the one who killed me and my pack, reduced to a mere shadow; a puppet to be used by its master," the Alpha growled out. "What right do you have to even stand before me?!"  "The same right you have to look down upon me while needing to look up to do so," Fenris retorted, stepping closer to the Alpha and emphasizing the clear size difference between the two of them.  The Alpha growled an aggressive warning. "Control your anger, pup. Our fight ended millennia ago. It will serve no purpose to any to descend back into past madness."  "What do you want?" The Alpha spat.  "The same that you seek," Fenris said, then looked at the other wolves. "What we all seek. Redemption from our cursed existence." His eyes locked on the Alpha again. "We both had our eyes opened that night. And we both know the faults in our past lives. Yet while I accepted my failings, and seek to correct them, here I find you still lost and indecisive. Requiring the words of another to steer you and your pack, then looking for faults in their reasoning when things turn against you. And it does make me wonder," he stepped even closer to the Alpha, looming threateningly over him. "Are you truly an Alpha, or merely a lost pup pretending to be one?"  The Alpha growled as he swiped his claw at Fenris.  Fenris, less than impressed, simply grabbed the arm mid-swing and squeezed.  Loud creaking could be heard coming from the arm as the wood bent and cracked but didn't yet break.  Fenris pulled the Alpha up to eye level. "Before, I would not have hesitated to strike you down. To cut down all opposition lost to hate, rage, and fear. But that is not who I choose to be anymore." "So you've grown weak," the Alpha spat. "Is it a weakness to temper your rage? To find a way to defeat your foe without fighting them? To destroy your enemy without bloodshed? If it is, then I am proudly considering myself weak, and I have the Phantom to thank for that," he growled. "For it was his conviction and strength that showed me a better way. More difficult and challenging, but also more honorable. And had I possessed even a fraction of his strength all those centuries ago, I doubt either of us would be in this position." The Alpha tried swinging his other claw, but Fenris grabbed the offending claw in his other hand.  "My brothers and I made one big mistake when we decided our rules. To never interfere in the lives of our charges and allow them to develop on their own," he said, glaring hard at the struggling wolf in his grasp. "I can not argue the need for natural development, but we should have interfered the moment we saw you stray from the path and guided you back before things escalated as they have. That fault is ours, and ours alone. And while I can not change past mistakes, I can prevent them here." He released his hold, and the Alpha fell to the ground.  "I am Fenris of the Three, Shepherd of the Night, vassal to Danny Phantom. I know who I am. What I am. What my goal is. Can you claim the same?" The Alpha slowly pushed himself upright, glaring up at Fenris. "I am Kadzite!" He barked. "And I am their Alpha!" Fenris looked down, disappointed.  "So despite everything, you failed to learn anything. So be it," he stood straighter, muscles tensing while the light of the moon almost seemed to shift, shining down on his black fur. "By the ancient rites of our kind, your eyes are blinded, your mind clouded, your fangs dulled, and your claws blunt. I challenge you for the rule of your pack, so I may steer them back in line with the Constants." A ripple of shock spread through the wolves surrounding him, yet Fenris never averted his gaze from the wolf before him.  "Accept, and prove your convictions to be true. Decline, and show your lack of faith." The Alpha growled, loudly, and aggressively as he stood tall before Fenris; still only half the size of the fallen wolf of the Three. "I AM THE ALPHA OF THE KADZITE! I DO NOT BACK DOWN FOR ANYTHING. BY THE ANCIENT RITES, YOUR PATH IS LOST, YOUR THOUGHTS ARE FALSE, YOUR TEETH ARE CRACKED AND YOUR CLAWS ARE BROKEN!" The challenge was met, and the timberwolves began to surround the two wolves, while the Elder steered Bon Bon to a safe distance. "Wh- what is happening?" Bon Bon asked, terrified.  "Something that should have happened a long, long time ago," the Elder told her. "A claim to power, and the acceptance of responsibility."  <<>><<>><<>>   Author's note  The use of the red text was to signify the translation effect of the Elder's staff at work. However, to avoid excessive use of this, any further 'translated' text will not be colored red in this portion of the story as those involved are able to understand each other without the need for the Elder's help. Under the moonlight, Fenris and the Alpha faced one another. Surrounded by the timberwolves, the Kadzite, they studied one another, waiting for an opening.  The Alpha growled in anger and rapidly rising frustration, while Fenris stood silent, observing the poor control of emotions.  