Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Reno]

The blonde tilted his head, hearing the other's words. He had never thought that Saix had such a heart. Then again, they were both living upon their assumptions of one another. They had never looked at each other. "Then do not." The man looked at him as if his words were a fancy, telling him how the beserk affected him and he never had the mind to stop.

"But they drive you in a direction." Demyx stated with a nod, "Using their teeth and bites to force you upon their bidding. So... I will try and force you another way." The blue-haired male looked at as if he were mad. And he was. He was not a strong wolf, nor doth he have any influence upon most of the pack. He was also lame at current though it would heal within a sun falls time.

But he would try.

Thus through the day Demyx stayed in Saix's presence and controlled his outbursts of pain the best he could. As the sky was a canopy of colors, they went to join the rest of the pack not that once the moon rose it would be the beginning to the attack.


At Evard manor, a talk of escape was going on, the servants pretending to sleep listening intently. "Olette, you speak as if this will be the last boat to leave port to the end of time!" Pence said, trying a different tactic, but when she told him again that she would be leaving regardless he sighed. "And they say men stand at the top of the world. It is a lie because behind the scenes women have us all stringed up like puppets."

"Yes, that they do..." Sora sighed wistfully, staring upon the door.
"Brother... you have a fancy for that maiden?" The blonde murmured curled up in his blanket and shivering some.
"Aye a fancy that can go no where. She knows as well as I." The brunette stated though his eyes continued to stray to the door.

There was a hush of conversation, before Roxas broke it by coughing some, his body trembling like the devil had walked through him. The other's stared upon him in concern, knowing his sickness had rapidly gotten worse.
"You know, Roxas, the boat ride may be your only and last if you choose to leave." The chubby servant said wisely.
"It is alright... I will see Ventus?" He checked to his brother, his only confirmation a nod. "Then that is ideal. I will rather die with my brothers near then die upon the floor of a stranger's house. A last chance to see them and know them... it is all I ask for this life."
"How curious... thus is what I said to God not two days hence. and here you came." Sora mused before smiling. "We are twins afterall!"
"Had you any doubt?!" The two laughed some.
"I suppose we will be stealing another horse then." Pence said.
"But wait - neither of us know how to ride or lead." Sora said, now worried.
"We can do as they do to slaves when bringing them from the harbor to land. Ven will have a horse, will he not?" There was a nod. "Then with the third that one of us will ride, we may tie the horse's reins to the other two and have them lead him. He will trot and run as they do, with no indication from his rider."

[Rikugurl]

Claws dug into the moist growth as clouds overhead covered the heavenly body that was changing a whole colony of people below. The sounds of bones cracking and horrifying sounds came from the depths of the woods as a plan was being drawn. It had been countless years where their power wasn't enough to overtake the Azazel Manor... but it seemed like tonight would be the end of it all.

Because of the dhampir's active hunting, there were only five vampirs left in the manor.
Five against thirty-seven... the odds were almost laughable. Still, some were not fools not to believe that the dhampir wouldn't show his face at their battle as well. It could possibly be his biggest mistake yet for he might not escape with his own life.

It would only be a few more hours until the moon would reach the point in the sky where it shined the brightest and since it was the harvest moon, it would be blood red tonight, echoing what the color of the ground would be when races clashed.


The wooden boards creaked as a man hustled across it as few times, the sound of clothes shifting and clanking. Long boots were pulled up high before a belt was wrapped his waist. Jars on the far end of the room were opened; all sorts of spices being kept, such as garlic and a pouch of seeds. A knotted up rope was wrapped around his belt before a cape was draped over his shoulders. The wooden door to his bedroom opened before he hurried down the steps and through the house towards the stable.

As he passed, a man with long, blonde hair lifted his head from his work before glancing back. "Riku."
The other man stopped, his own long, silver hair fluttering against his back before he looked over his shoulder. Ocean like pearls fixed on the older's before he looked away.
A sigh escaped the elder man before he shook his head. "You do not have to do this..."
"Why mustn't I? It is in my blood to do it." A handsome voice came from the silverette as he reached for the knob. "Please excuse me, judge."

And he was gone.

The judge watched the door as it closed before he rubbed his brow, glancing down at the papers on his desk. The top read:
Judge Ansem Evard the Wise
He wasn't so sure if he was wise anymore... for he still hasn't thought of a good way to keep his adopted son from risking his life every night.

