Fenrir's Journey

[Wuffy]

Roaming through the woods... he couldn't help but think they looked so awfully familiar- a sense of dread welling up from within- no! That is silly, this couldn't be real.. though whatever reasoning he had it was useless at the sight that appeared before his emerald eyes:

It had been hidden deep within the forest, far from any civilized town, and he knew it was for a good reason- but why? Why was he struggling with his mind? Putting a lone forepaw upon the metal door of the tower, he knew it wouldn't budge.. the soft scratch of claws upon metal filling the air.. then the scent of ozone assaulted his nose and a deafening boom of thunder filled those sensitive wolven ears whilst the rest of him went numb.. blackness prevailed.

Struggling with his body the young black wolven, in his feral form, awoke with a start- and unfortunately met the iron bars of the cage he had been locked in so securely- no! This couldn't be happening! It couldn't be real! Fear streaked through his body- cloaked figure approaching, that smug smirk upon his lips...

Again a clap of thunder sounded off- and this time he awoke with a start! The not-so-young wolven in question shuddering as the meager pitter-pat of rain began to sound upon the roof of his haven.. wait.. his haven?

Fenrir sighed and laid back upon the mat with a low groan- it had just been a nightmare.. but it had seemed so real; then he had to remind himself that it had indeed been real.. so many years ago. That dark fear had laid within him for ages, and he had been able to hold it back for many years- but recently his move into Magincia, and his roaming adventures through the lands had stirred it once more.. maybe it was the fatigue? Maybe it had been the liches he had encountered? Either way.. this ebon furred wolven had a good reason to be afraid.

Even though his family had came to rescue him, and killed the wizard who had experimented upon him.. Fenrir knew that the true source of his fear layed within the arcane- that horrible week within the tower having done.. abnormal things to him.

Of the most debilitating effects, his resistance to magic had been completely stripped away at the start of his captivity, to provide full effect to the wizard's experimental spells..

.. which some of the effects of these spells made way to his inability to fully shapeshift back into a full human form.. always looking like that of a werewolf that those horror stories of old had depicted - though much gentler in many ways and not so scary, unless you angered him- he was after all a skilled warrior.

Though he had grown used to his new animalistic guise, he couldn't help with his resistance.. which led to some rather interesting ends: He could definitely feel the flow of magic beneath his own two hind paws.. and sense the path of it when one started to cast..

.. but the later of the two had only became apparent since he started adventuring through the lands and met some rather nasty undead.. having avoided the arcane for as long as he possibly could.

Now Fenrir couldn't help but dwell over these thoughts.. some doubts that he'd ever be a real help to anyone at all. Besides, what could a warrior do when struck down so easily by a mage's lightning bolt? Paralyzed seemingly forever whilst poison ate away his strength? Where burly trolls were just a small challenge- a frail necromancer would be like facing  death itself?

Fenrir turned over onto his side quietly before closing his glistening emerald eyes, and let out a low sigh..

Perhaps time would tell his fate? It always seem like doing so;

.. but he knew he wasn't going to sleep well for awhile, and that'd make the days that much longer..

[Wuffy]

A week passed since Fenrir had first arrived in the village of Magincia, since he had met Calyaira and numerous others that he now called his friends- and held them so close.. since he had those horrific nightmares of a past better left forgotten..

Though why was he here now? Standing in front of the icy depths of what they called Deceit?

That chilled wind cut through the mountains like a whistling arrow- but it didn't bother the ebon wolven that stood there, fur blowing in the wind, tail flowing with the breeze..

He stepped into the stone entrance of the rather silent dungeon.. short spear in hand, shield raised.. small steps.. his training as a warrior going into full gear- just like his wolven senses when his ears pricked, keen eyes watching his surrondings.. the walls, the floor..

The rattle of bone upon stone met his ears first, then the heavy thud of rotting flesh, low moans- a skeleton and a zombie had decided to pay him a visit.. and he simply smirked in response:

A downward spear blow to the skeleton's chest shattered it completely, and with the short spear still in motion- came up quickly, impaling the zombie through it's festered head, effectively destroying the corpse even more than years of decay had done.

