chapter 11

It was a Friday morning, and Adam was dressed in his usual attire: a baggy t-shirt, cargo pants, and sturdy work boots. His sunglasses shielded his sensitive eyes from the sun, and the crescent moon pendant hung around his neck, a reminder of his Garou heritage.

He found himself on one of Griffith Park's many paths, frustration bubbling up inside him. He had been there for what felt like hours, attempting to trace a spiritual energy he kept sensing. But every time he got close, he would inexplicably end up at the start of the trail, as if nothing had happened. The circular pattern was maddening, almost like the woods themselves were playing tricks on him.

After a while, Adam decided to take a different approach. Instead of relying on the physical world, he would travel into the spirit world. He closed his eyes, focusing on the deep connection to his spiritual nature. As he did, the lines between the material world and the Umbra began to blur.

When he opened his eyes, Adam turned in a random direction, letting the spirit world guide him. As he walked, the landscape around him began to shift, subtle at first. The air felt thicker, the trees taller and more imposing. Soon, he could see faint spirits flitting through the shadows of the leaves, and spectral forms moved at the edge of his vision. The barrier between worlds was now fully crossed.

Deeper into the spirit world, Adam felt the same Garou shamanic magic that had kept him from advancing before, but this time, it held no power over him. He was already in the Umbra, beyond the physical world's bindings.

As he ventured further, the forest became denser, and soon enough, a large pack of translucent wolf spirits emerged from the underbrush. Their eyes glowed faintly, and though they growled, none attacked. They were guarding something—protecting their territory.

"Calm down," Adam said, his voice steady but respectful. "I come in peace. Some Bone Gnawers from the Wet Dog pack told me to come here. I'm supposed to meet one of you, someone who can help me find their elders."

One of the wolf spirits stepped forward, its glowing eyes inspecting Adam. The creature sniffed him carefully, tilting its head as though confused or intrigued by something it sensed. Adam took a breath, knowing this was a delicate moment.

"I met a Silent Strider ancestor spirit in the Shadowlands," Adam added, hoping that would make his presence more acceptable. "Long story."

The wolf spirit seemed to understand. It no longer looked threatening, its growls fading into the background. It even tilted its head in a manner that made it look almost... cute. Without further delay, the wolf turned and began to walk deeper into the forest. Adam sensed it wanted him to follow, and so he did.

The wolf spirit guided Adam through the spiritual landscape of Griffith Park, which quickly shifted around them. The disorienting transitions between dense forest and the urban environment of Los Angeles blurred together. One moment they were in the thick woods, the next they were in the spirit world's reflection of the city streets.

The wolf moved confidently, avoiding the more dangerous spirits that lingered near the city. Adam kept close, knowing the spirit was his only guide through this unfamiliar territory. He could sense the dangers lurking nearby, but the wolf's presence made the journey smoother.

Before long, they arrived at Venice Beach. In the physical world, this would've been a much longer trip, but in the Umbra, time and distance had different rules. Adam followed the wolf to an area close to the beach where he could feel the unmistakable power of Theurges—Garou spirit-magic. The very essence of the place had been tampered with to better suit Garou, turning it into a spiritual refuge.

The wolf led him to a large mall-like structure in the spirit world, which was surrounded by hundreds of spirits. The air here was thick with spiritual energy. From a distance, Adam saw Garou stepping in and out of the spirit world at the mall's entrance, moving between the Umbra and the physical world with practiced ease. One of them, a Garou in its Hispo form—massive and direwolf-like—spotted Adam from afar.

Not wanting to cause any trouble, Adam decided to pull back. He made the decision to approach the area from the physical world, or "skin lands," as the Garou called it. But first, he would need to return home and make the shift back to the physical world from the safety of his room.

"Thanks, buddy," Adam said, giving the wolf a grateful smile. He petted its head, feeling the cool, ethereal fur beneath his hand. The wolf nuzzled him in return before turning and trotting back into the shadows of the spirit world.

Adam made his way toward his house, aware of the dangers that lay ahead. Without the wolf spirit guiding him, the spirit world could be far more treacherous. The journey would take longer and require much more caution. Realizing this, he stopped in his tracks, finding a small secluded spot where he could safely shift.

He stripped off his clothes and carefully tucked them into a corner. Shifting into his Crinos form—the war form and his birth form—was both a tactical choice and a necessity. His tall, hulking body, covered in white fur, now resembled a fearsome Anubis-like figure. As the shift completed, he felt the primal surge of his inner beast, a violent force struggling to break free. For a brief moment, he felt his control slipping, but he forced himself to calm down.