Inside the stable, a lone black stallion shifted as his owner walked around in a hurry. A bow was placed on his back securely as two quivers were taken from the wall. One was strapped on one side and the other so they held securely and comfortably. One was full of stakes as the others were full of silver tipped arrows.
There was a sheath by the coal pit that was made of metal. It was obtained before tongs were picked up and some small, hot coals were placed inside the sheath. Next, a sword was slowly slid inside before it was packed carefully on the horse and strapped so that it wouldn't burn the animal.

After things were set and as they were suppose to be. The cape was buckled around his neck and secured to hide everything be he mounted the stallion. The reins were pulled before his heels embedded into the animal, making the horse call before shooting from it's stall and down the street towards the forest gates.


"HIYAA!" A voice called in the darkness as the sound of heavy hooves beat onto the grass in a different direction. The horse seemed to be agitated as it ran, having that his shoes were pried off only a few hours ago. It was to prevent the sound the shoes would make on the brick while the blonde made his getaway. It was a success that he wasn't heard and was able to reach the property wall before jumping them. He didn't even peep a word to Hayner, not sure that he could be trusted to keep his tongue... and his laughter.

The horse was brought into a trot as he reached the Evard's manor, making the rider uneasy as he wasn't sure which would be the best way to enter. He needed to help his brother escape... but where would he be meeting him? It wasn't like he could call him out... but he did need to hurry for the moon was drawing up fast.

[Reno]

"AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

Howls rang from the forest, making those at Quinsin shudder in their beds and hide under their blankets. The slaves within did their best to close their crooked doors and informed the new ones to never leave it's doors on the nights they hear the beasts calling. It would not be the first time they lost one of their own to those yowls. Like the tender of the chickens, Sazh, who had been foolishly attached to the baby chicks that had been born that spring and camped out in the chicken coop. The next morning nothing but blood was left in the cage, the chicks, hens, roosters and Sazh all mysteriously gone.

Everyone supposed that was too what happened to Roxas who they had left within the barn. It was better that way. Everyone knew after a crack to the head from a horse that you're bound to go mad if you perchance to live.


They didn't know that miles away, unable to hear the howls of the wolves so close. Roxas was shuddering as he sat on the grass close to Olette, looking down upon his reflection in the mirror he had been given from his brother. He lifted it up and shined it in the moon three times. It was to lead Ven to them.

Was he truly coming? Would he really see his other sibling?

"This is treason, stealing our master's horse. If we get caught..." Pence was mumbling within the stable as they prepared another horse for it's journey.
"You do not have to come along." Sora stated as he tightened the saddle.
The man stood there for a few moments as if mulling the words before he looked to the west, staring at the half closed doors of the barn where Olette was outside, tending to her own horse. He sighed. "I can not... all the risks in the world are not more dangerous then losing her from my heart."
"Then I suppose we will need sustenance for our trip~" Sora said with a smile. The other servant nodded before he hurried from the barn.

[Rikugurl]

A heavy saddle was heaved over the large work horse's back, knowing that the weight wouldn't bother him any due to his old work. He had been good to her so far and she knew he wouldn't let her down. He would try his hardest to jump high, run fast and defend her. "This will be our last ride, Buckley." Olette spoke softly as she ran her hand down his neck. "You've been such a gentle creature, I hate to leave you at the docks..." It was one thing to secretly board a ship but it was another to try and hide a horse.

Green eyes glanced over at the blonde who was close by, seeing him shiver some. "Sora spoke that you other brother has the tongue for French. It will be aid us well when we reach the other side of the channel for he can get you to a hospital and fool them to believe you are French as well." Her ideas were flawless and she sported many of them. Maybe it was that which made Pence fancy her so.

She paused as she saw some flashes of light from the mirror, glancing out into the darkness of the plantation. They waited a few minutes, wondering if there was any one... or any thing out there. But they both widened their eyes as they heard the sound of horse hooves on the ground and saw a horse and rider coming over a hill. It was hard to recognize the rider even as he came close for he was wearing all black and wore a black riding helmet over his head. When the horse came closer, Olette smiled at the beauty of it. It was well taken care of, healthy looking and strong.

She was sure it would win a prize if entered in a contest.

