Canceled Version 8 Chapter 8

Day's had pa.s.sed, Lance, Gale Fang and Luna since they left Marewood, Lance ran a head to the came up to a fork in the road, as a pair of sighs pointed in either direction. They had been overgrown, as the others caught up Gale clean them off, one reading as Goldhill the capital of the Gold Heart Empire and the other as Riverlight, a city of festivals and lights, nestled in the vast network of waterways. Lance excitedly asked if they were willing to go to Goldhill while the others had gone down the other way of his suggestion.

"So, Gale what is Lovell like?" Fang promptly ask as they walked down the road.

Gale stopped and turned to Fang, "Well, hotheaded, shy and well… stubborn." Fang was trying to picture it; Gale started to walk once more. "But he is strong, wise, foolish and sentimental."

Luna smiled, "He sounds like a handful. How long were to two travelling with him at the time, well before very thing back at Marewood?"

Lance stopped, turned to look back at Marewood, worried that Lovell might not return. Gale looked back at Lance, "Well about three months, so not terribly long…" Gale sighed as Lance stood like a b.u.mp on a log. "Lance, get moving, or you're left behind!" Lance jumped as Gale yelled at him.

Rubbing his head, Lance caught up to them. "Sorry, I was in thought."

Fang growled as Gale smack him across the head. "He will come back, don't worry too much. We have to protect Luna in his stead." Gale tried hiding the fact he was worried as well; Lance perked up as he knew Gale to know well when he was concerned as well.

Fang rolled his eyes at them; Luna smiled at them. "They seem very close, don't they Fang?"

Fang crossed his arms, "Well if they don't hurry, we will leave them behind!" Fang raised his voice at them, Luna chuckled at Fang's behaviour towards them, watching as he blushed before moving ahead. "Lets—lets just get going."

Gale and Lance caught up with them, Fang still red, looked up to see the see the city of Riverlight come into view. Gale walked up beside him, "You alright Fang?"

"Yeah, Luna just got to me." Fang turned to Lance, "the real question is Lance ok?"

Gale turned to look at Lance. "True, but he'll pull through, He always finds a way to bounce back." Fang was noticing that Gale had no emotional exposition when he spoke. Gale looked at him. "Curious why I don't show emotions?"

Fang nodded, "Yes, it seems weird that you don't, for a human?"

Gale closed his eyes. "Lance and I have known each other since we were tiny, though he was the opposite of what he is now."

Fang lifted an eyebrow, looking at Lance then back at Gale, "Him not happy go lucky or a worry wort?"

Gale nodded, "Yeah, its hard to believe but he used to be very strict like his father."

Fang looked at Gale, "And you?"

"I was timid back then, and never talked once unless some was asking me a question." Gale laughed a bit; Fang froze in fear at what he heard from Gale. "But he changed me, and I changed him after he tried to get me to talk to him, he demanded I speak to him." Gale closed his eyes, "He thought I was a commoner of a servant in the castle."

Fang stopped, "Castle?"

Gale turned to Fang, "Yes, I'm the prince of Grand Dale Kingdom, why?"

Fang blinked at what Gale said. "Well you don't seem like a royal they way you act."

"True, but it thanks to Lance still." Gale looked at the cities architect as they walked through. "Lance was so insistent that I talked to him he up and asked me why I did talk to him." Gale notices Lance gawking at the festive décor. "I think he said something like 'why do you not answer me, peasant?'"

Fang looked at Lance, "Hard to believe he was so rude as a child; he acts like one. So, what was your response to that."

Gale looked up, "I think I said, 'because you asked me to speak?'"

Fang looked at Gale, in amazement. "You sounded like a royal there."

Gale turned to him. "yeah, my father come out to see how I was doing and that's when Lance figured out who I was. After that it's a blur of him trying to get me more social and see the world. I feel he made it my mission. There are times my emotions stir up. Like when we first met Lovell." Gale chuckled at the thought.

