Chapter 3: The Forest of New Beginnings

As Phillip’s body lay on the forest floor, the wolves stared at his body where he had collapsed from exhaustion. His body began to shift and change back to its original human form, which was why the two jet black wolves stared intently at him. As the wolves stared at him, they heard something come rushing through the forest…

(Fredrick POV)

Fredrick, Hammond; other trusted nobles within the Holy Kingdom of Illengard are now having an emergency meeting trying to decide how to move forward, after the events from several hours ago.

(Fredrick) “Fuck, what are we supposed to do?! That thing escaped and now went into the Forbidden Forest, we can’t just lightly rush into that damned place! The number of monsters that roam that huge forest is one reason we can’t just send a party of guards after it, but along with those damned monsters, an elder dragon is protecting the forest; is main reason the Holy Kingdom of Illengard cannot advance any farther to the north or the west!”

(Hammond) “This is a difficult situation my King. Based off the reports the pursuers gave we know that it couldn’t have made it far into the forest, why don’t we send some groups of adventures after it? If they die by monsters or the dragon it’s no skin off our own back, along with this they will not be suspected as spies if they are captured beyond the Forbidden Forest in the Kingdom of Elements to the north or the Animal-Kin Kingdom to west.” he Calmly states to the me.

(Fredrick) “I think that a good start Hammond. What other suggestions do the noble families have to contribute?”

(Raffial Storm-Caller) “I suggest we send a group of our assassins along with the adventurers, just in case they lose their nerve in completing the task. As the king; Hammond have already stated the ‘other worlder’ that was brought here with the ritual looks human, he may not speak our language, but he may be able to convince the adventurers to stop pursuing him. Almost all adventurers that live within the Holy Kingdom are not citizens to it, they’re free to leave and go as they please; we cannot do anything about it. They help to eliminate monsters; carry out other contracts for our Kingdom but they are a-part of the Adventurers Guild, the only entity that is present in every Kingdom. If we put a contract through the Adventurers Guild, it makes keeping this issue quiet almost impossible.” Several other nobles silently nod their heads in agreement at Raffials words, while I stated.

(Fredrick) “I agree that keeping this issue quiet will be difficult if we go through the Adventurers Guild, but if we don’t, our only other option that will not be directly traced back to the Holy Kingdom is to go through the Black Market; higher bandits or other vagabonds…. We all remember how things turned out the last time we conducted business with them?”

Several nobles began to shake, as they remember the horrible experience the Holy Kingdom had when they last hired through the black market for the last war with the Kingdom of Elements…

(Fredrick) “I’m glad everyone remembers that shit show. If no one else has any suggestion for moving forward? This meeting is adjourned.”

I proceeded to stand up and walk past the other nobles while some stayed to talk; others immediately left to go on with their days. As I made my way towards the door of the meeting room, Hammond came up to me.

(Hammond) “My king Alphie, wishes to speak with you. He has not left the throne room after the summoning; has been adamantly expressing his need to speak with you about something.”

(Fredrick) “I will go to the throne room and see what your pupil wishes to speak to me about Hammond, just make sure the contract gets put up at the Adventurers Guild for “Phillip Mauger” such a strange name; be ready to inform the Goddess of what happened. I’m sure she won’t be happy about the event that transpired but maybe she’ll give us some insight into how to best move forward if our plans fail.” I state with a calmly to the high priest

(Hammond) “Your right my king, maybe she’ll know how to move forward, if our plans fail or have insight into what we summoned.”

I continued down the majestic corridors of the palace and eventually arrived at the door to my throne room. As I swing the doors to the throne room open, I see Alphie on his knee’s praying. I walk over to him while I begin talking.

(Fredrick) “So what is it you wished to talk to me about Alphie? You know I am busy with what transpired with the summoning earlier today.” as I put my hand on his shoulder.

(Alphie) “Iiii Iiii *stutters; breaths deeply* I think we should not pursue that man. Something was off about him my king. This may sound naïve, but we brought him into our world; we didn’t have someone with a class that would allow us to communicate with him, *Breathes Deeply* granted we never needed to do so before. I don’t know if he is human like the rest of our Kingdoms citizens, but he would be asset to us if we can get him on our side. He healed his wounds on his own after gaining his class; was on the brink of death… Along with that he was just as fast as almost every priest we had after he had transformed into that monster, even though we had 25 levels him... I believe if we continue to pursue him, it will only bring trouble to the Holy Kingdom.”

As Alphie speaks I just look off through the broken second story window the man had jumped through earlier while thinking…. Several minutes transpire before I begin to speak.