He knew that what was shown now would be just as important as what would follow moments later, as the pack around them watched in silence; observing both of them, and passing judgment on how they held themselves, and strength would only get him so far.  No, had this been only a display of muscle, he had already won the moment he lifted the Alpha from the ground with one hand. But to win this fight, he had to show decisively that the fallen wolf before him was truly incapable of leading.  'So, what is your plan here?' Asked Danny.  'To reveal the pup for what he is.' Fenris moved, creating an opening the Alpha didn't hesitate to use.  With a bark, the Alpha launched himself at Fenris, recognizing the feint and rolling to the left as Fenris swung his claw.  Jumping back up, the Alpha closed the distance, then swung at Fenris' left leg.  Fenris jumped aside before his attack could hit, and smacked the Alpha on the head with the back of his hand, doing little damage but enraging the cursed wolf even more.  The Alpha spun around, diving under the extended hand and slashing at Fenris' unprotected torso. Yet Fenris merely side-stepped and grabbed the offending claw at the wrist. With a jerk, the Alpha's momentum was stopped.  "What is it you're fighting for?" Fenris asked. "Your pack? Your status? The unattainable goal of eternity by your own rules? Do you even know? The Alpha barked and swung at Fenris's arm, cutting deep and forcing Fenris to release him.  Dropping to the ground, the Alpha quickly slashed at Fenris' legs, and Fenris dropped to a knee as his leg buckled.  "You dare challenge me, yet all you do is talk!" The Alpha roared, leaping for the downed wolf, not realizing the wounds he had inflicted had already healed.  "Yes," Fenris agreed, looking at the Alpha as he grabbed him by the throat, abruptly halting the Alpha's momentum. "Because if I were to fight you for real, you would have already been defeated. After all, I was the one who killed you. You'd be wise to remember this." The Alpha clawed at the wrist, cutting deep, yet Fenris stood unrelenting as his grip tightened.  "You're weak," Fenris huffed. "In both body and mind.  "Which still leaves me stronger than you," the Alpha barked, and swung both claws, cutting through bone, severing Fenris' hand.  With a grunt, the Alpha fell to the ground as Fenris roared in pain. Using the opening, the Alpha leaped at the black wolf, claws slicing through muscle as he gutted Fenris.  Green glowing ectoplasm fell to the ground in a gushing flow, and Fenris fell to his knees, his remaining claw pressed over the savage wound as if to stop the loss of his blood.  "Who's weak now?" The Alpha taunted, assured of his victory.  "Spoken like a pup still new to the hunt," Fenris slowly stood up, turning to face the arrogant wolf, revealing the slowly closing wound as the spilled ectoplasm began to flow back inside.  "What trickery is this?!" The Alpha barked, taking a step back.  With a wavering glow, Fenris' severed hand flew back to his wrist and reconnected with a bone-mending snap.  Seeing his foe recover, and knowing any opening he still had was closing rapidly, the Alpha once more lunged at Fenris with the full intent to strike him down once and for all.  Slamming into him with his full weight, and the ground still slick with Fenris' green glowing blood, Fenris was pushed back half his body length, groaning in pain as his wound tore open from the impact.  Digging his feet, Fenris pushed back against the Alpha. Grabbing him by the shoulders, he then used the momentum to his advantage as he swung the smaller wolf around, throwing him over the surrounding wolves and into the darkness of the forest.  Panting, Fenris allowed his body a few precious seconds to heal enough for him to continue moving. Then, standing as tall as he could, he moved for the Alpha; the kadzite creating a path for him as he approached.  "You have yet to answer my question," he spoke, glaring into the darkness. "Why do you fight? What drove you to such extremes? Why did you become Kadzite?" A growl was the only reply as the Alpha jumped out of the darkness, and Fenris raised an arm to shield himself. "Fight me with honor, not words!" The Alpha cut into the arm, leaving deep, green glowing gouges. He swung again, but this time Fenris countered with a swing of his own, and he swatted the offending limp away with wood-cracking force. "Honor?" He said, almost sounding insulted. "There is no honor in this fight. Only a wildly thrashing pup far out of his league, lost and blinded to misplaced rage. You're a child, and fighting you gives me no satisfaction." The Alpha moved closer with a feral growl. "And if I so pleased, I could have struck you down right from the start," he swiped his leg, and in the same motion, slammed an open hand into the Alpha's chest, slamming him on the ground and pressing down with his full weight. "But my victory lies not in your defeat. No, we've been there before, and we both lost that night. Not this time!" He glared into the enraged, but even more than that, fearful eyes of the Alpha. "My victory can only be claimed by eradicating the cause, not the symptom," he pressed down on the struggling wolf, eyes narrowing and teeth bared. "Why do you fight? What. Do. You. Fear?"  