Author's Notes:

Ah yes I love epic foreshadowing.

Have fun with that thought while you read.

Daybreak walked with shallow steps, apprehension mixing with excitement as he followed Hati down the mountain path. Chalk colored rocks, slick with ice and frost littered the way down, yet Hati moved with such grace and ease, paying them no mind and taking no extra effort to avoid them. Daybreak braced for incoming pain in his feet, preparing to wince as his toes crunched against the miniature daggers in rock form, but yet no pain did come. As easily as the wolf before him stepped and glided over the gravel, so to did Daybreak follow. Without even thinking, his feet seemed to step in all the right spots, spreading his weight perfectly with each step so as not to displace the ground underneath. There was no pain, no discomfort, the stones barely felt any different from soft earth underfoot. Had his senses simply heightened on their own with his aura suppressed, were his reflexes simply improving by themselves?

A soft snarl, almost like a chuckle echoed back from Hati as she walked, briefly darting her head back to look at him confused with himself.

“Your body did not change on its own. I have changed you. Fused you with my essence. Assuming you properly adapt, you will find that being my kin comes with many...benefits.”

Essence? Was that how he had recovered so quickly? Daybreak reached up, lightly tugging at the leaf-like wrapping around his head until they fell away into his hand. He poked and prodded his cranium. His injuries were completely gone! Quickly removing the rest of the wraps on him, he checked his arm and chest as well. They too, were fully healed. Though his arm now bore a long scar where the wolfs teeth had ripped into him, and his chest had a oddly shaped mark above his heart as well. Whatever infusing her essence meant, it had probably saved his life, so he shouldn't complain. Still he was left with questions.

“What exactly did you do to my body?”

Hati did not even bother to look back this time. “I used my power to infuse your body with my life force. You are one of us now, though your form remains mostly human. You will likely develop a few of our qualities as time passes. The most immediate changes, you are already starting to notice. Your strength, dexterity, and your senses in general, have all likely been heightened a great deal. In truth, you are now a very unique being. Though I wouldn't let that go to your head. Your new body also ties you to me on a level that transcends basic understanding.”

Hati hopped down a small drop in the mountain side, from one large rock to the next below, and Daybreak followed with surprisingly little effort, until they were back on a solid path.

“Is that why you were able to stop me moving before?” The thought had just occurred to him.

“Yes. Among other things. As a member of my pack, your mind is now open to me. Though admittedly your more guarded memories still elude me for now, but that will likely fade with time. You are also compelled to obey my orders should I give them.”

“What do you mean? Orders, what kinds of orders?” He seriously hoped what he assumed was wrong.

“Stop walking” Daybreaks body halted in place instantaneously, even before his mind fully registered the thought. Hati also stopped walking and turned back to him. “All kinds”

It was the same feeling as before. A pressure, or lack thereof seemed to remove all feeling from his limbs as he attempted to will himself forward. Closing his eyes for a moment, he focused inward, trying desperately to sense her will holding him, to see if he could fight it. He felt nothing. Not as though he didn't feel anything. But he literally felt nothingness, a void in his mind where his limbs should be. If he were to picture his limbs as a painting, then someone seemed to have poured black dye over his work. The original was still there underneath it all, but it was hidden from him and he could not see it.

Hati chuckled again. “I admire your tenacity. But it really is quite pointless. You do not posses the proper knowledge of how, what your previous kind calls 'Aura', works to try and push away my hold. It is not a thing you can feel, but a thing you know is there. Thus by knowing it is there, through that knowledge, you resist it naturally. This natural resistance to intrusion is exactly why I can bind you. All living beings are naturally defensive towards violation of any kind. Consider that your first lesson for we shall return to it later. But we have spoken enough on this for now, and it is time for you to formally meet the rest of the pack, and my Brother.”

“Brother?” They reached the paths end just as Daybreak spoke, and the field spread out before them. The hundreds of furry bodies he had spied from above were now properly sized wolves, all walking or laying about in this field of snowy flowers.

“Yes, though every pack member is a brother, or sister, this wolf is like me, an Alpha. I am the packs Mother, and he is the packs Father. Though we are technically more akin to brother and sister by your dialect.”

“That's...a little weird” There wasn't much else to call it. Though his words were half for the weird familial relationship here, and half for the sight he found when turning back to face the path he had just walked. As his eyes found the cave they had so recently departed, he found it impossible to believe its distance from them! It had felt like a mere five minute walk, yet if his eyes were to be believed, they had descended half the mountain in that time! But how? They were merely walking, he was certain of that...wasn't he? When his eyes returned to Hati, she was grinning at his confusion, as best as a bison sized wolf could grin at least.

She spoke without acknowledging his current thoughts “I suppose it would be odd for a human, wouldn't it. But regardless of that, you must also gain his approval before you truly become part of our family. It is more of a formality since I have already welcomed you in, but nevertheless show respect. He is not as gentle as I.”