Fighting to Fenrir had always been a precise art- it had to be when you were putting your life at risk! Atleast, that was what he felt about  it, and he showed it with every swing, every thrust.. even the mummy that had came forward was reduced to a pile of bandages in the matter of seconds.

But this was child's play to any skilled warrior! He knew that well. These undead were barely a match for even a new comer - so one might wonder, why was he here?

The moans of ghouls and spectres assaulted his ears.. but it didn't slow him from his ultimate goal.. the stairs that led to his destination within sight - not even the ghastly beings that threw spells at him would stop his fury- the exact reason why he had came.

His fear of the arcane.

The dust settled back onto the floor after he had made quick work of the few groups of undead he had encountered, and slowly he drew in a breath- hating the smell that met his senses, but knowing it would be unavoidable even as he could feel his paws grow hot and  sweaty.. though he had already sealed his fate when he began stepping down the stairs into the lower level.

They rose from the earth, out of shadows from the walls.. malevolent grins in place, staves by their sides, a host of undead surronding the ancient liches that began to cast their mighty spells- Fenrir braced himself and let out the long held breath he had taken... though all seemed to fade as the memories of his friends came to his mind, and he strengthened his resolve with an utterly vicious growl.

Fireballs, electric bolts, magical arrows and deadly pillars of flame, he knew them all too well, and he wouldn't let that stop him from protecting those he cared so deeply for.

One by one each spell that was tossed at him he deflected with a vengeance! Years of rage built behind his fear of the arcane fueling his fury.. shield slamming aside those fireballs- side stepping the pillars of flame when they appeared, and sensing the flow of mana that harm traveled. Of course his timing wasn't perfect- and some spells hit, but it was the fact that he could evade these spells that made his heart swell and race, even as it began to grow weak from the punishment he was taking.

None the less he escaped before he could be dealt a killing blow from the cackling liches.. collapsing in the snow just outside the entrance of Deceit, his fears seeming to be childish now that he had faced them and lived to tell the tale to the remote few he trusted.

He felt weak, but happy.. doing something so reckless he knew would get him a scolding from a particular person, but now that he knew there was a way around his weakness, he could protect his friends with confidence, one that would show in his eyes to anyone that looked upon them.

Though little did he know in his excited state, that he could only evade those spells if he knew they were coming...

[Wuffy]

So dark, but so comfortable.. those were the two things Fenrir thought to himself as he laid against the stone wall of.. where? This scent- why did it smell of burnt flesh? When did he bite into something that had a tang like copper?

Suddenly his mind went into full gear- eyes popping open as he rolled to the side against the wall, where a rather angry and bloody balron had decided to plant it's fist just a moment later!

Of course Fenrir was treading rather dangerous ground, but even the dragons had proved to be of little challenge as well as the rune beetles of Tokuno - except for that blasted Ancient Emerald Wyrm.. but that was going to be in his reach soon, just like the balron that bellowed down at him and thrusted out it's arm to attack...

Duck the blow.. tense legs.. lunge!

His double bladed staff landed a deep blow into the balron's middle, and the shriek of pain that left it's mouth would only tell Fenrir that the demon slaying enchantment held within his weapon was working it's magic- especially when the balron stumbled away, trying to escape. . but that was indeed another thing he liked about that double bladed staff..

The wolven warrior ran forward, ramming the front blade into the creature's back with his right arm before twirling about, thrusting out the other bladed edge with his left arm to deal a finishing blow to the balron - who fell backwards onto the stone cold floor with a thump, covered in the ironic name of the dungeon he'd been hunting in.

Fenrir had grown so strong, so quickly, but he never credited himself for it. Certainly things he did alone were of his own skill- but most of his equipment had came from his dear friends, and as he told a couple in particular .. how could he ever repay them for their kindness? Perhaps one day he can repay them in what they gave him? That seemed the most logical, instinctive thing for him to do... but there was the thought that he could give them better, after all, they had trusted him with such priceless treasures!

