Lord Of The Lost

William had only meant to make small talk, but it didn't take long for the reluctant Little Red Riding Hood to spill some surprising information, albeit grudgingly.

As they rode together, William learned about something that piqued his interest 'werewolf potions'. According to her, with just one dose, even a non-supernatural being could transform into a pure-blooded werewolf. Apparently, there were potions like this for other supernatural paths as well, offering a shortcut for those without the natural talent to become extraordinary.

William raised an eyebrow. "So, anyone can become a werewolf just by drinking a potion?" he asked.

Little Red Riding Hood gave a curt nod, her voice carrying a tone of indifference. "That's right. Not everyone's born with the talent for these things, especially humans. Most people who dream of being extraordinary rely on potions to cheat their way into power."

The idea intrigued William, but Little Red Riding Hood wasn't finished.

"This particular potion is different, though. It's infused with the power of both a witch and a werewolf. But don't get any ideas; it won't make you a dual-path transcendent." She gave him a sharp look, as though reading his thoughts. "The chances of someone becoming dual-path? Almost impossible. Even in all the ages past, examples are practically nonexistent."

William listened carefully as she explained that creating these potions wasn't simple. The ingredients had to be of the highest quality, and the most important component was a pure, undiluted supernatural characteristic, specifically from a werewolf. This purity was crucial. Without it, the potion wouldn't work.

He nodded, familiar with the concept. "Extraordinary creatures contain complete supernatural characteristics," he said thoughtfully. "But extracting them through a ritual is no easy task. The being has to endure unimaginable pain during the process, and it corrupts the characteristics with madness, rage, and all sorts of negative emotions."

"Exactly," Little Red Riding Hood said, somewhat surprised he knew this. "After the extraction, you'd need a purification ritual to cleanse it, but both the extraction and the purification are incredibly difficult. Even witches struggle with it."

William smiled, his knowledge matching hers. "It's hard to get complete and pure extraordinary qualities," he agreed. "Even for someone skilled."

Little Red Riding Hood narrowed her eyes slightly, then tilted her head, as if something had just occurred to her. "So how come the extraordinary characteristic they pulled from 'your' body was pure?" she asked, her tone suddenly sharp with suspicion.

William chuckled and gave a nonchalant shrug. "I'm just gifted, I suppose."

Little Red Riding Hood's lips tightened into a thin line as she studied him, clearly unsatisfied with that answer. It dawned on her that William was more than he seemed. This wasn't just about dual pathways or a rare coincidence.

"You're not just a werewolf, are you?" she muttered under her breath. Her eyes flickered with a sudden realization. "You have a high compatibility with werewolves and demons, don't you? That's why you could become a demon wolf."

William remained silent, his easy smile still in place, but his eyes glimmered with amusement.

Little Red Riding Hood crossed her arms, her voice taking on a cold edge. "You think just because you've got talent, the mysterious world will fall at your feet? You'd better be careful. The world is far more dangerous than you think."

William smiled warmly at her warning. "Thank you for the advice," he said softly, then, before he could stop himself, he reached out and ruffled her hair gently, the way one might with a child.

The response was immediate and fierce.

Little Red Riding Hood's face turned a furious shade of red as she swung her small fist at him with surprising speed and strength. "How dare you!" she screeched.

Her fist connected with a solid thud against his head. William's world spun for a moment, and he rubbed the side of his skull, wincing. "Are you serious?" he asked, blinking in disbelief.

Little Red Riding Hood huffed, her eyes blazing with righteous anger. "Who said you could touch me? I, Little Red Riding Hood, am not someone to be trifled with! I'm 'definitely' not a good person!"

William rubbed his head, chuckling despite the pain. "You certainly aren't," he muttered under his breath, but there was a strange warmth between them now, a reluctant camaraderie forming despite her fiery temper.

Little Red Riding Hood kept her arms crossed, fuming, but William could see the faintest hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. She would never admit it, but she didn't seem to mind his company too much after all.

