chapter 13

Adam ran, gripping Isaiah's hand tightly. The darkened street stretched endlessly ahead of them, the quiet broken only by the distant hum of city life far beyond their hidden world. Beside him, Isaiah's breaths came in uneven, nervous bursts, his eyes darting between looming shadows as if expecting something to emerge at any moment. Smoky, ever vigilant, ran alongside Adam, his form shimmering faintly in the dim light.

"Stay close," Adam murmured to Isaiah, his voice low and steady. "And remember, if things go bad, run. Don't look back."

Isaiah swallowed hard, a flicker of defiance flashing in his eyes despite the fear. "I'm not leaving you behind," he whispered, his tone unsteady but determined.

"Shut the fuck up and do…" Adam began, but paused when he saw Isaiah flinch. He softened his tone. "It'd be better for both of us if you take care of yourself."

Isaiah nodded silently as they continued running. Around them, people near the mall were scattering, rushing indoors as Garou from the pack began to search for trouble.

Adam felt the familiar presence of the Malfean power returning. He focused his mind on Smoky, preparing to push all three of them into the Shadowland if necessary.

The sound of a car approached. Adam veered toward it, soon spotting an SUV speeding their way. At the same moment, he felt the ominous power of a reality-warping mage behind them.

Adam pulled out his phone and wallet, thrusting them into Isaiah's hands. "Run!"

He turned toward the warped sensation of reality as a tear opened in the air and a figure began to emerge. Adam wasted no time, shifting into his Crinos form, his body swelling, transforming into the albino version of Anubis. With a snarl, he rushed the figure before it could fully materialize, grabbing its leg and yanking it to the ground.

The figure, a young-looking man, was a true mage. Adam could sense his power, but he could also feel the taint of Wyrm corruption. The Garou's long claws tore into the man without hesitation, slicing through flesh as easily as a hot knife through butter. The mage's screams lasted only seconds before being silenced, his body reduced to a pile of shredded flesh.

Adam didn't have time to rest. Another presence surged with power, this one ahead of Isaiah. A new tear in reality forced Isaiah to stop running and the SUV that had come to rescue them screeched to a halt. Adam spotted Lucian, one of Faith's revenant employees, stepping out of the vehicle.

Fueled by rage, Adam tapped into its power, accelerating his movements. He rushed toward a pale woman who stepped through the portal. She initially reached for Isaiah but suddenly shifted her focus toward Adam.

Raising her hands, she murmured in a long-forgotten language. Blue energy crackled around her fingers, swirling with the force of twisted time. Her movements were slow and deliberate, the air around her growing thick with the weight of her magic. The ground beneath her distorted, as if reality itself warped in her presence.

Sensing the shift, Adam tensed. His silver eyes flickered, recognizing the danger. But before he could react, the spell took hold.

With a sweeping motion, the woman unleashed a shimmering bubble of time around Adam, trapping him in an invisible prison. Inside, everything froze, his muscles locked mid-step, the energy coursing through him suspended. All forward momentum was stolen. Outside the bubble, the world crawled to a halt, leaves hung in midair, dust particles frozen in the dim light.

"Heel, little dog. That's a good boy, isn't it?" the woman taunted.

Though Adam's body was immobile, his mind remained sharp. He could feel the tendrils of ancient magic wrapping around him like chains, but deep within him stirred something older than her spell—something tied to the spirit world, the essence of the Theurge, and his sorcerous blood.

Slowly, the prison began to crack. Soon, the time bubble shattered completely as Adam roared in fury, his rage echoing through the night. The woman's eyes widened in fear.

Isaiah, unaffected by delirium due to his kinfolk status, took the opportunity to run. He dashed toward the car, crouching down. Some gift had been used, allowing Adam and the others to completely ignore his presence.

The female mage, panic overtaking her, sent out a wave of power. Each step in the field caused time to move differently, distorting reality. But it seemed to have no effect on Adam as he strode through it with unwavering determination. The mage stumbled back in fear, falling onto her back. As Adam was about to deliver the killing blow, a sudden, crushing force slammed into him.

The impact was like a house dropping on him. Even in his Crinos form, where his strength was unmatched, this power was overwhelming. Adam crashed to the ground, face-first.

"What the fuck just happened?!" a voice boomed.

