Under the shimmering light of a full moon, an old estate near Alexandria, Virginia, stood shrouded in an aura of ancient mystery. Tall, wrought-iron gates guarded the perimeter, beyond which lay a sprawling garden, overgrown yet hauntingly beautiful. The estate's timeworn buildings loomed in the background, their stone walls weathered by time, casting long shadows that danced in the moonlight. In the heart of the garden, a stage had been erected, its platform draped in rich, dark fabrics. At its center rested an altar of polished stone, and upon it lay the Ame-no-Nuboko.

The Ame-no-Nuboko's surface, once a mere artifact of history, now pulsed with an ethereal glow. The intricate mosaic of the spearhead, previously a static arrangement of stones and metals, now danced with vibrant, shifting patterns, as though animated by the breath of the cosmos. Divine magic coursed through the spear's shaft like veins of white light, revealing a network of celestial runes that had been hidden for millennia. Each rune shone with a distinct color, weaving together in a harmonious symphony of radiance.

As the Inugami pack had gathered around the stage, the air thickened with anticipation and the scent of blooming night jasmine. Each member had returned from distant corners of the world, carrying with them the fervent beliefs of those who had worshiped them. In the face of dwindling faith in traditional religions, these Inugamis had taken on the mantle of gods, answering the desperate prayers of the people. Protection, love, vengeance—whatever the wish, they had fulfilled it, binding their followers to them through acts of divine intervention.

The leader of the Inugami took his place on the stage next to the Ame-no-Nuboko. His violet eyes, like twin pools of twilight, seemed to absorb the moonlight, casting an almost transcendent radiance. "The time has come," he intoned, his voice carrying the weight of ages and the sharp clarity of a blade. "When the full moon reaches its zenith, we shall complete the ritual necessary to wield the Ame-no-Nuboko."

The Inugami leader's gaze swept over the gathered pack. "For too long, the Cataclysm Federation—this group of metropolitan elites—has sought to control both ordinary people and those with extranormal abilities. They have imposed a fragile peace that stifles true potential and conceals the true nature of our kind. They have established a world where those who defy their norms are forced into the shadows. Their reign has pushed many of us to the brink of extinction, and it has forced supernatural beings to suppress our innate power." With a sweeping gesture toward the gleaming spear on the altar, he continued, "The Ame-no-Nuboko possesses the power to alter the fabric of reality itself. With a single touch, its divine magic can obliterate Veridian and other metropolises like it that underpin the Federation, liberating all of us from its tyrannical clutch and allowing us to remold the world according to our own vision."

His voice grew more impassioned, the urgency palpable. "We have dispersed ourselves across the globe, becoming gods to those who sought miracles. We have gathered their faith, their hopes, their worship. The power I channel through my followers alone was enough to reactivate the Ame-no-Nuboko. However, to wield this weapon, I must ascend as the one true God. Thus, tonight's ritual is crucial. Beneath the full moon's radiance, we will strengthen the spiritual bond within our pack, allowing each of you to transfer the power of your followers' faith directly to me. Only through this unity can I use the spear and begin to dismantle the Federation's hold over our world."

In the dense foliage of the estate's jungle-like garden, Adam and Jaden crouched silently among the shadows. They had managed to find a secluded spot behind a tangle of ivy-covered stone walls, just beyond the reach of the moonlight. The rustling of leaves and the sound of night insects provided a natural cloak to their presence as they peered through the gaps in the vegetation.

Adam's blue eyes were deep and observant, his posture tense. The revelation of the Inugami pack and their leader's intentions had shifted his focus from his mission to a new, disturbing concern. Jaden, beside him, was equally still, his expression a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

"This is worse than I thought," Adam muttered, barely above a whisper. "They're planning to use that spear to destroy Veridian."

The weight of the Inugami leader's words sank heavily into Adam's thoughts. Veridian City, a major metropolitan center with a prominent academic and supernatural presence, was one of the key cities involved in the Cataclysm Federation's formation. Its inclusion had been essential for creating a coalition of influential urban centers that sought to regulate supernatural aspects of society. Adam had always known that there were factions opposed to the Federation. He had often witnessed protests outside the Federation's building in Veridian, but he had never paid them much attention.

To him, the compromises made for coexistence seemed a natural part of living in a complex society. After all, what being did not have to sacrifice something to live alongside others in this new world? Vampires had to reject their predatory nature and source blood from banks rather than from people. Kitsune had to temper their trickster tendencies and stop their mischievous ways. Perhaps Adam had it easier: werewolves were relatively well-adjusted in this new order, with the primary challenge being to avoid inadvertently harming others during the full moon, which didn't even affect him anymore since he lost his werewolf abilities. The full moon tonight would pass without stirring any of his former instincts.