Fang was astonished how ordinary Gale could be. "I think Lovell helped in the end, wish I could have met him before he left you two behind."

Gale lowered his gaze, "True to that, but anyway, we did find you and Lady Luna."

Fang agreed as they all entered the local inn. Lance felt uneasy as they settled down for the night. Looking out the window, Lance noticed strange dogs roam the streets. He became concerned that something wasn't right about the city, Lance looked over to Gale and Fang, he sees they were already fast asleep. Hoping it was only his worry for Lovell that causes his uneasy feeling to the city's beauty.

As dawn came, Lace woke before the others, having a hard time sleeping the night away as his fears grew. He turned to Gale, shaking him to wake up.

Gale groan, "What Lance? It's not even sunrise yet?"

Lance leaned in, "Yes, it is, and we need to get out of town fast!" Gale rubbed the sleep from his eyes, as his grumpy gaze showered over Lance. "Look this city gives me the heebie-jeebies, plus the night time animals don't—are listening to me!"

Gale yawned as he started to smile. "Nah, just relax Lance, everything is fine, right Fang?" Lance noticed that Gale was not acting right ran to Luna's room to see if she had changed as well.

As he reached her room, Luna opened the door, rubbing her arms., Lance grabbed her, "Luna!"

She looked at him in surprise, "Oh, Lance you awake is something wrong?"

Lance hang his head in joy, then looked her in the eye. "Look we need to talk but..." Lance looked around, noticing someone coming he pushed Luna back into her room. "Move quickly!" Luna tried asking what was going on before he locked the door. Sighing Lance looked at her his eye's filled with fear. "Ok, before you freak but something is very wrong with this town. Gale and possibly Fang are acting strange, to the point where I want of punch myself a thousand times." Lance started pacing as Luna sat down on her bed, listening to what he had to say. "I think the worst of it is the strange dogs I saw last night hang around outside, and—and."

Luna stopped him, "What did these dogs look like Lance?" Lance looked in eye's, the seemed conserved as he was. Lance described them the best he could to Luna. She began to ponder on what they were. "Hmm, I think they were daemons, high tier werewolves, really, or a s.h.i.+fter type of vampire. Hard to say without seeing them myself."

Lance sat down. "Is that bad?" Lance became concerned that one of them will become their lunch.

Before Luna could answer, Fang entered the room. "Hey, Lance something is wrong with Gale? He's acting a bit strange, like you strange?" They noticed Gale hanging onto Fang like a six-year-old on their parent. Fang noticed that they were staring at him. "What?"

Luna tilted her head, "Well, Lance woke up this morning to him acting strange and ran out before seeing if you were too, but to see Gale act like this is… is well, crazy to say the least?" Luna got up to take a closer look at Gale, "Gale, sweetie, could you show me any injuries you might have?" Galle shrunk down as he held onto Fangs shoulders.

Lance got up, "Come here you!" Grabbing him by the ear, Gale acting like a spoiled toddler tried protesting. As he was seated down for Luna examine. As she looked over him, Luna noticed a bit mark on Gales forearm. Lance looked over to see what she had found. "what is that, a bite mark? Hey, Fang did you bite Gales forearm, or did he do it himself, on you way here?"

Fang stood up, looed at the mark. "No, neither of us did but the teeth marks…they look very familiar?" Fang began to think where he saw them wondered off. "Now where have I seen those marks before?"

Luna turned to Lance. "Lance, everything will be ok." Luna tried to cheer him up. "Let's all get dressed and see if we can't find someone who remembers seeing this kind of bite mark before, alright Lance?"

Lance nodded, "Okay, I'll take care of Gale till we find out what's going on?" Luna noticed that Lance was ready to break down at any moment watched the two leave as Fang paced behind her. AS Lance closed the door, he heard her yell at Fang to get out. Fang rushed out rubbing his arm, walked back with them to their room.

After getting dressed, they waited for Luna, Lance keeping an eye on Gale's movements. "It's like he became a normal commoners kid in an adult body."

