chapter 9

As the sun started to rise, Adam's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the soft glow of morning light filtering through his window. Stretching lazily, he rose from his bed and made his way to his altar he had got. With a gentle touch, he cleaned the altar, ensuring it was presentable for the spirits he would commune with. Lighting the incense, he burned some dried meat as an offering.

In that moment, he felt a presence, the comforting weight of Anubis's gaze, alongside another spirit lingering nearby. A surge of energy coursed through him, replenishing the Gnosis he had expended the night before. It was a subtle reassurance, a silent affirmation of his connection to the otherworldly forces he invoked.

After that, Adam prepared for the day ahead. He donned his clothes, fastened his amulet around his neck, but when his hands reached for his weapons, they hesitated. Today, he felt no need for their reassuring weight, no looming threat that demanded their presence.

As Adam descended the stairs, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his family gathered in the kitchen. His mother, Faith, was standing by the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. Faith wore a simple yet elegant blouse paired with jeans.

Lucy, Adam's older sister, sat at the table, scrolling through her phone. Lucy's athletic frame was evident even as she sat, her muscles subtly defined beneath her casual attire. She wore a fitted t-shirt and jogger pants, ready for whatever the day might bring, her long hair tied back in a ponytail.

Across from Lucy, sat Jessy, Adam's brother, who was already digging into a plate of pancakes. Jessy wore a black hoodie adorned with band patches and ripped jeans.

"Morning, everyone." Adam greeted his family with a nod as he seated himself.

"Morning, Adam. Take a seat, I made pancakes." Faith replied, her tone affectionate as she gestured towards the steaming stack of pancakes on the table.

"Hey, Adam, you heard about this club Jessy is talking about?" Lucy chimed in.

"Yeah, I was there when they started." Adam confirmed.

"They want to invite me too." Lucy continued.

"You're inviting old people now?" Adam teased.

"Yeah, we need help from the senior citizens to help us." Jessy replied with a mischievous grin.

"Fuck both of you, I am only nineteen." Lucy retorted, earning a glare from Faith.

"Language!" Faith said gently as she placed a plates of pancakes in front of her kids.

"I can't say freak you two, I have to put some power in my insults." Lucy quipped, earning a chuckle from Adam.

"You shouldn't be insulting each other like that." Faith reminded them.

"To be fair, she isn't saying it out of hatred." Adam interjected.

"Why don't we change the subject." Jessy suggested. "The club we are making isn't really a club. We are a gathering of everyone with supernatural powers and try to survive together. I even asked mum to join us."

"And I say I can't." Faith explained. "I will have some people keeping an eye on you but I am very busy to help you with that club."

"That's fine but what about you Lucy?" Jessy asked. "We even got a couple of collage students to join from Sam's psychic people. Trust me you wouldn't be alone."

"Fine, I will come see your club but I will leave the moment I don't like it." Lucy said.

"Don't worry, you'll love it." Jessy said. "We have Izzy coming to teach us self-defense and we are doing group research on supernatural things."

"Okay that sounds interesting." Lucy said.

"What about you Adam, changed your mind about the club?" Jessy asked.

"No, I got more problems." Adam said. "There is a silent strider that seem to be summoning the dead. Last night I met a pack of Garou from the children of Gaia. They called themselves the earth's Vengence, they were hunting that Silent strider."

"What's a silent strider?" Lucy inquired.

"A tribe of Garou." Adam began. "They were from Egypt but Set cursed them so they can never go back. They are now nomads that travel everywhere."

 "Is there a difference between pack or tribe?" Jessy jumped in with a question.

"Yes, they are different." Faith chimed in. "A pack is a group of Garou that gather together and have a spirit that acts as their totem. The tribe is more complicated than that. For silent striders, it is blood and tradition. There are some tribes that only accept blood, some only tradition. All tribes have a powerful totem as their main one and some other totems that work for that main spirit totem."

"And this Children of Gaia, who are they?" Lucy asked.

"They are actually nice people." Adam responded.

"Usually." Faith interjected with a hint of skepticism.

"They believe in helping the Garou nation find their way." Adam continued. "I heard that they accepted Metis like normal members but I didn't believe they did until these guys. Their leader was a Metis called Stonehorn, he had horns on his head."

"Yep, that is Children of Gaia for you." Faith nodded her head. "Other tribes accept Metis too, like the bone gnawers, silent striders and glass walkers, but Children of Gaia are just too nice. Other than Bone gnawers the other two aren't that easy to join, especially silent striders, their totem spirit the owl would check you for silent strider blood then accepts you."

"Anubis said he wasn't accepted by silent striders, either but he is an ancestor spirit now." Adam disclosed, prompting a chorus of surprised reactions from his siblings.

"Did you say Anubis said? What does that mean?" Lucy asked.

