The Beginning

Since the beginning of time, when the gods created the world, warriors tribes are there to protect us. Our tribe used to live as one under the guidance of the lupus gods Geri and Freki. They very lupus the accompanied the King of the Gods Odin, and only the Alpha Prime can form a bond with the twin lupus Geri and Freki.

Primarily the role of the Alpha Prime is to keep the balance within the tribe. The one who rules with iron claws and a compassionate heart. Under his leadership, we had an abundant life. No crime had gone unpunished and no great deed unnoticed.

We lived in a peaceful time as all the other tribes aside from us respects and adored our King. Everyone co-existed with one another in a harmonious relationship.

All was fair and well until one day; a Kappa came back alone from a hunt organized by the Alpha Prime. Bloodied and missing a limb, he informed the Elders (Gamma) that the King is gone. Every Iota had done everything to save him, but it was already too late. He had already lost too much blood. His lupus is also dead, thus losing his ability to heal.

Torn and shocked by the sudden news, all the remaining elders gathered to discuss the tribe's bleak future.

"The King is gone! we have to act immediately to make sure about the future!"

"We don't know for sure if the King is indeed gone. Remember, he is our King, the Alpha Prime, and the bearer of the lupus gods Geri and Freki. He will not fall!"

"And how can you be so sure that he is not dead!"

"We have to verify the information and find some evidence that he has indeed fallen!"

"Actually, we don't t have to do some heavy work..." a voice from the dark.

"How dare you interfere with us!"

"All I am saying is that we all know the obvious way we can find out if the King is dead..."

"And how do you assume we do that?"

"How about you tell me, Gamma Wulfhroc. Isn't it common knowledge that both the lupus Geri and Freki returns to their stone monument once the Paragon who bonded with them died."

Everyone started to murmur and think. It was a right of passage for every Paragon chosen to be the bearer of the lupus Gods to see and touch the stones and no one else. Then and only then, if they deem the Paragon worthy, will they respond.

Aside from the chosen one, everyone undergoes the passage rights to summon and bind with their own lupus.

It has been 30 years since the last chosen Paragon opened the chambers. No one even thought that this time would come where a new Alpha Prime must summon the gods again.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!" Everyone grew silent from the sound.

It is the twins Solanis and Juno. The messenger of the Gods. The chosen ones to guide us. They can see the past, the future, and bear the burden as the gateway to the afterlife. It is not common for them to come out of their own chambers, which only means one thing. The King has already passed on.

"Everyone!" their unified voices resonated inside our heads. Their hands are holding each other, and their eyes are glowing white. All other lupus hiding and resting within us came out and started to howl in unison.

"When the fire collides with ice, death awaits. Only one can yield power, and the other must perish."

After they stopped talking, they left the area and returned to their chamber as if nothing happened. Everyone started to look at one another; panic soon began to spread among the entire tribe.

It is not easy to decipher their words. Every elder started to discuss with one another the meaning behind the twins' vision. They have to make the right decision as there rests the fate of the entire tribe.

-2000 years later-

"So, what happened?" I asked my father, eager to know more, but he just smiled at me and rubbed my hair. "You need to go to sleep now, Aerglo. You have a big day tomorrow as you will be summoning your lupus tomorrow at the dawn of the moon." He said, then after that, he went out of my chambers.

I am excited and at the same time nervous about tomorrow. I will have my own lupus, just like everyone else. My father, King Atlas, bears two lupus. Velladon, beautiful with glowing white fur, and Ikaru, a perfect mix of blue and white hues, makes his fur look like flaming ice.

At the start of the summoning ritual, lupus will compete with each other for dominance. If they deem the Paragon weak and unfit, they will either kill them or leave him as hollow, an empty shell, and a fate worse than death.

Many had tried to bond with more than one lupus, but only a pure-blooded one can form a bond. Those who attempted only ends up as hollows.

"Hooooot!!!" the horn's sound blew, signaling the start of summoning ritual for every young Paragon.

"The time has come!" Kings' voice resonated with everyone. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the rights of passage for our young ones. Today they will receive the gift from the gods and prove that they are worthy of becoming a fully pledged Paragon."

"HOWL!!!" every lupus howled in unison.

My Father King Atlas is standing along with Velladon and Ikaru. My Mother, Queen Amaris, is standing a bit further back along with her lupus Arya.

Elder Oberon walked closer to us. His lupus Argon and Enshir are enormous and frightening. He did not say any word but just gave us two stones for the summoning ritual.

This is the time for me to prove that I can bind with more than one. One by one, each of us went to the center of the fields for the summoning ritual.

First was a scrawny little girl. She began chanting, and both stones started to glow at the same time. Two lupus emerged, and each one battled for dominance and control until one was left standing.

After a long battle for dominance against one another, triumphant lupus started to stroll closer. This is the moment of truth for her. Will she be a fully pledged Paragon or a broken Hollow?

After a few seconds, it started to bow down, proof that it acknowledged her. All she needs to do now is give her lupus a name to seal the bond. "Please to meet you, my Paragon..." everyone cheered when we heard the voice in our heads.

She is crying as she ran towards her lupus. She hugged her and gave her the name "Talia," thus completing the bond. The ceremony continued; everyone has successfully bonded with their lupus until my turn has come.

I am the last one to perform the ritual. Being the prince and heir to the throne, everybody's eyes are on me. Their hopes and expectations are high, and I can feel the pressure surrounding me is suffocating. As I reach the center of the field, I held out the stones and started to chant.

"Lyupus otvet' na moĭ zov"

"Lyupus otvet' na moĭ zov"

"Lyupus otvet' na moĭ zov"

The stones started to glow brightly, and then two lupus emerged from the light. Their presence is powerful, as strong or maybe more potent than Velladon and Ikaru.

I can hear everyone's shock when they saw them. These are no ordinary lupus. I am afraid they might reject me as it is unheard of for lupus of the past Kings to return.

Lupus Phobos and Aibek...