The Alpha looked up at Fenris, eyes wide as his mind jumped back all those long, cursed centuries.  <<>><<>><<>> Standing in still grass, claws drenched in blood, the small pup stared down on his prey; a diminutive rodent, gasping and spasming on the ground growing slick from its blood flowing out of its chest.  He watched as the helpless creature struggled and wheezed, until finally blowing its last air and grew still.  "A sloppy kill, and a terrible way to go," a massive wolf said, grim features on his face as he approached the pup. "And an insult to the Constants."  With confusion, the pup looked at the large wolf.  "What's wrong?" He asked.  "We do not kill unless it is to eat, or to defend," the wolf spoke with an authoritative voice. "And when we do, we do so with honor to the lives we take. To acknowledge them as equals to ourselves, and ensure a quick passing." He glared at the blood-smeared pup and his kill. "Yet you claimed a life without the knowledge to do so, and made them suffer terribly in their final moments." "But the others go and kill. Why can't I?"  "You are too young! Too inexperienced! Too undisciplined!" The wolf barked, angry. "Had you waited, we would have taken you on the hunt. Teach you. But instead, I find you here, alone, covered in blood with your kill clear for all to see. And for what? To eat?"  The pup nodded eagerly.  "Fool!" The wolf barked. "There is a reason we leave the Wander Beasts alone. Their poison makes their flesh inedible to us. This is something you should have known by now. Which means you brought a gruesome end to an innocent creature for no reason and went against the sanctity of the Constants. And during all of this, you did not even pay proper respect to the one you killed. There is no greater shame!" The pup's ears fell flat, and he no longer looked up at the wolf.  "Look at me!" The wolf ordered.  The pup did not.  "VIDAR!" The wolf barked, and this time the pup responded; flinching back as if struck but looking up at the enraged wolf.  "You have done a terrible thing today, and the pack will know of this. But first, you will pay respect to the one whose life you claimed, accept your dishonor by violating the Constants, and see to it their body is returned to the world."  "But… how?"  "Build a pyre to burn their body, and allow the wind to carry their ashes. Dig a grave for their bones, and allow their essence to return to the trees where they live. And offer your blood in penance for the blood you spilled. Then, and only then will you return to the pack and face their judgment." The pup was distraught, eyes wavering.  "How do I do that?"  "You thought yourself capable enough to claim a life, then you are capable enough to do these tasks without guidance."  "But fath-"  "ENOUGH!" The pup flinched back. "You will do as you're told, Vidar. And you will do it now!"  Vidar whined, ears flat. But his father would not have any argument, and he barked harshly.  With a frightened yelp, Vidar scurried away under the scrutinizing gaze of his father. Not sure what to do, but knowing not doing anything would be even worse, he began looking for any and all branches and rocks he could use to build the pyre.  Having little success in the immediate area, he then began to venture out further and further in search of suitable materials, eventually hearing the howl of the Three as night was ushered forth.  Looking back in the distance, he could see the glow of the firepits, and the faint aroma of grilled meat drifted to him on the wind.  His stomach growled, and he held a blood and dirt-smeared paw to his belly.  Then he looked where his kill still lay, and the unmoving form of his father as he watched him, and he hurried back into motion. Feeling anger and resentment over his treatment.  <<>><<>><<>> The pyre was built with as much skill and knowledge as he had obtained in his short years, which was next to nothing. And numerous times the haphazardly built construct collapsed, forcing Vidar to start anew; barely able to see what he did in the dark of the night.  Eventually, after many attempts, the pyre managed to support itself and he carefully placed the butchered remains of the wander beast on top of his creation.  Next came the fire, and he had only a vague idea of how to start one.  He had seen his elders light the fire pits, using their claws and a firestone to create a spark and set fire to kindle, which then would light up the wood itself.  He had found plenty of small twigs and dry grass, which he had bundled up at the base of the pyre. But he didn't know where to find a firestone. All he had were several stones he found, but none of them looked like that stone he saw his elders use.  