"I thought I told you guys about meeting Anubis." Adam replied.

"You only told me." Faith interjected.

"I'm sorry you talked to Anubis? Like the god of dead Anubis." Jessy's disbelief was obvious.

"He seemed to be to be of silent striders, or their blood." Adam explained. "He was the one that said I had silent strider blood, not that it wasn't obvious with how I look in my wolf forms. He was the one that taught me visions of Duat. Truth be told, I already knew I had silent strider connection, my war form is basically Anubis but albino."

"When were you going to tell us?!" Lucy asked.

"You said you knew about gods but you didn't say you met one you dick." Jessy added, clearly stunned by the revelation.

"Language." Faith said.

"We were in mixed company." Adam explained

"Adam was right to hide it from others." Faith interjected. "Meeting Anubis would make a lot of silent striders respect him but a lot of them, alongside other tribes, might try to kill him for reasons like jealousy, the need to weaken the silent striders, and other dogshit politics."

"Language mom." Lucy said.

"I can say that, I am the parent here." Faith said.

"I mostly didn't want to make Anubis angry." Adam confessed. "Going around dropping his name in front of strangers sounds disrespectful."

"But we aren't strangers, you should have told us, you ass." Lucy retorted, her frustration evident.

"Language." Faith gently reminded her.

"I'm sorry, I forgot." Adam apologized.

"How the hell did you forget seeing a god?!" Jessy exclaimed.

"It happens." Adam shrugged.

"No, it doesn't." Lucy countered, though her anger was tempered by a hint of amusement, unable to resist the absurdity of the situation.

"Hey, we are going to be late for school. We should finish our breakfast." Adam suggested, eager to shift the focus away from his encounter with Anubis as they resumed their morning routine.

Jessy and Lucy were angry at Adam while Faith was smiling. The family decided not to push the matter any further. They continued their breakfast in relative silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Once they had finished eating, Lucy gathered her belongings and headed off to college, her mind still swirling with questions about Adam's confession.

Meanwhile, Jessy and Adam grabbed their backpacks and made their way to high school, the usual banter and chatter resuming as they walked. Adam felt a sense of relief as the conversation shifted away from the topic of gods and Garou.

As the day progressed, Adam found himself navigating through his classes, his attention often drifting as he struggled to stay engaged with the material being taught. The lectures seemed to drag on endlessly, each passing minute feeling like an eternity as he waited for the bell to signal the end of yet another period.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the start of the lunch break. Adam made his way to the cafeteria, his footsteps echoing in the halls as he joined the throngs of students flooding into the lunchroom.

As he scanned the crowded room for a place to sit, Adam spotted Jessy, Sam, and Maya making their way towards him, accompanied by the new face. The new guy was the same one with wraiths, Adam remembered Jessy calling him Ben.

Sam, caught Adam's eye first wearing flowing floral dress paired with a denim jacket, her long hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders. Maya, true to her athletic nature, wore leggings and a fitted tank top and a jacket over it. Be was dressed in a black hoodie and ripped jeans and a couple of chains around his neck.

"Hey everyone." Adam greeted as the others approached.

"Hey Adam." Sam replied, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Hey wolfy." Maya chimed in with a playful grin.

Adam acknowledged the playful jab with a grin of his own before turning his attention to Jessy, who gestured to the newcomer beside him. "Adam, meet Ben." he said.

"Sup." Ben greeted with a casual nod, though there was an underlying tension in his demeanor that Adam couldn't help but notice.

"Hi, nice to meet you." Adam replied.

As the others took their seats, Adam cast a subtle spell to ensure their conversation remained private. Jessy settled beside him, while the others sat across from them, forming a tight circle.

"So, you are a werewolf?" Ben asked, again there was some fear and anger in his voice.

"I am." Adam answered.

"These guys say you see the dead, is it true?" Ben's question was direct, tinged with a hint of suspicion.

"If I focus, yeah." Adam answered.

"He was the one that saw Dan and Donna." Sam interjected, her tone gentle.

"Are those the wraiths with him?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, they are." Ben answered dryly.

"Were they killed by werewolves?" Adam asked.

"Adam, you are being an ass... I think." Jessy interjected.

"No, I don't think I am." Adam held his ground. "I might not be good at talking to people, but Mum taught me how to feel fear and anger and those are important emotions."

"What are you trying to say?" Maya asked, she wasn't happy whit how Adam was acting.

"He is blaming me." Adam said. "When he asked about me being a werewolf, he was angry and that anger got worst when we talked about wraiths. Werewolves probably had killed the wraiths with him and he hates me for it."

"Were they killed by werewolves?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, they were." Ben admitted, his tone still tinged with frustration.

"Do you think they were one of those dancer ones?" Sam questioned Adam.

"Black spiral dancer." Adam corrected.