It was a curse, he could never make up his mind about what to give his friends in return, so many possibilities- all appealing in their own right, but..

He was a slave to thought, always the ever thinking wolven that questioned this and that, like why was the grass green and why his tail had a mind of it's own? Sometimes even deeper thoughts invaded his mind:  Why did he black out when he tried to force himself to finish shifting to a human? Was he stepping over boundaries and annoying others? Are they certain they want to make that choice? If so, and they do it, are they going to take back their word and say it was wrong?

For someone that was always thinking.. his mind was rather scattered in many different places, many different levels of thought. It was so bad that he could hardly even remember arriving back at his home- which no longer was near Tokuno with it's beautiful beach side view- but for the lack of scenery in Malas was one thing he had always dreamed of having:

Off came his armor, trusty weapon propped up in a corner.. the wolven finally then threw himself down on a pillow covered seat that laid before a large fireplace, pulling a blanket over himself whilst emerald eyes reflected the fire's leaping flames.

Something he always had dreamed of having and was happy that his friend helped him get it.. yet as he laid there all alone- even with the fire's warm light gracing the room.. why did he feel a chill that no amount of heat would ever get rid of..?

[Wuffy]

Tearing through scrolls, tomes, and numerous other oddities of his home, the wolven's glistening emerald gaze followed lines of text feverishly for some hint.. some clue as to his condition - and though he could piece together bits from various lore books, there was no logical reason as to why he felt this way.

Just what was he feeling anyways? It wasn't boredom.. there were still challenges out there that he couldn't handle.. and it couldn't have been sorrow, even though he possibly lost two dear friends. There was something more that chilled him with each passing day that made even bolts of dragon fire welcome to fill that void.. but not even standing next to lava seemed to warm him - and it felt as if it was growing with each passing day.

It scared him senseless, the nights being that more restless with each day that passed.. but what shocked him most was how his temper flared and the way he reacted.

For all this time thinking, he hadn't even realized that he had grown frustrated and his arm had swiped the desk clean of tomes, scrolls, and even the crystal ball nearby - knocking all to the floor with a low, deathly growl that had worked it's way from the depths of his chest..

.. but as he gazed into the depths of the crystal ball that slowly rolled across the floor, he couldn't help but see himself within it - so much different than when he had first came to the lands.. yet.. wait? How was the crystal ball rolling up  the stone siding of the floor?

It stopped then as if it had sensed his thoughts, teetering on the edge above the wooden floor.. as if unable to decide if it wanted to go up or down- though now when Fenrir gazed into the crystalline surface he saw a reflection that stopped him dead in his tracks.

It was that forsaken mage! The terror of his past and the ghost in his dreams.. he could hear that resounding laugh so loudly and so close within his mind that it made him duck his head- paws over ears, biting his lower lip to keep from letting the flood of emotion that welled up within him loose!

Though fear turned to anger in an instant, and without warning his paw automatically reached for the near-by double axe , grasping the handle and promptly throwing it with precise accuracy straight into the crystalline ball, shattering it soundlessly to shards that glistened upon the floor.. and in the air - a rather large piece nicking the side of his muzzle to leave a scratch, not so bad for his fur had helped glance the blow.

Fenrir then collapsed upon the pillow behind that desk, arms behind him to catch him from completely landing flat on his back.. but that wasn't what he was worried about- what had he done? Had that been just an illusion? Was it just a trick of the light? A fear that manifested itself? Maybe adrenaline had kicked in and made the ball seem to move slower?

Excuses, reasons, and logic. One, two, and three- he pieced it all together in his mind: He couldn't have seen the mage, the mage was dead, and certainly his spirit couldn't be within the world still.. maybe he was over-reacting? It was winter time after all and the studs upon his tunic, metal as they were, would take longer to warm up.. if at all. Maybe he was trying to do too much in so little time? That's probably it..

He then shook his head and took a deep breath, condemning himself for such foolish actions and setting to work to clean the shattered glass that littered the floor, saying to himself that he needed to do less work and more resting, for all things come in time.. yet.. even after the floor had been cleaned of the glass and things straightened once more, with him nestled upon the couch in front of the fireplace; he couldn't help but feel that he wasn't alone.

