That old soothsayer told me that fortune would come from the past, from those who have departed from this realm. But that would mean those who have died and moved on. My parents are the only family I have ever known. Unless it may have been a reference to the change in myself...It has been a while since the last time I felt the wolf's hunger. I don't remember feeling its pull for ages. I just remember the first time it happened, the exhilaration of becoming something, being a creature of the wild and giving over to my bloodlust and desire to rip asunder those I deemed prey or foe. But, ever since then I haven't felt the ability or call to hunt. I don't know. And quite frankly I'm getting really tired of not knowing. This forsaken place will never leave me be!

"If only fate would be so kind as to reveal my fortune." The winds blew and the world began to stir and then... it all fell silent like a hushed whisper. There was nothing, no dramatic effects, no great beam of light. Just an empty street with the overcast grey sky above.

"I must be going mad..."

Then the tolling of the bells rang, faint at first but then again just slightly louder. But that's impossible those would be the sounds of a ship bell. And last time I checked Oak was surrounded by forest and mountains no seas. Oak only had a river, but how in the world.

No one was seemingly around to even hear the bell, which was increasingly odd for the middle of the damn market day. There should be at least one person but there isn't a single being around. Well, then nothing left to do but go find out.

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There was a heavy fog that had begun to settle around the street, the sounds of ship bells started to ring out from the mythical pier. Lucian was drawn forward, even though he was unable to see his destination, his curiosity pushed him further and further on. The smell of the ocean and live sea creatures assaulted his nose, though that only made things more strange than before. He couldn't shake the feeling that what was before him was not of this world and he should turn back now before heading into an unknown that he may never return from or survive.

But that was the cost of believing in fate and there was no turning back now. Lucian strolled forward through the dense fog. The vapor slowly giving way to his approach as the pier came into view, the water was murky and covered in the same fog that he had come from, a single humble sailboat drifted in the waters. The dingy knocking against the pier, as the incoming tide rolled in at a soft lull. On the single stump that held the boat to the shore was a man that seemed to be in the early forties or late thirties. He wore a simple pair of black pants with a white undershirt that was taut against his upper body, years of being at sea evident in the muscles that made up his upper body. His straw hat had a wide brim to obviously block out the sun. He made no effort to move even at Lucian's approach. kicking at the dirt that was on the cobblestone street to pass his time.

"So you know I've been waiting on you boy. It's time we took a little trip, your folks sent me to come and get you." His gruff voice was just as tough as a stormy sea.

"I'm no boy and as for my folks they are all dead."

"You clearly have no idea about how anything like this works do you...boy."  He began to make preparations for them to set sail, his hands making quick work of the knot.

"Even if so. How can I know you're not some figment of my imagination and that I'm really just not drunk off my ass."

The rope hit the ground with a solid thud before the captain grabbed his oar and placed his foot upon the boat.

"You follow fate wherever it leads you, and regardless of that, you wouldn't have walked through the fog if something ain't propel you forward."

This man clearly knew who he was dealing with then...

"Well then, where are we off to good captain."

"Well, we are going nowhere till I get my pay first.."

Lucian stared at him appalled.

"Pay you? In what world does my family send you without paying."

"Oh don't get me wrong, I was paid, just need the payment for the way back."

Lucian begrudgingly handed over some jewels and sat in the boat. Without a word, the captain pushed the boat off with his oar and the ship sailed out into the murky foggy waters.

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The small vessel rocked through the murky waters, the captain's soft whistling was the only sound made as they began their voyage. Though the journey was relatively smooth, Lucian couldn't help but be drawn to the unknown that was at hand. Who was this mysterious benefactor and relative and why would they have waited so long to have sent for me. "So how long have you been at sea?"

"Longer than ya life."

The oar pushed through the water, the small vessel sailing across the murky waters with a glide as the pushed further and further from the shore.

"So do you stay on this ship?"

The captain remained steadfast, his eyes focused on the way ahead, his eyes were solid orbs of determination; the experience of a thousand voyages was in his motions.

"No."

Usually, Lucian would be the one on the giving end of this kind of treatment but there so much unknown at this point, but just like with anything else this was just a matter of fate taking things upon itself to guide them in the right direction. Though in which direction they were going it would be hard to say considering that with this fog it must be hard to tell where they were headed.

As if sensing his uneasiness, the captain spoke without turning around.

"Don't worry I know exactly where we are headed. This fog is merely here to mask the voyage from those who are not meant to see it."

"Well, that doesn't help to make me any less uneasy if anything this makes more cautious considering no one will know where to find me or look for me."

The captain smirked and continued to push the boat forward.

"Let's be honest son, you don't have anyone who would come looking for you."

"Damn you."

