Hybrid (Book 1, The Hand of God Series)

Chapter 2: Initiate

Drake

I stared at the creature looking at me and I unintentionally let out a roar as I stumbled back. I looked around and found nothing, except that my vision was far better than it had ever been. Not that it was ever bad before. It was just better.

I slowly walked back to the lake and looked at my reflection. It was the same as before. Looking back, the signs were all there. I just didn't care to notice them.

I snapped out of my thoughts and examined my new form. My claws were black and serrated and my black fur, strangely enough, had silver streaks through it. I didn't know why, nor did I particularly care.

My irises were bright yellow and my scleras were different. Pure black. That was strange, to say the least. I closed my eyes and felt a sharp sting. I focused harder and had to bite back a scream as I felt another change begin.

I felt my bones shift and reset. My claws receded, my fur disappeared and my fangs shrunk back into my only slightly sharper than normal teeth. The entire process lasted about 10 seconds. Not really painful, but very uncomfortable. When I opened my eyes, I was staring at my human self again. Only this time I was naked.

Unfortunately, now I had to go get new clothes. I sighed as I turned and ran from the forest back to my house. The speed I travelled at was disorienting to say the least. In almost the blink of an eye, I was already at my destination. I shook away my dizziness and opened the door.

With my sensitive hearing, I could tell no one was home and I quietly snuck inside. I went to my room and picked out some new clothes. I hesitated momentarily before I decided to carry my black jacket. I packed some essentials: water, extra clothes, my bow, sword and a map. I wore my sword in its sheath on my back with my bow slung over my shoulder.

I packed everything else in a small bag that was enchanted to be larger on the inside than on the outside. I couldn't go back at this point. Not since I already had my first shift. It was only going to get harder to stay human and I knew how much the village hated werewolves. Not that I could blame them with all they've been through.

I walked right back into the forest. I had no idea where would I go now, but turning back was far too risky. I mulled it over for a moment and had an idea. It was almost certain that I could get in there, and it was my best bet.

~Time Skip 2 Days~

Reaching my destination was quite a bit harder than I thought. I had to avoid more bandits than I cared to count. Running from time to time allowed me to cross some distance faster and now I stood in front of the city gates.

I could hear some muffled sounds coming from inside the gates of Trydania. There were two heavily armoured guards with spears in front of the gates. I kept walking and cleared my throat to get their attention.

"Halt!" Guard 1 shouted, "What is your business here?" he asked.

"I want to enter the city." I answered almost as a question. It's not as if I could have been here for anything else, is it?

"We have to check the contents of your bag." Guard 2 said and I opened my bag to allow them to search it. After a while, the guards opened the gates. I gave them a short nod before picking up my bag and walking into the city.

Trydania

Immediately after walking inside, the near silent sounds that Drake heard from the outside were making his ears ring and the lights were killing his eyes. When his eyes were finally adjusted, he looked around at the buildings. The city was massive, and it had a variety of different buildings. Some reached up to 60 feet in height, and the tallest he was seeing was easily over 100 feet tall.