Story+Starter


 * Moon of Destruction**

It was a strange night there seemed to be a chill in the air. The previous night a steady stream of snow fell, covering the ground in iridescent beauty. My clothe were almost completely ripped apart. I only had a few shards of cloth left just enough to cover my mid section. I had a mixture of dirt and blood under my finger nails, and I had multiple cuts along my rib cage. I had an open wound gushing blood on the side of my stomach. I ran through the wilderness that surrounded my village hoping to find a nearby village or cave to take shelter in. I ran as fast as I could, putting as much pressure as possible on my open wound to slow the bleeding, and to stop my internal organs from becoming external. I increased my speed, but quickly lost vigor and had to slow down.

I sat down on a large rock next to a stream. I stuck my hands into the water, and washed my wound so that I could see if there where any pieces of debris in it. I cleaned the wound as fast as I could and then I grabbed a clump of grass, and pulled it out of the ground. I put it between my hands and washed it hoping to remove any insects or twigs from it. I braced myself, and jammed the grass into the still gushing wound. I held back my yelps of pain and repeated the process for a second time.

When I was done I immediately continued my trek at a much faster pace. I ran through the wilderness everything was a blur the trees molded together to form a solid wall of brown. I dodged trees that had fallen from old age and deterioration. I passed by wild animals that I dare not cross paths with without my clan. All in the hope of finding someplace safe, and escaping the nightmares I had left behind.

I ran for miles never once standing still for more then a few seconds. The morning started to fade into night and the stars awoke from there day of slumber that’s when I reached it; the other village. It was much smaller then my village. My village had nearly a hundred people in it. This couldn’t hold a fraction of what my village once held. I wouldn’t have even realized that I was there if it wasn’t for her. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Her skin glow with magnificence and her long black hair flowed just over her shoulders. Her whole outfit was made of wolf fur. Even her moccasins were lined with fur. I tried to stop running, but couldn’t. I kept going tripping over the large fire in the center of the small village. My face flushed a red that matched the embers of the fire.

I was surrounded by three rings of villagers first the warriors, then the women and lastly the children. The warriors pointed spears at me, waiting to strike if the command was given. A man walked into the ring with me. He was old, undoubtedly the oldest of the elders. He was barely dressed like myself.

“State your business here traveler.” The elder said

I tried to speak, but I couldn’t catch my breath. I looked down at my wound, and noticed the once green grass now shined a crimson red.

“State your business here” the elder reiterated this time firmer.

“Friend” I said meekly. That was all I managed before I passed out.

Chapter 2

I awoke in the unknown village three days later. I was engulfed in smoke, and chanting. The healer had candles lit that gave the room an eerie look. The smoke was coming from the elders that surround the healer and me. They had there pipes lit, filling the room with smoke and sickening odor. In the far corner of the room the women from earlier was standing in all her majestic beauty. Smoke and light battled around her creating a hauntingly beautiful outline around her body. I passed out again.

This time when I reawakened I was met by the elder who questioned me when I first arrived. I began to sit up to show respect to the man that had allowed me to stay in his village when he could have easily had me killed.

“Stay still you foolish boy. Do you want to reopen that wound?” said the elder. I eased myself back on to the floor, and cringed from the pain that shot through my side.

“My name is Viho. I am the chief of this clan. Tell me, why are you here.”

“My name is Mingan. I have come from the Cree clan in search of safety.” I said

“Safety from what?” Viho questioned

“It was a beast of immeasurable size with eyes that matched the intensity of the moon. He was half man and half wolf. He rampaged through my village and ravaged everything in his path. He killed my family, and my clan. He tried to get me, but he only managed to get one of his spear-like nails into my side. I was the strongest man in my village. I could run for hours, and kill any animal that I was after. I could carry a bear in my arms after hunting, but I can honestly say that the only reason I got away from that beast was pure luck.

