The Raven & The Wolf

Chapter Nineteen

I look towards Gedric, “Are you okay?” I ask him, knowing full well this isn’t Gedric. I just really really want to be wrong right now.

“Do not presume to know who you speak with,” The controlled Gedric says, his voice changing with each breath. “I am not some mere human.”

I truly hate that I’m right. “Look, I’ve clearly had a long…few days-” I start, feeling a bit leery after the last time this happened. I really don’t want another prediction to be put on my plate.

“Hush,” the Entity hisses, grabbing my hand. “The Fates want to show you something.”

I open my mouth to let out a scream as a cold feeling sweeps through me. He covers my mouth as my head throws itself back. My vision turns black.

A field of green covers the ground. It’s not grass, it’s my magic. A raven, an owl, and a deer statue rests in front of me; floating over my magic. There is an image of me projected outside a wall of clear green. I look around and see we’re in an orb. It’s my magic, in one of my magic balls; one of my favorite moves. Why am I here?

“Do you see your charges?” A voice asks; echoing around me.

Numbly, I nod. The voice sounds hollow, but filled at the same time. It’s disconcerting to say the least.

“Then you see why you are not designed to destroy the wolf. If you bring the wolf here, your other charges will die. Do not try to kill the wolf again Raven. By order of the Fates, you and the Second Guardian are not allowed to kill the wolf. Do I make myself clear?”

Anger moves through me, causing me to shudder. “If I’m not to kill him, then why do I have so much magical power? I’m stronger than him. I’m the only one that can. Please Fates, let me kill the man that has caused me so much pain. Please.” I beg, feeling a force of power being pushed onto me.

“You were given the gifts of a Guardian, Guardian Natasha. You are to guard your charges. The more danger that comes before them, the stronger you shall grow.”

“If that’s true, then why is Stanya a Guardian, but not as strong as I am?” I demand.

“Guardian Stanya is meant to protect the Champion, and you. She does not need magical power as strong as yours. Her magic is unique in its own, and potentially limitless once she reaches her own spiritual level.”

“That’s insane,” I nearly yell.

“Do not question us Fates!” The voice yells, causing everything around me to shake, including the ground. I fall down as I look around. It looks like being sarcastic here is off the table.

“The wolf continues it’s hunt for you Raven. It’ll catch the scent of the Champion soon. Find the Champion before the wolf does, or you’ll be doomed to fail. If you fail, the Fates will fall, and magic will cease to exist. The wolf is destructive and an imposter. He is not a Fate. The Champion bares the Fate. Find the Fate, find the Champion.”

“What does that even mean? Where do I find another Fate that I don’t even know what it looks like?”

“Go now.”

I gasp when I return to my body. Gedric still has his hands on me, and is forcing my head back. “What was that?” I demand through a muffling hand.

“Natasha!” Stanya demands, coming close to my head. Her voice pauses before speaking. “What is going on?”

“Stupid Fates,” I say through Gedric’s hand.

After a moment of looking over the current situation, she speaks. “Does he know he’s doing that?”

“No, and this is really hurting my neck.” I try to move my head, but he just pushes back harder, as if trying to restrain me. I’m starting think this is the Fates way of punishing me for my attempt to kill Ari. Why hasn’t Gedric let go yet?

“Help,” I whine to Stanya. “He just tightens his grip when I try to move.”

“Oh now you want my help,” she snaps.

“Do we have to do this now?” I ask, amazed she’s able to understand me through Gedric’s hand. Then again, we’ve spent a lot of time together.

Stanya tries to move Gedric, but it’s as if he’s made of stone. She can’t move him, and the end result is him pushing my head further back and tightening his grip around my wrist. “What on earth has caused something to possess him?” she demands, panting.

“May I borrow some of your magic and just show you?” I ask, pain starting to grow in my neck.

She touches my fingertips. I pull a little of her magic and return it right back towards her. Stanya drops to her knees, feeling the intensity of that memory. “There is another Fate?”

“I guess,” I shift a little. “I’ve never heard of one before.”

“Maybe we should go to the origin of the stories to find out,” Stanya muses, sitting cross legged next to me.

“You’re apparently the spiritual one,” I tell her. “Do you think you can try to find out where the origin is?”

“How about we both try? Your magic is stagnant at the moment.” She suggests, sounding easily nervous.

“If I go into overload again, you get to deal with Malay,” I warn her, grunting when Gedric pushes harder. “Do you think they’re waiting for some kind of an acknowledgement?” This is not what my body needs right now.

“Well, you apparently upset…whatever entity is inhabiting Gedric.” Stanya says, looking at him.

“How?”

“Implied that he’s human?” She guesses. “Uh, excuse me, will you please release Gedric and Natasha?” She touches Gedric’s arm gently, bringing his eyes to her. She shudders, seeing his put black eyes. This is definitely a servant for the Fates. I’ve read about them. Black eyes, sharp teeth, and maroon skin over terrifying muscles make up a Servant of the Fates. They are pure magic, and will kill you in a single glance when in their dominant state.

“Guardian Natasha must remain in a punishment hold until she yields to the Fates orders.” I shiver, his voice sounds like breaking gravel. “If she fails to adhere to their orders, I will be forced to kill her.”

“Wait, what?” Stanya and I say at the exact same time. I did not expect for him to start off with his threats so early. He must be serious.

“Do. Not. Kill. Ari.” He repeats to us, sounding as if he’s speaking to a simpleton. “You went against orders and attempted to destroy him. That angered the Fates.”

“Okay, who didn’t I piss off with that move?” I demand. “Because I’d like to speak with them.”

“Silence!” He growls, making my bones vibrate.

