Prologue

Ash and black soot fell from the sky like rain or snow. I couldn’t help but think to myself that it was beautiful. Not the same beautiful as the rising sun or shining moon. No, this beautiful was dark and twisted. The sort of beautiful that is for vile things. How fitting it should call to me.
Each step I took left small black footprints behind me, each breath burned my lungs. How long had it been since the ash had started to fall from the sky? More importantly how long would it continue to do so?
The sky was black as the earth was now and had been so for over three days, or at least what seemed like days. We could no longer tell the difference between night and day, the skies were just as much a wasteland as the earth we stood on.

It was then that I heard it and froze in my tracks. A screech echoing from the clouds as the sound of wings flapping came into earshot. I scrambled from the main path and within the ruins of a half collapsed building. Looking about frantically I tried to find the source of my fear. It was then that a massive white dragon came into view and landed on the very road I had been walking on. I caught myself about to scream and wrapped a hand over my mouth.
The dragon stood over one hundred feet tall and had to be the length a legion warship. The beast’s scales glimmered like finely polished pearls and it seemed impossible something so deadly could be so beautiful.
Long razor-sharp talons clawed at the earth beneath them as it huge tail lashed about in the air lazily. As the white dragon stood still sniffing the air the black ash began to build up on its form.

My other hand found its way to the dagger I had stolen not but a week ago. Stupid girl, like I can even scratch that thing without feeding! I forced the voice in my mind to silence. If it came to it I would not just hold still for this beast to devour me.
Feed me and I can save you!

Growling the beast continued to look for the scent he had caught a whiff of.
You’re going to die if you don’t feed me!
I gripped the blades hilt tighter as my own growl rose from within. It was not aimed towards the dragon before me but the voice in my head. Stupid. As I made the tiny sound in annoyance the dragon’s head jerked quickly towards my direction and it started to inhale. Inhaling was not the problem; it was what it was going to exhale that sent panic through my body.

Chapter 1

I was never a morning person but I would have killed for a sunrise now. The sky had been black for far too long. Shifting in my makeshift bed I fought the need to wake. It wasn’t until I heard howls off in the distance that I rose and started to recover my things for the day. Inside my old house or not, the new terrors that filled this world would not let a wall let alone a door halt their hunts. Packing away my sleeping bag and sliding away the few things I had been able to retain after that night, I moved quickly.

In the darkness I heard the distant sounds of a scrap. Two hunting packs more than likely had fell upon one another. My name is Tali Jessica Burns but everyone just calls me Dodger. It originally annoyed me but then I realized they were right I had an amazing ability to avoid problems and danger. It had been over three years since the sun stopped shining and there was no sign of it returning. At first it was a brief burst of darkness but bit by bit the darkness stayed longer till one day it just stayed. That’s when the Mythics showed up. I used to read books on elves and dragons, wizards and knights but after the darkness I realized books aren’t very realistic.

Knights aren’t all honorable, Wizards are to self-absorbed to care about the weak and things like elves aren’t kind or peaceful. No one knows where the Mythics came from but we do know they don’t plan on leaving. Some people joined the more human ranks of the Mythics, others worshipped the less humans like gods. I personally just kept my head down and avoided the Mythics at all costs.

My day was simple. Wake, gather, avoid, live. It wasn’t a very good life but I was still alive. There were others like myself who would try and help others, they normally ended up with a knife in the back and someone running away with their food. Survival after the darkness was hard enough, all plant life had pretty much died and the endless winter that followed killed a lot of people. Worst was the fact that the darkness made the use of electricity impossible, no heat, no cars, nothing. The world was cut off from one another and people started surviving anyway they could, even off each other.
Then the Mythics came.
They came to conquer, they came to rule. The world in shambles already the Mythics had no problem taking our world. I say world because I had to assume it was more than just our city and surrounding areas. After the iron will of the Mythics had been forced upon the normal world they turned on one another.
Mythics fought Mythics, Mythics fought humans it was endless. Eventually most people who were still alive joined on Mythic faction or another to survive. Humanity became the willing servants of the Mythics.

Except for people like me.

I was an Outlaw, an Anti-Mythic. Anti- Mythics were humans who had survived and refused to bow down to a bunch of creatures and brutes from old childhood books.