If only he had looked to the window where a shadow passed...

[lelola]

WOW  what a good story of your life in the game.  I LOVE IT!  Please dont stop.  *waits to hear what happens next.*   Hugs to you and Thanks for what you do.

[Wuffy]

Fenrir stopped dead in his tracks, emerald eyes glued upon the sight before him - hadn't he shattered that orb the night he had went into a rage? Yet there it was.. nestled neatly atop the window frame as if nothing had ever happened! Then somewhere.. somewhere very close, he could hear a bark of laughter filling the air -in his own home..!

He turned about quickly to see a darkly clad figure leaning against the side of the fireplace, the warm glow of it not doing anything to turn the tide of the sudden chill that assaulted every ounce of his being,"I see your Lord has expressed an interest in me.. though why they seem so fond of you I do not know why - you seem rather pathetic." Those words rolled off the figure's tongue smoothly.. each word accented with an icy stabbed that poked Fenrir more towards despair and rage,"Always uncertain, always thinking, always afraid.. tormented by your past as well as your future.. which doesn't look very bright by the way."

Fenrir snapped, immediatly rushing forward with axe in hand to plant it firmly into the figure's skull - though soon enough when he was about to reach his mark, the figure had vanished! Though he should've expected to hear that chilling laugh once more from behind him - making him whirl about in surprise, and for once, true fear,"Why do you torture me so?"

The figure's face was completely hidden beneath an acolyte's robe, but it did nothing to hide the ebon color of his lips and skin, a stark contrast to the white of his teeth when he flashed a smile,"Because it's fun to torment one in their own home, much like you do to 'evil' with no justification."

At this, Fenrir's axe fell slightly, a confused look coming over his face - a fatal mistake, for then the figure uttered a few well chosen words, and a withering frost assaulted the room, icing water over, wilting the plants.. and ultimately causing the wolven to drop his axe completely and pull his cloak tightly around him.. which did nothing to help stop the magic of the figure's spell from taking it's toll on the unprotected wolf.

"What is 'good' pup? Killing dragons and daemons apparently.. but what have they ever done to others? Those few that never leave their den to hurt another soul.. is it right for 'good' to attack such 'evil' if they are just defending the den that said 'good' came to raid?" Another blast of withering cold struck Fenrir as his paws went numb, feeling such chill dig down into his very bones,"I see it happen everyday.. hundreds of innocent 'evil' dieing at the hands of 'good'... all because 'good' cannot realize not all are 'evil'."

"You however seem to have a reason to justify it. True evil went and stripped you of all your resistance, tortured you, twisted your body into something else.. therefore you go out of your way to help all 'good' to vanquish 'evil' that might one day hurt them..." The figure grinned wickedly at this, another final blast of that withering chill and the poor wolven laid on his side upon the floor, unmoving, yet not dead for how much it looked,"Perhaps you can change your ways, the only reason why I haven't killed you already and sent you as a ghoul to your lord."

"One day, pup, 'evil' will rise against 'good', and 'good' shall be sorry it had ever assumed that all 'evil' is truly evil." The hooded figure flashed another wicked grin down to the wolven, who had started to shift slightly as he fought off the chill,"Amazing how you just don't simply lay there and whimper.. it must hurt don't it? Like feeling an icy hand clutching your heart.. nothing compared to the slash of an axe wound I must reckon."

Fenrir hated being this helpless, on the floor, not able to move for that withering chill had zapped nearly all of his strength away - but he could feel something boiling within him, each word that figure uttered brought him that closer to a rage that couldn't be quenched, that started to fuel his muscles with a burning, hateful strength - though it wouldn't be helped this time, for the figure stooped down to pick up the wolven by his ebon hair, dulled emerald eyes watching the figure's own cool sapphire gaze - before a spellbook came down hard on the side of his head, knocking Fenrir unconscious to the floor.

