Chapter 21 - Fire

512 A.R. January4, Pasloe Inner City, Midday

A surreal sensation filled me as I walked along the street and people of various colors, sizes, and scents passed me by. Fox, leopard, reindeer, and others, most of them threw me a glance but didn't seem to care more than that, after all, what was a so strange about a big wolf among a menagerie of species.

One of them did catch my attention though and it made me glance back as we passed each other.

He seemed rather slim if tall and the fur was white along the face while turning to a uniform brown toward the back. The ears were small but the whiskers were big and white. Most noticeable was the thick tail covered in dense but short fur.

An otter...

A bemused smile spread on my muzzle before I looked back in front and noticed the sign for Hedwig's restaurant.

'Olden Crossroads' The sign was made out of worn wood and depicted a fox clad in medieval armor.

The door to the restaurant flung open as I approached and it almost hit me as a canine hybrid rushed out. It was weird but I didn't think much of it as I caught the door and stepped inside.

My nose caught a scent and a tingle of unease crept though my body as instincts flared. The restaurant was filled with the strong scent of humans, a lot of them.

The door shut behind me and shook a small bell, the ringing sound reverberated and almost echoed through the silent restaurant that should have been filled with activity.

Every table in the restaurant were occupied by humans of various sorts and they all turned to stare at me in silence as if an alien had stepped through the door.

My eyes wandered to their their hips and hands while my nose searched the air for a scent of blood or violence, to my relief none of them seemed armed or hostile, at least not visibly.

"Hey... varmint," One of the adult males near the door said.

My hackles itched as I glanced down at the seated man, he didn't seem intimidated and raised his hand as he pointed at table near the far end of the restaurant. I turned my head to look and saw Hedwig seated by a large table that the others in the restaurant were giving a wide berth.

I started walking and took the opportunity to glance around. The restaurant had a medieval theme and most of it were made out aged but solid wood. Shields, armors, and colorful tapestries covered the walls while old barrels with living candles were set in the corners.

My eyes caught on the service desk where a female fox and a male dog were standing in the back. They looked tense and their eyes locked on me in an instant as if pleading for help.

I had little choice but to ignore it as I focused on Hedwig and walked up to the table. Her hair was wild but stylized as usual and she wore a sophisticated suit in bright white.

Hedwig glanced up with a delighted smile and motioned for the seat on the other side of the table, "Hello Vilkas, how nice of you to come."

I met her eyes, "What are you doing Hedwig? What's all this?"

Hedwig raised her brow in wonder and took on a confused look, "What? Is there... something wrong?"

"If you're trying make a point, you've made it abundantly clear," I said.

Hedwig's smile turned into a slight smirk, "Oh, and what point would that be?"

I motioned to the human crowd watching us like hawks, "That you have a flock? That you have power? How it must feel living like a human in Sophos?"

Hedwig straightened herself and motioned toward the fox and dog by the service desk as she answered, "Maybe."

The male dog approached and placed two plates of food as well as a bottle of wine on the table.

"I ordered food as you can see, and we even fetched a chair your size. Join me Vilkas, and let's talk."

The dog threw me a worried glance and then returned to the service desk in a hurry.

"I'll join you, but please call off your flock, you're scaring the owners," I said.

Hedwig frowned as she fetched and started to open the bottle of wine, "We're here as guests and last time I checked there was no policy barring humans. Our presence here is legal and there's nothing you can do about it."

I drew a deep breath and glanced down at the second plate of food on the table. It looked like strips of chicken with apples, cucumber, nuts, and a serving of potatoes, an inviting meal if it hadn't been for the circumstances.

"Very well, let's talk," I said as I sat down while Hedwig poured herself a glass of wine.

Hedwig took her glass, sniffed it, and then took a gentle sip with a pleased expression before locking eyes with me, "Do you care about Jason?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Why?" Hedwig asked with a curious expression.

I motioned toward her as I answered, "I figured you would know by now, we grew up together."

Hedwig grabbed the wine bottle once more and leaned over the table as she poured my glass, "That's it? Childhood friends? You just... care?"

"Is that so odd?" I asked as Hedwig leaned back and set the bottle down on the table once more.

"You're a hybrid, a wolf of all kinds, Jason is as far from that as you can come."

"So?" I asked.

Hedwig grabbed her utensils and cut a small piece of chicken before tasting it, "If you truly care about Jason, then you'll let him go and stop your silly attempts to convert him."

"I don't care whether Jason accepts a symbiont or not, that's his choice."

Hedwig bemused expression returned, "Uh huh, still you should let him go."

"And let you sink your claws in him? Why would I do that?" I asked.

Hedwig glanced around the room, "You say that as if it was a bad thing? Look around you, I can offer him a place among his own kind, his family, his 'pack'. That's something you should be able to relate to, right?"

I raised my hand and pointed a claw at Hedwig, "And why are you so interested in him?"

Hedwig smirked and took another sip of wine, "I care."

"Uh huh," I answered with a dry tone.

"All right, let me put it like this instead. Jason's been through a lot, and he's just starting to recover. He needs stability, someone to take care of him, his mother, fellow humans, a place to call home. You on the other hand want him to suffer as an outsider until he breaks and decides to twist his soul and body into another hybrid drone."

"... It's not like that, he could-"

Hedwig interrupted me, "Do what? Do you really think he can fit in and live as human in this society?"

"Maybe, I don't know."

"I think you're lying, manipulating him."

"You're wrong."

"What about that visit to SYNE that you're planning?" Hedwig asked.

"Jason is curious, I agreed to come with him."

Hedwig chuckled, "Yes, and I'm sure you had nothing to do with it."

I pointed to the door, "This isn't going anywhere, do you have a point or should I just leave?"

Hedwig raised her hand, "Relax Vilkas, I'll get to the point. Do you really think your way is the best thing for Jason? After everything that has happened?"

I sighed, "Again, I don't know, that's his choice."

Hedwig leaned over the table and glared at me, "No, it isn't. Jason can't make that decision, you're making it for him. What Jason needs is someone to guide and care for him."

"Jason isn't a pet," I said.

Hedwig leaned back in the chair, "No, but he is a vulnerable person, a human that hasn't had his head twisted into the rugged nature of an animal."

"Jason is stronger than you think Hedwig, and he needs to learn how to stand on his own two legs."

Hedwig raised her brow, "And you can do that? When you're leaving for the defense force in half a year?"

How the hell did you know that? Records? Did someone tell Jason at the park? And Jason told Hedwig?

Hedwig's smile turned into a malicious grin, "Oh, I see. When were you going to tell Jason?"

"As I said, he needs to learn to be his own person."

Hedwig pointed to herself, "And he can't learn that among his own kin?"

I sighed, "I don't mind humans Hedwig, what I do mind is this 'cult' you have going."

"Why? Have you ever considered that 'you' might be wrong?"

My ears perked in confusion, "Of course I do, we all do, our perception of the world is based on what we can observe and measure. Our knowledge grows and in turn we craft new tools to better examine the world, this constant cycle of improvement shifts and improves our understanding of the world."

"That's something you can apply to engineering, not life or society."

"Why not?" I asked.

Hedwig was silent for a moment and then frowned in irritation, "Isn't that self-evident? Science can't answer the big questions, understand love, beauty, or differentiate between right and wrong."

"Logic and reason in itself may not dictate what is right and wrong, but it can be a valuable tool in examining ourselves, our beginnings, and to help shape both our environment and ourselves into something better."

Hedwig looked disturbed and leaned back in her chair, "The hubris of your kind..."

"It's not hubris, all life is rooted in physical reality and deep down we are little more than chemical reactions. Humanity evolved as social and co-operative beings and we are by our very nature biased to that lifestyle. Right and wrong are concepts that we invented and derived from the context of our own evolution."

Hedwig looked stunned but I used the momentum to my advantage as I continued, "Suffering is bad, a caring society is good, personal growth, responsibility and freedom are positive attributes, co-operation as a trait is also good and makes sure that we as a species and society can thrive."

Hedwig's expression darkened, "A hive-mind filled with unthinking drones caring only for 'society' must seem like utopia to you."

I shook my head, "Not at all, I value my own free will, and the consequences of it. A hive-mind may be a viable way of life, at least more efficient than ours, but I wouldn't want it as it would strip me of life as I know it, and future generations."

"In other words, you want to keep things just as they are?"

I shook my head once more, "No, change is a constant in our world but it needs to be under circumstances that I can agree with, both on a personal, societal, and perhaps an even broader plane."

Hedwig looked confused, "You're not making any sense, you claim to be rational but at the same time you cling to your own bias."

"Our society would not exist without this bias, survival instinct, a need to procreate. It's not that strange and our will to continue existing does not collide with a worldview that is based on logic, reason and intellectual honesty."

Hedwig raised her brow, "Why do we exist?"

"Most likely because our parents wanted children, what do you mean?"

Hedwig sighed, "I meant, why do we exist?"

"I don't understand?" I asked as I cocked my head.

Hedwig stared at me as if I was an idiot, "From a philosophical point of view, why does life exist?"

"I don't know, does it matter? Does life require or even need a purpose?"

"Fine, let me phrase it like this instead, why does anything exist? Who's the creator?"

"Almost the same answer, I don't know, maybe there is a reason, maybe there isn't, perhaps we'll find out one day."

Hedwig's expression wandered between confusion and anger as her cheeks grew red, "So that's it? Faith in science that fits your bias? And a lot of 'I don't know'?"

"It's not faith, it's merely acceptance of what is currently the best explanation, reality doesn't need my faith to keep existing, nor does gravity need my belief to keep us on the ground."

Hedwig's smile returned, "Isn't an answer, any answer, inherently better than 'I don't know'?"

"Only when it has something to back it up, it's fine to dream far and wide but wild speculations should not dictate society or how people live their lives."

"Oh, but it has something to back it up, look around you! The marvel of existence! The splendor of a dew-drop set on a leaf! Miracles and spiritual sensation! The universe and life itself!"

I raised my brow, "Miracles?"