Fang leaned back. "True, and from what you said back in our room, this might be the work of a daemon?"

Lance lowered his head, "I fear it might be." Hearing foot steps, Lance looked up to see Luna walk over to them. "You ready, there Luna?"

Scratching her cheek, "Yeah, sorry I took so long. I missed placed my boots last night and couldn't find them till a moment ago." Fang stood up, as Lance grabbed child Gale by the rope. Luna noticed the rope around his waist. "Is that really, necessary?"

She asked Lance; he looked at the rope. "Can't be too careful, besides its better than losing track of him."

Luna watched Gale stare at a b.u.t.terfly. "Good—good point." She turned her attention to Fang. "Did you ask the inn keeper about—"

"Yes, there are three places we could check out but…" Fangs voice was feeling rea.s.suring.

Luna became worried, "But what, Fang?"

Fang sighed, "They are all closed due to the festival today and will be closed for several days due to the same festival."

Lance looked at Gale, he yearned for his friend to be back to normal. "Well can't we just see if we can't find them and see if they can help us?" Lona and Fang looked at Lance, clearing his throat. "I mean they might be at the festival or at home. If anything, it's better than sitting around." Lance feeling as if they wouldn't go with the idea, lowered his head, his heart ached at the thought of looking his best friend.

Luna walked up to him. "Let's give it a shot, besides you could use some cheering up, Lance." She clasped her hands round his. "Besides, everything will work out, you'll see, your Gale will be back before you know it." Tears ran down Lances face, as she pulled him in, Fang touching his should as his way of comforting Lance. Lance wiped his tears away, as they headed into town in search of a way to cure Gale.

AS they walked the street Gale started to act weird, Lance walked up to him trying to make sense of what was going got separated for Fang and Luna. Feeling lost and scared, Lovell began to panic as a young girl kicked him from behind. Lance turned around to see the girl stare at him.

"Is something wrong—" she noticed Gale and his strange behaviour, rus.h.i.+ng over to him, Lance tried o stop her, but she was to fast for him. "When did he get this bite mark?" Lance stunned, she grabbed him by the collar. "Are you deaf, when did he get the mark?!"

Lance looked her in the eye, "Sometime last night, before dawn."

Letting him go she turned away, "Fallow me if you want to save him form being food." Lance stood up grabbing Gale's rope as she led them to a creepy looking shop. "Don't stand there get in." Lance swallowed his fears, as he entered, he notice different potions and powders. As if out of now where she grabbed Lance's s.h.i.+rt. Lance jumped, "This way, wuss."

Lance followed with Gale in tow. "Um, do you know what's going on with my friend here um, miss…"

"Call me Alli, and yes, he was bitten by a vir hound. They target emotionalist or almost emotionalist people." She sifted through some drawers; Lance stood still as he watch her. "The only cure is something most people don't want to hear."

Lance clenched the rope, "What is it so I can tell the others after you save his life."

Alli stopped and looked at him, "Are you sure? It might end up being worse than death to you and your friends?" She flipped a bottle in the air. Lance nodded. "Well okay, I warned you." She pointed the bottle at Gale, "The cure is for him to turn into a daemon." Lances heart sank, she could tell he was having second thoughts. She tapped the bottle on ger small shoulders. "You could always say no still—"

"No, Gale and the others will understand, even if he turns into a daemon, Gale will be alive and… and I know he would do the same for me." Lance bowed at Alli, "So, please save him no matter the cost."

She looked at Lance, smiling, "Alright but fair warning, he'll be asleep a long time depending on what daemon he becomes." She walked over to Lance, she tapped his head. "And don't leave town till he's up, I need to see what kind of daemon he becomes so you can all help him along this journey to gather, Warrior of the Wind of Freedom." Lance confused by her last words stood up. "Now, slip this in his food, sweets work the best, and he'll be out like a light in four to six hours." Handing him the bottle. "Oh, and those dang hounds know when someone has taken that."

