~ Prologue ~
Worlds aren’t always created out of light, at times, it’s the darkness that brings about the rise of a new era. One such world holds a story that can only be told from the very beginning. Long ago, there once were a race of creatures so pure, that even the brightest light was dull in their presence. These beings took on wolf-like forms, usually adorned with wings and monotone fur, and sometimes even antlers or horns upon their heads. Known in ancient transcripts as Asvelgrs, these beings originated from normal wolven creatures that once inhabited a land destroyed by human touch. Their world was torn apart, but as an act of salvation, their kind was ascended into the heavens, where they became holy and angelic beings.
As time passed, they left their broken home in search of a new world to watch over, not knowing the possible dangers of the neighboring realms. They soon came across a twisted reality that was sewn together with astral magic, different regions and territories all held together by a large tree at the center of the world. This great tree’s roots ran to each and every corner of the land, separating and holding them together, and was magnificent in size and beauty. However, the Asvelgrs soon discovered that this realm wasn’t as uninhabited as it had seemed. The territories were home to many different climates and species, and were divided by the tree’s massive roots, as if it were forcing them to be apart.
The Asvelgrs settled above the world, nesting within the tree’s branches as they kept guard over their possible new home, unaware of the reigning darkness all around them. As night fell, large, dark creatures rose up from one of the eastern territories, bringing with them chaos and destruction. These winged beasts resembled dragons and were called Draeguls. They had no formal language that was understandable, and they struck with immediate hostility. A war broke out between the wolves and the dragons, which only ended in bloodshed and grief. The battle raged on for days, and as each Asvelgr was slain, their soul fell like a meteor down to the earth. Their rivals were eventually defeated, though barely, and were driven away to the deepest parts of the world and were locked away.
Only nine of the Asvelgr beings remained, and though they were almost put to extinction, they were able to seize an ancient artifact kept by the Draeguls called the blood orb. This weapon was extremely dangerous, and held all the dark power of their realm, even the ability to bend the very life force of a being. They sealed away the orb deep within the tree where they resided, and vowed to defend it from ever being harnessed.
With the fall of their brethren, the now broken Asvelgrs used the remnants of their waning power to reincarnate the fallen spirits into mortal wolves which would go on to inhabit the territories across the world. The great tree was then deemed the Tree of Souls, and the world itself was then called Feramore. The remaining nine Asvelgrs then became the guardians of their now peaceful land, watching over the world within the branches of the tree.
This is where the story begins, at the very birth of life amongst Feramore. However, with every ray of light, there is always a shadow that brings about the disruption of peace.
The sun slowly slid behind the mountains in the distance, bringing with it a stunning sunset, and a sky full of glimmering stars. The air was still choking with the smell of burning flesh and dying flames, dulling the effect of the wondrous atmosphere above. With the battle won months ago, and the Draeguls sealed away beyond the ridges of the world, all seemed quiet and peaceful. Ash still drifted in the breeze, and the pelts of the victors were stained with soot.
“I can barely see a thing with all this smoke!” Called out one of the winged wolves, its pelt a dark brown and black, with a few yellowish specks among his fur, and bright yellow eyes.
“Well maybe if you’d stop complaining, and focus more on where you’re putting your paws, maybe you wouldn’t have such a problem.” Barked back his sister, who was black and grey in color, with white spots and speckles throughout her fur and piercing blue eyes. “We’re almost to the border, Veroh, then we can head back to the tree.”
Veroh sighed in frustration, his sister, Kaineera, getting on his nerves more than the ash was sticking to his fur. He hated going on patrols with her, for she constantly orders him around. She was bigger than him, and maybe a little stronger, but he didn’t need a babysitter. Ever since the battle, she’s been extremely protective towards everyone, which usually came off as being bossy, but Veroh knew her intentions. She didn’t want to lose more of their family.
“Looks like the fire didn’t spread beyond the tree line, we can head back now and report to the others. It should be safe to fly now, let’s not waste any more time, Nathranake is expecting us before night fall.” Kaineera then took off into the sky, her white-speckled ebony wings scattering the ash and smoke. Veroh flew up after her, following close behind as they neared the barrier around the Tree of Souls.
After the Draeguls were defeated, a barrier was created to protect the tree and the surrounding gardens, which were deemed Edenwood. The Asvelgrs then took refuge within a sanctuary built among the tree’s branches, which no other creature could reach, that was right under the starry universe and above the entire world.