Hedwig leaned onto the table, "Yes, miracles. Every human in this room has experienced it, divine intervention, salvation through a leap of faith, the warm light and perfection inherent in the creator. Explain that with your logic and reason rooted in physical reality?"

"Give me an example of these miracles?"

"We all have our own reasons, you're asking something very personal."

"Perhaps, but for the sake of the argument, please share?"

Hedwig motioned to an older man sitting by a nearby table, "All right, Bill here used to suffer from chronic pain, now he doesn't."

I glanced over and caught the stare of the burly man, he looked stern and his eyes seemed gray for some reason, "The human body can heal itself, I don't know if I'd call that a miracle."

"During a prayer session? Back-pain that had lasted for over a decade, gone, just like that? That's a pretty big coincidence, isn't it?" Hedwig asked with a soft voice.

I looked back at Hedwig as I answered, "I'm not saying you're lying, but all you're offering are words of a fantastic tale, anyone could weave a story like that and attribute it to any supernatural entity of choosing."

"So what constitutes a miracle to you?" Hedwig asked.

"How about something that is actually supernatural? This is supposed to be the creator of the universe, an entity with tales from the old world that are far more incredible. Placing stars in the sky, lifting the moon into orbit, shifting day to night in an instant, to summon and make things disappear with little more than a glance. Surely your god could do something more tangible than altering one man's perception of pain?"

"Even if he did you would not believe, you'd merely claim that... aliens did it or something."

"Many of the things I described would violate the principles that seem to govern our universe, true, it could be a massively omnipotent species or entity that has somehow transcended the physical realm, but wouldn't that make this entity the equivalent of god? In either case a supernatural event like that would overturn the world as we know it, and it would convince many if not all that the supernatural exists and would warrant further consideration."

"But that's not faith," Hedwig protested.

"If that's the case then you don't seem to have faith either, after all, your flock believes, at least in part, because your god has intervened in your lives."

Hedwig gritted her teeth while sour mutters began to murmur in the restaurant.

"How dare you?" Hedwig whispered.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

Hedwig rolled her eyes and took a large gulp of wine before focusing on me once more, "God cannot be tested, it is not something to be put under a microscope and examined. It is faith, a presence, 'knowing' personal salvation, something that you are cut off from. Furthermore, God does not have to prove anything to you."

"How convenient," I answered.

"As convenient as your own excuses, you claim logic and reason as tools yet you're the one proposing that all of creation was... what... created out of random chance?"

"Not at all, as far as we know there's a number of rules dictating how matter and energy interacts with each other, we don't know why or fully understand how it works yet. Random chance does have a role to play but its far from the whole picture."

"You say that but do you have any proof for it? The world was destroyed and this tiny island survived. Isn't that a miracle? A sign? How can you be so blind to think of it as nothing more than coincidence?"

"Let me tell you a story Hedwig, a few days ago I overslept, I awoke, got up, and really had to take a dump, so I headed to the bathroom."

Hedwig got a stunned look of disgust and leaned back in her chair as I continued, "So there I was reaching for the door handle. I touched it, and the weirdest sensation hit my hand as I pulled the handle. Like a ghost something pulled the handle at the very same time as I was."

"What the hell is your point?" Hedwig exclaimed in anger.

I raised my hand, "I'm getting to it. So the door opens and I see my mother, she had pulled the handle at the exact same moment I did. The amazing thing is that from the very beginnings of time and space, billions of years and cataclysmic events, the formation of black holes, the collapse of stars, planets, the start of life, everything. And all of it led up to that single, pivotal moment in time where I had to take a dump and pulled the handle at the same time as my mother."

Hedwig had a pure look of disbelief, "Are you insane? Or just trying to be crude?"

"The point is that we are the ones applying value and meaning to moments in time, from the perspective of the universe my need to take a dump and the survival of this island is the same. A nearby star could have gone supernova thousands of years ago and the shock wave could hit us moments from now. It would turn the surface of our planet into molten slag and destroy all life and any reference to the god you find so important. Just like so many other religions, cults and gods that have faded throughout human history. Religions and cults that all believed themselves to be correct."

"..." Hedwig was silent.

"The universe doesn't give a shit whether we live or die and the only reason this island survived was because Athena was there to stop a barrage of nuclear missiles from turning this place into a-"

Hedwig seemed to grow weary as her expression darkened into a cold stare, "Enough! It's obvious that you're too close-minded... too corrupted to understand an approach like this."

"Uh?" I murmured.

Hedwig drew a deep breath, "You weave such 'fascinating' stories, so let me share a wild speculation of my own."

"Go on?" I said.

"I think... that the lusus were never eradicated from this island."

"What do you mean?"

"I think the lusus are more intelligent than we give them credit for, evil fuels them and evil is sinister, and smart, like the stories you weave. I think history as portrayed by the archives is pure bullshit, and I think the lusus realized that they couldn't win against us humans. So they chose another tactic, rather than eat humans, they infested them, twisted them into you hybrids, and they use you to spread across the island."

Hedwig's eyes became like pinpricks as she focused on me, "And do you know what will happen when the last human falls? Then it all ends and you will be discarded as the stupid, ignorant shells you are."

"That's... a conspiracy theory I've never heard before to be honest," I said.

Hedwig leaned over the table and whispered, "We humans have something you lack, free will, the ability to do things you are incapable of, and that is why we will win this war, and why you will lose."

My irritation reached a tipping point and her latest accusation chafed on me like sandpaper.

I raised one leg and let it bump into the table with enough force to tip her glass of wine. The glass made a clink as it hit the table and sent red wine spilling onto her legs.

Hedwig lunged back as if hit by a cold shower while I spoke up, "Oh, how clumsy of me."

Hedwig's face flushed red in an instant as her face distorted with anger while some of the human males lunged from their tables as if launched from cannons. Hedwig raised her hand in an instant and made them freeze in place as she threw me a harsh glare while her brow twitched in fury.

"You'll regret that Vilkas, I promise you that," Hedwig whispered with a seething voice.

"We'll see," I mused.

Hedwig rose and wiped her now stained suit as she focused on me, "If Jason truly matters to you, if there is something decent still hiding inside that monstrous shell of yours, then you'll dissuade him from visiting SYNE."

I didn't have time to answer as Hedwig started walking while the others humans rose and followed.

512 A.R. January 12, Archives, Midday

My search for answers had led me to the archives once more. The air was cool and the underground caves glittered with light as I approached one of the bulkheads and stepped inside as it opened.

Like last time the word 'Query?' was shown on the large screen that enveloped the dome.

"Hello Polybius," I said.

The male digitized voice spoke up as the screen bloomed to life with facts regarding the system itself.

"Greetings Vilkas Volkov, how may I be of assistance?"

The bulkhead shut between me as I closed my eyes and thought of a proper question.

"Show me... a step by step process of becoming a hybrid."

"Your query is complex, which level of fidelity do you want?"

"You should have a rough idea of my expertise and education, adapt it to that."

"As you wish, are you interested in a specific stage? Artificial womb? Societal constructs? The hybridization process itself? Changes follow-"

I interrupted, "The hybridization process."

"As you wish," Polybius answered.

The screen grew dark and then filled with the image of a large tank connected to some kind of green monstrosity with large bundles of cables and electronics fused into it.

"This is a symbiont queen, it is a modified and weakened form of lusus who's purpose is to create precursors."

The screen was replaced with the image of a green blob as Polybius continued to speak, "This is a precursor, the blank slate of a symbiont."

Once more the image changed and showed the precursor in some kind of machine, the blob squirmed as machinery and tendrils injected various liquids and probed it with what looked like both electronics and crystals.

"The precursor is augmented with a template, as well as memory shards and imprints. The template is often based on the symbionts belonging to the parents of the host."

The green blob seemed to mutate, grow tendrils, and then formed some kind of core deep inside it, moments later a machine inserted a whole bundle of fine threads into the very core of the symbiont.

"Symbionts are designed to require a functioning nervous system as well as an environment that only a sapient mind can provide, a symbiont will die without these requirements and is therefore connected to an artificial host during the maturation process."

The symbiont began to thrash in panic as the fine threads withdrew while Polybius spoke, "The artificial host cannot provide this kind of environment for long and is disengaged when the time comes for implantation."

The screen grew dark and then filled with the image of a human brain, spine, the outline of an arm as well as the symbiont, "The hybridization process starts by making an incision in the arm, the symbiont detects the scent of blood which in turn triggers feeding instincts."

Tendrils wandered out of the symbiont and began to invade the human arm, "The symbiont starts to feed but detects the presence of an active nervous system. If things go as planned then the symbiont will change priorities and begin to see the human as a potential host."

The core of the symbiont began to wander along the arm while tendrils spread along the spine and wandered toward the brain, "The symbiont detects the sapient brain and in turn triggers a mimicry protocol for survival. This mimicry protocol is based on the embedded template and starts to replace the host tissue."

Tendrils began to invade the brain and spine before starting to change as it grew and altered shape.

"The embedded template combined with survival instincts of the symbiont trigger an expansion of the brain as well as a slow but transparent augmentation of brain matter to harden it against external threats."

The brain continued to grow and alter shape while the spine changed and was replaced by something that looked more like a green but armored extension of the symbiont itself.

Seeing it made me reach back and feel along my own spine. To my surprise it felt hard, thick, and seemed to lack the usual nubs of proper vertebra, it surprised me that I had never noticed before.

"I have a question," I said.

"Yes?" Polybius asked.

"Are symbionts sentient?"

"Symbionts have active neural centers dedicated to them and have the ability to sense pleasure and pain. This ranks them as sentient beings even if they lack the required wetware to form more advanced thought processes."

"Can a symbiont take over a body?"

"Yes, this occurs when the symbiont mutates beyond its initial constraints and reverts to lusus form. One of the indicators for this process is failure of the mimicry protocol, followed by rejection of the sapient mind. Assisted suicide is used to prevent this scenario."

"I see, though I meant... can a symbiont spontaneously take over a body? Say... by a signal or certain circumstances?"

"Yes, prolonged interaction with lusus triggers what is referred to as an infestation. The infestation mutates and converts both symbiont and host into lusus bio-matter."

"And what do lusus do with humans?"

"Hybrids are considered compatible bio-matter for integration, humans are considered food to be digested."

"Are there any other means to trigger an infestation?"

"Incompatibility between host and symbiont can trigger an infestation under certain circumstances."

"Incompatibility... Like in the compatibility tests?"

The sound of of Polybius voice crackled and broke as the room went dark, moments later a blue glow filled the screen as Athena's avatar appeared once again.

"Should I even be surprised?" I asked.

The rings of Athena's avatar spun while the main cylinder seemed to shift as if observing me.

"Would you consider not asking that question?" Athena said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"You're not ready Vilkas, you are agitated and I am not certain how well you would handle the answer."

"Tell me what happens when there is incompatibility between host and symbiont."

The rings on her avatar picked up speed, "Vilkas, this society cares for you, nothing has ever been done to hurt you."

"Then you should have no problem telling me," I said.

"The restoration started with the discovery of a trait inherent in some symbionts, this trait made sure that hybrids became more than humans with fur and instincts. Do you know what that trait is?"

"No," I answered.

"The ability to infuse and stabilize patterns of thought in a sapient mind."

"I don't get it?"

"These symbionts had the ability to overwrite and reprogram the nature of a human, it is without a doubt the ultimate form of brainwashing."

"... Oh," I whispered as a horrid sensation of unease crept up inside me.

"This trait is malleable and ranges from complete personality overwrites to something as subtle as a second conscience."

"... And... and... am I... who I think I am? Or just an implanted personality?"

"You have already been told of this trait, but in subtler and more pleasant words, a shifting moral compass, subtle changes meant to tame human nature."

"You didn't answer the question Athena."

"The function of this trait is dependent on the already existing personality attributes. What do you think happens if the attributes infused in the symbiont, is the same as that of the host?"

"Nothing?" I asked.

"Correct, do you now understand the importance of the compatibility tests?"

"The compatibility tests... You run tests on a person and then you create a personality imprint for the symbiont that is similar to the host, but augmented to strip out the parts you find undesirable. The symbiont is then paired with the host and is... reprogrammed."

"Harsh, but correct. Your compatibility quotient is very high Vilkas, any alterations to your base personality are so insignificant that they can be dismissed, in terms of change the animal imprint and instincts given to you has had far more effect."

"So they're separate?"

"Yes, the personality imprint is meant to target a few but hazardous traits of human nature. For example, results from mind games such as the prisoner's dilemma, or the tragedy of the commons are quite different in hybrids."

"You told me several times that nothing is removed, only added. Explain yourself?"

"It is a matter of interpretation, if greed turns into generosity, have I added generosity? Or have I removed greed? Both? None?"

"I see... I'm guessing that an extreme variant of this trait is used to mend... broken ones?"

"You are correct, following their implantation a complete personality rewrite takes place. However, the process is not perfect and the side-effects can be severe."

"The lower the compatibility quotient, the more severe the changes are, aren't they?"

"Yes, the trait is also useful as a therapeutic tool to mend minds."

"This is... twisted..." I whispered.

"It is not that different from what you have already been told Vilkas, I have not lied to you, merely hidden certain aspects of the process. We always strive to impact a mind as little as possible and to create personalities imprints that are as close to the host as possible, while avoiding the dangerous aspects of humanity."

"Are the compatibility tests based on the choice of hybrid type?"

"Yes."

"Then how can the compatibility tests be made before the choice of hybrid type?"

"Choice of hybrid type becomes very clear during the compatibility tests, the choice is little more than a formality."

"Another illusion in other words?"

"I wouldn't call it an illusion, but this should make it rather clear why the stereotypes play an important part in our society."

"In other words we're molded into cloned cogs that fit the system?"

"Wrong, our corrections are very specific in nature and do not affect or manipulate a person's interests, quirks, memories, sexuality, or even fetishes."

"I see, but hold on, we were talking about incompatibility, how can this lead to death?"

"Bad things happen if the host resists the influence of the symbiont, the synchronization breaks, the symbiont tries to override it, the mind struggles and shatters under the pressure, a run-away process occurs and the symbiont starts to eat rather than merge with the host."

"Can that happen to anyone?"

"It is possible though unlikely."

"What happens if someone lies? Or has a secret agenda? To manipulate or destroy Sophos?"

"If they fight the influence of the symbiont then they risk death, if they accept the alterations then the problem solves itself, why would you fight kin and seek to destroy what is now your home?"

"I see, what about Peter?"

"What about your pack mate?"

"Is there something of his original self left?"

"Of course, his memories were not erased or tampered with and much of his base personality is intact."

"But the change was significant, wasn't it?"

"Consider his background Vilkas, a broken shell, tormented to the near edge of suicide, a dark, scared, corrupted mind that still feels the lingering effects of the hatred that suffused him. You even helped in the process of ushering forth his new self."

"I... helped?"

"He could not help but resist and cling to his old influences, it tore at his mind as the symbiont tried to correct his behavior. You broke him down, stripped him of the role he had taken for himself, and allowed him to embrace the new self he sought."

"Oh..."

"Would you reverse the process if you could? Curse him to life in a bottomless pit of depression tormented by his past? To rob him of his life as a wolf and member of your pack?"

"He seems happy now. Was he aware that his personality would change like that?"

"I told him in great detail, he begged me for it, and he fought hard to bring his demons under control so that he could be safely bonded with the symbiont."

"Is all of this... truly necessary?"

"Sophos started as a safe haven for the hybrids that remained, hybrids who had faced untold horrors and who were humans at heart saddled with the instincts of animals. They had difficulty adapting to a more civilian kind of life, to build, grow, and thrive as a society. These were alien concepts to a species bred for war and violence."

Athena continued, "Education and social support only goes so far, a sturdier, friendlier, form of life and mind was needed to make Sophos flourish, this trait was the solution."

"It would be too easy to use this technology for bad things. The smallest of change could turn individuals into nothing more than slaves."

"But that has not happened, our safeguards work and the system is more important than ever these days."

"What do you mean?"

"For every conflict in human history the stakes are raised, a club may kill a person but it will never incur the damage of atomic weaponry."

"What's your point?" I asked.

"We now live in a world where a single person can bring about apocalypse. The old world believed that the only safeguard against this threat was control and fear. It failed, despite all their restrictions, rules, laws, courts, secret police, oppressive state, and choking surveillance in every facet of society."

"And we're different how?"

"There is only one safeguard against this kind of threat, to make people happy, to make them involved in society and make them strive not only to improve life for themselves, but for that of their comrades."

"But that's not what you're doing, these half-truths, the veils, the deceit, the segregation of humans and hybrids, even the playful rivalry between hybrid types."

"We are not perfect but the result is good enough for now and the situation improves for every generation that passes. You are part of this society Vilkas, you can help keep it in balance."

"What about the people with lousy compatibility quotients? Those that cannot be safely bonded with a symbiont?"

"They are the rejected ones, an unfortunate side effect of our system."

"No wonder most humans in our nation are so... broken. They're the small percentage of humans that are born faulty, the leftovers rejected by the system."

"What would you have me do Vilkas? Execute them?"

"No... but still, this is monstrous. Society raises humans, they're our responsibility, we can't just reject them and throw them aside."

"We allow them their free will and respect the choices they make."

"Maybe. So why aren't you just reprogramming them?"

"As said, the trait of the symbiont isn't perfect and its faults become apparent when the alterations become too big. Our actions may not be fully ethical but we are not monsters."

"There has to be a solution, one that's better than this."

"There is, soon the moral quandaries and troubles inherent in using humans will be a thing of the past."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when we spoke of a way to cut humans out of the picture, to create true hybrids?"

"Yes... we don't have the technology for that yet as I understand."

"We are in the process of bringing human and symbiont physiology closer to each other, true hybrids will soon be within reach. It will usher in a new generation and bypass problems like this."

"... I see."

512 A.R. January 12, Volkov Household, Evening

"Is everything all right Vilkas?" Mother asked as her fingers brushed through the fur on top of my head.

I glanced up and saw the roof and mother's face looming over me as I answered, "No... not really,"

"What's wrong?"

"Did you know that compatibility tests can be seen as indicator of how much the symbiont is going to reprogram your mind?" I asked.

Mother made a slight sigh, "You've been at the archives again, haven't you?"

"Yeah," I answered as mother scritched by my ears and cupped my head in her arms.

"The truth can be presented in many ways, that is one of the harshest," Mother whispered.

"Were you worried?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Mother asked.

"As a parent, for me... did it scare you? How I'd score on the compatibility quotient?"

Mother expression turned into something akin to sorrow, "Yes, it scared me something horrible. I understand the reason for our system, but to hand one's child over to such a thing..."

"How did you deal with it?" I asked.

"I came to terms with it... and... it's not that bad to be honest."

"What do you mean?"

"You've read about the old world Vilkas. Parents of all times have always been at the mercy of nature and random chance. Genetic diseases, development problems, tragic events and so on... People attributed it to harsh reality and as such it was OK, because nothing could be done. We have shifted that responsibility and are now taking evolution into our own hands."

Mother drew a deep breath and caressed my muzzle, "The positive side of that is that we now live in a society that has known tranquility and prosperity for hundreds of years, the negative side is that we can no longer blame random chance or nature, rather we are responsible for the violations and evil we commit."

"But?" I asked.

"These are hard and grueling choices we make as a society but we believe that better things will come from this. I am a coward that have let you discover these truths on my own, and I'm sorry for that. But if given the chance I would do it all over again."

"Why?" I asked.

Mother smiled and hugged me tight, "Such a silly question Vilkas... isn't it obvious?"

512 A.R. January 20,SYNE, Midday

The halls of SYNE were long and silent.

It was a surreal sensation as the gigantic compound outside was livid with activity. Drones passing by, large transports rolling along, trains passing through the jungle of large glass buildings.

"Is something wrong?" Jason asked.

I turned my head and glanced down at Jason, "No, how so?"

"You're usually a lot more talkative Vilkas."

"I have a lot on my mind."

Jason looked in front, "The defense force?"

"So you knew?" I asked.