Crinos form was always a challenge to maintain, but for a Metis like Adam, especially in the spirit world, it was manageable. He took a deep breath, channeling his willpower, and regained full control.

Next, Adam created a magical circle around his clothes and personal items, scratching intricate sigils into the ground with his claws. He drew from the energy of the spirit world, shaping it to assist his magic. With a thought, he transported the items into a pocket dimension—one tethered to him, ready to be retrieved when needed.

Satisfied with his preparations, Adam shifted again—this time into his Lupus form, the wolf form. His appearance in this shape was striking, resembling an Egyptian jackal with sleek, white fur. With his heightened senses and natural agility, he began moving quickly through the spirit world, his paws barely making a sound on the spectral ground.

His first destination was the site of a Wyrm Nexus he had destroyed before. It was always important to keep tabs on places like these, to ensure they didn't regenerate or allow further corruption. As Adam reached the area, he saw the familiar signs of battle. Wyrm spirits and Weaver spirits were locked in a brutal fight, their energies clashing violently. But something else caught his eye—Black Spiral Dancer Theurges were aiding the Wyrm spirits, tipping the balance of power in their favor.

Adam clenched his teeth. The presence of the Spiral Dancers made this battle far more dangerous, not just for the spirit world, but for the Skinlands as well. If the Wyrm won here, the resulting corruption would bleed into the physical realm. He couldn't allow that to happen.

Without hesitation, Adam shifted again, taking his Glabro form. Now, he stood as a tall, muscular man with long, sharp claws and teeth, his body covered in patches of fur. He was ready for battle, but brute force wouldn't be enough. He needed to trap the banes, even if only for a while.

Drawing on his knowledge of hedge magic, Adam began carving sigils into the ground with his claws, setting traps that would hold the Wyrm spirits. As he worked, a sudden flashback hit him—memories, but not his own. They belonged to Malakai.

In the memory, Adam saw Malakai speaking with a Garou from the Uktena tribe, a Theurge like himself. The Uktena was a Native American, powerful and wise in the ways of spirit magic. Adam watched as the Uktena used a unique form of sorcery, taught to the tribe by their totem spirit, Uktena. It was a method not only to trap Banes but also to turn them against one another. The intricate knowledge of these ancient spells was unlike anything Adam had ever encountered.

When Adam snapped back to the present, an idea began to form. He didn't have the same level of magic as the Uktena, but he could still work with what he knew. If he couldn't defeat the Banes directly, he could at least confuse and disrupt them, turning their aggression on each other.

Leaving the battlefield behind, Adam ran toward the nearest crystal web—the domain of the Weaver spirits. These spirits represented the forces of order and structure, their forms often resembling spiders or other geometric constructs. As he approached, the Weaver spirits stirred, noticing his presence.

"Wait! I'm here to fight the Wyrm!" Adam called out.

The Weaver spirits paused, their voices merging into a unified, eerie tone. "Why are you here then, young Garou?"

"I am a Theurge," Adam replied, standing tall. "I intend to use some of the Weaver's essence to create an illusion. I will trap some of the Banes and cover them with illusion of being Weaver spirits, even if only for a short while."

"Are you willing to accept the Weaver into your heart?" the spirits spoke, their voices weaving together into a singular sound that echoed through the spirit realm.

Adam faced them, undeterred. "I am offering help in a fight that is going badly for you," he said firmly. "I know how to burn down a Wyrm Nexus. The first time the fight started, I sensed it and took my chance to burn a Wyrm Nexus. Your kind managed to keep fighting for so long thanks to me."

The Weaver spirits responded without hesitation, their tone cold and certain. "We don't need your help. The Glass Walker tribe serves the Weaver. They fight on our side."

Adam's gaze sharpened. "I see you've sensed me having no tribe," he said. "Here's the thing: I might not have a tribe, but I know you just lied. Glass Walkers don't serve the Weaver, they serve Gaia. They offer assistance to the Weaver in exchange for help, but in truth, they're the ones benefiting the most. They would never fully join you, but do you know who already did join one side? The Black Spiral Dancers. And I think you know whose side they're on."

The spirits went silent. For a moment, Adam could hear the thousand whispers of their internal chatter, a buzzing tension filling the air. Then, as one, the Weaver spirits turned back to him.

"We accept," they spoke in unison. "But we need a demonstration. If you prove that you can use our power to burn down a Wyrm Nexus, we will help you destroy more. We also offer gifts and knowledge if this works."

Adam's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "That's a deal," he said. "Now, can I get some of your essence? I need it for the trap."