Veroh and Kaineera soon arrived within the sanctuary, stopping to shake off the ash and soot from their pelts before greeting their other brethren. Dipping their heads to passing comrades, they headed up the branch that lead to a floating palace of sorts, where their leader resided. In the following months of the battle, they managed to adapt rather quickly, despite the fact that hundreds of their kind were slain viciously. As the two scouts neared the palace doors, they slowly began to open all on their own, allowing them inside.
The structure was rather simple, and actually quite too small to be a palace. Its design was more like a floating wooden house, just fancier and with a slightly heavenly touch. The hallway inside led to a balcony that overlooked the tree, allowing the view of the world below, and of the outer space above. Two figures sat on this balcony, both of them engaged in hushed conversation.
Kaineera gently cleared her throat as she approached the two. “Nathranake, Nicodemus, me and Veroh have returned from our patrol.”
One of the figures, with horns like a bull, only pointing upward and out instead of forward, and eyes that were covered and wrapped up with a cloth, turned his head towards her. “Did you find anything of concern?”
“No, the fires are finally starting to dwindle, though.” Responded the she-wolf.
“That’s good then, it’s intriguing how long they’ve lasted, and I’m surprised they didn’t spread very far. Thank you for your report, Kaineera, you are dismissed.” With that, the two scouts dipped their heads one final time and turned towards the doors as they exited the palace.
Beside the wolf who had addressed the report was one without horns, which was an uncommon trait among their species. His fur was a reddish-brown color, almost crimson in the sun, with a dark grey underbelly, and black and grey wings, the only Asvelgr to ever have such coloration. Keeping his gaze out towards the land below, he spoke smoothly. “How amusing is it that those two can barely stand next to each other without biting their heads off.”
“I’m not sure if it is really amusing, but rather foolish, to fight amongst family.” The horned wolf muttered, his coat grey with golden flecks throughout his fur, with a tannish-yellow underbelly, and golden wings with grey and scarlet tips.
“Hmm, I suppose so, however, I still find it entertaining.” Delight glittered in his amber-colored eyes. “Dear Nathranake, always so noble and knowledgeable, no wonder you can get them all to bow to you.”
Nathranake frowned softly, discontent obvious in his posture. “Nicodemus, I do not force them to show such praise, yet they do on their own, I never fully accepted this title as a so-called leader. I merely wish to ensure our kind survives, as well as this world.”
Nicodemus forced himself not to laugh, and he instead looked downwards. “Whatever you say, oh great one.”
Ignoring his comment, Nathranake sighed softly and changed the subject. “We should continue with our discussion.”
“Oh, but of course, naming the regions we saw and conquered as our own. Let’s see, the dark and depressing one to the east can be called Misery and the one to the west of it can be called Misery’s Sister. Oh, and that one to the south can be…Beatrice.” Nicodemus couldn’t help but laugh at his playful sarcasm, while his brother was on the verge of complete irritation.
“We did not conquer these lands, we saved them from destruction. This place is a gift to us, we must protect it and watch over it. If you have such a problem with naming our home, and you do not wish to assist me, then please be on your way.” Nathranake snapped back, his tail thrashing softly behind him.
Nicodemus then rose to his paws, stretching his wings out briefly. “Very well, I guess I’ll just go greet the locals.”
“Don’t you dare, Nicodemus, I have clearly stated many times before to not present yourself to the inhabitants of this world. We do not know what is out there, and we are merely here to guide our creations, not to influence their lives in any way. We must stay unnoticed.”
Before Nathranake could get any more words out, Nicodemus took off to the sky, diving quickly towards the ground. His brother immediately took off after him, catching up within moments. Nicodemus then suddenly unfolded his wings, causing him to be propelled up and over his pursuer, giving him a chance to change direction. He then dived again, getting closer to the ground.
After landing gracefully, Nicodemus carefully folded his wings and looked around him, his brother nowhere to be seen. He smiled contently, pleased to have escaped his pursuant, at least he thought he had, for he was suddenly ambushed and knocked to the ground. Nicodemus caught his breath, his heart beating a bit fast, as he looked up to see Nathranake looming over him. He then growled and forced him off. “I don’t remember telling you to come with me.”
“And I do not remember allowing you to go in the first place! You never listen to anyone! You just follow your own wants and needs and make up your own rules. One of these days you are going to end up on your own, facing this unknown world without anyone at your side, for all you do is act arrogant and childish! You are not some pup, you have responsibilities and consequences to them.”
Nicodemus yawned and looked back at his preaching brother. “I’m sorry, were you saying something? All I heard was this annoying buzzing in the back of my head.”
Nathranake growled and sunk his claws into the ground to hold back his rage. “I swear to you, Nicodemus, one of these days you will bring about your own reckoning.”