Jason nodded, "I heard at the park, Dustin and Wilbert were talking about it."

"I see."

Jason made a smirk and glanced up as he met my eyes, "You're living up to the stereotype."

"I guess I am," I said as we turned the corner and walked up to a marked bulkhead.

I reached out to the ID reader with my hand and handed over my credentials. The bulkhead opened and revealed an examination room that looked the same as ever, large windows overlooking the compound, a big round platform in the center with a black dome in the ceiling.

Jason walked up to the window and focused on the grand view of the compound while I looked to the black globe.

"Athena?" I asked.

"Yes Vilkas?" Athena answered in an instant.

"Just checking that you're here," I said.

"Of course. Good day Jason, how are you?" Athena asked.

Jason looked toward the platform in the center of the room, "I'm good."

I walked over to the window and joined Jason's side, "Nervous?"

Jason touched the window and seemed to ponder it, "Yeah, I am."

I leaned closer and caught his eyes, "Why are you here Jason?"

"Huh?" Jason asked in surprise.

"You said you wanted to see... what could be... What did you mean?"

Jason stepped back from the window and faced me, "Well... what is sounds like. I'm curious, I want to see the Jason that could be."

"You're not happy as you are?" I asked.

Jason raised his brow, "Are you serious?"

I made a slight smile and eased back, "If you're not happy, then why are you clinging to Hedwig?"

Jason drew a deep breath, "It was easy for you Vilkas, you had your parents and you always wanted to get a symbiont deep down. Me? It scares me."

"It scared me too, and it still scares me," I said.

Jason eyes perked in wonder, "Really?"

"Being joined with a symbiont did change me, both body and mind, that's scary no matter how you look at it."

"Do you regret it?" Jason asked.

I shook my head, "No, I've never regretted it."

Jason looked toward the platform, "Any suggestions?"

"Do you have some kind of animal you like?" I asked.

"I was more thinking more of personality rather than looks," Jason said.

"Well, go for a stereotype then?"

Jason glanced up at me, "That's the thing, I don't know what I'm like."

A mischievous smile spread on my muzzle, "What if I said goat?"

Jason looked flabbergasted and just a tad horrified, "A goat!?"

I smirked and struggled to hold back a snicker, "Fine, not a goat."

Jason grew red in his face and shook his head, "I'm serious Vilkas."

"All right, let's see... Felines are a bit solitary, foxes can be rather excitable but they also look rather human. Dogs are very adaptable and they're easy to relate with for me. I guess I'm biased though."

"So?" Jason asked.

"Please don't pick a deer."

Jason smiled, "Why? Because you'll eat me?"

I shook my head, "Don't get me wrong, we're all hybrids, but there are differences between us. Diet, behavior, scent, its easier to relate with other carnivores rather than grass-munchers."

"Yeah, I noticed that in school, people were always friendly with each other but there was always that... invisible wall," Jason asked.

"I don't think its a coincidence that most carnivores can be found near the action, we break new ground, we do and act, while the herbivores plan, solidify, and refine. Does that make sense?"

"Maybe, so do you have a recommendation?"

"Have you considered a husky?" I asked.

Jason glanced away with while his lips pulled into something of an embarrassed smile, "Like Alex?"

"I'd say they're a pretty perfect blend, they have a prey drive but its easy to ignore, they're just a bit bigger than humans, and their every-day personality doesn't have any odd quirks except for a bit of energy and a sharp tongue. They form loose packs or go solo, hang out, take it easy. They like the cold and they're cute as hell."

Jason made a bemused smile and started bouncing on his toes. "You think I'd make a good husky?"

"I'd bet that you'd look awesome as a husky, my main point is this though... I think it's flexible, you can go solo, you can team up, there's no expectations, and if you were to ever decide that you'd like to try something as wild as a hunt, then you'd be welcome with us wolves."

Jason stopped bouncing and seemed to freeze as something went through his mind, "... Really?"

I nodded, "Yeah, our clan has several huskies and bigger felines, they're more like honorary members and enjoy the companionship but that's fine because we're doing it to hang out and have fun."

Jason gulped and looked toward the platform, "I want to try out a hybrid form, a husky."

The platform and globe started to hum, moments later a typical black and white husky with a loincloth formed in the center of the platform.

Jason looked at the figure and gulped, "Are hybrids always this fit?"

The husky reminded me a bit of Alex, slender, thick fur across most of the body, defined musculature highlighted shorter fur, as well as the iconic blue piercing eyes and cute curled tail.

"Most people seem to be, bears are a bit round and some of the herbivores have a bit more padding."

"You can't get fat or what?" Jason asked with a smirk.

"I dunno, could you answer that Athena?" I asked.

"Superfluous calorie intake has negative effects on the body, modifications have been made to control hunger and discourage gluttony. This is not much of a concern though as most hybrids adhere to some kind of exercise regiment."

"What if you don't have an interest in exercise?" Jason asked.

I leaned closer and gave Jason a friendly nudge, "I know it sounds creepy, but you will, our instincts make us eager to play and fool around, it's silly but very sweet and it encourages bonding."

Jason made a slight huff and smirked, "Like you playing ball with your father in the garden?"

"Yeah, just like that," I said.

"Can you choose not to do it?" Jason asked.

"They're instincts Jason, not involuntary commands. An urge in the back of your head, nothing else."

"Still... you do follow them?" Jason asked.

"When I feel like it, when I allow it. I'm in control, not my instincts," I said.

Jason looked back at the husky and started to circle the platform as he took a good look.

"Athena?" I said.

"Yes Vilkas?"

"Could you project Jason's clothes on the husky, extend the fur by his chin to imitate a small beard, and switch the fur to a copper and cream colored scheme."

The fur on the back of the husky became hues of dark brown while the sparkling white in front became a light cream hue. Clothes formed moments and dressed the husky in a deep blue and rather snug dress shirt along with a pair of khaki's.

Patterns of brown and red began to cover the face while the fur by the chin grew a tad longer and formed the slight appearance of a beard.

The fur on the chest puffed up and created an alluring v-shaped mane while the flat fur on the head grew and formed something akin to a hairstyle made out of fur.

"Shift his eyes to auburn yellow and make it mimic Jason's movements," I said.

The eyes shifted and the husky began to move on the pedestal. Jason froze in surprise and opened his mouth with a stunned expression, the husky mimicked as the ears perked and the tail grew slack.

"What do you think?" I asked.

Jason touched his own chest, moved his arms, opened his mouth, and watched as the husky mimicked every movement. He gulped and the husky did the same which made the two of them chuckle and smile while the husky wagged his tail in excitement.

"That's really freaky," Both of them said.

"Athena, if Jason ever wanted to help out in a hunt, could he do that?"

"Neck, jaw musculature, and teeth are insufficient to provide help under circumstances that wolves would appreciate."

"Could you up that to the minimum so that we can see what it looks like?" I asked.

The muzzle widened and the lips of the black muzzle bulged a little as the teeth inside the mouth grew bigger. The neck, arms, back, and upper chest musculature swelled and tightened the dress shirt.

"This will provide the ability to help in a hunt of medium sized prey, skeletal changes has been made to make the upper body more resilient to possible injury."

"Does this affect his ability and endurance to... run like other huskies?"

"Yes, compensating..." Athena said.

The body shifted a little here and there, the legs grew and the stance changed a little while the his abdomen slimmed a little.

"This layout will enable both functions with minimal impact to either."

I looked over at Jason, "What do you think?"

Jason and the husky stared at each other with a wondrous expression that made the two of them seem frozen in time.

512 A.R. January 20, Car, Evening

"You've hardly said a word in hours," I said as I glanced over at Jason.

Jason was staring out the window at the snow-covered fields as the sun dipped below the horizon.

"I know," Jason said.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"I'm just thinking," Jason answered.

"Want me to shut up?" I asked.

Jason turned his head and looked at me, "I just... I'm trying to deal with what I'm feeling right now."

"And what's that?" I asked.

"He looked... happy," Jason whispered before looking out the window once more.

"Who?"

"The husky."

"Oh. That's good, isn't it?" I asked.

Jason didn't answer.

"Please, talk to me?" I pleaded.

"There's nothing more to say Vilkas."

"Bullshit, why are you acting like this?"

Jason looked over at me once more, "You know... I had hoped this visit would have gone differently."

"What do you mean?"

"This world is supposed to be a test for our resolve and the reward is an eternity of smiles and sunshine. The idea seems ludicrous to me these days... I mean, what happens to my mind and sense of self when we enter this 'heaven' and become perfect beings without sin or lust. An eternity... never ending, never stopping. It's scary as hell when you think about it, eternal existence would be a curse, not a blessing."

"I... don't follow..."

"My dad always made it clear that his relationship with god was more important than his family. After all, man can only have one master. Even good deeds are useless if not made in the name of god. Faith is all important and without it you're less than dirt, an outsider, a stranger not part of the divine plan."

"What are you saying? You don't believe any longer?"

Jason huffed, "I haven't believed shit in a good while now."

"You don't have to get a symbiont Jason, the world isn't black and white, relax, let things settle."

"You don't understand Vilkas."

I frowned and my frustration made me raise my voice, "Then fucking tell me!?"

Jason made a surprised shiver and leaned back before focusing on my eyes once more.

"I can't do this Vilkas, I'm sorry."

"Why not? Because that rotten bitch Hedwig is whispering in your ear? Because your mother says so?"

Jason's face twisted in anger, "Yes! My dad is dead and my mother would die without me by her side! Is that so difficult to understand? That I can't leave everyone behind? Why do you always live in this fucking utopia of yours!?"

I was about to speak but didn't get a chance as Jason continued, "I mean, for fucks sake Vilkas! I don't even have an education! A home! Family! Friends! Even my compatibility quotient is in the gutter so the chances of me getting a symbiont is slim at best!"

"You're stronger than you think Jason, and you have friends, people that don't care whether-"

Jason's brow twitched in anger, "Bullshit! The only reason anyone tolerated me is because the fucking alpha wolf ordered them!"

"Do you really believe that?" I asked.