Turning his gaze toward the source, Adam saw a tall man with a dragon tattoo etched across his bald head. His hands were stretched downward as though he was holding something heavy to the ground. Adam sensed more powers as the fabric of reality tore open, and two figures stepped through behind the bald man, though Adam couldn't make out their forms.

Roaring in pure rage, Adam tapped into his dwindling Gnosis. Blue flames flared up around his hands as he summoned them. With all his might, he managed to push himself up just enough to hurl one of the flaming orbs toward the bald mage. The man reacted swiftly, releasing the pressure on Adam to conjure a barrier. The flame crashed into it, shattering the shield on impact.

The bald mage and the time-warping woman both attempted to cast spells in unison. But their concentration was abruptly shattered by the sharp crack of a gunshot. Lucian had fired at the time mage, the bullet tearing through the back of her head. She collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Without hesitation, Adam hurled his second fireball at the bald mage. This time, the flames engulfed him, blue fire licking at his skin as he howled in pain.

Adam turned his attention to the final two figures. One was a young woman, and the other—a Garou in Crinos form. But something was deeply wrong with the Garou.

The creature reeked of Wyrm taint. His bat-like nose contrasted grotesquely with the otherwise wolfish features. His inky black fur was marred with bald patches where glowing green runes had been carved into his flesh. The Spiral Dancer was a full head taller than Adam in Crinos form, adorned with spirit fetishes: a necklace of Garou teeth, bracelets on his wrists, and in one hand, he held a Bane Klaive. In the other, he wielded a swirling green ball of balefire.

The Spiral Dancer hurled the balefire at Adam. There was no way to dodge it, but Adam knew he could defend. He reached back, grabbed the corpse of the time mage, and threw it at the incoming flame. The balefire struck the body, rapidly consuming it, the flesh twisting and melting into a burning heap.

Both Adam and the Spiral Dancer charged forward, their massive forms colliding. The Spiral Dancer's Bane Klaive, a long, curved blade, gleamed with malicious energy. Just as they clashed, Adam felt a pull, like something was trying to drain the very life from his body. It was the remaining mage.

Though Adam resisted the draining power, the momentary distraction was enough for the Spiral Dancer to strike. The Bane Klaive slashed across Adam's chest, searing pain cutting deep as the corrupt weapon bit into his flesh.

The Bane Klaive burned as fiercely as a Grand Klaive. Adam managed to back away in time, preventing the blade from reaching his heart. The Spiral Dancer pressed the attack relentlessly, slashing at the air with both the Bane Klaive and his claws. Adam did his best to defend, dodging and parrying, but the corrupted Garou was faster. Several times, the blade and claws connected, slicing into Adam's arms and chest. Though the wounds were shallow, they stung with a venomous burn, and his healing factor worked slowly against their tainted nature.

Once again, Adam felt the mage trying to drain his vitality. He jumped back, gritting his teeth as he resisted the pull. This time, he successfully dodged the incoming attacks, staying just out of reach of the Spiral Dancer's deadly strikes.

As Adam defended, he heard the distinct click of a gun being armed, followed by the crack of a bullet leaving the barrel. He sensed the silver bullet slicing through the air, and it found its mark, striking the Spiral Dancer in the side of the neck. The impact did considerable damage, but not enough to take down the corrupted Garou.

Glancing back, Adam saw Lucian standing firm, dual-wielding pistols—one aimed at the Spiral Dancer, the other at the mage. Lucian fired again, unleashing normal bullets toward the mage and silver shots at the Spiral Dancer. The mage teleported out of the line of fire, deftly dodging the bullets. The Spiral Dancer wasn't so lucky, three silver bullets hit home, two in the chest and one in the hand.

Drawing on his Gnosis, the Spiral Dancer vanished, reappearing suddenly beside Lucian. With a vicious swing of his Bane Klaive, the Spiral Dancer decapitated the revenant in one brutal stroke.

Seeing Lucian fall ignited a burning rage within Adam, one that surged through his veins, fueling him with raw speed. He charged at the Spiral Dancer, but before he could reach him, the corrupted Garou unleashed a corrupt howl, sending a devastating soundwave toward Adam. The wave slammed into him, throwing him backward and overloading his senses with a barrage of painful noise.

The Spiral Dancer closed in, rushing toward Adam as he lay vulnerable. Adam knew he was defenseless in his Crinos form, so he began shifting into his Glabro form, the shape of a hulking man. Just as the Spiral Dancer attempted to decapitate him, Adam's body shrank, and the lethal blade sliced through the air where his head had been moments before.

