Chapter Two; Death in the Snow

  In the throne room, King Malivu speaks to his pair of knights.

“Admittedly, my own incompetence led to the omitting of this information.” The old man slopped around the room touching on old artifacts as Bino and Binky watched.

“If only I'd been more calm, these visions would’ve come earlier, we’d have been prepared. For that I'm sorry. But I must share it with you all the same.” Silence infiltrated the room, the trio faced off with each other as if they all knew what was soon to come. The King began speaking again.

“Frostmyre. Also known as “death in the snow.” It seems the boy and his pet killer have been skating on thin ice far longer than we imagined. My clairvoyance showed that our little problems were first spotted traveling Southeast from the Zankynee River” hearing this made Binky’s eyes widen.

“My lord, you mean…” The King speaks up,

“Indeed. The Frost River. That being said, this wolf didn't just stumble upon a plant that gave him an inoculable disease– it likely consumed one of the most deadly minerals ever discovered in the West. Frostmyre, it is said to appear once every century, manifesting deep in the frozen rivers of the Zaltys region. Indulgence in any amount will surely leave them in a dormant state between life and death, where they’ll drift away until their roaming souls travel through the up or down cycle, and reincarnate somewhere far far away. There are rare cases where this effect can be resisted. Old tales claim that this resistance is a symptom of being a suitable host for a certain spectre in the underworld, its name; Ryp, The Frost Demon. It is said that Ryp created Frostmyre from his own flesh and scattered it around the world during his time in this realm. If the consumer can bypass the first slab of side effects, they can harness his power and share both mind and body with him.” Bino and Binky appear shocked upon hearing this. Bino felt chills dashing down his spine, how were they meant to deal with a threat of this level? Binky was familiar with stories of gods, demons, and celestial beings, and the thought of running head first into a confrontation with them- chills. 

“If what is happening now turns out to be one of those cases, we’re in for a much harder time than anticipated.” taking a deep breath, Bino once again drops to a knee and addresses his King.

“Sire. it is understood that we were late grasping the true nature of this threat, but you need not worry. Binky and I shall gather our forces and ride out to meet the threat head on with Apollo. Binky, still scared; jumps with joy at this, and the duo begins to set  off.

“Wait.” the King's voice echoed through the empty room.

“I will personally lead the Royal Guard troops into battle alongside you all. You'll need all the help you can get, and seeing as we scramble due to my own error, it's only fitting.” The King began waddling over to a dim corner in the room.

“Bi-Bi can you believe it? OH we get to fight with his majesty this, is, the best!” Binky seemed to have forgotten how scared she was for a moment, but Bino still had a nervous look on his face. He still obliged. The King slipped into his lavish, but now tainted armor, while Bino spoke to Binky.

“Off we go, Ky. We should get a head start on gathering the men —”

“Fuck.” Apollo thought out loud. Between his damaged weapon, ticking time clock, and the head start his opponents had on his, he had to make a decision. It was either; chase after the duo with only his secondary weapon, or, replenish his supplies and join the fray later. Shit. That meant he’d have to trust Stowie on his word to keep that calamity at bay. Apollo let out a long sigh.

“This shit can’t be real,” he uttered as he ran off in the opposite direction. Good luck.

Stowie ran faster than he ever thought he could. The memories haunted him; Stowie and his best buddy, Inzuru, a wolf he took in against the wishes of his whole village. They swore the wolf was sent as some bad omen. Some vile creature that would go on to do ferocious evil one day. Curse them. Curse them all. Stowie couldn't see any of that. They were connected from the start. His decisions eventually led to him being abjured by the Sheshang family, leaving the two looking after each other. Through thick and thin they stood together. Indivisible they were. Come back, boy.

Stowie knew why this was happening, but didn't want to accept it. He had strayed from his path at one point, and left his friend to wander alone. By the time he’d realised his negligence, Inzuru was already knee deep in hell. He accepted the fact that this was his fault, and he was determined to atone, even if that took both their lives. —

The direwolf  wandered toward the edge of the forest. Flashing lights constantly attacked his mind in short, painful episodes. Somewhere deep down, Inzuru remembered his owner, his friend. The unfortunate curse repeatedly pushed back at these memories, he was slowly changing; in mind and body. His fur rose, and his life force was growing so dark and strong that it oozed from him.

Something interesting took place in Inzuru's mind. Another wolf, but older, and more powerful. He had half a human body, standing on two feet. This figure spoke out to Inzuru in a deep devilish voice;

“Innnzulu, how grateful I am to speak with you. Youuu my som, hathhh awakened the mind to the truest level of wolfhood. As you go through abundances of strainnn in the physical realm, I can guideeee you through thisss dimension. Youveeee been betrayed. Come homeeee. Weee will never steer you wrong.”

As Inzuru took short, uncertain steps toward the light a huge pack began to appear behind the elder wolf as he got closer, cheering him on to proceed.

“IIII am Ryp-ZiZu. When in need of guidance, it is IIII you should seek. Come closerrrr, my son. Give your life back to the pack.”

One touch to the nose, and Inzuru felt another surge of energy coursing through him. Overwhelming. Inzuru had gone into a shock, and fainted.