Morning never truly arrived.
The sun hung behind thick clouds, its light pale and uncertain.
The city felt frozen between night and day.
Haken couldn't shake the old woman's words.
"You carry his blood."
So he rode beyond the city walls...
Back to the Forest of Old Howls.
The pack was already waiting.
His brother stepped forward.
"You came back."
"I need answers."
The elder wolves exchanged uneasy glances.
Finally...
An ancient wolf emerged.
Older than any living member of the pack.
One eye white with age.
The other silver like Haken's.
"You seek your beginning."
"I seek the truth."
The old wolf lowered his head.
"Our bloodline was never cursed."
Haken froze.
"What?"
"It was blessed."
Silence filled the clearing.
The elder continued.
"Long before kingdoms existed... before Viper... before crowns..."
"There were beings called the First Gods."
"They fed upon fear."
"They ruled through immortality."
"The Creator forged one bloodline to stand against them."
"The Wolf Wardens."
Haken's breathing slowed.
"Our ancestors hunted gods?"
The elder nodded.
"Not for glory."
"For balance."
"But one Warden betrayed us."
"He desired power greater than duty."
"He accepted the First Curse."
"And from his betrayal..."
He looked directly into Haken's eyes.
"...came every cursed werewolf."
Haken felt the weight of generations settle onto his shoulders.
"So my curse..."
"The curse has been broken."
The elder smiled faintly.
"But your inheritance..."
He placed a weathered hand on Haken's chest.
"...has only just awakened."
Suddenly—
The silver runes on Haken's arms burst into light.
Across the kingdom...
Vivi's crown flared in answer.
Far below the capital...
The ancient god opened one more eye.
And somewhere in the darkness...
Viper smiled.
"Good," he whispered.
"The Flame has awakened."
"The Wolf remembers."
"Now..."
He looked toward the sleeping city.
"...let us see whether love can survive destiny."