He’s a wolf.

Erich stares down at his paws and then up at the blue, moonless sky overhead, and tries to process exactly what just happened.

This should be impossible. His change — their change — is tied to the moon itself, and without the moon visible in the sky, he shouldn’t be a wolf.

At his side, Alexis barks her offense at the white wolf that… changed them? But no, that’s impossible too, but—

But there had been something in that half-second before the change, as the white wolf’s tail had swished up and around as if to draw a circle. He’s never run across anyone, human or beast, capable of forcing the change when the moon is down, but this is a new land; maybe what’s unheard of in Europe is common here, in this village with its intoxicating power and strange wolf carvings everywhere.

The white wolf barks happily and bounds a few steps away before pausing to stare expectantly at them, clearly wanting them to follow it.

Except it’s heading back towards the village, and they’re wolves, and Erich has never in his life met anyone who will gladly accept a wolf, much less three, wandering through the heart of their village.

(Unless this village is like the Quincy and has a link to wolves.)

(Which might be the case, but does he really want to risk—)

The white wolf barks at them again, tone impatient-excited-playful, and circles back to where Erich and Alexis are still tucked away in the gap between tree root and plinth. It rears up onto the root, grins at them again, its tail doing a strange, looping swirl and—

Another parchment-and-ink flicker in the corner of Erich’s eye and suddenly wind rushes past them, so strong it sends him tumbling into Alexis and then out, past the statue and into the open ground in front of the gigantic tree. He lays where he’s fallen, his head on Alexis’ flank, and once again tries to process what the hell is happening to them.

(Once he could write off as a trick of his senses, but twice?)

(No, something is going on here, and it’s all focused around that strange white wolf.)

The wolf bounds back to their side, clearly impatient for them to get up and finally follow it, and Erich heaves a sigh; if this wolf is the one making the odd things happen, then there’s clearly no way they can easily escape. So he drags himself upright and gives his body a shake, trying to settle into his unexpected shape and settle the fur ruffled by his impromptu flight. He wasn’t hurt by the gust of wind, but he’s still… shaken.

(Wind shouldn’t be that strong.)

(It shouldn’t have been able to knock the two of them tumbling while leaving the white wolf untouched.)

Alexis scrambles to her feet as soon as Erich is off of her and gives herself a great shake as well, then bares her teeth at the white wolf and lays her ears back in warning.

Not that it seems to do a thing; the white wolf just gives them another doggy grin and turns to race away, heading towards the free-standing gate at the entrance to the clearing, and—

There are plants and flowers sprouting in the wolf’s footprints, Erich realizes after a long, blank moment of staring. He takes a few careful steps forward and lowers his nose to sniff at a patch, only to jerk his head away and sneeze when the little patch of grass and flowers dissolves into a rush of intoxicating dawn-red power that goes right up his nose.

Alexis barks a laugh and slams her shoulder into his flank, sending him staggering a step to the side and snapping his mind free of the power’s grip.

He snaps his teeth at her in exasperation, gives himself another shake, and then cautiously follows the white wolf’s trail through the gate, Alexis at his side—

The world snaps back into alignment the minute he steps through it, and Erich freezes, casting a glance over his shoulder at the clearing they just left. It looks… different from how he remembers it looking a few seconds ago, but he can’t put his finger on how. Curious, he turns and walks back, sticking his head through the gate and— yes, there, something is changing when he crosses the boundary, an odd tint shading the world and a shadow appearing at the foot of the tree that almost looks like a tunnel if he squints at it.

He pulls his head back, feels the same odd snap of something returning to alignment, and looks around again.

No odd tint to the light, no shadow at the foot of the tree, nothing.

So the gate is a boundary, which makes sense, but… a boundary between what? He’s currently standing in the human world, but what sort of world is on the other side of the gate?

Alexis just heaves a sigh and sits with her back to the gate, hind leg rising to scratch at her ear and tail twitching with discomfort; it’s clear to him that she doesn’t appreciate the oddities of this village, and he can only thank God that she loves him as much as she does. Following his whims into potentially dangerous situations is far and beyond what they originally promised each other, no matter how adventurous they both were as children.

With a sigh, Erich turns away from the gate and sends a questioning look at Alexis, wondering if she’s ready to face… whatever is waiting for them at the bottom of the hill.

(Frankly, he’s not sure if he’s ready for it.)

(Either they’re going to have to run like hell, or… honestly he doesn’t even know what else.)

Alexis stands back up and sidles up to his side, nudging him with her muzzle and pressing warmth-reassurance-determination against his senses.

It’s even almost enough to make him feel better about their chances.

(No, he shouldn’t be thinking like that.)

(Well… time to go face the music.)

He heaves another sigh, tips his muzzle towards the fading path of flowers-and-grass that the white wolf left behind, and waits for Alexis’ nod of agreement before he begins the long walk down.

Given that he hasn’t yet heard any screams, they might just make it out of this intact.

(Maybe.)

(Hopefully.)

(…he doesn’t have a chance, does he?)

(Damnit…)