The Weaver spirits complied, allowing him access to their essence. As he took it, the energy felt wrong against his skin—sharp, mechanical, and painful. Adam gritted his teeth, holding the essence without absorbing it. It was agonizing, but he knew it was necessary for what he had planned.

Adam sprinted back to the Wyrm Nexus, his mind racing as he began to work. He used half of his Gnosis reserve and half of his hedge magic mana reserve to craft a large, illusion-fused trap, combining it with the Weaver essence he had painfully taken. The process was delicate, but Adam worked quickly, knowing time was of the essence.

Once the trap was in place, Adam began to shift. His transformation into Hispos form—the giant dire wolf—was swift and fluid, this form being one of his easiest. His body expanded, his fur gleaming white, and his front claws grew longer, perfect for the task ahead. His front legs were more suited for slashing and fighting than holding, but he didn't need to hold anything. He needed to fight.

Adam raced towards the Nexus, his eyes scanning for the strongest Bane. He quickly locked onto it—a Harvester spirit, a skeletal figure with elongated limbs and eyes glowing with a sickly, greenish light. Its hands were like scythes, fingers ending in sharp, bone-like blades.

Without hesitation, Adam leaped onto the Harvester. His powerful jaws clamped down on the creature's skull, crushing it with a savage bite. He yanked the Bane to the ground, shaking it violently in his grasp. The Harvester screeched in pain as Adam's fangs dug deeper, until he finally let go, its form collapsing in a heap.

But Adam had no time to rest. The other Bane spirits—cog wraiths, oil serpents, and a myriad of other Wyrm horrors—saw him and began converging on his position.

Adam turned and ran, knowing they would follow. He sprinted straight toward the trap he had set, his movements swift and precise. He passed through the illusion-fused circle unharmed, the trap remaining dormant as he crossed. But as soon as the Banes charged through, it activated.

The ground beneath them glowed with a powerful light, and spirit webs shot out from the circle, wrapping around the Banes, entangling them in place. Their screeches filled the air as they struggled, unable to break free from the Weaver's essence.

Adam shifted again, this time back to his Crinos form—the war form. His towering figure stood among the trapped Banes, and with brutal precision, he dispatched those who weren't ensnared. His claws ripped through their spiritual forms, and his rage fueled his attacks, making short work of the remaining enemies.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Adam tapped to the rage of the battle to take his Glabro form, a tall, muscular, and more human-like figure. Now, with his focus restored, he began the incantation for the final spell. His claws carved sigils into the ground around the trapped Banes, his voice low and steady as he recited the words of power.

The spell was almost complete when the Banes began to thrash violently, trying to free themselves from the spirit webs. But Adam continued, his focus unbroken, until the last words of the incantation left his lips.

Adam finished the spell, weaving a complex illusion of Weaver spirits and their essence over the trapped Banes. With a final push of focus, he allowed his body to shift back to Crinos form, feeling the raw power of his war shape surge through him. He took off toward the Wyrm Nexus just as the trap broke, freeing the Banes.

The Harvester Bane, its skeletal form looming over the battlefield, was waiting for him. Its scythe-like fingers slashed through the air, aiming to cut Adam down. Adam deflected the attack with a powerful swipe, his claws tearing through the Harvester's bone-like limbs and batting them aside. Without hesitation, he clamped his jaws around the Harvester's skull and drove it forward, pulling the monstrous creature along with him.

As they fought, the Banes around the Nexus took notice. Their twisted forms halted when they saw the illusion-covered Banes pursuing Adam. Confusion and fear rippled through the Nexus, and the Banes, mistaking the illusions for enemies, turned on each other. Chaos erupted, and soon, the breeding ground of the Banes had become a battlefield as the Banes attacked one another in a frenzy of fear.

Adam dragged the Harvester out of the heart of the Nexus, its claws lashing out in desperation. Each strike burned Adam's flesh, filling the air with the stench of charred fur, but Adam held strong. He slammed the creature to the ground, his claws tearing into it with rapid, relentless strikes. The Harvester tried to retaliate, but Adam's fury overwhelmed it. He tore its hands off, leaving it defenseless.

The essence of the corrupted spirit spilled onto the ground like dark, toxic blood. Adam's body instinctively wanted to absorb the energy, but he resisted, forcing the tainted essence out of his system. His mind and spirit were too disciplined to allow such a vile presence within him.

The Harvester let out a final, desperate scream, but Adam silenced it by sinking his teeth into the creature's neck. He jammed his claws beneath its throat and, with a violent pull, ripped its head clean off.

Adam turned his gaze back to the Nexus. The illusions had worn off, but the Banes were too consumed by their own battle to realize it. They continued to tear at each other in blind fear, unable to stop the bloodshed.