When the horse and rider trotted up, Olette held onto Buckley's reins tightly as the rider jumped from his own. The rider was a bit hesitant at first as the blonde on the grass stood before... taking off his riding helmet.
"Ah! May God strike me! Am I looking at a mirror!" Olette's eyes widened when she saw that the two standing in front of her looked almost exactly alike... if one didn't have such a sullen face of course!

"B-brother?" The blonde with the riding clothes squeaked as he slowly reached out, his fingers brushing some blonde hair away from the man in front of him. "Y-you are here as well? Is... is this some dream God has blessed me with to see both my lost siblings at one location?"

[Reno]

The hand holding the mirror hesitated as the sound of hooves was loud and fierce upon the ground, sounding like thunder. He stood slowly as glorious horse came near. He had never seen one so fine, knowing that it must of come from rich breeders. Yet he could see nothing of the visage of the rider and it made him nervous, remembering the caped man from the night before with his scorching sword and true aim.

Had he just led himself and Olette to their death?

But his worries fled to wonder as the man took off his helmet... and he stared at himself. There was little mistake this time. He felt like he could not move but Ven did for him and as his words, tears filled his eyes, "If you are brother then I must be plagued with the same one!" He smiled tentatively, and instinctively reached out for the other, bringing him into an embrace. "Oh Ventus... I can hardly believe my mind any longer..."

He didn't hear anything else around him - certainly not Pence's exclamation of surprise at the sight he happened upon when walking from the barn. The noise had Sora come running... and at the sight he smiled gently, crossing over to the twins. "Together again we are... did I not promise the day I was bought that we would be?" He said happily as he curled his arms around them both.

[Rikugurl]

As arms wrapped around him, bringing him close to feel his brother's heat, he felt his own run down his face as tears of joy fell from his eyes. He first came to allow him and his brother to flee but now it seemed that their dream of all living together would come true if their plan was not spoiled. The two only shifted slight as the third came, wrapping his arms around him as well before they were in a group hug. There was some laughter, the nuzzling and finger clenching as they were both happy and blessed that finally after so many years, they were once again together from that horrible night.

But it couldn't last forever.

"You three, though I know it is a glorious meeting, we much make haste for we must reach the docks before dawn." As they looked over at her, she smiled before patting Buckley.
"The docks?" Ventus ventured before Sora filled him in on the plan. All five of them were going to flee to France. He of course would be playing a big part since he was the only one of the group who knew the language but Olette figured that he could teach them some on the way over. Not to be snappy or to run her mouth but Olette reminded them all that they could speak and hook up the horses at the same time.

A mare was chosen to accompany the two stallions. Even if the ropes didn't do their job, the female would follow them. It took some time to choose her since one mare was nursing a cult, Sora not wanting to separate them... and the other was Kairi's personal riding horse, in which Sora didn't want to take from her either. It was at that time when Ventus told the sad tale that his own maiden had laughed at him and that he no longer wished to have any ties. All equipped themselves with a sword and the horses all carrying food and simple supplies that they would need.

As they worked on the last touches, their plan grew larger that if they made good time, they might have the time to sell off the horses and carry their profit for their new life, maybe to all buy a little cottage together.

They had no idea as they started to ride out towards forest path that by dawn, only a couple would make it to the docks...


The moon started to become larger as it rose higher, the color making the hunt only more excitable.

"AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
A grayish blue wolf called as he hunched over himself, his legs like human but much stronger and longer, covered in fur with deadly claws at the end. His eyes were wild as his teeth gleamed in the light of the moon. Ironically, his strong arms were trying to pull chains from a rock that he was bolted down with along with two others. On his left, there was an older black wolf who was acting the same and next to him was a red wolf who was smaller but just as ferocious looking.

They were the berserkers and even dangerous to their own kind during the full moons. Their power and sense of conscience were the moon's and the moon's only. They were facing the direction of the Azazel manor and once release, they would head there and tear anything apart that was in its way.

As the alpha spoke to the rest of the oddly shaped wolves, the beta noticed that the delta hadn't appeared for the meeting yet. She was probably still letting her ankle heal from her fall this morning. It had blown up and they allowed her to lounge by the riverbed to let the swelling lower. She needed to do a lot of running tonight.

