The Adventures of Iron Wolves: Book 1 - Alpha

Miyako held Anima tightly in her arms, keeping her from impaling Rue and Dusk with her sword. “What do we do?” she cried with difficulty. “Stykes is the only one who can remove the collar.”

“Not entirely true at this very moment,” Dusk replied lowering Shiro to the ground. “He’s still technically alive. It takes more than a stab in the heart to kill an elf. Especially if they are from the Royal Family.” They could hear Anima growling quietly in her throat. “If he touches the collar, it will, hopefully, seep back into his skin. It’s his blood after all.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Rue asked somewhat curious. “Do we have to lock her up somewhere til Stykes gets back?”

Dusk opened his mouth to speak when the sound of wings fluttered into the open window. All his senses told him, before he even turned to look at the bird, that it was Veritas. He turned and outstretched his arm for her to land on.

“What happened?” he asked her quietly, taking the necklace from her. He looked at the necklace then back to Veritas who sung to him mournfully.

Rue grabbed the necklace from Dusk and pulled the ring free. “I know what this ring is…” he said trailing off slowly, concentrating hard figuring out how to get close to Anima’s right side. “If you have an idea to remove the collar, now is a good time to do it.”

Rue decided the best option was to just dart at her and hope she didn’t impale him in the process. He grabbed Anima’s wrist and twisted it, forcing her to release her rapier. His fingers quickly slid the ring onto her finger before she lashed out at him again.

Miyako forced Anima to the ground, pushing and pulling her close to Shiro’s body. Dusk took Shiro’s hand and placed it on Anima’s neck. The blood seeped back to Shiro, his breathing and colour returning with every drop that came back. Miyako released Anima only to take a hold of her again when she started to fall backwards.

Colours, sounds, and memories flooded Anima’s mind. She could tell these weren’t her own. She stood, an ethereal shadow, watching Stykes’ birth. Colours whirled to the death of his parents, then to his moments with Mariel, his battle with Shiro for the scroll and katana, the exodus of elves to this world, and then lastly to the sensations of the tattoos burning onto his skin.

Her physical body took a deep breaths like she was sleeping, but her spiritual body jumped miles at a time until finally she stood at a dungeon entrance. Purposefully, she walked down along the many cells until her body told her to turn left into a small cell. She could see a magical barrier surrounding the cell with the intent to keep in whatever was inside.

She stepped through the barrier easily, her eyes finding Stykes. She knelt down and touched his cheek. She looked him over, assessing his current situation. His breathing was steady but slow. His wrists were locked in iron cuffs and held up over his head by two iron chains attached to a ring in the ceiling. She knew that she had to do something.

She raised her hand and slapped him. The sound echoing through the dungeon bringing the guards at a run. She gave them a smile knowing they couldn’t see her. She felt good to be able to actually hit him for once.

They stared at Stykes, who was now waking up to the pain on his left cheek. The guards shrugged and laughed to themselves about the self-abusing elf. Anima watched them go before turning back to Stykes.

“Felt like you had a year’s worth of frustration in that slap,” Stykes mumbled drowsily. “Did I honestly deserve that?” He lifted his head and looked at her through sleepy eyes.

She ignored his comment and smiled brightly. Awake now? she asked him. I can do it again you know. They can’t see me but you can certainly feel me. Stykes stared at her speechless. Can’t you feel your finger? Veritas thought this was your best option. She raised her own right hand to display a ring sitting snugly on her ring finger. He gingerly moved his thumb to feel his ring finger. Sure enough, a ring sat there snugly.

Stykes cast a cautious glance around before looking back to her. “So how is it that I can see you? This isn’t what normally happens when the bonds of marriage settle on two people.”

Wondered why Father gave you those rings? Anima asked curiously. Why he probably said to use them when you married me? Stykes slowly shook his head. He had thought on it but decided not to pursue the matter. Those rings came with one of my ancestors, an elf by the name of Rosiel.

Stykes looked at her shocked. He knew that she could accurately guess what he was thinking. Anima nodded in confirmation to his thoughts.

Rosiel, the only daughter of the ancient royal line that was around before your family’s ancestors took over. She didn’t want to be Queen and ran away to the Human world, taking with her the Twin Fate Rings. Your family, disgusted by her actions, sealed the gate and created the Dimensional Katana to make sure no one could escape their destinies. That much you know. Stykes nodded waiting to hear the rest of the story. When she arrived in the Human World, she became tired and lost. She travelled from Wolf Mountain, which was called Moon Spire back then, and made her journey into Lunarias. She collapsed and when she awoke, found that she was in a room at an inn in Virago City. She searched for the one who, not only rescued her, but paid for her accommodation at the inn for a month.

Failing to uncover anything, she returned to the inn and as she entered the door, a saw a man handing the innkeeper a small sack of gold. She fell in love with the man and married him before finding out he was the King of Lunarias. Anima smiled and touched his cheek. The pair of rings allows the couple bound by them to be able to see their partner when they need to. In this form, while I can touch you, I can’t rescue you. I can see your status and bring those who can help here to you. She lifted her head suddenly, her ears twitching much like Stykes’ would have at a distant sound.