With the Harvester dead and the Banes distracted, Adam decided it was time to test a new method of destroying the Nexus. Channeling his remaining Gnosis, he summoned blue flames to engulf his body. The flames crackled and danced across his fur, but they did not harm him, his own fire had never been a danger to him.

Adam sprinted around the Nexus, blue flames trailing in his wake as he began casting a hedge magic spell. The mana flowed from him and the flames spread outward, forming a blazing circle around the Nexus. As he continued running, the circle of fire grew tighter, closing in on the Nexus and the Banes trapped within.

It took the Banes a moment to realize what was happening, but by then it was too late. The flames licked at the edges of the Nexus, consuming everything in their path. Adam poured what little Gnosis he had left into strengthening the fire, pushing it to burn hotter and brighter. The Banes shrieked in terror as the blue flames engulfed them and the ground itself, corrupted and tainted by the Wyrm, began to boil and melt under the intense heat.

The Banes, now fully aware of their doom, tried to escape. Fear had crippled them, and instead of banding together to fight, they scattered, fleeing through the flames in a desperate attempt to survive.

Adam, sensing the end was near, used the last of his stored Gnosis to feed the flames one final burst of energy. The inferno roared to life, swallowing the Nexus whole. The structure burned, the corrupted energy within it purified by the blue fire. The taint of the Wyrm was erased, leaving nothing but scorched earth and dissipating smoke.

As the flames died down, Adam felt a small amount of Gnosis return to him, just enough to keep going, but not enough for another spell. He stood at the edge of the now-ruined Nexus, watching as the last traces of corruption vanished into the night.

The moment the flames from the burning Nexus died down, the Weaver spirits were ready. With precision and efficiency, they pressed their attack, rushing forward to flank the remaining Wyrm forces. The Banes, though still greater in number, were clearly shaken by the destruction of the Nexus. Fear rippled through them, and even the presence of Black Spiral Dancers, twisted Garou serving the Wyrm wasn't enough to rally their spirits.

Four massive Weaver spirits appeared, resembling robotic spiders more than organic creatures. Their metallic bodies glistened, their movements unnervingly mechanical. They approached Adam, offering him essence to fight. Adam knew the risk, the essence they offered was tainted with Weaver energy, but he had no choice in this battle. He took the essence into himself, converting it into Gnosis. Thanks to his iron will, he managed to push out most of the Weaver's influence, but some taint remained within him, a lingering reminder of the dangerous alliance he had formed.

Following a group of Weaver spirits, Adam observed the different types in their ranks. He recognized some as crystal spirits, others as data crawlers, spider-like beings covered in strange, shifting code. Their movements were unnatural, jerky and quick, as if operating under the logic of some arcane algorithm. Then there were the Web Guardians, towering metallic figures with glowing eyes, resembling the apex predators of the Weaver's forces.

This squad broke off from the main force and targeted another Nexus. Adam didn't engage directly in the fight this time. Instead, he focused on his spell once again. As the Weaver spirits attacked and distracted the Banes, Adam summoned his blue flames, slowly and methodically burning the Nexus down. The Weaver spirits retreated before the fire grew too intense, but many Banes weren't so lucky. They burned with the Nexus, their corrupted spirits dissipating into nothingness.

Adam managed to conserve his Gnosis this time, thanks to the spirits protecting him. With patience, he burned the Nexus slowly, allowing the process to draw out. As the structure finally crumbled, releasing its essence into the air, Adam absorbed it, replenishing his strength. However, he knew his hedge sorcery mana was running low,enough for only one more Nexus burn.

With the help of the Weaver spirits, Adam moved to burn down a second Wyrm Nexus. By the time this one fell, the forces of the Wyrm had been significantly weakened in the area. The tides of battle were starting to turn, favoring the Weaver spirits and Adam's assault. The loss of two Nexuses had crippled the Banes' ability to spawn reinforcements.

Adam stood near the newly destroyed Nexus, catching his breath. The Weaver spirits once again offered him more essence, but this time he refused. The spirits were clearly offended by his rejection, their clicking and whirring sounds reflecting their displeasure. Adam slowly shifted into his Glabro form, the half-human, half-wolf shape that allowed for better communication with spirits.

"It's my mortal side," Adam explained, his voice rough but steady. "The energy from my sorcery is drained. I've used too much magic. I need rest, meditation... and food."

The Weaver spirits chattered amongst themselves, a dissonant hum filling the air. After a moment, five of them remained behind to accompany Adam.

