A dark shadow was sleeping in a coffin beneath a basement floor of an ancient mansion. The shadow stirred. His eyes opened and they glowed with a flaming hue. The coffin door opened. The shadow raised himself out of it, then looked around. He was tall and muscular but due to a long slumber and from not eating well was slightly thin. His body was covered in pale violet black hued skin that had a few sights of scales on it and wore dark clothes that were old fashioned. Clothes like a long flowing leather Tailcoat like cloak without a shirt on and wore black old fashioned jeans.  He had four slits in his back and a tail that he quickly wrapped around his waist. This creature was human in near likeness but seemed a bit of a monster. His arms were shining like a dark rainbow in the dim light of the candle lit room. The feet were like a dragons crossed with a humans. 

And there is a particular crow in the trees that senses this entity to, only it is much more curious than its counterparts. Mainly because it is not really a crow at all, but a being with it's own magical entity. So the bird flys to perch on a tree not too far from where this man was standing. 

The man sensed this bird. He spun around looking for the strange crow in the trees. He saw it. The hunting instincts of the man beast seem to stir. His black hair stands on end and quickly leaps onto the tree. The body of the man's limbs seemed to move effortlessly as he climbed as agilely as a powerful cat. The claws were close now upon the bird now. But his intent was evidently not to eat the crow. He finally reached and grabbed her. "Who are you?! And why have you intruded in my territory?!" he snarled. The man beast then placed the crow that wasn't a crow in truth rather roughly on a stone nearby. "Don't dare fly away.... Answer me..." he growled.  

And within a split second the crow dissolved into a reddish black liquid, flying past him and reforming on the limb of a high tree. The woman looks rather young, with short black hair. The clothing she wears seems to change a few times before settling on something simple in brown tones. 

The creature snarled and narrowed his eyes at the woman. "Well understand this! I've lived here for ages and the very sages of the nearby town made it law to stay out of here unless intruders have a death wish! Due to the fact this is where they make sure I stay... So they can watch me closely. To prevent me from becoming even more of a monster than I am...." He then seemed to be losing patience already with Zurka. Like a wild beast was wanting to burst out of him and make him attack her. Finally he smelt nearby prey. He snarled again at Zurka and then told her, "I'm Volkenagrim. Now leave once you've finished exploring...." Then left to go after what he smelt.

And Zurka dissolves and reforms back into a crow without reply. She'd rather not stay in a wood where they allow a self entitled demon own the area. She's of towards town immediately.

In town there were many sights to see. There were sages and many a type of person. Yet something was very strange was defiantly noticed. Some sages seemed to be gathering food, like deer meat, turkey, beef, duck, chicken and various other meats. Also fruits of all kinds, like apples, mangoes, oranges, grapes, pears, peaches, all other different kinds. And veggies you wouldn't believe the variety either. They were celery, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, baby cabbages, kale, and other greens, plus other kinds of veggies. These ages placed each and every one of these foods into baskets and carried them to the edge of the woods.

Zurka was definitely not as keen on the idea, she had agreed to clear herself out of the area, going did not seem like the wisest idea.