"Wait, there are different types of you guys?" Ben's surprise was evident.

"Yes, there are a lot of us." Adam confirmed.

"So, what, the other werewolves wouldn't kill innocents?" Ben asked

"Oh, they would." Adam replied bluntly. "There are the Red Talons, who believe we have to act more like wolves than humans and they would happily kill humans. There are the Shadow Lords who would kill people for their secrets, and the Silver Fangs...those guys have very messed up ideals that would lead to the greater good, but still messed up. There are also some packs that practice cannibalistic rituals or those that don't find food, so they eat human meat, or at least that's what they say. I've never eaten humans."

"But you wouldn't kill two innocents, right?" Sam asked, seeking reassurance.

"No, of course not." Adam reassured her calmly.

"Is there a way to tell who killed them?" Ben questioned.

"There are many ways to do that." Adam explained. "I've got some books about Garou rituals that can help see what the dead saw. That way, I can learn who did it, but it will take time for me to memorize them."

"Are you willing to do that for strangers?" Ben's tone softened slightly, a touch of respect creeping in.

"Well, I love magic, so yes." Adam replied with a hint of pride. "If my love for magic is going to help others, then even better."

"You're an asshole, but an alright asshole." Ben admitted with a half-smile, breaking the tension.

"Thanks." Adam said.

"Does everyone that is killed turn into a ghost?" Maya asked.

"No, wraiths are situational things." Adam explained, his tone measured. "They could die too fast so they don't know they died, some of those turn to wraiths. Some have unfinished business, some are forced with magic and other things like that."

"Donna says something else." Ben interjected, his voice carrying a somber weight. "She, says she was pulled into the shadow land when the Garou killed her. She says it was like being forced to stay there by the death."

Adam's expression shifted, concern etched into his features. "She was?" His voice held an edge of urgency. "The Garou that killed her, did they have claws and fangs made of obsidian or turn to something like that?"

"Garou?" Ben asked.

"Our word for werewolf." Adam said.

"Do you know something?" Maya pressed, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Garou have these powers called gifts." Adam began to explain, his voice tinged with apprehension. "We can learn them through trial and error, which is very hard to do, or we can learn through spirits. The spirits that teach the grave claw gift usually show up if there is a disaster coming. The last time they were seen was over twenty years ago, or that's what the books say."

"Okay hold on, what is a grave claw?" Jessy asked.

"A black spiral dancer gift, it forces a dead spirit to turn to wraith." Adam said.

"The ghosts in the city have been having problems." Ben interjected, his voice laced with concern. "The cemetery and some other places are closed. I saw ghosts coming to the cemetery and people say they hear gunshots there. Do you think that these two are connected?"

"No, that isn't connected to the spirit but it is a Garou's doing." Adam asserted confidently. "I destroyed the spell, and many other Garou are hunting the one that is casting it. You guys don't have to worry about that, we will kill that guy sooner or later."

"Could it be an old werewolf that learned it from the time those spirits showed up the last time?" Sam pondered aloud.

"It could be." Adam acknowledged. "Either way, you guys don't have to worry about it that much. Just be careful, keep an eye out, and let stronger entities that want to protect the world deal with it."

"Hey Adam, Dan and Donna are saying thank you for fixing that in the cemetery." Ben said.

"No problem." Adam responded.

The group's conversation went through various topics, ranging from upcoming school events to recent movies and a lot of supernatural things. They laughed and shared stories, enjoying each other's company during the lunch break. 

As the bell signaling the end of the break rang, they reluctantly parted ways, each heading back to their respective classes. After school, Adam, felt a sense of relief as he made his way home directly after school.

Arriving at his house, he wasted no time in delving into his new books, eager to uncover more secrets about the supernatural world. With each page turned, Adam's fascination grew, his mind absorbing the knowledge contained within the ancient texts.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Adam prepared to venture out into the gathering darkness. He dressed in a simple t-shirt, jacket, and pants, concealing his weapons beneath his outer layers. 

With a purposeful stride, Adam made his way toward the cemetery once more, his mind set on unraveling the mysteries that lingered within its confines. Thanks to the pocket money his mother had provided, he had no trouble hailing a cab to speed him to his destination.

Arriving at the cemetery, Adam felt the familiar tingle of magic in the air, mingling with the unmistakable presence of a Garou's gift. Curiosity piqued, he pressed forward, determined to investigate further.

Climbing the familiar walls with agile grace, Adam slipped into the cemetery grounds, his senses alert to any signs of danger. As he passed through an invisible barrier, he was greeted by the discordant sounds of battle, blades clashing, creatures snarling and the unmistakable presence of death lingering in the air. Adam also saw corpses on the ground. There were four corpses, two wolves one human and one a Garou in Crinos form. All four had the unmistakable scent of a Garou that had shifted to birth form in death.