(Fredrick) “Alphie you may be right… but plans have already been put into motion. By the time we finish this conversation a contract for capturing ‘Phillip Mauger’ will have been posted through the Adventurers Guild. Even if we void the contract, the Adventurers Guild will know we are after him. The higher ups of that guild may use this against us as leverage or worse use him as you already suggested. I don’t like this situation any more than you or your master; I agree with you that something was off about that man; his class… but we cannot do anything about that now. With that said, what we just discussed will never be mentioned again, am I clear? We can only move forward now, not backwards.”

(Alphie) “as you will, my king.” He states quietly, as he walks out of my throne room.

As I continue to stare through the broken window while thinking on Alphies words; while wondering how our plan with the Adventurers Guild will pan out.

(Phil POV)

I was awoken by a sharp pain penetrating my abdomen. As my eyes shot open I saw the two jet black wolves fighting off 3, 6ft tall green men with small curved horns jutting out of their heads to my right, while one stood over me triumphantly with his spear stuck into my gut.

As the green being pulled it spear out of me, while attempting to thrust it again into to my chest.

As the spear moved closer and closer I felt my instincts forcefully take control of my body. My right hand moved to intercept it as my body began to shift, claws came out hands; feet while hair began to forcefully jut out from underneath my splitting skin. I felt my skin start to tear as I my right hand grabbed the spear just above the shaft.

I used the downward momentum of the spear to thrust it off to my left side into the ground, I used this chance to force my body from my back onto my stomach while still holding the spear into the ground; trying to stand. As I started to stand, I felt a fist slam into my back, this forced me down a little bit but didn’t faze me as I continued to stand.

I then felt the overbearing sensation to rip my skin off. As I felt this I jumped back several feet from the being that stood before me, while ripping the skin from my body as it transformed. I felt my body grow as my sense, claws; teeth become sharper.

I now stood taller than the green beings that had attacked me; the wolves. I soon noticed the being in front of me was an Orc. They may not look like what’s been described in fantasy novels but they’re Orcs, their bodies consisted of green, greyish skin, a semi-human face with tusk like fangs jutting out from the bottom of their mouths, small curved horns jutting from the tops of their foreheads; hulking builds that would make body builders jealous.

Not wasting a moment, I felt my instincts drive me forward as I jumped onto the Orc freeing his spear from the ground, as I let out beastly growls as I jumped onto the Orc, while digging the claws in my now shifted feet into his thighs; forced his body to fall to the ground.

As we both fell to the ground, I wrapped my hands around the orcs wrist pinning him to the ground as he struggled. While shoving my toothy maw onto to the Orcs exposed throat. As soon as my jaws around its throat, I pulled back with all my might, nearly separating the Orcs head from its body leaving a gaping wound in its throat, where the Orc’s spine was now exposed. I felt the warm blood spay over my face covering my dirty blond fur in the process.

I dropped the piece of throat from my mouth, while looking at the now dead Orc; thinking what the fuck! Am I in some fantasy world? Was the tunnel I was dragged into a portal to another world; WHY THE FUCK DO I HAVE THE SUDDEN URG TO START EATING THIS ORC?!

As these thoughts rushed through my head I looked at the two wolves desperately fighting off 3 more of the Orcs. I jumped up from the now dead Orc while roaring; charging the nearest Orc.

The roar I let out startled both the wolves; Orcs while making them all look away from each other, in my direction. Their reaction was to slow, as I used my hands to pick up the nearest Orc from behind; slam the Orcs huge body into the ground face first as I fell onto it with all my weight. I then lurched forward with my jaws open, while reaching the back of the orcs neck I clamped down and pulled back, severing its spinal cord; tearing a good portion of its neck out in the process. While at the same time tearing at its back with my claws sending blood a viscera into the air around me covering my dirty blond fur with blood and other bits of the Orc…

After I tore the neck of the Orc; snapped its spine with my jaws, I stood up to face the other two Orcs while I spit the huge chuck of flesh; bone from my maw and began snarling. I then forced my body on all fours; ran towards the two orcs as they readied their crude weapons; advanced upon me.

As I rushed forward I saw the orc to my right swing it club while the other Orc tried to grapple me in attempt to hold me down, while the other could smash me with it club.

I lifted my right hand and used my claws to meet the Orc’s crude club while using my left hand and claws to shred through the body Orc sticking my hand halfway into its torso, as my clawed hand entered the Orc I lifted it into the air, closer to my face; jaws while screaming!

“IVE ALREADY HAD A SHITTY START TO MY FUCKING DAY, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PULL THIS SHIT!!? I DIDN’T WANT TO KILL YOU, BUT YOU FUCKERS STABBED ME WHILE I WAS PASSED OUT, NOW YOUR FAIR GAME!!!!”