Daybreak nodded without a word, since he knew she could likely sense his acceptance, he felt no need to respond. Still he wondered what the brother of such an intimidating creature could be like.

As he and Hati traversed the field, they seemed to be making their way towards a stone temple, about the size of a two story family home. Several wolves moved from their path as they walked by or near them, and Daybreak cast glances at each one as they passed. Each one returned his gaze. Though he heard no thoughts from them, their gazes spoke paragraphs. He felt their malice, as each one looked at him. It bordered on pure hatred. Their emotions were so raw and unmasked that it seemed to permeate the air he breathed. All around him the air stank of bloodlust, yet he felt no fear, no apprehension stir within. Perhaps because he knew Hati had ordered him not harmed. If she could hold him so easily, surely holding members of her own species required no effort at all. Though, he did have to wonder what he had done to warrant such hatred. Was it really just because he had slain one? He couldn't exactly blame them if that was the case, but the raw emotion he was sensing felt more like disgust than anger. Was it because he was human? Or rather, half human now...actually he wasn't really sure what he was anymore. He still felt human, and to his knowledge he still looked the same, he'd have to test that next time he found a mirror, or some clear water. No sense going back to Dash if it suddenly turned out he had extra limbs or something now. He still felt more or less the same though, so perhaps the change wasn't superficial.

“We are here.”

Hati's thoughts unsurprisingly cut across his own. That would certainly take some getting used to. They had halted in front of the stone temple he noticed before. In a field of pure white snow and colorful flowers, this grey thing stood in stark contrast to everything else in the area. The field and all the life in it felt natural, it belonged here. But this temple, he hadn't even touched its stone surface yet and Daybreak could tell it was not natural. It did not belong here. It had been made and carved to look this way, perhaps to stand out this way on purpose. The outside seemed to be carved into the rough shape of an open pair of jaws. Whether that was on purpose or just ironic nature he could not be sure. Inside the “jaws” was a door made entirely of solid stone. Hati strode up to it...it was more than twice her size, and Daybreak didn't want to even guess at its thickness. He would be amazed if she actually manage to push it open.

Instead, she never touched it. She simply sat back on her haunches and motioned towards the entrance with her snout. “Go on.”

Go on what? Did she expect him to open it?

“You're one crazy mutt if you think I can open that gargantuan thing!”

Hati's eyes narrowed at his words, and sharp sting of pain passed through his head. The pain was intense, like a sharp needle to the back of his eyes, enough so to make him stumble, but it passed in less than the time it took him to loose a groan.

“Show me respect little cub. We are not so familiar yet that you may address me without due credit. I am not a mutt! Now open the door. Consider it your first test.”

Daybreak blinked rapidly, trying to make the minor throb behind his eyes pass quicker. “Ugh...Test?”

“Yes. The first of many. You are my little obsession for now. So be a good boy as just do as I say. You'll find things much easier that way. Besides, you might enjoy my tests if you just obey me.”

Despite still sensing the tenderness he felt from her before, her choice of words left an uneasy feeling in his gut. But what options did he really have? If he didn't do it willingly she could simply order him to, and things would happen all the same.

Daybreak walked to the giant door, and placed an open palm upon its surface. Odd, despite his earlier assumption, the stone actually felt quite warm to the touch. It almost felt as if it were radiating heat of its own. It was split down the center vertically, so it was clear it would fold inwards on itself if he was truly meant to simply push it open. That was assuming this was a test of strength and nothing else.

For just a moment longer he let his hand linger upon the stones warm surface. He couldn't exactly place why, but something about this felt familiar. The warm feeling the stone was creating in his belly was pleasing, intoxicating even. The urge to simply close his eyes and keep his fingers glued to its surface for as long as Hati would allow, bubbled in the back of his mind. Perhaps that too was part of her test.

Finally deciding to give it a go, Daybreak tensed his palm against the solid surface and gave it a mild shove. He blinked in surprise, unsure if he had felt correctly. Though the door gave no indication of movement, he had felt something when he pressed against the surface with some force. To be sure, he tensed again and pushed. Once more he felt it. The door itself did not move, but the individual stone gave some against his hand, enough that he actually saw it move and the cracks form. Was the whole thing not truly solid? Unsure, he looked back at Hati, still sitting back on her haunches, eyes glued to him. She was certainly watching him with interest. But her gaze gave no indication about what he should do. Uncertainty licked at the forefront of his thoughts, but he had to ignore it. The door appeared solid, but this was a realm full of things that continued to surprise him. It should hardly be that difficult to believe there might be a door made of putty or something else odd like that.