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The ship slowly approached the island, the ominous black shape that served as the outline of the incoming land was haunting, to say the least. The evening sun was midway through its descent. Slowly the fog peeled away to reveal their destination, an island that seemed to be uninhabited save forever lived on the large castle structure that loomed over the cliff and coast, its towers stretching to the heaven's piercing the clouds that laid above with no end to them in sight. As the castle disappeared from view, the opening of the cave swallowed them into its rocky maw. The hollow opening was illuminated with scattered lanterns, each one alive with a flickering orange flame that seemed to dance in the cage. The boat slid towards the natural pier that came from the rock outcropping. Slightly bumping against it with a slight tap as they came to a stop. The captain laid his oar against his shoulder and motioned for Lucian to leave from the vessel. Taking a single step Lucian climbed into the rocky offshoot. There was a single path that led straight to a set of stairs that seemed to be carved from the earth itself. More light poured out from the behind the hollow doorway of rock signifying more lanterns would light his path.

"I guess I should be than- you?"

The captain and his boat were gone, there was no nor trace of his departure, not a single sound or ripple of the water. The man and his boat had simply vanished. Even if he wanted to leave Lucian was stuck here.

"I clearly can't turn back now. Might as well take this as it is."

Without looking back toward where he had come, Lucian started up the stairs, whatever awaited him would be waiting at the top.

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The winding stairway seemed to cut through the island itself, the different twists and turns lead to a different change in the environment as he climbed towards the top. Early in his climb things had been rather cool and damp, the underground cave portion of the stairs was surrounded by water infused rock that made the area surprising cool and chilly, but things slowly became more and more humid as he continued his ascent to the grounds above, though judging from the lack of oppressive heat and the time they had arrived, things were not as warm as they could've been. As the stairway continued to worm its way around and around, Lucian found himself focusing more so on what could be than his journey.

How well they know it's even me. I mean what will their relation to me be. From what side of my family. Will they accept me? Will they even truly embrace me? Or am I merely a pawn in some weird family game. My parents never really talked about their individual sides. Other than my grandparents, I really never met any of the other members of my family. Only slight stories here and there. It was always just us...

Though I wonder what would someone have in mind to bring me here, a possible relative that would know nothing about. Unless of course they somehow heard about me being a mage and they were looking for some sort of help. Maybe a quick way to fame... But why now. I'm only a C-rank mage and quite frankly there is nothing I have done other than save a few spirits...

Whatever. The quicker we get this over with, the better. Though I am not so sure that fate is gonna let me off the hook that easy.

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The large castle loomed over the local flora, it's overbearing shadow evidence of it dominating presence and power. The stone of the castle was as black as the midnight sky on a moonless night. The foundation of the structure sat upon the oily dark rocks that made up the out cliff the castle sat on, it was almost as if the castle itself was grown from the earth itself. The grand walkway leading up to the entrance of the castle was an ornate natural walkway of sorts. Lined with the skeletal bare trees that sat under much larger oaks the shadow of the walkway made the already oppressive darkness even more so. There was an underlying feeling of dread and malice. Two emotions one should not be feeling when going to meet a member of their family but it was all too familiar. The stench of bestial savagery was there, which would explain the lack of small animals and creatures that would normally be around. If anything there had been no true sign of sentient life on the island since this journey began. Not a single fish, bird, or small rodent.

So why this hunger for the hunt? I know the call to the feast is always there but this... But this feels even more different than the last times, I haven't been part wolf long... But this feels like I'm being summoned and whatever is summoning me, is in that castle.

The dense foliage seemed to peel much like the fog on the water had done before as Lucian neared the structure, the looming castle doors were made of unequally dark wood as the stone around it. The doors were easily simple save for the large ornate door knockers. Silver wolf heads with the cast of an iron human skull in their mouths.

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Lucian raised his hand towards the ornate silver skill, the bottom jaw serving as the handhold. The small decorative door knockers were tiny in comparison to the rest of the massive doors. Taking a slow breath Lucian raised and pushed the knocker three times, each rap harder than the one before it. On the last rap, the area grew silent and still once again, no movement save for the breath that came Lucian's mouth as he waited for any response, and then in an instant, a multitude of raven and crows exploded from the surrounding area in a mighty black squall that took off towards the heavens, the beating of their mighty black wings blocked out the remaining sunlight as they swarmed overhead, and then they formed together dove towards the castle, before disappearing behind the castle doors into a spot that lied behind it.

After a few more moments of silence, the large doors creaked open slowly, groaning on their hinges as they swung to reveal the inner courtyard of the castle. The archway was paved with black stone and bricks and lined with the same lanterns from the cavern and stairway.

Lucian took the opportunity to walk inside, no fear would stop him from finding out what this all would mean. As he passed under the archway, a lone figure stood in the middle of the walkway, an ornate black hood ordained the being's body, it's head bowed in some sort of somber prayer, the starlight of the evening seemed to pour in like water of light from the stars above. There was something mystical about the moment, something serene. As Lucian approached the figure made no moves to acknowledge his arrival or apparent presence. Maintaining its solemn stance the monk in black only waited for Lucian to stand right before them before they spoke.

