Dark Silver: Chapter XIVa

Chapter 14a: Revelations

David woke up the next morning with Wyanet’s arm around him. He laid there for a while feeling the soft fur on the arm that was holding him, but eventually got up to think about what had happened last night. Despite his knowing that the two of them trusted one another over anything else, he was still having doubts whether or not she would risk his safety. Especially when it meant crossing over into werewolf territory, let alone going back to the same place both of them were nearly killed.

Deciding that this was something that he couldn’t think through with an empty stomach, David went to the central hut and got some breakfast. Even though he had been eating the same stuff since he arrived here, David had yet to grow tired of freshly prepared meat and fish. Before he could dig in Wematin sat next to him in the exact same place when they had first met, only this time he had his own bowl of cooked meats.

“Hey, dude,” said Wematin, with a huge smile on his face, “how did you little date with Wyanet go last night. I assume it went pretty well knowing how you two got back so late.”

“Huh,” David hadn’t heard a word thinking as hard as he was, “sorry, dude, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I asked you how your time with Wyanet went last night. You know, after she dragged you to your tepee, and after you dragged her outside the camp. You seriously can’t expect me to believe that you two did nothing unusual… or did you just bitch about the same thing to her, too?”

“Damn it, I wasn’t bitching. I was just… venting, and with no help from you three. And just so you know, we had the time of our lives without breaking our promise to each other.”

“Really?” Wematin had a look of disbelief on his face; David couldn’t tell whether or not he was teasing. “May I ask how you guys were able to manage that, knowing how much you two kiddos have in for each other?”

“Oh, believe me, we managed. For the first time in my life I was romantic. We fed each other, we held one another, and we even played some marco-polo.”

“How did you do that with only two people?”

“That’s not a problem when you put your mind to it.” David then turned his attention to his little dilemma again. Wematin could tell that something was a little off.

“Dude, is something the matter? You seem pretty worried for someone who just had the time of their life. Is there something, anything I can do to help?” David wanted some advice, but at the same time he would have to be very careful so as to not tell his best bud what was really going through is mind.

“Actually, I could use some guidance in thinking this out. I was considering going to get some advice from mother or father, but you might be able to help me more than them.”

“Why do you say that? They’re much wiser and experienced then I could ever be. What makes me so much better?”

“I think that what I need help with is something a brother would be the right one to talk about, and since you’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to one, you’re the one I want to talk to. However, I won’t be able to tell you everything, if that’s okay with you.” Wematin reassuringly nodded his head. “Well,” continued David, “the problem I have is between Wyanet and me, but I want to ask you about the relationship you had with Anpaytoo.” This really caught Wematin of guard, no one had ever asked about the love of his life since she died so long ago. “I can understand if that crosses a line.”

“No, not at all. I have no problem with that. Come on David, you can ask me anything.” David couldn’t remember the last time Wematin had called him by his actual name instead of dude.

“By the time you two hooked up, how much did you trust each other, how much would you risk for one another?”

“We both trusted the other with our very lives, and would risk nothing less for each other."

“Would you say that you’d walk through hell and back again if it meant that you could see her for just one more day.”

“Without a moment’s hesitation. Why are you asking me these questions anyways, are you having doubts regarding your relationship with Wyanet or anything like that.”

“Dude, you kidding? I would never doubt anything about what we have together, other than what our children would look like. Which makes me wonder, have you ever heard of what happens when a human would… you know, mix with a Tokala or a Tohopka?”

“Uuuh,” Wematin looked stumped as ever, “I honestly have no clue. I’ve only been told that such relationships didn’t involve procreation in the slightest. But then again, if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in the past eight or so years that you’ve been here, then it’s that there are exceptions for most things, if not all.” David couldn’t help but agree with Wematin in this regard. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what is really going on here? Maybe I would be able to offer a little more help if you would just tell me.”

“Sorry,” said David with a sincere look on his face, “but trust me when I say that you’ll find out very soon.”

“How soon is soon?”

“Just wait and see; it’ll be quite the surprise too. Anyway, thank you, I now know what I must do.” David got up and headed for Wyanet to tell her what had happened the preceding night and to ask her of the biggest favor he ever has. He saw that Wyanet was still sleeping so peacefully, and then knew for a fact that everything would be just fine. Wanting to gently wake her up, David sat at her head and began to rub his fingers through her hair, just the same as she had his first day with the tribe. Wyanet woke up with a yawn.