He had never fully grasped the depth of discontent brewing against the Federation. After the experiment rendered his werewolf gene dormant and awakened his new cryokinetic powers, he discovered that he was valued rather than ostracized in Veridian City. Perhaps that was why he couldn't imagine a full-scale uprising against the established order. The divide between those who accepted the new world and those who resisted it had always been a distant concept, until now.

In the Federation's hierarchy, extranormal abilities were divided into two distinct categories: ultra-tellurians and thaumaturges. Ultra-tellurians, like Adam, possessed powers grounded in scientific principles, arising from genetic mutations or external stimuli. Their abilities were quantifiable and ranked systematically, and Adam was among the elite—one of only thirteen individuals holding a level-S status.

Thaumaturges, on the other hand, wielded powers steeped in mysticism and often tied to mythological entities like werewolves, nymphs, or sirens. Their abilities were less understood, more elusive, and shrouded in enigma. This divide not only influenced the perception of individuals within the Federation but also shaped their treatment and status. Ultra-tellurians enjoyed significant advantages in terms of official recognition and ranking, while thaumaturges navigated a world of mystery and lesser-known capabilities.

Adam's eyes flashed with immediacy as he turned to Jaden. "We gotta stop this ritual, like now," he said. "Yo, Jaden! You know more about these Inugamis. Got any bright ideas?"

Jaden remained focused on the stage, his gaze unwavering. He didn't respond.

"Hey, you hear me?" Adam's frustration was evident.

Jaden held up a hand and shushed him quietly.

"What the hell, man?" Adam's voice rose slightly in exasperation. Unbeknownst to him, the keen senses of the Inugami pack were attuned to every disturbance. As the leader chanted, his voice a deep rumble, the surrounding shadows seemed to pulse with a growing, malevolent energy. The ritual's intensity heightened, and the atmosphere became denser with the combined power of the Inugami's amassed faith.

All of a sudden, one of the Inugami, his sharp eyes glowing, turned his head toward the foliage where Adam and Jaden were concealed. The figure's glare cut through the darkness with unsettling precision, and his nostrils flared as if catching an unfamiliar scent. His posture stiffened, and he murmured something to a nearby companion.

Jaden's eyes widened as he spotted a glimmer of movement—the two Inugamis, barely distinguishable in the shadows, had begun to approach their hiding spot. Jaden's heart pounded. Their cover was compromised.

"Crap! I told you to keep it down. Those creatures possess exceptionally acute senses. You should know this, considering you were a werewolf," Jaden hissed, though his words were too late. "We need to move—now!"

As Jaden and Adam scrambled to rise, the two Inugamis seemed to dissolve into the shadows and reappear behind them. In seconds, they were surrounded by the Inugami pack and their leader. The air crackled with tension as the pack closed in, their eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity.

"It's you two again," the leader of the pack said, his voice a chilling growl.

Adam's gaze zeroed in on one of the Inugamis. He recognized the creature with the unique pattern of white streaks running through its otherwise vibrant red fur—the same Inugami that had scratched him on the train.

"You survived the curse from my claws," the Inugami said, its voice dripping with malice.

Jaden's eyes narrowed with tenacity. He chanted, "Luce stellarum!" Rainbow-colored orbs materialized from his palms, dazzling with brilliant hues. He hurled a few of the orbs at the Inugamis, each explosion sending several creatures reeling. One Inugami jumped toward him, but Jaden deftly dodged and spun around. His rainbow magic enveloped one of his feet, and he kicked the creature with a powerful burst of energy, disintegrating it into the ground.

Adam, meanwhile, tried to unleash a series of ice blasts at the encircling Inugamis, but his attacks had little effect; the creatures easily phased through them. Determined, he conjured a fierce blizzard, which temporarily pushed the Inugamis away. But before he could capitalize on the brief respite, the Inugami leader emerged from the shadows behind him, claws poised threateningly around his neck.

"That's enough!" the leader shouted, his voice echoing with authority and threat. The pack's movements halted instantly, and even Jaden froze, the air charged with apprehension. "Stop that or I'll kill him!" the leader commanded, his stare locked onto Jaden.

Jaden's eyes darted to Adam, his rainbow orbs dimming as the reality of the situation struck him. One of the Inugamis seized Jaden's hands, forcefully pinning them behind his back. Jaden struggled, but his movements were restricted, the threat to Adam leaving him helpless.