But her aching ankle wasn't the only thing that was bothering the young delta.
The sound of the river was one of the only things that made a sound in these parts, other animals knowing best to keep out of the way of the werewolves. However, ears perked as the sound of a branch snapped only for her to see a golden eye gleam down at her. Some growls filled the air but the interesting black and gray wolf failed to budge. "Good evening, Aqua~"

[Reno]

In the end, Sora chose Kairi's mare. He couldn't bare to split apart a mother and her child especially since he knew how terrible it was to lose your mother. And he also knew his mistress' horse would lead well and strong through the night run, having been trained for show while the mother was weakened with her birth. He wished he could see her again... just one more time if for nothing else to apologize profusely.

He also chose that he would ride it. When his brother Roxas inquired, the brunette said teasingly, "Because you are ill and faint of mind so you will probably concentrate harder to hold onto Ven then a horse!" Roxas rolled his eyes rudely but nodded to that, not arguing as he was given a hand by Sora and Pence behind Ven. He had to admit... it was nice to hold the other close again just as they once did in the cold nights of winter back home.

There travel began as the moon started to reach the zenith of the sky, Sora holding onto the reins with an amateur hand as his mare, her name seashell, did as women were meant to; She followed the males who strode at either side of her. Having been trained by an expert, her strides matched them perfectly. When they walked, she walked. When they trotted she did. When they ran, she was not a step out of place. So Sora had to do nothing but hold on as they moved quickly in the direction of the docks a path only Olette really knew.


Blue-grey hairs flicked as the tail swished over the ground and at the sight of the other her growls lessened, though her ears flipped back to show she was not welcoming company right now. "What is it Xigbar? Can you not see I am busy?" Her tone was coarse and not gentle in the least.

[Rikugurl]

Hooves tried to be as quiet as possible as they tracked through the dark woods. It was near impossible to see well without a light as their guide and only the red moon and stars above to help them. That wasn't their only issue, however. The small caravan stopped at a fork in the path, the brunette lady glancing down each way before looking up at a large tree that was dead in the center.

"Damn them and their ways of treason!" She finally called before gripping the reins tight, making the rest look at her in question. "Many of those like me headed out to the docks as well and told of signs would be hung from the trees for easy passage since they knew I would be of the last to venture. No signs I've seen yet!" Everyone slowly looked around for any signs of a message on any tree but one could not be seen.

Some wind blew down a path though, making green eyes turn that direction. "Well, at last the woods help. Wind comes from the water so let us take this way." She spoke wisely as she was about to steer Buckley to the way when all of a sudden, there was a loud howl that made everyone look around quickly, fear in their eyes.
In the shadows of the forest, a dark figure seemed to jump through the trees, some growls admitting from it.

And of course... it spooked the horses completely.

"WHOA! BUCKLEY SETTLE!" Olette cried as the large working horse got on his back legs and kicked the air, Verrill doing the same. With the males in panic, the female followed, making Kairi's mare jump around. Ropes tugged and pulled as the horses started to go in all different directions and almost stomping over each other. "HEY!" Ven called as he tried to calm his stallion but his eyes only widened when the figure revealed itself to be some sort of overgrown wolf with a humanly figure. It's fangs were gleaming in the moonlight as his bit and spat towards the horses. "JUST MOVE!" Olette called as she quickly whipped out a knife from her boot and cut the rope that was tied to the mare.

With a kick, Buckley, Olette and Pence were down the path of the shore as Verrill and the mare quickly took the other, running as fast as they could. The mare was easily able to stride alongside in panic which made Ventus reach out and grab her reins to keep her from trampling in their path. He started to pant, hearing the howls and thuds of the large creature following them, probably because there was more and it was no fool.

The chase lasted for what seemed to be forever, deeper and deeper into the forest they went. In their panic, they hardly realized that there was a fog close to the ground and the darkness only became darker. It was when they came to a slight clearing in the woods that the wolf to feel cocky enough to finally leap at them. The mare cried out in pain as two strong paws ripped into her hide. She almost stumbled if it wasn't for the stallion to keep moving... but he didn't so much as the wolf rode on his backside before chomping down on one of his back legs.

