Lykos Redemption
\\\\\\\\\\Act II//////////
Ch. 2: Serena Ist jetzt Voller Licht. Freut
Euch!
Coulter DarkClaw
The next day Nyctimus woke up feeling rather refreshed. He
sat in his bed newly made as it had been last night. The sheets were still
crisp and fresh. They smelled of his love, he thought; they smelled of a
summer’s day, of a crowded amphitheater, of wine and of olives—something that
all gods carried in their scent. He just wanted to lay there in the comfort of
his simple bed, but he knew that he had to start preparing for the night. So
with a heavy sigh he flipped back the sheets and rotated his legs so that his
feet hit the floor. He picked himself up and donned his chiton*. Then went over to grab his baxeae** and then the Shepherd’s Crook. As his fingers entrapped
the bronze of the magic staff his reluctance to meet the day left him. He sent
a silent prayer of thanks to Hephaestus before he walked out of his room. As he
exited he put on his baxeae and
grabbed his new himation***. As he
pinned on a new brooch—a gift from Apollo—he heard footsteps approach him.
“Brother, it is good you are up. You know what must be
done?” Melaeneus asked. After receiving an affirmative from the First Shepherd
he continued, “Then I will leave you to your work. Make sure you are ready.”
“I will be brother. With this staff and Apollo by my side,
guiding you tonight will be nigh on childishly easy.” Nyctimus replied, a
confidence entered his voice with which his brothers were unfamiliar.
“I hope that is the truth, Nyk. For if you lie now, it could
cost the lives of many Athenians.” Melaeneus responded darkly before continuing
through the hallway.
Nyctimus huffed to himself before following after his
brother. They soon entered the main room of their wooden house. It was still
little more than just a large space to gather. They hadn’t had the
opportunity—as of yet—to purchase furnishings. It struck Nyctimus though, that
maybe the lack of furnishings may have been a good thing. It allowed a more
natural, cave like atmosphere to their place of residence and considering his
fellow denizens he understood that this fitted the house better than some tacky
Attican furnishings.
As he walked into the main room, his brothers greeted him
amicably and allowed him some space. They did this because of his staff. It was
a weapon created by the gods they had no idea of what it was capable. That
frightened them a slight amount. Nyctimus smiled internally. Even if it was
because of his staff, his brothers were treating him with some modicum of
respect. That respect he received with internal pleasure.
“Good morning, all of you. I hope Apollo greeted you well
upon this morning.” Nyctimus now smiled outwardly and brotherly toward his siblings.
He walked toward the central fire, unneeded in the temperate Mediterranean
climate for heating but an undeniably useful gift from the family of the gods.
He looked at Harpalykos, who was currently stewing some form of meat, “What is
for breakfast, brother?” Nyk asked.
“Venison and Bread, Shepherd.” Hapralykos replied. His tone
professional, respectful.
“In what way was this hunted?” The First Shepherd asked.
“The way a wolf hunts, brother.” Mel replied
matter-of-factly. Nyk looked back at Melaeneus with a contemplative look.
After a pause that stretched nigh on too long, Nyctimus
looked back to Harpalykos and said, “Well, brother, I look forward to the meal.
Venison is not the easiest for shepherds like myself to afford. Five talents**** per drachma^. The kings of most of the Aegean see it as a meat specific
to royalty. I am sure you remember how father would treat us to venison once in
a blue moon.”
“That is why this is so special. Today we celebrate our rise
from beasts, from men, to something better. Shepherd, we see this day as a
momentous occasion. We are ascendant beings. We will be better than man, better
than wolves. We will be a perfect harmony of the two.”
Nyctimus looked at Harpalykos. His eyes seared
disappointment into his elder brother. “Pride will get you nowhere in this
life, Harpalykos. You must do things every day to humble yourself. Tomorrow you
are becoming a servant to an Athenian.” His eyes told the proto-werewolf that
he wouldn’t take argument. He turned to the other wolves gathered around the
fire, “That is what tomorrow shall be. Today shall be a day of realizing why Zeus turned you. Each and every one
of you was turned because you had committed some act of evil. To truly show
that you were beasts among men, Zeus turned you.