Adam carefully removes his clothes and items, placing them neatly near the wall of the cemetery. As he prepares for the transformation, he removed the fang daggers and grasps them in his hands. With a deep breath, he lets go, allowing the shift to his birth form, the Crinos form, to take hold.

In an instant, his body undergoes a profound metamorphosis. His frame stretches and contorts, muscles bulging and bones elongating as he grows to towering heights, surpassing three meters in stature(More than ten feet). His once-human features dissolve into those of a monstrous wolf, with the head and face of an Egyptian jackal, reminiscent of the deity Anubis. His fur takes on an ethereal, pristine white. His eyes, like pools of liquid silver, gleam with an otherworldly intensity. In this fearsome Crinos form, Adam exudes an aura of primal strength and raw ferocity, embodying the essence of his Garou heritage, the aura that puts mortals in delirium.

As Adam ventures deeper into the cemetery, the scene of carnage unfolds before him. The ground was littered with corpses, both human and Garou, bearing the telltale marks of brutal claw and slashing wounds. Wounded Garou stagger past him.

Among the injured Adam recognized the scent of Jack in his Lupus form, his fur matted with blood, desperately attempting to halt Adam's advance. Ignoring the warning, Adam presses onward, drawn by the sound of the ongoing battle.

Drawing closer, Adam's gaze falls upon a formidable figure, a Garou with the unmistakable features of a silent strider. The Garou stands tall in his Crinos form, his jet-black fur bristling with ferocity. His head bears the distinct traits of the Egyptian jackal, with pointed ears and a snout lined with razor-sharp teeth. Amber eyes gleam with an otherworldly fire, reflecting the flames of battle that rage within.

In the silent strider's grip rests a massive Khopesh, a weapon crafted for a Garou of formidable strength in the form of the ancient Egyptian swords. Adam's spirit sense detects a chilling presence emanating from the blade, bound to it are two spirits. This is no ordinary weapon, it is a Grand Klaive, a relic of ancient power lost to time, its secrets known only to the most ancient of Garou.

The Khopesh itself is a work of artistry and malevolence, forged from darkened steel and etched with intricate hieroglyphs that speak of forgotten rituals and arcane knowledge. Its hilt, wrapped in worn leather, resonates with the essence of the Shadowlands, imbued with a haunting aura that chills the very soul. At its pommel, a single sapphire-like gem glows with an eerie blue light, casting ominous shadows across the battlefield.

Engaged in fierce combat with the silent strider is Stonehorn, his once-proud form battered and bloodied. He seemed to have lost an arm in the fight. Despite his injuries, he fights with unyielding determination, his one remaining arm wielding a weapon of his own as he clashes with his formidable adversary.

Adam swiftly enacted his plan, hurling both of his fang daggers towards the silent strider with precision. The daggers struck the ground in front of the silent strider with a resounding impact, shattering the earth and capturing the attention of both combatants.

"Adam, run! This foe is too powerful!" Stonehorn called out in Lupus form.

"You do not have to leave, Adam." The silent strider spoke in English. "I smell the blood of family in you. And your face might be a little different, but it is obvious that you are one of the silent striders."

A Garou speaking Lupus language in Crinos form speaks of great control. Speaking English in Crinos form was a different level of control, one that Adam didn't know was possible.

Adam offered no response, instead subtly extending his consciousness to his fang daggers, once a part of his own body, now tools under his command.

"I am Malakai the Eternal, the greatest necromancer you will ever see." Malakai continued. "My only goal is to break the curse of silent striders. I know with you being in this tribe makes you think you aren't one of us, but the curse is with you, it is in your blood. I do not ask you to join me, just turn back. I am many things, but I don't want to be a kinslayer."

Adam maintained his silence, his mind focused on the incantation he conjured, weaving his magic into the fang daggers embedded in the ground. In a swift and unexpected move, the daggers surged upwards, finding their mark and striking Malakai with precision between the legs. Grunting in pain, Malakai dropped to one knee, while Stonehorn seized the opportunity to attack, his klaive aimed at Malakai, only for Malakai to defend himself by bring his blade up, stopping stonehorn's attack.

Stonehorn retreated as Malakai lunged forward, aiming to slash at Stonehorn's abdomen with the claws of his free hand. Despite being wounded, Malakai swiftly rose to his feet and unleashed a barrage of slashes at Stonehorn, who expertly parried each attack with his own Klaive. Malakai's speed was astounding, his claws and Klaive flashing through the air in a relentless assault, yet Stonehorn managed to match his pace, deflecting every strike with precision.

Meanwhile, Adam tapped into his Gnosis, conjuring two orbs of blue flame into his hands. He advanced and hurled the fiery projectiles at Malakai. Anticipating the attack, Malakai attempted to swat the flames away, burning one of his hands to extinguish one but failing to dodge the other, which seared into his neck, causing him to bellow in agony.

