Chapter 31 - Uh... What? (2/2)

Slowly the dust settled but Valfafer was gone!? Livid Lydis began to search the area for blood, footprints, anything that might say that he actually got up and left. As she continued to look around her a familiar disgusting voice sounded behind her.

”What's up little wolf?” Lydis spun around and behind her was Katos. Live, in the flesh, Katos. Lydis wanted so much to sock him in the face and punch his puffed up smile off his face but she knew better. He always appeared for a reason.

”Now what. Why have you come?” Clearly agitated Lydis didn't really care that she was being rude. He was wasting her time to find Valfafer.

”Me? Nothing much. I just happened to overhear your little bet with the Wolf Lord.” Lydis had a bad feeling about his words, when he mentioned 'Wolf Lord' a shiver went down her spine.

”And?” Katos smiled.

”I though it would be funny if he lived so I waited until he jumped and do you know what? He lived! I though he was going to die instantly but guess I was wrong. So, I gave him a little help.” Lydis was on guard. She kept low to the ground, wary of any overhead attacks. ”No no. Not the healing kind. I suck at those things. What I mean is on your wrist.” Katos point to her hand. Lydis brushed the dirt away and saw a black tattooed circle circling her wrist. In the middle of the circle was a red wolf head with a sun behind it.

”What is this?” Katos shrugged. Lydis was about to snap at him but he held up his hand.

”You think I really won't tell you?” Lydis didn't even need to answer. One look at Lydis's face and Katos got his answer. ”Fine fine. Though you would've found out later I guess there's no harm in telling you now. In this world there is a special class of people who have the ability to form pacts or bonds with beasts. The number is dependent on the person and their Slyphir has to be compatible with each other. I can't tell you much else besides that since that would be helping you too much.” Katos walked towards Lydis. She backed away a bit but was stopped by black tendrils that rooted her feet in place. ”Take this as a little reward. Until we meet again.” Katos dropped a black bracelet into her hand, silver etchings carved into the side shone in the sun. And like that he disappeared.

Lydis stared at the bracelet in her hand and saw that inside of it there were words she couldn't understand. They looked like faded out scribbles that had been rubbed away. Then she went on to look at her tattoo. Red vines threaded between each other surrounding the middle wolf. It could've looked cool if it wasn't for the fact that Katos had given it to her.

Nearly all the dust had settled and in the center of the crater was a small ball of light red fur. Lydis approached it and used her foot to flip it around. The ball turned out to be Valfafer! He lazily opened his eyes and was shocked to see a huge human in front of him. Quivering in fear Valfafer froze on the spot. His past trauma of Lydis resurfacing.

Lydis inspected Valfafer's new form and finally came to a conclusion. He looked like a Pomeranian dog breed, small and cute looking, his red fur the only remaining trait of a Blood Wolf. Instead of their fluffy curved tails Valfafer had a furry nub. And that he was completely, utterly, absolutely, useless.

”T-t-t-t…” Valfafer could barely speak. He didn't know how he survived but now that he had, the conditions of his bet with the human came to mind. ”A-a-am I your s-servant now?” Valfafer was a bit scared to know but at the same time a bit relieved. At least he was alive.

Lydis on the other hand was having a hard time processing this. The small Pomeranian looking dog couldn't possibly be the Wolf Lord she was just fighting. The difference in size was just too big. And, she hated to admit it, but it looked somewhat cute. The nub of a tail wagging, tongue hanging from it's mouth, and it's small demeanor. He spoke words has he panted so it was slightly hard to make out the words but the voice remained the same, just toned down a bit. Sighing Lydis decided to just go with the flow.

”Yeah. I'm you master now so you have to obey me.”

”Yes master!” Lydis eyed Valfafer's tail suspiciously as it wagged furiously. His eyes seemed to shine with a passion and an unbearable wholeheartedness. Lydis had to look away. Upon realizing that his tail was wagging Valfafer sat down to suppress it as it continued to shake uncontrollably under him. He had never felt as embarrassed in his life than now. Valfafer continued to sulk when Lydis nudged him with her foot.

”Hey you moronic dog, we need to get going or else I'll be in trouble.”

”Y-yes.” Lydis didn't want to face a barrage of questions from Valeri so she quickly dipped in the moon pond, it's water rapidly disappearing into the ground. After finishing her wash Lydis went to a nearby tree and dug at the base, recovering her paws from the Blood Wolf Variant.

As Valfafer bounced around her Lydis only felt tired, her burdens were only increasing.