“You’re only half right, brother. I will indeed bring reckoning, but it won’t be my own.” Nicodemus looked back him coldly, his gaze ominous.
With his heart stomach suddenly gripped with slight uneasiness, Nathranake took a step back. “Whatever do you mean?”
The crimson-brown wolf laughed softly. “Oh please, brother, don’t be so foolish. I’m merely joking with you.” He then began to walk alongside the path of dirt before them, worn by the weather. “Let’s go on a walk, shall we?”
Nathranake forced himself to dismiss his uneasiness, but he was still suspicious of his brother’s words. He has always been aloof, perhaps he really is being his sarcastic self, he thought reassuringly. Nonetheless, he had always been wary of his ways. He then reluctantly followed Nicodemus through the dense woods.
Surrounding the Tree of Souls was a very green area full of life and vegetation, abundant with many different prey animals. The only sort of real predators here were the wolves that were reincarnated from the fallen Asvelgrs, and their development would be watched by the remaining guardians over the centuries. It was uncertain what other creatures dwelled among the territories scattered across this world, and they had yet to map them all out. There could be extremely dangerous beings, much like the Draeguls, within the dark corners of Feramore. Hopefully the wolves they created can adapt to their strange environments.
“So, Edenwood, is it? Such a green place, it’s as if the trees here have their own souls and heartbeats.”
Nathranake looked up, being snapped out of his train of thought. “Yes, it would seem so, there are far more species of flora than there is fauna here. I do not hear a single sound other than the breeze through the trees.”
Nicodemus flicked his ears and looked towards the sky, which was now covered in stars. “Perhaps we’ll see some out here in the night, but I doubt there is anything too big out here, maybe a deer or so. It’d be interesting to see the effects of this world on the creatures here.”
“Yes, it would, we need to take notes on every species here for the archives, that way we will know about everything and anything that may present a threat. It would also benefit our creations, so they can be knowledgeable about the world around them.”
Shaking his head, Nicodemus laughed softly. “You refer to them like they’re your children.”
“Technically, they are our brethren as much as you and I are, you seem to forget that they are simply created from our fallen comrades.” Nathranake snorted quietly, trying to hide his irritation.
Nicodemus shrugged, not taking heed of a single word that left his brother’s mouth, as usual. Why should he listen to his speeches anyway? He may be seen as their leader, but Nicodemus took no pleasure in bowing to anyone but himself, let alone listen to their proclamations. He stopped for a moment, glancing around him. “Do you hear that? I think it’s some sort of bird.”
Nathranake flicked his ears and sniffed the air. He then heard a soft cawing in the distance. “It sounds like a crow or a raven; do you see anything?”
“Not really, but it sounds close.”
“Well if you happen to see it describe to me what it looks like so that I can – “
Nicodemus interrupted him before he could finish. “Yes, yes, so you can write it down it your little diary so the whole world can learn about their surroundings, I get it.” He sighed and then narrowed his eyes when he saw a small winged creature looking down at him from one of the nearby trees. Tilting his head, he took in the ebony-colored bird, noticing it didn’t look any different from an average raven, except for having strange little horn-like appendages atop its head. “Hmm, it would appear that the birds here, or this raven at least, have horns, very small ones.”
“Horns, you say? Interesting, perhaps it is some kind of protection from a predator? Or an adaptation to something they hunt?” Nathranake kept going on and on with possible explanations.
Nicodemus rolled his eyes, looking back to the creature. “You’re a very fine specimen, aren’t you? Blending in so well with the night, you must be an excellent flier.” He grinned to himself. His tail swished behind him in delight as he was deep in thought.
Nathranake finished inscribing notes into his journal, and he then carefully placed it back into the pouch hanging at his side. “You know, we should look for some nice stone blocks, ones I can carve my writings into, so they could be more preserved than mere paper.”
“It’s your journal, maybe you should go look for stone yourself, instead of dragging me around everywhere you go.” Nicodemus snapped back in slight irritation.
“Well, I would, if you did not get yourself into so much trouble all the time, wandering off on your own without a care of what anyone else says.”
“It’s not my problem you can’t mind your own business.”
Nathranake shook his head, deciding not to start another argument with his arrogant comrade. He looked towards Nicodemus, whose coat was now a dark brownish-red hue in the moonlight, almost like dried blood, giving him a much more sinister look than he usually had. The hornless Asvelgr was always ominous, even when he played completely innocent; everyone had learned to be wary of his presence. Nathranake looked towards the sky, feeling the moonlight shine against the bandages around his eyes. It was always so bright, and quite beautiful, even though his sight was damaged by the flames of an attacking Draegul.
