A Mother's Secret

Over the course of the next month, Whiskey-Jack's training became relentless. Every day, his father pushed him further...hand-to-hand combat, strength and conditioning, and weapons training.

The unrelenting cold of winter set in, and snow built up around them, creating a natural ring for their practice.

"I'm getting stronger," Whiskey-Jack thought, his breath visible in the cold air. "Faster, calmer, smarter. But it'll be a long time before I can surpass Dad's skill…"

Despite the grueling schedule, Muskrat occasionally joined their training, though he rarely lasted long. The cold, the intensity, and the sheer effort drained him quickly, making him to head back to the warmth of the house.

Yet, there was something that weighed on Whiskey-Jack's mind, his mother. Each day, she seemed to wander from her usual routine, slowly she started to leave early in the morning and returning late at night again, her demeanor growing more erratic each day.

His father had noticed, too. On one occasion, he'd spoken to his wife about it. But the conversation didn't go well. His mother had snapped, her temper overflowing with unbridled rage, which only deepened his father's concern.

One day, during a break in training, Erwin decided to act on his concerns. "Dad, I'm freezing. Can I head inside to warm up before we continue?" Whiskey-Jack asked, his body shaking.

"Go ahead," Erwin replied, his eyes glazed over, lost in thought. "I've got something I need to check on. I'll be out for a while."

Whiskey-Jack didn't question it, heading inside, but stopped at the door, watching his father walk in the opposite direction, toward the outskirts of the camp.

Erwin's eyes narrowed as he followed the trail his wife had left in the snow. Her footprints leading deep into the forest. The sun close to setting, had caused long casting shadows, the strange situation filling with anxiety.

No signs of dangerous creatures or wild beasts... but something felt wrong. He wasn't sure what he expected, but he couldn't ignore the change in her behavior.

His wife, the woman he loved since he was a teenager, was changing drastically. Her sudden violent outbursts, the hollow look in her eyes, had all led him to this moment.

As he moved deeper into the forest, a sense of unease settled in his chest. He had to find her. He had to understand what was happening, to protect and reassure her.

After an hour of steady walking, he caught up to her near a dense set of trees. She had stopped, her body unmoving. Erwin crouched down, dropping behind a bush, his heart pounding in his chest.

Through the branches, he could see her, standing by a fallen tree, her voice low but clear, "My husband, my husband, I have returned," she said, her tone bold and firm.

Erwin's blood ran cold. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her repeat the phrase louder. And that's when it happened.

From the darkened hollow of the log, slithering and twisting. At first, it was just a shadow, but soon, the form became clear, a massive serpent, its scales so dark it abosrbed all light and its eyes glowing a vicious red.

"Finally, my love," the woman murmured, her arms outstretched. The serpent's thick, serpentine body coiled around her, wrapping tightly, intimately like a lover.

"What is this?" Erwin thought, his heart sinking into his stomach with disgust. His wife had been hiding this… thing, the sight causing him nausea.

The worst was yet to come...it could speak. "Have you done what I asked?" it hissed, its voice sending a chill down Erwin's spine.

"Yes, my love," Erwin's wife answered, a look of earnest and lust. "They will be ready for you to devour."

Erwin clenched his fist's in rage. His mind running a million miles a minute. The horrifying realization, his sons were in danger.

This creature, serpent, whatever it was, had plans to feast on his family, and his wife...his own wife conspiring with it.

With his heart feeling like it was going to burst fron his chest, slowly backed away, careful not to make a sound. He needed to get back to the house, to his boys.

"Protect the boys," he thought desperately. "I need to get them far away… as far away as possible."