Living Among the Northern Lupani: Guardian Angel Book 1

By Jake Shadow Wolf

When two researchers combine magic and genetics in an attempt to create a serum to cure all diseases, they unknowingly unleash magic upon an unprepared world. Their son Jason decides to go out and try to make amends for their disastrous release of magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524669409

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© 2017 Jake Shadow Wolf. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/31/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6941-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6939-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-6940-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017901341

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1 The end, and the beginning

Chapter 2 Angel of Shadow

Chapter 3 Farewell to Friends, and the First Step Forward

Chapter 4 The trek across the waste, Slaver Attacks, and the hunt for Korian Begins.

Chapter 5 Hunting For Korian, Learning about the Lupani, and Joining the Tribe.

Chapter 6 Learning the Ways of the Blade.

Chapter 7 Learning the Bow, and How to Hunt with the Lupani.

Chapter 8 Spear Training, The First Raid, and the challenges for the right to mate.

Chapter 9 Healing, Scouting, and Giving a Part of Myself Away.

Chapter 10 Remembering the past, Reviewing my friends and Allies, Preparing for the next big mission.

Chapter 11 Nothing goes as Expected, Nobody gets left behind, and Guardian goes berserk

Chapter 12 Loss, Kingship, Revenge, Fatherhood.

Chapter 13 Five years Pass, and Time to move on.

Foreword

W hen two researchers combine magic and genetics in an attempt to create a serum to cure all diseases they unknowingly unleash magic upon an unprepared world. Their son Jason decides to go out and try to make amends for their disastrous release of magic.

Chapter 1

The end, and the beginning

I t all started ten years after Biological-genetic labs released their serum that would supposedly cure all diseases. My dad was the head researcher for them, and my mother was a medical examiner at the local hospital. Therefore, we got first dibs on the vaccine, as most of Biological-genetic labs employees did. The drug had shown no side effects when tested on animals. Well, other than to completely protect them from any sort of pathogen, even rabies. My dad had gone over the results of the tests about a thousand times, before finally agreeing that the vaccine was safe for public use.

I was somewhere around, six, maybe seven years old, when my dad decided to give it to me. As you could probably guess, I was scared to death of shots. My mom had to promise me a bunch of things to get me to sit still as my dad injected the needle into my arm. Then she had to soothe me for a good five minutes to keep me from bawling like a baby. I’ll admit it, when I was a little kid I was a bit of a wimp.

After that though, everything seemed alright. When it was proven that Biological-genetic labs employees had no side-effects whatsoever after five months, the vaccine was finally fully released to the public. Seven months later, it was a requirement for children around the world to be vaccinated with it before they could go to school. It was a onetime only shot though. So, most kids already had it by this point. After that first year, time went on. And everyone, other than parents of newborns, and those in the medical field, forgot about the vaccine which had come to be known as the Sanctus Sanitas vaccine. It did what its name implied. Which was to create, what many of our forefathers would have called Holy Health.

However, over the next nine years, the vaccine started to go through an incubation process in those who’d been injected with it. No one, except the team, who’d started research on the vaccine, and the occasional medical examiner like my mother, paid any mind to the changes. However, during the fifth year, when I was about to turn twelve or thirteen, my father sat me down in his office, and handed me a journal. I stared at him with a confused look. And he said: Jared, you know our family’s motto is ‘tego tectum’. Which means; to shield. I want you to follow that motto, and shield my notes from everyone. They may be the only clue the world will have on how to deal with what’s coming our way. Our family name is Fines Umbra. Which means; to honor, or trusted shadow. Though, since then your grandfather simplified it to Shadow. We are the guardians of any we choose. Remember that. For it will be what saves you. I nodded taking every word to heart.

Afterward, my mother walked up and kissed me on the forehead. And said softly: My sweet little Angelus, I love you with all my heart. Sadly, your father and I are going on a trip. And have to leave you with your aunt. We’re leaving several things specifically for you here in the house, and when the time is right you’ll have to come and get them.

I nodded again, feeling tears well in my eyes for the first time since I was eight or nine. And said softly: I love you Mom, take care of yourself. She smiled lovingly at me, and kissed my cheek. Then, she, and my father packed up their gear and walked off to finish packing.

Three days later, I aged another year. And I celebrated it at my aunt’s house, feeling sorrow about my parents’ not being there, to celebrate it with me. My Aunt Laura saw the sad look on my face, and convinced my cousin Joshua to play with me. Which he did, for the next five or six hours or so. However, when we were inside taking a break, a car with the Biological-genetic labs logo painted on it arrived. And people from it started asking my aunt questions.