The magic warhorse carried William and Little Red Riding Hood through the dense, looming trees of the Black Forest. The ride was quiet except for the distant rustling of leaves and the soft clop of hooves. This was no ordinary forest; it stretched out vast and silent, its dark canopy swallowing the sunlight. Shadows danced between the trunks, and the air felt thick with age and mystery.

At the far edges of this eerie woodland, near a forgotten corner that felt almost like a graveyard, lived Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother.

'Grandma Wolf', as the subtle game-like hint in William's mind indicated.

'Once a powerful wolf lord among the werewolves, she had chosen to break away from them.'

William didn't need much more to know that this old woman was no ordinary grandmother. Her figure emerged from the darkness as they approached; a hunched, elderly figure standing at the edge of the forest, waiting for them as though she'd known they were coming.

Her wolf-like features were unmistakable: sharp, lupine eyes, and faint fur lined her cheeks, though her body was frail with age. Despite her kindly appearance, there was something powerful and enduring beneath that frail exterior. William knew better than to underestimate her. No one could survive this long, in such a place, without serious strength.

"Grandmother!" Little Red Riding Hood called out, her defiant edge suddenly gone, replaced by the eagerness of a child.

"Sophia, my dear, you're back," Grandma Wolf replied in a voice rich with affection.

The two embraced, a heartwarming scene that surprised William. He hadn't known until now that Little Red Riding Hood's real name was 'Sophia'. It sounded regal, like the name of a princess from some long-forgotten kingdom. In the arms of her grandmother, Little Red Riding Hood was no longer the fierce, rebellious girl he had traveled with. She was soft, vulnerable, like a child seeking comfort after a long, painful journey.

"Whoever hurt you, Sophia, Grandma will deal with them," the old wolf lord murmured, her voice gentle but edged with something dangerous.

Sophia sniffled, her voice cracking. "It's not someone, Grandma. It's... it's Little Bob. He's changed. He's turned into a monster, and I; I couldn't help him. He's gone."

A heavy silence fell over them as Grandma Wolf sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I warned him. I tried to pull him back, but he refused to listen." Her voice was laden with sorrow. "That child has chosen a path of no return."

William stood back, watching as Sophia recounted everything that had happened. She poured out her heart, telling her grandmother every painful detail. When she finished, she reached into her cloak and pulled out the werewolf potion she had risked so much to retrieve.

With a shaky smile, she handed it to her grandmother, hope shining in her eyes.

But the old wolf lord's expression was complicated. She looked at the potion, her eyes reflecting both pride and sadness. Her clawed hand gently patted Sophia's head, and her voice softened further. "You've been so brave, Sophia. But you need to rest now. Stay here with me for a while. Look at you; you're running yourself ragged, pushing your body too far. What will you do if something happens to me? Who will take care of you then?"

"Grandma," Sophia's eyes filled with tears, "you promised you'd stay with me forever. You promised."

Another sigh escaped Grandma Wolf, filled with the kind of weariness that only years of hardship could bring. She looked at Sophia with deep concern, her gaze lingering on her granddaughter's youthful but exhausted face.

Her eyes then flickered toward William, who had been standing awkwardly at the edge of this intimate moment. He didn't know whether to step forward or stay put. He had been a silent observer, but now Grandma Wolf addressed him.

"You're Sophia's friend, aren't you?" she said, her tone kind but firm. "Thank you for bringing her back safely. The Black Forest is not a place fit for visitors at the moment, so I'm afraid I won't be inviting you in."

William smiled politely, already deciding he wouldn't press for an invitation. The Black Forest wasn't exactly a place one lingered in if they didn't have to. And he had heard enough stories about people who entered this dark wood only to meet grim fates. The last traveler who ventured too deep was called 'Cat Car' and the poor fool had died not long after stepping foot in the forest.

But before he could respond, Little Red Riding Hood, or rather, Sophia, turned sharply toward him, her mood shifting like a storm cloud. "He's not my friend!" she snapped, her cheeks flushing red. "I don't need friends! He's just some passerby who happened to be around. I didn't 'ask' him to bring me back. He insisted on dragging me along!"