Verrill cried out in pain, his eyes widening as he continued on the best he could but jaws wrapped around his leg again and paws in his hide.
Both the horses suddenly fell. Ropes snapped and all the riders fell from their saddles. Sora went tumbling into the forest ground as Ventus and Roxas were almost crushed by the falling horse. The mare was quick to get back on her feet and run into the safety of the darkness as the rest laid on the ground in pain.

The wolf was now drooling as the smell of blood ran through his nose and the look of the helpless creatures only made his eyes wild. It started to pace around the fallen humans and pained horse before he reared and jumped. "AAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
It was almost like it was in slow motion for as the wolf was at the peak of his jump, his jaws wide open and claws stretched out for a kill, two arrows were suddenly embedded into its chest and he flew back, hitting the ground hard and was instantly dead.

Three pairs of blue eyes stared in horror at the dead creature at the edge of the clearing before hearing the cry of a horse far off. All their heads turned to see a figure on top a horse, silver hair pooling over his cape before he and the horse turned and went back the way they came.
"WAIT! H-HELP......us....." Ven sighed as he called out but the man was gone. Slowly, he looked back at Verrill with a frown before slowly rubbing the horses neck. "It's ok boy...." He knew it wasn't but he didn't have the heart to just leave his horse like this...

But maybe he didn't have to.

"What brings you here?" A voice came from the darkness, making all the boys turn to see a very peculiar and eerie sight. It was obviously a man from the voice but he was in a robe made of rags and his face was hidden by what seemed to be a masked shaped like a crow beak.


Only a cocky smile came from the wolf before he started to hop down through the branches until he hit the ground near the waterside. He swiftly made his way over to the delta, his body language seeming to show himself off. "I do believe I won something some time ago~" He spoke as his tail swept under chin. "I believe you and the rest seemed to of forgotten it." He walked around her before coming face to face once more. "How convenient for you all."

[Reno]

Speeding through the forest on a horse going too fast to be secure, his brother beside them holding on the mare with fistfuls of her mane or risk death upon falling while his other held the reins of booth horses as he struggled to steer them both as they were outrun by the creature of the night and thrown to the floor with white-flashing pain, Roxas remembered just how devious and of double-speak people could be. He was no fool of course. If the horses had gotten tied together they would of all been stuck but was that not more noble? Did not the soldiers speak of the brave acts of men's past for their ability to face the enemy no matetr what the cause?

Perhaps it was because she was a woman and had a heart not as strong as a man's. Perhaps it was because she was a thief who could only do that which no one saw. But she was just the same saying one thing with such conviction and then doing the precise opposite in the next moment. To save her neck they would be losing theirs... and just when they had gotten together again. They would die knowing little more than they did that day a decade ago except for their changed visages.

He laid there waiting for the end to come but instead heard the swish of something flying rapidly overhead and when he perchance opened his eyes found the creature lay dead not five paces away. The cause of the creature's sudden demise was the same he had spotted not a moon fall ago. Because they could call for aid though, he was gone.

Luckily, of them, Sora seemed to have come from the fall the best as he stood as if not a scratch had touched his sun-tanned skin, hurrying upon his side where he lay, being lifted up some off the ground. It has always been such - his brothers always struggling to take care of him due to his lameness. Even now, he silently appreciated it.
"Are you well?" Sora asked in concern, his fingers running along his brow and coming away wet and shining red.
"I will live." He joked, but both of them looked towards Ven, hearing his sad mourns for his horse. Before they could emphasize with his loss however a new presence was quickly upon them, coming from the shadows with the silence of a fox and with such a grotesque visage one's stomach would flip at the mere sight of him.

"Who goes there?!" Rather then producing the information freely, Sora challenged the intruder, holding onto Roxas with a tight grip. There was little good to come from those who traveled in the night. "If you are here to attempt to injure or injustice us, I warn you now to begone. I will allow no one to place harm upon my kin."


"Doth my ears deceive me?" Aqua said in a snappish tone, her head turning away from his tail. "Is my mate finally making good on his claim?" She growled softly before getting to her feet, trotting a few paces away before laying on the bank once more, her ankle dipping back in the water. A rejection.
"I am not interested, so leave my presence."

[Rikugurl]

Had any of the Wilkinson kin lived in the city, their fears would only dwindle an ounce for they would of known who this man was. He was the city's grave keeper, and all grave keepers of Stagwood looked alike or so the illusion seemed. The man walked forward, making the three shift across the ground to keep a distance. "Why ever would I wish to harm you and your kin?" He started, his head tilting some as he seemed to study them. "I see enough dead in my life... though... I suppose there is always room for more." He chuckled, his laughter seeming to echo through the forest around them.

