Max

The sun does not rise in the Wild. In the one-hundred and forty-three hours I've spent in The Wolf House I haven't seen one ray of sunshine. I was talking to Tiris about where this place was and what he told me wasn't the best answer.
Tiris is Lupa's main Lieutenant, her right hand.

"The Wild is an ethereal place." Tiris explains. "The key word is place, not location. Remember that there are some places without locations Max,"

"So The Wolf House is the the actual building right?" I say and Tiris nods. "But the Wolf House is in The Wild, which is these woods right?"

"Well," Tiris explains "Yes The Wild is where we we are, but it is hard to actually say that,"

"Why?" I ask him.

"The Wolf House can move around the Wild, but all the other landmarks always are the same distance as always, and the directions may be different."

"So it moves but it doesn't?" I add.

"Well it is in the same place in the Wild but it does move in the real world," Tiris's tounge licks his own snout. "the Wolf House is Mystic and multidimensional."

When I first came here the storm clouds were so dark they blocked out all the sky, but a couple days later when they cleared out I noticed it was dark for a long time. Luckily the Wolves told me there is no Sun before I could start to flip about the world ending.

I'm not sure why I would pretend to freak about it, because the End of the World is coming. I don't have to pretend.

"So it is in this place," I say "but it's not?"

"Sure," Tiris said "You made it simple enough,"

Tiris tells me he has business to deal with so he leaves me. "Remember to meet right back here in ten minutes. Komodo will mentor your next exercise,"

I walk out away from the Wolf House into the Wild. I wish I had the courage to just run out and explore, but who the heck knows what is out there. They told me the Wild is one of the most messed up of the Spirit Worlds, so I don't dare mess with what is out there.

But I do walk out a ways. Far enough to be in the woods but close enough I could outrun something to get close to the house where I'd be safe.

The edge of the dark blue sky is etched with rugged black lines, the trees. I keep a watchful eye, looking for anything that could be lurking. I always am scared for that, turning around to check my back every half-minute or so.

Howls and grotesque yells sound occasionally, but I've gotten used to them they're far off in the distance anyways. I wonder why it is here anyways.

I stop. There was a rustling behind me. I stare at the bush that was behind me. Many trees trees and brush surround me, and I have no cover. I pick up a large branch, and pick of the little branches of the bottom, making a more comfortable handle.

It reminds of a mace-club thingy. It is pretty heavy but since I am strong I can maneuver it pretty easy, so I one hand it, keeping my other out in front of me.

I listen. Nothing. My grip tightens. Wolves burst out of the vegetation. I swing my club and it connects with the snout of the closest one. It whimpers. I take some steps back, backing into three trees close to eachother, the provided cover behind my back is needed but I could squeeze through If I needed an escape. Two wolves prowl closer to me, and two more appear on either side.

There are something different about these wolves though. Their fur is not the same pure white as Lupa's or Tiris's. One has reddish coat, two a tannish color and the one at the head an ash gray. They all snarl and advance.

I swing in warning, yelling and trying to intimidate. The redcoat stops for a second, then see that I didn't phase the gray coat and continues to advance.

It's getting better. That makes me glad. I swing down at the gray and it sidesteps, surprisingly not bumping into the redcoat next to it like I had planned for.

It jumps at me and I end up on the ground, his teeth desperately trying to rip my face apart. I punch it in the throat stunning it for a second, so I can scramble and push it off with my feet.

Another is on top of me in an instant. I find a small stick and drive it into the eye of the red coat, it whimpers and retreats. I hastily find my feet and stand, seeing where all the wolves are.

I didn't have time to see where the red and gray were because the two tans were jumping at me. I jump out of the way and catch one, throwing it against a tree, and then grappling the second, headlocking it. The gray is on it's feet again, charging at me. I toss the tan away and dodge the gray's lunge. I run at the recovering red and boot him back down, the gray and both tans chasing me. I run around a big scrub, leading them away from my weapon.

