Claw VS Claw & Discovering Self

Ryder's soul force had been cut in half after all the fighting. Having to constantly repair his protective barrier as well as use his soul force to attack strained him greatly. However he showed no weakness, the moment the beast disappeared he stabbed his sword into the cave wall.

Even with his 3 years of training it still didn't feel right to him. The feeling of the blade in his hand had grown some what comfortable in the training but using his sword with his second stance still threw him off.

Instead he decided to fully focus on his claws, his eyes had gone from his normal blue to a ligtt he almost azure blue before his pupils turned into slits.

His mind was completely focused, he had tapped into the new instincts that had formed not long ago.

In that moment the world seemed to become clear to him, every little breath that came from the pups could be heard and felt by Ryder.

At this moment he felt the shadows move. It almost felt like the stalker wasn't actually in the room, instead it felt like it was in the ground swimming through the darkness.

'So that's it… darkness can be used in this way as well?'

In that moment he took the initiative! He balled up his fist before slamming it into the ground above where the stalker should be!

Upon feeling a sense of danger coming at it the beast jumped out of the shadow dodging the punch before countering with a claw that was deflected moments later!

"Here I thought you would need more training before you could feel the presence of others… you are improving faster then I thought. Good"

Cain spoke to himself as he watched with interest. Honestly he was slightly surprised to see how talented the boy was with his techniques. Even though he didn't even mention the secondary effects the boy had unconsciously tapped into their powers on his own.

'I'll have to change my plan a little but getting stronger faster is definitely a good thing'

The battle became incredibly fierce, both of them had been running through the cave one jumping into the shadows as the other carved through the darkness and rock with his claws or fists.

It was a constant chase as Ryder goes on the full offensive ready to tear the stalker apart the moment he caught up.

'They are too fast! It takes mere moments for the beast to slip into the shadows… I need to lure her into making a mistake!'

Each time the boy attacked the shadows an intense clash would ensue. Claws clashing against claws, blood splattered onto the ground both of them having injured the other with each clash.

With one final clash Ryder let himself make a "mistake" as he goes in for a wide swing. Due to this the stalker quickly capitalized on the moment bitting towards the boys throat only to be met with a clawed boot slamming into the cats upper throat just below the jaw.

Due to its speed and the boys trick the stalker was unable to stop as Ryder's foot slammed through the cats neck breaking its spine before cutting through decapitating it in a truly gruesome way.

"Ha… Ha… if it was just a little bit faster… I would have been killed instead.."

He was leaning over the beasts corpse huffing heavily, it had been 15 minutes since the start of the fight. During that time he had been constantly moving, trying to catch the beast while trying to keep his life during each clash.

'That… was intense, how did I even kill one of them when both fought against me…? Wait, were they underestimating me? Earlier I could some what keep up with their speed but just now I was completely outmatched…'

He began to reflect on the fight as he caught his breath before seeing a white flame leave the corpse just to shoot into Ryder's body.

"Boy, before we begin I suggest you eat both of their souls. This time it won't be a simple resistance, after you have eaten their souls eat one of the bodies as well"

Cain began to grab the pups bringing them over towards the center of the cave in front of Ryder.

"Take one, when we get back we will give one to that little girl you are usually with and that Jacob boy"

"Huh? So you decide to use Jacob's name but not mine or Kaylee's?"

"Boy, Jacob had used a power that would cripple him for an entire year. The only reason he did it was to hold back an enemy. He basically sacrificed himself for what he believed was right. I will not disrespect him especially since he did it for you and that girl.

You on the other hand are a brat, you make me so mad all the time, with you constantly going against me all the time! If this was the past I would have devoured you long ago. That girl on the other hand just annoys me with how hyper and cheerful she is. You want me to use your name? Then earn it"

Ryder didn't know what to say at first, should he be happy that Jacob is getting some respect from Cain? Or should he be angry at his reasoning for not using his or Kaylee's names.

"Look, I'm sorry if I make you mad all the time. However, I'm living my life. Most of the things you tell me to do is kill and eat, even if it is a human who is close to me!?

Since you can feel emotion and even understand us then why is it you are all for me killing my friends or loved ones!? Did you not have someone you cared about? What if someone had told you to kill them without hesitation then get mad at you for not doing it?"

At first Cain had begun to growl hearing Ryder's words but after a couple seconds that growl left him. Instead a look of sadness appeared on his face before leaving him moments later.

"That is one of the reasons why I hate you so much… you try and dig into my past or bring up those who have been long dead! Why would I be sad about their deaths!? All of them live inside me! They have become my power! … at least they were"

As Ryder looked into Cain's eyes, he could tell he was hurting. The wolfs tough and heartless exterior was slowly melting in front of Ryder as he sees the wolf look down to the 3 pups at his feet.

'Damnit! Why… why did this have to happen! I lost everything… yet the world wouldn't let me rest! What is this… why does my heart ache… what are these feelings…?'

He looked up to Ryder taking a moment to look over the boy before coming to a realization.

'Am I… also being affected by his warm and kind nature…? Just let me be at peace! Why does everything want me to change!? Why why why!? Why is it that no matter how hard I try! I can't stop this pain!'

As Ryder was about to speak once more Cain ran out of the cave. At first he was worried about what was happening yet moments later he heard a loud saddened howl filled with mournful emotions as Cain yelled out to the sky.

Not wanting to disturb him Ryder sat in front of the pups. He made sure to give them a check up, though he wasn't a doctor or a vet he could still look them over for injures.

Finally after a couple minutes he lifted a female out of the litter keeping her close to his chest.

'The females are usually calmer then the males right? I don't know much about pets but cats are usually calmer then most right?'

Thankfully their eyes weren't opened as he made a fire just to cook the adult female stalkers body cutting it up and cooking it slowly as he casually chewed on a couple raw pieces when he was hungry.

'Yep… I still like the cooked version better but this isn't that bad'

It had been 2 hours since Cain left, during that time the howls had never stopped. Instead they got stronger until finally the sound stopped.

Moments later Cain walked into the cave his head down as he dissipated only to have his golden energy go into Ryder's body once more.

"Welcome back"

Ryder said as he took another bite, with each bite his soul force would spike up refilling his half empty soul realm.

Nothing but silence could be heard from Cain. It was obvious he wasn't in the mood to talk, instead he just sat down with the chains surrounding his body.

'Seraphina… why did you sacrifice everything just for me to end up like this… what was the point of putting me through these emotions…'

Another hour passed without a single word being shared between the two as Ryder finishes the entire Stalker.

"Ugh… I'm so stuffed!"

"Idiot… just because you can eat more then most especially with my technique that doesn't mean you can't be full anymore, anyways. Enough mopping around! It's time to train, first off we must make a bond with that pup you chose"

Cain finally started to talk, it seemed he was pushing his emotions to the back of his mind as he focuses on his goals for the future.

"Then let's begin!"