Veran rose slowly, still shaken. His body was back, but something inside him was no longer the same. The Hydra had brought him back to life, but at a terrible cost. He could feel its power corrupting him, like a poison coursing through his blood.
Raigor watched in silence, knowing that his companion was no longer the same.
Behind them, the Legendary Wolf advanced, his eyes blazing with ancient wisdom.
"The power of the Hydra has given you life, but it has also corrupted your essence." His voice was a calm but unstoppable roar. "If you do not cleanse it, you will become a creature without will, a servant of chaos."
Veran clenched his fists. He felt it. His body was stronger, but his mind was assailed by dark impulses. He did not want to become a monster.
The Rite of the Wolf Moon
The Legendary Wolf approached and placed his enormous paw on Veran's head.
"Accept my power, warrior. With it, you will extinguish the Hydra's corruption and awaken the true essence within you."
Veran nodded. He had no choice.
The beast howled toward the sky and suddenly, a silver light exploded around them. It was the blessing of the Wolf Moon, the most ancient power of the Legendary Wolf.
A searing pain ran through Veran. The Hydra's energy tried to resist, to poison him even more. The warrior fell to his knees, feeling his soul split into two opposing forces.
But he was not alone.
Raigor placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not give in, Veran. You are stronger than this power."
And in that moment, the Legendary Wolf poured all its strength upon him.
Veran's New Power
When the pain stopped, Veran stood up. Something in him had changed.
His eyes, once golden yellow, now glowed a moon-silver. The power of the Hydra was no longer an uncontrollable poison, but a tamed force. Now he could use its abilities without being its slave.
The Legendary Wolf nodded. "Now you are one of us. Use this gift wisely."
Veran turned to Raigor. He was ready.
Now, with the strength of the Wolf and the control of the power of the Hydra, they could finally face the higher entity that was pulling the strings of the war.
But time was running out.