"No I don't agree with that." The old sage told her. "I already have a feeling you are a thief. But a thief that mainly just wishes to survive. We understand. So you are welcome here." He then got closer to her and patted her on the shoulder. "Perhaps you need to know something about him. Volkenagrim. You see he isn't in truth a monster at all. Just forced under a powerful curse that can only be gotten rid of once he finds a Soul Tamer or Soul Tamer-tress. And only those with Animalities or those who have the spirits of animals and so are blessed with their form and shapes and powers. For example my Animality is a Silver Winged Falcon and so I can turn into the bird and fly as it, plus have it's instincts." He then waved his staff and transformed into a Falcon that was a sliver gray in color. The wings however were indeed silver in shine and color. The bird he turned into had a white underbelly and blueish gray beak and feet. The tail feathers of this form he shifted into were also blueish gray. Then he made the falcon call and once again was his Sage form. "See? Now here. You must be hungry and tired. Eat. Sleep and rest. What is ours is yours. For it is our duty to help those who are lost. But about Volkenagrim? None can be as lost as he..." Then he smiled and bowed his head then led her to an inn. The inn was a grand spectacle in this village. Made of the finest and sturdiest of old wood. "I'd give it a chance with him. He just mainly tries to scare people away from him due to the fact he wouldn't know a friend even if they slapped him in the face." the old sage laughed when he said this. "He is truly a good soul. Deep down at least he was. He was once the Village Guardian until Takinomra erased his memories.... then forced him to become what he is now... Sad really...." He sighed and got the innkeeper. The inn keeper smiled and opened the door to her. "Whatever room you want pretty Lassie, will be yours for no charge! You have been evidently near him and yet hear before us alive. That's a feat many can't say but they did pose a threat to him." he told she told her. Then she led Zurka inside and sat her down on a table. The lady inn keeper then got out a menu and handed it to her. "What ever you'd like please let us know. Our special is a bit of everything today. And we are somehow almost always stocked with everything in this inn. And we're almost always packed!" Then she was about to leave but stopped. "Oh! Silly me! What'll have to drink? We've got Elvish Tea, Plain Human Tea. Both Teas have your choice of added flavor like mint, lemon, lime, orange, Camille, and other flavorings. Also water, several kinds of sodas, milk, orange juice, and other drinks." She then patiently waited for her guest to give her the order. Suddenly the chef came into the area. "We've got a highly accomplished chef who will doing the cooking who is far better than the best in town." he told the Inn Keeper. Then he smiled and told Zurka. "He is better than me in other words..." Then he winked with a smile and sat down. 

Zurka was now swimming in a bout of confusion. Suddenly she's being offered food, shelter, a decent place to rest, for nothing. She wasn't sure if this were some joke, or a trap to finally catch the Black Theif. She also wondered, if this is truly not some joke or trap, what they expected her to do. Surely they didn't expect her to go wandering back into his territory. If him tolerating her once was a miracle, what about twice? Those thoughts were racing through her head the whole way to the inn, and now that they were here... well  don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

The Inn Keeper brought her the Elvish tea with Camille. Then he smiled. The Sage came back to Zurka's table and seemed rather surprised. "I think it was more than sheer dumb luck that Volkenagrim tolerated your presence into the forest. I honestly believe you were meant to meet. But why? I've not the faintest clue...." He then walked towards the chef and they talked to each other. Then the old kind Sage looked like he was about to pass out. "Really!?" he yelled out. The chef nodded and then said, "Monsieur Volkenagrim may at last be trying to open up to us. Believe it or not he's always been that way. You do something nice to him, he'll return the kind gesture with yet another kind gesture. In fact! He knows I've slaved this whole month to cook his food. And thought it was so good, he wants to cook for us!" Then the chef started laughing so hard he fell out of the chair. Once he caught his breath he added. "But he made sure to tell me I could use to learn a few extra pointers! He even wants me to go back into the kitchen and watch him cook." The sage started laughing to. He then looked to Zurka and winked at her. "It seems you coming here may've brought great fortune to us. I hope you stay and taste his cooking." Then he seemed puzzled all of a sudden. "Why he hasn't really tried to cook since Takinomra cursed him and forced him to become Volkenagrim..! And that has been almost 250 years!" He then heard clattering in the Kitchen. And a loud gruff dark voice was heard. "Chef Delrok! Get your rear in here now!" It was a familiar voice that sounded like.. "Ooh! Volkenagrim is here!" Chef Delrok chimed. "I better get in there right away!" He then turned his Attention to Zurka. "Now miss? Would you like the special? One of everything on the menu? Or anything else? We try to keep stocked in every food and recipe that is found all over the world!" He waited patiently for her to answer. That was until Volkenagrim came into the area. He stopped with a quick halt. The Agent of Darkgrim had noticed Zurka. His icy Steel Silvery Gray Blue crystal clear eyes was staring dead at her. His hair stood up on end but he looked down and sighed. His gaze looked away from them all and he backed up back into the kitchen. "Oh dear... I think he feels bad over something... But how can anyone be sure due to that fact he doesn't feel any emotions...?" The Sage said to Zurka. He hastily followed Volkenagrim back into the kitchen and didn't come back out for a good thirty minutes. The he came out and looked rather sad. "I think we have to wait a tad longer for him to open up to us... He um, might of lost his nerve to do this now.... And it is because he feels he can't say an apology due to the fact he's not sure he can truly be sincere about it." He told Zurka. "Basically when you first met with him and things he got off the wrong foot with you and believes you won't try to eat his cooking." He then told the disappointed Chef Delrok to get in there and cook. Delrok did so and was back into the kitchen. "I don't entirely blame him for not saying he was sorry. That is due to the fact an apology is best not to be said in the first place unless it is truly sincere. If only he'd not felt he must always remain alone without a single friend in this world...." He looked at her and added. "Since he can't say he's sorry I will do it for him. I'm so sorry Volkenagrim grabbed you out of that tree where you first met and demanded you to leave. He just can't seem to reopen his shut heart. You see along time ago when he was once known as Volcanotano, he was a monster. But in time back then he learned love and how it feels to have a heart. Yet disaster struck. One of his cousins had nearly been killed by assassins wanting to kill him. And he had been brutally injured in the fight to protect her. He had a die choice to make." He then paused. "It was either to be selfish and ensure his own survival or give his last bit of strength to his cousin so that she may live and die in her place...." Then he looked at her with a kind gaze and asked, "What do you think he decided to choose? I'll give you a hint. I want you to find him and try to talk to him. Then if he turns his back to you tell him this, 'Wait! I wish to see your Runeai Markings on your shoulder.' He'll stop in that spot and allow you to see the markings. Be warned however. One reads Born Destroyer and that was his past. But the one on his other should reads something else. Although none have seen it other than me..." With that he left Zurka alone to ponder about her thoughts.  