Lance thanked Alli for her help, left with Gale and did as she said. Luna and Fang sat at the inn, in disappointment that they lost Lance and Gale, as they walked in Luna jumped up t see a groggy Gale stumble around. She asked what happened to them after they got separated. Lance ask for their help in getting Gale back to their room. Fang helped Lance carry him back to the room. As they sat around Lance explain what happened and that he got the cure.

"So, what was the cure?" Luna promptly asked.

Lance looked at Gale; he was sound as sleep, "Turning—turning him into a daemon." Luna stood back. "Yeah, I know he would do the same for me."

Fang leaned forward on the bed, "So did this Alli tell you how long he'll be out for?"

Lance closed his eyes, "It all depends on what kind of daemon he becomes, and that she wants to see him after he wakes to a.s.ses him, so we all know how to help him adjust to his new lease on life."

Luna pulled her hands close to her chest, "It must have been a hard dissection to choose, death or turn him."

Lance shook his head, "Surprisingly, it was an easy choice, the hard thig was finding him something sweet he would like to eat with out him finding the pills in it." Lance stared at Gale in torment.

Luna laughed at his answer. "What worked?"

Lance hung his head. "A candied pear with the works." Lifting his head, "He always did liked pears." Lance smiled as he watched Gale sleep. "At least he lives, to see more of this world." Fang smiled at Lances optimism, Luna hugged Lance as tears began to stream down both their faces.

Later Fang carried Luna back to her room, Lance pa.s.sed out from crying, laid beside Gales sleeping body. As fang returned, he placed a blanket over Lance as he slept. Fang looked out the window, seeing a girl sitting on the windowsill.

Fang smiled, "So, it was you, Alli the ancient one, who helped Gale?" She handed him a piece of candy; Fang took it from her, "Thanks."

She grinned, "Your welcome, and yes, I did. To think Lunatica's reincarnation has lived this long and her Warriors are finding their way to her side is quite amazing, to say the least." She turned to Fang. "What you upset your not one of her chosen warriors?"

Fang walked over to the window "No, its that I'm worried she gets herself killed before ending this long feud between her and Lord Deamora."

Alli looked out the window. "You mean your grandfather? True, but does she know?" Alli poked at Fang's wounded soul.

Turning his gaze to the moons, "No, and I'll keep it that way till Lovell joins us."

Alli smiled sinisterly, "Who is this Lovell you speak of?"

Fang's voice hoa.r.s.ened, "My half-brother on my father's side." Alli dropped her candy. "Yeah, to think I, have a younger brother after all these one thousand years walking in this world."

"Well, that must have shocked you more than me. Even if the dark lord himself has lived for six million years fighting the Krisnik's clan and hunting Lunatica's every reincarnation to lead up to this point in time." Alli felt disbelief as the idea ran through her thoughts.

Fang leaned on the frame, "Yeah, and he has another half-brother on his mother's side too."

Alli leaned into Fang, "Slap me silly, that kids got h.e.l.l. It's not like he's the champion of hers too." Fang glance at her. "No?" He nods, Alli turned and sat on the edge looking out. "Poor kid must be suffering inside. If he finds out who his father is, and well, his grandfather, he'll be destroyed spiritually and quite possibly, emotionally!" She turned to Fang, seeing his sadden expression. "Your worried about him though?"

Fang closed his eyes, "Yeah, he bares a burden that should never be put on anyone. Even I would have a hard time kill my grandfather." Fang sighed, "It's getting late, you should go."

She sat up, "Well I'll act as if it's our first meeting when he wakes," Looking at Gale. "You should try and not worry too much. Things always seem to work out for the better or worse." Alli jumped out the window as Fang watched her leave, looking back at Gale, Fang decided to change the clothing before going to sleep.

