Chapter 10: Wolf and Demon
As Credesar replaced Kelden's body with his own, he realized something was very wrong. He considered himself to be a respectable creature with manners and class. But now, aside from feeling hatred toward every living thing, he also had an unfamiliar and gnawing desire to kill. If that wasn't bad enough, his face was stretched into some sort of wolfish muzzle and dark hair covered his scaly arms. Somehow, Credesar had merged with another being and had become some sort of ugly hybrid.
As the Paltos fiend dropped to the ground and stood staring at his hairy arms, he wanted to lash out and kill. Credesar was the essence of a nightmare, a bizarre merging of wolf and demon, of scales, hair, horns, and snout. That his once beautiful appearance had become so corrupted drove him into a murderous panic. He roared and shook his head, saliva from his muzzle flying about, seeking to force the intruder from his body. But he was hopelessly fused with the dark magic of the other for the time being. Even his mind was tainted and not quite his own.
For years Credesar had waited patiently for his birth, locked away inside Kelden and growing stronger. Now at last the moment had arrived. He was free of his prison--and this time the seers weren't there to control him and send him back. But his victory was tainted, for he wasn't whole. Credesar glowered down at the Galds, recognizing them from long ago. If he wanted to go on a killing spree--which he certainly did--the Galds were a fine bunch to take his desires out on. Who deserved death more than these savages?
But the Galds had other ideas. They knelt and touched their foreheads to the earth in reverence. Credesar snorted with disgust. The wretched fools thought he was some messenger from their gods. But even though he wasn't in his right mind, Credesar was pleased with this show of respect and his rage subsided a bit, for like all Paltos fiends, he loved to be praised and honored.
Credesar noticed that a bulky former seer lay bound with ropes, his face bearing some gleeful and idiotic expression. A terrified lad also lay tied up. Credesar recognized Theodus from the ordeal in the Sky Chamber of Valganleer. The Dar fiend had regained consciousness and was staring up at Credesar with a look of disgust and possibly confusion. Credesar glared back at the snobbish imp. As far as Credesar was concerned, Dar fiends were all the same--too stubborn and opinionated to be reasoned with.
"Is that any way to stare at your savior?" Credesar said. His voice was now a repulsive growl. Everything about him was coarse and wolf-like, and he could barely endure it. He had a bizarre urge to craft weapons--even though he always fought with his formidable claws and sorcery. He wanted to raise armies and ravage the land--even though such pursuits shouldn't have interested him now that he no longer served the false god Jarvin. It took all of his willpower to hold himself in check and not go on an immediate killing spree.
"You haven't saved anything yet," said Theodus. "By the way, you've changed a bit. In a very ugly way. Not that you were a pleasing sight to begin with."
With a howl, Credesar leapt toward Theodus but stopped short. He was boiling over with rage, but he had no wish to harm a fellow demon--especially a helpless one. "Watch your tongue, Dar fiend," he seethed. "I know I'm different. But how has this happened? Why am I covered in hair like a beast?"
"How should I know?" said Theodus. "Get us out of this village, bring my master back, and maybe I can figure it out for you. In case you hadn't noticed, we're in a bit of trouble here. I'm not really in the mood for conversation."
"I think I know how you've changed," Dameon said. He was wide-eyed with a mix of glee and madness at the sight of the monstrous fiend.
Credesar strode over to Dameon and lifted him into the air. Dameon turned his head to one side, clearly overcome by the fiend's foul breath. "Speak quickly, seer," Credesar growled. "As you well know, I'm not fond of your kind. And I'm not myself lately. I'd feel no remorse over tearing off your head."
Dameon's feet hung well above the ground. He was a towering man at seven feet, but Credesar was over a foot taller. Dameon looked weak and frail in comparison, as if he could be torn to shreds in an instant. Credesar knew how intimidating he must appear--especially in his present condition--but he was dealing with a former seer, and it would take a lot to scare the truth out of this fellow.
"The Arnwolf has merged with you," Dameon said. "It's a creature from another realm, accessed by a rare and powerful magic that blood lore sorcerers sometimes manage to awaken after years of work and sacrifice. They can change themselves into a wolf-like monster and gain temporary power that way. Only a truly extraordinary seer can maintain control once the merging of man and Arnwolf occurs. But Kelden is far too young and uneducated. It should never have happened!"
"But it did happen," Credesar said, still holding Dameon in the air.
"Yes," said Dameon. "I saw it come forth. Kelden has become the Arnwolf. And somehow that magic bonded with you, and now you have merged with it."
Credesar shook the big man as if he were weightless. "How do I reverse it? How do I return to who I once was? Speak quickly, for my mind betrays me!"
Dameon shook his head. "I...I don't know. This has never happened before. It's completely new territory. The implications are astounding. We'll work with you to find out. However, the Galds intend to sacrifice us to their god. Save us and I swear we'll do whatever it takes to restore you!"
Credesar ripped apart Dameon's ropes and shoved him down. "You'd better keep your word, seer. Or next time I'll tear you to pieces!"
The shaman and his priests looked confused and took to arguing. Seeing his chance, Dameon stumbled over--still groggy from his head wound--and spoke to them. Meanwhile, Credesar freed Theodus and Thayan. Theodus seemed calm enough, but Thayan thrashed about while Credesar worked to free him, causing the fiend to become enraged and shove him away so hard Thayan tumbled head over heels.
Dameon and the shaman held a long conversation. Meanwhile, Credesar was growing weary from battling the Arnwolf's will, and his hold on Kelden began to slip, as the young human stirred within. Both creatures were exhausted, and Credesar decided to give up the fight--hoping the Arnwolf wouldn't be there the next time he awoke. He had a feeling the Arnwolf was hoping the same thing. Their merging had been a surprise to both--and neither would allow it to happen again if they could avoid it. For now the two beasts had run out of energy and Kelden had become the strongest force, backed by his blood lore sorcery.
"You have a stout will, young Kelden," Credesar mused aloud. "Stronger than you probably realize. And your sorcery shows promise. Too bad you won't get a chance to develop it."
The last thing Credesar saw before he slipped away was the lights on the towering piece of technology change from a blinking red to a steady white.