Private Spiritus ad Spiritum

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit
Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs
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Part One: Sunt Superis Sua Iura​

“He was marching through the halls of the West Wing.”

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“He was terrifying, using the word abomination.”

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“He kept saying you brought the abomination into his house.”

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“Mae, why am I an abomination?”

Katrine had listened to both her daughter and her protector, taking in what they were telling her, together. Wulfram, from what she understood, was assuming a more permanent form and marching through the halls of the Schwartzweld after her child. This vision came right after peace had been brokered between the living and the dead. He had recognised her as the future of their bloodline and let her go.

Why wasn't one Lupine but two having the vision of him going after Ren?

And why were both convinced it was Larentia he was going after?

The Witch had questioned this, but the adult and teenage females exchanged glances and shrugged. They seemed to know they were his target. Ruu had a different idea. “Maybe it’s me, girls. I’m not Lupine; he’s all about purity. It’s the story of my life; no planet I call home wants me. Except Coruscant.”

Katrine narrowed her eyes at her mother's rambling. Curupira was good at this.

Now was not the time…

“Mother.” The Lupine warned. It was not the time. The vision terrified her, as she couldn’t begin to understand why Wulfram would go after Larentia. He seemed content with her existence, a child born of two Lupine – pure even in his eyes.

She clenched her fists and shook them in front of her. It was infuriating after what she had thought she had achieved with the spirit, only to go back to square one. And what could have made him call her child an abomination?

Katrine tightened her suit, making sure it was secure. She hadn’t planned on changing, but her Warrior suggested they best get ready. Something in the way Larentia spoke of the spirit now felt off. She was afraid of him, and she was never scared of anything other than her death, though over the years, Larentia had revealed so little about this. Genuine fear escaped the warrior in those times, even though her emotions were unreadable most of the time. Larentia was wary at times around her father as well, but as far as the Witch was concerned, it was respect in her way. Ket Van-Derveld had a reputation.

The sound in the background made her look through the mirror, where she saw her daughter and Ruu on the bed, playing a video game together. Katrine couldn’t remember a single instance when her mother played a video game with her. She played with her when she was little, but it was different. They hunted and trained, played dress-up on mother’s ship or read books together. Katrine couldn’t remember ever seeing Ruu pick up a video game, though, not in all the years she had been with her.

It was one of those moments that she remembered this was a younger Curupira.

Mother nudged Larentia, getting a small smile out of her, but Katrine could see that her daughter was still shaken up by what had happened. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that her daughter had been born with ichor in her blood and was claimed by the spirits much like she was. It had never crossed her mind.​

 

[Larentia]

Location: Front Yard, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This​

Larentia hit the dirt beneath her feet, feeling unsteady. She had no intention of telling Katrine about the spirit claiming her daughter at birth. This was a discovery she had to make on her own when she came of age. She hadn't always known.

"Abomination. You brought abomination to my halls."​

Those words haunted her still, feeling more real than the dirt under her feet. At Katrine's command, Larentia had gone to change. If the spirit planned on attacking them tonight, they had to be ready… except, things weren't adding up.

Why wasn't the spirit attacking the teenager now?

Why had it let Katrine leave the Tor in peace?

Katrine's words meant one thing, and her vision meant a completely different thing. It was as if the spirit was happy to have them, the Lupines here again, pure. That was what both Katrine and Larentia were; they were pure in the image of the ancestor, both born of two Lupines. Something wasn't adding up, the warrior settled as she headed back inside, fully intent on joining the rest in the main chamber.

A noise distracted her, making her turn. "Hello?" Larentia called. There was no voice in response, only a whimper-a wolf's whimper. The warrior didn't hesitate, heading further into the Schwartzweld to investigate the sound, her first thought being that of the teenage girl needing her.

Turn back, Lylek encouraged, but Larentia ignored.

Obey, little wolf, Jart seconded.

Larentia continued to ignore. "Enough," the shaman commanded, her words carrying a veracity strong in her bloodline. She was willing to do anything to protect Ren, and the spirits wouldn't stop her.

The demon said nothing, knowing full well he was the only one with true power over his shaman. He understood why she was doing this now.​

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit

Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs


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Despite the vision, the spirit wasn't coming for them.

She wondered if he had been listening and already knew what they knew.

Wulfram wasn't coming for them yet. It made her relax slightly, still looking at her daughter and mother through the mirror. Larentia wasn't back yet, Katrine had instructed her to change and join them. She couldn't shake the feeling of urgency despite the facts roaming through her mind. Katrine wished her Warrior of Ulf were with them. It would make her feel safer knowing Ren had that added protection of another wolf, even when she had Curupira and Aston at her side helping her protect her little one.