As I clamped down on its head with my jaws I heard a *SNAP* and then blood began to flow into my mouth as its skull slowly cracked open underneath the pressure from my jaws.

The orc to my right during this time was attacked by the two wolves. One jumped onto his back while biting into the back of his neck forcing him down onto the ground on its stomach. The other latched onto the arm wielding a weapon and began to shake it head violently sheering the skin and muscle on the arm. Within several second the wolves killed the orc.

As I stared at the scene in front of me I heard familiar voice ring in my head as I spit the nasty bits of Orc skull and brain from my mouth.

[ Level 2] [Gained 10-SP; 10 AP] [3 Young Orcs killed]

As the voice echoed in my head I just stood there, thinking what the fuck! First, I’m shot by some poachers, had to scare away my best friend, then forcefully dragged to some fantasy world; now I’m leveling up like my life is a fucking game? WHAT THE FLYING FUCK!!

My thoughts echoed through my head while my blood began to boil. I then felt a familiar yet strange sensation of something rubbing against my now transformed hands. As I looked down my body shaking in rage and confusion, I saw the two wolves, of a similar build to the one who ripped my throat out, forcing their heads underneath my hands. This started to strangely calm me down, while my thoughts drifted to Colt; tears started to well up in my eyes while I incoherently muttered.

“I’m sorry Colt, I didn’t know what else to do. It was either you or me; I was already dying….”

I silently fell to my knee as my body began to quiver and morph back into its human form. The wolves continued to rub my hands as emotions just continually washed over me in waves from all that transpired within the last few hours. As I kneel on the ground for the second time today in a somewhat broken state, my mind simply thought of one thing.

I’m Free… Free of my Family, free of my shitty world. Free to survive; live as I damned well please. Free to make a new family; to become closer to nature. As these thoughts came into my head my tears stopped and my broken state of mind began to crumble away, while a small smile forms on my face, that was now caked in Orc blood.

Rather than stew in my own depression; situation it’s better to move forward and on with my life. I’m mean hell, I’m a god damn werewolf! Who hasn’t thought of wanting to become so supernatural entity in their life time; here I am with it handed to me on a silver fucking platter!!

As my thoughts and mood changed, I notice I’m was naked; guessed this was from when I Shifted when I first arrived into this fantasy world. I then stood up and looked at the two wolves looking questioning at me while I simply stated.

“As I see it, we have two options go our separate ways; let this be the end of our wonderful little encounter or keep moving together as family, I don’t know if you can understand me, but I want family I can trust through thick and thin, not some mutts that are going to run at the first sign of trouble...”

The wolves looked at me and then at each other, then proceed to start howling. This forced my body quiver against my own will and start transforming, I start howling in unison as the voice rings again in my head.

Title [Leader of the Pack] acquired, new title has changed the skill [Howl of the Pack] to [Howl of The Pack Leader].

As the voice echoes, I think if this is some fantasy world with levels, do I have some sort of Status?

As I think this, a picture form’s in my mind.

[Status]

[Name: Phillip Mauger]

[Level: 2]

[Race: Homo-Sapien {Homo-Sapiens: a race of animals that evolved into humans without the any assistance of gods}.]

[Class: Shape-Shifter {Undiscovered Class Shape-Shifter: a non-magical class that allows its holder to adopt the forms of other life, in its pursuit for its own survival.}]

[Health: 100/150 {Regeneration} 105/150]

[Stamina: 150/150]

[Magic: 0/0]

[Skills:]

[Inspect Level (1): allows the user to gather information about items; life. The amount of information provided grows with the level of the skill}-passive.]

[Shapeshift Level (1): A skill that only the Shape-shifter class can use. The Skill allows the user to Shift in other forms, the forms will evolve with your understanding of the original life form. This skill may trigger unconsciously due to mental state or other reasons. Leveling the skill allows for better adoption of the transformed body by the class holder} -passive].

[Regeneration Level (1): Allows the body and mind to regenerate from physical; magical attacks, as the level increases so will your own ability to regenerate. -passive]

[Scent Tracking Level (1): Track other beings by their scent, your ability to do so will increase with each level of this skill -passive].

[Claw; Fang Growth Level (1): Grow claws; fangs while in your human or Shapeshift form. The sharpness, hardness, other abilities will increase and or come about, as the level of this skill increases in level -passive.]

[Howl of the Pack Leader Level (1): (Skill has changed due to new title acquired) Intimidate Non-predatory animals while communicating your intentions to your pack, current skill level gives low Strength and Agility buff to your pack. The effects of this skill will increase and grow as the level of the skill increases - active {cost -50 Stamina}]

[Animal Instincts Level (1): Your heritage is that of an animal, instincts are what kept your kin alive, in a hostile and unforgiving world. As this skill increases so will your connection to your animal instincts. -passive.]

