Chapter 14

Janik Rollin, Ajax's younger brother, was in his black wolf form running patrols and checking for any potential invaders along the borders of the compound. Filtairn mentioned that the shadows were uneasy tonight so he made sure to have a good many of the clan's soldiers out patrolling.

As Janik sniffed the ground, he discovered an unusual scent that he didn't recognize. The scent was similar to that of someone that had bathed in old perfume with a mix of carcass musk. It wasn't a pleasant scent and invoked a deep instinctual distrust. It was faint as he began sniffing the air to locate in which direction the intruders had gone.

Janik heard the howls of his patrol unit. Answering the howls with one of his own, he ran towards them. As he got closer to his unit he realized the scent he'd picked up was growing stronger. Just then he started to hear growling and snarling, the sounds of wolves in some sort of fight. He immediately turned and ran towards the battle, the sounds getting louder as he approached.

After a short run, he came upon two very large warriors fighting off three wolves. These intruders were unlike any Mythics he'd seen before and the longer he smelled their scent the more intensely he hated it. They were tall, close to twelve feet with silver hair that reflected the moonlight. They had large fangs but didn't seem to use them as Lycans would. They also had the eyes of a Lycan on a full moon, blood-red eyes with black irises.

Running up snarling, Janik lept into the air, his jaws open as he connected with one of the invader's shoulders and clamped down. The first thing he tasted was their foul skin that reminded him of rotten flesh. Then it got worse as the taste and consistency of their blood filled his mouth. Death and slime. Removing his jaws, he fell to the ground shaking his head trying to remove the taste before attacking again.

Over and over again he snapped and snarled and attacked along with his fellow Lycans. Each time they wounded the Mythics they seemed to heal almost as fast as they were injured. Suddenly, the wind gusted, nearly knocking the wolves from their feet. Blue lightning flashed rapidly over and over as the very air seemed to rip open.

The Mythics immediately each began freeing themselves from the attacking wolves. They grabbed hold of them and ripped them free, throwing each wolf across the open field. Looking at each other, the Mythics jumped through the portal which immediately closed after them.

Returning to his human form, Janik continually spit out the green slime-like blood. “That has to be the most disgusting 'blood' I've ever had the displeasure of tasting,” he snarled.

“Who the fuck were they?” Logan asked as he hacked and spit.

“I don't know. I've never seen Mythics like them before. We need to let Filtairn know,” Kris, their commander, replied to them as he also spit and tried to wipe the foul taste from his tongue.

“Think Alia will mind if we gargle, multiple times, as well? That is seriously the most disgusting taste,” Asher asked as he continued to wipe his mouth on his arm.

Janik and the others all laughed in agreement as they headed towards the main house, intent on cleaning their mouths and talking to their leader. They needed to know what was going on and they had a feeling they weren't going to like it at all. Janik suspected something big was happening.

~~*~~

Avalina and Sophia exited out of their cabin and looked around at the compound in the daylight, smiling at each other. The land was green with large wooded areas and mountains that surrounded the compound. The air was crisp and clean and woodland animals could be seen enjoying the morning sun.

“It sure is beautiful here, isn't it?” Avalina asked her sister.

“It is. To be honest, I really don't want to return to our old clan,” Sophia admitted. “They're so much better to their females and just to each other in general. My instinct tells me we can trust Filtairn and that he's a really good leader.”

“I agree. I already like how Filtairn rules here so much better. I still want to get through our current crisis and figure out what's going on with you before we even consider anything beyond that,” Lina stated as they walked up to the main house.

“I know you're right, it's wise to wait to make that decision,” Sophia sighed. As they got closer to Filtairn's house they noticed that it seemed that nearly every Lycan from the clan was either approaching or already in the building. “I wonder what’s going on,” Sophia whispered as they entered the building to find it filled with a sense of unease in the air.

“Avalina! Sophia! I was just going to see if you were up yet!” Ajax exclaimed as he approached them.

“What's going on?” Lina asked him with a smile as he took her hand in his.

“Janik's patrol was attacked by Mythics that match the description of Titans. Janik is my brother. He's fine but everyone is worried about what happened. Come! Filtairn wants to talk to the both of you. Seems he's heard from Theanna.” Ajax led them through the crowd, holding firmly onto Lina's hand.

Lina grabbed hold of Sophia's hand so that they didn't get separated. Moving towards the front, she spotted Bleiz with several other Lycans in a deep discussion with Filtairn. All of her senses told her whoever these Titans were, the current events somehow involved them.

“Ladies! I hope you were comfortable and slept well last night,” Filtairn greeted with a strained smile as he saw them approach.

“We did, thank you. Ajax mentioned you spoke with the Queen?” Avalina inquired.

“I did. Come, let's retreat to my study. I'm sure you've heard from Ajax what’s happened. It has everyone quite nervous. I've had to get my lieutenants to quell the rumors and calm everyone as best they can. For the meantime, a lot of them just want to stay here,” Filtairn explained as he led them into his study and away from the noise of the main room.

“That's very understandable,” Lina admitted. “Last night and this morning we heard the name 'Titans' several times. Who are these Titans?”

As they settled in Filtairn's office area he answered her, “Titans are from the realm of Talos. Very little was known about them until they decided to be stupid and attack the Dark Realms. Are you familiar with the Dark Realms?”

“That's where all souls go when they die,” Sophia offered.