“Melaeneus and Demeas gained their humanity by rectifying
what it was that had made Zeus change them. You shall now experience their path
in redemption. I thought Apollo had only turned you that were solely cowardly
followers of Demeas and Helix†. As this is not the case, you will
be told why you were turned and how you may redeem that act.”
A resounding groan followed Nyctimus’ statement. That was
until Melaeneus let out a subtle growl. Melaeneus walked up next to his brother
and spoke loudly and clearly, so that all six-and-twenty wolf-men could hear
what he would say next, “Listen to the First Shepherd. He is our protector, and
more than that he was spared the curse we now must experience every day of our
lives. Listen to Nyctimus, because he is the only one of our family that
retains his humanity. Solely our appearance is yet human, brothers.”
Another quieter set of grumbles could be heard. Nyctimus’
sole response to his eldest brother’s aid was a small and quiet thanks.
Nyctimus then spoke up to speak directly to his brothers, “I have much to do
today other than preparing for the full moon. So in that respect, I leave
Melaeneus in charge of you, as is his right as alpha. Though I do have one
request of him.” At this Nyctimus lifted off his pack. He handed it to the
eldest wolf-man, “Inside this bag is a checklist. Ensure that everything on
that checklist we have for tonight. Can you do that, Mel?”
“I can. I will.” Melaeneus took the bag and nodded his head
in ascent.
“Good. I will see you all tonight.” With that said, Nyctimus
left the house. He made his way down to the city to his place of employ in
order to continue his apprenticeship. Watching him from the climax of the hill
upon which their house sat was Melaeneus.
“Let us hope, for all our sakes, that tonight goes well,
brother.”
***
The drómo^* was
packed with people as Nyctimus tried to navigate his way to the physician’s lodge. There were so many people that it was slow
going. He didn’t understand why there were so many people. It made no sense to
him. Yes Athens was a large city, but this was getting ridiculous. He waded
through the large crowd to arrive on the doorstep of the lodge. He knocked
three times on the door and waited.
“What is it?” came the gruff reply to his knocking. Nyctimus
rolled his eyes. His master was an interesting sort that after years of dealing
with death had become callous and highly antisocial outside of his profession.
“Solely your apprentice, master.” Nyctimus replied trying to
hide his annoyance.
“The full moon is nigh, people will be crazy, my young
apprentice. Be ready. Be vigilant. Today will be long and tiresome.” The ornery
old man said as he opened the door to allow Nyctimus entrance into his home.
“Yes, master. I am prepared, sir.”
As soon as Nyctimus shut his mouth, the door of the
physician’s home burst open. Standing there in the doorway were three guards,
one supported by his arms being wrapped around his comrades’ necks. His knee
had been brutally torn open and his face was bruised and torn up. “Androcles!
Come and help us. Akakios has been gravely injured.”
The old man rushed over and with surprising strength
gathered the man and walked him further into the shop where he laid him down on
an empty, ratty cot. “Nyctimus! Come over here, boy!”
Nyc rolled his eyes before going over to his master. “Yes,
master. How may I be of service?”
“See to it that these men’s wounds are tended.” The man
commanded.
“I can take him from here, sir.” Nyctimus politely spoke to
the guard who was carrying the injured one.
“Please save him.” The guard said, barely hiding something
more than just friendly compassion in his voice.
“Even in the city guard…” Nyc muttered to himself. He then
shouldered the man and took him into the back of the Apothecary. Today was
going to be a long day.
***
Apollo sat on his throne as his father droned on. Sometimes
being a god wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. All he wanted to do now was
take care of his beloved Nyctimus but at the moment he could not. He had to sit
on his throne, listen to all the bureaucratic nonsense to which his father
insisted he be there to listen. So there he sat as Nyctimus no doubt stressed
about Artemis bringing Serena to bear upon the earth.
One of the four muses, his personal servants, came up to him
and whispered musically in his ear, “Nyctimus is busied by his master as you
have asked.”