Well he wasn't going to find out just standing around. This time he would give it a full forced shove and see what happened. Daybreak took step back, and planted his right leg. Luckily he was standing on stone instead of wet grass, so friction would do its job helping keep him in place if this didn't work out in his favor. Flexing his fingers in preparation, he stared at his target. The exact spot he'd pushed against already. It was easily identifiable due to the single piece of stone being pushed inwards farther than the rest. Just in case there was some trick to this thing, it was best if he did exactly as he had before, so as not to change any variables. With just one hand outstretched, Daybreak tensed his feet, and thrust his palm forward with all his might! The effect was so immediate, Daybreak actually jumped back in surprise!

The moment his hand made contact with the stone, a sound like a building collapsing rang through Daybreaks ears, and the whole right side of the door shattered into pieces! Shocked, Daybreak made to dive back, and found himself flung several yards in the direction he made to jump! Landing face first in the snow, Daybreak slid for a foot or two before coming to a stop. He rose to the sound of wild barking, his emerald hair full of slush and muck. Looking around in all directions, many of the smaller wolves were barking wildly and rolling around in the snow. They sounded like hyenas, which only meant to him that he was being laughed at. To confirm this, he directed his attention back towards Hati, who still sat right where she had been before, untouched by any debris. She grinned, her large white teeth nearly shining in the light.

“Well done little cub. You passed, though quite unceremoniously.”

“Joyous” Daybreak groaned, working his way back to his feet. “If I passed, then why are they laughing at me?” He asked, regarding the cackling horde behind him with his thumb. At least now he didn't feel the raw hatred being emitted as they taunted him.

“Because...” Hati began, as she stood next to the remaining half of the door on the left side. “You dove so fearfully from the debris. Observe.”

Raising her paw to the stone, Hati gave a mild push just as he had the first time. But unlike his first try, the door exploded immediately at her touch. Despite his surprise, he did manage to pay attention to the debris as it fell. Though fell was not exactly the right word to describe it. It was more like, propelled. The debris from the door was launched in the direction Hati had pushed as though she had fired it out of a cannon! Walking back to her side, Daybreak noted that his debris had too, been flung a great distance when the stone shattered. Not quite as far or as devastatingly as Hati's had, but the effect was basically the same. No he was left with the other big question. How? How had he done that? He could understand the wolf. She surely had a plethora of abilities that included supreme strength. But he was without aura now, that was just his body he'd put against the door. How had he done that?

Sensing his confusion, or perhaps just his many questions, Hati once again cut across his thoughts. “Now is not the time for those things. First you must meet my Brother. Then perhaps you will understand more.”

At this point, all he could do was take her word for it. He had nothing else to go on except some ludicrous assumptions. So he nodded and followed the wolf inside. The light seemed to fade after just a few steps inside the temple. Despite Daybreak knowing he could simply turn around and there the exit would be, the darkness seemed to swallow him up after just a few steps past the entrance. As they walked, Daybreak caught little flickers of light to his left and right every few steps. They were every fifteen feet to an exact prediction. Daybreak wondered what they might be, but was given no time to guess. For after only a minute of walking, they came to yet another door. Luckily this one seemed to open on its own and was actually proper sized. Well, proper sized for a massive wolf at least.

Once the pair stepped through, the doors immediately shut behind them, and the room ignited with warm light. Massive basins of flame scattered along the outer lining of the walls erupted to life once the doors were fully closed, casting an eerie orange glow throughout the room. The sudden change in lightening sent spots throughout Daybreaks vision, causing him to blink several times as he moved forward. Hati stopped only a few feet ahead, and Daybreak heard the next voice ring through his head long before he spotted its source.

“Hail Hati! She Who Will Swallow The Moon! Chaser of the Night! Bringer of the Quiet Cold!”

This voice was nothing like Hati's. While it still echoed within his skull same as hers, it was masculine, and deep. It boomed with power and overwhelmed his thoughts. Its presence in his mind demanded respect and Daybreak felt a deep urge in his gut to kneel that was very hard to resist. If Hati's voice had been a presence that had simply walked through the front door of his mind and taken off her shoes before entering, then this presence was one who threw open the door and demanded his shoes and coat be taken from him! It still felt more welcome than most mental assaults' would, but it was certainly much brasher than Hati's. He had no time to further analyze the voice, as a moment later, Hati answered it with her own booming response!

“Hail Skol! He Who Will Swallow The Sun! Chaser of the Day! Bringer of the Peaceful Warmth!”

This time Daybreaks body moved without his consent. He dropped to single knee, and brought his hands to his ears, despite knowing that would do no good. Their mental voices were so powerful, they seemed to shake the room around him, yet they emitted no sound whatsoever. Blinking away the throbbing in his head, he looked to his right and saw Hati had bowed her head down as well. She rose slowly, and as she did, Daybreak found he could as well. Once back on his feet, he directed his gaze forward, and was met with an aggravating sight.

