Mira

Prologue: The Stone

Wind howled from the approaching storm. It carried the scent of oak along with secrets that would change the human world. A hulk of a man raised his head slightly as the fragrance of pheromones crept by. In every aspect, he looked human, except for the long silver hair and striking yellow eyes.

Mikiah wasn't surprised by their arrival. The message had gotten through to them, their presence expected. Sensing their apprehension, he said, "You know what you need to do, we haven't much time, make it count... or die."

Six wolves paced around him, fangs exposed, hair on end. They were unlike any natural species. Paws heavy as bricks pounded the ground beneath them, the ground trembling from their force. Once standing erect as though human, their massive armor covered bodies, the colour of murky water, radiated unearthly might. They scanned the area, six pairs of bronze laser beams on guard. Their pointed ears moved this way and that, and took in any sound that was out of place. The edges of long snouts whiffed at every burst of wind that whipped by.

The slim, maroon-cloaked figures cautiously approached, hands up and heads bowed in submission. Black leather belts housed long silver swords that swayed with each step forward. They said nothing as the wolves snarled, spittle dropping on the snow covered ground, before sprinting off to their planned destination.

Once it was just three of them, the two figures lowered their hoods, revealing themselves to the silver-haired man. Statuesque pieces of artwork prepared for their world-changing destiny.

Mickiah peered around the thick oak trees, noting where each of his pack took their guard. Clouds and trees shrouded the area in darkness. He saw only a bright radiance as the moon's faint light weaved in between the haphazard veil. Every detail crisp and sharp, from the cracks in the tree trunks to the sweat on the brows of the females before him. Remaining still, his lips slowly parted, exposing long canines.

Reaching into his cloak, a small wooden box came into sight. A gasp escaped from Lexi's mouth. The glow from golden eyes pierced into them as his hiss echoed through the space. "Ready to proceed with the spell?"

With light footfalls, she approached him, and retrieved the item from his hand. At that moment, a beam of light landed atop it. The reflection of the ray lit the pale woman's face, exposing fierce feline eyes. In response, she shielded her eyes and backed away from him.

Recovering, "I am ready," she whispered. She turned and started for a winding trail of heavy brush.

"Get in position for what is to be a promising evening." He told Shells who had covered her caramel face again. She nodded and fled in the opposite direction, disappearing from view like a comet shooting through the sky.

He turned to follow Lexi with precise steps. Her cloak swayed with every gush of wind as she wove expertly through spikes and needles down the path. Neither spoke a word. A gentle purr of liquid was heard as they approached the river's edge.

Beside their feet, a crevice peeled back, exposing a deep dry pit. The girl knelt and spoke in a silent, ancient language. Voided onyx eyes widened as her face looked up to the now ghostly moon. Hands outstretched, cradling the offering, an intricate sapphire flame surrounded the tiny box. After a few shallow breaths, the flames burnt out. The box had not been touched, yet his eye could make out the faint glow of runes encompassing the item.

He took it from her then, "It is done, move on to the next puzzle piece and may his darkness guide your every step."

Haughtily she laughed, "Find peace in hell, if you don't live to see sunrise."

Thunder boomed as his heavy boot hit the ground, "Hell isn't ready for me just yet."

Shrugging, she enveloped in the robe and disappeared, leaving him to hide the item. With the skill of an expert surgeon, he delicately laid the artifact to rest, covering it with the powder-covered earth.