Distracted by the pain, Malakai left himself vulnerable, allowing Stonehorn to exploit the opening and slash at his stomach with the Klaive. In retaliation, fueled by his rage, Malakai delivered a ferocious blow to Stonehorn with the claws of his free hand, sending him hurtling backward several meters.

Turning his attention to Adam, Malakai's fury intensified. Channeling his rage, Malakai propelled himself toward Adam with incredible speed. Adam braced himself for the attack but was taken aback by Malakai's swiftness. In a blink of an eye, Malakai closed the distance, launching a horizontal strike aimed at cleaving Adam in two. Reacting instinctively, Adam leaped backward with all his might, narrowly avoiding being cut in half. However, the blade still managed to graze his stomach, leaving a searing, agonizing wound unlike anything he had ever experienced.

As Malakai swung both his Klaive and clawed hand down on Adam, the young Garou tapped into his primal rage, triggering a rapid transformation. In a blur of motion, Adam's body began to shift, shrinking and morphing into his Glabro form. This half-transformation, while not instantaneous, allowed Adam to swiftly dodge Malakai's attacks by slipping between the gap formed by the descending hands.

With his now thinner body, Adam maneuvered himself to the gap between Malakai's hands, evading the lethal strikes aimed at him. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward, driving towards Malakai's chest with determination. Both of his hands shot up, claws extended like wild, untamed blades in a double uppercut motion, cutting through Malakai's chest as he rose his clawed hands. In the midst of the attack, Adam allowed his body to take his birth form, his body shifting back to its Crinos form. This time, the shift was swifter.

The force of Adam's shifting body collided with Malakai's arms, driving them apart with irresistible strength. Simultaneously, the power of his double uppercut was amplified by the momentum of his transformation. Adam's razor-sharp claws tore into Malakai's chest and face, slicing through flesh and bone, and sending the necromancer hurtling backward with tremendous force.

Malakai landed hard on his back, the impact reverberating through the earth beneath him. Stonehorn seized the opportunity, leaping toward Malakai with the lethal precision of a seasoned warrior. With a powerful downward strike, Stonehorn brought his klaive crashing down onto Malakai's abdomen. A guttural roar of fury erupted from Malakai as he attempted to retaliate, swiping his claws toward Stonehorn's flank. Anticipating the attack, Stonehorn harnessed his rage, propelling himself away from Malakai's deadly reach and swiftly redirected his focus toward Adam.

"I changed my mind, you can stay." Stonehorn spoke

Stonehorn then used a Metis gift called mental speech. This opened a telepathic link between him and Adam. Adam readily accepted the mental connection, their thoughts merging seamlessly.

'Adam, we move from both sides.' Stonehorn communicated mentally. 'I will go left and you right. Use your flames if you can but wait until I engage him.'

'Got it.' Adam acknowledged mentally.

In perfect synchronization, the two Garou darted toward Malakai from opposite angles, their coordinated assault catching Malakai off guard. Stonehorn clashed with Malakai in a thunderous collision of metal, their klaives meeting with a resounding clash. Meanwhile, Adam, seizing his opportunity, summoned forth his flames once more, hurling them toward Malakai's exposed flank. Both fiery projectiles found their mark, scorching Malakai's side and eliciting a pained howl from the necromancer.

As Stonehorn pressed his attack, Malakai's defenses faltered, the relentless barrage forcing him into a defensive stance. Seizing the opening, Adam darted low, sinking his teeth into Malakai's ankle and wrenching back. Yet, to Adam's surprise, Malakai's strength proved staggering and he found himself struggling against the necromancer's feet.

With a swift and powerful motion, Malakai raised his other foot and brought it crashing down onto Adam's back, the force of the blow staggering, making Adam let go. Meanwhile, Stonehorn, seeing an opportunity, lunged forward, driving his klaive deep into Malakai's chest. But the blow missed the heart by a few centimeters, Malakai, fueled by his rage, unleashed a devastating counterattack with his Klaive, severing Stonehorn's remaining arm with a single ferocious swing. Despite the grievous injury, Stonehorn retained his composure, withdrawing to a defensive position as Malakai loomed over them, wounded yet undeterred.

Malakai acted swiftly, wrenching the klaive from his chest and discarding it with a clatter. His wounds, however, refused to heal quickly, the combined injuries inflicted by klaive and Garou claws proving grievous.

With victory and defeat teetering on a razor's edge, Adam's desperation surged. He knew he couldn't vanquish Malakai alone, without the aid of Stonehorn or another powerful Garou. His mind raced, seeking out an alternative solution.

Backing away, Adam scanned his surroundings until his gaze fell upon the newly formed spell anchoring the wraiths to this place. A spark of inspiration ignited within him.