There, sitting atop an ascending pile of stony stairs, was the first massive wolf he had encountered beyond his home. Though this time he seemed slightly larger than before. From where Daybreak stood, he could only guess at his size, but he thought he looked a foot or two longer than before. It was hard to judge from the angle he was at in comparison to Daybreak, and the fact that he was laying down, in what appeared to be a pile of the same leaves Daybreak had awoken in. Though his pile was much larger by a few times. Daybreak knew it was him though, his eyes gave him away. Those eyes. Those powerful yellow eyes that burned like the sun. Those same eyes that had disregarded him during their first meeting as not worth killing, were now affixed fully on him.

“Sister! Why have you brought this...thing into our home? Defiled our creation with his intolerable stench?”

It was obvious he was the topic at hand, and knowing that this beast truly did think him as low as he originally surmised, made him furious! The urge to respond was great, but he managed to restrain himself. Instead he waited for Hati to explain.

“Brother, this one killed a pack mate in fair combat. Our laws demand I let him live.”

Skols' eyes narrowed, as if he was offended. “I did not ask why you let him live sister. I asked why you brought him to our home. Our laws do not demand that you bring him here. That you share our home with him! That you bind him to us! Even now I can feel his rough presence in our words. It agitates me and our family! He is a fully matured human, yet you chose to make him one of us. He is a cub now. Less than a cub! For even a cub can properly control its own body! I ask you again, why have you done this? Tell me now or I'll rip him to shreds where he stands!”

“Just you try it, overgrown mutt! Come down here so I can put a muzzle on you this time!” The anger filled words escaped Daybreak before he could control himself. He had suffered humiliation by this beast last time. He would not stand here while it battered and berated him to his face!

Hati however, looked frightened for a moment, her eyes widened and her gaze finally broke off her brother to look at him for the first time since they entered the room. “Silence fool, do you know-?”

“Insolence!” Skol cut across his sisters mental speech, which was a weird feeling in Daybreaks head, to be sure. The Alpha male rose from his leaves and glared down at Daybreak. “You dare speak back to me? You who are less than a newborn in our presence? I shall teach you respect little cub!”

Well, no use backing out now, might as well go all in. “Bring it dog!” Daybreak lowered himself and made a fighting stance. Skol snarled and thought indiscernible things Daybreak could not understand, but had no time to think about. As the wolf snarled, he leapt towards Daybreak with remarkable speed. From atop his perch he jumped, and was in front of Daybreak in less than a blink of his eyes! He'd moved over forty feet in just that quick?! Daybreak expected the wolfs jaws to come for him, but instead Skol spun in place, and swiped at him with his massive tail! Hands failing to come up quick enough, Daybreak took the impact full in the chest! He felt the air leave his body, and his feet leave the ground, as he was propelled backwards with enough speed to give him whiplash! Somehow not breaking every bone in his body on impact, Daybreak crashed into the nearest support pillar, imbedding his whole body inside the stone structure!

Not even wasting time contemplating how he had survived that, let alone felt no real damage done without aura to protect him, Daybreak quickly focused on tracking Skol's movements. Which proved near impossible. For just as Daybreaks vision cleared fully, the wolf was upon him again. Narrowly avoiding a bull-like head smash from the beast by diving off the pillar just in the nick of time, Daybreak rolled on the ground, and slid into an all fours pose. It was surprisingly comfortable to spread his weight across all four limbs and crouch down the way he was. There was no time to consider standing back up anyway, for Skol came quickly again! This time Daybreak managed to see him, just barely! The wolf practically vanished off the indented pillar when he moved, but Daybreak saw the shimmer in the air as he came upon him! He came from the front again, and Daybreak had only a millisecond to guess it if would be jaws or tail this time!

He couldn't decide in time, so instead, he pushed himself upwards. From his four legged stance, Daybreak pushed up, jumping into the air! For just a moment it was like time had slowed down, and Skol was right beneath him, not yet looking up and still half snapping his jaws at where Daybreak had just been! Not daring to waste his momentary chance, Daybreak twisted his body in the air, spinning, and brought the heel of his right foot down atop Skol's head just as the wolf began to look up at him! The wolfs nose gave a satisfying crunch underneath Daybreaks heel as its head smacked down and bounced on the unforgiving stone floor.

Daybreak landed on his left foot, barely balancing and catching himself from falling over after his kick. A smirk tried to work its way onto his lips as he opened his mouth to fire a quip at the proud beast, but he celebrated too early. Skol was back on his feet before Daybreak even fully caught his balance. A trickle of blood traced the wolfs snout and dripped onto the floor. The wolfs eyes followed the drop, then narrowed.

Daybreak felt a shift in the air of the room, and knew he had made a huge mistake. Skol's body tensed, and his fur shivered like the pin pricks of a porcupine! Clumps of fur began to stand up on end, as a gust of wind seemed to be flowing through the temple and around Skol! No, more like the wind was flowing off of Skol and throughout the temple! The flames emitted from the great basins lining the room began to dance in different directions as the unnatural pressure change in the room swatted at them!

