They met up with Sera outisde the building seemingly bored. She had brightened upon seeing them approach. Alric had left telling them to get rested, they were to leave tomorrow at sundown. Now the three of them walked down the streets of the city Sera'eyes just beaming with excitement as she took in the bustling city around her.
"The stories of this place do not do it justice" she said breathless " It's even more amazing than I ever imagined"
"The city is just like any other though this one is run in a more military sort of manner I would say." Eirik explains leading the way.
"Everyone is required to attend military training from an early age. Upon completion you are to serve for a certain period of time as a soldier of the kingdom.
"How long?" Sera asked.
"Two centuries at least depending on the situation, it ensures that each one is ready to defend if needed by the kingdom. Though you may take up any other profession afterwards. As you can see" He said whilst motioning to the people around. " Many have taken to their interests"
"What of humans, do you still turn them?" Sera asked.
"None have been turned in ages. When the king had first turned he passed on the gift to his most trusted people the elders. From there they sought people from wherever who they deemed worthy or useful to them. They then found this valley and built this city having it mystically hidden. From there we faded into myth and legend"
"The city seems larger than when we saw it when entering the valley" Tariq said.
"It is indeed. In reality the entire kingdom is comparable to a small country at this point. The magic that conceals it also allows it to expand as much as required for any space required for whatever means. Though from the outside it would seem as if it was a normal sized valley"
"I believe the lake is what powers this enchantment" Sera said.
" Correct. Everything in this city including magical items are powered by the lake even things such as electricity is generated by it"
They walked past couples strolling hand in hand, the air fragnant with the smell of freshly baked bread, roasting meats and spices. Sera's stomach rumbled.
"Oh I'm starving" she admitted " I haven't had a decent meal since the mission"
"There's a great street just ahead if i recall correctly. Lots of restaurants, you'll love it" Eirik said leading the way.
They turned onto a lively street buzzing with lights, laughs and chatter. They passed a couple of restaurants to a cozy looking one at the end with a sign that read ' THE 3 LITTLE PIGS'
Tariq smiled.
Inside the restaurant was modern yet inviting with polished wood and soft lighting. Mouth watering aromas of grilled meats, smoky barbecue and rich scents filled the air.
They were seated and handed their menus.
"No vegan options?" Tariq asked.
"Vegetarian wolves, is that what you expected?. And besides your as much a meat eater as I am."
"Hey I'm not complaining" Tariq replied raising his arms in a show of surrender.
Sera looked overwhelmed by the choice, so Eirik offered to pick something in her stead.
Their meals were brought not 10 minutes later. A hunter's feast for Eirik: a selection of roasted venison, spiced wild boar ribs and herb crusted lamb chops served with roasted vegetables and a tangy blueberry sauce."
Tariq chose a rich, smoked elk brisket with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms.
For Sera, Eirik had picked a delicate grilled duck breast, glazed with a cherry reduction, paired with garlic sauteed green beans and wild rice.
Sera's eyes watered with her first bite. They all ate heartily, trading stories between bites acquainting themselves better with one another.
"So where did you all disappear to?" Sera asked.
Tariq then gave her the shortened version of events omitting the details of the mission they were given.
"Damn, you met the elders, I mean obviously Eirik you've met them before but you Tariq wow. Was it because of your brawl with Mr Kessler?" She asked.
" Not at all" Tariq replied.
"I hear they're really old and powerful"
Tariq nodded recalling the display of power and speed Thaleia Aristeia had shown.
They finished their meal, paid and stepped back into the street.
"I'd expected you to pay with some gold coins or some ancient currency" Sera said.
"And why would you think that?" Eirik asked.
"I don't know... Shouldn't a mystical kingdom have a mystical form of payment"
"This is a kingdom so yes it has its own currency, but mortal money works too. Plenty of people run businesses in the mrotal world and live there too and besides you can always just exchange the money for local currency"
They walked on through the city. "Where will we be staying?" Sera asked.
"Well since they brought us here accomodations should be taken care of. I'll direct you to a hotel - they should have your information just give them your names and they'll sort you out" Eirik said.
"You ain't coming?" Tariq asked.
"Gonna take a walk" he replied.
"Alright, see you later then"
Eirik strolled through the city memories of his childhood resurfacing. Though he was shunned not all had mistreated him. A lovely couple had loved him as one of their own. He would run to them each time he was beaten up at millitary school.They had tried to adopt him but were denied several times for he was the property of the kingdom, to be trained and used for whatever purpose they deemed fit. Though he had not seen them in ages he still maintained contact with them sending letters and calling them from time to time. He decided to pay them a suprise visit.
He was now in the residential part of the city. Unlike mortal cities divided by financial status here is it was different. Having lived for centuries everyone could afford any luxury available. Money was not an issue among people who could potentially live forever.
The more older Lykans tended to have their homes in an area with a more ancient architectural style with modern upgrades. Having turned people from all over the world various architectural structures could be noted. Roman styled mansions, Japanese go-tei, Arcadian villas even Scandinavian Herrgardar. The newer younger lykans tended to live in the modern side with modern mansions and fast loud cars.