Drawing upon his rage, Adam channeled its raw power, infusing himself with newfound strength and speed. With a primal roar, he charged toward Malakai, catching the necromancer off guard. In a daring move, Adam plunged his claws into Malakai's stomach, hoisting him up and propelling him toward the spell's anchor.

Despite Stonehorn's frantic mental pleas urging him to flee, Adam pressed onward, severing their telepathic connection without hesitation.

Malakai attempted to impede Adam's progress, driving his klaive into Adam's back, but the blow only fueled Adam's resolve. With single-minded determination, Adam propelled himself toward the spell's anchor, using it as a conduit to breach the barrier between realms, just as he had done before.

As they crossed into the shadowlands, Adam's strength waned, forcing him to release his grip on Malakai. Seizing the opportunity, Malakai retaliated, wrenching his klaive from Adam's back and seizing him by the neck, lifting him off of the ground.

"What was your plan, fool?" Malakai snarled, his voice laced with anger. "Do you think the shadowlands will harm me? This realm poses no threat to you naturally, it doesn't for anyone."

"I know." Adam managed to reply in Lupus tongue. "The creatures in here are the ones that you should fear"

Summoning his last ounce of strength, Adam reached out through the bond he shared with Anubis, beseeching the ancient spirit for aid, offering Gnosis. It was a desperate gambit, but the only one he had left. The desperate plea was followed Adam's words "I found the necromancer"

"I cannot heed every call." Anubis's voice echoed within Adam's mind. "But this is different. You are within my domain, the shadowlands and you grant me permission to utilize your body as a beacon. In this, I can answer."

Anubis materialized behind Adam in a burst of swirling black flame, his towering form eclipsing both Adam and Malakai. Fear seized Malakai, causing him to release Adam and stumble backward in terror.

Desperation lent speed to Malakai's limbs as he attempted to flee, but Anubis was upon him in an instant, moving with a swiftness unmatched by anything Adam or Malakai had ever witnessed. With a powerful blow, Anubis slammed his claws into Malakai's chest, lifting him off the ground. Malakai's futile attempts to strike back with his klaive were met with futility as Anubis's claws seemed to drain the life force from his body.

A pitiful whimper escaped Malakai's lips as he relinquished his hold on the klaive, his gaze filled with dread. Anubis seized Malakai with his other hand, his grip unyielding as he prepared to deliver judgment. Anubis pulled Malakai's body apart and his wraith stayed on Anubis's claws.

"You will meet the darkness." Anubis intoned solemnly to Malakai before turning his gaze to Adam. "Thank you, Adam. This act truly establishes you as a brother. But do not mistake this for servitude. I will not heed your calls again."

"I'm fine with that." Adam replied, settling down to focus on accelerating his healing process while slowly shifting to his Homid form. "Hey, about the klaive, do you think I can keep it?"

"I advise against it." Anubis cautioned. "A weapon of such power will make you a target. Instead, present it to the first silent strider pack you encounter. Offering it to your tribe will serve as a significant rite of passage."

"I'll do that." Adam agreed. "I'm leaving this place now. I don't think I have the strength to destroy the spell at the moment."

But before Adam could depart, Malakai's wraith interjected, speaking with a sense of urgency that belied his spectral form.

"Hear me out, great one." Malakai implored. "All I sought was to aid the tribe in breaking the curse and combating Set. I do not seek forgiveness, only the chance to impart knowledge."

Anubis's gaze hardened. "You will be judged, and you will face the consequences."

"I care not for my judgment." Malakai persisted. "What matters is the knowledge that will be lost when I am consigned to oblivion. Allow this young warrior to learn from me, to inherit the wisdom I possess."

"That would take years to learn." Anubis countered sternly. "I will not delay your judgment for that long. You will be judged and meet the darkness."

"It wouldn't take long with Dormant Wisdom." Malakai interjected, a glimmer of hope in his tone.

"No! I will not allow it." Anubis retorted firmly. "I won't let you turn him into a pawn in your games. Your knowledge dies with you."

"We are all pawns." Malakai argued, his voice carrying a sense of resignation. "All Garou are in a game, and we are losing. Let me give the Garou nation a chance of victory, however small. I freely give my knowledge to him, ensuring he encounters no obstacles in absorbing it."

Anubis hesitated, his gaze shifting between Adam and Malakai, contemplating the weight of the decision at hand. Eventually, he relented and lowered Malakai to the ground.

As Adam examined Malakai in his wraith form, he noted the imposing figure before him was now in Homid form. Despite the ethereal nature of his form, Malakai retained a sense of strength and resilience, with weathered features hinting at the countless years he had spent traversing the shadowy realms.

