Big Dog

Shadow drapes over Kyro and Ingen, their hearts thumping louder with each passing second. They travel down River Street, which runs through the middle of Yellen, from the front gate to that tower tucked in the back of the cave. Kyro looks up at the tower with no name, his mind racing, scrambling to find which words will allow him to keep his head.

The tower rises some hundred feet from the ground, the top connected to the roof of the cave where it begins to curve down. The walls are black and rigid, as if carved from the very mountain it stands under, stained with soot from a great flame. Several lanterns hang from the tower, lined across horizontally as if denoting each floor. The green flames of the lanterns shed light on the tower, displaying the structure in its full glory. The sight is a reminder of who rules here, and the power they hold.

Homes stop appearing when getting closer, giving the wall that surrounds the structure a wide breadth of space. The wall is a half-circle, each side connecting to the wall of the cave behind. A smaller version of the wall surrounding the city, however, that description does not apply to the height of the white stone. This wall stands just as tall as the other, if not taller.

Kyro's eyes widen as he looks at the gate splitting the wall. There are stories, tall tales told by protective mothers to keep their children away from this place. And no matter which version is told, all of them include what Kyro sees now.

Even while sitting on its hind legs, the Spider-eyed wolf easily dwarfs the wall behind it. Kyro and the others halt merely a few feet before the beast, and it gazes down at them, each of its many small eyes looking between the three men.

Just the same as other Anima summons, its body is translucent, bones visible beneath. Like a flame, it's fur waves and shifts constantly, energy like smoke wisping from it. Detor steps to the side, posture rigid, sweat dripping from his brow.

The wolf lowers its head until its snout is mere inches from Kyro and Ingen. The beast sniffs each of them, its many eyes eventually settling on Kyro as it seems to smile, baring razor sharp teeth at the man, "The Bloodhound... A god-like warrior that so tragicly fell from grace. I must ask, what is it like on Kalar? Have you slain many beasts there?" the Spider-eyed Wolf says, voice deep and rumbling, echoing through the cave.

Kyro stands firm, looking up at the beast, "Plenty. Most were bigger than you, creature," he responds, his words an empty threat, but true.

The Wolf smiles wider, "Is that so?" it says slowly.

The beast then looks at Ingen, humming, "Ah, and how could I forget Ingen, the scared pup that won't let go of Kyro's tail. I assumed you would be... bigger," it says.

Ingen scoffs, "I have nothing to say to a servant of the Epochs," he responds.

The Spider-eyed Wolf laughs, a rough bellow that booms in the ears of the men before it. The beast raises its head, glancing down at Ingen, "A thousand years later, and the ignorance of man still manages to surprise me," it says. The Wolf turns, eyes snapping to look at Detor, "Leave."

Detor turns, seeming more than obliged to follow the order. He walks away silently, disappearing into the city at a speed much greater than when he arrived. The Wolf walks towards the gate, lowering its head and nudging the heavy iron open with its snout. The beast steps to the side, watching as Kyro and Ingen step up, "Through the door, there are two paths. Up or down. You will go up," it says, settling back on its haunches.

Kyro nods, stepping forward with Ingen. Though a massive paw suddenly halts them. The men look up at the Spider-eyed Wolf, who bares those teeth again with a beastly grin, "Careful now. You two are important, but far from indisposable," it says, pulling its paw back with an eerie chuckle.

The two men return looks of confusion, soon stepping through the gate. Ahead, the tower stands, iron double doors at the front. Ingen glances back and sees the Wolf reach its paw over the wall and close the gate from the inside. Then the beast steps in front of it, returning to its guard duty.

"Focus, Ingen," Kyro says, eyes locked on those doors, "If what that creature said is true, then Cage may not have to save us."

"You believe that thing? It seemed little more than a taunt, meant to scare us," Ingen whispers.

"That 'thing' has been here since the Epochs came into power," Kyro responds, "I doubt it is simple-minded enough to make idle threats." Anima summons like the Spider-Eyed wolf gain intelligence the more time they spend materialized. And as far as Kyro knows, the beast has always been there, guarding the gate.