The next morning Gale woke, the sun harsh in his eyes. Tried to block it out noticed Lance pasted out beside him. Gale, unsure what had happened, got out of bed and headed to the showers to get cleaned up. As he did, Gale felt strange, in a way he could not explain. Began cleaning himself as he wash his hair, he notice his ears felt weird. He rushed to the mirror, Gale cleared it to see his refection. He saw that his ears were pointed and that his eyes turned a golden color. Gale checked the rest of his body to find a nothing else had changed. He took a deep breath and decided to finish getting cleaned up before bothering the other on what happened.

After getting some clothes on Gale shook Lance to wake him. Lance opened his eye to see Gale was awake. "You—you woke up!" Lance yelped in joy, he hugged Gale in sobbing mess. "I'm so glade you're okay!"

Gale confused, Looked down at Lance. "Lance, what happened?"

Lance pulled himself away, "Oh, right the thing is…" Lance told what had happened yesterday. Gale sat down in disbelief. "Yeah, it's a little hard to swallow, but I know you would have done the same for me, Gale."

Gale looked at his hands, "So I'm a daemon now?"

Alli jumped through the window, "Half right," they both screamed, waking Fang and causing Luna to rush in. Alli smiled, "Sorry didn't mean to startle you all."

Lance took at her, "Alli? Your—"

Alli posed proudly, "Here, yeah I know but I have a sixth sense for this kind of things." Turning her attention to Gale, "Well to honest, you are more of a surprise than me?"

Gale stared at Alli, "What do you mean?"

Alli crossed her arms, "Well for starters, you are more emotional and two the drug, for some reason, only turned you half daemon?" In a flash, she was in Gale's face. "It's fascinating to say the least, but back to the main reason I'm here." She stared into Gales' eyes long and hard, "Hmm, the daemon half in you is another surprise too…"

Lance peered over to her eyes. "How surprising?"

She closed her eyes and pulled away. "It's, well… vail wolf also is known as the shadow werewolf?" She looked around to see that they never heard of one. She puffed her cheeks.

Fang stepped. "They are an extinct breed of were's that could move between the vail of the world, today most who use shadow magic go there as away to get the jump on their opponents. There are very versed in lightning magic." Fang gripped Gales' shoulder. "That's a good thing; it means you just have to learn how to s.h.i.+ft between you were form and back."

Alli smiled, "And the best teachers are theyan's. They have to learn the hard of losing themselves first before being able to change freely."

Luna clasped her hands in joy, "Yes, that's true. Fang can teach you the basics."

Gale felt overwhelm by it all, began to feel strange. He smiled at it all before sneezing, turning into a wolf in a shadowy light. Gale turn to Lance, as if to say don't laugh. Lance holding it back notice Fang busted out in laughter. Everyone stared at him, like he went crazy.

"I think we somehow broke Fang?" Lance was breaking the silence.

Fang composed himself, "Sorry but that was a very theyan thing and to see it happened to you Gale, no offence, was gold to me." Fang lost to the moment burst out laughing once more.

"Well, that was unexpected," Alli rubbed her head in disbelief. "I'll take my leave, and you all take care." She walked over to the window and jumped out.

Luna walked over to Fang. "Sorry but you need this." She kicked him in the sweet spot, bringing him to his knees, stopping his laughing fit. Lance and Gale looked at each other, before looking at Luna. "Well, we leave at noon, even if Gale is still in were form." Her smile was scaring them as she walked out.

Fang finding himself got up, "Well, let's pack, the lady has spoken." Fang wheezed. Lance got up as Gale laid down on the bed, feeling useless.

Noon came, Gale was able to turn back, waited for Luna. She walked over to them, smiled gingerly. Gale felt a cold sweat down his back looking at her. "Are we all set then?" Lance and Fang nodded, and Luna continued to smile, coughing, Gale looked at Fang. "Where to next?"

Fang pulled out the holo-map, "I was thinking Summerwind would be good place to stop. Besides keeping on the move is better that staying put." He looked at Luna. "It will take us roughly twenty days to get there but it's better than walking into enemy territory." They all agreed. Fang put the map away as they head off to Summerwind.