Slipping out the back of my house I tried to close the door with minimal noise. I cocked my pistol and put it on safety. I disliked guns but I disliked living in werewolf lands more.
To survive I had chosen a land where most other Mythics avoided. Werewolves were pack creatures and their numbers scared away most others. So I stayed on their lands and kept silver on hand at all times. Shifting my feet in the snow I could hear the soft crunch sound with every step.
Knowing full well I had to stay off the main streets I tracked through the white snow. I had been raiding a local convenience store lately but I knew I only had another week or so before I had to move to something new.

Each step had to be taken carefully in the deep snow; the fresh crunch could attract company. Entering the store through the back door I had pried open I began to work. Canned goods, bottled liquids and anything worth keeping like lighters. I had been here before and knew what I wanted to get but as I crossed in front of the coolers I caught my reflection in the glass. I was short even for a girl, maybe four eleven at best. My long blonde hair had waves but it had lost its shine. Slimmer now than I was years ago the lack of food had thinned me out. I couldn’t take my blue eyes off the glass. For a moment it seemed like I could have been just a normal girl. Curves like any other, pale but everyone was now. I pulled the hood of my black hoodie off to look at myself more.

It was probably my self-absorption that dulled my senses. It wasn’t until it let out a long growl that I turned to see a smaller werewolf crouched on top of the counter. Backing up slowly I started to slide the safety catch off my pistol. At the click that was created the wolf leapt into the air and pushed over a whole steel rack onto my body. Falling back the gun was knocked free from my hand. How could I have been so stupid! I hadn’t been careful and now I was going to die for it. Scrambling under the rack I pulled myself free just as the wolf got ready for another attack.

I stood and looked frantically for my pistol. Turning I saw it laying on the floor near the very glass that had distracted me. Running quickly toward it I saw in my reflection the wolf leap into the air behind me. Turning on my heels I prayed as I took another step. The wolf howled in a rage as it flew past me and crashed into the glass refrigerators and sent pop cans scattering everywhere. Yelping in pain I could see a piece of glass stuck into the eye of the wolf. I backed up grabbing for my firearm. The wolf growled and crouched to leap again.

I knew I was out of reach still and as the wolf sailed through the air I thought I was dead for sure. How fitting that I should die due to my own distraction. I watched the wolf moving closer, it seemed like it was all in slow motion. Then BAM! The wolf smashed into the glass again and didn’t rise up. Looking around I saw a man holding a bolt-action rifle.

“Dodger that you?!” The voice was young and reached of youth, a young male.

Grabbing my pistol I snagged my back pack that I had loaded with food and ran out of the room toward the man.

“Johnny?” I couldn’t hide the shock in my voice

The man nodded, though to call him a man was being very generous. Johnny stood an easy six one and was built like a tank. The last three years had been hard on him and his body was a result. Scarred and muscled he had once single-handedly fought off a werewolf with his hands. Hence many of the scars.

“Dodger what the hell were you thinking fighting a wolf with a pistol!”

I shoved him in the chest. I didn’t want to tell him I had been caught off guard.

“I could have handled that Johnny” My voice was still shaken from the encounter and it frustrated me that I could not stead it.

Johnny looked at me for a long moment but the silence between us was broken as howls started to fill the air. Looking to Johnny my mind raced. How many? How close? I knew deep in those green eyes of his he was thinking the same things. He cocked his rifle and looked in my direction.

“Mine or?” He didn’t need to finish the phrase as I nodded.

We took off in a dead run heading back toward my home. The snow made running more difficult than either of us would have liked but we had no choice. The muscles in my legs burned and my body urged me to stop but I forced myself on. Panting heavy hard Johnny was beside me running in leaps. I could not help but notice the long strides he was able to take and a shot of jealousy rippled through me for a moment. My jealousy was cut short by another howl as a werewolf jumped into our path. It was large in size and had a mangy brown coat. Scars covered its face and arms and I knew this wolf had experienced and survived many battles. I looked to Johnny he raised his rifle as we ran still toward the wolf.

