Aelric blinked. "You're… not upset?"
"Upset?" Selene tilted her head, studying the Howlfangs with a sharp, calculating gaze. "No. Intrigued? Absolutely." She stepped closer.
The Howlfangs stirred, low growls rumbling in their throats like distant thunder. One stepped forward, claws scraping against the stone floor. Its ears flattened, and its body tensed as it fixed its gaze on Selene. The others followed suit, their postures rigid, their breathing heavier.
Kane and the others tensed further, their grips tightening on their weapons.
"Easy," Aelric said, his voice low but firm. He reached for the bond, feeling the thread of connection pulsing faintly between him and the creatures. Calm, he thought, pushing the command toward them.
The growls subsided slightly, but the tension didn't leave their bodies. Their ears twitched, and their tails swayed low, uncertain. The lead Howlfang took a hesitant step back, but its molten eyes stayed locked on Selene.
Selene raised an eyebrow, her posture casual but her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her dagger. "They're charming," she drawled, though her voice carried a sharp edge. She took a deliberate step forward, and the tension in the room spiked.
Aelric winced as one of the Howlfangs snapped its jaws, the sound like a whip crack in the enclosed space.
"Enough!" Aelric barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. He clenched his fists, pushing harder through the bond. Calm. Stand down.
The Howlfangs hesitated, their growls fading to low rumbles. One of them—larger than the others, with a deep scar cutting across its flank—let out a faint, sharp huff, as though begrudgingly following the command.
A maid in the corner let out a muffled gasp, her hands trembling as she clutched a tray to her chest.
"Easy," Aelric murmured again, both aloud and through the bond. He could feel their instincts—wary, territorial, protective—straining against his command. It was like holding back a flood with a hastily built dam.
"Impressive," Selene said, her tone neutral but carrying a trace of curiosity. "They listen to you… mostly."
"Mostly," Aelric admitted. He glanced back at the maid, who was frozen in place, her wide eyes fixed on the Howlfangs. "It's all right," he said gently, his voice softening. "They won't hurt you."
The maid didn't move. Her tray rattled faintly in her hands. Another maid standing near the door looked ready to bolt, her gaze darting between the beasts and the exit.
Selene gave a quiet snort of amusement. "Your talent for reassurance could use some work."
One of the guards near the doorway shifted uncomfortably. "Your Majesty," the man said, his voice tight, "are you sure they're safe? They don't look… tame."
"They're not tame," Aelric said firmly. "But they're loyal." His gaze flicked to Selene, catching the faintest hint of a smirk on her lips. "They are loyal," he repeated, this time more for her benefit.
Selene's smirk widened. "If you say so. Well, shall we see what your followers can do?"
Aelric's stomach sank. He knew that look: Selene's curiosity sharpening into something akin to an experiment. He raised a hand, stepping between her and the rest of the crowd. "Wait," he said firmly. "They've all survived hell. They need rest, not a test."
Selene paused, giving him a sidelong glance. The humans behind him looked grateful for his intervention. "Rest, then," Selene relented, though her tone said the matter was only postponed, not forgotten. She eyed them all—human and beast—one last time, then nodded. "We'll meet up first thing tomorrow."
Aelric nodded gratefully. "You can all stay here. Together," he emphasized, knowing that separation would only heighten their anxiety in these unfamiliar surroundings. Turning to the maids, he gave a firm command: "See to their every need."
Then his gaze shifted to the towering beasts. Their claws scraped softly against the stone floor, a sound that set his nerves on edge.
"Now to find a place for you," Aelric muttered, though his words carried a hint of hesitation.
Could locking them in one of the castle's chambers provide a solution—or spark a catastrophe? Despite the bond formed after the Alpha's defeat, unease lingered in his chest. What if a soldier or maid made a mistake and they attacked? It would be a disaster.
Selene caught the flicker of doubt in his eyes. "The storeroom," she suggested calmly. "It's spacious enough. I'll keep an eye on them."
Reassured by her presence, Aelric nodded. Together, they led the Howlfangs through a quiet corridor to the storeroom. The space, with its sturdy beams, high ceiling, and fresh hay bales, offered a rough but fitting refuge—far better than the castle's velvet-draped chambers.