Recovering quickly, Adam shifted back into Crinos, growing larger once again. Using the momentum of his transformation, he lashed out with an uppercut, his claws digging deep into the Spiral Dancer's face. The force of the hit lifted the Dancer off his feet, sending him crashing back several meters.

Not wasting a second, Adam leapt through the air and landed on the Spiral Dancer's wrist, forcing him to drop the Bane Klaive. The corrupted Garou snarled and snapped, attempting to bite Adam's legs, but Adam swiftly kicked the cursed blade out of reach.

As the Spiral Dancer's jaws snapped at him, Adam couldn't help but notice the creature's fangs—jet black and dripping with Wyrm-tainted malice.

Adam prepared to bring his claws down on the Spiral Dancer, but before he could strike, something hit him from behind. A sudden explosion tore through the air, ripping a chunk of flesh from his back. The pain seared through him, and his body staggered forward.

The Spiral Dancer seized the opportunity, leaping to his feet and slashing at Adam with all his might. The sheer force of the attack was devastating, his claws raked across Adam's chest, ripping through muscle and fur, exposing bone and throwing him backward. Blood sprayed from the gaping wound, his ribcage now visible beneath torn flesh.

Seeing his enemy vulnerable, the Spiral Dancer charged. Adam lay still, feigning weakness as the corrupted Garou closed in for the kill. But just as the Spiral Dancer reached him, Adam struck with precision, his legs shot out in a powerful double kick, snapping the Spiral Dancer's knees backward with a sickening crunch. Though the wounds would heal almost instantly, the shock of the blow sent the Spiral Dancer crashing to the ground.

As he fell, Adam lashed out with his claws, slashing across the Spiral Dancer's face. His claws gouged deep into the corrupted Garou's skull, tearing out one of his eyes in a spray of blood and ichor.

Both Garou rolled away from each other, their breathing ragged as they quickly scrambled to their feet. Adam's eyes flicked toward the source of the explosion. He could feel another bolt coming toward him, and with a swift move, he dodged, causing it to miss by inches. Now, Adam knew where the mage was hiding.

The two Garou locked eyes once more. Both were bloodied, panting, and on the edge of exhaustion. Their bodies screamed in pain, but their spirits were unwilling to yield. They took a few cautious steps back, circling each other, waiting for the next opening. Neither was willing to back down, and both were ready to clash again in the brutal dance of death.

As both Garou prepared to clash again, a sudden gunshot echoed behind Adam, near the SUV. Both combatants turned their heads just in time to see the mage collapse to the ground, a bullet wound gaping in her forehead.

Adam looked back and saw Isaiah standing there, trembling, holding one of Lucian's pistols. His entire body shook with fear, but he stood tall, defiant. The Spiral Dancer's presence disappeared again, as Adam sensed the use of Gnosis.

Wasting no time, Adam rushed to Isaiah's side. Just as he reached him, the Spiral Dancer materialized behind them. Without hesitation, Adam swung his claws toward the Spiral Dancer's face, connecting with brutal force. The blow tore through the already mangled snout of the Spiral Dancer, sending him crashing into the side of the SUV.

Isaiah wanted nothing more than to curl up in fear, but the fight wasn't over. Shoving his terror aside, he rushed to grab the other gun loaded with silver bullets, tears streaming down his face. The Spiral Dancer staggered back to his feet, only for Isaiah to unload the remaining rounds into him. Four bullets hit their mark, shattering the Spiral Dancer's knee, bringing the massive Garou down.

Adam seized the moment, slashing down toward the Spiral Dancer's other eye. The Wyrm-corrupted Garou twisted his head just in time, sacrificing the side of his face to the blow but managing to keep his remaining eye intact.

The Spiral Dancer rolled away from Adam and the SUV, badly wounded yet still poised to fight.

Adam stood firm between the Spiral Dancer and Isaiah, determined to protect his comrade. Then, he felt a small hand touch his leg. Despite his monstrous form, the hand felt tiny. The surge of Gnosis and psychic energy flowed into him, and Adam's chest wound accelerated its healing. Within moments, the deep gashes closed, leaving only faint traces of the damage.