Not knowing how to tell a mere rock apart from a firestone, and with his father's persistent glare boring down on him, he quickly grabbed one of the stones he thought looked the most like a firestone, and unsheathed his right claw.  With a flick of his wrist, he carved the stone, and a lance of pain shot up his arm.  With a yelp, he dropped the stone, feeling the warm trickle of blood run out of his cracked claw.  With a pitiful whine, he risked glancing back at his father, but finding no mercy there.  Grabbing another stone, he then used his left claw, with similar results. All the while, his father remained unmoving, glaring at him.  It took two more tries, each time doing more damage to his claws, until, mercifully, a spark shot from the stone he held; the glowing ember flying into the kindling.  With a gasp of hope and relief, Vidar dropped the firestone and blew into the ember, brightening its glow, spreading its heat, and lighting a flame in the dried-up leaves.  Before long, the pyre began to smoke and burn, the flames consuming the wander beast.  A growl escaped Vidar's stomach as the smell of burning meat reached him, reminding him he hadn't eaten anything since the last meal.  But he was not done, as the insistent glare boring down on him reminded him.  For hours he watched as the pyre burned, consuming his kill's fur and flesh until nothing but ashes and bone remained.  More time passed as he dug a grave near the trees, waiting for the flames to die and the remains to cool, ignoring the burning lances of pain in his paws as he moved the dirt.  It was by the time the moon had reached its zenith, he had placed his kill in the grave he dug. Filling the grave with the soil and returning the wander beast's essence to the trees.  Then he hesitated, glancing warily back at his father.  "Hold out your arm," his father growled. "What?" "NOW!" With a yelp of fright, Vidar did as commanded. With a quick, unforgiving swing his father slashed his claws through Vidar's flesh. A cry of anguish escaped Vidar, and he pulled back his arm in reflex.  In a blur of motion, his father grabbed his arm with a painfully tight grip. Then he pulled him to the grave and let his blood flow on the upturned soil.  "Your soul carried away in the embers of flame. Your essence returned to the soil and trees that nourished it. And the blood of he who unjustly claimed you. With this we honor the Constants, and pay penance for betraying them," he spoke respectfully, looking at the grave.  Eventually, he seemed satisfied by the offering of blood, and he let go of Vidar's arm. The wounded pup quickly pulled back his now numb arm, holding it against his chest, tears running down his face.  "We will return to our pack," his father said. "They must wonder where we are. As for you," he barked, glaring at his son. "They will know what happened here, and they will treat you accordingly. From now on, if you want your share of any meal, you will have to prove your worth for it."  "But fath-"  "SILENCE!"  Numerous critters scurried away in fright from the thunderous voice.  "You broke the sanctity of the Constants willingly and knowingly when you chose to slay the wander beast, so do not whine to me like a beaten pup. From now on, your life of ease and comfort has ended. If you want it back, then earn it. Now move!"  With ears flat on his skull and tail between the legs, Vidar sulked away under the enraged gaze of his father, never looking up as he stepped back into his village and met the eyes of the others. Even then, he could feel their eyes bore into him as they saw his injury, and then his father followed close behind.  Even without a word, they understood immediately and barks and growls of disgust came his way.  He tried to move for the firepit, hoping that, maybe, there would be some scrap left to eat. But all he got was a harsh bark from the fire tenders.  He then tried to move to the water hole to get clean but was roughly shoved down.  Whining in defeat, Vidar looked around and saw all the wolves had turned their back on him, and he realized the isolation he was put in.  Then his gaze shifted to his hut, and his heart sank even further when he saw his mother toss out his sleeping hide.  Down and beaten, Vidar scurried away to the far edge of the settlement, out of sight, hiding underneath a root system of a large tree where he curled up in a ball, crying quietly to himself until sleep claimed him, providing a moment of respite.  Yet the seed of hate had been planted.  <<>><<>><<>> The years had not been kind to Vidar. Shunned by his pack, and each meal a struggle to obtain, he grew up to be a social recluse who all avoided and paid little attention to. This, however, was both a curse and a blessing. As he soon learned in the first weeks and months, if he wanted to eat, he would have to prove himself worthwhile. But with none of his pack wanting to do anything with him, this was a near-impossible challenge.  At times he would go without food for days, and other times only managed to obtain some scraps left over.  