It was early, at dawn. Walpurgis was already moving with life, the wolves have to strike when the prey still sleep. And of course, the Alpha and his Betas were already at work.

  Aiden was in the gym, with Tony, Mizuchi, Carlos and Ophelia with them. He was pulling an incredible specialized barbell curl, 1050 Kg plates on both sides. The weights he had were specially made to be this heavy and the bar made to withstand the weights. Aiming for a brand new PR.

  “Come on! Aiden! An alpha cannot show weakness before his pack!” Tony yelled in his face. He already knew what the 16 year old boy was doing is profoundly unreal but not to ruin his effort with surprise, he continued to push him.

  “Alpha! Do it, you can do it!” Mizuchi couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He can’t even push 50 Kg as a monster, although he is just 14 years old.

  “Alpha, I am spotting you, you just gotta complete it,” Carlos stood behind Aiden and ensured he had perfect form. Seeing his Alpha strain until veins popped up all over his body.

  “Now!” Aiden screamed, completing the curl and releasing a loud roar produced from his lycanthrope body. At his tremendous roar, wolves all around Walpurgis chanted and howled. Knowing their Alpha had achieved another milestone.

  “That’s my boy!” Tony grabbed Aiden and rubbed his head, “Don’t roar too loud, you’ll wake up Spike.”

  “Alpha! That was amazing!” Mizuchi came up and cheered for him. Also realizing his Alpha could crush him like a twig.

  “As expected of my Alpha,” Carlos nodded in respect, genuinely believing his Alpha will complete the rep.

  “Thanks, I will keep getting stronger,” Aiden meekly responded, quite proud that he could pull it off.

  “Yeah, that was incredible, I’ll give you that,” Ophelia got off the barstool and waltzed towards them. She was watching in boredom when seeing Aiden strain but, lit up when he completed it, “Now it’s my turn.”

  Ophelia isn’t a regular girl. She is the most recent addition to Walpurgis’s Betas. She has black hair and white skin. Her ears were replaced with wolflike ones on top of her head, a black clawed arm and a wolf tail protruding through her rear. She was in a state of half [Grotesque] due to her unstable powers.

  She crawled her way up the ladder of Walpurgis, becoming a Beta herself. To become a Beta in Aiden’s pack, you would either have to defeat or draw with a current beta. The defeated Beta will submit to a category known as a Delta, which is above Omega, no one is in this category yet. That’s because Ophelia couldn’t defeat Headley, they drew.

  They stepped aside and allowed Ophelia to rest her hands on the weight.

  “Do you need a spot?” Carlos asked, he still wasn’t familiar with her. None of them were, she joined the pack as another person who was about to die in the slums and needing saving. So, they were a bit awkward around her.

  Except for Aiden, Ophelia got close to him as a friend after becoming a lycanthrope.

  “No, they only person’s support I need is my Alpha,” Ophelia released a war-cry. She started curling the weight before Aiden could offer to help.

  She strained just as him but after a moment she curled it too.

  “You just keep getting more powerful,” Aiden said with a teasing smirk. His betas around him as they witnessed the incredible feint too.

  “It’s thanks to the power you gave me,” Ophelia showcased a pleasant smile to her Alpha.

  Suddenly, Headley barged into the gym. She was panicked and so were several other Omegas behind her.

  Immediately, they all became alerted. Sensing a surge of stress throughout all of Walpurgis.

  “What’s the situation?” Tony spoke up for Aiden, since the boy was too anxious to handle the harsh tension.

  “We have a problem, mercenaries have captured a lot of wolves by Moonshine Bar,” Headley reported, making sure to acknowledge her alpha as she did. “Including some kids.”

  They turned to their alpha and waited for their command. Tony didn’t say anything, he needed Aiden to grow as a leader.

  “Let’s go,” Aiden said sternly. His presence emitted only rage, the Betas took this and got ready.

  “Don’t blind yourself with anger,” Tony made sure to wake up Aiden from his blood-thirst. “We have to live again tonight.”

  A battle was going to happen.

  ~//~

  The wolves did not hesitate, reaching the area of Moonshine Bar quickly. In the backside of the slums, they faced a scene which enraged them.

  Many of the wolves were tied up, blindfolded and muted by fabric. Some struggled and some gave into despair, hopping to be saved.

  “How dare you!” A deadly pressure was released from Aiden. Such a young man had an incredible blood-lust and exhibition of power. His Betas didn’t dare to move without his orders.

  “Right on time, I thought I would have to storm into your lovely home,” The blue-haired Asian man haughtily mocked them.

  “Naohiko! Why are you doing this!?” Tony stepped forward, being familiar with the man. He couldn’t risk a bloodshed, Red Panda Mercenaries were stronger than Walpurgis.