Silence follows, both men preparing themselves for what is to come. They walk on a stone path leading from the gate to those metal doors as if an extension of River Street. Bushes line the path, along with more of those green-flamed lanterns that hang from black poles. Despite the dark and moody setting, an herbal scent wafts through the area, which would comfort the men if it was possible.

Two statues rise on either side of the door to the tower, the left one easily recognizable as Betor, standing tall with his Warhammer in hand. The right, however, is less recognizable. It is a man, Kyro can tell that much, but he wears a full suit of armor, hiding the identity of the man. There is no gauntlet on the left arm, exposing a hand and forearm.

Kyro and Ingen proceed through the metal doors, and are met with a wide platform, a spiral staircase extending left and right, left leading up, right leading down. Left it is, Kyro thinks as they begin to scale the steps. Other than more lanterns with green flames, the walls are barren and rigid.

"What do you think they're hiding down there?" Ingen whispers, stepping up the stairs behind Kyro.

Kyro glances back at the man, "The Rage Stones," he responds.

Ingen nods, "Makes sense," he says, "Soon it won't matter where they hide them."

Kyro pauses at those words. His lips thin to a line, and he hesitates to speak the words, "Are we... Are we doing the right thing?" he asks slowly, "We'll be leaving our people to be destroyed. Every man will be a slave. Women will be violated. Children slain."

Ingen gazes at the back of Kyro's head, brows furrowed. He sighs, looking down at his feet, "I'm not sure. But what else can we do?" he says, "Even if you were strong enough to protect the city yourself, the scarcity of Rage Stones will affect you too."

"I know," Kyro says, stopping on the steps. He turns to Ingen as the man steps up beside him. Kyro puts a hand on Ingen's shoulder, a concrete resolve in his eyes, "We will live through this. Cage needs me, I need you, and all of us need Yoru."

Ingen nods, smiling, "Who else but Yoru would have the patience to deal with us?" he responds.

Kyro chuckles, "I'm not sure another exists," he says. He looks up at the spiraling staircase, taking a deep breath, "Let's get this over with."

---

Kyro and Ingen pass through another set of iron double doors. They are greeted by the quiet crackle of a flame. The sound comes from a large brazier in the middle of the circular room revealed to them. The black stone ceiling rises far above the men, a massive mural spanning across it.

The brazier below shines on the mural, revealing a man standing in a field, looking up at a departing ship in the sky. Two men stand on the ship, one facing toward the man in the field, the other facing away with armor covering his body. Kyro looks up, studying the mural. He feels as if he should know what is being depicted.

Save for the brazier and lanters lining the curving walls, the room is empty. And just the same as the ceiling, the floor and walls are black.

"Come," A calm yet commanding voice calls from the other side of the room. Kyro looks past the brazier to see a single man sitting on an iron throne in the back of the room. Kyro and Ingen step past the brazier, the lone man's features becoming clearer as they approach.

The man has a lithe body and red skin, which is covered by black trousers and same color tunic. He has long black hair, piercing silver eyes, and a youthful face. He wears gold bracelets and thick hooped earrings, something that would never be seen on another Rajin man. The man slouches in the throne, elbow on the arm of the throne and fist to his cheek. He seems unbothered, bored even, by the presence of the men before him.

Kyro and Ingen study the man, utter confusion splattering their expressions, "Where are the Epochs?" Ingen asks, looking around slowly.

"Epoch," The man says, voice loud despite his relaxed posture, "You will call me Ludan."

Kyro stares at the man for a moment, a mountain of confusion rising in his mind. Epoch. Singular. If that is true, then the control stones, the trackers, even that dog guarding the gate. All of it was created by this one man. Imbuer and Conjurer. Kyro has never heard of such a thing, but the evidence is here before him, clear as day.

Kyro takes a deep breath, attempting to calm himself, "I am Ky-"

"I know who you are," Ludan interrupts, silver eyes looking slowly between Kyro and Ingen, "Disgraceful. I had plans for both of you. You let family get in the way of that. Now, look what your decisions have brought you."

"I do not regret my actions," Kyro responds with firm words, looking down at the man.

"Nor do I," Ingen follows up, matching the conviction in Kyro's voice.

"Clearly," Ludan says, "Do either of you have any idea as to why that is a crime?"

Kyro and Ingen stand in silence.