As such, he quickly realized that if he wanted to eat, he would have to go out there and hunt himself. And while his pack gave him less attention than the dirt they stood on, his father was another matter. Watching him with a predatory gaze, Vidar had few opportunities to go out and hunt. With one exception. Night. Long after the Three had put the sun to rest and brought forth the moon and night, and his pack had all gone to sleep, he would venture out and hunt. Just like his first kill, his attempts were sloppy and messy, and he often failed to claim a kill. But the few times he managed to catch his prey, he always found himself watching their struggle as their life ran out. Having learned from his mistakes, he always made sure the mess was hidden as best he could, and after eating his fill, he would discard the body in a not-too-distant river. Allowing the current to take away the proof of his actions, and cleaning his fur in the process. Over time he became more and more proficient in the hunt, claiming more and stronger prey. Growing faster and stronger himself as a result, and even allowing him to aid his pack in the hunt. The bodies he brought back were accepted without a word, and prepared according to the rites of the Constants. And all the while, Vidar watched with burning anger as they ate but only allowed him a mere morsel for his efforts. Sickened by their hypocrisy.  And as his anger grew, so did his brutality on the prey he killed during the night. Finding a twisted satisfaction in their suffering, and allowing him to vent some of his frustration. But his anger would never leave. Growing and festering as the seed of hate grew with each year. And as his anger grew, so did his brutality; forcing him to move further away from his pack to ensure his deeds would remain hidden.  Yet in his efforts to hide his savagery from his pack, he drew the attention of others. And it was in the light of a crescent moon that he stood over the thrashing body of his prey, their savage wounds spurting blood with each beat of their slowing heart, he heard someone approach from behind.  With a growl, Vidar spun around, blood-stained fangs and claws bared and ready to kill.  "Most impressive," the approaching wolf remarked, looking at the butchered animal, then Vidar.  Stopping just out of striking distance, the light of the moon showed just enough features to reveal the grayed fur of the old wolf, and the numerous old injuries and scars he had.  "Such ferocity, such strength. The wolves of old have blessed you, young one."  Vidar had to struggle to suppress a flinch, never having heard such praise given to him.  "Who are you?" He asked, still wary of the stranger.  "No one," the wolf answered. "I lost all I was long ago, and now wander the woods of this world. Seeing, hearing, and learning the lies that taint us."  "Lies? What lies?" Vidar asked, still wary but intrigued. Something about this wolf resonated with him.  "I'm sure you already know," the wolf replied. "Or at the least, begun suspecting." He looked at Vidar's arm, seeing the faded scars that marred his fur. "You have been outcasted, haven't you?"  Vidar lowered his arms, but didn't fully relax; looking at the scars left in his flesh from when he gave his blood in penance for his kill.  "To be without a pack is a dangerous thing. To be alone in this world is an assured death sentence."  "I am not without my pack," Vidar growled back. "They shunned me, yes. Ignore me unless it is convenient for them to acknowledge my presence. But it's still my pack."  The other wolf was silent for a moment.  "I see," he said with some tension in his voice. He then looked more closely at the scar on Vidar's arm. "That wound is old. It must have been many cycles since that day." "I was a mere pup, what of it?"  The wolf shook his head. "Just another example of the hypocrisy of our beliefs." Looking up at the moon, he grimaced. "Night has passed its zenith. It won't be long before Sköll will usher in a new day." Vidar looked up, too, grimacing as well.  "I must hurry back. I can't have them learn of my absence."  "And why is that? They already cast you out, didn't they? Why worry about what they think of you now?"  Vidar was silent, stunned.  "Tell me, do you know what a true pack is?"  Again silence was the answer.  "A pack, a true pack, watches out for each other. They treat each other with respect; help those who need help, and protect each other from harm. Tell me, does that sound like your pack?" He looked at Vidar, seeing how his words tore through his world perception and brought forth a tidal wave of questions, doubt, and anger.  "Think about that, and how you choose to live your life. Continue onwards under the oppression of those who blindly follow the rules of the Constants, or choose to be free."  "But where would I even go?" Asked Vidar, uncertain.  "That is for you to decide."  "I would be without a pack."  "Yes. But this doesn't need to be."  "So I should stay?"  "That is for you to decide. But that is not what I meant." He looked at Vidar. "Just like you, I am an outcast. And just like us, there are others. Over the many cycles, I met numerous of our kin shunned and cast out. Some of them joined me throughout my wandering, while others chose to venture out on their own. You, too, have that right. The freedom to choose your own path in life. Free of the restraints of the constants." "You want me to join your pack?" Asked Vidar, confused, and suspicious.  "Want?" The wolf said, then shook his head. "No. But if you desire as such, then we would welcome you with open arms as one outcast to another. But this is your choice and yours alone. I have no say in what you do. Nor do the Constants. And most certainly not this fake pack you're with." He looked back up at the moon, breathing deeply.  "Whatever it is you may decide, don't do so hastily as it will decide the path of your life from there on out. Think about what I said, what you want, what you desire. And if your choice leads you to us, know that you will be treated with the respect you deserve." Vidar looked up as well.  "Who are you?" He asked. "To approach one amid a kill, drenched in blood and with killing intent at its highest is a dangerous thing; a stupid thing to do. I could have attacked you, and would be in my right to do so."  "You could, yes. But you didn't. In the end, that's all that matters. As for who I am. I already told you. But perhaps some answer can be found in what I am."  "Which is?"  "I am faithless," the wolf answered. "I am Kadzite."  <<>><<>><<>>   Vidar made it back to his pack before the first light of the sun, sneaking past the night watchers with practiced ease as he returned to his sleeping pit underneath the tangled roots he first sought shelter on that cursed day.  But even if he still had some time to rest, the turmoil in his mind refused him any respite as he stared at the faded scars on his arm.  Slowly his hand clenched into a fist as that terrible day replayed itself before him; feeling the merciless grip of his father on his arm as he would not allow him to pull back.  For some time he lay there, watching, thinking, the words of the strange wolf repeating through his mind while looking at past interactions in a new light.  And as the howl of Sköll brought forth the light of a new day, so too did a new clarity of mind.  All those years under his pack's oppression over a single mistake, just because the Constants demanded it. Never allowing him any respite, and always shunning him at best, or insulting his very presence at worst, while still demanding him to help them in the hunt, yet never allowing him more than mere scraps for all his effort.  And yet, despite this, he carried on for the sole reason he didn't know any better. But now, with his eyes opened, he was questioning all his decisions, and why he still remained.  Surely by now, he would be able to fend for himself, without his pack… this fake pack to hold him down.  A growl pulled him out of his thoughts, and he sensed the all-too-familiar presence of loathing aimed at him.  With a growl of his own, Vidar pushed himself out of his sleeping hole, looking up at the wolf the animosity came from.  "Father," he growled, angry.  His father made a sound of disgust. "You'd be wise to remember your place," he spat. "We tolerate your presence only because you make yourself useful. But now you fail to show up for the morning hunt. Don-"  "Tolerate my presence?!" Vidar said, cutting off his father. A great insult coming from his standing.  His father growled a harsh warning, drawing the attention of the other wolves, yet Vidar cared little for this as he pressed on.  "You have done a lot of things, but tolerating me is not one of them," he said with venom in his voice. "One mistake. ONE! And that was enough for you all to treat me like I'm less than the dirt you walk on." He stood at his full height, a couple of inches taller than his father. A fact his father only now seemed to have recognized. "You shun me. You insult me. Only allowing me to sleep in a hole in the ground. And yet you still expect me to help you, to follow your very commands, and to do so without complaint. No more. I am done with this mockery, this insult, this affront to the Constants you seem to hold so dear." His father barked harshly, yet before he could do anything else Vidar stepped closer, glaring down at him; taking notice of the other wolves now surrounding them with clear hostility aimed towards him.  "And I am done with you."  "YOU DARE-"  Vidar leaned closer, fangs bared.  "Try me," he threatened. "By the ancient rites of our kind, your eyes are blinded, your mind clouded, your fangs dulled, and your claws blunt. I challenge you to a fight of vengeance for the misery you inflicted on me." A ripple of shock spread through the wolves surrounding him, yet Vidar never averted his gaze from the wolf before him.  "Accept my challenge, and prove your worth. Decline, and show your hypocrisy and cowardice to all."  His father stood tense, like a wound coil ready to spring as seething fury rolled off him.  "YOU DARE MAKE A MOCKERY OF MY FAITH!?"  "The only one who is making a mockery out of anything is you. I merely point it ou-"  Before Vidar could finish his father lashed at him, and only the many nights of hunting progressively more dangerous beasts gave him the reflexes to dodge out of the way in time. He then followed through in his movement and slammed an unforgiving fist into his father's muzzle, knocking out several teeth in a spray of blood.  His father staggered back, gurgling a growl, then spat away the blood in his mouth. He then snapped back towards Vidar with murderous intent in his eyes, but before he could charge Vidar barked loudly.  "YOU ATTACKED WITHOUT ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE. YOU DISHONORED THE ANCIENT RITES. YOU HAVE LOST THE FIGHT AND YOUR STANDING. SHOWING TO ALL THE SPINELESS HYPOCRITE YOU ARE!" His father's eyes widened as his anger froze, looking past his son and seeing the judgment and disgust in all the wolves surrounding them.  "MY CLAIM FOR VENGEANCE HAS BEEN IGNORED. BY THE ANCIENT RITES OF OUR KIN, YOUR LIFE IS NOW FOR ME TO JUDGE UPON.  Vidar stepped closer, his shadow falling over the disgraced wolf.  "My entire life you treated me like filth because of a mistake made by a pup," he spoke with a lowered voice, but overflowing with venom. "One who still had much to learn. You have no such excuse," he lashed out, slashing deep gouges in his father's arm similar to the scars on his own. "My exile from this pack is by my own choice. Yours is not. You shall wander this world alone, shunned, loathed until you will die like the coward you are." With a flick of his wrist, he flung away the blood that clung to his claw.  With one final glare of disgust, Vidar turned away and left his disgrace of a father behind; stepping through the mass of wolves as they cleared a path for him.  Leaving behind all he had ever known and, with no regret in his heart, he stepped past the settlement's borders for the final time.  <<>><<>><<>>   Several days had passed since Vidar left his pack, and he found himself wandering the lands without direction or purpose. Yet a profound sense of peace had washed over him after the first day when he realized the weight that had fallen off of his shoulders.  It was a sense of freedom he had never felt before, and he reveled in the sensation.  Following a river upstream, he marveled at the glistening beauty of the sunlight reflecting in the churning water, not believing he hadn't noticed such wonders in the simple things of life.  But then again, his life had never been simple until this moment.  For a time all was well. He hunted, gathered, and slept underneath the star-filled sky, starting each new day with a burning desire to discover more; to experience more; to live by his own choices.  Eventually, his wandering brought him to a distant valley, with a lush forest not too far off to his left and a small lake that drew in numerous creatures to drink.  Feeling the effects of his long walk, Vidar moved for the cooling water while looking around for potential prey or foes.  Nearing the water's edge, some of the smaller critters fled away as he approached. Ignoring them, Vidar looked down at his reflection, barely recognizing the wolf that stared back.  He looked content, happy, at peace.  Breathing in deeply, he reveled in the sensation of the fresh air. Then he lowered himself to a knee, cupped some water in his hands, and drank.  Slowly the water calmed, and his wavering reflection smoothed out as he looked at himself again.  A new ripple warped his image, and he turned to look at the source of the disturbance.  To his great surprise, he saw a familiar, older wolf drinking as well.  Allowing the last droplets to seep between his fingers, the older wolf acknowledged Vidar's presence and slowly stood back up.  "We meet again," he said, giving Vidar a studious gaze. "And not covered in blood, I see."  Vidar looked a bit off to the side of the wolf. "I haven't had the need for such bloodshed."  "You do seem more composed." "I feel like it as well," Vidar agreed. "And I should thank you for it. You made me realize the lie my life was, and allowed me to break free from it."  "I'm glad to hear this old fool still has some wisdom in him," he replied, and Vidar couldn't help but chuckle. "So where is your new path taking you?" He asked.  "I don't know. I never had freedom like this, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't lost. Yet I can't find it in me to worry about such things, either."  The old wolf laughed a bit.  "I know the feeling all too well, but it will pass. Though there is no rush to decide immediately, at some point, you must choose what course your path is headed."  