Chapter 5 Queries & Whispers

The typical buzz of bustle had given way to a tangible tension in the air at Blackwood Academy. Unspoken queries and whispered rumours slithered through the hallways and reverberated around the training fields. Victor felt the weight of these invisible eyes as he moved through the hallways, the nagging mistrust that trailed him like a shadow. With their voices barely audible over the swish of their uniforms, one student murmured to another, "Did you see him?" "During the shifting exercise...

something was wrong." "They say he's not even from a proper pack," someone else added, staring around as though they were hoping to be heard. "Just some wanderer, trying to sneak his way into the trials." Fuelled by doubt and anxiety, the rumours spread throughout the academy like wildfire. A flurry of rumours had been sparked by Victor's outstanding performance on the obstacle course and the close call with his disguise. Every look, every movement, and every muttered phrase contributed to the puzzle and the story that was being built around him.

"He's too strong," a stout pupil whispered, his forehead deep in concentration. "No one should be that fast, that agile. Its... unnatural." With a superstitious worry in their voice, someone else added, "Perhaps he's employing some sort of magic." "Some forbidden ritual to enhance his abilities." Every recounting added a new level of exaggeration to the rumours, which became more and more outrageous. Victor had transformed into a shape-shifter, a sorcerer, and an unnaturally powerful rogue wolf. He was a danger, a mystery, a disturbance of the status quo. A little kid whispered, "I heard he can shift into any animal," their eyes wide with both interest and horror. "Even the creatures of legend." Another sneered, "Don't be ridiculous," but their tone was unconvincing. "But theres definitely something strange about him. I saw the way he moved, the way he fought. It wasnt... normal." Victor overheard bits of conversation among a group of kids huddled in a corner. One person said, "Hes too quiet," "Too reserved. Its like hes hiding something.'" Another person said, "Maybe hes a spy," with a devious twinkle in their eyes. "Sent by another pack to sabotage the trials." Victor was constantly reminded of his vulnerable position by the whispers that followed him around.

He was an outsider, an abnormality, and a disturbance to the academy's meticulously established structure. He was a threat, a target, and a suspect. He could feel the burden of their scrutiny and the weight of their mistrust. He was aware that he needed to exercise caution in order to keep his disguise intact and prevent any more mistakes. He needed to establish his value, gain their confidence, and put an end to the gossip. He was aware that he couldn't hide indefinitely, though. He needed to face the rumours, to question the presumptions, to tell the truth. He needed to demonstrate that he was a competitor, an equal, and a warrior deserving of respect rather than a threat.

The Gathering of Traditionalists As dusk fell, the shadows grew longer across the academy grounds, creating lengthy, spooky shapes that shifted across the old stone walls. A group of students moved away from the main dormitory, their voices quiet, their faces covert, and Victor, his senses sharpened, his movements silent, followed them. He had seen them before, a close-knit group of senior pupils, their eyes shining with an unflinching focus, their cheeks toughened by years of intense training. They differed from the other kids in that they moved with a feeling of purpose and a common understanding. He had watched their exchanges, their whispered chatter, their sly looks. He had a feeling that something was simmering beneath the surface, that there was tension, that there was a secret agenda. They were engaged in something more than the typical academy rivalry, he had guessed.

His footsteps echoed quietly on the stone floor as he followed them through the maze-like hallways. Their forms vanished into the depths of the academy as they went down a narrow stairway. Victor trailed after, his senses keen, his movements quiet. He entered a dimly lighted room with old tapestries on the walls and the subtle smells of wolfsbane and old parchment filling the air. The flickering light of a solitary flame revealed the faces of the students as they stood in a circle. At the middle of the circle appeared their leader, a tall, commanding figure with a grim face. His authoritative, low voice dominated the room. He said, "The time has come," his eyes shining with a fervent radiance. "The old ways are being challenged, the traditions are being eroded. We cannot stand idly by and watch as our heritage is destroyed." Another student added, "The Claw of the Moon is our birthright," in a voice full of righteous rage. "It is the symbol of our power, the source of our strength."

We cannot allow it to fall into the hands of those who would misuse it." The leader went on, "The outsiders are infiltrating our ranks," his tone tinged with bitter contempt. "They are trying to weaken us, to undermine our authority. We must resist them, we must reclaim our rightful place." Victor listened, his senses sharpened, his mind racing. He was able to identify the identical justifications that had been used to defend his own pack's patriarchal system. He observed the same anger, anxiety, and desire to hold onto power. He came to see that these traditionalists were more than just a group of irate kids. They posed a challenge to the academy's basic underpinnings and were a formidable force. They had something planned that would interfere with the experiments and put the new order to the test. The commander said, "We must act now," as the volume of his voice increased. "We must seize the Claw, we must restore the balance, we must reclaim our legacy." With fervent zeal on their faces, the pupils nodded in agreement. They were prepared to take action, engage in combat, and give their all for their cause. Hidden in the shadows, Victor had a rush of adrenaline and a sense of urgency.

He had to put an end to them, reveal their scheme, and safeguard the academy. However, he was also aware that he was putting himself in danger, that he was invading their area, and that he was taking a huge risk. Victor started to move slowly and cautiously away as the meeting started to end. He tripped on a loose stone as he started to move, and it slid across the floor. The chamber reverberated with the sound. The gang leader halted and pivoted, his face stiffening and his eyes narrowing. His voice reverberated throughout the room as he asked, "Who's there?"