"W..What story?" asked Wing looking apprehensive. Lupos made a difficult expression. "A long one. But, we can't talk here, follow me to the forest if you want to know." Wing nodded resolutely. "You heard me out so I'll do the same for you. When do we leave."

Lupos smiled. "Now." Walking quickly but cautiously through the school, Lupos and Wing soon arrived in the clearing Lupos had used for summoning Jormugand all those months ago. Standing in the centre of the clearing, Lupos quickly spoke to Fenrir and Sleipnir in mindspeak. "Patrol the area, make sure none of the Emperor's spies find us."

Fenrir paused for a second. "Are you really going to tell him everything?" Lupos smiled at his oldest spirit. "Yes, he's my friend and he deserves to know the truth, even more so than ever seeing how my actions might have affected him." Fenrir gave a small smile of understanding. "Then I wish you luck." Lupos grinned. "Thanks you two go patrol then."

Seeing both of his spirits nod resolutely, Lupos turned around to face Wing and spoke. "Im the one who killed Mervyn." Continuing to speak, Lupos told Wing his life story. Whether it was how he was raised by shadow wolves or the fact he had five spirits, Lupos left nothing out telling Wing the whole truth.

When he was done, Lupos stayed silent and watched Wing, the only human he had ever called a friend, and waited for his response. It was five long minutes later when Wing finally responded. "Can I ask you a question?" Lupos nodded mutely. "What happens to me if I refuse to accept what you've done and go against you? Will you kill me, like you killed Maria?"

Lupos shook his head. "No, I don't want to kill the only human friend I have. If you disagree and tell me you wish to tell the Emperor's spies the truth then I'll leave, I'd still have a head start, and, with five spirits and darkness magic, I could probably escape even with the Emperor's spies chasing me. I would not do anything to hurt you or your family."

Wing nodded again slowly and Lupos continued. "But if at all possible, I'd like to avoid that situation." Lupos stopped talking as silence reigned throughout the clearing and Wing slowly raised his head to look at Lupos. Looking at Wing, Lupos was surprised to see his friend smiling with tears in his eyes ."Youre an idiot, Ga..I mean Lupos you're my friend. I don't approve of all of your choices but there's nothing I can do now."

Wing paused for a second to wipe the tears sliding down his face and made a valiant attempt at a laugh. "It's funny though, I never thought both of us would turn out to be murderers." Lupos paused and looked in Wing in shock. "What do you mean, you killed someone?"

Wing nodded and let out a deep breath. "You told me your story and I'll tell you mine. In truth, the reason we're in debt is my fault. Some official of the Yulg family was interested in my older sister, and being the poor commoners we were, she had no right to refuse, despite the fact she loved someone else." Wing paused, as if working through his anger about the situation before continuing.

"And one day after seeing my poor sister with tears streaming down her face, begging the official not to touch her, I snapped." A cold look, unlike any Lupos had ever seen emerged on Wing's face. "I used a spell called eternal sleep. It put the man in a coma that wouldn't allow him to accept food or water and several days later he died."

A sadder look emerged on Wing's face. "I don't regret what I did, but I do regret he fact that the head of the Yulg family found out about it. Where I live, the punishment for murder is death, unless you have enough money to buy your way out of it. So the family head agreed to pay the bribe, if I paid him back by spying on Mervyn."

Silence reigned as Wing and Lupos stared at each other, before, Lupos finally moved towards Wing outstretched arms, and gave him a hug. As he comforted his crying friend he made a promise. "We will make them pay. I promise you we will make them pay."

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Author's note

Sorry for the short chapter but I figured you'd want to read it sooner rather than later :)