There was no victory celebration, and they couldn’t even consider it as such when the pack howled, nullifying the barrier they had conjured as soon as the duel was over. Sköll’s second was the one who confirmed it, helping him to stand up while one of the wolves came to assess his wounds.

“That would be interesting to see,” Finnian said.

“You’d be surprised what our magic can do,” Nero said.

Although approaching him would have been considered just another provocation. Indeed, Nero emerged as the victor from that confrontation, but both Finnian and Blanche were one of the roots of the pack’s problem. Nero had made it clear that the incident should be put in the past so that everyone could get on with their lives as best they could. However, no matter how much their traditions urged them to let it go, as long as they were around, as long as they were close, they would not do it in full unless they settled it once and for all.

“What I can do is not something I’m capable of giving to just any elthean,” Finnian said.

The circle of wolves became an impromptu meeting, with the pack on one side and them on the other, almost as if it were a negotiation when in reality, they were solving a dispute going on for a long time.

“The duel is over. No further explanations are necessary with Nero’s victory,” Flicka said.

“It is possible, but I want to give them,” Finnian said, getting the leader to nod slightly. “There are different ways I can help you, though not as you ask.”

Nero was his partner. Just as they did not understand how the Signers were summoned or chosen, they did not understand how the elthean fit into that equation. The only thing that was clear to them was that both possessed similar potential and affinity.

“When we first met, you were angry that I did not go against the enemies who have taken so much from you,” Finnian said. “I don’t know how our predecessors did it, but to solve the problems now, we need to go where it all began.”

Braunah’s amber gaze caught those words and the meaning behind them. If she was old enough and Finnian was not misguided by the impression the wolf gave him, she would understand what he intended. Fighting with Calamity would solve nothing when there was another open front they were ignorant of too much. Did the Eroder arise from the last threat? It was the only logical answer, though they doubted it was true.

“We’re heading for Blue Cliff,” Braunah said, as calmly and collected. “There will be time until we part ways for you to learn a thing or two.”

“Does that mean... you want to join us?” Aer said, not wildly convinced with that proposal, primarily because of how well their association ended in the past.

“Don’t worry, we won’t get in your way again,” Braunah said.

Although, as he had expressed, they could learn a couple of extra tricks that wouldn’t hurt.

“Do you think the pack will give us trouble?” Finnian said.

“You know, for running off with us,” Aer added hesitantly.

“No. No matter how many differences we have, circles settle problems, and we move on,” Nero said.

That didn’t stop them from clashing again, though. He knew how volatile some people were, Sköll was the simplest example, but something like that would happen anywhere, even in his world. Finnian nodded, letting out a nervous laugh as he realised he wasn’t the only one with such a fear. Did they seem intense to him? Certainly. Did they intimidate him just by growling at him? Not enough to make him hide behind his friends.

“Then Kali will leave, at least for the time being,” Blanche said. “Such a large group overwhelms her, not to mention that there are other elthean nearby that she can help.”

“How many protégés does she have?” Finnian said.

“She didn’t tell me that, though I’m no one to stop her,” Blanche shrugged.

“Not that it will make much different than when she’s here,” Aer said.

While the eltheans laughed at how accurate that phrase was, they tried to keep it private and not call out the problems in their group. They were having a hard enough time staying in a good atmosphere without throwing it all away. However, the fairy left without saying goodbye didn’t worry them, but how distant the wolves were. Braunah had returned, confirming to them that they were continuing with their plans, except that they would be accompanying them for a while. However, they did not know how to act towards each other.

“This is nothing new to me,” Nero admitted.

“Neither for me, although we have the popular ones who know how to make a place for themselves anywhere,” Finnian said, pointing a thumb at Aer and Rune.

“Yeah, I think I’ll pass on this one,” Aer said.

Not that they had much choice, did they? No matter how different they were from their friend, they would somehow iron out the differences. They were managing it with Blanche. Even if it were at a snail’s pace, it wouldn’t be any different with them!

“Maybe they want to make sure we’re not as clumsy as they think,” Leith muttered. “Hey, you know it’s true. They’d better stay out of our business, though.”

“That’s a tough one. I’m still amazed at how Sköll reacted,” Blanche said.

“Everyone has their way of being,” Ead said, “and in difficult times, you go to what you’re familiar with, what’s safe.”

That sounded too much to him. Even he was overtaken by the changes of being in Elthea, and any inhabitants had to face them differently when their world was in danger. Some would ignore it, just as they did on Earth, but people were also fighting for a better future. Perhaps the pack, Braunah and even Sköll, had different methods, but that did not make them so different from each other.

“It’s funny. We have never had to deal with a situation like this before,” Nero said.

The pack had encountered others, not to mention different groups or societies. However, they rarely had to deal with one of their members being part of another. Nero being their partner changed how they functioned, especially since everyone in their group came from different places and because of them as Signers.

“Well, others have adapted, so have we,” Finnian said. “I’ve never seen you fight like that.”

“We hadn’t had the chance,” Nero said.

Which made him wonder what else Aer, Rune and Leith could accomplish. So far, they fought united, never slowing down or allowing their opponent time to counterattack. Their enemies would behave similarly, so they tried to adapt to something like this since they trained on the Galya.

“Although every occasion is unique. Remember the yuan-ti,” Ead said.

“As if to forget,” Aer said, holding back a shudder.

“It was just one, just like now,” Leith said. “It’s not unreasonable to want to act differently under the circumstances.”

“Do you think some of the pack would want to train with us?” Rune said.

“Are you serious?” Nero said, then rolled his eyes and added. “Of course you are.”

“We know each other. We’re connected, and even if we block the information we send, we’re still used to fighting together,” Aer said.

Nor was it crazy that he wanted to train or even that Nero thought several would have no problems about helping him. After all, if Braunah said they could learn a thing or two, why not start as soon as possible? Their journey continued, taking them once again to the Sea of Grass, a place too quiet even for them. However, the thought of new entertainment cheered them up more than usual.

“What do you think? Would you sign up?” Finnian said.

“Maybe, although we might prefer to train in our style,” Blanche said. “Ark has yet to control the energy he absorbs from his opponents.”

“What better way against something you don’t know?” Ead suggested.

After all, they were shuffling what they could change for the better. Few were willing to take on something like that, let alone work on it when they had the chance. However, both the Elthean and the Signers possessed willpower and much more.

“We’d rather not take any chances with the pack,” Blanche said.

“They may be our allies now, but not all elthean look favourably on what I can do,” said Ark.

Because they were capable of performing magic at different levels, each with their affinities and abilities, Blanche’s partner could be compared to a blank card: he did many things. Still, he was not capable of becoming a master of any unless they did what she commented. Controlling energy was a skill just as complicated as any spell because so many things came into play that they didn’t hold. It all came down to the same something—that which was in their hand and eluded them. Any aspect of life could be summed up in that phrase.

“You know the good thing? Everything tastes better when you’ve worked hard,” Aer said, fist-bumping Finnian almost as Rune sighed.

“Hey, even you enjoy the food almost as much as the others,” Leith said.

“Although not surrounded by a group that can see us as food”, Rune admitted.

“Nonsense, you don’t taste as good,” Nero said, giving the same elthean a lick. “No, I can assure you of that.”

“What I haven’t seen yet. Vegetarian wolves?” Blanche said.

“Our diet is balanced, although we would never contemplate devouring our friends,” Nero said.

Maybe his friend preferred the food the land could offer him, rather than any other elthean. It was a great comfort, though not enough, when he remembered the number of times he found himself in such a situation and, as lucky as they were, they preferred not to force it with their current travelling companions.