“Thank you.” Apollo whispered.
When he returned his attention to the council, he had
garnered all of the Twelve’s attention. “Do you have something of more import
to which you must attend, my son?” Zeus questioned with a note of annoyance in
his voice. It was made all the more apparent by the smell of o-zone that poured
from his direction.
“Than you, father? That would be nigh on impossible.” Apollo
nervously joked.
“It is that boy, is it not?” The Lord of the Skies raised an
eyebrow.
Apollo sighed. “I love him, father. I cannot keep my mind
off of him for very long.”
At this Zeus brought forth an image of the young man about
which they were speaking. “I understand, my son, but you have duties to which
you must attend. Here. On Olympus. Not counting the fact that Heilios needs to
be kept on a short leash.” The boy in the ghostly image appeared to be tending
to some minor injuries on a slave.
“I am not a youngling any longer, father. I know my duties
well. Heilios contained is high on my list of priorities.”
The smell of o-zone and burning silk seethed from the two
gods in excess. It was good that Nyctimus was not here to bear witness. He
would have been burned to ash. “Do NOT talk back to your king!” Zeus chastised his son.
Apollo’s anger was barely contained as well. He radiated a
deadly amount of heat and strangely enough a Spartan marching beat could be
heard as well. “Father, if there is nothing of further actual import to discuss Heilios has to be tended. I take my leave
of this council.” With that Apollo about-faced regally and left the Pantheon of
Olympus. He went to his Chariot and galloped his horses off the Mount.
***
Melaeneus shaded his eyes as he looked to see how far along
Apollo was on his daily journey. It appeared to be close to the end of
Nyctimus’ shift. He’d be arriving home soon. He sent up a silent prayer to the
god of prophecy, song, art, and the Sun. ‘Please be here when Nyk arrives. I am
sure he has had a rough day.’
As he lowered his gaze he saw a small speck at the bottom of
the path to their home. It was gradually growing larger until Melaeneus saw the
silhouette of a man with a shepherd’s crook. That was definitely Nyctimus.
Slowly Nyctimus ascended the path and slowly his form came clearer.
“Is the Shepherd on his way?” came a voice with which the
Lykaonids were becoming extremely familiar. Mel turned and lo and behold was
Apollo standing abreast to the alpha.
“My lord, you already know the answer. And what of Heilios?”
“I am not abandoning my job. I am here and I am there.”
There was a hint of indignation in his voice that was accompanied by a slight
burning sensation on Melaeneus’ arm. He looked down, and indeed there was a
large ovoid red splotch upon his arm on the patch of skin closest to the sun
god.
Nyctimus soon crested the hill and came to the two other
males. “Welcome home, brother.”
“Thank you.” Then Nyc turned to Apollo, “My love, it is good
to see you.”
“I am glad to be here, my sweet. Artemis shall bring Serena
to bear in a few hours. We need to get you ready.” Apollo replied, smiling. A
radiant smile fit for any deity and as bright as the sun.
“Then let us go, my love. We shall see you for a moment
tonight.” Nyctimus said.
***
Nyctimus sat in silence on the edge of the hill. Apollo was there
beside him and sat with him. He would lend but a sparing amount of his power to
the barrier. Nyctimus knew that this would be the best way to keep the children
of Lycaon contained as they transformed to their beastly states. He looked to
Apollo who nodded and then began writing in the rocky soil at his feet with the
Shepherd’s Crook:
The Twelve keep us. Hecate give me strength.
Athena help me to build this great wall.
The final period came down as a loud smack. When all went
quiet Nyctimus looked up. What he saw astounded him. It was a wall of pure
magical energy. It stretched high into the heavens and domed around the
entirety of what the Lykaonids began considering their property. He excluded
the house and made sure to give the brothers plenty of room to roam. His
thinking was that these creatures were large wolves and they needed to be
contained. However they needed space so as to allow them to be as free as was
safe. In this process Nyctimus excelled.