  “My question is why you’re with the mutts, Tony?” Naohiko responded harshly, pointing his brass knuckles at the man. “I didn’t know you’d stoop so low after Kisscensiata!”

  “These mutts are my family! You have no business with them,” Tony continued to talk with them. Mizuchi a bit annoyed since Tony still called them mutts.

  “But, we actually do have business with them,” A young man who was leading the group with Naohiko spoke. Having dark skin and twisted hair, his brown eyes had a charming glint to them. “It’s just another dirty deed that we aren’t doing cheap.”

  “Brat… Back away from this,” Tony glared at the boy, he was also familiar with him. To believe that the boy would rack up such power and authority in a short time. “This is bigger than you, Rodriquez”

  “Nothing is bigger than me now! My brother is gone! Don’t treat me like a kid!” Rodriquez snapped at him, knowing the hidden meaning behind his words. “The Lover of the Nuirs is gone now, I take on business.”

  “He would be disappointed in you,” Tony spat out. Knowing the Lover of the Nuirs well before the unfortunate event.

  “Why should I care about a dead man’s disappointment?” Rodriquez said soullessly with wide eyes.

  “We’ve been paid to kill wolves, not a human. Step out of this, Tony, I don’t want to kill you,” Naohiko tried to reason with him. Still feeling a bit of comradeship form the past. “We already lost a lot of vets because of Kisscensiata. You know how much money means to me, I will kill you.”

  “…” Tony became silent. He could see that Aiden was starting to lose control over his rampant power. Tony spoke, “Who sent you?”

  “The Conglomerate. I guess the old saying that vampires and lycanthropes don’t mix is true,” Rodriquez answered the question with a mocking grin.

  Upon hearing who planned the hit, they couldn’t be surprised. It was expected after their wolves blindly stole 2 Million credits from them.

  “I can introduce a proposition to solve the matter,” Naohiko intervened, having a deadly grin plastered on his chiseled face. “If you can overturn the Conglomerate’s price of 1 Million to each of us, we will leave.”

  “I like how you think, old man,” Rodriquez agreed with them. They are gangs, whether official or not, money is their deceiver.

  “By how much?” Tony asked, feeling the tension rise.

  “By 1 Million more, each,” Naohiko responded with a sick sneer.

  “We can’t do that, we don’t have the funds,” Headley responded for Tony. She was in-charge of the finances, since she was the only Beta with the ability. Most of the money they stole was already put back into building up Walpurgis, buying supplies and the sorts.

  “Then I guess this can’t work,” Naohiko pulled his fist back and a power charged at it.

  “Nishizawa! Don’t do it!” Tony was past his prime, he couldn’t move fast enough.

  “Patchwork Bob!” Naohiko extended his fist and a raging beast manifested from it. Being a giant dog head made of countless, raggedy fabric. It extended forward rapidly and tore through the wolves kept hostage on the ground.

  “Lycosura!” Aiden quickly transformed into his [Grotesque], becoming a hulking black lycanthrope with white veins. With a strong build-up of electricity, he closed the distance in a matter of moments and held onto the patchwork made beast. He couldn’t destroy it immediately due to its power, so he was dragged along as the beast killed more hostages.

  Blood splattered all over Aiden until he could finally destroy the creature, which didn’t require much force. He stood defeated, covered in the blood of his wolves.

  “Give up now, or the slaughter will be crueler,” Naohiko warned them sternly. He is a standard mercenary and gangster, he won’t do merciless slaughter if it’s unnecessary.

  “You bastard!!” Ophelia screamed out, she didn’t dare to move. Until their alpha gave the signal.

  Aiden accidentally consumed the blood of his wolves and lightning struck him. Making him larger and darker than before, the white veins glowing intensively. He released a monstrous howl, which signaled his wolves to get ready for battle.

  “Struck by lightning at consumption? I know that, I am familiar with Europe, it’s a Greek myth,” Naohiko quickly deduced information on Aiden at a show of his power. “I know your [Genius], boy.”

  “Then you know you’re facing a king.” Aiden responded back in a monstrous tone, getting low and preparing to pounce at them.

  “The Wolves!” Aiden released an ear-shattering roar. Invoking morale amongst the lycanthropes, enraged at the death of their family. They rushed forward, colliding with the combined forces of the Red Panda Mercenaries and Spaggiari.

  The mercenary groups did not bring their entire force, just a small fraction since the Wolves weren’t powerful. Naohiko only brought Keizer and Elijah along, Rodriquez only had two executives which are Slash and Vesta. They collided with Aiden’s Betas.

  The mercenaries charged forward without the command of their boss, the enemy’s advance was enough.

  With streak of electricity, Aiden closed the distance between him, Naohiko and Rodriquez. With his monstrous claws, he swiped at their necks but the two enemies kept evading his attacks.