The Spiral Dancer, sensing the tide had turned against him, made his decision. In a final show of power, he hurled himself into the spirit world, his form vanishing from sight. Though Adam's wounds had healed, his body was still exhausted, and the places where his injuries had been throbbed with lingering pain. He let the Spiral Dancer go.

Slowly, Adam shifted back to his Homid form, standing naked in front of a tear-streaked Isaiah.

"Thanks," Adam said, his voice tired but grateful. "I think you saved my life."

"Same for you," Isaiah replied, trying and failing not to stare at Adam's exposed form as he wiped his face clean of tears.

"Do you have my phone? I need to call this in," Adam asked, gesturing toward Lucian's lifeless body.

Isaiah nodded and handed him the phone. Before Adam could dial, Smoky crawled out from under the SUV.

"Where the hell have you been?" Adam demanded, lowering the phone.

"I jumped into the spirit world," Smoky said. "Jumped back just as that big ugly thing did."

"You're supposed to be helpful," Adam replied with a frown.

"Not when things like that are around," Smoky said, clearly unbothered. "What did you expect me to do? Hiss at him? Scratch his leg? I'm a cat, not a Garou-killer. I can't do shit against those things."

Adam sighed. "That's fair."

Adam called his mom, quickly explaining the situation. She told him she'd send people to handle things but warned him to leave the area in case more enemies showed up. It wasn't Bone Gnawer territory, but still very empty area of the city. Still it was still dangerous to hang around. Adam knew she was right and turned to Isaiah.

"So, we've got a bit of a situation," Adam said. "The thing is, I really can't drive. I mean, I *can* drive, but it's not gonna go well, I'd probably crash. Also… I'm naked."

Isaiah glanced at Lucian's body. "Don't worry, I can drive," he said, then looked back at Adam. "What about the driver? He really saved our lives, didn't he?"

"Yeah, he did." Adam replied, voice heavy with regret. "But he's dead now. There's nothing we can do for him. We just have to get out of here."

Isaiah hesitated. "And the bane klaive?"

"Oh yeah, that's still there," Adam said, casting a glance at the cursed weapon. "I'd love to take it and destroy it, but this isn't the time. We'll have to leave it for now."

Isaiah nodded, and the two headed for the SUV. Adam stretched out across the middle seat, still sore, and Smoky curled up beside him. Isaiah slid into the driver's seat, starting the car and pulling away from the scene.

As Isaiah drove, Adam gave him directions to get close to his home. They found a secluded alley nearby and called Faith to bring some clothes.

Faith arrived not long after, wearing a sharp business suit and carrying a sword. She handed Adam his usual baggy clothes and a pair of sandals. Once he got dressed in the car, he stepped out and saw Faith chatting with Isaiah.

"Are you sure about staying somewhere else?" Faith asked, her voice gentle but insistent. "We've got great guest rooms. You could rest there for a while."

Isaiah shook his head. "I appreciate it, but I think I can manage."

"No, you won't," Adam interrupted, stepping up. "Sorry, but you don't look so good. You need a safe place to rest, and our home's close."

Faith smiled warmly. "And I'm a great cook."

Isaiah hesitated, looking conflicted. "I… I really don't want to get too attached," he admitted, voice shaky.

"Don't worry about that," Adam said, placing a hand on Isaiah's shoulder. "I'm the only Garou in the family. The others? They're mostly like you. They'd love to meet you."

"I appreciate the offer, but I really miss my own room," Isaiah said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

"I get that," Faith replied with a soft smile. "Nothing feels quite like your own space."

"At least let us get you home," Adam chimed in, glancing at Isaiah, his tone gentle but firm.

"That would be appreciated," Isaiah said with a sigh of relief.

"I'll drive you," Faith offered, turning to Adam. "Honey, are you okay? Want me to take you home first?"

Adam shook his head. "No, I'm good. I think a walk will do me some good."

Faith nodded in understanding. Isaiah was about to follow her to the car when he stopped, turning back to Adam. "Let's exchange numbers before I go," he said, pulling out his phone with a shaky hand.

Adam quickly punched in his number, their eyes meeting in a silent acknowledgment of what they'd just survived. Isaiah gave a small, tired smile before heading off with Faith.

Adam stood there for a few moments, watching them leave. The quiet of the night crept back in, and for the first time in hours, the adrenaline began to wear off. He took a deep breath, letting the weight of the day settle over him. With that, he turned and started his walk home, letting the cool air clear his mind.