There was a time when Katrine wouldn't allow anyone to protect her cub. She now understood that the distrust stemmed from the spell cast, but once liberated from it, the Witch began to recognise what her mother had always taught her – family was everything.

"Where's Larentia?" She muttered to herself, her thoughts going to others who weren't here: her father, her sisters. Katrine made a silent prayer to herself, wishing they were there, but it was just that —a prayer. She looked at Aston, hoping for reassurance. There was a time when Katrine was fearless; she had nothing to lose in this galaxy. Even when the risk was the loss of her life, the wolf wasn't afraid. She was born to two parents she believed were invincible, and it made sense that she grew up with that faith. It wasn't that she was naïve to think she couldn't be killed, but she had power enough to know she would be hard to kill.

When she turned, a big smile appeared on her face.

It was partially forced and partially derived from the strength her mate gave her by his very presence. She was the daughter of wolves, a scion of a powerful Dathomiri bloodline. She was the future of Figaro Favoura VII; she was the mother of a beautiful and strong daughter who was equally wilful as she was. Wulfram was dead; he had been dead for centuries. She would not allow him to take what was most precious to her.

"What it is you saw in your vision is not happening right now," the Lupine announced, her daughter and mother looking up at her. Ren was still frightened; she could feel her emotions coming off her in waves. "Whatever it is that sets Wulfram off hasn't happened yet."

Katrine was sure of this.

"So, what do we do?" Curupira was the first to question.

Her sapphire gaze met the Dathomiri gold and nodded. "We stand ready. I will go talk to him." Katrine saw no reason for this behaviour from Wulfram. He was content at the end of the conversation, pleased to have two pure blooded Lupines living in the Schwartzweld. Whatever set him off, Katrine had to get to the bottom of it.​

 

[Larentia]

Location: West Wing, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This​

The little whimpers beckoned her further, unable to stop herself. She could feel the two spirits wanting to pull her back, but their strength was matched by the demon that commanded her. Larentia knew well how wilful the teenager could be; she was one herself once upon a time. She was once young and untrained; she had the will of madmen inside – wolf-born and influenced indirectly by the upbringing of one Seth Draclau. Curupira was different from what she was now; she was born unstable and unleashed upon the galaxy by her adoptive father. Larentia, despite all these shortcomings, was raised by a wise mother, a product of the years that shaped her.

Larentia grew up with a strong mother. She grew up with a different Lupine influence in her life, one that Ren didn't have now. Larentia knew who she came from; she had known them in her life, whereas Ren did not. It was a truly different path the two females were moving in, making her question just who Larentia Satara Van-Derveld would grow to be.

It became louder, the whimpering.

The Warrior of Ulf stepped into the West Wing. "Ren?" She called quietly. No response came. Larentia continued, only to halt before the double doors, wide open. "Ren?" No response again. Where was that child? Why had Katrine allowed her to leave the master chamber? It was unlike Katrine to let the teenager wander off. Sometimes Ren tricked Kree and Curupira, wandering on her, but never Katrine. So, how was the teenager here?

Who are you?

A voice spoke up suddenly. Larentia felt a shudder come down her spine. It was a calm voice, but undeniably the spirit from her vision. "I am the Warrior of Ulf," she returned, stepping into the chamber. The warrior did not draw her sword yet, not wanting to escalate this conversation.

You are Lupine.

Larentia turned, trying to see the being speaking to her. She knew why he had said it; no Lupine had ever been a Warrior of Ulf. In their history, only the strongest and most loyal humans bore the title and wore the uniform. It was a high honour for their slaves. It was a high honour for her, too, to stand beside Katrine Van-Derveld, for reasons the Lady of Schwartzweld didn't know.

"I am," she offered no further explanation.

What bloodline do you hail from?

It was a question she didn't wish to answer. "I'm here to find the child. Is she here?" It was an answer she did not want him to have. Not just him, but nobody in the stronghold should have known the truth of the Warrior of the Ulf.

I asked you a question.

She was not afraid of the dead. Larentia faced spirits her whole life. She was partially born of the three spirits, and in truth, she may have been pure Lupine, but she was also blessed with ichor from the moment she was conceived.

"My question takes priority. This is the child of Katrine Van-Derveld. The Shaman was not afraid of the dead.

The spirit began to materialise in front of her, showing its features. He didn't appear angry, simply curious. I met two strong Lupines today, both women. It is not something I had expected. He still hadn't answered her question.​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Where's Larentia?"