[Pain Resistance Level (2): Your body has developed in a high tolerance for pain, the higher this skill level increases the more pain your body will be able to experience without passing out or going into shock. This skill does not eliminate the pain you feel, it only dulls it. -passive]

[Buff’s: Regeneration]

[De-Buff’s: Stomach wound {in the process of regenerating}, Non-Magical Being – Permanent {This being has never contained magic; its body will never be able to store magic or use magic skills}]

[Attributes: Strength-20, Agility-20, Constitution-22, Intellegence-14; Wisdom-14]

[Titles: Child of Nature: You are a child of nature, not the gods. Nature will recognize this so will the gods; their followers.]

[The Last of His Race: You are the last of your kind, will your kind die or survive? This questions rests of your shoulder. Increases [SP] and [AP] gain when leveling up from 5 to 10]

[Leader of the Pack: While with your pack you gain +2 Strength, Agility, Constitution; your ability to lead your pack is significantly increased.]

[Skill Points {SP}-10], [Attribute Points {AP}-10]

[3 New Skill’s Unlocked for reaching Level 2]

[Fang; Claw Mastery-: Gain a better understanding of how to use your claws; fangs to fight as the animal you are. As the skill level increases so will your understanding of your claws and fangs; your ability to use them in combat -passive. Cost 1-SP]

[Enhanced 5 senses: Your 5 senses grow sharper with each level of this skill -Passive. Cost 1-SP]

[Bottomless Stamina: Stamina is your only means of attack and defense. Strenuous movements cost little to no stamina, as this skills level grows all stamina movement will cost nothing; Active Skills that use stamina costs will be reduced -passive. Cost 1-SP]

Well that’s a lot to take in. Not really knowing what to do, I just think, level up current skills to level 2; buy all skills available. I hear a Strange voice in my head ring [acknowledged].

I then begin to think of what to do with my [AP] while noticing that I have no Magic; the permeant De-Buff Non-Magical Being. After coming to the conclusion that intelligence; wisdom is related to magic skills and classes I just give up of them, until I can learn more about how they may be useful, why bother with them. I mean when you play an RPG you have to make a build; it seems my build consists of Strength, Agility; Constitution so why deviate. So, I think, put 3 [AP] in Strength and Agility; 4 [SP] into Constitution.

Yet again I hear the voice in my head [Acknowledged]. With this my Strength; Agility are now at 23 while my Constitution is at 26. I figured expanding my Health and Stamina is probably a safer route than becoming a glass cannon. I don’t want to become a Tank, but I want to be able to deal some damage up close and not die in the process.

While in this process of spending my [SP]; [AP] my smile grows. As I start to think, this is really like an RPG, I mean have Attributes, Skills; Titles. I think I could grow to like this world.

As I sit kneeling smiling like a mad man in my Shapeshifted form as the wolves’ stare at me, like I’m crazy; I immediately state.

“I hope you’re not regretting your choice, through thick and thin remember? We howled on it, so the deal is sealed; for the record all life is crazy, in its own way.”

The wolves start to nod in agreement while, continuing to look at me.

“I guess that you, telling me, it’s time to move on?”

They nod again

“Well before we leave, I have something to take care of, you guys eat the Orc you killed in the mean-time.”

I walk over to a one of ta smaller trees within the surrounding forest and start using my enlarged hands and claws to dig into the ground. After about 5 min’s or so of digging, I’ve dug a big enough hole to burry a small car in, at the foot of the small tree.

I walk over to the first two orcs I killed; proceed grab them by the feet and drag them over to the hole. I throw the corpses of the dead Orcs in; burry them next to the small tree, while stating.

“looks like your lucky day tree, enjoy the extra fertilizer. We can’t eat all of this before its spoils so it’s better you have it; grow.”

The wolves had finished eating and starred dispassionately at me; whining while pawing the ground looking at where the two Orc corpse were buried.

“Come on, we have another one to eat so stop bitching at me, everyone got to eat including the trees; it’s not like you can eat all of this in one sitting.”

The two wolves stop whining but look at me we serious eyes like I’ve committed some grave sin. I say “you can have the Orc that killed just let me rip some off some, so I can cook it later. They immediately forget the buried orcs and walk over to the Orc with a broken skull; begin eating the Orc.

Before they finish the Orc, I walk over and proceed to rip one of its leg off using my claws, severing the leg at the hip joint. I then say, “go for it the rest is yours”. As they proceed to devour the orc.