“After I got away from the beast I ran. I ran as fast as I could, but the gaping wound in my side withheld me from reaching my top speed. I had to stop at a stream, and to wash my wound and find something to stop the bleeding. The only thing I found on such short notice was grass; I plugged it into my wound, and it stopped my bleeding temporarily. That’s when I wondered into your village.”

“You did anything, but wonder young one.” Viho chuckled

“I guess you’re right, please accept my apologies. I did not mean to cause such and uproar.”

“I understand, but I can not do anything for you. You must plead your case to the elders. We will tell you if you are forgiven, or if you will be killed for encroaching on our territory.”

“Thank you. If I am forgiven would I be allowed to stay in your village?”

“That is something you must ask after you are forgiven.”

“Yes Viho. Thank you for your generosity. What now shall I do?”

“Rest, Relax, and let the gods comfort you. Later my daughter will be in to take you to the elders. Viho advised.

Viho walked out of the tent and allowed me to rest and pray. After my prayers I fell in to a deep state of sleep. I had nightmares of the beast that turned my land into the ruin it now is, and killed everyone I loved. I dreamt of the wolf man with his razor sharp claws tearing my family to shreds. First he approached my wife. Standing in front of her, slightly bend forward, he rose to his full height and howled the most blood curdling screech I’d ever heard. Then with one swipe of his mighty paw her head fell to the floor and rolled between his legs. Then he advanced toward my two lovely children. My beautiful little girl and my strong little boy were taken from me in the most disturbing of ways. The wolf man stood up and let out another deathly howl. He clapped his monstrous paws together, and his claws slashed my children’s stomachs wide open. I just stood there and allowed my family to be killed with no attempt to try and save their lives. I was as much a monster as that beast was.

Chapter 3

I tossed and turned on the blanket that I was laying on. Sweat dripped from every pour of my body, and my eyes rolled under my eyelids spastically. After about three hours of much needed, but unhelpful sleep I was awakened by a Viho’s daughter. I was surprised to see that Viho’s daughter was actually the woman that I had seen when I first arrived in the village. That explains why she was in the tent while I was being healed she wanted to find out who I was.

“Hello. I’m Ooljee, Viho’s daughter” Ooljee stated serenely

“Hello, I’m Mingan”

“I know my father has told me all about your journey here, and what you have been running from. I’m sorry for your loss. I would love to hear more stories of your previous life.”

“I would be happy to tell you. Let’s see. Where should I start? Well, there was this beast that had to have been-”

“I would love to hear your stories,” Ooljee interrupted “but first I must prepare you for your visit to the elders.”

“Ahh yes, I almost forgot. What must we do to prepare.”

“First we must prey, then you can bathe while I prepare you’re new clothe. When that is finished I will then lead you to the elders, and that is sadly where I will leave you.” Ooljee explained

We sat on the floor across from each other cross-legged. I placed my hand into hers and we began to pray; we prayed for about a half hour. After that I bathed, and was fragranced in rich aromas that relaxed the mind and revitalized the body. Then I dressed in a three piece outfit. There were pants that were made of animal hide, and a shirt made of colorful beads. On top of my beaded shirt I wore a warm fur skinned poncho.

“We must go now.” Ooljee told me “Are you nervous?”

“Yes very much.” I hesitated

“You’ll be okay. From what my father has told me you are a very brave and deserving man.”

“Thank you. I just hope the other elder see it that way.”

“As do I.”

A few minutes later we reached the elders tent.

“Now I must leave you” Ooljee said “I hope to see you again”

“I hope to see you to.” I said as I made my way to the entrance of the tent.

Chapter 4

When I was inside I was immediately met by the familiar smell smoke. It was the same smoke that I had smelt while I was being healed. It stuck in my throat making it hard for me to breath. I stood in the middle of the tent, and was surrounded by unfamiliar men, all except for one man. I made out Viho straight in front of me. He was seated at the place of honor, higher then the rest of the elders that surrounded him. The other elders sat cross-legged on the floor stemming off of Viho. They completely encircled me.

“Welcome tell us your name and why you encroached upon our land?” Viho demanded.