Aston didn't answer as he looked over to her. She was looking for reassurance, and he gave it to her. His hand reached for hers and gave it a small squeeze. He raised it and kissed her hand gently. He felt there was still perhaps doubt, a shred of seeking.

"Take care of what you need to, I will handle things here." Aston said with a small nod and bow towards his great love and Queen. This was her arena, but he couldn't sit idly by anymore. He wasn't built that way.

The course of his life he had mastered the way of the force, a ability and power in its own right. Whatever threatened their family would either bend to Katrine's will and if that wasn't enough it would also face the power of the force.

His family was his life, he would do whatever was necessary to keep them safe.

Even at the cost of his own life.

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit

Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs​

When Aston's hand reached for hers, her fingers tightened on his skin. It was what she needed from her mate at the moment—support, comfort, strength. He raised it to his mouth and kissed it. The smile on her face this time was genuine. Katrine never realised how powerful his presence was years ago, even when his kiss saved her from the curse that had plagued her throughout her early life.

It was the purest magic in this galaxy, the strength and love Aston gave.

Katrine basked in it for a moment, keeping her sapphire gaze on the man. He would handle things here. He would keep their daughter safe. It was a promise the Lupine knew he would hold until his dying breath if needed. Even when Aston wasn't her daughter's biological father, Katrine knew he loved her as if she were his own.

Ren only knew Aston. He was the father she had, raising her as a father should have. Much like Madoc was for him, Katrine thought sometimes. Katrine knew her great-grandparents and knew how much they loved each other and all their children. Not for a moment did she doubt Madoc's love for Aston and Spencer. She had seen it as a child, in the way Nono spoke of his two children when they were far from him.

And now, Katrine saw that Aston loved Larentia too, with the same fierceness.

Her finger squeezed his hand once more, silently thanking him for the sport given as her eyes wandered back to Curupira. Ren returned her focus to the datapad as she nodded to the Witch. 'I entrust Ren in yours and Aston's hands,' she quietly sent the thought to her mother, not wanting to alarm her daughter.

It was Larentia that brought her and Curupira together.

Even when she had met her mother years before, the Dathomiri Witch was so young at heart, so wild and not yet in control of her path. Katrine had come to her already as a teenager, just as Chloe had come once before her. Curupira hasn't been prepared for the responsibility of being a mother to a teenager, not really. Even as she tried in those early years, she didn't know or understand Katrine.

The younger Curupira couldn't begin to understand the parenting choices of her older self or the stories Katrine did share with her back then. It frightened her, making her disappear in the same way Katrine's father always did.

When she disappeared, Katrine was heartbroken and alone. She had no choice but to start living her own life. It was when Avarisa took complete control over her, especially when her tablets ran out. There was nothing and no one to keep the spirit from consuming her, not until Aston came to her rescue.

Some years would pass since Katrine raised herself in the process, assuming her position of Nighmother to the Mandragora.

It was in her darkest hour, alone in the Schwartzweld, when the then-grown woman called to her mother, giving birth to Larentia. Curupira came and helped her deliver the babe. It was the beginning of their life together, even when Katrine took years to trust her again, allowing her to leave Larentia in her care. She trusted her as she now trusted Aston. She could leave Ren in her care as she battled her demons.

And, battle we shall, Doashim roared.

The battle has already begun, Jart warned.

The statement startled her, causing her head to tilt slightly. "What?" The spirit confused her now. The spirit is about to learn the truth, Jart warned, her eyes narrowing. "What truth?"

None of the spirits replied.

"What truth?" Katrine repeated.

The truth of who the child is. Lylek chipped in now, making her look between the three. Her gaze lingered on Aston for a moment longer before she turned and walked out without so much as a word. She didn't understand.

There was only one truth about her daughter that wasn't said out loud – the truth of who her birth father was. It was a burden she didn't want Larentia to have, but this didn't make the cryptic message any more straightforward. The truth about Larentia's paternal side was nothing to raise flags. They were banished for their beliefs of wanting to step out from the pure-blooded mentality Van-Dervelds had, but it proved right in the end – Lupines could engage with other species and bring forth pure-blooded Lupines.

Unless there was more to the story than the books revealed?

Unless the divide between the families was greater than the pages showed?

Katrine didn't know the answer to either question as she walked through the long hallway outside her chamber, adamant about confronting Wulfram to find out the truth.​

 

[Larentia]

Location: West Wing, [/I]The Schwartzweld Wearing: This​

Larentia didn't address the words spoken by the spirit. He had a lot to learn about the times they were in – about the family Ket Van-Derveld chose to get involved in. He chose a warrior from a powerful Dathomiri bloodline, a society dominated by women. Even when Curupira didn't act like one, there was no denying who she was.

