Where are we!? (Challenge series Pt. 3)

Fergalo’s eyes flickered a few times. A swirling storm of pain swelling behind them.

“Wha…where...ugh…”

Failing to sit up, his large, furred hand fell against his face shading them.

The last thing he remembered was the Priests elite guard standing outside of the barn.

~But why did they stop? ~

Images of mists filling the barn began to cloud his vision, his eyes glazed over as if he were once again being consumed by them. Coughing he reached for his throat, shooting up from the bed. His breathing erratic. The mists no longer in sight, he attempted to calm himself.

~There was a voice. Coming from the mists…I know I heard…~

Barely audible but present, Ferg’s memory couldn’t quite discern the message. A sudden knock however, drew his thoughts away from the tumultuous past 20 minutes.

“Come in?”

Bursting through the door, Bresh collapsed onto him.

“Ferg, I’ve been worried sick about you! When they told me last, you hadn’t woken up. That was like 3 days ago. But they said they would get me as soon as you did.”

Stunned more by her words than the earth-shattering tackle he had just received, Fergalo gripped her shoulders pushing her back to read her eyes.

“Wait, you said I was out for 3 days?!”

Nodding she wiped a few joyous tears from her fur. “Well actually it’s been 7 days. I stopped asking 4 days ago when they said that they would make sure you were safe. Something about you undertaking a ritual of the gods and being a chosen vessel of Lillith…or maybe it was Fenrir”

From that moment forward Fergalo only half heard Bresh’s ramblings, his mind racing with thoughts and fears.

~No, no…this cant be. I’m not of royal descent. Only the highborn have the ability to become bearers of the vessels. How could I? Wait, the voice…voices? ~

Thinking back, he knew he heard a female voice, but there was a deep guttural growling that resonated deeper behind her words. Sounds he couldn’t decipher.

“Ferg…Ferg…. FERGALO!” The loud yelping of Bresh in his ear again snapped him back to the present moment.

“Where did you just go? Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Leaving the room they strolled through a rather open building, palace like in construction, but seemingly open to the masses. Creatures of all sorts meandered through the streets. Some with carts and bags, others with armor and shields. The whole while Bresh continued on about what she had seen and done over the last few days. Despite his awe of their current location and the questions he had, Fergalo allowed a small smile to creep across his muzzle. It had been many moons since his friend had been this jovial. This was the true Bresh, oblivious and innocent. Not the battle-hardened version she had been forced to adopt.

~ If only I had done a better job as her protector. If only…~

“We’re here!”

Before them stood not a pantheon of glory, but a humble store front. Cluttered with knickknacks and baubles. Entering Bresh began yelling as she picked her way through the clutter heading for a single door in the back of the store.

“Hello, Lillith? Are you there? He’s finally awakened. Should we come back later?”

Fergalo, gingerly thumbed at a nearby springy contraption which bounced back and forth in response. Still deep in thought about their current situation and location, he hardly heard a thing Bresh was saying. However, as soon as Bresh finished her questions, a metal door dropped across the store front; the sound of a large locking mechanism echoing through the room. Before he could respond, a light shown, dim at first, from the doorway behind the counter.

“Ahh, so the prince has awakened. Thank you for bringing him to me, young one.”

From the entry way a stark, white-furred werewolf emerged. Cerulean blue eyes caught Fergalo in a trance. Her claws, the rippling with similarly charged aquatic essence, gripped the door post as she pulled herself through. Standing at around 6 ft, she was well defined, but slender for their kind. A regal aura almost dripped from every follicle of hair as she stood, intently staring at Fergalo; a resplendence known only to the gods. Bresh bowed stepping back a few paces allowing her direct access to Ferg. He, however, was a little more than confused.

~Prince? He was merely the guard to the princess, Bresh. Why were they behaving this way? ~

Even as the thoughts churned, mists began to again surge across his visual field. Watching he could see that the mist filling the room with every breath Lillith seemed to take.

“You truly are a child of Fenrir. Come we must complete the ritual before it is too late.”

Bresh having crossed the room, pushed Fergalo towards the door Lillith had just ducked back inside. A set of stone stairs spiraled for what seemed a few floors, eventually opening into a massive underground cavern. Sconces of various colored flames rested against pillars throughout the catacomb. Stepping off the last step the stone dipped. As if in response, a brilliant crimson coloration began to emit from the liquid on which the stone pathway rested. Uneasily Fergalo released his full weight to the stone, which remained afloat, rebounding against the now vibrantly pulsing liquid. Carefully he continued towards the others. With each step vein like ripples pulsed from the stone in question, sending waves of crimson throughout. Before them a huge circular flooring ended the floating aisle. This place did not float. As if carved into the very ground deep beneath them, this central dais was unmoving.

“Come closer dear. Let me have a look at you.”

Motioning Ferg closer Lillith grasped his face. Running her fingers through his auburn fur, he couldn’t help but feel comforted. At peace. A feeling he hadn’t felt since his youth in the palace.

“This may sting a bit.”

Too late to respond, his ears perked at her message. Her nails found their way deep into his flesh, paralyzing him. As if searching for the essence of his soul, Lillith’s eyes rolled back, her nails rooting themselves into the marrow of his bone. From around them the waters swirled. Ten pillars of contorting liquid swayed with Lillith’s movements before darting towards them. With pinpoint accuracy each pillar pierced her nails and over a few minutes the deep crimson substance was injected. The watery pillars finally subsiding, Fergalo’s consciousness again faded. His final memory, a whisper.

“Fenrir has found a host in him…and I in you…”

Bolting from his sleep, Fergalo found himself in the same room as before. Only this time a little table sat next to the bed holding a small package wrapped in brown paper. Atop sat a note reading, “Find me in the realm between realms and you shall acquire the power you seek. You are no longer alone. You are part of the counsel. Welcome home Prince Fergalo. Long live the Modicum!”