Daybreak felt paralyzed towards the energy rolling off this beast! It was like nothing he had every experienced before! This towering beast, despite being the size of a moose, suddenly made Daybreak feel the size of a mouse as it stood before him, rippling with a power Daybreak could not imagine coming from one creature! It was breathtaking and terrifying to behold. Not Celestia, Discord, or even Famine gave off this kind of presence of pure death! The power rippling over Daybreaks body was only comparable to a massive tsunami, or a hurricane, a real force of nature that dwarfed all others!

Certain he was about to die, Daybreak could only gulp as the wolf was before him one moment, and gone the next. Daybreak did not, could not, follow what happened next. A blow landed on the back of his head, and everything else became hazy and static. His body left the ground a moment later and was flung back at such an incredible speed, Daybreak was unconscious before he struck stone! And strike it he did. Body becoming more of a rag doll as it flew through the air, Daybreak struck the same pillar as before, and shattered it, flying through two more stone beams before finally making contact with the far back wall and stopping. His mouth foamed bloody, and his eyes were rolled back as he plunged to the ground. Hati appeared under him just in time for him to land on her furry back.

Skol snorted loudly, appearing back atop his place of rest once more. “His condition?”

Hati quickly returned to her original spot below the steps, and gently removed Daybreak. Placing him on his back at the foot of the steps, she narrowed her eyes and sniffed Daybreaks body.

“He is unconscious, but alive. Broken arm, several broken ribs and you fractured his femur...You didn't have to go that rough! He has no Seiðr to defend himself! It is suppressed by his hand. You could have killed him!”

Skol snorted again “His new form was clearly sufficient protection. If I wanted to kill him, he'd be in my jaws. You have your tests sister, and I have mine. Plus he agitates me...now heal him so we may talk.”

Hati growled in annoyance, like a sibling who just had their favorite toy damaged by the other. Leaning her snout over Daybreaks heart, she commanded him with glowing blue eyes “Be Healed and Awaken.”

The sounds that followed were grotesque to hear for anyone or anything nearby. As Daybreaks body started to convulse, his skin and insides began to reshape themselves. The twisting of flesh, the rending and snapping of bones echoed around the temple walls! It took only a moment, but it was a long, drawn out, and agonizing moment. When it ended, Daybreak sat up almost immediately with a gasp for air that sounded somewhere between a scream and a gasp!

His hands ran the length of his body, examining the damage that had been formerly done. Upon realizing there was none, he turned his head to Hati. “I'm unharmed...But I felt it...I felt something break...What happened?”

Hati eyed him “As I said already little cub, you obey all my orders. You will not break unless I allow it. Death himself will not take you from me unless I allow it. Nothing in existence can override my contract, except perhaps, another contract. But you are mine. And as long as you remain mine, you need not worry.”

Daybreak was not sure how that made him feel. Especially the way Hati laced her wording. Was he a packmate, or a toy? Could he be both? So many questions.

“Have you learned your place now, little cub?”

Skol's voice echoed through his mind, prompting Daybreak to return his attention back towards the top of the stairs. Skol was laying down once more, and looking down at him, but his gaze felt different than before. Nevertheless it filled Daybreak with fire!

“I've no 'place' to learn! You may sit atop that throne, but I'll never see you as above me!”

Skol chuckled, both vocally and within Daybreaks mind. “You've more fire now then when you arrived in our land. I like that. But to run with a pack, one must acknowledge an Alpha. You lost to me, and until you topple me-”

Skol appeared before him once more, his eyes lowering to meet Daybreaks “I Am You're Alpha! Now kneel, cub.”

The stare of Skol brought on the same feeling of overwhelming helplessness as before. But this time Daybreak refused to allow his body to shake. Many thoughts of defiance swam through his mind, but the fact remained Skol was right on at least one account. He had lost the fight, and would likely be dead, again, if Hati had not intervened. So, eyes bright with defiance, Daybreak stared into Skol's gaze as he bent his right knee, lowering himself. He presented the back of his nape to the wolf, acknowledging his superiority once more.

“I yield, Alpha.”

Skol cocked his head from side to side, sniffing the air as he did so. After a few sniffs, he smirked, baring all of his teeth. “Yes, I believe you do and I shall enjoy your attempts at dominance over the years to come...For now...Do you swear to be a member of our pack? To never kneel to another but your Alpha? To take no rulers but your Alpha? To pledge yourself in service to no one but your Alpha? To never allow personal grievances to inhibit your loyalty to your pack? To question, but always obey, the rule of the Alpha? To never betray the pack, but always seek challenge within? Do you accept this Rule until your final and true, end?”

Daybreak felt the weight behind these declarations, as though he would be signing some kind of verbal contract if he agreed. Hati's words from moments ago rang through him. “I have a choice?”