As if in retaliation the wolf started to sprint toward us. One thing every person who has survived a werewolf encounter will agree on is that they and incredibly fast. Closing in on us quickly the wolf weaved from side to side as it came toward its prey. The rifle recoiled hard as Johnny shot. The wolf skidded to the side and the bullet missed. This caused the wolf to pause just long enough for me to raise my pistol and fire two shots. The first grazed its leg sinking into some flesh but the second found its mark and the wolf yelped loud. It fell to the ground whimpering and I looked to Johnny. We both took off past the wounded wolf.

I looked at it as we passed and a shot of guilt echoed through me. It wasn’t their fault they were here. Of all the Mythics werewolves were the most primal of the invaders. They acted on instincts and a pack mentality; nothing had shown them any smarter than our wolves. They were just deadlier.

My broken old house came into view as we ran. My house, though broken and worn from the last three years it was still solid. I had spent a lot of time repairing and reinforcing my home. I hit the door first as Johnny turned around with his rifle to guard our backs. I lifted a board in the porch that was just big enough for us to creep through. Slipping under the porch I brushed aside some dirt and lifted up a hidden doorway. Both Johnny and I crawled down into my secret safe place, every outlaw had one. Once we both were within the cement walled room I closed the heavy steel door and locked it. Back on the door I sunk down breathing hard. Johnny put his back to the wall across from me rifle beside him, panting as he looked at me.
“Nice place.”

I laughed a bit closing my eyes, it was barely the start of the day but I was exhausted.
“Thanks.”

We didn’t say anything for a long time after that. I could tell Johnny was happy to be safe but he hated closed in spaces. His resulting silence led to my inevitable sleep. It was nice knowing I had someone with a rifle watching my back. Sleep came easier with that knowledge. I don’t normally forget my dreams but the dream that I had after the close encounter with the wolf would never leave my mind.

It was abnormally warm where I was and everything had a red hue to it. I started walking down a dark path towards an ever increasing brightness. For a moment I thought perhaps I was dead, that a wolf had found us in my sleep. As I walked forward a dull hum started and the heat kept increasing. The darkness continued to fade as the hum got louder until it became whispers. Confused I continued to stalker forward until I could make out the voice.

Come to me Tali, free me and I shall grant anything you wish.

Even more confused I came into a massive cavern and within it an altar stood. Slain bodies lay all about the altar and blood had soaked the stone red. Upon the altar was the source of the heat, light, and I suspected the voice I had heard. No living thing had survived here before. I turned to run but my legs grew heavy.

NO! Stay, you must! Free me Tali and let me keep you safe forever.

I could see the object on the altar as I moved closer. A long curved dagger stood tall propped up inside the altar itself. Stepping forward I could do nothing but focus on the dagger. Its long silver blade, its gold and ruby studded hilt, and the perfect designs that riddled its delicate body. I reached out for it slowly with one hand trying to grasp the beautiful object

Yessss that’s it! Free me, Take me!

My hand began to reach around the hilt when I was woken by the sudden large bang against the door behind me. Startled back to reality and the land of the conscious I looked to Johnny who was shaking violently and had raises his rifle aiming directly behind me. Turning I couldn’t help but scream.

A large wolfen claw had avoided the door and ripped into the cement around it. The claw flailed furious to gain entrance to the room. I could see my own death in my eyes. Those powerful claws would tear me to pieces and if we happened to kill this wolf the rest must only be waiting behind him. I looked to Johnny who fired a round into the hand of the wolf. It howled in pain and withdrew its arm from the hole it had made. Good that should make them think twice about the door again. Werewolves die if silver enters their system and isn’t removed.

That wolf would spend all day trying to claw that bullet out. Running to Johnny a pushed him aside and climbed on a weak table. Pushing up a panel slide away and I climbed up. Holding my hand down for him I could hear the wolves returning to the door and it wouldn’t take long for them to break in. Johnny tossed me his rifle and grabbed my free hand hauling him up with me into yet another tunnel. Closing the panel we both started to scramble away from the room. Coming out at the back of the room both of us took off running.

We headed towards Johnny’s hideout. A house a few miles away that held over ten people in a fortified area. I was always welcome there as long as I didn’t bring trouble but what else could you call the wolves that would follow our scent. Bursting into the yard he gave a yell for guns. We both hit the door as we heard the first howl and everyone in the room took a position with a rifle.