“Well, most souls, yes. They go there to be judged. If they’re found to be needing punishment they go to one of the realms within the Dark Realms where a Daemoni Prince determines what that punishment is to be. If they’re found to be either redeemed or innocent they’re allowed to pass on and to be reborn.

“Most on Earth think the Dark Realms are what they call Hell. The Daemoni have the hard task of providing justice to all those that pass through the Dark Realms. It's an honorable and thankless job and until Queen Theanna and her mate Prince Damian, they were without hope of ever experiencing anything but the darkness.

“Everyone in this clan has sworn to serve Queen Theanna. She doesn't take that for granted. I heard from our Queen early this morning. Fortunately, they were able to force the Titans to retreat back to their home realm, Talos. She was also able to speak with Lord Chaos, ruler of the Celestian realm. He told her the truth of the Titans, their connection to us, and also what is going on with you, young one.”

“She works fast,” Sophia commented.

“Time works somewhat differently in the Dark Realms but she always returns my calls and helps however she can as quickly as she can. Apparently, the battle was a bit dicey at times but she handled business, despite something about an exploding Titan that resulted in her being covered in blood, guts and an eyeball or two,” Filtairn chuckled with a shrug.

“Oh man! I can't wait to hear the story behind that,” Ajax laughed as he shook his head. “I can only imagine how she reacted to that.”

“She seemed to be a tad grossed out but I got the impression that at the time it didn't even faze her. Our Queen may be tiny but there’s a strength and power in her that is unequaled. She’s very deadly when she’s pissed off,” Filtairn explained with a smirk.

“Have either of you seen her when she’s ‘very deadly'?” Sophia asked nervously.

Both Ajax and Filtairn nodded.

“I wouldn't worry about that. Attack her with a sword or try to kill someone she loves then you have something to worry about.m,” Ajax chuckled.

“The information she learned from Lord Chaos and then passed on to me was invaluable. Willow was correct and apparently Luna wasn't completely crazy,” Filtairn began. “This is how Theanna explained it to me. Celestian's created all of the realms and it was the job of the Titans to create life to the wishes of Chaos in each realm. They had the ability to shift into any living thing imaginable and once they had, create that life. When it was time for life to be created on Earth, the final realm, Chaos decided he wanted to create the humans so that they could grow and surpass even the gods.

“The Titans believed that they’d already surpassed Celestians. They felt that humans should be created to serve them. So they revolted against Chaos and after a great battle of Celestian versus Titan, the Titans lost. As punishment for their revolt and misuse of powers, the Titans were banned to a barren realm called Talos and Chaos stripped them of their abilities and powers.

“Many Titans remained loyal to Celestia and were rewarded for their loyalty by Chaos asking them what they wished for most. They all agreed that they wished to live on the Earth and live with their favorite creations. After the war they no longer wanted the ability to create life. They felt with that power came the allure to misuse it, but if they gave it up they would lose the ability to shift and run with their favorite of Earth's creations. So Chaos decided that they deserved what they wished for most and gave them back the ability to shift into wolves.”

Filtairn looked at their stunned faces and chuckled. “Yup, that was my reaction as well. Titans of Talos and Lycans of Earth were once one in the same.”

“What about Sophia?” Avalina asked.

“So Chaos told our Queen that once every thousand years or so, there is a special Lycan child born. When that child comes of age, the ability to shift into all life forms begins to appear. He said that on their birthday a countdown begins until the next Red Moon.

“The Titans need you and several other items which can be found in the Dark Realms to perform a ceremony on the day of the Red Moon. If they’re able to complete this ceremony then they'll be as they once were and everything that was made after them will be unmade. It explains why the Titans attacked the Dark Realms and are sniffing around us. They must have spies that have alerted them to someone in this clan being the one they search for.”

“Sophia...” Lina squeaked as worry filled her.

“We’ll keep you both safe,” Filtairn stated as he stood up and walked to stand closer to the sisters. Crouching down so that he was at their level, he said to them, “I swear this to you, you’re safe here. I want you both to move up to the main house. I don't want either of you going anywhere alone right now.”

Sophia and Avalina both nodded in agreement as they looked at each other worriedly. Suddenly Sophia squeaked and shifted into a small cat.

Filtairn blinked at her in surprise before chuckling as he picked her up and started to sweetly pet her. “Let's hope she doesn't shift into an elephant or anything. That could be a challenge in this house.”

“I’m so sorry!” Lina immediately said as she started to reach for her sister-cat.

“No, no need to apologize. She can't help it. And look, she's purring now,” Filtairn said with a smile as he stood up and sat down in Sophia's chair while petting the Sophia-cat in his arms.

Ajax chuckled as he watched them. “Never knew you had a thing for cats, boss.”

“We all have our dirty little secrets. She sure is a beautiful little thing. Lina, I'd like you both to consider staying on with our clan once all this is over. I know how Onai's clan is towards females. I don't agree with his practices. When I asked Ajax about it this morning he said you both had been lucky so far. I’m greatly relieved by that. So please know that whatever you both decide, you’re more than welcome here. After all, if I even thought about putting Onai's practices in place here Alia would have my hide. Nothing is scarier than a bonded mate on a rampage after your head,” Filtairn smirked.

“You seem like you speak from experience,” Avalina teased.

“More than once. Apparently, I'm a bit hard-headed. Who knew?” Filtairn laughed.

“You? Never!” Ajax replied aghast.

“I know, I know. It's a shocker,” Filtairn snarked as he