Skol's eyes betrayed surprise “Everyone has a choice. I could command my sister to return your body to normal. But do you truly wish it? Here we are a family, bonded by something deeper than mere blood or words. We don't mistreat each other because of our birth, afflictions, skin or heritage. We know true companionship here. We are loyal, forever to each other. Don't you want that? Haven't you always, wanted that?”

A longing smile curved Daybreaks lips as he thought about that. Skol's words were a little too knowing for his liking, but he couldn't deny the appeal. Dash was family, but...to have others that he knew he could trust...without any doubts... How could he resist that?

“I accept...and pledge myself to the pack...on the condition that my mate receives the same treatment and benefits that I do.”

“That goes without saying.” Skol spoke, as if regarding the statement as obvious. Then the wolf reached out, and placed a massive paw upon Daybreaks shoulder. The weight was painful, but not unbearable. Thankfully Skol was not putting all of his weight behind it. “From this moment on I dub thee Hróðvitnir! Rise, young one. You are now part of a thing much greater than yourself. In time I hope you will come to appreciate this.”

At his declaration, Daybreak felt a burning travel through his body. Unable to keep still as the burning grew hotter, Daybreak twitched his limbs in ache. It felt like a searing iron was being dragged along the surface of his skin. He could feel it, starting form on his forehead and traveling down his chest, back and to his feet. It was not quick, nor was it unbearable, but it was painful. Less than when his back had been carved by a real iron, but only just so. This burning felt superficial only, like it did not pass the first layer of his skin. When it ended, Daybreak felt himself release breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and looked down. All over his form, tar black lines and symbols he did not recognize were appearing where he'd felt the burning. They were strewn all over him from top to bottom, brightly visible for a moment, then dimming slowly the next. From order of forehead to feet, the symbols faded from vision, as though sinking into his skin until they were no longer there to view. Daybreak felt perfectly fine afterwards, but looked to Skol with a questioning gaze all the same. The wolf merely regarded him with “The contract is complete...HAGALAZ and OTHILA are upon you. You are one of us, now and truly.”

Skol then turned his head towards Hati “I hope you are certain this is him, Sister.”

Hati nodded, briefly glancing at Daybreak before replying “I am Brother. I think this cub will become him in time. He is filled with the fires of vengeance and wrath yet kindled. And he is already pursued by another that seeks to exploit that future. She is a vanguard.”

“Is that so? Then we should begin preparing him at once. Fate cannot be thwarted, and if she comes for him here, he must be ready.”

Daybreak did not understand much of what these two were talking about, but he understood who they were referring too. But how could Hati know of Famine? He had never said who was pursuing him. Had his mind become open to her as she had stated it would? Or had she simply surmised it based on something about him? It didn't matter. All things considered it didn't matter. From the sounds of it they were going to aid him, and that's all that really mattered.

As if sensing his resolution, or perhaps just reading his thoughts, both wolves turned to him. Skol spoke first “My Sister has great faith in you. I hope you will prove worthy of it. I feel it only fair to tell you, you did fair well against me. You managed to partially track my movements and land a single hit. Not to mention you took several blows from me and got back up. Your body adapted quite quickly to your new senses. No other being could have likely done so much with so very little, and survived as long as you did. For that, I am at least as interested as my Sister for now. I will see you tomorrow morning. She will take care of you for now.”

With that Skol vanished, though this time Daybreak thought he did see him tense before moving. Skol once more lay atop his mini pyramid, and Daybreak took that as his dismissal. Hati motioned towards the exit with her snout, signaling Daybreak to follow her out. Once they came to the exit Hati did not move to take him back up the mountain, instead she moved for the forest, and Daybreak followed wordlessly until she broke the silence on her own.

“We are returning to your domain for now. I know you must be anxious to see your mate. Given your new form, and her likely reaction to it, I expect you may find yourself with more young on the way.”

Was that a joke? How different did he really look? Was it that great a change?

Hati snickered “You shall see for yourself soon. Though if only to stay your worries, know that most of the changes are not viewable. But you should be aware that your being now more adequately describes the feats of strength and dexterity that you can perform. Any female of your kind would be pleased.”

He really needed to find the mirror when he got home, else he might soon become a stranger to his own eyes.

Rainbow found herself by the window for the third time that day, staring at a forest that seemed just out of reach. So many mixed feelings and thoughts ran through her mind. She knew she should have gone with him. She should have made him take more weapons. She should have made him wait. Now Rainbow found herself pacing again, back and forth across the kitchen, to the living room, then back to the window. Still there was nothing. Nothing except the pair of wolves that had been there for a little more than two days now. Since they'd arrived and explained Daybreaks situation, they had refused to speak further, despite her many attempts to do so. Although it had surprised her the first time one spoke to her telepathically, she hadn't been too concerned with it at the time. What she wanted was more information on what had happened. All she was told was Daybreak had slain one of them. That he would be healed then interrogated, and depending on the answers he gave, would be released shortly after. Then his belongings, along with the rabbit he'd managed to catch, had been dropped at her feet to do with as she pleased. It had been so sudden she hadn't known what else to do other than try and go out looking for him herself.