  “You got a lot to work on, dumbass!” Rodriquez taunted Aiden, evading another attack and laying a kick to his lycanthrope’s chin. A decorated elephant hoof projected around his incoming fist, “Tamil Kera!”

  Tony threw his chained bear-trap towards the attack and instantly, the power and projection disappeared. Tony then expanded his bear trap with the stolen energy and slammed Rodriquez away.

  Naohiko skillfully caught Rodriquez and placed him on the ground, “You gotta be careful of Tony, his ability would have killed us easily if he was in his prime.”

  “I don’t need your help, old man!” Rodriquez stubbornly threw off Naohiko’s helping hand. Seeing that Aiden was charging a strong attack, Rodriquez also gathered a strange dust at his fingertips.

  “Listen here kid, we’re dealing with business and money here,” Naohiko said firmly, he couldn’t intervene with the attack so he allowed Rodriquez to.

  “Voice of Tempests!” A sound wave so intense that it was visible boomed towards them.

  “Spice!” The dust that Rodriquez gathered exploded forward with equal intensity.

  Naohiko smirked, “We have to put our differences aside and work together!”

  The waves of power collided with a strong impact, throwing winds around with reckless strength. Tony took advantage of the situation, throwing his chained beartrap into the fray and absorbing the released energy. Multiplying the beartrap with the stolen energy, he sent many projectiles after them.

  “Let’s do this!” Naohiko hyped himself. Gathering all the beartrap attacks into one and taking burns to his fists, he ignored the pain and threw them away with his great strength.

  Naohiko closed the distance with Tony and delivered a punch to him, which Tony blocked with his beartrap. Naohiko laughed as coins exploded around them before disappearing, “Jackpotto! How are you doing? Old friend!”

  “I wish we didn’t have to meet like this,” Tony muttered. The match-up against Naohiko wasn’t best suited for him but it would be far worse for Aiden.

  Aiden closed the distance between him and Rodriquez, both releasing an onslaught of attacks that either missed or hit and ignored.

  Naohiko kept on a barrage of heavy swings and jabs, which Tony defended against and sent his own punches or beartrap attacks too. But, Tony’ strength wasn’t as great as Naohiko, the damage was pilling up. Tony couldn’t even absorb any energy as the only stimulus produced in their hand-to-hand combat was the coins that quickly disappeared after manifested.

  “You ain’t looking good, you stopped training didn’t you?” Naohiko laughed, continuing with his superhuman physique. Each punch sent air blasting, Tony coughed up blood. Naohiko swung at the man’s head and Tony was forced to dodge, trying to counter with clamping his beartrap on his fist.

  “Of course I have, these kids needed me to teach them!” Tony said in frustration, the beartrap clamped into Naohiko with its impressive strength for a simple tool. Naohiko’s skin wasn’t easy to pierce. Tony then stepped on the chain and pulled Naohiko to the ground, pressing a kick to his chest that bounced him off.

  “At what cost though!?” Naohiko smirked, at least the man didn’t forget his annoying fighting style. Naohiko caught his balanced and then punched to Tony’s feet; Tony avoided the attack, but a crater was formed beneath him, making him falter. Giving the chance for Naohiko to send an uppercut to his chest.

  Tony blocked the uppercut last minute with his beartrap but the strength of it was so significant that air visibly blasted up, pushing him into the air. Coins were blasting around at every attack Naohiko made, “Jackpotto!”

  With his other arm swinging along, all the coins he built up so far re-manifested and shone. Summoning a black sheep with its guts split out floated beside his swinging arm, taking in concrete and other objects as it moved. It then released them all as homing projectiles point black at Tony, “Spoilt Gregory!”

  Tony moved quick enough to absorb the energy in all attacks but left him vulnerable for a moment as the beartrap was before him. Giving the black sheep time to float around him and released a large projectile from his blind-spot. Naohiko was also rushing in with a devastating hit to his other blindspot.

  Using his beartrap, Tony expanded it rapidly till it formed a dome around him that clamped down. Destroying the black sheep easily and about to clamp down on Naohiko.

  “Pinner Mansion!” Naohiko summoned more coins and they manifested a barrier made of old wood and metals, shattering the moment the beartrap clamped down but pushing him away. He fell to the dirt on his knees with a smile.

  “Dammit, that would have killed me,” Naohiko said, at least Tony kept some of his skills. He wondered why Tony kept his beartrap dome up, “I have no more coins left on me, I need to close the distance…”

  Suddenly, the beartrap dome opened up and rushed towards Aiden and Rodriquez fighting. Clamping when it was around Aiden and Rodriquez in his teeth.

  “Kid get out of there!” With a great leap, Naohiko got their in time and held onto the teeth with all his strength. Fighting them from closing and giving Rodriquez time to escape.

  “Voice of Tempests!” While they were trying to escape Tony’s attack, Aiden sent them tumbling with a powerful sound wave. Which they couldn’t guard against!