“Where’s your physical body if you’re here?” Stykes asked worried. “I hope you aren’t defenseless.”

Miyako, Rue and Dusk are there… She trailed off listening carefully. Hawkeye and Aruna too… When I came here they weren’t in the room. Miyako must have gotten worried. She sat down cross-legged in front of him. Our bedroom is becoming a warzone. She mused out loud to herself. He’s only one person with a disabled familiar. How is he so difficult to kill… Anima’s eyes focused back onto Stykes. Is it that you have to kill your brother or can anyone kill him?

“Why do you ask that?” Stykes asked not really wanting to know the answer. “Anyone with elf blood can kill him. But he won’t stay dead unless it is by me or someone I assign to kill him in my name.”

Then can you assign me to do it? Anima asked quietly. Because even with the damn hole in his heart from my rapier, he’s still up and trying to lock collars on everyone in the room.

“What the hell Anima!” Stykes said controlling his volume so that it didn’t echo far down the hall. “How can you be so calm here where they’re there fighting someone who wants you dead?”

Because it originally wasn’t my choice to be sent here, she replied calmly. Shiro caught me before the others got into our room. Under his control, I still managed to run him through with my rapier. Dusk removed the collar using Shiro’s hand and Rue, at the same time, slipped the ring Veritas gave him onto my finger. I saw your memories and was thrown here. But now that I am here, it would be more useful to gather information then go back and arrange a rescue for you. Stykes’ head reeled from the brief explanation of events leading up to her appearing in front of him. Will you assign me to do it?

Stykes bit his lip til blood ran freely down his chin. “Touch the blood and draw in as much as you can into yourself to take back to your physical body. It will momentarily give you enough power to completely destroy Shiro.”

Anima touched his lip, the blood that had already spilled forming tiny droplets before diffusing into her spiritual self.

Miyako stood over Anima’s still body. Her bow drawn taut and ready to fire. Hawkeye, Rue, Dusk and Aruna stood in a semi-circle in front of her. Shiro stood smiling at them a few metres away.

A small groan brought their attention to Anima. Miyako stepped away allowing her to sit up and take a hold of her rapier.

“Shiro,” Anima said getting up and walking towards him to stand in front of her friends. Shiro’s eyes widened as he sensed strong elven blood coursing through her. “In Stykes’ name,” She raised her rapier up to point it at him before setting into guard position. “I will kill you.” The silver ring on her right hand glittered catching Shiro’s eyes. Dusk, realizing what was happening, motioned those with him to hold their positions.

“You saw Stykes,” Shiro said quietly, his voice low and dangerous. He pulled a katana, similar looking to the Dimensional Katana, and held it ready in front of him. “Then I, Shiro de Oruannis, will accept your challenge.”

Veritas sung out to Anima, her voice now as clear as if she were human. Don’t give him the chance to attack you. It’s his specialty to try and be on the offensive from the start.

Anima waited, her muscles in her arms and legs tight. Her mind absorbed Veritas’ advice, sparking a memory in her own mind to life.

“If you ever duel,” Her father said to her after one practice bout together. “Get the measure of your opponent. Is he hot-headed? Overly cautious? Excitable? Take your observations and use them against him.”

Shiro lunged at her his sword aiming for her heart. Anima’s rapier flicked, sending scratches over his forearm before flying into a sweeping arc across his waist. He jumped back and brought his sword to guard again, impressed at her speed.

“You drew blood. You won’t get another chance to do that again.” Anima said nothing and feigned a lunge watching his torso for movement. Shiro’s eyes widened and stepped back, aiming to be out of Anima’s reach. Anima swept her rapier and jabbed twice catching him in the forearm and wrist. Shiro snarled and lunged at her, his sword bearing down on her hard and fast.

All talk no action. Anima thought calmly parrying his strikes. Quick tempered too. Shiro’s eyes blazed and he thrust at her catching her shoulder. Anima’s skin prickled, her body telling her someone else watched their battle. Better not let him regret giving me authority to kill his brother.

Anima lunged forward, the elven blood from Stykes and Rosiel boiling in her veins and fuelling the internal fire that was the source of her strength. Her strikes matched his aggressive strikes evenly.

Stykes watched her, quietly stroking Veritas’ feathers. Do you think she’ll succeed? He asked her, his eyes never leaving the duel before him. As much as I believe she can, she isn’t as bloodied in battle as Shiro is.

Don’t you worry Master, Veritas called over the faster and louder sounds of the metal swords clashing against each other. Anima has more cards she can pull out than just swordplay. Her experience in battle is more than you think. She can succeed if she plays her cards right.

Stykes was confused, even though he knew he didn’t have Anima’s memories within him yet. I’ve received Anima’s memories in your place until you are in a position to see them. She’s not as fragile a princess as you make her out to be.

I wish those two would shut up. Shiro noticed Anima’s slight distraction and lunged heavily at her, knocking her to the ground, his sword piercing her left shoulder between her collarbone and ribcage. She glared at Stykes and Veritas angrily before kicking upwards into Shiro’s stomach. It’s not helpful listening to their chatter while I’m trying to concentrate.