The figure leaned back and smiled at his handiwork, knowing all too well that no one else would realize what had truly happened between the two, for when he uttered a few more words of power Fenrir's most recent memories were faded to a dim darkness.. like a dream he couldn't remember, but it was there.. just like the words last spoken rang clearly in his mind,"One day, pup, 'evil' will rise against 'good', and 'good' shall be sorry it had ever assumed that all 'evil' is truly evil."

Slipping out the window the way he came, the figure decided to wait a couple days before speaking to Fenrir's Lord about the potential joining of his guild, knowing it would be best to give the pup time to recover and relay the information that had been securely locked away within his mind- only a small leak given as a clue to what was laid ahead of them.

[willow]

*sits on the edge of her seat waiting to see what happens*

[Izdihar]

I was hoping he would make an appearance!!!! *loves* Fabulous! I can't wait to hear more.

[Wuffy]

How long had he been writing? He could literally feel each poor muscle within his ebony furred paw! Though instead of aggravating  his cramped paw further he dropped the quill he had been writing with, sighing softly whilst settling the book he had been writing within upon the counter top.

That small space in his little world was part of a larger, more detailed dwelling; large wooden counter with walls flanking either side, separating a well stocked kitchen from a large common area, littered with seats, tables, and candles for future patrons to come and relax, to talk and have fun... where a stairway lifted to the next floor where he knew two rooms were at for tired (or perhaps the too-drunk-to-walk) could rent and rest, only to finish with another stairway that led to a more relaxing setting.

He leaned back ever so slightly, resting his head back against the wooden wall with a soft thump, ever the thoughtful wolven to be thinking of the progress of the tavern, ways to make it more fun- more exciting, and even to make it look better.. many bare spots still remained - though it seemed that nothing was able to fill those spots without looking horrible or out of place.

Then his thoughts turned to the night he awoke on the floor, chilled, alone, aching.. he still shuddered as he had felt so weak when he did - literally crawling to the near-by cabinet and rummaging within it to tend to his aches. What had happened? Why did it feel like winter within his own home - with both fireplaces still going?

Why did the words,'One day, pup, 'evil' will rise against 'good', and 'good' shall be sorry it had ever assumed that all 'evil' is truly evil.' ring so clearly within his mind?

Fenrir felt there was more to this 'random blackout' than there was being let on - never the less he now slept within the tavern that was coming to life rather quickly - possibly even being completed ahead of schedule! Though with each day that crept closer, he couldn't help but worry about everyones' reaction; Would they be interested? Would they visit regularly? Or would it be a complete waste of time?

A cramped paw reached out to the book once more, taking it within and sighing softly in frustration as he set back to work editing the menu for the tavern- he shouldn't worry so much, for they were just petty fears anyways.

Though he wouldn't have felt that they were so petty if he had noticed the dark cloaked figure that was standing patiently outside the western window, watching the lone wolven work within the presumed safety of the tavern... small smirk gracing his lips before turning away and fading into the darkness..

[Wuffy]

As of January 14th, this story line is now open to all players who wish to interact and help shape the outcome of Fenrir and his fight against not only his past and his weakness, but to the dark figure who mysteriously stalks him.

Anyone interested is encouraged to whisper Fenrir or Leyrio in the game, or message me via PM with questions.

Best of luck!

[Wuffy]

Buttercup and Fenrir had just toppled over onto the floor together from her sudden shouting and pointing at something that had never been there - though imagine his surprise when Fenrir had said she just did that for fun when his eyes caught the glimpse of a shadow over the window behind her?

Instantly those feral instincts went into over drive as he thrust Buttercup back down onto the floor and reached under his cloak to bring out that bladed staff- the diamond blade glistening in the golden glow of the tavern.. the figure however stood there, and Fenrir could most definantly make out the hint of a smile upon the figure's black lips, pearl white teeth twisted in a crooked grin.

He lunged up onto the back of the couch, and vaulted straight at the window.. bladed staff in hand behind him, other paw reaching down to thrust open the window where he'd promptly stick out his head after - looking to the left.. nothing. Looking to the right.. nothing.