  “Testaments! Callisto!” Muscle fibers left Aiden’s body and formed two bronze sphere that emitted electricity. He amped them up incredibly with more electricity and sent one at the foes who were hurdling, the other at Tony.

  The electricity within them manifests out as a powerful construct of a wolf head that impacted forward at a great speed and with great destruction. Tony got the clue and readily absorbed it, providing him with more energy.

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  Knowing that they would find a way to escape his powerful attack, Aiden rushed towards them with a streak of electricity.

  “Ransom Crore!” The decorated elephant hooves manifest at Rodriquez’s arms and he managed to fully absorb the attack, a flower tattoo appearing on his arm as they continued hurdling

  Naohiko then caught Rodriquez and firmly planted themselves to the ground. Seeing Aiden coming with his incredible speed, they collided punch to claw evenly at first but slowly Naohiko overpowered him. Massive amount of coins were manifested on collision, “Jackpotto! You’re a lucky number, mutt!”

  Using the energy given to him by Aiden, Tony multiplied his beartrap and expanded each one into a massive size. Sending them at Naohiko and Rodriquez before they could harm Aiden.

  “Bring it on!” With his other free arm, he clutched it back and a bronze spandex like material that slowly became silver manifest over it. He punched forward and sent Aiden dragging through the ground, towards Tony’s attack. Tony had to displace his attack not to hurt his nephew, the massive damage done to buildings was enough to show it was a killing move. Naohiko had a reckless smile “Decent Mourning!”

  “Alright! Callisto!” The decorated elephant hooves manifest around Rodriquez’s arms and he sent back the stolen attack towards Aiden as he hurdled. The wolf-head shaped electric accelerator was sent off!

  “Kid! Don’t!” Tony tried to stop Rodriquez but the attack was already sent.

  The attack collided and them more lightning struck down from the heavens.

  “Why would you go and do that…” Tony sighed, shaking his head since he knew what was about to happen.

  The light cleared, showing Aiden’s monstrous form progressed more. He was larger, his fur became darker and his white veins shone brighter. He released an excruciating roar like no other, further invigorating his lycanthropes as they fought their own battles.

  “What the hell? Did he just become stronger?” Rodriquez looked at Aiden in confusion. Still having no fear in the situation, his confidence was too much.

  “Kid? You don’t know any Greek myths?” Naohiko asked Rodriquez as they watched as electricity crackled around Aiden.

  “I’ve never been outside of North America, I hardly know myths or history here,” Rodriquez answered honestly, he wasn’t ashamed. “I was planning on expanding to South America though.”

  “His [Genius] is of a Greek myth, that’s why he’s a [Progenitor] too.” Naohiko muttered, the chance of such a strong [Genius] was rare too. “Lycaon, King of Arcadia, that’s his [Genius].”

  “Who the hell is that?” They were talking quickly since they couldn’t risk closing in, not knowing what Aiden was now capable of.

  “Lycaon and his 50 sons fed the Greek patriarch God, Zeus, the flesh of his last born Nyctimus and then he was stricken by lightning, cursed to be a wolf that fed on the flesh of his family,” Naohiko retold the stories he learnt on his trip to Europe.

  “If he is struck by any form of electricity or if he feeds the blood of his wolves, he will get stronger and go berserk.”

  “Testaments.” Muscle fibers exited Aiden’s body and formed a massive sphere. Electricity shot out rapidly as a beam towards them.

  “Ransom Crore!” Rodriquez reacted instinctively, absorbing the electricity and created medium.

  “Whatever you do, do not send that back at them!” Naohiko said sternly to Rodriquez.

  Rodriquez already summed that up himself and was annoyed he said the obvious, “The hell I am supposed to do with it, I can’t keep it on me!”

  “Just not at them!” Naohiko reinforced. Aiden was rushing towards them at great speed, “Dammit, I have no coins left.”

  “Jackpotto!” Aiden and Naohiko collided attacks and coins spilt out, not enough to purchase another attack. Naohiko believed he could overpower Aiden like last time but, this time they were even. It was a matter of who was faster and that was Aiden! Aiden slammed his claw into Naohiko, hitting the man with massive damage.

  “Enough of that!” Rodriquez jumped off Naohiko’s back with the decorated elephant hoof manifest around his fists, preparing to attack. Tony intercepted and stole the energy from him. Wrapping his beartrap’s chain around Rodriquez’s fist and then dragging him down. Sending a punch to Rodriquez, he stopped it with his foot and with the other foot he kneed Tony in his face.

  “That’s dirty!” Tony yelled in agony, being stunned he fell out of his way. Rolling on the ground and then quickly standing up, he sent multitudes of beartraps after Rodriquez.