William couldn't help but chuckle as he responded, "She's right."

He didn't exactly want to get tangled up with this violent little whirlwind of a girl either. The sting from her earlier punch was still fresh, and even with his 14-point physical stat, the pain had lingered far longer than he would have liked.

Grandma Wolf, standing nearby with an amused smile, shook her head gently. "This child doesn't know how to get along with others," she said warmly, her tone full of patience. "I hope you can bear with her."

Despite her frail appearance, her eyes sparkled with a brightness that belied her age, as if they carried centuries of wisdom. She looked every bit the kindly old grandmother, though William knew the power hidden beneath that gentle facade.

William sighed, feeling a little helpless under her gaze. "You're right," he admitted with a shrug.

Grandma's expression softened further. "Sophia has told me about your... situation. You're quite unique, child. I can sense the power of the werewolf in you, but you're resisting it, aren't you? You don't want to be a creature of the night, consumed by darkness."

Her words struck a chord. William looked down, thinking for a moment before responding. "Yes. I don't want to lose control to it."

Grandma's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with reassurance. "Then tell me, are you troubled by this characteristic of yours?"

William hesitated but nodded. "I am. I want to be able to control it."

"I can help you," she offered, her voice calm and filled with certainty.

William scratched his cheek, unsure. "Really? I was actually planning to seek out Calcifer to deal with this."

"Calcifer?" Grandma chuckled softly. "He may be the most powerful magician alive, but he's been staring into the abyss for far too long. It's said he's lost his way. Right now, I fear he can barely save himself, let alone someone else."

She paused, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even if he could, you wouldn't be able to afford the price. Calcifer doesn't help anyone without demanding a steep cost in return."

William frowned, considering her words. After a moment, he looked at her carefully. "What about you? What would 'your' price be for helping me?"

Grandma laughed softly, shaking her head. "There is no price. You're Sophia's friend, and that's enough for me."

A frustrated groan came from Little Red Riding Hood. "Grandma, how many times do I have to tell you? He's 'not' my friend!" she huffed, crossing her arms in annoyance. Her frustration was palpable, but her grandmother's warm gaze quickly disarmed her.

William smirked at the girl's distress, though he wisely kept quiet.

Grandma turned back to William. "When the next full moon rises, I'll help you with this burden. That should give you some peace."

William calculated quickly. 'The next full moon? About six days from now. Seven, at most.' It wasn't too long a wait, and truth be told, it was unlikely he could collect enough experience points to deal with it on his own in that time anyway.

Just as he was about to take his leave, a thought crossed his mind. He paused and asked, "Will Sophia be staying here with you from now on?"

"The child is very weak right now," Grandma explained, her voice laced with concern. "She needs time to recover, to regain her strength. It may take a while."

William nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Sophia with a smile. "Sofia—" he caught himself before calling her 'Little Red Riding Hood' again, earning a sharp glare from her. "Can I borrow your invisibility cloak? I promise to return it in three days, no more."

Sophia scowled, clearly annoyed. With an exaggerated sigh, she pulled the cloak from her pack and tossed it at him. "Fine, take it," she muttered, barely looking at him. "But don't think this means we're friends. Grandma's agreement doesn't mean I agree with anything! I don't want you as my friend!"

William caught the cloak and gave her a mock salute. "Understood," he said with a grin, turning his warhorse around and heading off.

As he rode out of the Black Forest, the shadows of the ancient trees thinning behind him, William couldn't help but glance up at the sky, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "I owe you a favor," he murmured, thinking of Grandma Wolf's kindness.

He rode on, his mind wandering back to Little Bob's last words. There was a strange feeling stirring inside him, the thought that maybe Grandma was not just looking after Sophia's well-being but also trying to find a way out for her. The world was dangerous, and despite her bravado, Sophia was still young, fragile in ways she couldn't admit.

'More friends, more paths,' William mused quietly. He just hoped that, in the end, the path Sophia was on would lead her to safety, and that her grandmother's efforts would be enough to keep her out of harm's way.