"Because love is weakness," Ludan says, words louder than ever before, "A soldier is a killer, a tool in the game of war. A strong army is a collection of efficient killers, ruthless men that thrive off bloodshed. A weak soldier, an inefficient one, is one that is distracted by the death of a comrade. And a collection of those weaklings is an army that's path leads to destruction."

Kyro clenches his jaw, eyes hard as he holds Ludan's gaze, "Is that all this is to you? A game? Do you not care for the people you rule?" he responds.

"Do not be so naive, boy," Ludan says, "How do you think this city is still standing? After a hundred years of invasions, do you think love has kept the people of Raj from decimation?"

"It has kept them from despair," Kyro responds, "Nearly every woman, every child in this city has lost a man in their life to war. The love given by the ones left is what keeps those people from crumbling. Most would cut their own throat if not for that. I know because I have experienced it."

Ludan pauses, eyes lingering on Kyro, "You are less of a soldier than I assumed," he says, looking at Ingen after a moment, "Well? Have you nothing to say?" he asks.

Ingen stands tall, glancing at Kyro, then looking back at Ludan, "The killers you speak of, I believe they are needed to win wars," he says, "But is that all their life should be? When they return home, should they not have a woman, a child, or a brother to greet them? Should they never be rewarded for their efforts?"

Ludan stares at Ingen for a moment, then waves a dismissive hand through the air, "Hopeless," he says, "Let us get to why you two are here. I understand that you encountered a Massor on Kalar. Is this true?"

Kyro nods, "It is. The creature attacked us despite our lack of numbers. We barely escaped," he says. Kyro stares at the relaxed man, the tide of confusion in his mind rising with each passing moment. All his life, he has been told that there are three Epochs. Yet this man spoke earlier as if he is the one and only.

And despite Ludan's evasion of Ingen's words, marriage has always been legal. The lone Epoch is clearly more complicated than Kyro once thought.

"I believe you. None have returned from Kalar after you two," Ludan says, straightening himself in the throne and leaning forward, elbows to knees.

"Truly?" Ingen asks, genuinely surprised to have won him over so easily.

Ludan looks up at Ingen, his flat expression never changing, "It is not likely, but the possibility has always existed," he responds, "Massors are pure Anima given form, vengeful souls that leak through cracks in the Praesi's structure. The barriers of the Branches are weak and can be damaged by the violent nature of the Anima realm. Those surrounding planets, however, are stable enough to withstand it. For them to be compromised, it would require a terribly destructive energy. One that is more powerful than anything any of us can fathom... That is what Tiren told me, at least."

"Why have people believe Massors can't appear on planets then?" Kyro asks.

"For one, it is an extremely rare occurrence," Ludan says, "Second, souls pass unnoticed by the creatures because there is a greater concentration of Anima energy in the branches. On planets, that small safety does not exist. If the public were to catch wind of these things, there would be mass panic."

Kyro blinks. That explains why the Massor attacked despite their low numbers. However, it does not explain why Cage was attacked; the man has no vas inside him, and that most likely applies to Anima as well. Kyro gasps aloud, a sudden realization slithering its way into his mind.

"Why are you telling us this?" Ingen asks.

"Because you will die," Ludan says bluntly.

Ingen clenches his jaw, glancing at Kyro to see the man's reaction. However, he seems to be distracted by something, deep in thought. Did he not hear what was just said? Suddenly, Kyro looks down at Ludan, a slight grin on his face.

"I think we may be able to deal with the Massor," Kyro says, breaking the silence.

The words earn an incredulous expression from both Ingen and Ludan, "Have you not been listening? There may be things about the Massors that are hidden from the public, but there is still no way to be rid of the creatures. One touch and you will die," Ludan says.

Kyro stands unmoving, gazing into the man's silver eyes with a solid expression. The flame of the brazier crackles behind, ashes rising and twirling in the air above. Ingen is still frozen with his face twisted in confusion. Have the withdrawals damaged Kyro's judgment? That very well could be the case.

Ludan hums, staring at nothing, seeming to be lost in thought. Suddenly, he chuckles, sitting back on the throne and looking up at Kyro, "Very well, then. Go and slay the Massor, Bloodhound," Ludan says, a wide grin on his red face.