Zurka wasn't sure of what to do anymore, she could swear the whole rush of information was starting to give her whiplash. Why is she special? Why can these people suddenly tell things about her, did she have a sign on her forehead stating her life's story? And why did she feel like she's in a dramatic novel sitting under life story exposition bridge? In the name of Forma herself she had no idea what to do.

Volkenagrim was already on the front porch in front of the stone garden. His skin was rather paler than it was when he last was seen by her. His hair had grown darker and even redder when it came to the blood red tips. He then obviously noticed Zurka and went inside the mansion. He obviously didn't really want company but then again and odd sense that he was almost giving up could be told as a sign of his actions. Almost like he was slowly growing ill. 

Zurka stops on the same time. Being a magical being granted her some instincts in senseing things. She did not know exactly what was happening, but it sent chills all along her spine. She changed herself into a cat now, it was too dark for her crow eyes to see correctly, and she needed her vision. 

Volkenagrim stood up. He placed his right arm on his left arm and felt it was now made of bone. It had grown spines through the elbow. The Darkness was too dark in the room, even for Zurka's cat eyes. Suddenly two eyes were seen in the darkness. One eye was obviously Volkenagrim's eye but the other next to it was a different story. It was red hued but was like the other eye yet looked as if it was in a hallow skull. The eye had an evil glare with a dark slit in the middle of it. The eyes a glow disappeared. Suddenly Volkenagrim was standing on the roof. His back was towards Zurka. "Graagh.... Don't come closer.... Stay back...." he told her. His voice was the same gruff but also sounded as another sound. A sound like a hallowed out bone being blown through with an eerie wind. Volkenagrim was still trembling. His body was different than it was before. His left arm was showing the Bone in the pale moonlight as day was falling into the darkest hours. He snarled an inhuman snarl that sounded like a skeletal beast. "Gragh... Please leave... I can't have you harmed..." He growled. "It stirs inside me.... A monster that is why people are forbidden to enter this forest..." His wings  burst out of his slits in his back. The wings of the top pair were Dragon-like wings and had clawed hands on the middle rim. The bottom pair was that a black raven's wings with sliver tips at the ends. His mood was even more dark. And very hard to distinguish. "Stay back!" he growled loudly.   

Well considering you'd already been doing your best to move very far away from him staying back was no problem at all. As of right now, you're a snake, moving through the grass as quickly as you can manage, in praying that he won't come after you.