Once Abad finished unraveling the magic inside the fey''ra''s brand, the brand wept blood and fluid. He healed her wounded neck with [Essence Transfer]. Abad hated how much the magical construct was designed to inflict pain, but he knew it was what he would have done had he created it. He realized it made him feel guilty.


    However, his feelings softened when he watched the wolf girl. Zethari looked relieved as her clawed hand caressed her neck. She glanced over at him, looking thoughtful and appreciative. "You did something."


    He nodded. "I figured out how to undo the magic. You''re free."


    Her eyes softened. "It feels... good," she admitted while looking away. He could see her eyes shining in the dim light. "To be free. Thank you, nightstalker."


    Abad nodded and groaned as he sat up. His ribs hurt. He threw his legs over the edge of his large bed. "I can imagine."


    "Nightstalker." She knelt before him. "You have proven yourself worthy of your title. I swear to serve you well. " Her words were filled with reverence and passion.


    "No kneeling," Abad groaned again, pulling her upward by her shoulders. "You don''t need to kneel. You don''t owe me anything, and I''m no ''my lord.'' Not anymore."


    She pulled back, uncomfortable and confused. "I do not understand. Why do you reject my service? Is my oath not good enough for you?"


    "No... It''s not that. Not at all. You misunderstand." Abad searched for the right words. "I don''t want servants now. Just friends." He smiled at the woman, but she frowned back.


    "I cannot be free. Not anymore. If you do not accept my service, I will be given to the Legion or to some other te''ra, and I do not wish for that. I cannot bear the shame." Her golden eyes gazed into his, the passion in them evident. Please, allow me to serve you, to be free at your side. You are a good man, and you are powerful. I will fare better serving you than any other I would be forced to serve. You treat me as a warrior. I am valued as your ally. You show me kindness. Let me pledge myself to you. I will be your weapon. My people were created to be the weapons of the sod''ra. It would be the greatest honor to be so for you." She looked away from him as her words faded.


    She wanted this. She wanted to serve him out of choice, not force. He felt his heart clench.


    Abad considered her words. While he hadn''t wanted to recreate an element of his old life that he had been feeling guilt over, he was aware the Legion would conscript her if he didn''t accept her offer. He couldn''t allow that to happen. "Okay. I accept your oath, Zethari." He breathed deeply. This was happening. He thought back to his own oath to Faye and began to shape the words. "Zethari." Her golden eyes met his. "Do you swear to stand by my side through blood and fire? To lend me your strength? Do you swear to hold sacred my honor as I would hold yours, to never turn on me in anger or spite, to trust in me as I trust in you, for as long as we choose?"


    "I do. I will be your weapon in the night."


    He felt a magical presence wash over them. His scroll unfurled.


    <hr>


    You have accepted Zethari, Lupana Fey''ra Warrior, as your vassal.


    <hr>


    Zethari


    Lupana Fey’ra Warrior


    Level IX


    <hr>


    Lupana


    ????☆


    <ul>


    <li>[Feral Instincts] (Passive): Your instincts are honed to a razor edge. At rank II, you react with lightning speed to danger and can anticipate enemy movements with uncanny accuracy.</li>


    <li>[Enhanced Physique] (Passive): Your Lupana heritage grants enhanced strength, agility, and resilience, making you tougher and faster than most mortals.</li>


    <li>[Pack Tactics] (Passive): When working with allies, your attacks and abilities become more coordinated, increasing their effectiveness and dealing additional damage when striking an enemy your allies are also targeting.</li>


    <li>[Howl of the Alpha] (Active, Cost ?): Let loose a powerful howl that emboldens your allies and demoralizes enemies, temporarily increasing the damage and defense of allies within range and reducing the effectiveness of nearby enemies.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Fey’ra


    ???☆☆


    <ul>


    <li>[War Form] (Active, Reserve ???): Take on a powerful war form, blending the primal strength of your Lupana heritage with the supernatural grace of the Fey’ra. In this form, you gain increased physical strength, heightened agility, and enhanced durability. Your senses become razor-sharp, and you radiate an aura of intimidation.</li>


    <li>[Magic Resistance] (Passive): A faint shimmer of otherworldly magic surrounds you at all times, providing minor protection against magical attacks and heightening your resistance to mind-altering effects.</li>


    <li>[Locked]</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Warrior


    ??☆☆☆


    <ul>


    <li>[Warrior’s Arsenal] (Passive): You are skilled with a variety of weapons and can adapt quickly to different fighting styles. Additionally, you can learn a limited number of Warrior class abilities.