"Honestly, you are worried that I would take the breath you breathe but you are mad enough to wander these woods on a full moon? I would trust you were hunting for death itself any way. And if you did not know of the moon, I settle that your minds are thick." He stopped only a few feet from them before slowly putting his hands into the air. "Besides, you are the ones trespassing on my plantation...."

Blue eyes widened a bit as they all looked beyond the man and could hardly see the outline of a manor that seemed to be camouflaged with the forest around them. It was almost as if it just appeared as he mentioned it. "Witchcraft..." Ventus whispered, a chill running down his body, making his shiver.
"If you believe it." The figure put frankly before he looked at each one of them. "But of course you would... for you are children of a good witch, were you not?"


"Finally?" The older wolf huffed in annoyance. "As if!" He lowered his head as he growled, watching her walk away as if he was nothing but a common thing. "You know damn well that your gamma has made it extra tiring for me to court you!" His only eye narrowed as he slowly headed for her. He paused as he came close, looking deep into her eyes. "And your kin has been making things harder on you; his lame acts making you worried. He would be better off on his own and out of the pack; probably be able to survive longer as well."

He passed her before climbing up a bank but as he reached the top, he paused again. "Promise me this, Aqua. After this attack, whether lose or win... you will be interested."

[Reno]

The three heads of the triplets jerked towards the man, speechless for a long time. How did he happen upon that information? Disbelief quickly turned to anger for one of them.

"How dare you!!" Came a furious cry of the eldest as he let go his brother and stood, pacing towards the man, blue eyes impassioned with a noble fury. "I do not know who you believe yourself to be but hold your tongue. Are you daft to think it is appropriate to jest of a family's dead in such cruel ways?! I may never have held one but I will raise a sword to you if you dare say another word to offend my family's honor!"

He doth not forget he actually had no sword to raise - but the threat was still true regardless even if he would be forced to forge one from scratch and return here a day later.


"Even with the face of a dog, you have not changed that you are male." Aqua snapped angrily, to none of his surprise. He was used to her sharp tongue. She sat up, her ears flipping back as she spoke with conviction few women had the strength to hold upon their minds, "Do you believe it a simple word or an urge and suddenly I will do upon what you request? A win of a battle and you receive the damsel? I am not the average woman or wolf who will follow at your beck and call. If you wish for my interest, you earn it. Treat me not as if I am lower then you but as your equal, and you may see luck in your future."

[Rikugurl]

"BROTHER!" Ventus cried as his elder brother stood up against the stranger. Even he, a servant, knew how dangerous these woods were and so many things could be deceiving. What if he were a creature of the night or worse!? The devil himself!?
The man backed away only slightly to give some room between him and the boy, a chuckle apparent under his mask. "I'll be, I'll be... Too many men think too much with their anger and heart than with their head and soul. I had only heard the whistle of the silver arrows massing my window, seeing the lycanthrope hunting you down. My manor is that for those of witch blood and only those can enter it. But seeing I am mistaken, I bid you farewell and safe journey~"

The man slowly turned before walking off, only pausing as he heard a desperate cry. "Wait..." Two brothers looked back at their middle kin who slowly stood besides his fallen horse. His eyes were dark and thoughtful, his teeth pressing on his lips and rolling them some before a muscle came out to wet them for speech. "Maybe.... maybe he is correct. Maybe we are that of witch blood. Maybe that is why uncle Gin saved us from the redcoats... because we are also witches and he did not wish to see us meet our mother's fate."

He slowly looked up at the dark manor, swallowing some. "See the truth my brothers, we have been offered a room from the night woods. Surely we will not survive a night out here with a lame horse and no weapons to save our skin... Verrill will not make it either if we don't haste to find some help and I fear this is the only place we have to call home for the night..."


A paw stopped from hitting the ground before the large wolf whipped around to glare down at the female. As she continued to speak her mind with a poisonous tongue, he suddenly jumped down from the bank and tackled her. There was a struggle of claws and fangs but eventually the larger was able to sink some of his claws into the female's throat. His single golden eye was wild with rage as venous saliva dripped down into her fur.