She stared him down, waiting for her question to be answered.

There is no living child here, Warrior of Ulf, he confessed finally. Larentia shook her head. "No, I heard something."

Why was he denying it when the sounds she had heard were obvious? You hear echoes of the wolf children who had perished too soon. This confused the female further. What was he talking about?

And, battle we shall, Doashim roared.

While the demon was at her side, his roar felt distant. He wasn't talking to her; he was talking to Katrine. His shaman could always hear him, far or near; he was always present at her side. He was the strength that followed her and amplified her own power.

She didn't answer Wulfram.

Many have perished within these walls. Sometimes, children did not survive beyond their infancy, often they could not stand their first change, Wulfram chose to continue. You hear their echoes because you are attuned to the spirit world.

It made more sense now, but why was she hearing them for the first time?

"Why now?"

A small smile spread to the spirit's face, his form almost solid in her presence.

Because the Schwartzweld awakens.

Where was the danger, Larentia questioned. This spirit meant them no harm. He had accepted Katrine, he had allowed for the spirits to come out and join them, to be free in the stronghold. How could this man harm the teenager then? He seemed content with their presence now that he and Katrine had discussed it in Tor.

I see beyond the veil you provide. I see the spirit inside you. It burns as brightly as that of Katrine's child. You are the same.

Larentia swallowed. The amulet did not protect her from this spirit, just as the three spirits had known the truth about who she was from the beginning. She had assumed it was because time mattered not for the three, but now she could see that the amulet created by the one who controlled ichor did not work on the spirits imbued with it.

Wulfram knew her secret with an ease the Warrior had never encountered.

"They don't know. I'm here to protect Katrine and the little one." There was more to the story, a dark future that hung over her. A vision and a nightmare that had hung over her head the first time she had seen it, just hours before the final battle against her grandfather and grandmother. Larentia had seen her death at the hands of Ket Van-Derveld after having killed Curupira.
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He nodded. Death teaches us all is possible. You hold a noble cause; however, you have come to be in this time. Wulfram seemed content, pleased even with her chosen path. He no longer questioned her role as Warrior of Ulf.

Grant this old man the truth of your origins, pure-blooded one. Larentia swallowed at the request.

It was never stated, nor was it ever inquired about. Even she pretended not to know who fathered Katrine's child when, in truth, she knew better than anyone. She had something her teenage self had never had – she knew her father; she lived with him and was raised by him. Her father had made a different decision at the time she had come from – he followed Katrine. Why he had not done the same now, Larentia couldn't ask without exposing the truth Katrine didn't want to be told.

She nodded. "I was born Lechner. My father is Gerwald Lechner."

The truth, spoken out loud, felt like a blessing, finally being able to say those words.

For a moment, Wulfram stared at her. He said nothing.

The room began to shake the next moment, and the whimpering in the distance that had brought her here now turned to screams until a large thump caused nothing but silence to remain. Everything around her appeared deathly still.

"What's happening?"

This is how it begins: Jart suddenly chipped. He sounded louder than Doashim had before. Katrine wasn't far now.

She felt Doashim's breath on her seconds before he embodied her, grounding her with his strength. Wulfram roared with anger now, pushing her. It was the strength of the demon that kept her from falling.

Abomination! Wulfram roared.​

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit

Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs​

Katrine was making her way from one wing to the next, unaware of the truth that was about to shake up the Schwartzweld. As she stepped into the West Wing, she heard the soft whimpers. They sounded happy and free. Katrine had never heard them before, but the Lupine knew straight away that Ren was safe with Curupira and Aston back in her chamber, so it wasn't her. It was the spirits of children long past.

She drew nearer to the chamber where she had found Wulfram last time when the soft sounds turned to screams and then disappeared. They were gone. Katrine could hear the sound of her breathing as she halted, startled by the silence that followed. It was as if there was nothing and no one else there but the sound of her heartbeat. The lack of sound scared her.

This is how it begins, Jart chipped.

"What does?"

She wasn't following at all. Not until everything around her began to shake violently. It felt like an earthquake, but Katrine knew better – it came from beyond. She hurried her step towards the chamber, seeing Larentia being pushed to the side. Doashim embodied her; she could see him surrounding her. It was Wulfram who pushed her.

Abomination! Wulfram roared.

What happened here? Why was Wulfram angry? Why had he pushed her Warrior? Katrine couldn't speak; the scene was very different from when she had left the spirit. They had found peace, and somewhere in the back of her mind, she assumed the other spirits she could hear now were thanks to his blessing. Now, though, there was nothing but the raging monster in front of her.