"You have done enough for now," they said in unison, their voices metallic and emotionless.

"Don't mention it," Adam replied, exhaustion creeping into his voice.

The spirits continued, "You have used mortal sorcery to create traps. There are other ways. Our webs can achieve the same effect. We offer you the power to transform your Garou energy into webs you can use to hunt spirits."

"That would be useful," Adam admitted, his eyes narrowing as he considered the offer.

The Weaver spirits formed a circle around him, their spindly legs moving with mechanical precision. They laid down webs around Adam, thin, glowing strands that pulsed with strange energy. The webs rose from the ground, shifting toward Adam like tendrils. As a Theurge, Adam could sense the nature of the power they offered—it was a gift, but laced with the taint of the Weaver.

Adam's instincts warned him of the danger, but he did not shy away. Carefully, he allowed the knowledge of the gift to flow into him, while using his strong will to push back the Weaver taint. He accepted the power, but on his own terms, refusing to become a puppet of the Weaver. The gift, as it settled within him, wasn't as potent as the spirits had claimed. It would take time and practice to master it fully, but Adam knew that with enough effort, he could eventually create large, powerful webs to trap spirits.

For now, though, he needed to rest. The battle had been long, and his body and spirit were both drained. With the Weaver's power at his side and the knowledge of this new gift, Adam knew there would be more challenges ahead but he had survived, and the Wyrm's forces had suffered a severe blow.

Adam shifted into his Lupus form, the sleek wolf shape allowing him to move swiftly and quietly. As he ran, the sense of being watched crept over him several times, a feeling that put his nerves on edge. But each time, it faded as he drew closer to his home.

Once there, he wasted no time. In his room, Adam approached the mirror—a portal that connected him back to the Skinlands, the physical realm. He stepped through and slowly transformed back into his Homid form, the naked human shape leaving him feeling exposed.

Adam moved toward the poison hemlocks in the corner of his room, staring at them with quiet contemplation. These plants were more than mere decorations—they were vessels for his essence, capable of granting him Gnosis or transforming that energy into mana. But draining them for mana came at a cost. He reached out, drawing the energy from the hemlocks, and watched as their once lush branches withered and dried up.

With the mana flowing through him, Adam focused and summoned his clothes—stored magically until now—back onto his body. Once dressed, he carefully collected the dried-up hemlock leaves and branches with tweezers and gloves. Though poisonous, they could be useful later. He treated the remaining plants tenderly, watering them as if they were just regular flora, ensuring they'd recover over time.

A voice startled him from behind.

"Okay, that was disturbing," said a familiar voice. Adam turned to see Smoky, the spirit cat, lounging near the altar to Anubis.

"Oh, it's you," Adam said with a sigh of relief.

"Hey Adam, your sister gave me a name. She called me Smoky, and I think it's cute." The cat looked particularly proud of this.

"Yeah, it sounds nice," Adam agreed.

"Now that the important stuff is out of the way, what were you up to?" Smoky asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"Nothing too serious. Just burned down a couple of Wyrm Nexuses," Adam said casually. "Got some help from Weaver spirits, though they did leave me with a bit of Weaver taint. I'll need to brew some potions to clean it out."

Smoky's eyes gleamed as he leapt up. "Well, I am your spirit guide, so I can help with that! You see, this little altar you've got here? It's pretty potent, thanks to your belief and enthusiasm. You're a young Garou, and even if you don't like to admit it, your connection to another Silent Strider made you happy. That energy strengthens this altar. The daily offerings you make here? They bathe your body in spiritual and shadowland energy, which will slowly heal the taint."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "How long are we talking?"

"Depends on the taint," Smoky said, flicking his tail. "But I barely sense any Weaver corruption in you. I'd say four days, tops, and you'll be back to normal."

"That's not bad. Thanks, buddy," Adam said, grateful for the solution.

"Feel free to thank me with some catnip," Smoky said, a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Maybe later," Adam replied, smirking. "You've been stuck in here for a while, though. Want me to open the door?"

"Nah, I can teleport short distances," Smoky replied with a flick of his whiskers.

"Alright. Have you eaten anything?"

"Yeah, but I'm always happy for more if you're offering," Smoky said.

"I'm not," Adam said with a chuckle. "I'm going to take a nap and then meet the Bone Gnawer elders in the city. I found out where they live."

After making sure the house was empty, Adam headed back to his room. He stripped off his shirt, removed his wallet and phone, and climbed into bed. His body ached from the battles and the magic he'd wielded, and he needed to recover before his next meeting. Closing his eyes, he allowed sleep to take him, the weight of his exhaustion pulling him under.