The Awakening

Luca reflexively pulls back his fingers in response to Sheila's warning, even though he still feels irresistibly drawn to the green flames.

"Who in the realms are you?" Luca's voice slices through the crackling of the burning flames.

Drawing closer, Sheila's gaze bore into his, before replying. "I am Sheila Thalion, daughter of the former Lord Commander Rawl Thalion, Guardian of all that's Sacred, and High Priestess of the Temple of the Divine."

Luca scoffs, dismissing her titles, "I don't give a damn about your titles, elf. What's going on here?"

Incredulously, Sheila replies, "Don’t you remember? You came to destroy my home, but we defeated you and your men instead."

"Save me the lecture," Luca interrupts, "I know that. I'm asking why I'm here, what this place is, and what happened to the rest of my pack."

Taking a deep breath, Sheila explains, "You are at the Temple of the Divine. After your defeat, my disciples and I came to retrieve your bodies and we brought you here for sacrifice. I called forth that burning green flames and it consumed the bodies into nothingness, but for some reason, the flames spared you."

Luca retorts sharply, "Spare me the bullshit, elf. How can you make such a claim? Do I look like a fool to you?"

Confidently, Sheila responds, "As a matter of fact, you do. Only fools would dare enter Alnir with a measly ten-men troupe and think they can conquer the kingdom.”

Luca lunges toward her, seizing her by the jugular. "I could snap your neck, you know, and make my escape," he threatens.

"Really, can you?" Sheila asks, suddenly emerging from behind him.

Luca freezes, his grip loosening on thin air as he gazes at his empty hand in disbelief. "What... how did you...?"

Sheila chuckles, "I told you I'm a High Priestess.”

“Like that's supposed to mean something to me?” Luca questions, still grappling with the fact that the elves could perform magic.

“It may not mean anything to you werewolf, but here that means I am the custodian of magic. There's none who wields it better like I do, save for the Queen.”

Luca sighs heavily. "Magic? Yeah, what the fuck? I thought the elves lost their abilities to do magic? I've been killing elves since I was thirteen and I've never come across an elf with magic.”

Sheila's laughter reverberates through the temple. “Well, perhaps we are a different kind of elves.”

Luca frowns at her cryptic nature. “What do you want with me, elf?"

"I want you to listen, without trying to kill me," Sheila replies.

"Fine, go ahead," Luca grumbles.

Sheila shakes her head. "It's been centuries since the goddess brought anyone back to life. I believe you've been brought back to restore balance to our realm."

"Fantastic, more nonsense," Luca scoffs. "I'm a werewolf, and I despise elves completely. Why on earth would I want to assist elves?”

"Hmm, follow me," Sheila says calmly.

Hesitant, Luca trails behind her. As they emerge from the temple, he notices a group of teenage elves scampering away, prompting him to wonder if they're fleeing from him or Sheila.

“Where are we going?”

“To see the King,” Sheila replies.

“Oh fantastic! As if I'll be very pleased to see your King. Why are you taking me to see your King? What do you propose will happen when we get there?”

“Are you always this inquisitive?”

Luca quips, "Is being cryptic your natural talent, or are you doing it just for kicks?”

She doesn’t respond, rather she quickens her pace. Shortly after, they arrive at the grand palace and Sheila guides them to where the King holds court.

“Your Majesty,” Sheila says bowing slightly.

King Elian's gaze locks onto Luca. "Incredible, so the werewolf was brought back to life. What name do you go by?"

"I am Luca Gonzalez," Luca replies, holding the King's gaze firmly.

"Ah, Luca. And to which pack do you belong?"

"I hail from the Garth pack," Luca responds.

"Just as I suspected," King Elian remarks. "You handled the attack poorly. Why didn't you bring more werewolves?"

Luca scoffs. "I didn't anticipate needing more. I was under the impression that elves had lost their magic. I've hunted elves all my life and never encountered a magical one until today."

"I wonder who fed you that information," King Elian muses. "Was it Sandro?"

Luca's jaw tightens. "Show some respect. It's Alpha Sandro."

Sheila, reacting to Luca's insolence towards her King, summons fire from the tip of her fingers and flashes it at Luca, causing him to draw back and growl.

"Enough, Priestess Sheila," King Elian commands, noticing the exchange. "Put it out.”

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Sheila says, her voice edged with frustration. "But I cannot abide his disrespect."

King Elian raises an eyebrow. "Disrespect? I see only loyalty. Yet, why would Sandro deceive you? Surely, he is aware of our magic. Why send you and the others on a suicide mission?"

"Alpha Sandro is unaware of your magical abilities, much like the rest of us," Luca asserts. "I believe he sent us without knowledge of the true danger.”

King Elian chuckles softly, his amusement evident. "Sandro's deception is not very nice. You struggle to accept the truth, but do you honestly believe an immortal werewolf, who has witnessed the ebb and flow of kingdoms throughout the ages, wouldn't be aware of our magical prowess?"

Luca squirms uneasily under the King's penetrating gaze. "I cannot say for certain at this moment. What fate awaits me?"

Elian's chuckle deepens. "Ah, the question of what to do with you. Personally, I am inclined to offer you hospitality."

"Respectfully, Your Majesty, I am not interested in becoming your guest," Luca asserts firmly.

"No problem, Luca, but before you go, allow me to share a tale with you," Elian says with a calm demeanor.

Luca lets out an audible groan. "What story could possibly interest me?"

"Long ago," Elian begins, his voice taking on a solemn tone, "the elves possessed a group of powerful sorcerers. These sorcerers crafted a potion known as the potion of transition, capable of transforming a mere werewolf like yourself into a formidable Lycan. However, the Lycans they created brought devastation upon our kind, prompting the sorcerers to seek intervention from their goddess. She answered their plea by unleashing great green flames, which consumed all Lycans and sorcerers, sparing only one.

"The surviving sorcerer dedicated his life to building the Temple of the Divine, seeking redemption for the havoc they had wrought. Within the temple, he safeguarded the last potion of transition, guided by the goddess's divine flame."

A heavy silence follows Elian's narrative until Luca breaks it with a skeptical question. "What does any of this have to do with me?"

"The prophecy foretells that one day, the elves will again turn to the potion of transition, seeking a Lycan who will restore balance to our realm," Elian explains.

Luca shakes his head in confusion. "I still fail to see the relevance to me."

Sheila interjects with frustration. "For the love of all that's holy, Luca! We believe you are the chosen one meant to wield the potion of transition. And it's worth noting that Alpha Sandro has been relentlessly pursuing it for years, yet only the chosen one can pass through the great green flames guarding the temple."

Luca's eyes widened in disbelief. He is about to say something, but he catches the scent of a new presence entering the chamber.

Commander Jorah strides into the room, his expression brightening upon seeing Sheila. He offers her a warm smile, but as his gaze falls upon Luca, his features contort into a scowl.

"What the hell, Sheila! Didn't I kill this bastard?" Jorah exclaims.

"Yes Commander, but the goddess brought him back to life," Sheila replies nonchalantly.

Luca shoots a defiant glare at Commander Jorah. "Commander huh? Would you like to give it another shot?"

Jorah's fists clench at his sides, his anger simmering. "I'll finish the job this time," he says, taking a menacing step towards Luca.

Before anyone can react, Luca springs into action, meeting Jorah's aggression head-on.