Spirit of the Rogues

The Council

Lykaina was seated in the circular room which hosted the Spirit's Council amongst all the other Spirits. All eyes were on her in scrutiny. Despite the tense atmosphere, the room was homely with the scent of nature drifting throughout and the flourishing greenery covering every inch of the wall. The room had no roof with the iridescent midnight sky as the ceiling, and every Star was present, witnessing their meeting. She knew why this meeting had been called and deep sorrow held her heart in a tight vice as she mourned the loss of her beloved companion.

The Moon spoke. The voice seemed to mysteriously echo from everywhere but everyone listened attentively to the secretive but captivating voice.

"I have called you all today", it said. "So that we may discuss the consequences of the destined soul I have chosen being cursed".

Again, all Spirits turned to her and she felt her aura nervously pulsate under their heavy gazes.

"Moon Mother, may I speak?" She hesitantly called out, feeling distressed from the situation.

"Yes, you may", the voice replied softly.

"As you know, each of us Spirits represents a carnivorous animal and I represent the Wolf kingdom. Each of us has a soul companion that you gave to us from when we first came together as a way to ease the loneliness and keep us company" Lykiana explained, feeling agony wrap around her heart in a tight vice. "To prevent any threats to my soul companion, I placed a well-known curse on anyone who dared to harm him. I did not foresee that the destined soul would kill and eat my soul companion".

"Your curse was unnecessary and has taken away the sight of the destined one. He has been shunned from his pack. You have altered his destiny and put the lives of all animals under danger", the Moon responded, not particularly unkindly.

A few Spirits glared at her harshly. The Moon Mother had rarely sounded this grave before, so this fated soul must have such a significant destiny - especially if all other species were to be affected. There had never been a destined soul before either, so to have one become cursed was a cause of distress and anger. This potential unknown danger scared some Spirits to their very core. The fox Spirit - Alepou - decided to speak.

"Moon Mother, Lykiana did not intend to do wrong. But how could this fated soul dare to eat a sacred animal? All animals can recognise a soul companion; one cannot kill one by mistake?"

Some Spirits murmured in agreement. A clear rift was slowly forming. Some stood by her side, empathising with her, while the rest grew angry at her perceived recklessness.

"The fated soul - Lykos - was deceived. I do not know how, but his soul was pure and unable to cause unnecessary harm. I suspect that there was foul play at hand. His curse will affect his destiny and in turn, lead to catastrophic, dark events for all animals", the Moon answered. "It could even lead to a return... of the Dark Reign".

All Spirits sat in silence, shocked into stillness. The Dark Reign was an unspoken subject, a dark smear on the light history of the Spirits. It was a time so dark, so terrifying, so disastrous that one would hope to never even hear those words together, ever again. Some of the ancient Spirits witnessed the end of the Dark Reign, most being created much later, but the negative side effects were still seen to this day. It was enough to strike fear into the strongest of hearts. Alepou spoke up again, breaking the growing tense silence skilfully.

"Moon Mother, all curses are reversible. Can't Lykiana reverse the curse she has done?"

Lykiana nodded gratefully at him. It was such a simple solution, one that strangely, she, herself did not think of. The Moon Mother's forewarning had a clear message - Lykos must be returned in order to prevent the rise of Darkness. He had to have his destiny restored at whatever cost.