Of course, the two wolves had put a stop to that very quickly. They never allowed her near the forests edge, and anytime she tried to pass them by, she was met with growls. Without aura, she knew she wasn't going to be forcing her way, so she had little choice but to stay put. Multiple inquiries for more info had been made to both the mutts faces, at very loud volumes. But they either were ignoring her, or simply did not wish to speak. Considering the mental communication they had used, she did have to also consider that they might not understand English and the only reason she understood them was because they were sending their thoughts directly to her brain. But she hoped that was not the case, otherwise she was just wasting her breath shouting at them.

Since learning of Daybreaks capture, Rainbow had forced herself to stay busy to keep from thinking about it. First she'd returned all his clothes to their proper place, spending a whole day trying to clean and organize the house. After running out of things to clean she'd made her way out to the shed to put the axe and machete away. Upon discovering the giant crystal sitting in the shed, she'd had a small moment of bewilderment. She'd felt the energy radiating off its surface without even getting near it. Daybreak had given her a brief warning about the crystal, but even still she couldn't believe the pull she felt towards it. It was difficult, resisting the urge to touch its shiny surface.

The next day Rainbow decided to make use of the rabbit Daybreak had caught. In the kitchen, Rainbow was silently grateful that Fluttershy was nowhere near to see what she would do next, lest she might never forgive her. With a delicacy that only came from practice, Rainbow found some proper cutting and hook knives in the cupboards, and began to skin the dead animal. It wasn't a skill she was particularly proud of, and certainly never boasted about. But she recalled hunting with her father in the woods below her old home many times at a younger age. Eventually wondering, and inquiring, how what they caught turned into tasty food, her father had agreed to show her. With time plus lots of practice, Rainbow had become quite proficient at hunting, catching and skinning animals. However due to the nature of her closest friends, she hadn't actually gone hunting in years, and so was pleasantly surprised to find her skills had not diminished much with the time.

Once the fur was successfully removed like a well worn coat, Rainbow proceeded with the part that probably made her the most uncomfortable, removing the unnecessary limbs. With her larger knife, Rainbow pushed the rabbit down flat on her cutting board, and placed the blade where the head met the top of the spine. One rough push, and a sickening crunch later, the head rolled unceremoniously into the sink, to be discarded later. Next she removed the tail, considerably easier and much less uncomfortable, but still not pleasant. The tail was always one of her favorite parts about live bunnies, so fluffy and cute, it almost felt criminal to ever remove it. Sadly, it was not for eating, so it had to go. Lastly, once she had successfully removed the legs from the last bits of fur, like removing socks from feet, Rainbow worked on removing the legs completely. She snapped each foot at the ankle, then slid her blade through, slicing the muscles and tendons, until the limbs each fell free. Pushing the free coat off to the side for later use, Rainbow now proceeded to the part that bothered her the least, yet most people found disgusting. Removing the inedible innards.

Smaller blade in hand, she made an incision at the base of the belly, carefully piercing only as far as necessary so as not to rupture anything inside. Then she slid the blade up the belly to the rabbits chest. Slowly, Rainbow pushed the skin away as much as she could and cut open its rib cage, exposing the heart and lungs. Here she employed a little trick her father had taught her to make this messy procedure much quicker and less grotesque. She placed her thumb, index and middle finger inside the rabbit and at the tip of its spine. Gripping the bone in her three fingers, Rainbow pulled down in one swift and slick motion. The spine and nearly all the insides came out quick and easy, with Rainbow only having to pluck out some small bits left behind. She was about to toss the innards in the trash, but instead thought better of it and opened the nearby window over the sink. Taking as much as she could in one hand, Rainbow tossed all the loose parts she had out into the field. The wolf pair, spotting this, quickly broke from their sitting places and came to see what gifts they had been given. Knowing they would be satisfied, Rainbow did not bother to stay and watch them eat, and instead returned to her rabbit.

Now all that was left was for her to clean what remained. If she chose, she could dice up the animal and simply boil it that way, saving her some time. But right now, she didn't want to save time, plus she also wanted Daybreak to see what a good job she had done preparing the meal. So instead, she held the meaty carcass under the sink, keeping the water as hot as she could tolerate while scrubbing away any remaining impurities with her fingers. It was a slow process if she was to be efficient, which required focus so as not to miss any bits of innards that may have managed to hang on inside. With a last few flicks of her fingers, she cleared the remaining undesirables and placed the rabbit down gently under the running water..