A new ripple distorted their reflections, and Vidar noticed a few other wolves around the lake. All with noticeable scars like his own. "My offer still stands," the old wolf said. "Should you so desire." Vidar was quiet, looking at the new arrivals who, in turn, studied him as well. "I just escaped from my pack. I don't know about joining another so soon." The old wolf gave a single, slow nod in understanding. "I understand," he said, then he and Vidar looked towards the nearby forest as a howl rose up from the woods. "But perhaps you would be interested in joining us to eat," he offered, seeing the wisps of smoke from the fire pit in the distance. "Part of our pack, or not. You are like us, and we look out for one another." While not particularly hungry yet, the offer was tempting. And his nostrils flared when a gentle breeze carried the familiar scent of roasted meat. Vidar chuckled. "So I managed to wander into your pack's territory without knowing. That would explain how we met again so suddenly. The old wolf shook his head. "This world is our territory, and as such we have no place to tie us down. Us meeting here is nothing more than chance." "My former pack would call it the fate of the damned," Vidar replied with a humorless grin. "Very well, old one. I'll take you up on your offer. It'd be nice not to have to hunt for my meal for once." <<>><<>><<>>   With very little to expect, and the shadow of his former pack still following his thoughts, Vidar approached the camp the wolves had set up with some trepidation. Basic huts for only rudimentary shelter stood littered around, meant for only a few nights of use at most, to be discarded when this pack left. Off to the side of the huts, a sloppy fire pit was dug, while several wolves stood around a large, roaring fire as they worked to rotate the spit; drops of liquid fat rolling off the meat and falling in the fire with a loud sizzle, filling the air with delicious aromas. It was not long until the wolves took notice of Vidar, and several approached while the rest continued with their activity while keeping an eye on the new arrival. It did not take long for Vidar to notice the scars.  Every single wolf around him showed the same mark as his, and a good number showed far more grievous injuries. "I see you've brought a new pup, Old One. Fresh meat for the pack?" One of the approaching wolves said with a good-natured chuckle. A large scar ran the left side of his face, bisecting the eye and leaving it damaged and cloudy.  Vidar, not familiar with friendly banter, immediately raised his hackles. "I can see your vision is lacking, but you must be truly blind if you think you could best me," he growled, and the approaching wolves came to a stop. Then they began laughing. "One with high spirits, I see," the scarred wolf grinned, putting emphasis on his blinded eye. He then looked at Vidar's scar, nodded in understanding, and turned serious. "This is the one you spoke of, old one?" He addressed the old wolf.  "He is," he confirmed. "Chance had us meet again, and he will join our feast but remain unbound." The wolves all gave sounds of understanding, and the scarred wolf turned back to Vidar; hackles still raised, but noticeably confused. "You can calm yourself. We mean you no harm," he spoke disarmingly. He then gave another glance at Vidar's scar. "Your mark is old, yet you still carry the distinct youth of a pup new to adulthood. I understand why you thought I threatened you. You must have known no other life but hardship." Vidar allowed himself to relax slightly, taking a moment to study the wolf before him. Noticing this, the wolf chuckled; rolling his shoulders and putting emphasis on some of the egregious scars. "And as you clearly see, I carry the marks of poor life choices." Vidar acknowledged this with a nod, then looked at the other wolves around him. All were showing him their scars. "You are among equals here," the old wolf told him. "We all carry the wounds of unjust hardship-" his eyes lingered on the heavily scarred wolf "-or plain stupidity in some cases." "Oi!" This elicited a round of laughter. "Now come this way. The meat should be ready soon," and the old wolf led Vidar through the group of wolves towards the fire pit.  What followed next was equal measures unknown, exciting, and frightening to Vidar. Barely able to remember the last time he joined his pack to feast on the meat of a successful hunt, he felt like an alien out of place as he was welcomed as an equal amidst those he didn't know. He was granted his pick of meat, and the only negative remarks he heard to his presence were of those who desired the cut of meat he chose. He was confused, lost, and unsure how to hold himself as he tore into his flesh with too large a bite. The resounding laughter over his struggles those few moments was an extraordinary sound, and the slap on his back, instead of hostile and with harmful intent, only served to help him clear his throat. Thoroughly embarrassed. Vidar gave a silent nod in thanks, then quietly resumed eating. Watching as the wolves around him did likewise while a rumble of talking, laughing, and taunting barking filled the air.  And as the intoxicating flavor of the meat seeped in, so did something else. A feeling unfamiliar. A need previously unknown. A desire for it to never go away.