"I have already won my game in taking your name, I do not have to call you out no more! Your equality thought is pitiful if you are the one that spits on every gram of dirt I walk on!" He roared before snarling in her face. "The only equality you gain as a woman was to become a bitch, full form! You would not be as lucky if you were still a wench!" He pulled away violently, his tail flicking with aggravation as the moon filled him with more power. It was almost time. "Watch your place for I am still the alpha's brother and an elder to you. I will have what is mine by the time of year when shortest days and longest nights appear or I will become a nightmare for you and your brother."

With a flick of his tail, he was off and disappeared into the dead of the night as the howling of the pack started to call.

[Reno]

Blue eyes narrowed more at the strange man. He did not feel truly there. He was just as happy to see him go as if he were a flick of dirt upon his shoe. ...But then Ven spoke up, making him spin around with aghast. "Ventus!" He snapped, but when the blonde looked up at him his words of chastisement came apart in his throat until only air was left.

What could he say? That they would be better off among the graves? He was not a fool. "Very well..." He sighed, hoping his brother would appreciate the sacrifice of their pride. "Maybe... I was mistaken..." He turned back to the man who still had his back turned to them but was motionless. He sighed and bowed lowly. "Forgive my rudeness I have forgotten my place. A servant such as I has no right to speak. If I have offended ye too much for the shelter, that was my own mistake, but may you still offer it to my brothers good sir?"

Roxas frowned at the show, then glanced at Ven and glared, hissing softly so that he and Ven could hear only. Or at least he believed so. "May mother paddle you from the heavens for such lies."


Her eyes widened when the larger wolf charged with the ferocity of a bull, unable to escape as he trampled her down to the grass. She snarled loudly but fight as she might, she was caught cruelly between the other's teeth and held in place. His grip so tight she was lucky to breathe.

His words invaded her mind like a sickness, and when he dropped her she laid there for a time, not even noticing his departure. The threat of his words made it clear... she would either allow him to do what he wished with her body or watch him harm her lamed brother.

She ignored the howls of Hatori calling the pack to group. The attack would start soon... it would be won easily. They would not need her...
Perchance her mother was right. This was the only life she could lead. Her fighting would never amount to a prideful life... only one to live upon more shame as she fell further from her dashed hopes.

[Rikugurl]

Ven's own eyes widened as he looked over at Roxas, hearing his words and frowning all the same. "It could go either way, brother. For we were too young to know witchcraft, it could be possibly true and you and Sora shunning the beliefs and powers mother had could wind you up with a sore on your own buttocks. Witchcraft is true, I've seen it myself as other servants once practiced it and it wasn't always bad." He slowly passed his blonde siblings to walk up to the man who was now turning to face them again. "Call me a cowards but I'd rather keep my own head, my eyes on this plane than seeing my mother in my own grave..."

Soon, all three of the Wilkinson triplets were in front of the man, wondering if he would forgive their tempered brother and be able to find some safety in his manor. The figure stood silent for quite some time, his appearance making them nervous. "Servants, are you now?" He finally spoke, making some flinch. "I understand it now. You have fled from your masters estate to find a life of your own. I am sure they paid some good money for you but I adjust that you have given the money back double fold in your service. I accept your temper, for I know the anger builds over the years. However, I only have one thing to ask of you."

Lips were bitten as the three glanced at each other, wondering what the catch was but it was when Verrill whined in pain and weakness, Ven was the first to answer. "What is it we owe you?"
"Owe me not, but a test before you walk through my doors."
"A test? Whatever would the test be for? You must be knowledgeable that most servants like ourselves are forbidden to gain too much knowledge..."
"Ah, but it is not knowledge that I need. You all, show me thy hands, palms exposed."

With brows curled and confused, they all picked up their hands and showed him their palm.
Quicker than the human eye, he pricked one hand each, five fingers per hand. "AAAH!" Ven called, about to pull his hand away before the man stopped them.
"Don't rub it but let them bleed. Show them once more for you see that I am testing your blood to make sure I am actually correct you are descendants of a witch."
Ventus frowned, holding his palm out again, though now it was shaking and each pad of his fingers were bleeding some. Would he really be able to tell if their mother was a witch? And how?

