| ShadowWalker: Part I |
| Her parents had been killed before she ever got to know them, much less be given a name to be known by. She was raised by her brother, Taelanus. He was a strong, powerful man who was respected by all, but most especially his little sister. She loved and worshipped him and would follow him everywhere, mimicking his actions, trying to be just like him. Taelanus would tease her mercilessly and tell her she was his shadow. He would lovingly call her his ShadowWalker. He swore he would always protect her from anything that would harm her; he would never let anything happen to his ShadowWalker. Taelanus was successful in protecting her from the outside forces that would harm her, but he failed in protecting her from herself. ShadowWalker's first encounter with a werewolf was on a clear winter's night. The stars were shining and the crescent moon was a beacon, calling her out to the wyld land. ShadowWalker snuck out from her brother's watchful eye and made her way through a path in the forest to her favourite hiding place. She would often go to the waterfall to get away from her brother's oftentimes overbearing protection. It would give her space and time to think. Taelanus had taken her to the small clearing once when she was younger and she had been compelled to return time and again, seeking the quiet peacefulness that was offered by Gaia herself. |
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| The man came to her in his human-form while she rested there on the quiet night. And a most spectatuclar form it was. He was a giant, powerful being with muscles rippling across his body and ShadowWalker fell in love with the beauty and power he exuded. He beckoned to her and pulled her close, promising her the moon, the stars, the land, anything her heart desired. He began to weave his web around her, spinning his lies and deceit and pulling her closer to him until she was so entwined with his greatness that she feared her very soul had been taken possession over by this incredible, mythical man-wolf. She begged him to never leave her, begged him to make her as he was. And he simply smiled, revealing fangs that glistened with the moonlight and granted her heart's desire, turning her into a werewolf. At first he was gentle with her, teaching her all he wished her to know of being a werewolf. He would show her the secrets Gaia would reveal to those who wished to learn. He took over from her brother and became her protector. But, when he began to realize his student was learning more than her own master knew, jealousy grew within his soul. He became angry that Gaia would grant more wisdom to this halfling than to him, one of the purest, a born werewolf. He hadn't needed to be clawed as ShadowWalker, yet it was ShadowWalker who was becoming greater than he. As his anger grew, ShadowWalker's longing to return to her brother also grew. She wanted to see Taelanus' smiling face. She wanted to run with him and fight by his side. One day, ShadowWalker learned what her master had become. She was now looking Death in the face. He no longer loved Gaia; he no longer served Gaia. All he had taught her, he had forgotten in his greed and jealousy. He became a monster that ShadowWalker ran from. ShadowWalker was fearful that Taelanus would have nothing to do with her when she returned. She now looked upon herself as a creature, a monster, something that would change into Death if given enough time. But her brother welcomed her back with open arms, whispering to her that all would be well and he would always be here for her. He realized that they could not stay in this land, not with Death walking it, searching for her. Taelanus took ShadowWalker and they ran as far as they could, searching out new lands, looking for sanctuary. Finally, they came across the Ethereal Mists. They were shocked to discover some of their childhood friends now resided here. Time had changed everyone. No longer were they the young innocents. They were now creatures of the night, men who kept to the shadows, demons, and great powerful beings of magic. But every friend was willing to help, willing to protect ShadowWalker from Death if he should find her in this land. They introduced ShadowWalker to others of her kind; ones that were not corrupted; ones willing to share with her what Gaia had to offer. It was under their tutelage that ShadowWalker honed her skills, learned, grew and strengthed in power. Taelanus could now see that ShadowWalker was no longer a child to protect, but a woman who could fend for herself. He finally gave her the freedom she had so long ago desired. But, ShadowWalker still felt that ever-present darkness residing within her, waiting to creep out and take over. It was this darkness that first drew her childhood friend, Shallen, to her. Shallen was not only a vampire, one of the forbidden, he also happened to be the strongest, most powerful vampire in the realm. But, ShadowWalker saw more in Shallen than the evil that Gaia shunned. ShadowWalker saw a gentle and caring soul who tried to make the most of the hand he had been dealt. Shallen had loved ShadowWalker since they were little, but he had also recognized her brother's fierce desire to protect her. Shallen had never been willing to overstep those boundaries with Taelanus, but now, he felt as if permission had finally been granted to him. Shallen realized that he had to capture ShadowWalker's attention, had to get her to distinguish his goodness from the evil that would consume him if he would let it. Shallen went to the witches to seek assistance in winning ShadowWalker over. They laughed at him and told him there was not a thing they could do as ShadowWalker's heart already belonged to him. Shallen could not believe this was so, but knew he had to verify their claim. He approached ShadowWalker and pleaded with her to give him but a moment of her time. ShadowWalker knew what she was about to do was wrong, but she could not turn away from him; she could not deny her heart's longing and agreed to Shallen's request. |