“We can confirm that the barrier was destroyed, we can confirm that Hive Forces infiltrated, and we can confirm that the alter was disturbed. In all likelihood they now have a copy of the map,” came the voice of Wesley.
“I told you that thing was a curse to have, we should have just destroyed it,” came the muttering voice of another.
“We needed that map for future generations or in the event that anything happened. Can you truly blame us?” Holly muttered.
“We never planned on another Lightonian selling us out. That barrier should have stopped any Dharkanian from finding it,” Maxwell growled, “Toby did not have the power so this isn’t just his doing.”
“Which brings the question, who did it?” Wesley questioned.
“Is it possible that Stark is-”
“No, he is still trapped on Sillith. I am positive of that,” Maxwell replied, “I know well enough how to feel the presence of my own son.”
“Then who?”
“No one working with the agency at the moment. We already used truth serums on everyone we could,” came the voice of the other individual.
“Omocha that’s crude,” Holly muttered.
“It was necessary. From what we can tell the person messing with us is Lightonian and pretty powerful. Rain, or rather Toby, could not have downed security the way that was done back at Nospheross and he sure as hell could not have found the temple.”
“So essentially another Lightonian is out there somewhere, scheming in the shadows, plotting our downfall.”
“So it would seem Wesley, so it would seem,” Holly murmured, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have one final bit of business to do here before we leave.”465Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hCtrh3Qkm
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Elise stood among the ruins of the mountain, scanning over scraps of wood and tumbled rock, a few torches scattered round. Several moved passed her into the rubble, several digging through the rock. Vulper stepped up beside her, “Don’t worry, they’re tough.”
“I know they’re not dead Vulper, don’t worry.”
“You have just been a wild child ever since I met you. Different, always walking your own path. Honestly I can’t help but feel jealous a bit.”
“Heh. Don’t get too ahead of yourself Vulper.”
Both turned around and stepped as Holly approached, “I trust that all is well here?”
“So far so good,” Vulper replied, “Our people are digging through everything while the clouds still cover the sky.”
“What will we do now that the mountain is destroyed?” came the voice of Belama.
“Holly here has already offered to help us relocate due to what we did during the battle that just went on.”
“Oh that’s great, no more crap caves?”
“Heh, I’m providing you with an underground facility with the best accommodations. Courtesy of the Canadian Government, though mostly because they don’t want a bunch of Drachen running around. Plus they owed us a favor for something that went down back in the eighties.”
“Oh lord.”
“Heh heh, hahaha,” Elise laughed, “I feel like a huge burden is off my shoulders right now. It feels weird to me.”
Holly looked to Elise with a nod, “Then allow me to replace that weight with another so you don’t feel so off.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve spoken to my father. He and many others want me to extend an official invitation to you to join us going forward.”
Elise blinked, looking at Holly hard now, “Wait what?”
“Yes. We want to bring you in as a Commander in fact. You’d be given a decent position as a result and a three promotions. You’d be able to head out with us and stick it to The Hive on the front lines. You’d be able to help a great many people. What do you say?”
“Oh man I uh, I mean, th-thank you. I’d love to!” Elise chirped.
“Then that settles it. Then if you would we need to-”
“Oh uh, hold on, I have one last thing to do,” she murmured turning to Vulper.
“Oh?” Holly replied raising an eyebrow.
Vulper looked to her and she looked to him. A smile spread as she then nodded, “Clan of Vulfax, gather around please!”
Many heads popped up, all looking to Elise, many stepping out of the rocky rubble. Slowly but surely many of the clan had gathered round, all silent in wait. Zoey at the front with Mark beside her, Scott and Drake close by with Samantha in the middle of them. Even Belama stood near. She looked around, waiting as the last of the group gathered.
“Not everyone but I suppose it’ll do. As you all know Azala was a turncoat, corrupted by the Hive. Before he died he asked Vulfax be taken care of, and I intend to do just that. I, Elise Bak… no, just Elise. I, prior heir to Vulfax, now grant title of Lord to none other than Vulper.”
At once people began to applaud and cheer, a lot of shouts in fact as Vulper’s eyes drew big.
“Heck yeah Vulper!”
“Oh man, that’s awesome bruh-”
Vulper turned around, looking upon the clan and then to Elise, “I-I don’t know what to say.”
“No need to say anything Lord Vulper. You helped me out a considerable number of times as you had for all of the clan. Now it’s time to give Vulfax the leader they deserve.”
A smile spread over Vulpers face as he slowly nodded and gave a bow, as did everyone behind him, “Then as my first act as Lord of Vulfax, I thank you on behalf of the entire clan. I thank you, for everything Elise.”
“Come Elise,” Holly murmured turning around beginning to walk away with a smile.
Elise nodded ahead and then turned, following Holly. Step by step she moved. Her left arm then went up and her hand flew out as well, in a way waving off to Vulper as she moved on. Vulper nodded as everyone looked away, watching as slowly Elise disappeared off among the crowd of people in front of him. A final smile came over him, a final nod, “I will never forget you, Elise.”465Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfz0firHtO
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[And there you have it, the beginning of Elise’s adventure alongside the Tribe. Told you it wouldn’t bite, well, not bite you anyways. Ever since I met her I have been proud whenever I looked upon her, for the longest of times. To see her even inherit our power so efficiently, that just told me that she was a truly capable warrior.
She had accepted herself. She had known herself. She came to terms with who she was and by doing such she overcame the challenge in front of her. Heck, Elise even made things better along the way after all that happened. Truly a glorious moment.
But this is known only as the beginning of her journey, the first real marker on the path now set out before her as a Warrior for the Powerless. What lies before her, to this day, is still far greater. What lies before her will simply continue to challenge her even further. Elise’s destiny has many more ditches to jump and cliffs to avoid driving off of. Fortunately, she’s a fantastic driver with things like that.
Until next time...]465Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOyECSKpFo
