The Mother of Wolves

Chapter Two: In Death There is Life

            The Abyss was on the edge of Shukua territory and it was thought to be endless. A large crack in the earth that ran for miles and miles. It was the barrier that kept Vingar's dark soldiers at bay... or so the legend went. The particular balcony Rane threw me from was just over the Abyss. The truth about the abyss is that it isn't endless. In fact, what lies at the bottom feels harder than steel, especially when it shatters every bone in your body.

For a moment, I was falling and cursing myself because being murdered is somehow my fault. The next moment my remains are scattered across the cold floor of the abyss and I separate from my body in some strange ghost form.

I reached out to touch my crumpled body and my hand passed through.

"You are dead child." I turned my head to see the clan mage standing in the darkness. He long gray hair hung to her feet and her robes were dusty with aging.

"Why have I not moved on?" I asked softly. I was filled with so many conflicted feelings that I could not react at all. I just felt...numb.

"Because it was not your time to die. You did not die of anything natural... You were murdered and the spirit will hang on until justice is served or until it can let go." She smiled at me, "Also, you have been chosen." I glared at her.

The afterlife is very important to clan culture. Spirits and demos have always been thought of as evil and I didn't want to find out if any more legends were true.

"Chosen for what?" I asked. The old woman smiled.

She pulled out a bag full of candles. She placed them around the remains of my body while humming.

"What was I chosen for?!" I asked her again and she ignored me while she lit the candles and hummed her song.

"Answer me!!" I became angry and rushed the old woman. In one motion, her hands sent me flying into a stone wall.

"Do not provoke me spirit. What I am doing is for you and I will pack my things and leave."

"That will not be necessary Isidra. I will take it from here." A woman's voice rang out through the ravine.

I stood on my feet and brushed off the dirt on my ripped gown. I looked around to see where the voice came from when a glowing woman descended. Her hair was white and her eyes glowed a vibrant blue color. Her robes were also white and floated around her. A crescent moon was stamped right in the middle of her head.

"Goddess?" I questioned the woman.

"Who else would it be Amaliah Fedra?" She smirked.

"Why am I here?" I asked softly wringing my hands. I was scared now.

"Because I want to give you a gift."

"What gift?"

She smiled at me again. "Vengeance darling. I want to give you your life back."

I knew she was a goddess so I knew she could grant life, but everything comes with a price and I fear hers may be the highest.

"At what cost?" I asked her.

"You will become something else. And... you will destroy the sorcerer Vingar." Her words hung ominously in the air. I turned away from her. Vingar was more than a human. He was a sorcerer. He could manipulate items and people to his will. If no one else has done it then, how can I?

"I will give you the strength you require little one. You have but to agree to my terms and I will arm you with every weapon you need."

"What will I become?" My heart was thumping against my chest.

"A shapeshifter. A being of power. Half she-wolf and half woman. You will be my daughter. The mother of wolves.".

My mouth dropped open. I had an opportunity to assist my goddess but am I capable enough to complete such a task? My decision was made when I thought back to Rane. He stole everything from me. He took my whole life and in return I would take his.

"I accept your terms." I whispered.

The goddess nodded her head. She closed her eyes and murmured something. A black wolf appeared from behind her. It was tall with grey eyes like mine. It bowed beneath the goddess's feet before walking over to my body. I watched as the wolf walked passed the circle of candle and turned to a glowing white mist above my bodies remains.

Isidra the mage began to groan and the goddess disappeared.

A pain emanated from my stomach and I cried out in pain. It was like fire spreading to my feet and my head. My bones cracked and shifted while my muscles stretched and tore. I was being remade. My body became like a rubber band. Solid but stretchable...changeable. While most of my experience was physical I could feel myself changing spiritually. My mind widened and now I had company.