Once they follow me around the big brush I make for my stick back at the three trees, and I find myself facing all the wolves again.

The gray wolf yells, a low guttural and imposing holler. "STOP!" The wolves, who were slowly advancing froze in their tracks. "Just STOP!"

He makes eye contact with me. I have trained to dominate the eye contact situations, to be able to have an intimidating conversation. He won it easily. he locks on, saying, "Who are you?"

I gulp and start to sweat.

"What is a boy doing in the Wild?" He yells at me. I can't make them think I'm weak, but I also can't seem hostile.

"Who are you?" I counter. Not too mean, or passive.

"I could rind your meat from their bones child," the gray snarls. Hostility over weakness. Never let your enemy attack or control the situation with complete courage, knowing they are stronger.

"Your pelts would look nice as my hood," I say. "But then I would get no answers. Let's talk before one kills another, that way we know stuff you know?"

The gray wolf growls and starts advancing.

"Lycir," One of the tan wolfs say, a less guttural and more old and and benevolent voice. He stops the gray, who I guess is Lycir. "The boy has a point,"

"Tram our redcoat newblood brother Rener lost an eye because of this maggot," Lycir growls. "You say he shouldn't pay!?"

"We cannot kill then ask questions then he'll be dead, therefore no use," Tram the tan wolf says. "But we will show him Lycir,"

"Ok good," I say loudly. "Let's start with what we are doing out here,"

Tram growls. "Just because we keep you alive does not mean you are in a condition to ask the questions," he tells me, "We will start by introducing ourselves. And you first,"

I feel like if he had fingers he wouldd be sticking one at me right now. Now comes the hard part. I know who I am and they know who Max Marshall is too. They just hopefully don't know it's me. If they find out that most likely means instantaneous death for me or long torture.

"Sam Miller, son of Apollo." I lie, but say it proudly so I can try to erase the doubt. Of course it turns out there was none.

"Lies!" Lycir cries. "The fool is a liar!" He starts to make more aggressive steps toward me. Tram stops him again.

"He won't tell the truth if you try to kill him," he tells Lycir

"Well he most certainly answer if he feels safe!" lycir says "He will not talk if he knows he'll get out safe and sound!"
"We get ur point Lycir but we can't ask his dead body who he is and other questions," Tram explains to Lycir.
Lycir gives Tram a dreadful resenting look, as if he is trying to stare him off, but Tram shows no emotion.
there is the weakness I was looking for. Lycir seems to be fighting and winning for the top dog position but Tram seems to be the older and wiser wolf. If I can cause confusion or competition between the two leaders...
"I will answer your guys' question but I got just one myself." I say after a moment to not interrupt. "Tell me if I'm wrong I'm not a wolf expert." that gets Lycir and Tram and the other two's attention. "But isn't there supposed to be on abvious alpha male or something?"
Lycir snarls. "Yes and who do you think it is?"
"You?" I shrug.
"Yes!" Lycir yells. "It is I, the Prince of Wolves!"
"Okay, Lycir" I say to him. "Correct me if I'm wrong but I am pretty sure Tram just told you what to do, that could not look good on your pack right? It's gotta be The fearless leader right?"
"You little b.." Lycir starts, but then stops, realizing what they meant. A sinister grin spreads his grey fleshy lips, and it looks like he is entertained by the idea. "The boy is not an incompetent fool after all," he turns to Tram, who sees what I am doing.
"Lycir you fool you do not see what the boy is trying to do?" Tram yells.
"The boy is clearing things up Tram," Lycir steps toward Tram.
"Lycir you are as dumb as you are young,"
"Do not insult me!" Lycir says to Tram then turn to me. "Excuse me while I beat the ass of this rebel,"
Lycir growls and pounces on Tram. Next thing they are fighting. Their movements are so fast that they almost look like blurs. And the sounds. Vicious and hateful sounds I can barely explain, like some demon I found in a crawlspace.
They split for a second, and I see the damage done. Tram is heavily panting, blood staining his pelt, legs shaking and wobbly. Lycir seems much less touched. He stands, lazer focus on Tram, so tense and unflinching to the point of robustness.
Lycir's mouth shoots for Tram's neck, and his mouth clamos down. Tram whimpers and Lycir throws him down, chomping on Tram. Tram keeps crying out and struggling, but Lycir keeps his grip. Gradually, Tram slows down to a stop.
Lycir steps back, and leaves, a condescending look as he leaves Tram to suffer and die.
"Lycir," Tram coughs through his agony. "You," Lycir looks at him expectantly, waiting his Last Words.
"Silence" Lycir interrupts him.
Tram coughs blood on the ground next to him, then looks up at him, as if he is pleading for mercy.
"You deserve no final requests, nor last words," Lycir looks down on Tram as he dies. Lycir turns away from Tram's dead body and to me. "Come boy,"
He turns away and wanders into the Wild. I stay, hoping to him not to notice when I slip through the trees.
"You will come with me whether you like it or not," Lycir commands without turning around. "Follow Now,"
It looks like he has eyes on the back of his head, plus the other Wolves are staying and watching. I start behind Lycir, and he continues.