The couple lived in the modern residential area. Eirik wondered if he could still remember the house after all this time. But ofcourse how could he forget having run here so many times as a boy to his only refuge. A huge mansion with lush greenery stood before him. Ivy crawled up the stone walls while blossom trees dotted the garden, their petals drifting softly in the breeze. Tall windows reflected the fading sun and apristine marbled fountain trickled quietly by the entrance. Eirik recalled the couple loved cars and were overjoyed the first time they had heard about them.
"Mortals are now inventing machines to travell" the wife jad said " No more horses" she said happily.
She had hated the stench of defecation left by horses in the city. She had visited the new world in its early days and the stench had nearly killed her she claimed. Having a heightened sense of smell horses were rarely used in Lykaryon as it greatly affected them. The invention of the automobile was a greatly celebrated achievement.
Eirik spotted a couple of sports cars dotting the driveway. A Ferrari F8, Lamborghini Aventador and a Pagani Huayra. He went to knock but the door flung open before he could even raise his hand.
A stunning woman stood in the doorway, her face framed by long silky black hair. She had almond shaped eyes that shimmered with warmth and kindness. Mei Vollen the woman he could never repay. His mother.
"Eirik" she said with a radiant smile " I knew it was you. Even after two centuries a mother's intuition is never wrong".
"Is that Eirik?" came a deep voice from somewhere inside.
"It is indeed" Mei replied.
Behind her appeared a broad shouldered man with rugged features– hint of a weather beaten face most likely from his time as a mortal– framed by sandy brown hair and a thick beard. This was Callum Vollen, a proud Scotsman with a sturdy build, strong jawline and a deep voice with a soft Scottish brogue.
"Come in my boy" Callum said warmly " Don't just stand there, give us a hug"
Eirik embraced them both.
"We missed you greatly" Mei said.
"I wouldn't say we...." Callum started but Mei jabbed him in the ribs.
"I'm joking" he laughed " Ofcourse we missed you son"
"I saw your toys outside" Eirik said with a grin.
"You noticed huh" Mei said, eyes twinkling " We sure have come a long way from horse carriages. Wait till you see the underground garage"
"Aye" Callum added " Your mum just keeps on buying every new car that catches her eye. I'm pretty sure we got the largest collection of hyper adn supercars, besides the king. He sure loves his toys as well."
"So where's my sister?" Eirik asked.
"Hanna is out exploring the world muvlch like you did when you left, now that she's finished her service. I thought she would have come to see you by now. She misses you terribly "
"Nay she did not"
"Two centuries and all we get is a couple of letters and some calls" Mei says " I know you didn't have a great time growing up but surely you could have visited once in a while you know"
"I've been busy with work" Eirik replies sheepishly.
"Two hundred years...." Callum teased " That's some work you got. We would have visited but like you said you're busy and you never atay long in one place"
"Yes son we've all heard of your accomplishments. Big business man now huh, you've grown a lot"
"Why don't we have some tea. Your mom just made a pot and you can tell us what brought you back to this city"
They head to the living room and Eirik tells them everything that occurred in the past few days leading up to today. The ambush, the encounter with the werewolf and the witch, the elders and the offer.
"Mmmmhhh.." Callun murmured thoughtfully " We've encountered them back in our day too. They aren't your average Velari that's for sure"
"Indeed" Mei agreed " The first time we encountered the werewolf, I froze in place too scared to move"
Eirik knew the feeling.
"Multiple times we fought it or more like it toyed with us"
"You have to understand,that thing is a powerful entity" Callum said quietly" I believe even more so that the king hence why they wish it's end. Very few even know of it's existence. Though its may be different from us, wedraw power from the same source, primordial wolves. If it were ever to kill the king it could claim dominion over us and we would be powerless to do anything"
"Does it have any weaknesses?" Eirik asked.
"None that we know of" Callum admitted " We inflicted no damage the few lucky times we were able to land a blow. Guns, swords, fangs and claws bounced harmlessly of its hife as if it were that of the Nameaon lion"
"The main reason apart from it's impenetrable hide is that we have been unable to track it down till now, being that no one has ever seen it in its human form and thise who have aren't alive" Mei said.
"But surely its scent doesn't just disappear, why not track using that?"
"We could if it had the same scent. Remember this is a werewolf it has two souls. Each soul has a different form, meaning each form has its own identity" Mei replied.
"Meaning each form has a different scent" Callum added
"Exactly "Meu replied "Whenever it switches back to its hunan form it does it in a place that we can never catch the scent. Industrial areas with lots of chemicals or directly in bodies of water"
"But still how could a wolf of that size escape you for ao long? Eirik asked.
"Despite that it can change its size fluidly. It could be the size of a regular wolf one second and the mext you would think Cerberus was in front of you" Callum replied.
"This will be even more challenging than I thought " Eirik said.
"And the Witch" Callum continued " She's a powerful one indeeed, she's even older than our entire species and now that she's rescued her mate sooner or later she will seek her revenge "
The wolf did say they would come knocking.
"Mate? as in soul bound?"
"Aye they are" Callum replied " Fir as long as he was prisoner she could sense every pain inflicted on him. Twenty five hundred years is a long time son, especially when separated from the persin you love and can feel their torment"
Callum and Mei shared a loving look.
"Listen son" Mei began " You know we love you no matter what and I feel compelled to disuade you in this but..."
"But we understand you have to do this for yourself" Callum continued "For you to finally feel whole. All we ask is that you watch yourself. You be careful, for the hunter may become the hunted"