  “Life’s Dirty! Coccoon!” Miniature decorated white elephants rushed towards each beartrap and deflected them with an explosion. Only a few got past and managed to clamp into Rodriquez arms, taking out a large chunk at a tug.

  Rodriquez ignored the pain and rushed through the blinding dust of the explosion to deliver a knee to Tony’s face.

  “Was that a reference to your brother?” The dust cleared to reveal that Tony blocked the knee easily, having a smirk on his face.

  “Dirty Flags is dead, they were weak!” Rodriquez used Tony’s strength to turn in the air and send a strong kick for him.

  Tony grabbed his leg and threw him into the air. Then wrapping his beartrap’s chain around Rodriquez’s chest and slamming him into the ground, “Your brother is one of the strongest to ever live.”

  Rodriquez kicked up from the ground and hit Tony hard into his chest, “Then why is he dead!?”

  “Tamil Taka!” He sent out a large projection of the war elephant that rushed forward with great force.

  Tony couldn’t absorb any all the energy at once, so he took damage from the elephant dragging him forward until he took in it all. He glared at the boy, “I won’t take any disrespect to your brother.”

  “Fuck it, let’s do this kid.” Naohiko scuffed at Aiden and sized up on him. They both stood before each other, a hateful glare emitted from Aiden and an annoyed one from Naohiko.

  Aiden grunted as a response, slamming his claw into Naohiko and the Asian man managed to tank the hit. Not without any damage, Naohiko felt the pain but ignored it. He immediately threw a punch at Aiden and coins dispersed through the air, disappearing after a few moments. Aiden tanked the hit, also expecting pain but ignoring it.

  This kept for about 20 more exchanges, with each hit the effort and power placed into the next becoming stronger and stronger. Until they were both battered up but somehow, Aiden had the advantage!

  “Decapi!” Aiden’s monstrous voice echoed, his claw heavily enhanced by electricity. Going for a killing move, he swiped at Naohiko’s head.

  Naohiko was shocked by how fast he was moving but, somehow managed to dodge Aiden’s attack by ducking. With skillful movements, he slipped behind Aiden, grabbed his neck and with great effort he flung away. The lycanthrope king caught his balance by dragging his claws into the earth.

  “We can’t stop here!” Tony jumped onto Aiden’s back as he also made distance from Rodriquez. Aiden then rushed forward and with bit at Naohiko. Naohiko held his mouth open with his great strength but was slowly losing the stalemate, the masseter muscle is the strongest in the body!

  Tony flung his beartrap at Rodriquez. Expecting this, Rodriquez stomped down on the beartrap and dragged him off Aiden. Tony utilized the momentum to kick at Rodriquez but, the young man avoided it. Tony’s foot landed on an obscure jewel popping out of the ground.

  “Didn’t expect that, did you?” Rodriquez sneered, the jewel activated, and a large white explosion occurred. He was sure he caught Tony off guard, “Palar Blast!”

  “You cannot catch me so easily, boy,” Tony sneered, he absorbed all the energy and then increased his beartrap size. Slamming it into Rodriquez, a small crater formed behind him. Tony kept his rampage up, repeatedly hitting the young man with the beartrap and absorbing his energy, until Rodriquez finally found his moment of escape.

  “Tamil Taka!” With his stimulus, he manifested a giant elephant and sent it after the barrage of beartraps. The elephant’s energy was so potent that it knocked off the attacks and charged at Tony, dropping his giant hoof on him.

  Tony battled against the elephant, he unconsciously was smiling. Bewildered by the amount of energy that the boy possessed since he was finding it hard to absorb it. Holding his ground caused his feet to sink further into the earth.

  “It’s not enough!” Tony yelled, tearing through the elephant with his beartrap and absorbing the energy.

  “That wasn’t my goal, stupid!” Rodriquez sneered. He grabbed Tony by the collar and swept his feet, throwing him over to a jewel that was on the ground. Upon touch, it activated, a huge jeweled elephant rushed out the ground and released an explosion like no other, “Palar Blast!”

  The mercenaries and lycanthropes that were fighting around them had to evacuate the area since this was a fight like no other.

  The dust cleared to reveal Tony battered up yet still standing up to fight. A strange glow was in his eyes as he moved too fast for Rodriquez to see, tearing out chunks of his flesh in matter of moments. Tony chuckled, “It’s been a long time since I’ve fought for my life, that’s why my skills got so rusty.”

  The stolen energy was now emitting out of Tony’s eyes, “Thank you for waking me up.”

  “Dammit!” Naohiko muttered, about to give in the battle against Aiden’s jaws any minute. As Aiden kept on his effort to bite Naohiko in half, he pushed him forward. Making Naohiko using his stamina throughout his legs and arms, his whole body to avoid defeat. Ultimate to make him tired faster.

