Tentacles squirm over a gruesome beast as they retreat inside, leaving only their spikes behind. This beast was blocking the path of another creature, one far more pleasing to the eye. Marking the start of their clash came a reverberating roar, sounding like a twisted mixture of rat, bird, bat, wolf and primal rage. Ruby eyes, driven by monstrous instinct, hunt down their prey, a beautiful wolf overflowing with wisdom. Cracks explode across the surface of its arm as muscles grow wildly, forming a giant clawed hand that smashes down. Strike after strike, its body breaks apart and reforms, falling just short of a fatal blow each time.      
“It wasn’t just my imagination, that thing really is shrinking. It could keep up with me somewhat when I was using ‘Divine Boost’, yet despite it deactivating, I’m keeping pace.” Thinks divine wolf Scrowl while dodging Calamity’s repeat attacks. Narrowly dodging the attacks, he continues to slowly advance towards his goal when he sees an opening. Flashing forward, Scrowl stamps down on Calamity’s raw claw before thrusting his other paw at immense speed. Wary of the spikes, he carefully aims between them but is still impaled.

Rising from their domain of flesh, the tentacles had stabbed Scrowl’s powerful paws. Hastily jerking his hand away throws off his balance, allowing Calamity to clamp down on his neck. Searing pain erupts from Scrowl’s neck as Calamity bites down harder. Seeing no other solution, Scrowl creates a powerful spirit wolf, blowing up part of his neck and Calamity’s mouth. The resultant force sends both parties flying apart. Profusely coughing as his neck bleeds, Scrowl looks to his foe, realising it's already reforming.             
“I’m in range!” triumphantly thinks Scrowl while taking a deep breath, causing his neck to worsen. Pushing air from his lungs forms a broken howl, but it soon sounds divine as ‘Holy Howl Lv. 1’ activates. Having overexerted both his magic and physical limits caused Scrowl’s body to shake wildly. In this moment of weakness, Calamity struck, but despite his death coming, Scrowl couldn’t defend himself.

It was happening again. He was witnessing another formidable creature fall. Powerless to help their leader from being consumed, he could do only one thing: run. Luckily, his previously immovable hind leg was now fully functional due to ‘Holy Howl’.  For some time, the lone wolf ran aimlessly before pausing at an open meadow.                
“This place is…” he whispered as the scenery drew memories from him. Where Beowl stood now was no ordinary meadow; it was where he met a strange boy months ago. Unlike the inhabitants of this cave, it stood on two legs, possessed nearly no hair and was weak. It was human.

 Beowl taught that child many things, from basic life skills to swinging a weapon. One thing he never could teach was emotion; the child never smiled nor frowned.  Perhaps it was this one lacking feature that caused him to impart the name ‘Void, hoping the constant reminder would one day change the boy. “If only he had never awakened as a challenger… he wouldn’t have been ordered to explore the tower. Our time together was so fleeting; he appeared from nowhere then was sent forth into the unknown. Appeared from nowhere?” ended Beowl as he realised a possibility. Just like Void, Calamity had appeared suddenly and was far different from other inhabitants of the cave. “If that monster is a challenger… it can open those doors. If they open, I can…” hopefully thought Beowl. With great determination, he turned back, choosing to dive into danger in the hope of freedom. “I’m sorry, Scrowl, I can’t wait here for the prophesied one.” Sombrely mumbles Beowl as he betrayed his kin’s faith.

Surrounded by gigantic trees on a field of corpses lay the cocoon of Calamity. Strange lumps had formed in its flesh, which began wildly squirming. Its flesh tore apart as something emerged, accompanied by a spray of murky blood. Hysterical laughs erupted from the mysterious being. In a trancelike state, they looked around, observing their surroundings after having woken up. Through blood-soaked eyes, they saw countless members from varying species, only some of which still moved with a beating heart.
“They’re all dead… all the people I cared about, dead,” they coldly said as blood dripped off, revealing the beaten body of Ari. Her eyes, once overflowing with innocence, had become empty. Battling for dominion over the void, countless emotions clashed, resulting in only one outcome. Insanity. Her mind had become broken, and she remembered only one thing. She wanted to end this war.

