•|•|•"Don't you know that the forests died with the faerie folk? True Magic is not in these lands."•|•|•[KAYOS]The bird cawed loudly in its cage, and my eyes gleamed a sparkled ember as I watched it from the shadows of my study. The light trails of magic coming off it in shimmering waves intrigued me for I had not seen something quite like it. So easy to miss and yet so irregular.I studied the bird for a moment, before leaning forward into the candlelight. Inspecting it closely I confirmed a few things about the abnormalities of the bird. It was larger than a normal raven, it seemed to watch me as well, and its heart was racing the closer I got.The bird blinked in my direction, growing quiet, and paused as if frozen at the mere sight of me.It wasn't unusual for animals to behave this way toward me, I knew.Each animal was born with an instinct. It was simply natural that they knew when a predato

•|•|•The fates have designed your way, and Selene brought you forth from the earth and gave you life. As an Alpha you will live to rule, as a slave, you will live to serve, for always till fate and time reunite you in the fields from which Selene first brought you forth.•|•|•[Shade Shadows] Sweat littered my forehead in shiny sheets as I stepped off the ladder to examine my work. I had cleared one full row of shelves of books from top to bottom. The row spanned nearly half of the vast room, and my arms ached from the mere load. I felt like I had worked 24 hours straight. But of course, time seemed to be held in suspense as there was no sun in the sky to tell me how long I had worked. It felt like I was stuck in a timeless loop that was dipped in a pitch-black world.No stars to litter the sky, and no bright moon either. If it weren't for the lanterns lit up by the soldier in the court, it would be impossible to even see the ground from this height.Not that there was something

•|•|•"We live in a world of reflection where balance thrives. To the left, it is right. To love thereis hate, and to darkness there is always light." •|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]"And how was your day, master?" I asked as I stacked the books on the table.A smile was stained on my face involuntarily. My spirits had dampened after his crass comment but re-lit after the redemption of the one that followed.Perhaps I was foolish to be happy simply because of a compliment. The thought paused me.No- I shouldn't be too high upon horses to believe a master would actually offer such a thing to the likes of a Keffer. I admit it sent something warm deep down my insides to hear of my difference being spoken in a different light.One that seemed positive.I hoped, though hope was dangerous, that it was how he truly saw me. It was refreshing to hear it be spoken so highly, not as a peculiarity or a deformity, not as a curse but a thing of-Perfection.My smile returned, and I glanced at the master t

•|•|•"What do you know of the endless pup?"•|•|•[Kayos]A dark tent-covered cage sat in the Hall room beneath the castle. There was no light in any crevices except the candles that were carried by six of Vaelns men, who guarded the cage on all four sides, standing as still as statues.My ears stretched noting that whatever creature that was trapped here was so silent, it could not be breathing. It must be dead, for it had no heartbeat either.Master Gregory stood a little ways behind us, and Mother stood beside me, whilst Vaeln approached the cage. It was large I registered, judging by the size of the cage, big enough for a Full-grown wolf to roam freely.- An Alpha wolf to be exact. My ears sharpened at the sound of a hiss and grunt from the depths of the covered cage. It was alive. No heartbeat, no breath- but alive. Either it could mask these things or it simply was something diabolical.Scratching sounds followed, rough and hard against the silver bars."I will warn you," Vae

•|•|• "The Monster is the Wolf." •|•|•[Shade Shadows]"He is simply- insufferable.." I whined, stacking up more books, "Does he truly not know how to say goodbye?" I huffed, my gaze landing on Diane.The beady-eyed bird only tilted its head, watching me intently, as I sighed, stacking away, "he will have to learn. I will have to teach him," I huffed, making sure the spines of each book aligned, "truly insufferable."Diane cawed at this, ruffling her feathers.I glanced at her for a moment, before pausing, "I guess he is busy. I can not expect more from him, he has given me enough. A friendship with a keffer..." the words trail off and a small smile appears against my lips, a warm feeling drawing within me, "he is the first you know-" I huff, gaze trailing back to the bird, "outside of AMA and Vale-"Diane caws loudly and I chuckle-"And of course, you, my pretty little diamond," I gleamed,