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The being rose its head slowly and removed the hood that rested upon her brow. Her eyes were amber just like his own but then they shifted into lavender and other hues like a bowl of gemstones. Her frame and was slender and her skin was much like his own, brown and soft like his father. Like warm baked sand bread. But then it changed to something lighter and then darker and back again. It was like nothing he had seen before, then out of the back of her a single raven flew out and up and onto her shoulder, its iris and sclera was as white as fresh snow. Taking a single finger to massage the crown of its head, the woman chose to finally speak

"So I see you've come as I've requested."

Her voice was familiar, rich and soft like his... his mother's...Which was ironic considering that she

"Looks just like her. Well, I usually choose a form that is most welcoming those that I meet so for you I chose to emulate your mother. Do forgive me if this troubles you, I wish you no ill will."

"It's fine, I have long come to terms with their ends. But I was brought here because of a relative sent for me, are you that relative?"

"Right to the point, I like that. Well Lucian, in a short story yes I am. In the conventional sense of the word. No. But in the truth, I am related to you as to all beings that love the moon."

The raven that was perched on her shoulder cawed and ruffled its feathers, as she moved closer to him. Her smile almost seemed genuine almost seem real.

"And so I'm guessing, you must be the spirit of the moon."

"As right you are. Though I would say more in alignment with the hunter's moon, my child. So you can think of me as the mother of the hunt."

"I'm guessing you choose crows and ravens because?"

"Because their minds are quick-witted and sharp like any hunter isn't that right captain?"

"Sure is. Thanks for the gold, boy."

Lucian couldn't help but let his mouth hang as the voice of the captain came from the mouth of the mystery raven.

"I paid a bird?! And if that's the case give me my jewels back you dirty..."

"Lucian... This is no time for quarreling besides, what you are about to receive is worth more than mere money."

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The mistress of the night face was as stern as his mother's had once been, it was scary but strangely comforting to see it again.

"Lucian you are a gifted individual, one that has seen many things beyond this realm and space, but in order for you to truly grasp hold of what fate and destiny have in store for you. You must come to terms with what you are."

The lighting in the courtyard seemed to grow stronger and brighter as if it was responding to the words of the woman. She seemed to be entranced by the moment and slowly a soft hymn escaped her lips, the song was low at first merely a whisper on the winds then it crescendoes till it reaches an octave of a chorus. Her song rolled over the area and seemed to breathe life into very stones around the castle. White light spilled from the various cracks in the ground surrounding them in a circle of sorts. As the sigil began to form, the woman's form began to change as well, gone was her human skin and it was replaced with the shimmering silver armor of a warrior knight, her hood had maintained its black color but was now embroider with a frame of white with silver etching stitched into the seams. The captain grew into a giant black hawk, a fierce predator of the skies and king to the night air.

As the hymn slowly came to a close, Lucian could feel a burning sensation tingle all over his body, it was the same as when he was ever in the presence of Krotodamus. The essence of a god.

Kneeling in respect, Lucian watched in reverence, as the goddess climbed upon her mighty creature. "Lucian, I leave this to you. Use it well my child."

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The moon seemed to grow larger as the goddess ascended higher. Lucian could only stare in wonder as she looked down on him with a warm smile like that of a mother, then in an instant, she was evaporated in a silver flash of moonlight. As she disappeared the moon grew bigger and almost closer and closer. Then before Lucian could react the moon itself raced forward and condensed itself striking him in the chest. Lucian's body erupted in a brilliant stream of light and luster. Silver energy erupted from every orifice of his form as the moon itself seemed to overtake him.

Lucian's held on with his might, the genesis force erupting from his body as he tried to contain the power that was now inside of him. His yells became the bestial howls of his animalistic self. Calling out to the midnight air, he felt his body shift as it had once before, his senses became keener, he could feel it all, and more than anything else he felt the need to hunt. To take down all those who stood in his way. The power was becoming contained and then in a final push, the roar of a god of beast escaped from Lucian's maw, ringing through the castle and surrounding area. The very foundation of the place shook and then just as suddenly as everything that proceeded it. The castle, island, and Lucian himself were swallowed up in giant light.

Lucian awoke his head resting on the cobblestone streets. Quickly he rushed to his feet, his senses on high alert. But there was no evidence of anything he had experienced. No castle, no island, no sea, no goddess, no talking birds. Just nothing at all.

Maybe it was all just a dream, maybe it was all just a simple... Lucian walked to the local tavern and into the rest area. Removing his shirt, a faint glow emanated from his back as he turned to look with wide eyes into the mirror. A large crescent moon now sat on his back, a call to the sigil of the huntress moon and her blessing.

"I guess the hunt is on."

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