Everything was prepared. Now all that remained was to find
something to pass the time until morn. He looked over at Apollo. There was that
smirk. The smirk that had led to Nyctimus' first time, the smirk that had led
to every time since. Nyc just couldn't help but fall for that smirk. It was
every bit as reassuring as it was lewd and knowing and that more than any words
his brothers had promised eased his mind.
He ran over to sit in Apollo's lap. Apollo chuckled,
"Well someone is eager."
***
Melaeneus paced back and forth while he awaited the rising
of the moon. He'd found himself a decent tree to place his garments. He'd
removed them earlier. The thing that Nyctimus had been worrying about the
entirety of the week prior now became Melaeneus was wrong? What if Demeas was
wrong? What if they did not change back? These and many other uncertainties
were coarsing their way through Mel's head as he paced.
"And what if you do not change back, Melaeneus, Son of
Lycaon?" said a sly, eerie voice behind Melaeneus. Melaeneus turned around
and was faced with a fury.
"Away with you, demon. I need not your mischief."
"I bear a message for you from Hades." she replied
simply.
"Speak then, demon."
"Your family's place is down here in the Fields of
Punishment. Not on the mortal plane masquerading as wolves. I await your arrival."
Melaeneus chuckled, "He expects a reply?" The
demon nodded, "Tell him that we will arrive in due time. We have a life to
lead first. So we beg he be patient."
The demon nodded as she memorized the message. Then she
headed off.
"Why did Hades not use Hermes?"
Melaeneus thought on this as he continued waiting for the
moon to rise. He didn't need to wait long, though because just minutes after
the fury left, the moon crested the hill.
***
Nyctimus lay atop Apollo's chest. Nyctimus was content. His
brothers would be safe from the outside. He was with Apollo and he didn't have
to worry about anyone catching them. Only the gods could see them now. As
Nyctimus played with the hem of Apollo's himation, Apollo played with
his hair. His eyes were half-lidded and he had not a care in the world.
He then heard twenty-six howls off in the distance, low,
dreadful noises that permeated the night. They were different, though. They
weren't the sound of a lonely wolf. Rather, they sounded more appeased, or
pleasured. "That is them, is it not?" Nyctimus asked.
"Yes. They have just completed their first primal
change." Apollo sighed, "You did well, my sweet."
"The night is not over, my love."
"That it is not. We must be awake the entire way
through."
***
Demeas sniffed at the air. He sniffed long and hard, trying
to find a certain scent. When he caught the scent he sped off throwing up a
cloud of debris.
He ran throughout the closed in area his youngest brother
had set up before he ran into Melaeneus' wolf. When he found it he ran directly
towards his elder's flank.
He ran into the elder werewolf full force. Biting down on
his left rear leg, crushing the bones inside. Mel yelped.
"What the hell, Demi?" He shouted as he managed to
shove the other wolf off of him.
"You were never fit to be our alpha! I challenge
you." Demeas replied.
"I accept your challenge! If this is truly what you
wish, then let us fight." Melaeneus replied before lunging at his head
beta. He tried to bite down on Demi's neck but didn't manage to get a good enough
hold on it. Demeas easily flung his alpha off before he pounced.
He went to bite the alpha's throat
before Melaeneus swung a forepaw and scratched Demeas' muzzle with his long
claws. Melaeneus righted himself and tried to get an advantageous position, but
Demeas followed his every move. He was about to lunge again, when he decided to
fake it. He moved forward in a way that would appear to be a lunge and saw
Demeas move to pounce. Demeas sprung forward and was met with another claw to
the face. He tumbled to the ground at Melaeneus' paws and soon the alpha had
his throat between his jaws. The head beta went stiff as a board.
The fight was over. Melaeneus looked to his brother and
said, "Know your place. Do not think to challenge me again." and
stalked away.
"Oh next time it will not be a challenge,
brother..." Demeas mumbled to himself.
~~~~~~
MOAR, I WANT MOAR. lol
Keep up this awesome work.
Now we know where those great barrier came from.
Nice chapter.
:-P
Another good chapter. Thanks