Where had he gone? He had been standing there till he leaped!

Fenrir's head slowly pulled back into the tavern, his own fatal mistake that evening as his emerald eyes met those of Buttercup's, for an intense pain shot through every ounce of his being - the world going black at that instant as he fell to one knee and dropped his weapon in his pain!

What she had seen that night was a dark, hooded figure that stood behind the window once more, gazing to her with cold, sapphire eyes and waving a dainty hand in the crooked parody of a friendly greeting before vanishing on the spot. Who was this figure? What did he do to Fenrir? Why?

They laid there together for some time, Fenrir trying his best to recover - and steadily doing so as he concentrated on his body's physical pain, dimming it, silencing it, trying to overcome the spike of pain that had torn through his body like he had been crushed by the weight of a boulder, and every lil joint of his body set alight with dragon fire... though when the white wolven muttered her words of power to heal his body of these aches - the glimmering aura, in their utter horror, bounced away from him and back onto her!

It was then that Fenrir realized he had been used once more as a toy in a crooked experiment, one that would raise the stakes upon his very own life...

Magical healing would no longer work upon him.

[Wuffy]

The tavern had opened without a single problem, and though it was disheartening to see that only two people had entered upon the opening time - half an hour later he almost had too many customers to contend with!

Yet, for all that had happened that night, the fun they had and the oddities that had occured.. Fenrir felt a small hole inside of him when only two came the next day, and a few random visits over the next few days. However, inside he knew he was to blame - he hadn't been announcing the tavern was open. His most recent 'injury' contributing to a rather battered wolven when he had tried his hand at hunting the night after the tavern opened.

Laying there now, no one would probably see the wolf within his own room at the top floor of the Moonscape Tavern.. and it was for a good reason as to why he had retreated here!

Bloodied, battered, and sore to the point of muttering jailable words he would rest upon the throne in the corner with a bowl of warm, clean water on the table to his side- accompanied with a large tin of beige salve and a canister of what looked to be brown powder. He hadn't muttered any words of this hinderance to his friends for the exact reason he hid himself from the world when his robe was shed and tunic cast aside..

Wounds in all shapes and sizes, from bruises to claw rakes, and even bite marks upon his forearm from where a dragon had decided to see if wolf was as tasty as cattle.. no one couldn't see it beneath the ebony fur that covered his entire body in it's thick warmth, but someone would most certainly question just why his arms were completely wrapped within bandages, as if he were some sort of mummy.

Thankfully it was only his arms that suffered such atrocious wounds.

His mastery of the healing arts however would not comfort this wolven, for Fenrir found it frustrating when he tried to use his own dextrous paws to stitch up his wounds- catching his own fur in the process, often leaving him to give up in frustration unless it was absolutely necessary.

Being a wolf however and living in the depths of nature's glory, he had been taught of herbs that could help one's wounds remain uninfected as they recovered, and help slow or even stop bleeding in it's tracks. Though it would not help soothe the pain entirely.

And such pain haunted him in his every step, hiding it behind those glistening forest green eyes as he talked and helped his friends.. always there, ever waiting..

Fenrir stopped wrapping his bandaged arm and listened intently to his surroundings..

What was that on the very edge of his hearing? It sounded like someone was downstairs.. at a window?

Slowly he tipped his head back to gaze down out the window that settled behind his throne, and immediately grasped the diamond bladed staff that glimmered by his side - for his eyes met nothing but darkness within darkness.. with a pair of sapphire eyes looking around curiously as they glanced calmly into the darkened windows of the tavern.

No sound was made as the window lifted and Fenrir got into place - half out of the window, bladed staff in hand.. the silent fall and landing of the wolven that now stood tall beside the figure, white bandages covering the length of both his arms with bladed tip pointing at the figure.. other paw gripping the base of the staff..

The figure turned suddenly and a look of fright filled those chilling sapphire eyes as the diamond blade found it's way right between them!

