How to be of shadow and light (bxb)

Chapter 13- Invaders

A/N A little more on Fai today I think. Enjoy it!

Fai always felt amazing in his true Illuceo form. As part of his natural defence Fai had changed a long time ago into a castor body. He was able to do this because an Illuceo could mimic the body of the creature highest up on the food chain in order to camouflage. Something told him though that soon he would no longer be safest as a castor, he sensed that soon another creature would be taking power. The only thing he couldn't make out was who this race would be, both in species and in leadership.
 Being his true self though was truly freeing to Fai, even if he had to be much more vigilant to possible dangers. As Phoebe left the two outside the boy smirked and began to go into flux. This meant his body dissolved into pure light and he had keep his thoughts strong, getting distracted would lead to dissolving completely, which at this point could mean a scattered consciousness. So he concentrated on all that he knew about leshies, it wasn't that much but he was very interested in the topic due to Alec's arrival. There was something about that guy, he didn't know exactly what it was however he did know the boy was meant for great things.
  Alec was looking around in confusion so Fai hurried things up, expanding the band of light and letting it fan out. Slowly each individual strand of hair, or rather fur, was created. Then it was time for the limbs they grew up in four great columns, thin but long and sturdy perfect for speed. They were probably most comparable with a shire horses legs but the rest of his body was more predator-like.  His torso was firm and muscular despite not being all there, another defence because you can't break into skin that's made of light, you can't even touch it.
   Finally smaller details were added like tear shaped ears, a bushy tail and a velvet muzzle tipped with a beetle black nose. To complete it all there were the tendrils unique to Illuceo's that snaked from each cheek all the way to his shoulders. They looked like thin tails but ended in an orb, these were where his power was stored. Unfortunately they were very valuable for their magical properties and as a result of this his kind had been hunted to near extinction. Once you removed an Illuceo's orbs their power fades and they lose their light. The newfound darkness consumes them and they eventually dissolve into shadow. Their restless spirits join the ranks of the ravenous, demons with an unquenchable thirst for destruction.
   Eventually his real body was complete and he shook out his fur also letting his tongue loll out of his mouth. Fai's eyes were glowing as with the rest of his body but they were the part of him best reflecting the rush of euphoria and joy he was feeling. Alec thought it made the huge animal look like a happy puppy. 
   "Let's run," Fai sighed in contentment and Alec gave a fox yip of agreement. The two looked like quite a pair, Fai being as tall as the trees while Alec's fox didn't even reach past Fai's paws. They were both of the same mind though, they were desperate to revel in their ability to move as swiftly as the wind. 
   It was getting close to dawn as they set off which was good and bad, good because many cursed would be retreating to their hidey holes but bad because there would be a few who would be whipped into a frenzy as they searched desperately for food in their remaining time. That meant Fai and Alec had to be careful to stay off the menu. 
     They bounded through the forest taking in the fresh air and scents that it carried because the sensory experience of running as an animal was far better than running as a man. Taking the lead Fai took them on a well beaten track that he had travelled many times, he felt it was fairly safe and that they could enjoy themselves here without worrying too much. He made sure to frequently look back to check on his friend though and the fox was glad of the extra set of eyes. Alec was happy to just follow while his huge friend carved a path through the rougher patches of forest with his large frame. After a short while Alec was full of adrenaline and felt boisterous, he put on a burst of speed and nipped the Illuceo's ankles mischievously. Fai let out a surprised yelp but when he saw it was just Alec he growled playfully and the two started to romp like the children they really were. Neither had the chance to play much as kids so now they were taking advantage of their freedom. 
   This made Fai happy but a little wistful, he wished that he got to have friends like Alec as a child and got to be carefree. It was part of having magic though and especially part of being different, you had to make sacrifices for your gifts.  Despite everything it was worth it. 
  Fox and furry mass of light tumbled over and over each other nipping, and kicking, and jumping and running. Behind them was a trail of destruction and several times they had to run from angry drayads grumbling about their trees being knocked over. Alec stopped at one point feeling bad and repaired them all with a click of his fingers, perhaps his time with the cursed was useful. Then they continued on their merry way running through the night.
    They remained undisturbed..until they strayed off the safer path and went into the wilder parts of the wood. A low growl snapped the two out of their little bubble and when they looked up they realised their mistake. Alec growled back at the source while Fai took a step back and had to choke back a whimper.