Panting hard Johnny was handed a second rifle by a young man running past. Looking about I realized how broken down the house was. How much had they been fighting? Taking a place next to Johnny we watched the first of the wolves that came into view fall to a hail of rounds from the second floor. More wolves came into view and I started to wonder if there was any end to their numbers. Had everyone in the city been infected but us? I shook my head and aimed. Only the strong survived.

Rifles shattered the silence of the moment, followed by the howls of dying wolves. It had once occurred to me that one of the wolves I had killed might have been anyone. A teacher, my friends or even my parents. The thought had left my head quickly as the wolf before me tried to kill me. The thought had haunted me since but now as they gathered in the largest pack I had ever seen it did not seem to weigh on my shoulders any longer. I heard shouting from all around me as Johnny and his friends shouted out commands and requests. Ammo and weapons were being tossed about as the wolves continued to rush. One by one the wolves fell but they were always replaced by another and we were running low on ammo.

Johnny was shouting something to a young woman, he was scrambling to reload her rounds. There was a loud scream as thundering footsteps were heard on the roof and the woman who I realized could not be more than seventeen scrambled into a corner crying. Growling out the command Johnny ordered someone who I didn’t know to take her spot.

Looking at Johnny he seemed to age years before my eyes. He changed from the young bright eyed boy I had given my first kiss to years ago, into some sort of general. A loud smash came from above us and a huge dark furred wolf landed between Johnny and I. I saw Johnny’s rifle come up and the wolf slapped it away. I reached for my own that had been knocked out of my hands and realized it was nowhere to be seen. Another wolf had come through a back wall and was only a foot from my firearm. To my shock Johnny didn’t run, he stood up and slammed a hard right hook into the beasts head. The wolf stumbled back then brought his own claw down on Johnny. He was dropped by the force, crimson blood splattering the wall and floor. The second wolf began to step forward but the larger growled in what I assumed was a warning or a command. Bleeding, Johnny rose to his feet and relieved a long shimmering blade from a sheath on his side. The wolf crouched down and then leapt at him. I looked in horror as I saw Johnny in its path, no chance of escape.

Tears threatened my eyes as I looked at him standing so tall and proud, no fear on his face. As the beast soared through the air Johnny stood still then leapt to the side, his right arm jolting out in a flash. The wolf hit the ground without a sound and did not move. Placing his foot on the wolves head Johnny pulled his silver blade out of the beasts skull. Turning to look at the wolf who remained Johnny waited, almost challenging it. I stared in awe at Johnny as he stood tall and strong, bleeding openly with no sign of weakness. His eyes were cold even as the blood ran down his face, he stared down the wolf who looked confused at what just happened.

It was then more than ever that I wanted to kill the wolf in the room. What had they done to Johnny? Looking at him all I saw was a warrior, a brave leader who could stare down monsters. Where was my Johnny? Where had that bright green eyed boy gone? Where was his brilliant smile and overly loud laugh? What had they done to the boy I knew? Rage filled me from a place I didn’t even know existed. I started towards the girl who had apparently passed out in the corner when the wolves broke in. The wolf in the room started to howl and Johnny lowered his stance like he was the huge wolf this time. Sliding I wrapped my hand around a pistol on the girls side. Tears blinded me, the wolf before me blurry and unclear. It didn’t matter at this range.

I screamed but it wasn’t because of fear or pain, I screamed out of pure hatred. A hate for this creature, this world, and what it all had stolen from my Johnny. I walked toward the wolf and started to fire. One shot after another until I stood over the body of the wolf that had fallen to the ground after the third shot. Tears falling from my face as I screamed and shook. I could feel my blood pumping so hard I thought my veins would burst as Johnny put his hand on my shoulder. I realized I was still pulling the trigger and screaming at the dead beast even though the pistol was empty and the slide had slammed back.