.. but there was no satisfaction to be had! For the figure disappeared in a puff of smoke right before his wide emerald eyes, and evil laughter could be heard within the chilled air that Fenrir now stood in; unprotected and vulnerable.

He knew it had been too easy, it had to have been a trap - he couldn't have been that careless! Where was he now? Where was he hiding?

Fear turned to rage in a heart beat, and with Fenrir's senses in over drive the sudden streak of fire that was aimed at him from his side was knocked straight back at the source- straight into the figure himself! Oh the shriek of surprise that met his ears! He would've enjoyed it more if he hadn't been in a frenzy and charged straight at the figure, who's hood had fallen when he recoiled from the fireball only to reveal.. someone other than Leyrio?

Who was this person? He wasn't who he had expected him to be...

He didn't care now, immediately he swung around the staff and slammed it into the shield that had been raised before him, the diamond blade tearing a gash straight into the metal before he swung around and thrusted it straight ahead, nailing his target through the shoulder whilst left paw pushed aside the blow from the mace with utter ease.

All he could think of was killing his tormentor, slaughtering him for all the pain he had caused him- and he howled with feral blood lust as he was rewarded with a cry of pain from his antagonist when he withdrew the blade, only to turn quickly over his right shoulder in a twirl.. and planted the blade square into the figure's chest!

Right through the shield, through both arms, and the plate mail chest piece that had been there to protect him. The blow backed with all his anger, all his strength, the years of silent rage that had built up within him...

Armor meant nothing as the figure slowly slid back with stunned eyes, and collapsed upon the ground in a heap behind the wolven, who remained stone still, breathing hard, eyes closed - trying to regain his composure and silence the rage that had absorbed him..

Though in the distance, something more chilling than a wicked mage would be watching the battle, and a low guttural chuckle of glee would slip from the darkness,"Soon young wolf.. soon you will be ready."

[Wuffy]

Drip.. drip.. drip..

"Rain.." Fenrir's eyes slowly opened just enough to peek out the near-by window, shifting beneath the covers of his tavern bed as those emerald eyes saw the extent of the weather that was outside those wooden walls. So it had decided to finally rain? What a lazy day this was going to be...

Drip.. drip... drip....

Why did it feel like everything was going slower? More quietly? The scene was hazy those the wolf's eyes as he soundlessly slipped from beneath the covers and onto the wooden floor, wearing a simple pair of leather leggings with those same white bandages covering the lengths of his arms.. though now however his ebon fur had shed and been replaced with a thick  coat of rich, velvet brown that glistened when the faint light from the windows touched against his numb body.

"Leave!"

Ear pricked, he turned his face around quickly - had that been a voice?

"Ha ha ha!"

Fenrir whirled around and pressed his back against the near-by brick wall in the middle of the room with those eyes wide, looking intently around the room - for the voice had seem to came from everywhere!

Spectral moans enveloped the entire tavern, everywhere.. and somewhere, distinctly there'd be a click and the swing of the door opening and closing..

It was as if he were in a nightmare as he thrust himself through the door and slid down the secret passage that led straight into the tavern lobby, knocking the secret wall open and stumbling out to the floor.. though that didn't stop him as he threw aside the snowy curtains with laughter chasing him from behind- only for the front door to swing open in front of him.. conveniently?

Almost there! Just put a hind paw through the doorway and..

*SMACK*

The blow of the door closing on his face when he looked over his shoulder made Fenrir reel to the side and fall into the soft emerald grass below, though he didn't stay in a daze for too long - because the chilled rain began to seep into the depths of that thick fur, making him quiver and shock his body awake..

Gasping for breath as he rubbed his poor nose the wolf would slowly sit up 'pon the grass and glare towards the doorway, for finally he realized there had been no reason to panic - exhaustion and being caught off guard had made him vulnerable to the new spook that haunted the Moonscape tavern that had yet to be of any harm.. 'cept to his poor nose..

Perhaps it was time to put out posters that asked for help in this matter- though who would be adventurous enough to try and calm the spirit that was spooking the tavern..? Fenrir would make sure that the prize for such an effort would be grand to those who tried.. and succeeded.