  Becoming annoyed, muscle fibers exited the sides of Aiden’s mouth and formed an obscure sphere. Naohiko instantly knew what was going to happen, letting go of the man’s mouth since he knew that he gave up on biting him. Noahiko’s instincts were good!

  “Callisto!” Aiden electrified the muscle fibers and it was sent soaring, projecting the energy outwards as a massive wolf head.

  Naohiko crossed his arms and blocked the attack, not being to deny the electricity that damaged throughout his body. He wanted to endure it until the attack finished since he wanted to save his coins, but that wasn’t happening any time soon.

  “Patchwork Bob!” Pulling his fist back and extending it, a giant dog head made of patchwork rushed forward. Managing to tear through Aiden’s attack and colliding into the large lycanthrope, Aiden tore it apart easily.

  In a matter of moments and a streak of electricity, Aiden was before the man and slammed him into the ground. With another decisive hit he was sent hurdling, to which he was now beside of Rodriquez.

  “What in the actual fuck is Tony?” Rodriquez asked Naohiko, as they both guarded each other. He noticed how little damage Naohiko took, his defense is amazing.

  “Come here you fucking idiot. Alibi.” Rodriquez grabbed one of his mercenaries that were running by and manifested the elephant hooves at his arms. He transferred as much as his damage from himself to the mercenary, killing him while Rodriquez became healthier.

  Naohiko ignored this.

  “He’s something rare, 1 in billion, just as rare as a [Dynadaunt],” Naohiko began his explanation since they had the opportunity. Tony once again climbed onto Aiden’s back and Aiden released electricity for the man to absorb. “He’s a [Principle].”

  “Should I know what that means?” Rodriquez scoffed at him, he could feel them becoming stronger by the second.

  “You should read the Records of Dystopia, fool, knowledge is another power for us mercenaries,” Naohiko denoted him and Rodriquez flipped him off. “A [Principle] is born with an earthly restriction of being able to live without stimulus. Meaning that they don’t produce stimulus and any inputted into them is also rejected.”

  “In order to fight against the monsters in this world, they’ve been given the ability to steal stimulus and release it back. Tony specifically is the [Principle: Saber], he absorbs stimulus and pours it back into inanimate objects,” Naohiko said in annoyance. Rodriquez realized how absurdly powerful that ability is. “If Tony was in his prime, we would hardly be able to touch him with stimulus, hand-to-hand combat would be the only way to beat him.”

  “Good thing he isn’t in his prime,” Rodriquez sneered, his way of saying they would complete this mission.

  “I have a plan, kid, did you absorb enough of those lightning attacks?” Naohiko questioned Rodriquez.

  “I absorbed plenty secretly,” Rodriquez dropped his shirt a little to reveal many flower shaped markings on his body. “Also, I am not a kid.”

  “My bad, kid,” Naohiko scoffed at the boy, once again being flipped off. “I noticed that the kid takes a lot of damage when he gains power from being struck by lightning or consumption.”

  “We first need to separate Tony from Aiden and then keep striking the wolf bastard with lightning, then I can finish him off, “ Naohiko said confidently. Rodriquez knew of Naohiko’s past exploits so he knew he could trust him. “I just need a way to rack up some coins first.”

  “Keep hitting this then,” A thick wooden staff with a narrow hand hold in the middle slowly grew out of Rodriquez’s body and placed itself firmly into the ground.

  “You aren’t using your full power,” Naohiko said with a smirk, the boy was smarter than he looks.

  “I know you aren’t either, I read your file,” Rodriquez sneered.

  “Let’s do this then!” Naohiko pulled back his fist and patchwork dog head manifested. Rodriquez placed both his palms’ bases together and opened them.

  “Patchwork Bob!”

  “Tamil Taka!”

  The patchwork animal was made of excellent material this time and it was sturdier, Naohiko spent all his coins on it. It and the giant, decorated elephant rushed towards Tony and knocked him off. Tony found it difficult to absorb both of them since he wasn’t in his prime and they were so potent of stimulus, the flow was chaotic.

  “Rodriquez! Now!” Naohiko yelled at him. He started to rapidly punch at the wooden club, coins kept being dispersed as he used his superhuman agility to keep up the barrage of attacks.

  “Callisto! Decapi!” Rodriquez kept on hitting Aiden with lightning attacks since there was a distance between him and Tony. The attacks did cause Aiden to falter as planned, as the lycanthrope grew stronger he took more damage. Aiden was growing larger, his fur darker and his white veins more prominent.

  “Fuck yeah! Lady Tempest!” A woman like specter manifested behind Naohiko, wearing a black, English noble dress, a nun’s headwear and having wings. She floated and prayed behind Tony. Suddenly an octagon shaped barrier appeared around Tony and he was racking up thousands of coins, “I wasn’t even expecting this because the chances are low but I won’t deny it!”

  “This is on you now, fool!” Rodriquez said, wasted a lot his stimulus and so he needed a moment to rest.