The man's own hand was raised, his own nails digging into the pads of his fingers to draw blood before doing it to the other so they were all now in the same situation only that all his fingers were bleeding. "I will start with the twins." He stated as he placed each of his hands over Roxas and Ventus's hands. He then quickly pressed down, mixing their blood together before pulling away and did the same to Sora's. When he pulled away from the eldest, he licked his wounds... which majickally sealed up. With a grin, he showed the others, making them blink in astonishment and distracting them long enough for---

"UT!!" Ventus's eyes widened as he felt his heart suddenly go cold... and the pressure was so strong he felt as if it was about to burst. "Naaah...haaaa....." His frail body shivered as he gripped his chest, his breath becoming short. Before he could fall down onto the earth, much like his horse, he could feel strong hands wrap around each side of his head. They pressed in so hard it made him dizzy and for some reason... his whole life started to flash before his eyes. Short reminders of the lady Xion who laughed at his heart... or the birth of Verrill.... and the day he was sold to the Singh manor. But most of all, he remembered that night where he started his new life involuntarily.

His mother's cry... the sound of the fire.... the sound of redcoats shouting and lastly.... the sound of the gun which took their uncle's life.

CRAAACK

And the last of his life as he knew it.

A broken neck.

Like a graceful dove shot from the sky, the blonde, along with his brothers, fell to the ground, their necks snapped as if they were twigs. They were no much alive than the wolf nearby and the fading life of the once magnificent horse. The face of death loomed over them as they ended their fall on top one another, their lungs giving out it last bit of air and their hearts had already stopped. They had not passed the test of witchcraft for if they had, they might of lived for they could ward off.... vampir blood.

Fangs pierced and ripped away skin from a thin wrist of his own, his mask falling around his back to reveal a pale face that had an odd sense of inner burning. He held his bleeding wrist over the three, letting the drops of blood hit their lips. "I pardon your quick rest, my children but I am in dire need of help." Their lips were covered in blood by the time he pulled away, sucking on his wrist which heeled quickly. He made haste walking over their bodies and disappeared into the woods. His manor was securely locked and the others who lived there already gained their position.

Their newest members would awake in a few minutes and have enough blood in front of them to gain strength for their battle.

[Reno]

It all happened so fast, that none of the twins had the mind to stop it as the blur of the hand grabbing each one by one before with a sickening crack the body jerked and fell dead to the world, eyes wide and unseeing for their demise had been quick and sharp. This was what many upon death row would dream of, staring upon the unsharpened gauntlet that would take their heads. Few deaths were of little pain and and of great rapidness, the bodies already turning pale as the organs within stopped working. The triplet's mother certainly knew no such mercy as she had slowly been choked to death on the burning of her own body.

Despite knowing nothing of their relation, had a stranger walked past the mournful scene would see their resemblance and feel pity. He would never suspect what happened in a few more minutes time...

The sound of cracking and bone breaking, the body of the youngest dead twisting in-between his siblings like it was possessed, the leg twisting at all odd ends. His eyes glassed over with death, slowly sparked and flickered about before he froze again... and started to breathe. He blinked slowly, as if he had risen from a deep sleep and was struggling to focus upon his surroundings. Everything was so acute he could smell the scent of iron and copper, the favor making his tongue curl and hunger spread through his veins... but all his mind could really process was the feel of his eldest brother laying over him, still with sun-tanned skin now pale and his mirror underneath him, also still not a breath passing his pale blue lips. Both their necks were twisted grotesquely that it was stomach turning to look at.

W-What...?

His mind reeled as he struggled to understand... Until he heard a crack under him and Ven shifted some. In just a moment's time the move was copied a third time, this time by Sora, his upper body seeming to jerk itself back into place. Had he had the breath, he would of begged God to wake him from this nightmare and his silence only grew moreso when Sora rose his head from his chest and instead of the blue eyes he had known from his own appearance, a sickening yellow met his. Was he perchance injected by some rabid beast...? Whatever could make his eyes such a shade? And his color - what had happened to it?
"...R...Roxas...? Ventus...?" Sora broached cautiously and shining under the moon Roxas caught them. the gleam of sharp incisors that jutted unnaturally from his top row of teeth.

His breath stopped again and this time from utter fright.
"Roxas... you are so pale. Are you well...?"
"V-V-Vampir..." He stuttered out.