 The Illuceo despite his intimidating stature and two sabre teeth was not violent by nature and therefore was completely out of his depth when it came to conflict. He could fight easily against creatures made of shadow like the ravenous because they went against his element so he had a duty to balance things out. However when it came to these sorts of enemies Fai struggled. It wasn't just him being an Illuceo, Fai knew that and that was why he felt ashamed. The past should stay in the past because what is done is done, yet still he couldn't help it affecting the present. 
    The boy was still scared of large groups of men due to his experiences with castors as a cub. They were hunting for orbs and killed his mother and father, then ripped him away from them. Being ignorant to a child's ability to remember they thought they could indoctrinate him. Use his light to fight against the cursed, living weapons were always the best for their uses. So he spent his life being sold to the highest bidder, who each tried to use him as a guard dog for their families. Throughout it though, the Illuceo never forgot his true wild spirit and he kept himself happy with simple things. So when Phoebe turned up at an auction looking for a new unicorn (they made great steeds if you treated them well and she knew the bidders there wouldn't), she took pity on him. She saw the faint spark of hope in his dead eyes and she liked the defiance it represented. The fact he refused to be broken cheered her and he made sure to keep her cheered every single day. It was why their friendship was forged so strong by this point in time. 
    "You're on our land shifter,"! a huge werewolf snarled at Alec who didn't even flinch despite being almost nose to nose with a natural predator of his that was almost ten times his size. There are several different breeds of werewolf just like with dogs, (but don't say that analogy in front of them). These were what were currently known as hotheads although the technical term is biomorph, which basically meant huge wolves.
  There were also you're basic lycanthropes who were half men, half wolves who were more intelligent but limited to transform only when the moon was full. Finally there was the shifter style wolf who had a regular wolf and regular castor body. Trying to work out whether werewolves were cursed, castors or other magical creatures gave most beings a headache so it remained a mystery. They could go into the sun without being damaged but they mostly stuck to hunting at night. 
     "You two mutt, what  the hell kind of firefly crossbreed are you supposed to be," the wolf leered again. It was the largest wolf in the pack and also had the darkest eyes showing that it was the alpha. Fai realised their mistakes, the two had strayed onto pack territory which was punishable in cursed law by death. Either Alec didn't know or didn't care about this however because he just watched the alpha intently. To Fai it looked like the leshy was looking for something in the wolf, a way out he guessed. 
"I can resolve this but I'm gonna need to reveal my identity, is that alright?" Alec asked calmly and Fai mulled it over fretfully and came to the conclusion that there was little else that could be done. 
   "Fine but be careful Alexi." Fai sighed. 
"Alexi?" Alec inquired with a mental chuckle which made Fai's cheeks literally glow with a blush. 
"It suits you more than Alec, it was a nice try on your part but naming yourself never goes well." Fai saved. 
"You say that as if you know from experience...Finn!" Alec, or rather Alexi giggled triumphantly. 
 "Are you two using a pack link," The alpha boomed in fury. The two jumped and looked at their feet guiltily. "Do you have anything to say to redeem yourselves for your disrespects against my pack!"
    With that Alec's body began to ripple like a glassy lake that had been disturbed. Everything slowly changed, it was different to the first time because he was no longer a blank animal, he was turning into something with magic so he used a more magical way of shifting. Fai was happy the boy wouldn't be drained from the pain of morphing if a fight broke out because he didn't know of how much use he'd be. 
    Halfway through Fai realised what the boy was changing into and he felt faint with relief. Thick russet red fur was shook out from him in great waves along with a bristling tail. His body ballooned in size until he literally was nose to nose with the gaping alpha werewolf. The shape of the foxes body remained throughout the change so that Alec was considerably slimmer than the biomorphs who were packed with pure muscle, however he'd have more agility and speed in a fight. 
   From his head his ears grew taller than you'd expect and accompanying them were two spiralling horns that curled over like a rams showing he was no werewolf. Another thing that set him apart was the two huge black wings (also covered in fur not feathers) which sprouted from his back. Finally there was the unusual swirling patterns that moved like living creatures all over his body. 
    The werewolves jaws were slack and their eyes bulging. "Close your mouths you'll catch flies," Finn laughed heartily. Now that he was in costume, it was time for Alexi to begin his act and Finn hoped that it would be a good one...because if it wasn't they could die.