  “How does it feel, big dog? To feel utterly powerless!” Naohiko marched to Aiden, who was now attacking but due to overflowing power he was berserk. Unable to think, Aiden kept attacking Naohiko. Yet, he couldn’t break through the barrier.

  It wasn’t that Aiden was weak. In fact, he was very strong, his very moments were releasing intense amount of electricity and every hit on the barrier released shockwaves of power. Yet, he couldn’t break through. It wasn’t that Aiden was weak, the barrier was far too strong. “You need to become aware of this, kid! Money is power!”

  “Death Mourning!” Naohiko had enough coins to max out 6 different attacks, he chose the most suitable one for this moment. The moment he attacked, the barrier dispersed. Withstanding the electricity emitted by Aiden, a silver like spandex wrapped around his arm. It had no rust to it since it was of the maximum quality, projection of silver spikes exited his shoulder and emitted energy to boost the power of his strike. “This is just another mission complete.”

  Naohiko struck forward but, he didn’t hit Aiden. Tony closed the distance and tried to absorb the energy of his punch, it was far too much for him. He managed to absorb some but, the punch went right through his chest.

  “It’s such a pity,” Naohiko frowned, having Tony’s heart in his hand. He squeezed it till it exploded, “Old friend… Time is money… Money is power.”

  Tony used the remaining amounts of his strength to expand the beartrap around them and clamp it, forcing Naohiko to back off.

  Aiden released an ear shattering howl, enough that even the mercenaries and his lycanthropes stopped fighting. All looking at the man who were was true, dying on the ground. Aiden’s howls grew more emotional and uncontrolled, the wolves howled in solitude with their leader.

  All of Aiden’s betas stopped their fights and came to their alpha, hugging Tony and trying to revive. But it was for nothing, Tony’s body rejected stimulus. There was no way they could heal him with their abilities.

  “Quit your crying fool, you’re next,” Rodriquez launched after Aiden but a sudden pressure crashed him to the ground.

  The area became white, the only thing being visible in it was Aiden. His fur became perfect, pitch black in accordance to the perfect white surrounding. No one could see themselves in this area or use their abilities, the weight of Aiden’s power was too much.

  “What is this… Is this a [Zone]?” Rodriquez asked Naohiko, confused by the sudden control of the battlefield.

  “No… A [Zone] gives dominion over the area… This is just Aiden projecting his power,” Naohiko said in bewilderment. To cover such an area in white, Aiden had become far too power.

  “Black-Out.” Black lighting traced from the heavens and to Aiden’s claw, infusing it with power that Aiden slashed through the chests of Rodriquez and Naohiko.

  The power was like nothing before, the pain inflicted was like an out of body experience. Rodriquez and Naohiko trembled as they spat up blood and their chest bled profusely.

  Hundreds of black lightning struck Aiden’s claw, to the point that the area of white couldn’t be maintained due to the condensed energy in Aiden’s. Preparing to kill them, he slashed forward.

  A man covered in scars intercepted the attack. Lava covered his feet, he hardened it and connected himself to the ground. Grabbing Aiden’s claw and channeling the energy throughout the earth, he defended against such a powerful attack with major damage to himself that he ignored.

  “Who are you!?” Aiden yelled in rage, he couldn’t muster up such an attack like that again. He clawed at the man.

  “Keizer…” Naohiko muttered with a sick grin. Their executives quickly moved to help them.

  “You’ve never met a power like mine,” Keizer sneered at Aiden, grabbing his claw and slamming him away with an inflated fist of magma.

  “We cannot allow boss to die, Keizer! We need to leave!” Elijah yelled at Keizer, loading Naohiko into a van and taking him away.

  The mercenaries from Spaggiari did the same and carried him out on a van.

  “Next time I see you, you will be dead,” Keizer threatened Aiden. He treaded on a quick magma path and loaded himself into the van. Speeding down the slums to get away.

  “Where did you think you’re going!?” Aiden howled and his lycanthropes came to his side. They prepared to chase after them but, Tony yelled at them.

  “Don’t go! Those weren’t all of their forces, go into their territory and you’ll be ambushed!” Tony coughed up blood as his body was slowly dying. He was alive that long because of his superhuman body, given to him by the earthly restriction.

  “Tony! Don’t overexert yourself, we’ll find someone who can heal you right now!” Aiden snapped back to reality, leaving his [Grotesque] to attend to his uncle.

  “Kid, there’s no one who can heal me… Unless you can find a replacement heart that doesn’t need stimulus…” Tony smirked as he thought about it. “I am going to die right here.”

  “Don’t say that Tony! I need you! You can’t leave me too!” Aiden began to bawl profusely, he was just a teenage after all. With so many responsibilities on him, this was his breaking point. He couldn’t lose his father figure, “You can’t leave me now!”

