"Maaaaker! Get in here I need your help!"

The werewolf was shouting in her cave. She was in her human form and most of her wounds from her fight with the Bansheep had healed. Curious, Maker made her way to the cave, it didn't take long as she had been roaming nearby, waiting for her wolf to wake up.

Good morning little one, how are you feeling?

"Like absolute shit, and we need to do something about that!"

Your wounds will heal if you rest another couple of hours. Have you gone to the lake? You should drink something.

"No, that's not what I meant. I feel like shit cause I went on another murder spree. I need to learn some control or I'll seriously be in trouble!"

Hmm, she's still concerned about her bloodlust huh. Maker frowned in thought.

And what would you have us do to teach you control?

"Uhm... Dunno, can't you like.... give me a Skill or evolve me or something?"

No...

"You can't?"

It is not that I can not. It is more like... It is cheating? And cheating is very bad and makes me feel veeery bad. Even if it is to help my favorite werewolf.

"So... you don't want to help me then?"

It is not that! I want to help you but forcefully evolving you is hard and cheating. It is like your instincts. My instincts tell me to not cheat. Going against my instincts would be bad and hurt me.

"I... don't really get it, but ok. No cheat evolving. I guess even you have rules you must follow..."

Yes...

They both sat quietly for a moment, thinking.

"How about you have one of the rodents come here and pester me? And I try to not snap and kill it? You could snatch it away before I hurt it or maybe just stop us with your hoodowoodomagicalmind?"

My what?

"Would that work?"

Hoodo-... Well, I guess it would work. Would you be ok with me forcing my will on you though? Is that not one of the things you dislike?

"Hmm... Not if it's to help me and I know why and have given you permission... I think it'll be fine, just this time. I don't want to hurt the lil guy. Though I want it to try and make me want to hurt it."

Why not use a bigger creature then? I am sure there are plenty of others who would like to test their might against you.

"I don't want to actually get hurt. Just annoyed enough to snap. I don't want either of us getting hurt since the goal is to make my temper less violent. Oh and I don't want to use Pohc. I don't want to hurt him if anything goes wrong so let's use a random rodent I've never seen before.

Pohc?

"Yes, Pohc. The hare, I named him. He saved my life you know, and I think he likes me."

Maker looked at her werewolf for a second, trying to understand what she meant. Then she broke out into a bright smile.

Another named individual in my dungeon! How wonderful! How nice!

The dungeon and the werewolf chattered happily for awhile before Maker called out for the rodents.

Later, a small pack of rodents answered the call of Maker. Carefully they sneaked through the many small tunnels until they had to enter the larger ones the other creatures used. They were nervous because as they approached a dimly lit cave the first of them noticed the New one's scent. Maker's call was stronger than their fear of the large predator, but it didn't stop them from shuddering and walking closer to each other, ready to sacrifice the slowest or most unlucky of their group should they need to flee. They didn't however. The large wolf sat in the middle of the cave and watched them with curious eyes. Well, it wasn't really a wolf right then. It looked more like a human, but they knew that it was just a guise it donned to trick others.

They also noticed the one of their kin that had evolved. The mighty Dreadhare that could fight evenly with the Bansheep. The rodents puffed out their chests with pride and admiration as they watched the hare rose and trotted over to them.

A small vole lifted its head in greeting to the big hare. Pohc responded in kind, nodding his chin upwards.

'Hello siblings, it is nice to see you again. How's our kin doing?'

The language of the rodents was a complex combination of body language, huffing, and other barely noticeable noises. Fanv watched in fascination as the adorable critters tumbled about and did their cute little rodent things. The brown vole cleaned its face and seemed to sneeze. Fanv wanted to squeal. They were too cute.

To Pohc the gestures carried other meanings, however. The vole spoke.

'Many of us fell in battle with the Humans. But sturdy as we are, we have mended our wounds and bred many new generations. Soon our numbers will be as impressive as before. The young ones sport black fur and yellow eyes, they have the potential to evolve just like you, Strong one.'

'Excellent. Oh, and I have received a name. The New one has honored me with the name Pohc.'

The other rodents grew excited and couldn't help but jump in excitement. One of their kin had not only evolved into a great beast, he had also managed to forge an alliance with the New one, and he had a name. It was truly a great day for the rodents.

A scabby mouse spoke up next, asking why Maker had called them here. Pohc answered with his head held high.

'To help the New one grow even mightier! She is wise and sees the value in diplomatics, she wishes to use us to gain even greater self-control. Then she will be able to form a pack with anyone and we, too low on the food-chain to be a desirable food source, can support her rule and feast on her slain enemies.'

A gray porcupine shook it's body and asked in confusion.

'Why must she gain self-control to be strong? Isn't it enough to be able to tear to shreds anyone who dares approach her?'

Pohc snickered at that, clearly, he had become smarter when he evolved as he now needed to explain to his siblings why self-control was such a valuable thing to have.

'If she merely wished to be the most dangerous thing in these caves then sure it would be enough to be ferocious but to rule she will need to communicate with the other creatures. If she attacked anyone or anything she sees then she would just be feared, but if she could snap her jaws and snarl at others without charging then she can do more than that.'

'Such as what?' A small mouse piped up. 'What would she do as a ruler? What does a ruler do?'

Pohc paused. He hadn't really thought that far yet. He just knew that 'ruler' was a mighty thing to be. Something the humans and some other pack animals did. The Bansheep had their leader, and they were strong. The rodents did not have a leader and so they were weak. Yes, that must be it. A ruler makes the pack strong.

'A ruler would lead us. Teach us and make sure that we prosper. As a ruler, she would make sure that no other Intruders destroy our kin. If we have a ruler then we will be organized and wise and strong.'

Pohc twitched his ears as Maker told him something.

'Our wise creator has shared great wisdom with us! She said a leader could talk to others and make them bring us food! Trading she says! And great feasts and sharing of knowledge!'

Images of ballrooms and humans dancing and eating during festivals. Joy.

The porcupine spoke up again.

'I see! There is more to life than simply surviving. Feeding, breeding, and sleeping is all good and well but there are more things we could do. We can think now and with thoughts comes wishes and yearning for greater things.'

'Yes! And a leader would not only be respected by us, her followers. No she would be respected by others as well, her title would demand it!' the vole chirped.

Fanv watched the rodents squeak and run around, knocking into each other and flicking their ears and whiskers in adorable ways. She wondered what they were doing. Talking maybe? Talking about small rodent things like cheese and flowers and cuddling. Except maybe that porcupine. It wouldn't be very nice to cuddle a walking needle pile. She wondered if they'd let her pet them later. Snuggle up with them and pick at their small hands and feet. So tiny and cute. Such innocent little creatures.

'LONG LIVE THE RODENT EMPIRE! MAY OUR QUEEN BRING US JOY AND CARNAGE!' the rodents squealed.