She answered them honestly, and they asked to see me. My aunt came and got me. Then, I told them what I knew. Leaving out the stuff about my dad’s notes, and my mom telling me about what they hid in the house. After they left, I turned to Aunt Laura, and asked if she told them about the house. She shook her head, and said softly That’s a family secret that my father left for both your mother and I. However, I wanted no part of it, so I let her take it. She said she’d find a use for it someday. And, I guess she meant to leave it for you all along. I nodded, and went back to playing with Josh. Trying to relax, and act like everything was ok. I knew it wasn’t. But back then it was fun to pretend.

The next four years flew by. However, toward the end of that ninth year things started to change. Some of those originally injected with the Sanctus Sanitas vaccine, were starting to feel some strange side effects. At first it was nothing more than flu like symptoms. Which made everyone assume the vaccine was just starting to weaken a little bit. However, as time went on the symptoms started to get worse. And become more widespread. People started mutating into strange beasts with six or seven limbs. Others developed animalistic traits, or became full animal human hybrids. Still others developed strange powers that made them different. While a small percentage saw no change.

Those that remained human in appearance, whether it was by just gaining ears and tails, strange powers, or not changing at all, started to be hunted by those that had mutated into monsters. Those that were a mix of human and animal, joined what was left of the human race. And prevented the monsters, from over-running, and killing them all. Eventually, the humans built a huge complex beyond the reach of the beasts. When it was finished, the more animalistic groups went their own way. What no one seemed to notice, was that animals were also being affected by the vaccine. They’d gained intelligence, and were now picking sides. Many chose to stay and guard the humans. While a few chose to join the beasts and try to destroy the humans. Those that didn’t pick either side, chose to wander the land among the humans who’d been changed.

Not all humans went into the compound. For many of those with powers refused to be bottled up. So they became nomads. The beasts, with their main enemy and food supply locked away from them, turned to destroying the land around them. They quickly devoured trees, plants, and any animals that crossed their path, before starting to turn on each other. This made the environment, which we humans had already polluted, a lot worse. This in turn, made many wanderers start making more compounds. With even more animals choosing to guard them. Eventually the creatures started attacking the compounds, wanderers, and even the more animalistic cousins to the human race. This is where my story truly begins.

Chapter 2

Angel of Shadow

A s I said earlier, my name is Jared Shadow. My father was Damien Shadow. And my mother was Sierra Angelus. Biological-genetic labs used their disappearance five years ago, to call them the masterminds of the Exordium Omni-genus Omega. Which, is more commonly known as; The beginning of the end of all life. My aunt was accused of helping them escape justice, and was hung as a traitor. Even though she tried to live a peaceful life within the compound. Watching her death convinced both my cousin Joshua, and I to leave. When we got to the gate, there were guards everywhere. Joshua smiled at me and said softly; Jared, only one of us can make it through. So I’m going to lead the guards away. He hugged me tightly. And before I could protest, ran up to the guards, and let out a shrill whistle to catch their attention. They saw him, and the commander yelled; HE’S THE SON OF THE TRAITORS, AFTER HIM!!!!!

Josh smirked at me over his shoulder. Then he took off in the opposite direction, leaving the gate completely unguarded. I quickly ran out of it, and swore to get my revenge on the bastards who’d killed my family. I ran away from the compound as fast as I could. And my friend Luna, who was a female wolf that had imprinted on me as a pup, followed me. I motioned for her to turn back. And she shook her head, as if to say; No, we’re pack. I sighed. And kept running, with her alongside me, wondering where we should go. After a while, I stopped dead. And stared at my surroundings. Unlike the scavengers, who were specifically trained to go out with those that guarded all of the compounds, I knew nothing about the surrounding area thanks to the deforestation by the beasts.

Luna looked at me questioningly as I dropped to my knees. And I let a single tear fall from my eyes. I sighed, and said softly; I don’t know where we should go Luna. Should we go back to my aunt’s old ranch, or head to my parent’s home? Suddenly, as if in answer to my question, I remembered my mother saying; We left several things in the house. When the time is right, it’s up to you to come get them. I smiled to myself. Then I turned to Luna, and asked her; Do you know the way back to New Sena City? She nodded, with a wag of her tail, then her ears started to droop, and she growled. I blinked, and said; So it’s infested with beasts? She nodded, and I swore softly. Then I said; That sucks. However it’s the only place I can go. Luna, can you take me there? She slowly nodded, with a look that said I was crazy. Then she turned, and started trotting for an old road that had been torn to shreds.