  “Aiden, my boy, you’re a king. You need to face the reality of this, I won’t be here to help you anymore,” With his fading strength, Tony embraced the boy. Aiden could feel his body going cold. “The wolves… They need a leader… And you’re their leader…”

  “I am sorry I couldn’t see this adventure to the end, you don’t know how damn well I want to….” A single tear was shed by Tony and then he was returned to his bittersweet mood. “My story is over, Aiden. I’ve made a lot of enemies.”

  “My enemies shouldn’t become yours. My story shouldn’t become yours. Write your own now.”

  “Promise me Aiden, that you will no longer be so shy and hesitant,” Tony kept fighting for his life so his words could be shared. “As a king, you need to be bold and decisive. They need you, Aiden.”

  “I will be bold… Decisive and whatever… Tony you just can’t….” Aiden bawled. Holding onto Tony dearly, “You can’t leave me yet!”

  “I am so sorry my boy, I raised you because your mother asked me to. Now, it’s time for you to return that favor since I can’t continue,” Tony had to make the boy face the reality of what was going to happen. He didn’t like it either. “Raise Spike and make sure she becomes a wonderful girl, just like how her mother and I wanted.”

  “Tony….” Aiden bawled more, snot dripping out of his nose as he couldn’t control himself.

  “Promise me! Aiden! Be decisive!” Tony yelled at Aiden.

  “I will… I will raise her to be a wonderful girl,” Aiden promised him, seeing the reality of the moment.

  “The wolves! This is my final goodbye to you all, let it not be depressing!” Tony yelled out, grabbing the attention of all the wolves who were bawling along with the group. Truly, Tony was the one leading them all this time, since Aiden was still so young.

  “The wolves! What are we!?’ Tony demanded from them.

  “A pack! A family!” They responded in unison to Tony’s call, passed their cries. Aiden also whispered along, his tears still flowing profusely.

  “The wolves! What are we!?” Tony demanded again!

  “Adamant! Unrelenting!”

  “The wolves! What are we!?” He demanded for a last time.

  “Powerful! Let the Alpha guide us!”

  Tony was proud, they did the chant perfectly. Tony was at peace, he knew they would be fine without him. It’s time for him to put his story to a rest.

  He closed his eyes and could see visions of his beloved, calling him out for him to join her. He thought about his life, before Kisscensiata, during the gang era and even in his youth. He was proud of his life and proud of the ending.

  His last desire was for his daughter, Spike Bruun, to live a wonderful life. He knew Aiden would fulfill it.

  “Aiden, this is my last gift to you…” Tony smiled weakly at Aiden, as his control over his body was going. “Slit my throat.”

  “Tony I can’t do that!” Aiden denied it, he didn’t want to hurt him. He was already finding it hard to accept him dying and nothing he can do about it.

  “This way I can be with you all always, trust me.” Tony brought Aiden’s clawed finger to his throat and kept up his strong smile, “It’s a favor to me and a gift to you.”

  “I love you kid, tell Spike I love her too,” Aiden hesitantly dragged his finger through his throat. Suddenly, blood rapidly erupted out of Tony’s throat. Channeling outwards in large amounts, it flowed around each lycanthrope present and showed memories Tony shared with all of them. He was familiar with each wolf in the pack.

  Before all concentrating at Aiden’s wrists as bands of flowing blood with traces of silver. He could feel a great power in it and Tony’s presence. A rooted promise was in it, Aiden nodded his head as he felt it, “I understand, Tony.”

  “What is that?” Mizuchi asked him.

  “It’s Tony’s gift,” Aiden looked at Tony’s body on the ground. “My ;Requiem; Toua ímamou.”

  “My wolves, I am making a promise to you all, as a leader. From this day forward I will be bolder and more decisive, for the future of the pack,” Aiden declared turning to the wolves who mourned in silence but paid attention to their alpha. “This promise will be marked by the Betas.”

  Aiden slit his wrists and allowed his blood to flow. Allowing all four of his Betas to consume his blood, all four achieving a boost of power from it, “From this day forward, marks a new era for Walpurgis.”

  Aiden’s ear twitched, he turned around to see two mercenaries armed with guns. Mostly likely sent by Rodriquez to finish any lingering wolf. Aiden grunted, “Right on time.”

  The two mercenaries started firing at Aiden. Aiden walked as each bullet his his body and he regenerated, ignoring the pain he felt. Aiden spoke, “Carlos.”

  “Yes, my alpha,” In a matter of moments, Carlos moved quickly and decapitated the two mercenaries.

  Using his ;Requiem; Touua ímamou, he poured the everlasting flowing blood into the two corpses and they mutated rapidly. Forming monstrous beings that charged forward back to where they came from, “Send your boss a message for me.”

  “The wolves have a new thirst for blood.”