The next question was how to cook the meat? Should she boil the meat on their stove or outside? Surely there was a pot large enough somewhere within the kitchen if she was willing to take the time to look. Although...perhaps a more natural taste would be appealing to Daybreak after whatever trials he was enduring at the wolves paws ended. Although she had never inquired if of him, Rainbow had feeling Daybreak liked chewier, tougher meat, rather than meat that melted in the mouth and fell off the bone. If her gut was to be trusted, then the best way to achieve the desired effect was a good old fashioned fire! A fire pit, some small logs, a large stick with which to run the meat through and twirl over the fire. Yes, that would be awesome! With that decided, all there was left to do was gather the necessary supplies and get cooking!

It took the better part of an hour for Rainbow to scrape together everything she would need, and transport it outside. The rabbit had been placed in a plastic bag and lain in snow nearby to keep fresh until Rainbow was ready to cook. Even as she cleared the snow in the small circle that was to be her fire pit, Rainbow kept her eyes affixed to the two wolves in the distance. There was no way she would be allowing them to sneak around behind her and nab the rabbit she'd spent so much time preparing. She didn't care if they were the ones who brought it to her! If they were anything like dogs, Rainbow doubted they'd simply sit over there while food was nearby.

Once the snow was cleared in a neat circle, Rainbow placed small stones around the outer edge, and lined the center with the few logs she'd hauled out with her. There was a silent thankfulness Rainbow held, that all this craziness with the woodland creatures was occurring before her belly grew out much. Soon she wouldn't be in any condition to be lugging logs around so it was best Daybreak dealt with this ordeal now. Even now, Rainbow could feel that her energy was not what it normally was, like she was always tired. A constant feeling of being drained hung over her, despite getting plenty of rest and eating properly. The source was obvious, but that didn't make it any less annoying. More than once Rainbow found herself talking to her stomach in annoyance when finding herself winded from carrying a few simple logs. Even as she struck her flint together over the pit to make a small flame, Rainbow noticed her breaths were a little raged. Stomping her feet in frustration, Rainbow gave her future child a piece of her mind!

“Come on, ya stinking vampire spawn, leave some energy for me ya hear?! I gotta feed us both so quit sucking me dry!”

Both wolves turned in Rainbows direction, tilting their heads to the side and looking around, as if wondering who she might be talking to. Feeling their judgement on her as she attempted to impale the rabbit on a sharp stick (and snap it hopelessly) Rainbow gave them some lip too!

“What are you looking at huh?! You try skulking around with this little demon growing in you and see if you can still do shit! I can feel this thing eating me! You think that's fun huh!? I'll kick both your furry asses! Come here and see!”

Not really sure of what she was saying, Rainbow was surprised to see the pair stand up and actually start moving towards her. Knowing she should calm down, but being too worked up to care, Rainbow got even louder!

“Yeah, yeah, come here! I'll take ya both on! I'll give you both a beating and make you into a pair of fancy rugs! I'll-!” She paused, feeling something squirming up her throat. Knowing she was going to be sick, Rainbow turned away from her small flame and vomited up the breakfast she'd had that morning. She stumbled, her legs feeling like wobbly jello. Dropping to her knees, Rainbow let the cold snow chill her overheating skin. The sweat beads swam across her face as she bent over and heaved again, but this time nothing came out. By now the wolves and made it over to her, and stood barely a foot away from her panting form. Chuckling at how sad she must look, Rainbow still managed a few sputters of attitude. “I'll...still...beat...your...asses.”

The first wolf bent its head down, and Rainbow thought it was going to bite her, but instead grabbed hold of something hidden in the snow with its jaws. When it retracted its face and presented what it had to her, Rainbow was surprised to find a much thicker and sharper looking stick in its maw. The wolf dropped it at her knees, much like a dog would after playing fetch, but Rainbow knew this was no game. It was trying to tell her something, to use this one instead...probably. Legs still shaky, Rainbow managed to work herself back to her feet, and once she had a firm enough stance, made another attempt at sticking the rabbit. This time the stick went through the rabbits back side and out the front like it was sliding through butter rather than skin. Was this really just a stick? She eyed the stick, but was unable to find anything extraordinary about it. Perhaps she had just poked the right spot?

“Huh...Thanks I guess.” She said to the wolves. They did not respond, but instead laid down in the snow on ether side of the fire pit and continued to watch her. Despite them both being close enough for Rainbow to pet their heads, she doubted they would enjoy that. Being sentient and all they might that demeaning, so Rainbow resisted the urge and continued her preparations.

Once the rabbit was properly positioned on its stick, Rainbow set up two larger logs in the pit standing upright, and set the rabbit horizontally in-between them. She didn't have the patience to try and carve the two logs up in a way that would allow her to easily spin the rabbit over the fire, so she resigned to do that manually. She did however, make sure she selected logs that were properly sized to rest the rabbit high enough from the flames that the meat wouldn't burn, but low enough that it would still cook at a decent pace.

Now the most boring part. All she had left to do was sit on a log, turn the rabbit over when necessary, and wait...