“Good morning,” said Wyanet with a warm smile, “I can remember the day that I was in your place and you were in mine.”

“I can too,” even though David tried not to, he had somewhat of a worried look, “Wyanet, there’s something really important I have to tell you, and please let me tell you that it’s going to come with quite the shock.” Wyanet sat up, she knew that if a person like David said something was serious important then it would be nothing less then he said so.


BACK AT THE CABIN

“I’m beginning to have doubts about this, Viho,” said Pauwau, “there’s so much that could go wrong here. I mean, it took almost a full year for my son, a human, to gain the trust of Gahege and many others, but we’re not even Tohopka as we say we are, we’re werewolves. What makes you so certain that Wyanet, the daughter of a Tokalan chief, will come here on her free will?”

“I know because it’s vital for our plan to work, and there’s no way that your son will let Wyanet say no when his mother says that she is vital for what we have planned to be a success. He’s basically and biologically programmed to listen to an trust you, even if we left him at that awful place and with that old hag.”

“But that’s not the case with Wyanet. Tokala only distrust humans, but they think of us as scum hate our guts without exception. Even ones like me who have made the choice.”

“Pauwau, I began planning this centuries before the day David was even born. Do you really think I would leave any possibility that David wouldn’t make the choice we need him to tonight? We’ll get what we need tonight one way or another.”

“But what if we don’t, what do you have planned if that happens?”

“Then I still get what I want.”


DAVID’S TEPEE

“Are you insane, David,” Wyanet was pacing back and forward in their tepee, “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go back there; the last time we did we almost got killed, and that was just against one werewolf. We wouldn’t stand a chance against two of them, let alone their leader. Werewolf chiefs are the most powerful of all, that’s why none of those within their tribe dare to challenge them.”

“Wyanet,” said David in a calming tone, “if they really wanted to hurt me they would have done so the second I crossed over the boundary. Don’t forget that Viho said he would let me kill him if I didn’t trust him, I’ve never found a person who is willing to die for me to trust them as a potential threat.”

“It’s just another way for them to trick you. He knew that you wouldn’t kill him knowing how he is the only reason you found this place and the only reason that we ever found each other.”

“Which is why he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I owe him all the joy I’ve ever felt. He even reunited me with my mother.”

“You also owe him all the misery you suffered back at that orphanage. He convinced your very mother to leave you there when you already had a home here; and for what, so that your pain would allow you to change our hearts? It’s only a coincidence that you were able to do that, a fortunate one, but a coincidence nonetheless. Also, even if she is your mother, she’s still one of them, and just because you're the son of a werewolf doesn’t make you one of them.”

“So what if it did make me one of them, are you saying that you would love me any less than you do now? Because if that’s the case then I gotta tell you that my heart is crushed.”

“Of course not,” Wyanet sat down across from David and held his hands, “nothing could make me love you with anything less then all my heart, even if you were one of them this whole time.”

“Then why won’t you do this with me? I’d hate to go there alone, but I will if it comes down to that. Just come with me long enough to hear what they have planned, if you don’t trust them after that then I’ll come back here with you and it’ll be the last time we ever take a single step past the spring. I give you my word.” David could tell that Wyanet didn’t want to do something that involved risking his life, but then again she would be damned if she ever let him down like this. “Wyanet, do you remember what you said when I didn’t believe that I would ever amongst your kind? You told me that you would do everything you could to make sure things were okay, and look at how things are going now. Everyone here sees me as nothing less than one of them; even your mother and father see me as their son. So, I’m telling you now that everything will turn out for the better.”

“Alright, David, you’ve convinced me to come with you, but believe me when I say that I’m going to hold you to your promise just as you held me to mine.”

“You have no idea how glad I am to hear those words.”

Later that day, the two of them headed out for the cabin, not telling anyone of their intentions. It was a very long walk, ever step seemed like it lasted for an hour. Both David and Wyanet were afraid and anxious at the same time, causing them to already have an adrenaline rush. Their hands were shaking and their palms were sweating enough to water an entire garden. When they finally arrived, Viho and Pauwau were waiting for them, along with a few others who David recognized: Bert and his little assistant from the post office and the pilot that flew David to the little town of Inukjuak. David ran up to hug his mother, Wyanet on the other hand didn’t do so much as offer her hand out for a shake.