"Wulfram!"

The spirit looked surprised to see her. You brought abomination to my halls! Traitor! Katrine didn't understand. Was it Larentia? He seemed angry with her. Then why did both Ren and Larentia think it was her daughter he was angry with?

"What are you talking about?"

Your child is Lechner. You betrayed Lupine; let a monster bed you. You are no heir of mine. His spirit form pushed himself at her face, his breath inches away from her. Through him, she could see Larentia and Doashim walking towards them. How could her Warrior know? Why would she share this information?

If anyone had betrayed anyone, it was Larentia who had betrayed Katrine.

"Is this because of your argument? They're still Lupines."

Wulfram roared in anger. No, they are not. They are an abomination.

He rushed through her, passing her and becoming solid again as he marched out of the West Wing. Katrine's eyes met Larentia's. "What is he talking about? How do you know who Ren's father is?" Her attention remained on Larentia. Katrine was angry.

"I don't know. He's going after Ren, Katrine. We have to stop him." Larentia spoke with the fierceness of her spirit, which angered Katrine further. Why was Doashim still standing with the woman who had betrayed her?

Larentia was right. Wulfram was marching towards her daughter. There was no time for this conversation now, but she would deal with the Warrior when this was over.

Every step Wulfram took shook the ground, dust falling off the walls. Katrine and Larentia both ran after him. Abomination! You brought abomination to my halls," Wulfram roared, moving further away from them and closer to Ren.​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

The roaring of the halls and the shake of stone, it did nothing to deter the Master of the force. If today was to be his last day in this world. He wouldn't have it any other way. He would keep the promises that were made to his love, his Queen.

He would also keep the promise made to his daughter.

The word abomination could be heard echoing through the halls. He could feel the fear in his daughters mind, and he stood in front of her, between her and the malevolent entity that would seek to destroy her.

"All my life I have waited for such a moment. A time to prove that I am more than what I have become." It wasn't for foolishness, or idiotic bravery....

It was for love, for those that he vowed to protect.

Aston raised his hands up, calling upon the force as his energy met steadfast with the violent apparition that would seek to destroy his family.

"You will not linger here any longer. I will cast my life in front of the threats and attacks you hurl at my family." There was a heavy pain, but he did not falter. In his mind, he sent a message to Katrine Van-Derveld

My Queen, my great love. Should this be the day I fall, know that I have always loved you. You gave me a peace that I never thought I deserved.

 

[Larentia]

It was the secret of all secrets. Larentia had never found out about the animosity between Van-Dervelds and Lechners, never found the book that spoke of the past. She had never been privy to the stories of her ancestors, so she couldn't have known the moment she had revealed her origins that Wolfram would behave the way he did.

As the rage kicked in, Katrine shouted out his name, startling her.

Had the other Lupine heard her words?

She didn't seem to, Larentia considered.

It was when Wulfram had said it, accused Katrine of bringing abomination into their halls, calling her a traitor. Katrine didn't seem to understand, and Larentia didn't for sure. Whatever bothered Wulfram, she couldn't begin to comprehend. Wulfram called her child Lechner, without mentioning her. He accused Katrine of betraying Lupine, of bedding a monster, and rejecting her as his heir.

You have always been my little monster, the demon whispered into her ear, away from the roars of Katrine and Wulfram.

A shudder ran down her spine then, realising the spirit at her side knew something she didn't. Doashim had been keeping a secret from her, one that Wulfram was aware of. "What are you talking about?" Larentia whispered back, but received no reply from the demon that still embodied her.

There it was again… Lechners were an abomination.

Larentia was an abomination.

She still didn't understand what Wulfram was talking about.

When Wulfram passed through Katrine, Larentia froze where she stood, kept by the spirit that possessed her. Rather than going after him, the Lady of Schwartzweld stared her down and questioned how she knew who Ren's father was… because he was her father too, Larentia thought to herself, unable to get herself to say the words.

Instead, she and Doashim spoke in unison: "I don't know. He's going after Ren, Katrine. We have to stop him."

It was enough.

They ran after the spirit, chasing after him as the walls around them shook.

It was the vision coming true.

Except, Larentia hadn't realised from her vision that it was she who had caused this.

She channelled all the strength the Force gave her into her feet, moving faster. Nothing could happen to the teenager – her life depended on it, and the future depended on it. If need be, Larentia was willing to sacrifice herself to make sure both of them didn't perish. There was no alternative. Her death meant there was a chance for the future, which was already very different from her own past, but the death of the girl would end them both.