“My name is Mingan from the Cree clan. I was forced out of my home by a beast unlike any other I’ve seen before. He killed my clan and destroyed my family.” I stated

“You mean to tell me you ran through our village while you were being followed by an animal.” A voice called out on the right side of me.

“No, I lost him a long while before I got here. I was just scared and could not stop running.” I responded to the mystery man

“How big was this beast?” another voice questioned

“What did it look like?” another voice asked

“How many people did it kill in your village.” Yet another voice probed.

“Calm down everyone. You are putting to much pressure on the boy. Please sit down Mingan, and tell use exactly what happened.” Viho Said Calmly

Chapter 5

I began my story telling every one what happened in gruesome detail. They listened intently, hanging on every detail I fed them. When I finished telling my story they asked me to step outside while they decided whether or not I’d be allowed to live. The thought of running away occurred to me to leave this place behind, and forget all about it. That would not have been a good idea because from what I saw of the warriors they would have no problem catching me, especially because I was injured, and if they caught me they would have without a doubt killed me.

After much deliberation they allowed me back inside. I steppe back into the circle of elders

“Mingan,” Viho said “after voting we have decided to forgive you. You may go and be free.”

“Thank you, but I would like to stay. If you would allow me to become a member of your tribe I would be eternally grateful. I could help hunt and pick crops as soon my wound heals, or if I must I can work in this condition.” I begged

A clatter broke out between the elders once again. Their words of improvement and anger clouded together to form one solid sound.

“Mingan you must excuse us my brothers and I need a few moments to decide” Viho said

For the second time I walked outside I stood there and thought of all the wonderful things could do if I were allowed in the tribe. I could have a family again I could hunt again, and I could be with Ooljee. They summoned me back into the tent, and silenced themselves. “Welcome to the tribe Mingan.” Viho announced

“Thank you very much. I will show you how grateful I am once my wound heals, but until then I will assist the tribe in anyway possible.”

Chapter 6

The days to follow my initiation to the tribe were blissful. I spent every moment I could with Ooljee. She was beautiful we would go on walks and watch as the sun set in the faraway horizon. If I could not be with Ooljee then I would spend time with the children of my new tribe. We would play games together some that I knew and some that I didn’t.

Then one night after days of longing, and happiness Ooljee and I slept together. It was the most beautiful natural thing I’d ever experienced. We were no longer just a couple, or close friends. We were one in the same. The next day we approached Viho, and I asked for his permission to marry his daughter. He seemed more then happy to marry us. He said that from the moment he saw us together he knew we were perfect for each other.

In the week that followed our marriage we became even closer we loved each other, and there was no bond on earth that could rip us apart. That was until a month after my arrival, and the full moon appeared. The days that preceded the full moon were awful. Food was being stolen right off of the hooks on which they hung, and howls could be heard throughout the night. None of the villagers had noticed it they just carried on as normal, but I knew what it was. It was the wolf man. It started the exact same way before my clan was killed.

I tried to bring it to the attention of the elders, but they just dismissed it as paranoia that my family would once again be killed. I told Ooljee, but she agreed with the elders.

That was the night the full moon came. I stayed up that night waiting to hear the first scream of the dying. When the full moon was completely visible I cringed in pain, and fell to the floor. Ooljee ran over to me to see what had happened, but I pushed her away; and she fell to the floor across the room. As I lay on the floor my spine cracked and bent my feet grew, and my face began to contort. I ripped at my rib cage removing slivers of flesh with my nails. Then hair started sprouting from my entire body. My clothes tore apart and my teeth and nails began to become pointier. My ears started to morph, and my eyes turned yellow. When the pain was over I stood up to reveal what I really was. A werewolf.

I couldn’t control myself any more, and with a quick bit my, now ex-wife, fell to the floor, headless. I let out a triumphant howl, and continued to destroy my friends and family members one by one.

The next morning I woke up to the mayhem I had created last night, and began to run. It was a strange night there seemed to be a chill in the air. I thought to myself as I ran to the next village.