“You must be my son’s fiancé,” said Pauwau, “is this how you treat your mother-in-law?” Wyanet still didn’t say a word.

“She’s only here because I asked her to be. And to be honest I would be feeling the same way if I were in her position, so don’t think for a second that I’ll take your side over hers.”

“I completely understand where you’re coming from,” said Viho, “but I doubt that things wont go as I planned.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Wyanet had a defensive tone in her voice.

“Please, Wyanet,” said David, “we’re not going to get anywhere if you don’t give them a better chance than this.” Wyanet took a deep breath and shook Viho’s hand, but with a very strong bone breaking grip to make sure he understood what would happen if he crossed them. “So, what do you guys have in mind for tonight?”


THE TOKALAN CAMP

Gahege was walking around the camp looking for his daughter and David after he had realized he hadn’t seen them all day long. He had a very worried look on his face. It just wasn’t like them to leave without telling someone where they would be going and when they would be back. Asking everyone, Gahege was beginning to get desperate. Then, he knew exactly who to go to.

“Wematin, do you know were David and Wyanet are?”

“No,” replied Wematin, “I’m sorry to say that I haven’t seen them since this morning. Why, is something the matter?”

“I don’t know, that’s what’s bothering me. Are you sure you have absolutely no idea, is there anything that you know in any way?”

“Well,” Wematin didn’t know whether he should tell Gahege about the conversation he had with David earlier that day, but it seemed like this was in David’s best interest, “David seemed a little distressed this morning.”

“In what way?”

“He asked me about the relationship I had with Anpaytoo, about what we would do for each other. It seemed like he was going to ask Wyanet to do something for him, something that she would only agree to do because of the love they have for one another. Does that mean anything to you?” Gahege had a look of extreme terror on his face. Not even taking the time to thank Wematin, he quickly ran out of the camp and headed straight for David’s cabin.


THE CABIN

“Well,” Viho got up and cleared his throat, “first of all we’re all going to go arrive at the gate of the Tokalan camp.”

“I’m not sure that doing that so quickly is the best choice.” Said David.

“Don’t interrupt me,” Viho snapped, “if you want to hear what I have in mind then you’ll speak when spoken to, understood.” David nodded his head in a somewhat submissive way.

“Good. Now, the reason why it’ll work is because we will be welcomed into the land behind your side of the spring by a noble member of the tribe, which validates our passage.” He was pointing at Wyanet. “Pauwau and I will then enter the camp with these around our necks.” He held up two tight necklaces that looked like they would decapitate Viho and Pauwau if they were to morph into their wolven forms. “We will speak with Gahege and hopefully he’ll see the reason behind my belief.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Wyanet had a doubtful look on her face, “you need me to get in.” Viho nodded. “And if I refuse?”

“If you refuse,” replied Viho, “then our two tribes will forever be stuck in this ridiculous feud. Is that what you really want?” Wyanet agreed but she refused to say it out loud.

“Well, let’s get going Viho.” Said David.

“I thought his name was Megedagik.” Bert’s assistant leaned in and whispered to Bert.

“I KNEW IT!!!” yelled Wyanet, “You’re the one responsible for us having to clean this mess up in the first place.”

“What are you saying,” asked David, “who the hell is Megedagik?”

“He’s the evil brother I told you about.”

Viho let out a long, and angry groan and snapped his fingers. All of the sudden David and Wyanet were rushed outside and forced on the ground with the full force of two werewolves, along with the werewolf who gave away Viho’s true identity. Megedagik stood in front of Bert’s assistant.

“I knew it was a mistake to let a stupid little boy into my tribe,” he said with a menacing smile on his face, “now you’ll have to face the consequences for your actions.”

“Please,” begged the young man, “don’t hurt me. I wont disappoint you again.”

“It’s okay, I know you wont.” Megedagik turned his back and took a few steps away. He then began to grow a thick coat of brown fur; his muscles were bulging to the point that it seemed his skin would burst. The new beast standing in front of David was at least fourteen feet tall; it was then that David noticed he was the monster from his dreams. When the morph was complete Megedagik turned back around, walked up to the young man once again, brought himself down to his level and began to eat him alive. “It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten a werewolf. God they’re so tasty.”