    <ul>


    <li>[Cleave] (1st Tier, Active, Cost ?): Swing your weapon in a wide arc, striking multiple enemies in front of you. This skill is ideal for crowd control and delivers increased damage to groups of weaker foes.</li>


    <li>[Riposte] (1st Tier, Active, Cost ?): A defensive skill allowing you to counterattack after successfully blocking or dodging an attack, dealing significant damage to your attacker.</li>


    <li>[Focused Strike] (2nd Tier, Active, Cost ??): Channel your strength into a single, devastating blow aimed at a vulnerable point on your enemy, dealing heavy damage and potentially bypassing some defenses.</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>[Battle Stance] (Active, Reserve ?): Shift into a combat stance that enhances your speed and precision, granting a temporary boost to your physical stats and increasing your critical hit chance.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Enhancements


    <ol>


    <li>[Evasion I] (Perk II): Improves your ability to dodge incoming attacks, increasing your agility and reaction time.</li>


    <li>[Might II] (Perk IV, VI): Increases the potency of your physical abilities, allowing your strikes to deal more damage and penetrate defenses more effectively.</li>


    <li>[Resilience I] (Perk VIII): Increases your stamina and reduces the impact of injuries, allowing you to endure longer in combat.</li>


    </ol>


    <hr>


    Titles


    <ul>


    <li>[Alpha]: As one destined to lead, your presence inspires loyalty in allies and hesitation in enemies. Allies gain a small morale boost when near you.</li>


    <li>[Defender of the Pack]: Your commitment to protecting your companions has granted you a minor aura of resilience, reducing damage taken by those within your immediate vicinity.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    QuestsIf you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    <ul>


    <li>[Find Your Mate: Rennar] (Quest, Personal)


    <ul>


    <li>Objective: "Your heart seeks Rennar, the one who stood beside you in battle and life before fate tore you apart. Search for the mate who once shared your bond and prove whether your connection endures."</li>


    <li>Steps


    <ul>


    <li>Trace the Past: Discover the path Rennar took once he was taken from you.</li>


    <li>Honor the Bond: Recall and embody the values you shared with Rennar through a significant act of strength or leadership.</li>


    <li>Confront the Unknown: Face those who stand between you and Rennar, whether enemies, obstacles, or doubts.</li>


    <li>Reforge the Connection: Reunite with Rennar and reaffirm your bond through words and action, proving your loyalty and love.</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Equipment


    <hr>


    Achievements


    <ul>


    <li>[Warrior of the Clan]: Born into battle, you earned your place as a warrior through countless trials, honing your combat instincts to perfection.</li>


    <li>[Protector of the Wilds]: Your strength has defended your homeland and kin, earning you a reputation as a guardian feared by your enemies.</li>


    <li>[Defender of the Pack]: You defended your clan against overwhelming odds, proving your strength and loyalty. Not even the mightiest foes can break your resolve.</li>


    <li>[Ogre Slayer]: You stood alone against an ogre, defeating the massive beast through sheer strength and cunning. The echoes of your triumph inspire others.</li>


    <li>[Alpha Ascendant]: You claimed your rightful place as alpha by defeating a rival in a test of might and leadership. Your dominance is undisputed.</li>


    <li>[Unbroken Chains]: Even while outnumbered, you stood your ground against eleven slavers, striking fear into their hearts before succumbing to their combined efforts.</li>


    <li>[Iron Will]: You fought off an enchantment meant to enslave your mind, demonstrating unyielding willpower in the face of magical coercion.</li>


    <li>[A Leap of Faith]: In a moment of vulnerability and defiance, you chose to place your trust in one who could have been your enemy, forging the first link in a chain of mutual respect and loyalty.</li>


    <li>[Serve the Creator]: By choosing to serve one of your people''s creators, you have forged a bond of loyalty and purpose, accepting their guidance to achieve a greater destiny.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    You may grant Zethari one of your talents as an enhancement.


    <hr><hr>


    He thought a moment, but the choice seemed obvious. He chose.


    <hr><hr>


    You grant Zethari, Lupana Fey''ra Warrior [Embrace of the Abyss].


    <hr><hr>


    After several moments, the magical energy faded, but he felt something. Focusing on the sensation, he realized he could feel Zethari''s presence in the back of his mind. Just as he could see her and feel her with his [Fey Senses], he could sense her in a way that was reminiscent of how his bond with Angra felt. His fingers found their way to the red crystal on the bed next to him. The crystal felt warm to the touch. It reassured him. He almost could hear the little imp''s words of support as he touched the crystal that housed her spirit.


    He waved away his scroll and focused on the woman in front of him. Her eyes were twinkling with an unfamiliar light, and she stared at him for a long while.