By the time they had reached the front of the stronghold, the spirit had forced the double doors to slam open, facing Aston. She could feel the teenager's fear; she could see Curupira holding her tightly on the bed behind the Force Master. Katrine didn't hesitate as she left her side while Aston spoke to the apparition.

He was willing to sacrifice his own life for the teenager.

"Aston, no, don't." There had to be an alternative. Her teenage self had already lost a father she didn't know; she couldn't bear the thought of losing another one. She had watched Katrine suffer through the loss of her sister, her lover… she had to be saved and saved she had become with Aston. Larentia didn't know if the other Lupine could take an even worse loss than that of her claimed mate.

The woman called upon her demon. "We have to save them.

Doashim was still with her now, roaring a battle cry as the Warrior of Ulf drew on her swords, willing the ichor in her blood to her command. With Doashim, it obeyed more easily, allowing her to step beyond the veil. Enough that when she struck her sword at Wulfram, it hit him over the shoulder.​

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit

Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs​

The anger she felt for Larentia in this moment was a first – never had she felt so furious with the Warrior of Ulf. The two had become fast friends when they met, bonding over the similarities between Larentia's mother and Katrine, as well as their shared affection for brewing potions. It was also the first time the Lupine had witnessed something very different about one of her kind. Larentia was larger and longer in her wolf form than any wolf she had ever met, except maybe Gerwald. She had assumed this was due to his human build rather than a wolf trait he possessed.

She had also witnessed how pain could transform Larentia in a way it never had for any Van-Derveld in her life. Katrine didn't know what it had meant, but she knew she had met a fierce warrior that day – and thus bestowed her a title no wolf had ever held before.

Today, Larentia had betrayed her. And she would be dealt with.

Katrine ran alongside her now, choosing to leave that behind while they faced a mutual threat. Wulfram Van-Derveld was her ancestor, one she had found peace with, until he learnt the truth about who her daughter was. It was a secret Katrine had wanted to take to the grave. He knew now, and it made him want to kill her daughter.

She would not allow this.

As they reached her chamber, the doors had already been broken in, and Wulfram had stepped inside. Aston challenged the spirit, willing to risk her life for their daughter. A pain struck at her heart, a fear for him. She couldn't lose him. He spoke to her too, reminding her of his love for her, if this was his last day with them.

Before Katrine could shout, Larentia had to ask him to stop.

She heard Doashim's roar as the Warrior drew on her swords. She didn't think it would make a difference, even when the spirit strengthened the Shaman, but when her sword struck the Van-Derveld ancestor, it hit him. Impossible, Katrine thought to herself as she watched.

Now was not the time to argue.

If Larentia could hurt the spirit, then Katrine had an ally in this battle.

She summoned the ichor inside her blood, reaching into the nothingness as she summoned her sword through it. It was the weapon of the beyond, the true sword that would incite the spirit's death. This had to be finished today.

Wulfram roared with anger as he had been struck, Larentia's sword drawing ichor blood from the dead. He turned to face the Warrior of Ulf. I will kill her to end the spirit of this abomination," Wulfram spoke up, aimed at Larentia. She didn't wholly understand what he meant.

"No, you will not," the Witch roared back at the spirit, spinning towards him, striking his other shoulder. Wulfram cried out from the pain, then pushed Larentia away from him as he faced Katrine alone. Do you have any idea what you've done? He was still angry.

Katrine attacked again. "Done what?"

Wulfram stopped the weapon with his bare head, causing green glowing blood to drop from it, and pushing her. She stumbled back.

Lechners were banished from here because they believed a new type of wolf could be born, stronger, bigger. One that could withstand our perishment.

Larentia circled the spirit as he focused on Katrine, who had noticed him behind the translucent figure of the Van-Derveld ancestor. The sight of her now reminded her of his words – stronger, bigger. That was what her Warrior was.

"What have they done?"

Wulfram was more aware now, reaching out his hand to the sword that Larentia lunged with, holding it with his other hand. "No, talk to me."

I made them burn it. I didn't want anyone to know of this shame.

Katrine took the moment Wulfram looked back at Larentia to kick him, causing him to lose his balance and fall back. He stumbled on the ground, laughing. A madman came to our world, fascinated by our species, and he was willing to tell the tale now.

She walked backwards, pulling Larentia further into the room, searching for Aston's hand. Katrine needed to hear this story.​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

It flashed through him quicker than he could've realized. The day he first met Katrine, what a historic and magnificent day that turned out to be. He had gained a friend, a best friend. Scenes shifted through his mind as their heart and spirits grew stronger together throughout the years. Thus the day of reckoning came, the day they declared their love for each other. The day he would meet her, his daughter.