》》》

"Lycir!" A wolf calls from a distance. As we get closer to the sound I see another gray wolf watching us from behind a tree. "What is with the boy? Is it our dinner?" He says with a laugh.
"No" Lycir's low guttural voice wipes the wolf's smile off his face, and he walks past him, the other wolf follows. Lycir looks at him. "What are you doing?"
"Following you," The wolf says.
"Stay at your post fool!" Lycir yells at him. The other wolf turns around, his head drooping. We keep walking.
we arrive at a village looking thing. It is a little ravine with a river in it. Seven by seven-ish boards stand on top of posts to form little makeshift shelters. Animal skins lay under them like beds or something. Some Wolves lay in them or are feeding on some carcass by the river.
The river is disgusting. There is a stream by the Wolf House that is clear and blue-ish, and is good. This one is dirty, a gruesome dark brown and maroon. Occasionally a bone or chunk of meat flows down the river, and I almost gag.
Of course we cross it. We travel up a ways and on the side of the river I see different kinds of Wolves, Tan, red, gray, and a very dark brown.
We walk up to the top of the river, which starts at a waterfall. To the right there is a throne-like thing, a larg wooden chair with various animal pelts stung up on the cliff. A skull of some large animal with antlers sits right above the throne.
the Wolf sitting on the throne strikes me as alpha male. Even better than Lycir did. His eyes are narrow and bloody. His muscles are bulging, which isn't too common with animals. His claws are long extra sharp. And for some reason he is constantly baring one side of his teeth.
No,
He has no lips. His right side top row of teeth are constantly bare. They are stained with blood and his gums are jet black.
"Lycir!" The head wolf calls, his voice just as guttural as Lycir but mre quiet and intensely focused. "Come,"
We approach the Alpha, who I think is Lycaon. He stares me down, because I'm a dude and they are all Wolves.
"Demigod," Lycir says to me. "This is my father, Lycaon, King of Wolves, Alpha of the Lycans." we bow.
"Lycir who is the boy?" Lycaon asks. We lift up our head. There is something in his eyes that I can't recognize. It kinda seems like he is holding in the biggest laugh in or something.
"He calls himself Sam Miller, he is a son of Apollo," Lycir speaks. "And I believe he will be a major part in helping,"
Lycaon lets it out. A loud and guttural and hysterical laugh that makes me wonder what is going on. "You are dang right Lycir," He stares into my eyes. "This boy will be a useful asset,"
What is that supposed to mean?
" What shall I do with him?" Lycir asks.
"What do u think?" Lycaon snarls at Lycir. Then he smiles. "Make him feel welcome!"
I sigh of relief. I'm getting good treatment, hopefully. The Wolves take me away.