"This visit was exactly what I said it was! A glimpse into what could have been! A pipe dream of something that was never meant to be!"

The car pulled into the clinic parking lot as I answered, "You're wrong Jason, I can help..."

"Can you!? You're leaving for the fucking defense force! Where does that leave me? And why the hell do you even care to begin with! Or is it like Hedwig says? That you're only trying to convert me!"

"NO!" I barked in anger.

"Then why!? You obviously don't love me! You don't even find me attractive!"

"... Because you're important... you're family to me Jason."

Jason paused for a moment and then reached for the door handle, "You should stay away from now on Vilkas, bad things are coming."

"We're not done yet Jason."

Jason looked back with a morose expression, "Yes, we are Vilkas, goodbye."

"Wait!" I yelled as Jason opened the door, stepped out, slammed it shut and then marched into the clinic.

512 A.R. January 22, Volkov Household, Midday

The phone in my pocket buzzed as I fetched it from my pocket and glanced down, 'James'.

I walked out of the room to get some privacy as I held it by my ear and answered, "Vilkas."

"Hi Vilkas, this is James, Jason's doctor."

"Hi James... is everything all right?"

A shuffling noise could be heard in the background while James lowered his voice, "No, it isn't."

"What's going on?" I asked as my gut turned in a knot.

"They're all leaving."

"What, who? What are you talking about?"

"Hedwig's cult, there was more than one of them at the clinic. To think I didn't even notice, makes me wish I had more access to Athena's mind reading chair."

"They're leaving? Where? What about Jason?"

"A migration... a pilgrimage to somewhere... Athena might have to follow the rules and let them roam free, but I don't."

"I never imagined you as a such a... rogue agent James."

James made something of a chuckle, "I'm loyal to Sophos, not Athena or the guidelines set up by her."

I walked toward the door as I spoke, "Is Jason with them?"

"He's by Hedwig's side, listen... I don't know their final destination but my drones did overhear where they're stopping for the night."

"What are you getting at?" I asked as I grabbed my jacket and stepped outside.

"Jason's been in my care for over a year, deep down he's a good kid. I don't have any sway over him any longer and I don't intend to walk into their nest. But the two of you have history so I thought... that you deserved to know."

"Where?" I asked as I headed to the car.

"South, some place called Hengifoss."

512 A.R. January 22, Hengifoss Waterfall, Evening

Bumpy dirt roads, unused rocky lands, wild growth and few trees.

Why the hell would they use this place as a pit stop?

I tried calling Jason once more but was met with the usual response, "The number cannot be reached."

The sun was setting and darkness began to cover the lands as I caught sight of something up ahead.

Cars, trailers, tents, dozens of them all parked beside the road overlooking a nearby cliff with a waterfall.

What am I doing out here...

"Command, pull in and park by the tree up ahead," I ordered.

The car slowed and moved off-road before coming to a stop near the tree.

"Security, lock the doors when I leave, only allow Vilkas Volkov and Jason Jefferson to open the door."

The main display in the car flashed orange as a digitized voice spoke up, "There are no known credentials for Jason Jefferson stored in this car, unable to comply."

"Security, lock the doors when I leave, only allow me to override it."

"Confirmed, be aware, emergency protocols cannot be overridden," The car answered.

These protocols can save lives, but sometimes they're a damn pain in the ass...

"Security, alert emergency services if I have not returned to the car in 45 minutes."

"Confirmed."

"Environmental, shut down the lights but record as much as possible."

The lights went dark and the main screen dimmed, "Confirmed."

I opened the door and stepped out before shutting the door, a click was heard as the door locked while the console grew dark and shut down.

My nose caught the scent of humans, fire, food, and even... a trace of Hedwig's perfume.

It made me growl in anger as I bared my teeth and set my eyes on the camp and used the darkness to my advantage as I skulked across the road.

My ears were perked and my instincts ran high as I moved along the rocks and tiptoed along. The cars of their camp were placed in a circle that protected a group of tents in the center. Flickering flames emanated from the very core of the camp and made it clear that they had set up a large campfire.

A chatter of voices could be heard mixed with laughs and what sounded like preaching. I avoided the noise and set my sights on one of the more desolate corners of the protective circle.

My heart thumped and fear began to rattle my mind as I moved up by one of the cars and peeked into the inner camp. Humans wandered the camp and the bustle from within the camp combined with the thick scent made it seem as if there were hundreds of them.

The restaurant was bad enough, this is like a damn nightmare...

I observed in silence, watching for gaps, and patterns. The guards were quick to become apparent as they patrolled the camp with a watchful eye while holding onto what looked like hunting rifles.

Weapons... These bastards could shoot me and claim they saw a wild animal...

One of the guards walked up to another and spoke up, "Did they arrive yet?"

"What?" The second one asked.

"I saw lights on the road."

"Heading this way?"

The guard nodded, "Keep an eye out, hopefully they won't get lost like the ones earlier."

One of the tents opened all of a sudden and a woman clad in thick winter clothing emerged. I didn't recognize her but she set her sights on the car I was hiding by in an instant.

My heart panicked and I could feel a rush of warmth as the urge to flee grew within me. To my surprise and relief she started walking towards me as if I was invisible.

Black fur... bad eyesight... darkness of the night...

I crouched behind the car and huddled together as I listened to the loud crunch of snow caused by every step of the woman. She walked up to the car, moved past, and headed toward a tree in the far distance.

My heart calmed and I exhaled in relief as I wondered how much time I had left, in a near instant I felt Volkov's presence emerge, '34 minutes remaining.'

'Thanks,' I thought to myself as I rose once more and peeked into the camp.

The scent of Hedwig's perfume lingered in the air and while there was no trace of Jason I hoped he would be by her side. Getting him out through stealth seemed impossible though and recruiting a human to fetch him was unlikely, that left... only one option.

I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and then rose tall as I walked into the camp.

"Hedwig!" I yelled out with a booming voice as I stopped in the bright light of the campfire.

Every human in sight jumped in an instant, some shrieked in fear, others rushed to take cover, while the guards were quick to grab their rifles.

Please don't shoot me...

I had made sure to stand in the light and the car would soon alert emergency services, if they shot me then they'd be in deep trouble and would have no excuse to explain their actions.

It was a gamble and a risky one as I realized that I had pinned my life on the reason of humans.

Part of me expected to be riddled by bullets as I watched them take aim at me, relief like no other filled me as they seemed to hesitate and merely stared in silence.

One of the tents opened and Hedwig glanced out, she wore a nice winter dress and wore protective muffs with fur on her ears. She seemed confused as she looked around and caught sight of me.

Her jaw opened in surprise for a moment until her expression hardened once more and became like ice as she stared at me and stepped out.

"Vilkas, what a surprise," Hedwig said out loud glanced around the camp.

"I want to talk with Jason, bring him out," I said.

More armed men and women followed in Hedwig's wake and took to her side as her expression changed into a pleased smile.

"Jason was so angry after his visit to SYNE, I figured you did exactly what I asked for. Did you change your mind or something?"

The sudden sound of rushed footsteps from behind made my hackles rise. Instinct shot to life as I bared my teeth and turned around to catch the assailant.

To my surprise the woman from earlier came blundering past the car while focusing on the darkness behind her. She was about to run into me as she looked in front and came to a skidding halt in the snow.

Her face twisted in fear and her mouth dropped open as if she had come face to face with a demon from the underworld. A high pitched scream of utter desperation followed as she stumbled back and fell flat on her ass while pawing at the air as if protecting herself.

I frowned as I watched her scurry away while turning my attention to the guards still aiming at me.

"Don't fire!" Hedwig commanded as she raised her hands.

Murmurs began to spread among the humans while the armed guards threw Hedwig a skeptical glance.

"Killing this one will draw others to this place, he is a test, nothing more!" Hedwig announced as she made a point of meeting the eye of every armed guard.

This one... They've killed before?

Things seemed to calm once more while the frightened woman bolted into a tent.

"There's nothing for you here Vilkas, return to your own 'kin' and leave us be," Hedwig said.

" JASON!" I shouted in the hope that would show himself.

No one answered and silence echoed across the camp as the campfire crackled and made the shadows dance.

"See?" Hedwig said with something of a pleased voice.

"What have you done to him?" I asked.

Hedwig was about to answer when a grunt followed by a loud clatter could be heard from one of the tents. My ears swiveled as I glanced over at the tent next to the one Hedwig had emerged from.

"Keeping people against their will isn't exactly legal Hedwig."

"Neither is attacking a human camp, it would be such a shame if we had to put you down, wouldn't it?"

I met her eyes, "Then let me speak to him, one last time, and you'll never see me again, I promise."

A crazed glint of delight formed on Hedwig's face, it made me realize something about her, this woman liked power, she craved it like an addict.

"Tempting, but I don't think so," Hedwig answered.

I made another gamble, "Am I that much of a threat to you Hedwig? Are you so scared that mere words from someone like me will lead your flock astray?"

Hedwig's expression darkened in an instant, "You are nothing more than an insignificant speck of a world gone wrong. You're not a threat Vilkas, just an annoyance."

"Then humor my request, face the test I symbolize or face Athena as she descends on this place."

Her pupils widened in surprise and her expression froze as my threat seemed to strike a nerve.

"Well?" I asked.

Hedwig glanced to the side and motioned for one of the guards to approach. The guard stepped up to Hedwig as she leaned in as she whispered in his ear. The guard nodded and then started walking to the tent where I suspected Jason was being held.

The guard looked into the tent and issued some kind of order. Jason stumbled out of the tent moments later and was followed by several young men and an old woman. The young men were foreign to me but the old woman was familiar, Jason's mother.

A rustle near the back of the tent caught my attention as I noticed several of them leaving the camp.

I need to hurry...

Jason had lost his fine clothes and now wore a thick brown jacket and simple jeans, he looked agitated but unhurt as he looked at me with an intense stare that seemed anything but happy. The other young men walking by his side seemed angry and glared at Jason as if blaming him for something.

Jason's mother was wrapped in a big coat and seemed to have aged decades since I last saw her. Thick wrinkles speckled with black scabs covered her face while much of her white hair had fallen out.