Her sword whipped through the air catching his cheek and neck, rebounding off his neck as if it was made of metal she spun and stabbed thrice towards his chest, her speed increasing with every second. Shiro’s eyes flamed with fury at her. No one scored hits off him and lived to tell the tale. He momentarily wondered if Stykes had trained her in swordplay before swatting the thought away. He looked at Anima in the eyes and mentally shivered. Her eyes, once blue, now sparkled a brilliant green reminding him of a painting he constantly saw during his youth.

Miyako and Rue gasped. “It’s happening again…” The elves looked at the two curiously. “Anima, for some unknown reason, is able to sprout wings when her eyes turn green.”

True to Miyako’s words, four black feathered wings burst forth from the bruise on Anima’s back. They stretched and curled like the wings of an angry bird of prey.

Stykes narrowed his eyes. Four black wings… Veritas turned her head slightly to look at him. Among the races, only one small race possessed four wings in that exact arrangement. He watched Anima fighting exactly the same way as Rue or himself fought with wings present. But that race was wiped out years before I came to Rise…

But through all this, Anima was no longer in conscious control of her body. She knew that where she now floated wasn’t an ethereal place.

“Where is this?” Her voice echoed in the abyss she floated in. “I’m supposed to be fighting Shiro.”

“Don’t worry my sister.” A voice said in the darkness. “I’ll deal with the one from my race, but…” Anima shivered knowing that the voice’s help was conditional. “Your first born. If she is a girl, call her Rosiel.” Surprise rippled through her being. “The future of your line depends on that.”

“Just that?” Anima asked the voice. “Just naming my first female child after you, Rosiel ei Duania?” She laughed at her own silliness. “Then go right ahead because I, sure as hell, can’t control your power within me properly.” She was pulled along until she watched out of her eyes. Her body held her sword in guard position.

“Shiro de Oruannis,” Rosiel said softly. “Under the Ancient Laws of the Elves, you are in violation of Section Twelve. In Part Four, it clearly states that a member of the Royal Family who is exiled, by either self or another family member, is no longer able to claim any noble elf title.”

Shiro shook and looked up at Hawkeye, Dusk and Aruna. Their faces were pale confirming his suspicions. “Rosiel ei Duania… How are you here now?” He looked up at Veritas then back to Rosiel.

“You know as well as anyone that Elf bloodlines, especially Royal Bloodlines, never fade.” Rosiel flicked her sword to her side, her eyes blind now to Stykes moving to sit on the bed. “When that blood mixes with human blood, it strengthens and allows the one who introduced the blood to live on. I have been waiting for the moment when one of your family joins with the Lunarian bloodline so I can be reborn. Anima agreed to my terms and I will be the one to destroy you.”

Stykes watched in surprise and disbelief. Rosiel darted faster than ever at Shiro, constantly on the offensive, forcing him backwards. His skin grew whiter and clammier with every strike. “Shiki estha ri maien tieth.” Rosiel said softly in Ancient Elven Tongue. Shiro’s eyes rolled up into his head giving Anima the opportunity she needed. “Coras rinne!” Her sword sliced deeply into Shiro’s heart.

“What is she saying?” Miyako whispered to Hawkeye. “It’s no dialect that I know of.”

“It’s Ancient Elfish, or as we know it, the Language of Power.” Aruna said listening carefully. “Shiki estha ri maien tieth means you will be dead soon. Coras rinne means die vermin. She’s controlling his Royal Blood with the power of her Ancient Blood.”

She listened to Rosiel speaking softly in Shiro’s ear, amused and interested at the musical tones of Ancient Elfish coming from a human mouth. I didn’t know they had the capacity to pronounce those words.

“Ou, Rosiel ei Duania, riith esi haouther an Stykes de Oruannis, guoha shiki tre esi cicam an esi Bull Demon po shikin rastenaan.” [“I, Rosiel ei Duania, with the authority of Stykes de Oruannis, submit you to the realm of the Bull Demon for your judgment.”] Rosiel spat, her voice now in harsh tones. “Ruineate!” [“Disappear!”] Tendrils of light crept from indent created where Anima’s rapier met Shiro’s chest. Screams of agony filled the room. Light pierced through flesh drawing blood in its wake.

“Mercy!” Shiro cried, his eyes wildly darting from Rosiel to Veritas and back again. “I’ll relinquish my claims. I’ll do anything. Just…”

Light burst from his mouth, eyes, and every orifice they could see. Rosiel stood and flicked her sword sending the blood on it flying back onto Shiro’s still body.

Swaying, she removed her control from Anima’s body. Anima, feeling the huge reduction in her energy, she fell backwards into Aruna’s waiting arms. Her wings fading away leaving just the bruise once more.

Shiro’s body continued to burn from the light until nothing more but small black flakes drifting slowly to the ground.

“Where did he go?” Miyako asked shaking violently. She had never seen someone die in that way before.

“Rosiel sent him to the Bull Demon for his judgment,” Aruna said stroking Anima’s hair gently. “She basically said that she had Stykes’ authority to kill him. She prevented his blood continuing in anything else, by sending him to the Bull Demon by way of light.” She could tell that this last bit of information went over Miyako’s head but she didn’t bother to explain.