Chapter 65: The Return Of The Silver Fenrir
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POV: Astaros
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Light filtered in through the forest's canopy, now a tinge green as it passed through a thick ceiling of leaves. Birds fluttered about, their cries creating a cacophony of noise as I passed beneath them. The contrast of glistening silver on a palate of dark shadows, bright green foliage, and deep brown bark caused me to stick out on the small dusty path.
Unlike the forests under the shadow of Mt. Rakui, devoid of sound of any kind, the forests of Elden were well populated with a number of loud creatures.
I was one of them, the crunch of dry leaves and clanking of metal announcing my presence to all those within the area. Not that it truly mattered.
My march was soon joined by a number of wolves, beginning with Lupus.
One by one, step by step, my small army grew. The wolves had grown in number it seems. There were certainly over a hundred of them now stalking the path's edge as Lupus walked alongside me.
I glanced over to the side as the shadows around me stretched. They then began to bleed and bubble slowly swirling up and shifting into the form of a large wolf.
Val Systin had once again grown.
His black fur now also had a nice sheen to it.
Unconsciously, my hand reached out and stroked his fur, slowly petting his head as I walked.
It was clear what they all felt.
'We are glad to have you home.' {Wolves}
A small, albeit hidden, smile adorned my face.
'And I am glad to be home.' {Astaros}
…
It soon came into sight, the massive frame of the home I had built for myself basking in the sunlight like some grand beast.
The moment we reached the clearing the wolves dispersed. Halting at the treeline as though something held them back.
Val Systin and Lupus however, showed no such apprehension, proudly trotting alongside me.
As I crossed the mid-section of the bridge leading to the entrance I noticed that it seemed to have been suffering from some wear and tear.
'I'll have to fix that it seems.' {Astaros}
A small sigh escaped my lips as I walked up to the door and reach out to the door knob, before pausing for a moment and removing my armour.
As the many plates of systin steel fell away I felt slightly naked. I also felt as though the sun was a bit brighter than I originally thought it was.
I then grabbed the door knob and opened the door.
Walking inside, I was greeted with Oadry awaiting my return.
"I am sorry to say that I am the only one to receive you at this time. The others are busy picking up Christine and Raven in the town." {Oadry}
"I see." {Astaros}
I had realised no one was here for quite a while. It was why I had taken my good old time walking up to the house.
"Well I'm still glad to see you Oadry." {Astaros}
She smiled and curtseyed, lowering her head as she did so.
"Welcome back, Master Astaros."
I sighed.
"Still saying master huh." {Astaros}
She raised her head, showing a sly smile as she spoke.
"It's in a maid's nature to do so." {Oadry}
Looking around I could see that unlike the bridge the house has been well taken care of.
"You've done a good job maintaining the place I see." {Astaros}
She smiled again and only bowed her head this time.
"Thank you for the compliment." {Oadry]
Passing her by I patted her on the shoulder once, showing my gratitude.
"It's well deserved. I'm going to take a bath and then take a nap, if the others return soon tell them to just wake me up. We have a bit of work to do if Raven got what I asked for."
I then left her to her responsibilities as I headed off to the baths.
…
I could feel my stiff muscles slowly relaxing as I sat in the large bath I had created. Occasionally I breathed out breaths of flame, creating further steam within the washroom. Any and all tension I had acquired had slowly but surely been washed.
Back on earth I simply had to live with it. My body had been annihilated and reformed more times than I could count. Eventually my body had become free of any and all flaws.
This one however was new. It had a number of flaws despite being based upon my original body.
However, as with all things, this would be solved by time and conflict. A tried and true solution.
After spending enough time in the bath that I had begun to think on my failures throughout history that facilitated my growth, I got out, dried myself with wind element, and simply changed and went to bed.
…
I awoke to a large mass obliterating my ribs with excessive force. I awoke with a start, sitting up as a greyish black spikey ball unfurled upon me. A beaming smile adorned beings face as it attempted to speak.
"Fastheros!" {Christine/Rift}
I sighed, or rather attempted to as there was no more air within my lungs.
Instead of attempting to speak I simply smiled and patted her head.
Finally, after a short moment of recovery I regained my ability to speak.
"I see you're back. Also, try to speak one at a time. Though I don't have to think hard to figure out what you were both saying, it will probably become bothersome in the future." {Astaros}
Suddenly her stone-like skin paled and became a much lighter, more natural human skin tone, while her horns remained. Her eyes reverted to their original crimson.
"All that time apart and that's what you have to say?" {Christine}
"Much better. Welcome home Christine." {Astaros}
"Hmph, now I don't feel like talking to you!" {Christine}
My smile slightly shrank as I sucked in a breath.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" {Astaros}
Christine's taunting attitude instantly disappeared as her excited smile dimmed and dulled.
"I, no, we have found what we were looking for. We know what we are going to do from now on." {Christine/Rift}
She looked up at me, now staring into my eyes with what was now a heterochromatic pair.
"We are going to become someone who can stand by your side." {Christine/Rift}
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Blue_Robin
Blue_Robin Alright witches have made it. And I'm unsure if this story will. If there are any people actually reading this, show me that you are. Comment, give powerstones add it to your collections! Just please show me there is a reason to keep writing.
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