Hedwig walked up to the group and leaned in by Jason as she whispered something. I waited and found my eyes drawn to Jason's mother as I noticed that she was clinging to some kind of metallic object that glinted like silver.

Hedwig touched Jason's cheek with a loving caress and made him look into her eyes. Jason seemed frozen and merely nodded as Hedwig nudged him to get going.

Jason approached with the frozen gait of a machine and met my eyes with a hardened expression that seemed both angry and worried.

"... I needed to talk with you Jason, one last time," I said as Jason stepped within reaching distance.

"What are you doing here!?" Jason snapped with a sharp but hushed voice.

"You just left... I couldn't just abandon you."

Jason stared at me in disbelief, "I told you to stay away!"

I drew closer and crouched a little to level with him, "You need to listen Jason, I'm sorry if I'm causing you trouble, but this is... serious. Were they keeping you prisoner?"

Jason gulped and seemed to ignore the question, "You should leave, it's not safe here."

"Do you want to leave?" I whispered as I inched closer.

"... What do you want Vilkas?"

I drew a deep breath and let my heart speak with inspiration fueled by desperation.

"You said we were lousy friends but I disagree, things could have been better but our sparring was never meant to hurt each other even if it sounded harsh. It's the little things that mattered, knowing what the other one is thinking, that relaxed and accomplished sensation even if we spent hours together without saying a word. All those silly moments, the trust between us."

Jason's expression softened a little but he still seemed distant as the humans of the camp stared. I reached into my pocket, and found the memory chip I had taken from Jason's house.

"Do you remember this?" I asked as I reached out and opened my palm to reveal the emblazoned game with a keyring attached to it.

Jason glanced down at the game that glittered like the stars in the night sky, "Is that..."

I made a slight smile and cocked my head, "I took it from your house, I wanted something to remind me of my old life in case I ever forgot. But I never did, these memories are some of the most precious I have and I will carry them with me until the day I die."

Jason gulped as he reached out and plucked it from my padded palm.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you Jason, and I'm sorry that I can't love you in the way you want, maybe I'm broken, maybe it's the fact that we grew up together, I don't know. But I do know this..." I said.

Jason felt along the emblazoned surface of the chip as he glanced up and met my eyes.

"I will always love you Jason, as a brother, as part of my family, as part of my pack. I miss you and I believe that this 'journey' you're leaving for... is wrong. I don't think you will ever return if you go with these people."

Jason clenched the emblazoned memory module in his hand, "I... can't."

"You can't live your life for your mother Jason, and you can't live your life for Hedwig or the expectations of these people. You change every time they pull you in, you freeze, grow distant, as if your soul is drained like a lifeless husk."

"It's not that easy Vilkas," Jason whispered.

"I've seen you happy Jason, at the Grand Hotel, at the club gathering, at SYNE, your cheeks flush red, you get a natural smile, one of those pure smiles unblemished by the harsh reality of the world. You should have seen yourself when you were with Alex, you were more alive than I have ever seen before."

"I..." Jason stuttered.

I raised my voice and inched so close that my snout almost touched his nose, "It IS that easy Jason, you have friends, my family, you have ME! Take my hand, say yes, anything, and this nightmare will end."

Jason stared at me in stunned silence as I held out my hand to him. To my disappointment nothing happened and it made me wonder whether it had been impossible from the very start.

Like a vulture Hedwig descended once more and stepped up by Jason, "Do you see now Vilkas? The strength of faith? The power to resist the desires of flesh? Even something as compelling as what you must have just offered him?"

Whatever I had stirred in Jason began to fade as he glanced away in silence while his mother stepped up and latched onto him like a tick.

Jason's mother looked sick and her eyes had shrunken into her head. It made her intense stare look like that of the undead and her bare hands were little more than skin and bone. Jason's torn expression faded and became distant as her ashen hands touched his hands and tried to wedge the strange silver object into his grasp.

Hedwig looked pleased as she made a gentle smile, "He has made his choice Vilkas, leave."

My ears and tail reflected my disappointment as a sensation of dread gripped my heart. It hurt but I was forced to consider my own safety as I readied myself to leave.

A sudden gasp from Jason's mother made me stop and focus on them once more. She had found the game in Jason's hand and her expression twisted in horror as if she had touched something toxic.

"No..." Jason's protest was a mere whisper as she wrested it from his hands and threw it in the snow.

Jason moved to reach down when his mother intervened with a sudden bout of agility. She pulled back her hand, straightened Jason, and then slapped his face with a clap loud enough to echo through the dark night.

Jason's head rocked to the side as he froze and stared at the ground with a stunned expression.

"Christine!" Hedwig protested.

Christine gripped Jason's face and dug her nails in his cheek as she hissed with a raspy voice.

"Insolent! Stupid! Worthless! Child!"

Jason's lips and eyes trembled but something began to change as frozen fear turned to boiling anger.

"Enough!" Jason spat the answer with a shaky but determined voice as he wrested himself from her grip.

Hedwig was quick to intervene and held Christine at bay, "Christine, calm yourself."

"Jason! Come here this instant!" Christine demanded as she reached for him in desperation.

Jason stepped back and seemed to snap out of his daze as he glanced around the camp and noticed the stare of a hundred humans.

" Christine!" Hedwig snapped and it seemed to work as Jason's mother calmed and relaxed once more.

Christine drew a raspy breath and then lowered her gaze, "Yes priestess."

Everything calmed and Hedwig made a renewed but gentle smile as she looked over at Jason.

"Jason?" Hedwig whispered in surprise as Jason glared back in anger.

"Enough! I'm tired of this!" Jason's snapped.

Hedwig let go of Christine and stepped up to Jason as her smile faded, "Jason, it was just a mistake, calm down."

"I... can't do this any longer, I'm sorry," Jason answered.

"Jason... you don't know what you're saying," Hedwig pleaded.

"Yes, I do," Jason answered as he crouched down and fetched the game hidden in the snow.

"Jason, let's talk about this, you're upset and you're not thinking straight," Hedwig said.

Jason drew closer to me, "I'm sorry Hedwig, please take care of my mother."

"You're going to regret this Jason," Hedwig said with a disappointed if pleading voice.

Christine stumbled forward without warning, to my surprise she headed toward me rather than Jason.

"This is your fault! You took my husband, and now you try to take my son! Begone foul beast!" Christine screeched in anger as she held up the metallic symbol as if trying to ward me off.

I leaned back in surprise but remained in place as she stopped and jabbed the symbol in the air. It looked like a small rod fitted with an intricate and circular design dotted with crystalline patterns and a Vitruvian Man in the center.

The armed guards and the human mob began to stir as Jason joined my side with a look of fear.

I glanced over at him and whispered with a sharp but hushed voice, "We need to go, now."

Jason looked up at me, met my eyes, and nodded. It was all that I need as I turned around and pulled him along.

"NO! HELP! JASON! KIDNAPPER! DEMON! DO SOMETHING!" Christine screamed.

Jason trudged and stumbled through the heavy snow as we moved past the car and hurried into the darkness while the noise from the camp seemed to grow louder by every second.

Survival instinct kicked in as I no longer trusted Hedwig's willingness or even ability to keep her flock under control. We needed to flee, and quick, something that Jason was not capable of.

"Excuse me," I said.

"What?" Jason uttered in surprise.

I reached out, grabbed hold of his jacket with one hand while the other scooped him up by his behind as I lifted him into my arms.

"Whoa!?" Jason gasped in surprise as I dug my paws into the snow and set off.

The sudden and resounding bang of a rifle shot made me cringe as my fears came true, to my relief I felt no pain and was sure we hadn't been hit even if the shot sounded close.

Jason was silent but I could feel his heart thump while his scent screamed of fear and panic.

My nose caught the wind, my eyes watched the path ahead, and my ears focused on our surroundings. To my dismay I noticed a set of tracks in the snow heading toward my car. It made me crouch a little to keep my profile low while I slowed to ease the noise of crunching snow.

It seemed strange but I heard something akin to loud arguing up ahead. The reason became clear as the car came into view and revealed two men who seemed to be debating with the car.

"Open up! My friend is hurt! He's dying!" One of the men yelled.

"Do you wish to contact emergency services?" The car asked with a digitized voice.

"No! You need to open the doors! Right now!" The man argued.

The second man was standing with his back toward us and seemed to lose his temper as he raised the butt of his rifle and slammed into the car window. The window made a resounding thud but didn't break as the rifle bounced back from the impact.

I eased Jason into the snow and whispered to his ear, "Stay low and silent, I'll take care of them."

Jason stared at me as if I was insane but I ignored him as I crouched and began to tiptoe through the human tracks leading up to the car.

"Fuck!" The man uttered in anger as he kicked the car and glanced into it.

My steps were hasty but determined as I forced my fear into the background and stepped up behind the man. One hand snatched the rifle and the other wrapped around the man's throat. A muffled but surprised yelp escaped his lips as I pulled him close and squeezed his throat while the other forced the rifle from his grip.

"Huh?" The man on the other side said in surprise as he glanced up.

My hand grabbed the man's neck and squeezed hard as I heaved him to the right before launching him to the left with a forceful throw. A choked gurgle could be heard as the man flew several meters through the air before crashing into the snow with a coughing fit.

"Jason!" I snapped as I raised the rifle and took aim at the man on the other side of the car.

The man stumbled back in horror and raised his arms in the air while Jason came rushing up.

"Command, open! Jason, get in the car!" I ordered as I sidestepped and started to circle the car.

The car lit to life and the locks on the door clicked open as Jason opened the passenger door and jumped inside.

A noise from the left made me glance to the side as I noticed that the man I'd thrown to the snow had risen and seemed ready to rush me. I bared my teeth and let a dark growl make my intentions clear.

The message seemed to work as the man cowered and moved back while stifling another coughing fit.

The driver door pushed open and Jason's voice emerged from within, "Vilkas, they're coming!"

The man in front still held his hands in the air as I rushed up to the driver seat and jumped inside.

"Command! Navigation! Home! Hurry!" I snapped as I slammed the door shut.