》 》 》

there was a cave that I was put in near the throne behind the waterfall. It is warmed by a bonfire in the middle of the room I am in. Lycir tells me that there are a few more rooms and that this is where him and Lycaon and their mates sleep. The rest of the Wolves sleep outside under the mini shelters along the river.
I actually begin to think that I like the Lycans. They put a large Bear fur around me like a blanket and somehow managed to make me a cup of hot chocolate. This is much better than any condition back at the Wolf House.
Lycir sits across the fire from me, laying on a large animal pelt. Lycaon is in the other room, probably plotting against Lupa.
"What does Lycaon mean that I'll be an important asset?" I ask Lycir.
Lycir looks at me, ands says. " It means you are going to be a big help to us,"
"How?"
Lycir sighs, "At first I thought you were the demigod we were hunting, I was sure of it. But then I started thinking, why would he be so stupid as to come out here alone? Why were Lupa's Wolves stupid enough as to do that. Wandering demigods had found themself in the Wild, and you didn't seem good enough,"
I laugh.
"Don't take that as an insult Sam, but this is The son of Zeus a supposedly nearly invincible demigod, almost godlike." Lycir continues. "He is the one who is going to lead the Armies of Olympus, The Armies of All. He is supposed about as good as the old Hercules, and that is scary. You just didn't seem like it, I feel like he would just blast us off the face of the Earth because we were in his way."
"Well I'm glad I didn't look all powerful" I laugh again, "If I looked like a Prince of Wolves I'd be screwed,"
"Yes," Lycir chuckles. "You would be dead on the spot,"
"Yeah,"
"Well anyhow the Vile Sons put up a bounty on his head. An enormous one. Killing him is very vital to what we want to do. Being a demigod you would be less threatening to Lupa, she would most like accept you especially over another wolf who is not in her pack," Lycir explains to me
"So you would use me as like a spy? Or a scout?" I conclude.
"Maybe," Lycir shifts his weight. "We would probably want more of a straight on assasin. If we got close to him we would kill him, so well probably send you to try and talk to Lupa, get up close and stab him, or something like that."
"Oh," I say. These Wolves want me dead real bad. Bad enough to send an innocent demigod to go kamikaze on me. I gotta get out of here. They are bound to find out soon.
Yes Max that is highly imperative. Lupa's voice sounds in my head. I jump, and luckily Lycir isn't looking. I quickly act natural as he looks at me.
Is she telepathic now? I think.
Yes she is telepathic now. Lupa's voice mocks me.
Am I going crazy? I ask myself.
Max no its really me. You need to run NOW. Lupa tells me.
"Lycir!" Lycaon calls from the other room. Lycir gets up.
Now is the time, Go! Lupa says. I look at the cave exit and see no sign of Wolves. I stand up.
"Sam!" Lycaon calls me too.
Dangit.
Don't worry. We are coming Max, can't talk anymore.1
I follow Lycir into the room. Lycaon sits on a large animal pelt, other Wolves surround him, who I am guessing are females.
"How is our boy?" Lycaon asks.
"Fine," I say. Lycaon gives a dirty look to me, and I realize he was talking to Lycir.
"Good," Lycaon says. He looks to the females. "Ladies you are dismissed,"
All the females get up and slowly straggle out.
I get a tingle. A feeling of fear. He knows. That is why he laughed, he was surprised.
"Lycir do u consider yourself a keen and strong wolf?" Lycaon asks.
"Yes," Lycir answers "I have to be anyways,"
"Well then riddle me this," Lycaon looks Lycir in the eye. Lycir loses his so stubborn confidence. "The Prince of Wolves who knows the best out of all the other Wolves except the Alpha himself let their top priority slide through,"
Yep. He is talking about me. Lupa where are you? In an instant Lycaon switches his glare to me. Somehow he must have heard.
"And you," Lycaon says to me. "I was surprised to hear about you just wandering out in the woods alone! I have a hard time believing that both you, Lupa and even Tiris was stupid enough to let that happen!"