Ari’s eyes jerk forward in search of a meeting with Calamity’s eyes. The crazed expression Calamity saw was enough to understand what Ari wanted, but it still listened. “Say, Calamity, how about we end this war. Kill not just our enemies, but everyone!” psychotically requested Ari. Responding to their friend’s crazed request, tentacles sprouted from Calamity and began gripping random objects. Ari watched gleefully as debris soared through the air. They landed on the battlefield, snuffing out countless lives. Aggravated by the assault, some of the warriors fighting began charging for them, seemingly forgetting they were enemies. Countless warriors from both sides froze when a crack appeared in the cocoon. Creeping across the fleshy surface, it spread, separating the cocoon into four segments. Like a blooming flower, it spread open, revealing a horrifying monster standing atop the mangled corpse of a once beautiful wolf.

Arriving at a clearing in the trees, Beowl looks around to find Calamity’s hideous cocoon. He began scanning for it but quickly realised he was too late. Tentacles danced around the horrifying monster he had seen on two earlier occasions, instilling a deep fear within. Hiding behind a tree, he took deep breaths, gathering his resolve.     
“I-it’s all right… It's big, so if I’m careful, I’ll outrun it in the woods. All I have to do is get enough distance before crossing the meadow.” I can do this, I can!” Beowl thought to convince himself. Creeping around, he looked at Calamity again, attracting the attention of something on it. Whatever was riding Calamity had spotted him, so he quickly hid. A moment later, when he looked back again, he saw the vile monster coming for him.

Beowl’s fight or flight response kicks in. He ran obviously; he ran as fast as his legs could take him. Leaping between trees, he had no time to formulate a plan as the footsteps of death loomed closer. Beowl did all he could to outrun Calamity, whether it be sprinting or leaping tree to tree. In this chase, he couldn’t keep track of anything and soon arrived at the meadow. How far was he ahead? Would he make it? Beowl couldn’t slow down to think about these things, so he just ran as fast as possible. Crossing the halfway point, he took a single glance back and instantly regretted it.

Calamity emerges from the woodlands and begins pursuing a fleeing wolf. Beowl’s breathing hastened as fear pushed him to go faster. Just shy of their goal, Beowl felt something heavy hit his side, which sent him flying. Crashing against colossal doors, he began bleeding and felt his ribs fracture. Beowl’s burning resolve allowed him to stand despite the burning pain. Forcing his head up, he saw Calamity and two of its tentacles darting for him. Memories of Void opening the doors flashed through his mind. He knew what to do. Mustering all the remaining strength, he jumped, narrowly avoiding the first tentacle. Boosting off it, he soars for Calamity. Its second tentacle thrusts for him. Grappling with its spiked tip, Beowl valiantly hung off it. Calamity’s tentacle yearned for blood as Beowl tried to hold on without being impaled.

The bloodthirsty tentacle landed, stirring up a large cloud of dust. Stopping its chase after losing visibility, Calamity cautiously withdrew its tentacle. Retreating from the cloud of dust, its tentacle revealed no blood. Beowl had somehow managed to avoid getting impaled. Preparing another attack, Calamity began creeping forward, but stopped. Baffled, it watched as a giant portion of the wall began slowly moving. Fearful of the unknown phenomenon occurring, Calamity launched countless tentacles. They bounced off as the giant wall mercilessly continued to advance. Equally as startled was Ari, who, despite being older, had never seen this.      
“Careful, Calamity! I-I don’t know what’s happening!” screamed Ari before seeing Beowl escape through the opening. Blinded by hatred, she irresponsibly abandoned caution and ordered Calamity to pursue that cowardly wolf. Calamity entered the unknown in pursuit of Beowl, as gigantic statues slowly sealed the Tower of Exile’s entry.

This part has now come to an end. In two days, a chapter-length epilogue will be posted, so do check in then. I'd love to hear your feedback, of course, but allow me to leave you with a question first. In this part, who was your favourite character?

For the future, some may still want to read more of the origins. I'm currently rewriting another part that chronologically takes place 3 months before Calamity's birth. I’m using the time I find to write it, but I doubt I’ll be able to post it every two days. In the epilogue afterword, I’ll have a clearer answer, but I’d also like to hear how often you’d like the next part. With this said, thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!