Kar The Rat and Desh The Wolf

I immediately ask, “What is this? You said that werewolves only transform on nights with a full moon!”

“Hmm? I apologize. I have withheld a rather dire piece of information from thee, although I assure thee, that this was not my intention.”

“Then what were you planning?”

“Patience. I will revel all to thee in due time.”

“Due time is up. Revel everything now.”

“I agree. ‘Tis the purpose of this conversation after all. While ‘tis true most werewolves morph under the influence of the almost or full moon; thou art a rather unique scenario indeed. Thou art no mere werewolf so much as thou art the werewolf. Thou carry within thyself me, the Lord of the Moon. Thus, thy transformations will occur after every dusk.”

“Curses! That changes everything!” We stand in silence for a moment, before he sits down.

“Thou share the same view as Ulfskard. Thou view my blessing as a curse. ‘Tis understandable.”

“How could I not? I lose control of my body every night and turn into a monster, and I can’t utilize any of the strength unless I blast the surrounding area in moon magic.”

“That is where thou art mistaken. Would thou allow me to open my mind to thee? I wish to be accurately understood.”

“Like you said. ‘Tis the whole purpose of our conversation.”

He chuckles. Last night when we spoke, his hundreds of voices were varied and many. This time around however, he speaks more in unison. As more of a calm pond, rather than a raging river. “Well said young pup. When I entered thy body, our souls became entwined, although separate as they may be, ‘tis no mistake that we share the same vessel. Whilst I remain within thy soul, thou may make use of my powers. Thou have awakened the beast within once before. You could feel the bestial blood flowing through thee, could thee not? While, admittedly, thy day form will never hold as much raw strength as thy night form, my blood still flows through thee, enhancing thy body to supernatural limits.”

“What about at night? When my body is transformed?”

“Why not test for thyself? Take control of thine own flesh.”

I almost asked how, before I actually tried it. When I close my eyes, I’m taken to my body. I’m deformed and mishappen, but I can move my limbs unhindered. Then he speaks as another voice in my head. Its rather disorienting but manageable. “Thou can no doubt feel my presence, yes? This is all I can do to manipulate thy flesh.”
His influence manifests as an itch in my hand to grab something, but nothing more. The fact that he has any control worries me. Even though all he was able to do was create an itch, he could’ve just been holding back. I open my eyes to find him sitting, with his four eyes shut. He opens them slowly as he speaks.
“Kar’Desh. We need not be adversaries. For the first time in my existence, I am at the mercy of a mortal. I am imprisoned once more, although my new vessel hath free will. If my will is to be done, I must earn the trust and respect of my container.”

He's aiming to gain my trust? I sigh and ponder a moment before answering. I can only grant his desire if it aligns with mine. “What exactly is your will?””

“A sound inquiry. I would be disappointed if thou did not ask such questions. Make no mistake. My ambitions will lead to me become worshiped once more through you. I will not, however, force thee to spread my name, but be warned. Becoming a creature of the night without the backing of a Lord is a cause for condemnation.”

I laugh at that. “I would think that becoming a creature of the night and claiming I had a Lord possessing me would paint me as a crazed cult leader.”

He chuckles. “Certainly. Because that’s exactly what thou would be. A religious leader who bears in his mind, hundreds of voices?”

“True enough. I’ll think it over. You’ve earned that much. I won’t go around spreading your name just yet because I’m not sure what you stand for, but if you can prove to me that you deserve the worship, I might spread your name again.”

“It gladdens me to know that thou art no fool. Thou won’t trust others because of some measly words and, thou would not toss aside those very words based on one’s previous actions. ‘Tis best to take action, only after gathering as much information as necessary. Any actions enacted upon beforehand can be considered foolhardy and hasty.”

With that out of the way and my anger put aside, I change the subject. “I have some questions for you. That green orb from this morning. Do you know what that was?”

“Hmm. Yes, I do. ‘Tis an object most nefarious. Used in necromantic rituals, that orb holds within it, the souls of countless lives. ‘Tis more than likely that it currently holds the spirits of all those who fell during the siege.”

Suddenly the wizards voice rang in my ears. ‘Our objective is souls…’
“They were gathering souls in that orb? To what end?”

“For any range of purposes. With that many, they could have raised an army, summoned a calamity, or achieved the highest state of undeath. Perhaps, they were after the secret of lichdom. Becoming a lich requires a great number of souls and for the potential lich to yet be alive. Through lichdom, the newly deceased may retain his mind as a living being, but with body and soul of the greatest undead.”

“Why would someone want to be undead?”

“The more appropriate inquiry is, what would thou do with near limitless power and immortality?”

My mind flashes with the possibilities before I shake them free. “Is there a way to free the souls?”

“Nay. Just as we are bound by mutual catastrophe, those souls are bound to their container. To liberate them, thou must absorb them unto thine own spirit or use them in a ritual most elaborate.”

“Then I’ll have to find that ritual and free them.”

“Not necessarily. Thou could absorb their power and use it to exact vengeance upon the one who took their lives.”

“Would that truly please them? I’ll use almost any tool at my disposal, but the spirit is sacred. If they chose to offer themselves to you, then fine. But I’ll not violate something so sacred when I’m certain I can best Leonhart as I am.”

The yellow pupils in his eyes flicker for a second as he sits there. “Understood. I shall not suggest it again. Are there other questions thou wish to ask of me? The entire night stands before us.”

The shadows of this dark world dance around us while I search for more questions. I look to my side and watch the show for a moment before I realize. I’m tired. I feel as though I haven’t slept in days and I’ve just been carried forward by everything that’s been going on. Maybe I just need a break. No more werewolf talk and no more carrying the burden of countless souls. The only relaxing thing about visiting my family was the bath and the kids playing with Maheed and Wal. Otherwise, it was just me recounting the events I lived for these past few months.
Finally, I ask about something to take my mind off it all. At least for a bit. “Tell me about the other Lords. What were they like?”

He groans at the memories of the other Lords. “I fail to see what you stand to gain from this.”

“Think of it as learning by example.”

He tilts his head before realizing what I mean. His red eyes light up with excitement and he adopts a wolfish grin. He spends the rest of the night telling me of the elven forest cities and of the temples the Lords once occupied. I don’t really absorb any of the information, but it’s a decent distraction. When I can feel my physical body transforming back into it’s normal shape, I swiftly change the subject into a random thought I had.

“You need a name.”

He tilts his head at me. “I have a name. The Lord of the Moon.”

“Yeah yeah, that’s too long. You need a name I can bring up in casual conversation.”

“I fail to see what benefits this’ll bring either of us, but if it’ll please thee, I shall be called Kar’Desh.”

“You’re not taking my name.”

“But I am within thy body? ‘Tis only natural that we share a name.”

That’s his reasoning? I studder and think about it. That actually gives me an idea. “How about this? Since most people just call me Kar, how about you just take the second half of my name. Desh.”

He groans, but it comes out as more of a growl. “If it pleases thee, then I shall answer to Desh. ‘Tis only fitting I suppose. I’ve been born again unto this world within thy flesh. Just as thee refer to day as day and night, we shall be known as Kar and Desh. ‘Tis most poetic.”

“I… I hadn’t thought of it like that. I suppose it is.”

I’m in a chair? In an extraordinarily large tent. Next to-AHH! Next to Aroura!