“You bastard,” yelled David, “what the hell do you want from me?” he then turned to face his mother. “Mother, please help me.” She just stood there, refusing to make eye contact with David. “Mom, he’s going to kill me.”

“I’m not going to kill you, David,” Megedagik had a big smile on his face, “I’ve worked far too hard to let you die before I get what I want.”

“What do you want from me? I have absolutely nothing that you could ever desire.”

“You have no idea just how wrong and naive you are David.” Megedagik got down eye to eye with David and aggressively placed a claw on his chest, almost puncturing his skin. “I need the power that rests within your soul.”

“Power, what power? I may be the son of a werewolf, but I’m no more powerful than your average human being. I can’t do so much as high five a Tokala without wanting some ice to dull the pain.”

“I’m so glad you asked. You may be an average human being on the outside, but on the inside you are the most powerful werewolf that has ever existed. As I’m sure, Wyanet has told you about how I was the most powerful werewolf to ever come into being for centuries, and I owe all that power to all of the darkness and suffering in my heart. In other words, the more misery and pain one has endured the more powerful of werewolf they become; so one who has lived a peaceful life has much less potential than someone like you who knows so much pain and misery. You, on the other hand have the suffering off five generations within you in addition to your own.”

“You’re not making any sense,” said Wyanet, “it all sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me.”

“Shut up,” yelled Megedagik, “and you’ll find out.” He then got up and continued his little monologue. “You see, the more followers I obtained, the more I came to realize that I needed someone as strong as me. Eventually I found out just how to get exactly what I was looking for. The answer was the Converters, who are werewolves who refused to become a full-fledged beast.

“The way it works is that when one becomes a werewolf during their first full moon, they can choose to remain what they first turn into or become a Converter, a werewolf who can only shift between human form and that of a regular wolf. However, that power they gave up still resides within them. It is passed on to their first child who has their own potential and that which their mother or father refused, making them even stronger than any normal werewolf, and the more consecutive generations of Converters you have behind you, the more potential you have. But as one’s inner wolf becomes stronger and stronger, the more difficult it becomes to resist the beast within.

“Actually, your mother was the first fourth generation Converter to ever give that up. Meaning that it will be impossible for you to do the same. And the best part is that you’ll be under my control the second I sink my teeth into your flesh.”

“I’ll never listen to what you ever demand of me.” David had never been so furious in his life.

“You still don’t get it. I’ve been working toward creating you for five whole generations, I’m the master behind all the pain you’ve ever experience, I’ve even convinced your own flesh and blood to abandon you at that orphanage. I own you David. Besides, even if that wasn’t the case, the werewolf that has just gone through their first transformation is completely under the control of the one who bit him for the entire time the moon is in the sky, and tonight is a full moon.” Immediately David and Wyanet knew that they were completely powerless, that Megedagik was most certainly going to get what he has worked towards this entire time. Megedagik picked up David and held his arms against his sides, preventing him from moving. He then gave out a loud roar and bit David across his chest and back, leaving huge teeth marks all over his body. David screamed in pain, if felt like fire was rushing through his veins.

“NOOOOO!!!” Wyanet couldn’t believe what she was seeing; the love of her life was going to turn into a werewolf, and there wasn’t a single thing within her ability that could change that.

When Megedagik put David back down, he ordered all of the other werewolves who weren’t already holding Wyanet down to get a hold on David. The wounds left from Megedagik’s teeth began to heal, though they left behind really bad scars. David slowly felt as if something was changing within him, not actually making him change, but if felt as if someone was slowly bringing back the David who nearly killed Camille all those years ago.

“MEGEDAGIK!!!” Gahege was running straight for him with blade in hand, but Megedagik took hold of Gahege’s arm that held his hunting knife. “You bastard, I said that the deal was off. Let them go.”

“Gahege,” said Megedagik in a genuinely greeting tone, “you got here just in time. I honestly thought you weren’t going to make it, and I’m sorry to say you missed David’s little ritual.” Gahege could see his future son-in-law being held down by Megedagik’s minions with blood stained clothes. He then noticed that Wyanet was also being held captive.