Johnny kept his hand on my shoulder until the shaking started to slow. Turning he bellowed “Report!”
A boy maybe no older than fifteen came in and I could not help but notice the resemblance between Johnny and the kid. “The wolves are retreating, they stopped after that long howl…” He stopped speaking and I realized why, Johnny had four long claw marks over his chest. The wound was still bleeding out quickly. Looking at the wolf below me and the gun, I shook my hand until the weapon fell free and turned to Johnny. Rushing to him I started to tear my shirt, leaving my stomach open to the cold air. Pressing the cloth into his wounds I applied pressure and prayed he had more medical supplies than my shirt. The boy disappeared as Johnny refused to sit despite my urging. Moments later several men and women came in with a few first aid kits. Pushing me aside I was sent to sit down. What else could I do but watch them patch him up.

I blinked a few times and looked around, where was everyone? I didn’t remember falling asleep. Looking around I remembered this place. A large cavern, they heat, the red light and then I waited knowing it would come.

Good You’ve returned. Tali you must free me, I can protect you, protect Johnny. I’ll make him carefree again, making him the boy he was.

The promises were all I wanted right then. To be safe, to have Johnny, MY Johnny back. I walked forward faster than last time. This time I was not afraid. I reached for the hilt of the blade, moving through the bodies around the altar to reach closer. My hand touched the warm still hilt as I began to close my hand I felt my body shake, the ground below my feet began to give way. I let out a scream as I started to fall away from the blade.

NO!

The voice was full of anger as I slipped away and opened my eyes. The boy from before was shaking me awake. I looked around, this time I knew where I was. The wolves bodies had been removed thankfully. Looking at the boy I realized who he was.

“CHRIS?!” I flung my arms around him and squeezed. He gave a yell in surprise and it took only a moment before everyone was back in the room weapons drawn. I didn’t see Johnny with them “Where is….how is he?”

Chris looked down and sighed, he didn’t say anything but took my hand instead and led me into another room. There Johnny twisted and wrenched in pain as sweat beat down his wild looking eyes. A woman by his bed looked up and I realized it was Johnny’s mom. We used to get along very well and she used to look a lot younger. Then again I suppose we all did.

I kneeled at Johnny’s side and took his hand staring at him eye to eye. His glorious green eyes seemed to be fighting a battle with another odd colour. I looked to his mother, “What’s happening to him?”
She sighed and looked at him “We don’t know. No ones ever survived a scratch before and when people get bitten the change isn’t like this. “

Johnny cried out in pain and I once more fought tears back for my first kiss. He clenched his hand in mine and he slowly seemed to calm before his eyes rolled back and he was asleep. I looked down at the brave man before me and almost smiled. In his sleep he looked a little more like the boy knew. I stood up as his mother did and looked at her desperate for answers. She shook her head and hugged me tightly. Chris came stumbling in, looking at his brother with tears in his eyes. It occurred to me how painful this must be for Johnny’s mother and Chris.

Johnny’s dad was killed by the first wave of wolves, protecting his family and Chris had been taken in that first attack. Johnny had turned his home into a refuge from the Mythics outside for anyone not infected by the wolf curse. Johnny had searched forever for Chris and as far as I knew never found him. Yet here he stood before me and I could not fathom the horrors he had endured until Johnny undoubtedly saved him.

A story for another time perhaps, right now I could only imagine what it was like to see another family member falling to the wolves. I took a step out of the room no longer able to handle the sight. Leaning my back against the wall outside of Johnny’s room I closed my eyes. A pain shot through my head as I heard a whisper.

Tali.

“Hello?”

I can save Johnny Tali. Make him the boy you remember.

“Who are you?”

Your future as you are mine. I’m Tarin and if you save me I’ll give you anything you want.

“I want this nightmare to end”

Then lets end it shall we? Come release me and we’ll end these horrors together.

“But how? Where are you that you’re imprisoned?”

Find the grey wolf, he is not as savage as his children, convince him to lead you to me.

“Wow, I must have hit my head. Now even the voices in my head are trying to get me killed”

The voice sounded annoyed and exhausted, like he had something better to do. If you tell him Tarin sent you before he attacks then you’ll find him not a simple beast. Convince him and save humanity, save Johnny.

The voice faded away and I thought over what he asked and offered. To end the nightmare and save Johnny. All I had to do was make it into the wolves den without anything smelling and finding me. Then convince the Grand Alpha wolf to help me because the voice in my head said to drop its name. Self destructive behavior at its best, chatting with a wolf the size of small bus older than humankind. Why not, it wasn’t like we had another choice