He has a slight laugh to his words. He must enjoy it being this easy. I have to stall him though, the omegas are coming...
"You are gonna feel pretty stupid yourself Lycaon," I say
"So this is Max Marshall?" Lycir looks at me.
"Yes you inferior fool!" Lycaon cries. "I am going to have to kill my own son because of this. Lycir there is no mercy in this, a wolf whose senssenses have failed him is no useful wolf,"
for the first time I see a hint of terror in Lycir. He kinda deserves it honestly.
"No I can not die," Lycir keeps him composure.
"But you will, and so will he, and will be a rich wolf," Lycaon laughs "HAHA!"
"Lycaon you are outnumbered," Lycir snarls. "I think you are the one to die," Lycir stands up, but I notice that two more Wolves are at the door.
"Lycir don't," I say.
"I think that it is time that I challenge you to the throne!", Lycir pays no attention to me. He continues to near Lycaon who is making no effort to stop it. I reallyreally start to wish Lupa was here, or at least really close.
"Lycir you are a fool!" Lycaon yells at his son. "You will die the same death that Tram did. You will die the way you left your fellow wolf to bleed!"
"He made a fool of me!" Lycir yells. And then he attacks.
he leaps at Lycaon who takes the hit. The two wolves at the door come in and tackle Lycir off of Lycaon. I see my chance and run for the door,
"The boy is escaping!!" Lycaon cries. "Teran stay here and deal with the brat!"
Two wolves chase after me as I race out the cave. I run down the river and to the other side. My eyes gleam. None of the Lycans are awake, and out in the Wild, White fur gleams in the faint moonlight.
I run to me. But then I hear yells behind me.
"What a surprise!!" Lycaon hollers. I notice most of the Wolves have gotten up and started to stand behind Lycaon and the other wolf that attacked Lycir.
"Give us our demigod!" Tiris stands at the head of the pack, yelling back at Lycaon. I stand a few feet ahead of Lycaon who is making his way close to me.
"He is ours now," I feel right next to me. Then I am somehow anchored to him like he has a grip on me.
"Lycaon I will kill you and your pack!" Tiris yells.
"Do you have anything to say to your pack before you die?" Lycaon asks me. I try to focus on breaking his grip on me. It becomes stronger. Lycaon and Tiris negotiate while I stand there trying to break free.
while I feel like my head is going to explode their voices are muffled mumurs, talking to me. I dig into my core of soul, deep and reaching for Tiris and the omegas.
I feel like I can't do it, but I try, and after a while I actually feel closer.
I flash back. I am holding onto the ledge again, my fingers raw and my soul and body tired. I reached within and eventually succeeded.
Oh, that's why. And I break free.
"What?!" Lycaon gasps. I kick my foot down onto his head, and he collapses.
"MAX RUN!!" Tiris throats out to me.
A wall of angry howlsburst behind me. I run toward the Omegas. They charge toward me, but probably to attack the Lycans behind me.
I know the Wolves do not want me dead so they part their battle line slightly to let me through and I do so.
I hear a lot of massive thuds, Wolves hitting full speed at eachother. I hear many whimpers and extremely vicious and intense growls. I remember back when Lycir and Tram fought. That sound is now deafening and even more vicious.
As soon as I run far enough I turn back. Being weaponless makes u feel very useless in a battle.
The Omegas have pushed back the Lycans a ways, but they start to retreat, leaving dead Wolves of all coats behind. The Lycans stand there hestitant whether to keep attacking. But they don't. The Omegas retreat, falling back toward me.
"Come on Max," Tiris yells as he runs past. "We gotta go!"
I start running alongside him, and we run into the forest away from the Lycans along with the other Wolves.
He looks over to me, and "Max,"
I look back at him
"Look at what you've done,"
"They found..." I start.
"We are now at War with the Lycans,"