“What is she doing here, this wasn’t even part of the original arrangement. She doesn’t have to be involved in your sick little game here.”

“Well, as you said, the deal was off, so I decided to take matters completely into my own hands. I’m sure a chief such as you can understand why I have. Also, you’ll soon find out why I wanted the both of you here with my little pet.”

“No,” demanded David, “you tell us now.”

“Very well, just know you’re going to regret asking for what you have.”

“Not nearly as much as you will regret doing this when I’m through with you.”

“Hahaha,” Megedagik was laughing so hard that the very ground was shaking, “I’ve never regretted a single thing in my life: everything from killing my brother’s family and leaving him to be executed by the Tokala, to the delicious meal I had a few minutes ago. So I sure as hell won’t regret anything tonight.” David was beginning to feel Megedagik getting inside his head. “The reason I wanted them here is to show you how fake your relationship with them truly is.”

“I don’t believe it,” said David, “they would never betray me after what I have done for them.”

“Oh, but they already have. I don’t know if you heard, but Gahege made a deal with me, which was that he would shelter David till the day I asked for you, in return I would let him watch you become what you will be tonight.”

“Father,” said Wyanet, her eyes were tearing up, “please tell me he’s lying, please tell me that what he says isn’t true.” Gahege looked at his daughter, completely at a loss for words. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing, David really should have killed you all those years ago.”

“You don’t really mean that, Wyanet.” Said Gahege.

“Yes I do.”

“Didn’t you hear me, I called it off the day David opened up my heart. I no longer wished for any harm to befall him.” Gahege turned to look at David, “You believe me don’t you son, you believe that I would never give you up to this murderer.” David wanted to say he did, but he was unable to convince himself that Gahege was being truthful.

“After I kill Megedagik,” said David, his eyes were beginning to change into a yellow-gold and his teeth were growing into long and sharp fangs, “I’m going to tear you limb from limb.” He wanted to take that back, but he knew he really meant it, or at least the monster within him did.

“Do you know what else, David, even Wyanet’s love for you has been an act this whole time as well. Did you really think a Tokala could ever hold a place for you in their heart, let alone one related to Gahege?” Megedagik was obviously taking joy in playing with David’s mind, heart, and soul. Once again, David didn’t want to believe what he was hearing, but for some reason he couldn’t help but accept the logic behind Megedagik’s claims; it seemed so undeniable. In addition, he felt the anger within him turning into wrath. The white of his eyes were now turning into a solid blood red and his nails were growing into long claws that were no less durable than diamonds and sharper than a scalpel.

"Please, David," Wyanet was desperate to keep the David she knows and loves with her, "You can't believe a word he says. I love you too much to ever hurt you. You know that more than anyone." David could now hear the voices of his ancestors and see their pain and suffering, and all at one time. The pain and the agony, he could see people getting torn to shreds, and feel the emotions of loosing loved ones. It was as if five lifetimes of suffering were playing at super speed inside his head.

"It's no use, Wyanet," said Megedagik, his joy was growing even more, "He only listens to me now." He then turned and made eye contact with David. "She's been lying to you this whole time. If only she had told you what Wakiza said before he died, then you would have known to never come back here. What was it that he said? Oh yeah, he told her that you were just like us. He told her everything, and she even killed him after she found out who he truly was." David looked up at Megedagik, not able to understand what he meant by who Wakiza really was. "He was yet another false friend of yours: Reese. She killed him knowing how special he was to you."

“I’LL KILL YOU!!!” David was beginning to break free of the five werewolves holding him down. He was crawling towards Wyanet with the look of a killer in his eyes. If one of the werewolves hadn’t knocked David out he would have easily mauled his fiancé to death. Wyanet was speechless; she would have never expected something like this to happen. David was becoming one of them, and she was loosing him. She could also see the deep gash on the right side of his face from when one of the werewolves knocked him out cold, but just the same as Megedagik's bite, it healed up within seconds leaving an obvious scar from his right temple to the right side of his chin, which was a sign that his transformation was coming, and fast.

“Come on,” said Megedagik, “we’re leaving.” He signaled for the werewolves to follow him and carry their three captives. “It’s time we paid our neighbors a little visit.”