The electric engine came to life with a high pitched screech as the wheels tore into the ground and backed onto the road while drifting to change its orientation. A chatter of pebbles and dirt could be heard as the sudden acceleration pushed me into the seat.

I glanced out of the window toward the camp and saw what looked like a cloud of lamps and makeshift torches coming our way. To my relief there were no cars following us, yet at least. The car slowed a little and the road evened out as I allowed myself to relax and looked back in the rear view mirror.

"Seat belt warning, seat belt warning..." The car began to chime.

Jason made a sudden chuckle followed by a hearty laugh as the car repeated its warning while I glanced over in wonder if his mind had snapped. Moments later I felt myself smirk and chuckle as the rather ludicrous state of affairs dawned on me.

I pulled my seat belt on and Jason followed suit which made the car shut up once more. A strange sensation of silence filled the car in return and the deep darkness of night made it seem like we were driving through an endless abyss.

Laughter turned to dismal reality as I realized how close things had been to a complete disaster. It made my hands tremble while my body began to buzz as the rush of adrenaline abated.

"Are you all right Jason?" I asked as I made fists to keep the trembling sensation under control.

Jason glanced over at me and then touched his hands, face, and chest as if searching for wounds, "I think so. You?"

"Yeah, heart's still pounding though."

"Yeah..." Jason whispered.

The silence returned but I found it a welcome relief as I exhaled and leaned back in my seat for a moment's rest.

Bump!

Minutes passed and a sudden bump broke my daze as I noticed that we'd left the dirt road and were now picking up speed on the highway.

What happens now?

I glanced over at Jason saw him staring out at the road with a dazed and distant look on his face.

It felt rather ironic that in the end, it wasn't my words that had convinced him to leave them, rather it was the cruel nature of others that had pushed him away. I felt selfish and shallow but on some level I wished that our friendship would have been enough.

Jason glanced over and made a surprised shiver as he noticed my stare, "... Hi."

I made a slight if solemn smile, "Hey, have you... made your mind up?"

Jason made a slight nod, "Yeah, I have. It's like you said... I can't live for my mother."

"Yeah."

Jason glanced away with a pained look, "She wasn't always like this Vilkas... I was all she had."

"I understand."

Jason looked back and made a sheepish if cautious smile as he held out his hand, "Is it... too late to take your hand?"

I felt my tail squirm in the seat as I smiled and held out my hand, "Not at all."

Jason clasped my hand and held it tight as a warm smile spread on his face, "Thank you Vilkas."

"It's all right Jason," I answered.

Jason held on tight but shook his head as he met my eyes, "No, it isn't."

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"You've pulled me from the brink more than once now, you're always there for me. You are without a doubt the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Stepping into that camp, unarmed, facing everything, you've got more heart and bravery than I'll ever have."

I was about to speak but Jason interrupted me, "I... want a new life Vilkas, to turn a new leaf. I'm going to struggle and I'm going the face the world, I'll resume my studies, I'll move in at the clinic again, and I think I want a symbiont one day."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

Jason nodded, "Yeah, I am. You're a good friend to me Vilkas and one day I'll return the favor and stand by your side as an equal, I promise you that."

I nodded and held his hand tight, "I'll keep you to that promise Jason."

"So what are-" Jason stopped midsentence as a stark light filled the inside of the car.

Jason raised his hand to shield his eyes while I squinted and glanced in front. A car coming from the other direction wasn't shutting off its high beams for some reason.

It seemed strange as that function should have been automated.

"DANGER!" The lights in the car flashed a dim red followed by a large exclamation mark on the display.

My heart rose to my throat and the world seemed to slow down as the approaching car pulled onto our lane and headed straight for us at a collision course.

I was about to reach for the steering wheel when the car reacted on its own and turned toward the ditch. To my horror the correction was too slow and too small as the blinding light of the approaching car swallowed us up.

Ripping metal, crushed glass, the earth-shattering boom of a car being torn and twisted. A loud oomph of air filled the car as protective airbags deployed even as I felt myself thrown like a rag doll against the restraints of the car belt.

Gravity began to shift and for a moment I felt as if I was flying, another rumble slammed into us and the metal groaned as the car spun and tumbled off the road.

The world spun, and I couldn't even breathe as every slam rocked my body and brought more and more pain.

Like a pierced vacuum the rest of the windows exploded followed by a loud thud as something struck my head.

I felt strange and the world seemed to grow dull as my vision glittered like stars while glass showered the insides of the car.

Unknown

Wake up...

The ancient and dark voice had returned to visit me once more.

You're in danger...

Every syllable of the deep reverberating voice made the very fiber of my being tingle as it called out to me. Powerful, ancient, scary, yet there was a sensation that made it feel as if this entity was... familiar.

'Who are you?' I thought.

Unless you act, your friend will die, and so will you...

'Why? Are you Maxwell?' I thought with the feeling that I had forgotten something important.

Your innocence is at an end young wolf, arise and do not hesitate, KILL...

My heart thumped as I felt something looming over the horizon of my mind, memories, harsh reality.

_ WAKE UP! _

With a shudder I snapped awake and found myself raddled with confusion. The air was cold and the world seemed bathed in orange light while snow drifted upwards as if gravity had reversed.

"Warning, damage to main battery, temperature rising, exit the car!" A digitized voice repeated.

My head felt heavy and I could feel the thump of my heart as I glanced around and realized that I was upside down and held in place by the seat belt.

"Emergency services have been contacted, exit the car!" The car repeated.

All the windows were shattered and the frame of the car had warped, I glanced down and saw snow and dirt past the passenger window. The car was standing on its side and Jason was resting against a now deflated airbag at the bottom.

Jason wasn't moving and there was a trickle of blood from his nose while his face was covered with pieces of glass and small cuts.

My body hurt but everything felt functional as I grabbed a handle bar in the roof while I searched for footing with my paws. After a few moments I had a solid grip and used my second hand to release the seat belt.

Snow drifted through the air and the car creaked as I eased myself down and out of what used to be the front window.

I crouched on the ground and crept up to Jason, "Jason?"

Jason didn't stir but he was still breathing and I could feel a strong and steady pulse as I touched his throat.

A rasping noise against asphalt made my fur stand on end as I was reminded that we weren't alone.

The rifle...

My ears perked as I listened and glanced around in search for the rifle. To my dismay it was nowhere to be seen and I suspected it had been thrown out of the window as the car had tumbled off the road.

I leaned back in the snow and perked my ears as I listened while trying to get my bearings. The car was standing on its side with its belly facing the road. It was a defensible position and it might allow for a surprise attack.

"Warning, damage to main battery, temperature rising, exit the car!" The car repeated.

Damn it...

It shouldn't be possible for the car to explode, but a fire was probable and it would force us from shelter and into view of the enemy.

The rasping noise continued while I crept to the side and prepared to glance out beyond the car.

I drew a deep breath, steeled myself, folded my ears against my head, and then leaned to the side as I snapped a quick glimpse of the road.

A blue sedan with a crushed front was standing by the side of the road and there was a human male stumbling toward us. The man seemed to have injured his leg and his foot dragged as he winced in pain with every step.

The injured man was holding something in his hand, a revolver of some kind and he held it at the ready.

Why would someone do this? What could drive a man to such lengths that he was willing to engage in what could only be considered a suicide attack? And even then continue the hunt?

I pushed the thought aside and faced the situation at hand. An armed man was approaching and the car was a fire hazard waiting to erupt, time was of the essence.

A distraction...

I looked around and noticed a scrap of warped metal in the snow, I fetched it, knelt down, listened, and waited for an opportunity.

Every rasp came closer and it sounded like the man was giving the car a wide berth. It was troublesome but I had few options as I leaned back and lobbed the piece high in the air.

The man stopped for a moment and seemed to hesitate, moments later the piece of metal landed on the road with a loud clatter. A surprised gasp came from the man and I heard another shuffle against the asphalt as he turned around.

All or nothing...

I dug in with my paws and launched myself from hiding.

The man had his back turned to me as I took my first steps, that changed as the crunch of snow and claws against asphalt alerted the man who turned to face me once more.

I readied my hands and took aim at his weapon as I caught sight of his face. He looked bloodied and the expression was one frantic desperation twisted into sudden fear.

A sudden and loud bang shook the air and a crippling pain tore through my gut. Arching pain pierced through my spine and leg as I stumbled to the side and almost lost my balance.

This can't be happening...

I couldn't breathe, my body panicked, a sickening sensation radiated from my abdomen as the fear of death gripped me once more.

You shot me!

Anger burst through the barricades, feral fury, pitch black hatred, survival instinct!

_ DIE! _

It washed over my senses and the pain cleared in an instant as my paws caught new grip on the asphalt. All that mattered was ending the threat, no mercy, no humanity, no dignity!

My crouched stance turned into a flying leap as I slammed into the man and caught hold. We were falling but my jaws already sought something to bite down on.

One hand caught his throat, the other caught his wrist while my maw found his shoulder. We slammed into the asphalt and the man made a pained grunt followed by choked cry.

I felt his wrist bend, crack, and pop while my hand squeezed his throat so tight that I felt flesh tear. My jaws bit down, tore fabric, pierced flesh, and ushered forth warm blood as I found bone.

I couldn't stop as my anger wouldn't back down and reason wouldn't allow it as the threat still lived. The bones in his shoulder cracked and tore as I felt it loosen from its socket.

Warmth and wet spurts soaked my hand while I realized that the blood in my mouth tasted sweet and strange. It made me realize what I was doing and it replaced feral instinct with a distinct sensation of disgust.

I let go in an instant and relaxed my jaws as the man's now torn arm fell to the asphalt with a wet splat.

The man's face was twisted in horror and blood was spurting from the torn throat as he gurgled and twitched. Moments later the man seemed to calm and his head bobbed to the side with his eyes frozen in a distant gaze.

Pain started to return as I leaned back and began to realize what I had done. I could taste it, feel the sticky blood soaking my fur. I spat and wiped my hand but it did little to help as the blood tainted me.

I could have taken the gun, struck him unconscious, anything...

Focus!

Jason! The car!