    "Thank you. I would not have been happy serving a te''ra. They disgust me." She smiled then. He realized he hadn''t ever seen her happy before. "And I believe that you will bring us glory, in battle and in life." They sat like that for a while, seemingly looking at one another for the first time. He wondered if she could feel his presence too. He hadn''t been able to feel Faye at all. He wondered why.


    He watched as a shadow crossed her face. Her hands traced up to where the brand on her neck was. While the magic was gone, the mark was still there. Her brows knitted as she felt the mark on her pale skin. It had faded, but it would never be gone. Or would it?


    He lifted his hand and touched her neck. She flinched but didn''t pull away. He closed his eyes and focused. He decided he''d try something new. Without opening his eyes, he warned her, "This will hurt, but I''ll be as careful as possible." He could feel the tension in her muscles. She was nervous. "Trust me." A moment later, he felt her nod.


    [Candlelight]


    He willed a small amount of mana out of his spirit and into his palm. He could feel the small flame ignite between his skin and hers. As the heat grew, she flinched. A soft groan escaped her lips.


    [Essence Transfer]


    As the smell of burned skin filled the air, he channeled his life force into her. A moment later, he willed the flame away, lifted his hand, and opened his eyes. Instead of Bolton''s brand, the mark on her neck had been replaced. On her skin rested a ring of three ravens in a stylized ouroboros. Each of the ravens had chains around one leg, but the chains were broken.


    "It''s done," he said to the woman. He watched as her face softened, the pain slowly fading away. Zethari''s eyes grew as she reached to her neck. She stood and walked to the mirror on the far wall and touched the mark on her neck.


    "Is this your symbol?"


    "It is now."


    "I will wear it with pride." She nodded and fell into silence as she looked at herself in the glass. Several minutes went by before she spoke. "When I was young, my people trained day and night to fight for your kind. We believed you would return one day and guide us to our true purpose. Some believed we would fight one final battle. Others believed we''d be led to a promised land." She gazed off as though remembering. "I always believed the stories. I believed we were supposed to serve. But none of you came." A frown spread across her face. "And when the te''ra came and stole my packmates, no gods appeared to stop them. When they finally captured me, I prayed to the black wolf. I asked him to come release me from the wicked mortals, to guide me to my purpose." Her jaw clenched as she remembered. "I nearly lost faith. As I was chained, I believed I would be freed. When Rennar was taken from me, I thought only of vengeance. When I was sold to that disgusting gik''ra, I wished to die. I tried to take my life then, to die with my honor intact, but the magic stopped my claws." Her eyes grew misty. "I''m glad I did not die then." She turned toward him again. "Now that you have come, I see that all happened as it was meant to. I am glad you came to see me when you did, and I am glad that you chose to reveal yourself and help me. And I am glad you chose me to be your shadow."


    His throat tightened. He had never had someone be grateful to him before. Not like this. He didn''t know what to say, but he tried. "I''m grateful I was able to save you and that you''ve agreed to be by my side."


    She nodded.


    ***


    After speaking with Zethari a bit more about how they would serve each other moving forward, Abad sent her to find clothing. Her rags were barely holding together, and he didn''t want to be known as some slumlord patron. However, when he reached out for his pack and the stolen crystals within it, he realized for the first time in several weeks that he no longer had his pack. He remembered he''d thrown it off Draekenspire when he was preparing for his battle with Kasimir and hadn''t retrieved it before returning to Farnfoss. Not that he would have been able to in the state he was in. He cursed to himself.


    "How did I not remember?" He pressed his forehead into his hands and laughed.


    "Is something wrong?"


    "I don''t have any money to give you." A thought came to him. "I know you don''t like her, but Keila might—"


    "No." Her words were final.


    "Okay, well... Maybe Faye would spare you some clothes? You''re about the same size as her."


    "I accept." She stood. "I will go find the warrior woman." With those words, she left the room.


    Once she left the room, he changed into simple black cloth pants and a black tunic, then walked over to the small mirror attached to the wall. While they weren''t exactly fine clothes, Keila had managed to track down a few decent outfits for him. Even if they''d be walking different paths, he was grateful how much the woman looked out for him. She really ended up being a good friend.


    He took a deep breath. It was time to get moving. He felt like there was much to do, but he didn''t know what would should come first. He''d learned how to unravel the magic within the brands, so that would be a priority. He could possibly teach the healers how to do the same with their own magics given time. He also saw Zethari''s quest. She had told him about her mate when they first met, and he knew she felt his loss. Also, he needed to earn money. He wouldn''t be able to help much of anyone without it.


    With a sigh, he finished putting on his boots and left his little room for the first time in weeks.