Chapter 6 - When Life Gives You Souls You Make Soul Juice

In the southern most part of the new crescent landmark of the Continent of Elms there exists a hunter's hotspot known as the Wolf Woods. Here, many hunters will come to find the many different species of wolves that inhabit these woods. At one entrance to the forrest on nearly the opposite side of where The crater is there exists a town that is mainly for hunter's who make a living off of selling the wolves' materials. However if one was to travel southward for a couple of miles they would find an azure glowing wisp moving about in between the trees.

~ P.O.V. Of Engil ~

After spending a good hour wandering around and getting used to his soul body I have come to three realizations. One, I seem to be lost. Two, how do I gather souls. Three, how do carry any souls without arms.

'I guess I should've asked Roen before i left huh? No helping it I must turn around.'

'I figured this would happen.' As I was about to turn back Roen's voice popped into my head. Honestly I'm no longer astonished by much. I've seen too much in too little of time.

'Oh great master of mine beseech me your will, so I may carry out your orders.'

'Shut up you sarcastic pebble, you're now a soul all you need to do is possess a living creature and kill someone and as long as you bring their dead bodies back to me I can work from there. Oh and if you get lost and can't find your way back to me just concentrate on how you remember me and a faint connection will guide you back.'

'Hmmm I see, alright and wasn't I already a worm, does becoming a pebble downgrade or upgrade me?' Roen's responses became nonexistent after that comment.

After spending another hour searching for any signs of life I came across a pack of wolves.

'Does it matter if it is an animal body?'

'No, being the Soulmancer that I am although high-grade souls are a trouble with my current state, any ordinary soul is a walk in the park though.'

'Yes, and does it matter if it is an animal body?'

'...sure.'

At that I quickly moved my soul into the body of the largest wolf. After thrashing around for a good thirty seconds I could finally move the wolf's body, or should I say my body. I felt like i could release aura and so when I tried a faint azure aura started to surround my wolf body. Giving the best wolf smile I could I gazed at the pack that was now staring back at me. I guess I can somewhat feel what Roen feels when staring down at weaklings. It feels damn good. I became the wolf pack's worst nightmare that day. I triumphantly carried five dead wolves on my back as I followed the connection that Roen told me about.

"You know, why haven't you died yet?"

"It's one of the perks of being a Soulmancer, as long as my soul is not completely destroyed I can keep rebuilding my body."

"Are you gonna tell me the rest of those perks?"

"Mmmm, nah I'll keep them a secret till a time arises for me to tell you."

"Can I become a Soulmancer as well, so I don't have to stay in rental bodies." A little dejected by his response Engil throws another question at Roen hoping for the best.

"Nope, you have no aptitude for it really, but I can show you how to use you new soul body. I see you've already learned you can use your aura as long as you possess a body." Nodding at his servant's adaptability Roen then starts to examine the five wolf bodies laid out in front of it. Five small grey wisps then appeared above their bodies and flew to the space in front of Roen. Those souls then started to smash into each other, and after each collision the already small souls would grow smaller and a small grey drop of liquid fell into Roen's outstretched right palm. Taking the liquid in his palm Roen brings it to his mouth and begins to slurp it down as if it was a refreshing drink.

"Ahhh~ the magic of soul juice." Watching Roen's sieved body refill itself, Engil waited for the process to continue, but after all the holes in his torso and chest were filled he stopped regenerating.

"I have to get more now don't I?"

"Preferably stronger souls."

"Yes your highness." Answering with a little resignation Engil turned his wolf body back to the forrest in search of stronger souls.

~ P.O.V. Of Darius ~

I have been hunting in these woods for over a decade with my mates. My expert wolf slaying team consists of a five man party: two archers named Randolph and Clyde, a knife wielder named Darcie, and the front liners Caleb and I both have a bronze buckler shield and a iron bastard sword. It's easy picking off the wolves who stray to far from the larger packs and even if we get into a skirmish with around 30 wolves we can all at least get away without any major injuries. After the god's light came down or whatever people are calling it, many hunters are saying it's a bad omen while others are saying it can bring in more people to the town. Honestly I don't care as long as it doesn't ruin my payday. We're currently on our way to a fairly large wolf den hope that there will be some stragglers on the outskirts.

We have Darcie scout ahead and make sure to double check our target's surroundings. After identifying that it's alone Caleb and I confront the wolf while our archers circle around aiming for blindspots whenever they are open. Darcie also circles looking for any way to make substantial damage.

Our first target of the day seems to be a large silverback wolf which it is very common to find them alone, because they either travel in small packs or choose to go alone. They are most definitely one of the strongest wolves in these forests and even myself has to stay alert when fighting one. The wolf is in a clearing standing there as if it was waiting for us. An odd thought crossed my mind as I thought I saw the wolf smile back at me, but erasing the unease I was feeling I gave a battle cry and charged at the wolf with Caleb at my side.

Snap! Snap!

Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

I gave a start after hearing some peculiar noises that sounded from the position of our archers. However the once motionless wolf now pounced at Caleb with a speed where Caleb barely had time to raise his shield. Defending from an awkward position, Caleb fell and hit the ground. I thought he would immediately get up, but his body started twitching and then thrashing. Then he stopped and cautiously got up. Since I was distracted I didn't have time to check the wolf or throw any counter in, but I worked my senses to make sure it didn't move suddenly for the kill. Caleb gave me a look with unease and signaled me with his eyes to be careful. Returning his concern I faced toward the wolf to find that it appeared to be mad. Did we do something?

We knew not to make another reckless charge, and slowly moved to opposite side of the wolf. The wolf once again was standing still as if taunting our efforts to bring it down. Damn! Where is everyone else. Suddenly the wolf once again pounced toward Caleb, and it all happened in an instant. The wolf's paws were the first to collide into the bronze shield, but with a insane amount of agility the wolf angled it's body in a way so that it faced Caleb's overhead arm clutching tightly to his sword. Then as soon as the wolf reached Caleb, who was currently in mid swing, it bounded off his shield with a force comparable to a thousand pound boulder being smashed into you, and stretched it's neck till it's jaws clamped tightly to the joint of Caleb's arm. A sickening ripping sound followed by Caleb's agonized screams.

"Darius! It's a trap! Randolph and Clyde are both unconscious inside a weird wooden cage that I can't open!" Darcie's panicked shouts reached my hears as another snapping sound rung out followed by a familiar scream. Only caring about my comrade's livelihood, I ignored Darcie's warnings and rushed to Caleb's aid. As I reached Caleb's side I started to assess and attend to his injuries. He had half his right arm ripped off and the other half was laying nearby, and as my gaze traveled farther down there was numerous puncture wounds around his knee each with a good amount of blood flowing out. From the way the leg was bent it was easy to see the joint was broken and as to what extent I didn't have time to find out. Quickly rotating my body to face the monstrous beast, but it wasn't in my sight all I saw was a flash of blue light and the wolf disappeared. I tried to follow the light, and it appeared to travel to my left. Wait, wasn't Darcie to my left?! Rapidly turning again I saw Darcie's limp body her neck profusely bleeding from the jaws of that beast. A faint blue aura spread out from the beast, and I fell to my knees.

"A,a,aura m,materialization...." I couldn't stop the words that flowed out from the depths of his fear, I resigned to my fate. We, we never had a chance against that monster. I closed my eyes and let those jaws of death close tightly around my neck.