“Natasha isn’t allowed to fight Ari?” Stanya demands.

“She may fight him, just not kill him.”

“Well that’s just dumb,” both Stanya and I retort.

I grunt again when the Servant pushes harder. My neck lets out a loud pop, giving me relief but Stanya starts to panic. “Just swear it Natasha.” She begs.

“You do know this is insane? What if I accidentally kill him?”

“Than be prepared to face the repercussions.” He pushes harder. “I will warn you that I am an ancient being. I can do this for your entire lifetime.”

“What are you?” Stanya demands, beginning to pull on his arm.

“He’s a Servant of the Fates,” I tell Stanya; sounding calm. I know how to play him, so I’m not too worried about it. At least while I’m alive. “Believe me, this is him playing nice.”

She pales while he flashes me a terrifying grin. “He’ll kill you.”

“He can’t on this plane,” I assure her. “His threats of death are a bluff. To keep balance, they can’t kill on our earth. They’re trying to scare me into following the Fates orders. However, eternal damnation is one of the cards he can play in my afterlife.”

He pushes harder. “You’ve done your research. Then you’re aware what can await you if you fail to listen to the Fates.”

“Yes, but I can still kill them in this plane.” I spit through my teeth, my pain now growing into the intense category. Seriously, which servant is this? There are five. If it’s Articus, I’m dead.

“You wouldn’t dare,” He seethes. “A Guardian does not kill those who they serve. It is forbidden.”

He’s not wrong. If I kill them, then magic will cease to exist, which will kill all living plants; which will essentially cause us to starve to death. I smirk internally, I can trick him to find out what I need though. “There are rules?” I demand, sounding as if this is the first time I’ve heard of it. “Since when?”

“Since the creation of what you wield. Humans entered this contract with the Fates. They sought them out. This is on you mortals.” He growls. “You must follow the contract.”

“What contract?” I demand, trying to make sure he’s not about to break my neck.

“In our ancient texts. Do you humans know anything?”

“No,” I say, somewhat playing dumb.

“In the Ancient Stream, you’ll find the contract. I suggest you idiots read it.” He snaps. “Now, are you going to listen to the ancient being with their borrowed hand around your delicate, unruly mouth; or are you going to keep mouthing off?”

“You’re right, we should know the rules. For instance, a name is coming to mind.” I squeak, surprised he squeezed tighter around my mouth. I think he’s about to break my jaw. It’s a law Servants of the Fates must follow. If you know their name, they must follow your instructions while in mortal form. This is why I have remained calm. Then again, he’s definitely going to destroy me in multiple ways when I die.

He stiffens. “There is no way.”

“Articus,” I breathe, “release me.”

He roars as he lets go of my throat, making Stanya cover her ears at the bone chilling sound. “You, you knew.” He spits, trying to grab my throat again.

“I knew of the contract,” I wince. “I just didn’t know where to find it. Thanks for the help,” I smirk, rubbing my jaw. He screams and lunges for me. “Begone,” I say with a smirk, then wink at him as he starts to vanish.

“Ow,” I cry when Gedric’s body lands on me, making me fall backwards. My neck is on the arm of the bench, and Gedric’s face is buried in my chest.

“What was that?” Stanya demands, helping me up. Gedric sits up with confusion all over his face.

“That was a Servant of the Fates. Brin made me learn about them when he discovered my mark.” I rub my jaw some more and show it to Stanya. “How bad is it?”

“You had an immortal being attacking you, and you’re just worried about a bruise?”

“To be fair, I have a lot of healing I have to do already.” I give her a small smile. “I think I’m in trouble.”

She scoffs. “That’s for sure. Just to be clear, we do not know each other in the afterlife.”

“Fair,” I say, popping my neck. I look at Gedric, who is very pale right now.

“Are you alright?” I ask him, gently touching his arm.

He flinches away from me. “Art-Articus was so angry. He truly hates you right now.”

I half shrug. “I expected that.”

“Why wouldn’t you just swear it?” Gedric demands, his hands trembling. “He made me hurt you. I didn’t want to keep hurting you.”

“Because I can’t agree to something that I have no control over. If I agree not to kill him, and then accidentally kill him, I’m damning myself to an eternal servitude. How do you think the Servants of the Fates were created?”

Stanya’s jaw drops open. “I thought they were as old as the Fates?”

I shake my head. “Each, and everyone, of the five failed to fulfill a promise they made to the Fates. The Fates are not merciful. They’re devious, and will take any opportunity to get what they want. Guardians are their main collections.”

“How do you know all of this?” Stanya demands.

“Brin taught me,” I repeat. “He was afraid something like this would happen. Considering his uncanny ability to predict the future, I see why it was so important. We do yearly lessons on this exact subject.”

“That old man never lost a beat,” Stanya mutters.

“I don’t think he could.” I agree.

“Excuse me,” Gedric nearly shouts. “What the hell was that?”

Stanya rolls her eyes and touches his leg, showing him the memory of the events that transpired. “It’s just a Fate play I guess.”

“Basically,” I agree. “Now we just have to figure out their game.”

“Considering their explanation of your magic, I guess they want in.”

I shake my head. “Their magic is infinite. Why would they want mine?”

“True,” Stanya sinks into the floor. “I guess it’s going to be interesting to find out.”

“It’s nothing small if they sent Articus to intimidate me. He’s the strongest out of all of them. In life, he was just below my power level five overloads ago. Still more powerful than Ari. However, he was the strongest Master Sheik in our history.”

“What is wrong with you two?” Gedric demands. “You’re acting like this is an everyday thing.”

“For us, it is.” Stanya and I say together, making us both laugh, and him roll his eyes.