Katrine and Larentia entered the room and the tides had shifted. He looked back to those he protected as they sat on the edge of the bed. Aston stood back once more as he was the last line of defense as Katrine and Larentia took the entity, amidst all the shrill words and vocal screams it would emit.

It finally fell back and began to laugh. As Katrine walked backwards, his hand finally met her. A hint of deep love and desperation on his face as he held her close for a few brief moments. Before just holding her hand gently. It wasn't weakness...…

He couldn't lose her.

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Curupira Hawk]

Location: Katrine's Chamber, The Schwartzweld Ruu, wearing: This Ren, wearing: This​

[/CENTER]

As the roaring and shaking began, her granddaughter pulled back into the pillow. Curupira could feel her fear as she pulled her closer into her arms. She wanted to get on this fight; she wanted to kick this spirit into another dimension for the fear he had caused Ren, but the Witch had learned over the years how precious her little one was.

She might not have been there when Katrine was growing up because she had come to her baked and grown, but Larentia was different. Curupira had been with Larentia since the day she was born. She also knew the spirit was Katrine's domain because her daughter seemed to have had a connection to the beyond since the day she was born.

It was something Curupira wondered about at times – how did she handle this in the future? Perhaps if Katrine was already coming back to the past, in a complete loop, it made sense that in her own future, Ruu would be prepared to deal with the daughter she had. The case of her daughter being on tablets meant to suppress their ancestor still baffled her, though. How could she have done that if she had always known about Avarisa?

Years passed, and that question never left her mind.

"Noni?" Ren quietly called her.

"Shh, it's okay. The spirit won't hurt you."

Just as she said, the doors slammed open, and the spirit, almost solid yet transparent at the same time, appeared. Aston stood in front of the bed, facing the Van-Derveld ancestor. She summoned the Force to her, then quietly called on a protection bubble around her and Larentia, watching the scene play out. She knew this was Katrine's battle, but her daughter wasn't here. Even Aston, strong in the Force and noble in his intentions, wasn't suitable to battle the dead without a pure form.

Her insanity was different; the voices in her head were just that – voices.

She never had to battle spirits or demons. Doashim was not part of her voices, and though a spirit himself, the monster hardly ever interrupted the rest of the voices that plagued her. "Careful, Aston," Curupira called out a warning to her older cousin. No one would think it, but both of them had had their share of years behind them. Not that it mattered for the Dathomiri bloodlines. Neither of them looked their proper age. The Warrior of Ulf and Katrine arrived seconds later.

The two began to battle the ancestors as he spoke about killing Larentia.

Curupira kept the bubble inflated, watching the scene unfold before her.

It was the first time the Witch heard the mention of Lechners. It was a name the Dathomiri didn't recognise at all, though she now began to suspect this name had something to do with Larentia from the way the spirit was speaking. Her golden gaze shifted to Ren, releasing the teenager, who was paying very close attention to what was happening. If Curupira was starting to catch on to the subject, then so was she.​

 

[Larentia]

Location: West Wing, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This​

Through her connection to the ichor, Larentia felt the sword come through for Katrine. Her weapons would inflict pain on the spirit, but it was Talzin's sword that held power over the apparition. It was what could end its haunting for good.

Wulfram made a vow to kill the younger version to end the spirit of this abomination.

Larentia knew he was talking to her, knew that to get rid of her as well, he could end the teenager instead. She couldn't let that happen. The future would be lost forever if Larentia did not exist. The warrior was the only one who had seen the darkness looming over their bloodline and had to make sure it was altered.

He turned his attention to Katrine as she launched her attack.

The Lupine didn't understand why he was so hateful towards the Lechners and couldn't comprehend the strength of his convictions. Moments before Larentia had admitted her origins, Wulfram seemed proud of her and Katrine, content with their existence. Now, he sought to finish it. Even when he knew it would be the end of his future.

His first revelation revealed that the Lechners believed a new type of wolf would be born stronger, bigger, to withstand the end of their species. Larentia never paid much attention to wolf sizes. She knew Katrine's wolf was smaller than she was or her father. Her eyes met Katrine's through the spirit just before she launched another attack.

Wulfram stopped her sword, causing further ichor blood to drop from the spirit's other hand. He was strong, the Lupine took notice as Katrine tried to draw his attention back to her, looking for answers. He revealed that he had made them burn it, not wanting anyone to know of this shame. Larentia didn't understand.

"What shame?" She interrupted just when Katrine kicked the spirit, making him lose his grip on their two weapons, and making him lose balance.