"I will allow it only if Adam accepts." Anubis declared, addressing both of them. "But remember, Adam, this ritual carries ancient significance within the silent strider tribe. Most of the silent strider packs have stopped performing it and see it as a crime since the days of the curse. Its use may draw unwanted attention and hostility from other Garou."

"I'm sorry, what is happening?" Adam asked in Lupus tongue.

"I want you to ritualistically eat my brain." Malakai stated plainly.

"What?!" Adam recoiled in disbelief.

"Listen carefully." Malakai urged, his tone serious. "This ritual will grant you some of my knowledge and Garou gifts. But it will also render you vulnerable to wyrm influence for a time, much like the taboo act of consuming human flesh. Refrain from the latter and if you ever resort to this ritual again, allow some time to pass, a month would be good."

"But cannibalism goes against the Litany." Adam protested.

Malakai's response was sharp and unforgiving. "To hell with the Litany. The strongest Garou bend its rules to grow stronger, while preaching its sanctity to the young. In death I can sense your nature, your very existence as a Metis is a defiance of its principles."

Adam felt a surge of uncertainty, torn between his convictions and the potential for power offered by Malakai's proposal.

"What... What do you want me to do?" Adam finally asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Before you proceed." Anubis interjected, his tone solemn. "Know that the gifts bestowed upon you will not come without challenges. Take heed of the responsibilities that come with this knowledge. Necromancy is a double-edged sword and its misuse could make me your enemy. Promise me that you will tread carefully and seek my guidance when in doubt."

"I understand." Adam nodded.

"When the ritual is done to a Garou, we would need an altar to make it easier." Malakai's voice broke the silence, his tone weighted with solemnity. "The altar helps with connecting to the ancestor spirit, but we don't need it here, since Anubis is here. We need candles, I don't know where to get those."

"I can fix it." Anubis's voice echoed from the shadows.

With a deft gesture, Anubis conjured forth four candles from the very essence of the shadowlands, their flames casting an eerie glow upon the scene. The candles ignited in unison, their flickering light illuminating Malakai's form with an otherworldly aura.

"Now, Adam, open my skull." Malakai's command was firm.

Adam first tapped into the rage that he had built in the battle to change his form. He took the Glabro form, form that still had his claws and better control of his emotions. Adam, now in his Glabro form, approached Malakai's body with measured steps. With precise movements, he extended his elongated claws and began to delicately pry open Malakai's skull without harming the brain.

"Now, repeat after me." Malakai's voice resonated through the chamber

 The words came forth and Adam seem to understand them even though they were of an ancient language. The veil of language did not exist in shadowlands and all voices had the same meaning in the ear of the listener. As Malakai spoke Adam repeated the words.

'In the tongue of the ancients, I call upon the spirits of the shadowlands

Where the veil between worlds grows thin, and death holds sway.

Grant me passage into the realm of the departed,

That I may partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge

And unlock the secrets hidden within the depths of the void.

I invoke the ancient rites of necrotic communion,

Let the barriers between flesh and spirit be torn asunder,

As I feast upon the essence of the departed,

And drink deep from the cup of forbidden wisdom.'

"Now feast, let nothing remain of my brain." Malakai's command hung in the air, the final invocation of the ritual.

Adam hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixated on the grisly remains before him. The idea of consuming another's brain seemed surreal, almost grotesque, yet the allure of its promised power beckoned him forward.

With a deep breath, he steeled himself and reached out, his fingers trembling as they made contact with the gelatinous mass. Bringing it to his lips, he closed his eyes and took a hesitant bite. The taste flooded his senses. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced, sending shivers of pleasure down his spine.

But it wasn't just the taste that enthralled him. With each swallow, he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, healing his wounds with astonishing speed. It was as if the essence of Malakai's being was infusing him with newfound vitality, replenishing him in body and spirit.

As he consumed the brain, Adam felt a profound shift taking place within him. He absorbed the Gnosis contained within Malakai's body, feeling his own reserves replenished and expanded. It was as if he could now hold more Gnosis than ever before, his capacity for spiritual energy expanding with each passing moment.

With the Gnosis came knowledge, a torrent of information flooding his mind like a raging river. Garou gifts manifested within him, each one emerging as if he had learned it from a spirit himself. He felt the power of the Garou coursing through him, filling him with a sense of purpose and strength.

But as the last remnants of the brain were consumed, Adam was overcome by a momentary daze. The influx of information was overwhelming, causing searing pain to shoot through his skull. His body convulsed uncontrollably, shifting into his Crinos form as the agony threatened to overwhelm him.

When he finally emerged from the haze, Malakai and Anubis were nowhere to be found. Feeling a newfound sense of vitality coursing through his veins, Adam turned his attention to the task at hand, destroying the spell that bound the wraiths to the cemetery. As he approached the spot where the spell was anchored, a realization dawned upon him, he possessed the knowledge to dismantle it without the need for a circle of will.