Adam and Jaden were shoved forcefully onto the stage, their hands bound by glowing, spell-bound chains that sapped their strength. The full moon's light cast a cold, silvery sheen over the historic estate as the Inugami leader stood over them. His violet eyes gleamed with a mixture of disdain and curiosity as he turned his attention to Jaden.

The leader's fingers reached out with a predatory grace, squeezing Jaden's face between his fingers. His gaze roamed over the boy with a peculiar fascination. "For such a small boy, you wield starlight magic with remarkable prowess. I've never encountered magic so pure, so raw, its mana shimmering like a rainbow."

Jaden's eyes flared with defiance as he glared at the leader, unflinching despite the leader's invasive touch.

"Hey, douche face! Don't touch him!" Adam's voice cut through the air, filled with anger and desperation.

The Inugami leader's head snapped toward Adam, his face twisted in disgust. "You!" He moved with deliberate, menacing steps until he stood directly in front of Adam, towering over him. "You know, I did my research on you when I learned you were the one the Iron Phalanx sent to transport the Ame-no-Nuboko."

"Yeah? And what about me?" Adam shot back.

The leader's eyes were icy, brimming with deep-seated resentment. "You were once one of us, a creature of the night, a being of primal power. Yet, you turned your back on your kind," he spat.

Adam strained against the chains, meeting the leader's eyes with fierce determination. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You were a werewolf, a thaumaturge who, like the rest of us, grappled under the yoke of the Federation's rules. How many chains must werewolves bind themselves with every full moon instead of roaming freely, as nature intended? How many of them have been persecuted and imprisoned for breaking curfew during the full moon?" The leader's expression darkened further. "You don't know these struggles because you abandoned your kind and became an ultra-tellurian."

"Shut up, you bastard! You don't know who I am or what I am about," Adam growled. "You think I picked this? You think I wanted to get snatched by some crazy scientist when I was twelve and be locked up for three months for some twisted experiment? You think I enjoy having these freakin' ice powers?"

"Oh, you poor victim," the leader sneered.

"You don't even know why I can't turn into a werewolf anymore, do you?" Adam's voice cracked with raw emotion as he continued. "You're so stupid. Werewolf transformation is triggered by neurotransmitters that make you feel stuff like euphoria, warmth, and love. The shit they injected me with messed those up for good. Yeah, it gave me new powers, but it also ripped away my ability to feel any warmth or affection."

Jaden watched Adam with sorrowful eyes, the impact of Adam's words settling heavily upon him.

"It doesn't matter now, does it?" the Inugami leader retorted. "It doesn't change the fact that you embraced their system and thrived under their control. You even joined the ranks of their enforcers—the Iron Phalanx—and fight for the Federation."

"You have no idea what it's like to live with emotional detachment, to have your destiny stolen from you, to lose your identity and purpose, to be shunned by your own pack," Adam said, his voice steady even though his eyes showed the pain. "I was lost, scared, and alone when these ice powers kicked in. Someone from the Federation found me and took me to Veridian City. The city gave me a new purpose and taught me how to use my ability." Adam stared at the leader. "So, yeah...I will gladly fight to defend it."

"And you'll die trying then," The Inugami leader declared coldly, his voice carrying the implication of a final judgment. "You'll be the first to taste the power of the Ame-no-Nuboko."

With one last contemptuous glance at Adam and Jaden, the Inugami leader strode to the center of the stage. He raised his arms toward the sky, his silhouette stark against the bright moon. The ritual's ambiance grew more intense as the moon neared its zenith.

"The moon is almost at its peak. Let's continue with the ritual," he commanded, his voice resonated through the night air.

As if on cue, the Inugamis began their chant, their voices rising and falling in a hauntingly melodic rhythm. The ancient Japanese words flowed seamlessly, a potent incantation that seemed to weave a spell of its own:

O moonlight, celestial glow,
By thy grace, let our bond grow.
Illuminate our hearts so true,
Unite us under skies of blue.
With thy light, our strength increase,
Guide us in eternal peace.
Make us one, both heart and soul,
Under moon's embrace, make us whole.
Grant us power, fierce and strong,
To right each wrong, where we belong.
Pack as one, in unity stand,
Bound together, hand in hand.
Moonlight bright, in night's deep sea,
Make us one, eternally.
Bless our pact, forever tight,
By thy ancient, silver light.

The chanting seemed to make the very air vibrate with primordial power. Each Inugami started to radiate a gentle, violet luminescence, while little spheres of purple flame came forth at the center of their chests, hovering weightlessly. Effulgent threads of light connected these fireballs to the leader, who stood as the focal point of their collective energy.

