The Price of Tragedy

=== Deep in the Jungles of South America ===

Screams pearced the smoke filled night. The scent of blood and death. Villagers ran terrified as warriors tore through killing all who crossed their path. The enemy had struck late in the night catching everyone asleep. A young boy, hidden not far from the death and destruction of the village, has hidden in the brush. He could still hear the chaos in his village. His small body shook with fear and tears. Having witnessed his father being ripped to shreads and his mother thrown to the grround beaten, raped and killed. His elder brother had grabbed him and fled with him into the forrest. The enemy were not far behind. He was tossed into the brush then his brother had turned and ran the opposite way. It was not long before he heard the scream of his brother as he too was killed. Curling into a tight ball the boy waited. Would they find him too? Could they smell his fear? He waited cold, scared and alone for fate to choose his path.

Xemia held onto her necklace and prayed for help. She was hidden high in the trees above the destruction. Her body clung tightly to the limbs hoping no one would spot her. Her parents were traders. They had traveled village to village. Her father told stories and traded for precious items not found in other areas. Her mother had awakened her. Pushed her out of their guest home and told her to run.

"Run fast, let your guide protect you. Do not look back. Hide well." She had shouted to her.

Xemia had looked around, seeing people running and being cut down. Screams filled her ears. She turned and did as her mother asked. Her hands covered her ears to try to block out the screams she heard. Tears stained her cheeks and fell to the ground. Smoke filled her lungs, she tightly squeezed her eyes shut not wanting to witness anymore blood shed. She had ran no see where she went. She had found a tall tree and using her guides strength and sharp nails had climbed as far as she had dared. Now she sat here alone, her inner guide was on watch, his eyes pierced the night, sensitive ears listened for the slightest sound.

Soon the dark sky slowly began to lighten. As the great sun rose from behind the tall lush trees. The air had cleared of screams, moans and shouts of triumph. Smoke could still be smelled but it was silent.Not even the birds greeted the new day. The forest was still afraid. Not hearing any movement or noise. Xemia slowly moved down the tree. Looking around she slowly walked back towards the village. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

The small boy slowly awoke stretching his cold, stiff, sore muscles. He had cried himself to sleep without knowing it and now the cold reality of life was coming back to him. He pushed himself back to his feet and moved towards the remains of his village. What he saw was unreal, everything was burned to the ground, only piles of ash and badly burnt sandstone was left. There wasn't even a body to be found. The wind kicked ash and it stung his eyes, but he could still smell the village in the air. Very faintly.

She stumbled through the village or what was left of it. There was no one. She knew the bodies would not be found. Her kind when they died vanished. The great ones took the guide and host away to live in the next life. She looked around and saw a shadow move. Quickly she darted behind a pile of rubble and peaked around it, holding her breath.

As he walked, fear and loneliness shook his small body. Tears soon were falling again. He stilled suddenly and looked around him, he was sure he felt the presence of someone. A warm and comforting feeling washed over him, he sighed, it felt like a mothers touch.

Being fearful that it maybe one of the attackers, Xemia called upon her leopard guide. Using its sight and smell to tell her what was ahead. Her eyes pierced the early dawn. She watched as the shadow became solid and saw a small boy came into view. Someone else had survived.

As he looked back at the forest and froze. A large pair of sliver eyes watched him. Slowly a pitch black wolf emerged, stalking towards him. He had been taught that wolfs killed children at his age, but the comforting feeling was only getting stronger as it approached. It made him hold his ground. He could hear whispers in the wind, but couldn’t understand the language.

She felt the air shift, a wild scent filled the air. The guides were here. She watched the boy. They were here for him. She grabbed her necklace that had the image of the leopard carved into it and watched the wolf approach.

Again the voice in the wind spoke, but he couldn't understand it. The wolf circled, licking around it’s mouth as if it was sizing up it’s prey. He wanted to run away, but his legs refused to move. All he could do was look into the eyes of the massive creature. Then he heard it.

“Don’t be afraid.” A warm and calm voice called to him.

He looked around but saw no one. He then looked back into the eyes of the wolf who had taken a seat in front of him.

“Do you know why I am here?” The voice asked.

She saw the massive wolf and smiled. This wolf was special, it was a guide. Only a few were chosen to receive this gift. The boy looked frightened. Didn't he know what was happening? Slowly sliding from behind her hiding place she slowly covered the ground.

“No”

A movement caught his attention, he looked towards it. A young girl was heading towards him and the wolf. He couldn't believe she was approaching them. She should run from the large wolf. But she didn't, once within a few yards she knelt down and bowed.

Showing the guide the respect do, she spoke.

"Great wolf guide, Thank you for your presents here. We are blessed by it." She looked up and smiled at the boy.

"Don't you know. He is your guide. Your gift."

“My gift? But that was only bed time stories” the boy stuttered.

The wolf bowed back at the girl in respect.

“Young one.”

The wolf stood up and started to circle the girl, sniffing the air around her.

She watched the wolf prowl around her then looked back at the boy.

"Its not a story, but truth. Did not your parents teach you what you are? What we are?"

Shaking his head a small “No…” left his lips. His parents never spoke about the magical creatures of this world. They were more myth than anything. Used to frighten children.

"You and I are Were. Their blood runs through us. My guide is a Leopard. He protects and gives me strength. The wolf is yours. She will bond with you. You will be able to call on her anytime you are in need. A gift of the wolf is rare and special. You must be very strong to receive her. Blessed."

“I don’t believe you.”

The information being given was too much. He had just lost everything of meaning to him and now this. He was Were or would be soon if the wolf guide bonded with him. He shook his head. The wolf barked loudly. The wave of energy shot out of the entity with so much force that it knocked the boy on his ass.

“I am not here to harm you” the wolf snorted.

Xemia winced as the harsh loud sound hurt her cat ears.

"It is the truth. You should not disrespect her. She will not harm you like she said."

The young boy looked even deeper into the wolf’s eyes. What he felt from the creature was total calmness and comfort. He quickly moved to his feet and ran towards it giving the wolf a hug.

“I’m sorry.”

He buried his face into the wolfs neck, tears falling again as felt the heavy weight of what happened to the village. Xemia sat down, brought her knees up and folded her arms around them. She watched the boy and wolf.


Before the boy knew it, the wolf turned into a white mist and entered his body. At first, it felt warm and comforting. Then he started to feel really hot and pain. He bent over, covering his face as he tried to deal with the ache of this small body. Then it just vanished, he looked up at the girl. His eyes were changed; they were silver, just like the wolf’s eyes. A loud howl escaped him, a sphere of energies shot out of him, sending dust and ash flying, it wasn’t nearly as powerful as the bark the wolf gave but it was there.

Watching the exchange between them brought back memories of when she received hers. She protected her eyes from the ash and dirt. His howl pierced her sensitive ears making her wince again. When she peaked out from behind her hands she saw the boy looking at her with the beautiful silver eyes.

He could see the world totally different now, he could see the spirits of old and to his surprise he could see his family with their guides beside them. Right then he understood that this was not a finally good bye, he would see them again and that made him feel a lot better. But that didn’t change the fact that they were alone, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“What do you say we get out of here?” he asked and offered his hand towards her.

She stood and took his hand. "Where will we go? I guess we can go to another village, but it is days from here."

“Well, maybe we can trust our guides to show us” he smiled at her, he was feeling more comfortable then ever.

"Your right. We should. They will lead us to safety."

It wasn’t long before the young Weres were walking through the thick jungle towards their destinies.