With a focused mind, Adam reached out to the surrounding shadowlands, tapping into the ethereal realm that enveloped him. Drawing upon his newly replenished well of Gnosis, he channeled the spiritual energy through the fabric of the shadowlands itself. With deliberate precision, he directed the flow of Gnosis towards the spell's anchor, watching as the energy fused with the essence of the shadowlands, instantly shattering the binding enchantment. The essence of shadowlands returned to shadowlands while the Gnosis he used to destroy the spell returned to him.

As the spell disintegrated, Adam felt the pull of the skinlands beckoning him back. Swiftly, he made his way to Malakai's lifeless form, retrieving his fang daggers. As Adam retrieved his fang daggers from Malakai's body, his gaze fell upon the imposing Grand Klaive that the necromancer had wielded in their battle. Recognizing its significance and the potential danger it posed, Adam without hesitation grabbed the klaive. With the weapons secured in his big hands, he allowing the skinlands to draw him back into the mortal realm.

Upon his return, Adam found himself standing in the same spot as before, only a scant amount of time having passed. Adam dropped the weapons to the ground then he drew a circle around himself, infusing it with his will. Thinking about an incantation he had recently learned from the ritual, Adam focused his thoughts on his attire and belongings.

A dark mist enveloped his form as he started to slowly shift to his Homid form. The black smoke shrank alongside him as Adam shifted back to his Homid form, his clothes and items materializing around him with each passing moment. Finally, as the mist dissipated, Adam stood in the cemetery, fully clothed and equipped once more in his Homid form.

"Adam?" A voice came from behind Adam.

As Adam turned to the unexpected voice, he was met with the sight of Stonehorn, who stood with Ember nearby. Both were in their Homid forms, their nakedness a testament to the chaos of the recent battle. Ember seemed to have stitched one of Stonehorn's hands back and was halfway through the other, Stonhorn's own healing power was helping with reattaching the arm.

"What the fuck just happened?!" Ember exclaimed.

"Did... did you kill him?" Stonehorn's voice was laced with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

"No, Anubis did." Adam replied.

"I'm sorry, who?" Stonehorn's confusion was visible.

"The spirit I mentioned that asked me to destroy the spells, it was Anubis." Adam explained.

"Anubis, the god of death?" Stonehorn said incredulity.

"Anubis, the ancient silent strider ancestor." Adam clarified. "He used my living soul as a beacon to come help. He seemed to really want Malakai dead."

"Okay, that's wild and all, but how did you get your clothes back?" Ember asked

"My mum, the woman that adopted me is a sorcerer, she taught me a lot of spells." Adam replied matter-of-factly.

"If all strays get it this good, count me in." Ember quipped.

"So, the necromancer is dead?" Stonehorn asked confirmation.

"Yeah, Anubis took care of him, took his soul for judgment and all." Adam confirmed.

"And that klaive is his?" Stonehorn pointed at the weapon in front of Adam.

"Yeah, I took it." Adam admitted. "But I'm not keeping it. Anubis said it's better to take it to a silent strider pack, like some sort of rite of passage."

"Fuck that, you can join us and keep the klaive." Ember interjected eagerly.

"The klaive must return to the silent striders." Stonehorn declared. "But I agree, you can be accepted by our pack. I'll connect you to our totem and accept you as one of the Children of Gaia Garou."

"Sorry, but I have to go to the silent striders." Adam said. "Nothing against you guys, but they're my blood. And if I get accepted by them, I can contact the spirits that can teach me Silent Strider gifts."

"Packs don't have to be from one tribe." Stonehorn interjected, his voice carrying a note of openness. "Yes, my pack is mostly Children of Gaia, but we can accept others. You'll have a connection to another totem spirit, and we'll teach you many of our gifts."

"Listen, you guys are great, but no." Adam replied, his tone resolute yet appreciative. "I'd be happy to help you guys in the future if you need it, but being tied to one totem is enough for me. Being part of a pack is too much for me right now."

"If you ever change your mind, you can find us in Griffith Park." Stonehorn offered.

"Sure, and thanks for the help." Adam replied gratefully.

Adam retrieved his fang daggers, concealing them beneath his clothes, before picking up the Grand Klaive with both hands. He made his way towards the entrance of the cemetery. But as he approached the threshold, a realization dawned upon him, he couldn't simply walk the streets with a giant klaive in hand.

Thinking quickly, he dialed his mother's number, urgency evident in his voice as he explained the situation and requested a lift. Faith wasted no time in coming to his aid.

Once inside the car, Adam leaned back, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon him. He didn't offer many explanations to his mother, simply promising to fill her in later. Faith had a myriad of questions, but for now, she chose to let them rest, focusing instead on getting Adam home safely.