Adam wrestled against the chains that bound him and Jaden, his muscles taut with effort. "Do you think he'll actually make it to a real God status? Like, seriously, how many followers do you need to hit that level? Is there a god-metric system or something?"

Jaden, his face tense with worry, shook his head. "I don't know. It's not exactly science. I don't think it's about the number of worshippers. It's more about the strength of their beliefs. The more desperate people are, the more they're willing to believe in anything. I guess we're about to see how strong those people's beliefs are in these Inugamis."

As the chanting continued, the purple fireballs grew stronger, their light weaving together in a complex, mesmerizing pattern. The entire pack seemed to be bathed in a pulsating aura of power. The surroundings fizzed with the raw energy of the ritual, the pressure of the moment pressing down on Adam and Jaden.

"We have to get out of these chains." Adam's frustration was mounting as he tugged ineffectively against the enchanted chains. Each movement seemed to draw more of his energy into the runes etched into the metal, their glow intensifying as if feeding off his struggle.

"Stop it, Adam," Jaden cautioned. "The more you struggle, the faster it absorbs your energy."

"What do you mean?"

"These chains are enchanted with runes that convert any form of energy into power that sustains their binding effect," Jaden explained. "Thermal energy, kinetic energy, and even—" He attempted to summon a rainbow light ball in his hand, but it liquidized and spiraled into the chains. "—mystical energy."

"So, it's basically like energy conductivity, right?" Adam queried, trying to understand.

Jaden nodded. "What are you thinking?"

Adam's gaze sharpened as he considered the problem. "Basically, thermal conductivity tells you how well a material moves heat around," he said. "Metals, like these chains, are really good at it, which means they transfer heat efficiently. But if I cool them down quickly, I should be able to make them less effective at conducting heat."

Adam closed his eyes, feeling the air grow heavier with water vapor as he summoned his cryokinetic power. The chill spread through him, and he directed it outward, causing the air to condense and freeze around the chains. The metal groaned as it fought against the cold, but the chains quickly grew icy to the touch. Adam sensed the shift in energy as the runes began to flicker, struggling to keep up with the plunging temperature.

The moon hit its peak, and the Inugami pack's chant grew louder and more profound. A sense of panic and impatience began to seep into Adam and Jaden, but Adam's strategy was proving effective. The quick cooling was throwing off the chains' ability to absorb heat. The runes continued to flicker more erratically, their power fading.

"Come on," Adam mumbled through gritted teeth, sweat beading on his forehead despite the freezing temperature.

Jaden's eyes widened in relief as he saw the chains' hold slacken. "It's working, Adam! Keep going!"

In a last, powerful burst, Adam's ice power overwhelmed the enchantment. The chains cracked and fell apart, their binding force dissipating. For a fleeting instant, Adam and Jaden were elated.

Just then, the energy threads connecting the Inugami pack to their leader began to converge, forming a luminous, whirling force around him. The force then cocooned him entirely, its intensity building until it reached a crescendo, erupting in a blinding explosion of light. The shockwave surged outward with such ferocity that it trembled through the atmosphere, sending debris scattering and rippling through the surroundings. The once-converging threads of energy shattered into a cascade of glittering fragments.

A deafening silence settled over the scene, interrupted only by the hushed gasps of the Inugami pack as they beheld their leader's transformed grandeur. Majestic, spiraling horns now crowned his head. His visage had shifted into a fusion of canine and celestial features—a black husky with molten gold eyes and fur streaked with fiery veins of red-hot lava, pulsing with an inner blaze.

The pack members who had contributed their powers to this transformation now lay scattered on the ground. Drained of their strength, they were near collapse, their breaths shallow as they tried to recover. Their auras, once strong, were now dull and quivering weakly. The energy that had bound them to their leader was fully transferred, leaving them vulnerable and exhausted.

The leader, now fully transformed, surveyed his pack with a mix of solemnity and pride. His body stretched and reshaped into a godlike, alien silhouette, towering at eight feet. His deep, void-like black skin was dotted with swirling, star-like specks that shimmered and shifted like a galaxy in motion. Seven magnificent husky tails, each imbued with astral vigor, fanned out behind him, their tips beaming mystically. Above him floated a halo of energy, casting a phantasmal glow around him. He extended a hand, and a gentle light embraced the incapacitated pack, easing their suffering. Though their powers were now his, he understood the weight of the gift and sacrifice that had enabled his ascension.

"Let the uprising begin!" the Inugami leader roared.