The Curse of Credesar, Part 1

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  The Arnwolf couldn't believe its good fortune. Previously, it had been forced to share itself with a more powerful being that it despised and who despised it in return. That being had kept the Arnwolf in check, forcing it to behave in a civilized manner. But now that creature didn't reveal itself, and the host was putting up no fight whatsoever, leaving the Arnwolf free to act out its murderous desires.

  Drool dripped from its muzzle as it rose up and gazed at Wessop. It considered toying with the human, but it was too hungry for bloodshed and it felt like its strength was being sapped by the moving walls around it. Finally it just flung itself on the elite soldier's back.

  Wessop screamed as the Arnwolf bit into his neck. In an instant Wessop was reduced to a crumpled, mutilated heap. The Arnwolf growled with passion, and then at last, unable to contain itself, it threw back its head and howled.

  It eyed the remaining humans in the chamber, wondering how satisfying it would be to kill them--if they might put up a worthy struggle.

  Yet something was wrong. Its power was failing, being pulled away from it by the strange tumbling runes on the walls. In moments it would be helpless.

  But the Arnwolf was cunning. It flung itself toward the door, catching an arrow in the process. A soldier outside the chamber had shot it, and now he was trying to close the door and secure it. The Arnwolf instinctively knew that once the door was locked there was little chance of escape.

  The Arnwolf rammed its way through the iron barrier before it could close. Once beyond, it took another arrow. Unfazed, the Arnwolf threw itself at the humans, ripping and tearing, regaining its strength as its body rapidly healed. The arrows disintegrated inside it, its dark magic eating them like acid.

  When it was done, the Arnwolf paused to study its work. The tunnel was littered with the dead. The Arnwolf was pleased.

  Its cunning mind began to ponder what to do next. By nature, the Arnwolf knew how to craft powerful weapons and armor. It needed a place to build a forge. It knew Kelden couldn't threaten it, for he was too weak. But it worried about the more powerful being, the one that could control it. It wondered how much time it had left.

  Escape through the city was possible but very risky. However, the Arnwolf could smell more potential victims all around, some of which seemed to come from behind the stone walls. Intrigued, the creature searched the tunnel. Finally it found a hidden passageway that was lined with cells containing prisoners. It bounded on past them through the shadows, consumed with purpose, determined to escape and begin its pursuit of power.

  It didn't get far before it felt the other presence stir. The Arnwolf cringed, knowing it had been discovered and that the despised one was about to come forth and rob it of its freedom. But the Arnwolf was determined to fight back, to force Credesar to at least merge with it as he'd done before rather than simply surrender its hold. The two monsters were soon locked in a fierce struggle, each one determined to subdue the other. Credesar was stronger than the Arnwolf, but he couldn't shake off the resilient creature completely as long as the Arnwolf was determined to hang around. Credesar had little choice but to merge with the beast or give up, but the Paltos fiend refused to do either. Instead he threw all of his will against the Arnwolf in an effort to crush it. But this only fueled the Arnwolf's hatred and made it stronger.

  Finally both monsters grew exhausted, and Kelden was able to gain a foothold. He forced his way to the surface just in time to black out.