After about another 5 mins the entire corpse is picked clean. I just think, they must have the Bottomless Stomach Skill, while chuckling to myself.

As the two wolves lay on the ground chewing the marrow from the Orcs bones. I say, “we should probably get going, I don’t feel like being found by those crazy people who brought me here, so let’s move”.

I put the Orc leg in my maw; start running on all fours in a random direction as the wolves followed me. We continued to run for over an hour or so then stopped and took a break, while letting my stamina regenerate a little, then continued to run.

As I ran with the wind whipping past my face, I felt a strange sensation rise telling me to keep moving forward. As we moved through the forest at speeds probably around 25mph, I saw a clearing amongst the trees, where a huge lake was.

As we approached the lake I saw the wolves start look around as if something was watching us. Trusting their instincts, I stopped running skidding to a stop while spitting the Orc leg out of my mouth; began to roar as loud as I could, thinking I could probably scare away whatever was watching us…

but was met with a deafening roar that shook the ground and nearly made my ear drums burst.

(Unknown) “RRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!!”

The forest went silent and a voice began to waft into my mind.

(Unknown) “Leave my domain!” in stated firmly

I thought

(Phillip) “The forest may be your domain but you sure as shit don’t own it, no one does; isn’t it common courtesy to give your name when talking to someone?” I thought back to the mysterious voice.

(Unknown). “Interesting a beast that can be a smart ass.”

(Phillip) “Well of course I’m being a smart ass, your invading my mind without consent isn’t that basically mind raping me? While I accept the fact, I may act and look like a beast last I checked, I’m human being.” I thought as I chuckled to the Unknown voice

(Unknown) “AHAHAHA, a beast that thinks its HUMAN! AHAHAAH”

As the Unknown voice continues to laugh I force my body to start Shifting back into my naked human form, while silently waiting for a response.

(Unknown) “Hmmmm, you do not jest strange creature, you look human, but your race is not that of a human.”

(Phil) “Well I guess technique my race is Homo-Sapien but that’s a human from where I from; I’m still waiting for your name...” I coldly state

(Unknown) “It would appear Illengards foul magic didn’t work as the last time…” the unknown voice stated to its self, but still echoed in my mind.

(Unknown) “Let me inform you young one, you are not considered a Human in the world Aredeaia. You lack two crucial aspects that make up humans. The first is you were not created by the Illengard the creator of all humans of Aredeaia. The second is you lack Magic in your body. Magic is a-part of all life created by the gods in Aredeaia from plants to animals. Even those who are foreign to this world acquire magic when they gain a class with you being the only exception to that. What a strange creature you are….”

(Phil) “Thanks for the history lesson but I’d appreciate if stop calling me ‘beast’ my names Phillip, granted I don’t mind being compared to a beast there more honest than most humans. This is where you give me your name… I mean do I have to make this any easier for you.”

As I finish, the water on the huge lake begin to shiver; ripple as a huge form proceeds to come out of it, as laughter rings throughout my head. As I look closer at the form that is now exposed, it appears to be a dragon. Not a tiny one its huge, at least a football field long and more than half its body is still submerged beneath the water!

It's body that I could see, consisted of two giant wings protruding from its back tipped with spikes at its joints, two front legs as big as a bus tipped with claws almost as big as my body, while its own body was covered in brilliant green scales that shimmered as the light bounced off the cascading water that fell from its body. Its head was just as big as a truck; lined with fangs that were about three and half feet long. I just starred awe struck at the massive dragon.

(Unknown) “HAHAHA, you are right Phillip, humans are less trustworthy than beasts. My name is Oleden; I am the Protector of the Forbidden Forest.”

I just continue to stare at the massive green scaled dragon in awe at its size.

(Oleden) “What, A goblin got your tongue?”

As the voice echoes in my head I’m broke from stupor.

(Phil) “Nope just sort of amazed at your size. We had big animals in my world, but you take the cake. So why are you protecting the Forbidden Forest?”

(Oleden) “The Forbidden Forest is a barrier between three kingdom’s, if I was not here the kingdom would go to war over the land and destroy most of the life the process. this is why I am the protector of the Forbidden Forest. But I was its protector long before the kingdoms came to power, I came to protect this forest because it expanded endlessly and had a myriad of life within it. I find the various life forms that inhabit this forest to be interesting; amusing.”

(Phil) “Seems like a valid reason to become the protector of this forest. If it is fine with you I’m going to camp out here for a while since I don’t really know where I am.”

(Oleden) “That is fine, you’re an interesting creature Phillip, I’m sure we can learn a lot from one another.”

The dragon stated in my mind as it flashed me a toothy grin and receded back into the water.