The other Lupine pulled her back when given the chance, taking her closer to the bed, to Aston, Curupira and Ren. Larentia chose not to fight her as Wulfram continued his tale, now laughing. He spoke of a madman coming to the moon, fascinated by the Lupine. The Warrior of Ulf glanced at Katrine, unsure where this tale was going. Katrine didn't look at her at all. There was no communication, no connection between them now.

It was starting to sink in how furious Katrine had been with her.

Katrine believed she had revealed her daughter's secret.

She didn't know it was her secret, too.

"What does a madman outworlder have to do with your hate?" The Lupine chose to ask, as this story had everything to do with her.​

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Spirit to Spirit
Location: Katrine's chamber, The Schwartzweld Wearing: This (no mask) Tag: Aston Jacobs​

... it was strength.

As Aston's hand wrapped around hers, Katrine felt it surge through her. It was the energy of love, whether given intentionally or not, that was there. The bond created years ago, the claiming ceremony that followed made them inseparable, body, mind, and soul. There was nothing Katrine couldn't do when she had Aston in her corner – and she always did.

Katrine could feel the Force at work behind her and didn't have to look back to know Curupira was doing it. Everyone had a unique signature, and if one knew them, they could tell them apart. Her mother was doing her part to protect her daughter.

The other Lupine was beside her, and though they fought together, Katrine didn't look at her now. She could still feel the betrayal coursing through her body. She didn't appreciate Larentia interrupting her conversation with Wulfram, but she was asking all the right questions, trying to get to the bottom of what was bothering the spirit.

She didn't understand why it mattered to Larentia.

Wulfram glared at the Warrior for her question. He seemed to have an issue with her, not just her daughter. Katrine didn't understand why. Larentia was indeed a mystery, one that Katrine had chosen to let go years ago because the Lupine had proved herself over and over to her. She believed she could trust her, but she had never told her the darkest truth she didn't want her daughter finding out. Yet somehow, Larentia knew.

We allowed him to dwell among us. To ask his questions, conduct his studies. They thought he was honest. I wanted to kill him. Wulfram admitted, scrambling himself off the floor.

"What happened?"

They were allowing him to draw their blood, to test it. We learned this later. When we learned of this, we banished them. They went willingly. I wanted to eradicate them then, but the Council overruled me. They thought the wolves that abandoned us would perish. End in suffering of their seclusion and madness… His head lowered as he paused.

Katrine said nothing.

She could feel the air shift, a darkness gathering behind the spirit. He wasn't just quiet; he was commanding the dead to his side without any intention of backing down.

I thought they were all extinct.

Katrine tightened the grip on her sword, summoning Larentia's attention. A small side glance made her see a slight nod. The other Lupine felt it too.

If the Lechners survived, they did not do so as Lupine. Their blood started this abomination, and I will end it before it consumes our bloodline.

She swallowed and raised her sword, letting go of Aston's hand to summon the ichor inside her. The Force could not help her with the dead, and the ichor now active inside her blood kept her from tapping into it. The darkness came behind Wulfram like a black swarm, gathered, waiting for his command to attack. It suddenly became apparent to Katrine the sheer number of dead at his command. Wulfram controlled all the spirits of their bloodline. She wouldn't just be fighting him now; she would be fighting all of them.

And to lose meant they would all die.

So, they would have to win. There was no two ways about it, Katrine decided.

"You will not kill my daughter." Her words came with the resolve of a mother, of a leader, of the First Mother. Katrine had no intention of losing today. Wulfram smirked. I love the strength you carry. Van-Derveld blood indeed flows through your body, but your daughters die today.

Katrine blinked at the statement, unable to react as the swarm launched at them. Her hands rose in the air, channelling the ichor into a shield. There were so many of them that Katrine could feel herself not being strong enough. At least not until she felt Larentia's hand over her, giving her strength, helping her boost the shield she had built.​

 

[Aston Jacobs]

Aston's eyes narrowed slightly, in disgust and in anger. More as the spirit spoke, telling the tale of what had transpired. Temper rising within the Force Master, at the thought of his entity just so openly wanting to take the life of their daughter.

I love the strength you carry. Van-Derveld blood indeed flows through your body, but your daughters die today.

"You will not take them, we will not allow that." The hand of the Master was placed on Katrine's shoulder, lending her his strength. All the strength he could muster. Their lives, her future and everything in between couldn't begin so as long as they were being threatened from within. He watched as the shield rose, increasing in potency as the combined strength of the three together as one. Seeking to shield what was threatening them.

If their daughter was lost, he wasn't sure what he was going to do.

Katrine Van-Derveld