"Bring them some meat," Aelric requested of a passing guard. The man stiffened, eyeing the Howlfangs dubiously. "Are you sure, sire? They'll need—"
"They'll need a lot, I know," Aelric acknowledged. He turned to Selene, who merely shrugged.
"Do it under my name," she said, voice authoritative. The soldier's hesitation lingered until Selene gave him a pointed stare. At last, he inclined his head and hurried off.
Aelric frowned, puzzled. Since when did the guards doubt his authority this openly, even on small matters? Selene, catching his look, waved it off. She offered no explanation and he didn't push.
They parted ways soon after. Selene left to review the reports still piled in her war chamber, her curiosity about Aelric's 'followers' temporarily shelved.
Aelric, exhausted in body and soul, returned to his old bedchamber. The door closed softly behind him. No distant screams, no blood-soaked fields. Just stone walls and embroidered tapestries, quiet and still. He shed his filthy garments and sank into bed. For the first time in weeks, sleep claimed him easily, and he drifted off listening to the gentle hush of the castle corridors.
Morning's light filtered through the high windows when Aelric awoke, feeling more rested than he had in months. A maid waited politely by the door, carrying a fresh set of clothes and informing him that hot water had been drawn for his bath. He thanked her softly, grateful for these small luxuries.
The warmth of the bathwater soaked into Aelric's tired body, soothing aches he hadn't realized he carried. He leaned back against the edge of the tub, steam curling softly in the air around him. For the first time since he'd returned to the castle, he allowed himself to relax.
But his thoughts refused to quiet.
Almost everyone who had survived the ordeal was here: Kane, Mira, Joss, Lysa, even the Howlfangs. But one face was missing.
Elysia.
She hadn't been marked by the Mark of Loyalty. That much he knew. But when he'd vanished from the battlefield, she had been weak, battered, and barely able to stand. Had she survived after he was pulled back into his realm? Was she safe? The memory of her glowing, feral eyes and her defiant stance against the Alpha burned vividly in his mind.
"She was the strongest out of all of us," he muttered to himself.
He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. If I ever get back there, I'll find out what happened to her. The promise hung heavy in the air, unspoken yet resolute.
He exhaled sharply, his breath rippling the steam. Worrying wouldn't solve anything now. He needed answers.
Closing his eyes, he summoned the system.
[Name]: Aelric
[Rank]: Lesser
[Dominion]: Unknown
[Dominion Form]: Nascent
[Skill]: Unknown
[Art]: Firebolt
Mark of Loyalty:
[Bond: 11]
[Pledge: 0]
[Vow: 0]
[Oath: 0]
[Dominion Mark]: [Kharath's Blessing - Combat]
The screen filled with details he didn't fully understand, though some pieces were beginning to fall into place. He focused first on the Mark of Loyalty—the bond he shared with Kane, the Howlfangs, and the others.
[Bond: 11] was straightforward enough. Eleven lives tied to his, trusting him to lead. But the other categories—Pledge, Vow, Oath—were more opaque. They sounded… deeper. More profound. Did they represent stronger commitments? Greater power? Deeper Loyalty?
His gaze shifted to the Dominion Mark: Kharath's Blessing - Combat.
The words stared back at him, as cryptic as they had been when they first appeared. He had earned this mark after slaying a hundred Howlfangs—an impossible task when it had first been thrust upon him. He had stared at the message in disbelief back then, convinced it was a cruel joke.
But he had done it. Somehow, he had done it. Yet even now, the memory of it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
What even is this blessing? he wondered. What have I gained for all the blood I spilled?
Finally, his eyes returned to the words that had haunted him since he had known gained power: Dominion: Unknown.
Aelric frowned, his fingers curling against the rim of the tub. His Dominion was supposed to define him—shape his abilities, guide his growth. Yet it remained shrouded in mystery, as if even the system itself was uncertain of his purpose.
The system screen faded as he leaned back into the bath, his mind both heavier and clearer. He had his moment of rest. It was time to start tackling both his power and the struggles his kingdom faced.
*****
A/N:
We've finally seen Aleric's abilities out in the open, and the journey to mastering them begins soon! It's going to be exciting to watch him grow and refine his powers, but as always, challenges and surprises are just around the corner.
Let me know your thoughts—what do you think of his abilities so far? Your feedback and support mean everything, so don't hesitate to share your reviews and comments. The adventure is just getting started!