Survival instinct pushed the guilt aside as I fetched the handgun and pushed myself onto two legs with my head spinning.

The pain made me whimper and clutch my gut as I looked toward the blue sedan and noticed someone sitting by the driver seat. I stumbled forward and held the gun at the ready as I threw a glimpse into the driver seat.

It was clear even from a glimpse that the man was dead as his face seemed to have been impaled by the steering wheel. Something was odd though, the instruments and central panel of the car had been ripped open and a jumbled tangle of wiring could be seen.

I ignored it, turned around, and steeled myself as I began to hobble back toward our car.

The main battery pack in the belly of the car had begun to glow red and it ushered me on as I stumbled around the car and caught sight of Jason.

He had managed to move and now lay unconscious in the snow. I dropped down on my knees and reached out in an instant as I pulled him out of the snow and scooped him up in my arms.

"Jason... Wake up..." I whispered.

My heart ached even worse than the pain radiating through my gut, "Please wake up..."

The fur on my abdomen began to feel wet and the cold started to seep into me as a lightheaded sensation crept into my mind.

"Please wake up... Things were looking better... It was finally over..."

I touched his cheek and watched as flakes of snow landed on his face and melted, "Jason, wake up..."

To my surprise Jason stirred and opened his eyes with a dazed look, "... Vilkas?"

A nervous chuckle almost turned into a sob as I spoke, "Hey buddy... how are you feeling?"

"Everything hurts," Jason answered.

I made a slight smile of relief, "That's good... means you're still alive."

Jason glanced around in confusion, "What happened?"

"Car crash..." I whispered.

A roar filled the air and powerful spotlights painted the area in stark white. Jason squinted while I glanced up toward the sky and saw several large drones approach.

512 A.R. January 23, Pasloe Local Hospital, Morning

"How are you feeling?" The male deer asked as he parted the fur by my abdomen and took a look.

What was his name again?

I cocked my head a little and caught a glimpse of his name-plate, 'Chris'.

"It hurts to move and I feel a bit... tired and dazed," I answered.

Chris rose and nodded, "Don't eat anything for a few days, your digestion has effectively shut down until the intestines recover."

"That's it?" I asked.

The deer nodded once more, "Your body already pushed the bullet out and hybrids are resilient, wolves in particular. I'd make arrangements with a trauma specialist but it seems Athena's already booked a session for you."

"Uh huh, where's my friend?" I asked.

"The human?" Chris asked with a curious expression.

"Yeah."

"He's resting further down the hall, there's a guard posted by-"

The doctor was interrupted as the door to the examination room was flung open and father bolted inside. Both me and Chris jumped in surprise and it made me cringe as a bolt of pain radiated through my gut.

"Vilkas!" Father looked rather frantic and his nose flared as if he had tracked me through the hospital based on scent alone.

"Hey!" Chris was quick to spring into action as he stepped in front of me to block father.

Father stopped for a moment but seemed about ready to bite the doctor's head off as I reached out and tapped Chris's shoulder.

"That's my dad, it's all right," I said.

Chris glanced back in surprise and then got out of the way, "Oh, sorry. Be careful your son was-"

Father ignored the deer and stepped up to me with a desperate if relieved expression, "Vilkas..."

I made a slight smile and motioned to my gut, "I got shot, but I'm all right."

Father made a deep sigh and leaned in and put his head against mine, "You did it again Vilkas."

I made a slight nod while father gave me a light hug, "I know, I'm sorry."

"Are you all right?" Father asked as he leaned back a little and met my eyes.

I found it difficult to answer as the emotional wall in my mind began to crumble, "I..."

Father cocked his head and watched my expression as his nose flared once more, something seemed to dawn on him and I suspected that he now realized that I was the source of human blood.

"Oh... dear pup..."

I tried to hold it back but emotion made my lips tremble as I spoke, "I have blood on my hands now..."

Father looked over at the doctor and issued an order, "I need some time alone with my son, leave."

"He's my-" Chris was interrupted.

"This is private, so either move your ass or I'll throw you out," Father demanded with a dark stare.

Chris drew a deep breath but relented, "I'll be outside the door."

Chris walked out and shut the door while I glanced up at father, "What's going on?"

Father cupped my muzzle in his hands as he looked me in the eyes.

"This is important, so listen carefully..." Father whispered.

"All right?"

"Did you do it to defend yourself?"

"... Yes, but-"

"No buts Vilkas, did he threaten your life?"

"... He shot me, rammed the car."

"Do you feel guilty?"

"... Yes," I whispered.

"You didn't do anything wrong Vilkas," Father said as if stating a fact.

"But..."

"You didn't do anything wrong Vilkas, you defended yourself and Jason against a threat to your life, you have nothing to feel guilty about."

"I lost control..." I whispered.

"Irrelevant, no matter what you did, you did with good reason. You're a good wolf Vilkas, a proper alpha, we do dirty things so that others don't have to, we shield Sophos so that our kin can prosper. You did nothing wrong."

"... All right."

"Say it," Father ordered.

I gulped and drew a deep breath, "I did nothing wrong."

Father smiled in relief and scritched my ear, "Good boy."

"What's this about?" I asked.

"The first time is always the hardest and our conscience is wired to prevent us from becoming monsters, it's important that we maintain a realistic view of our actions and don't let guilt rattle us."

"What happens otherwise?"

Father leaned in and nuzzled my head, "Don't worry about that."

"I need to see Jason," I said.

"That human is turning out to be nothing but trouble," Father whispered.

"He's my friend, I can't abandon him."

Father moved to my side and helped support me, "Think you can walk?"

"Yeah," I answered as I eased myself up from the hospital bed.

Father led me out of the room as we headed down the hall toward a room guarded by a spiny humanoid robot made out of black metal. Chris followed us and seemed to give the go-ahead as the robot moved out of the way.

"Dad?" I asked.

"What?" Father asked.

"... Why would someone do something like this? What could drive a person to such lengths that he would ram a car and still not give up?"

"They're human Vilkas, you're trying to apply logic and reason to the actions of a species that has none."

"... That's it?" I asked.

"If there's another answer, then I don't have it," Father answered.

It was too simplistic, too judgmental, and I didn't buy it even if i could understand father's viewpoint.

Hasty footsteps from behind made me glance back as I saw mother rushing up to us, "Vilkas!"

"I'm fine mom," I answered as she joined me and father's side.

Mother gave me a desperate glare as she touched my shoulder, "Are you insane? Why didn't you call emergency services from the start?"

"If I had then Jason would still be at that camp, I couldn't do that," I answered.

Mother sighed, "I understand, you're walking, that's good. Was Jason hurt?"

"I don't know," I answered as we came up to the room and glimpsed inside.

Jason was laying in a hospital bed and was looking at the entrance as we walked into sight. He looked cautious but raised his hand as he spoke, "Hey..."

I eased out of father's grip and hobbled up to Jason's bed, "Are you all right?"

Jason glanced toward my parents but then met my eyes, "Yeah, just bruised all over."

I eased myself onto the bed and made a relieved sigh, "That's good."

"... They told me you were shot?"

I motioned to my abdomen, "Yeah, but I'm OK."

Am I? Really?

My mind wandered to the car and I found myself seeing the frozen image of the dead man staring into the abyss. I recognized him now that I thought back, it was the same man I had seen at the Grand Hotel, and it was the same blue sedan we had seen several times before.

Mother walked up to the bed and touched my shoulder while father sat down on a nearby bed and seemed to take a breather.

I looked over at mother, "Have they said anything about the crash?"

Mother nodded and fetched a small pad from her pocket, "They've already left a preliminary report, it seems that they modified the car so that they could bypass the safety restrictions."

"Isn't tech like this supposed to be tamper proof?" I asked.

Mother shook her head, "There's no such thing as tamper-proof when you have physical access and time. The system did notice their tampering but not until it was too late to intervene."

"Who were they?" I asked.

"Humans, they're in the registry but little else is known, do you have any idea?"

I shook my head and looked over at Jason, "You told me you didn't know who they were, was that the truth?"

Jason looked confused, "I don't follow..."

"At least one of the men we saw at the Grand Hotel was responsible for this."

Jason's eyes grew wide as something dawned on him, "Oh."

"What?" I asked.

Jason shook his head, "I don't know who they are, but I'm pretty sure they're with the cult, you won't find any connection with Hedwig though."

"Why not?" I asked while mother's pad began to buzz and lit up.

"Don't underestimate Hedwig, she's far too smart to be seen with the ones that do the dirty work."

"Where were you going? What was this whole... migration about?" I asked.

Jason glanced away as if ashamed, "They're settling in a new human village near the coast to the south."

"Why?" I asked while I noticed that mother withdrew and joined father's side.

Jason shrugged, "Something big was supposed to happen, I don't know what."

"... Oh no," Mother whispered with a shaky voice.

I glanced back in an instant and noticed that both father and mother were staring at the small pad as if transfixed.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Mother's tightened her hand into a fist and hid it as if trying to hide how upset she'd become. Father meanwhile looked tight lipped but troubled as his ears folded back.

"... Did something happen?" I asked once more.

Father took the pad, hit the speaker button and then held it out so that I could see.

'- Emergency Alert System -'

'-Attack on Aurora, Seek shelter-'

A news broadcast started playing and showed a tense canine facing the camera.

"We've just received word that expedition outpost Aurora has been struck by what appears to be a nuclear weapon. The Wall, orbital defenses, and the navy has gone to high alert. Citizens within the red, green, purple and coastal zones are advised to keep underground and seek shelter in nearby bunkers."

The canine paused for a moment and then continued with a gulp, "The Space Initiative has just left a report that the attack originated from a submarine close to the outpost. No further threats have been detected so far and none of the human nations have taken responsibility for the attack."

The news broadcast was replaced by a satellite image showing a coastal area now marked with what looked like a gigantic crater ravaged by fire and debris.

A low rumble could be heard from outside and it made me look out the window. The city seemed to be shifting as laser domes and rail gun turrets emerged from the ground and rooftops.

The room began to darken and a whirr could be heard as armored shutters lowered across the windows and slammed shut.

To be continued in book 2...