I raced after her. Then I dropped to a light jog, as I caught up to her. And she let out a growl. We walked along for a good twenty minutes, before we saw any signs of life. The first thing we saw, was a small shoot sticking up out of the ground, straining for the light of the sun. I sighed, and mumbled; What a miserable world the next generation will grow up in. At least I know what trees, plants, and other things of nature look like. Luna looked at me questioningly, and I smiled at her. Then, I rubbed her ears and said; Don’t worry about it. You can ask your dam about it when you get back to the compound. Luna looked at me when I said you, as if she was asking; What the hell do you mean, you? I blinked and said; What? She stopped in the middle of the road, and glared at me.

I sighed, and said softly; I can’t go back to the compound. They’ll either kill me for being a traitor, or take away my most prized possession. I pulled out my dad’s journal, and showed it to her. Then I put it back in my shirt, and said softly; I’ve been its’ guardian for six years now. I can’t let it fall into anyone else’s hands. Hell, I haven’t even started reading it yet. However, just because I can’t go back doesn’t mean you can’t. You need to go back and at least say goodbye. If you want, I’ll wait outside of the compounds reach by about three hours, while you say your farewells and what not. She thought about it, then nodded and nuzzled my cheek, before starting off again. After about ten, maybe fifteen, more minutes of walking, Luna growled at me to stop. Then, she started sniffing the air. I shivered, and glanced around. Studying the road.

Slowly I glanced behind us, as Luna crouched down growling. I saw what was left of a stop sign, and picked it up Getting ready for the worst. Suddenly, a beast with nine limbs burst out of the bushes. It stood about ten feet tall, had eight, claw like legs coming out of its sides, the head of a human with warped and twisted eyes. And a mouth that was full of serrated edged teeth. And a tail that ended in a sharp blade made of bone. I stared at it for a few minutes. Then, I glanced down at the metal pole in my hand and mumbled; Oh fuck me. The creature turned at the sound of my voice. Then a strange tongue that had a forked tip came out, and seemed to sniff the air. After a few seconds, a strange mucus like substance was excreted from its tongue, and dropped to the ground. I stared at the spot the mucus had touched. And I watched as it started to burn and sizzle, before solidifying into a clear coat, almost like glass.

The creature’s tongue went back into its mouth. It slowly closed its mouth, and twitched its lips up into what could be seen as a twisted smile. Then it said, in a voice like sizzling asphalt; Come to me boy, and your puppy won’t have to be harmed. I know what you are by sight and smell. You would make a wonderful meal. Though should you awaken, you’d make a powerful ally. I stared at it, then glared, and said; Let me think about it for a few seconds. I closed my eyes and pretended to think, then opened them and said; Fuck no; now go back into whatever cesspool you crawled out of. Its smile slowly turned into a glare. Then it snarled at me, the hiss completely gone from its voice. And it jumped over Luna, to lunge for me. I instinctively jumped to the side, and held up my metal pole. Which was sliced cleanly in two by the damn thing’s tail.

It snarled at the fact it’s first swing didn’t kill me, and swung its tail at me multiple times. But I just kept rolling out of the way. Eventually, I found myself near a rock and slid behind it. The creature’s tail struck, and got stuck in the rock. I stared, then smirked and said; Problem with something that can cut through almost anything, is pulling it out when it gets stuck. Luna took this golden opportunity to rush over, and bite down at the base of the tail tip. And crunch through to the bone. The beast let out a horrible shriek, and tried to pull its tail away. Only to pull the stump of what had once been a dangerous weapon back.

The creature stared at me as I chuckled softly, and said; Oh, you find that funny. Well laugh at this, boy! Suddenly a new tail tip sprouted from the broken stump. And it started swinging wildly after Luna. Luckily, even though the creature was fast, she was even faster. She was like a silver blur, that neither I nor the beast could keep track of. While Luna kept it distracted, I worked on freeing its tail tip from the rock. After about ten minutes of work, I finally got the thing free. Then I stared at it. Wondering how I was going to use it. Suddenly, I got an idea, and whistled. Luna looked at me, and I yelled; LUNA, LIGHT THIS PLACE UP! She nodded, and let out a howl, causing everything in the area to be hit with bright beams of moonlight.

I rushed through the moonlight with my eyes closed, listening to the sound of the beast crashing around, and howling. Then I jumped up, and brought its tail tip down. Muttering; Taste this Mother Fucker. I felt the thing spasm underneath me. And I jumped back. Muttering; Oh I probably just put my foot in it. As the moonlight slowly faded, I saw the creature was pinned to the ground and was slowly dying. It glared at me, and said softly; My brethren will come, and they will destroy you. I smirked at him. Then I nodded for Luna