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Episode 6: Waterfall

"I'm all up for a world built on consumerism but when the government has no say in the politics of the world and our law is governed by a corporation, are we truly a society or just livestock?"

_ _

Britney Fells

Anti-MODD Activist

"That... That's not the Sixth Chaos Lord..."

No it wasn't.

Jacob listened intently to Leo's recounting of events, filtering out the part where Canis arrived a moment before Oculus did something to the Tribal and took him aside before anything bad could happen. His mind ran over the mental image of 'Sam' that Leo had painted. It was a far-flung image from the cheery, smartass that just seemed to appear conveniently when help was needed.

The armour, personality... everything about this 'Sam' was vastly different. The build was wrong. Sam was scrawny, athletic at best. He had black fur, not white, and he used two guns that merged together to form a sword not these... 'light blades'.

It sounds like Leo met someone like me but not...

Spectre shuddered. "Jake... Remember what I told you about Realmbreaker."

Realmbreaker... a weapon built from two opposites from different world colliding and causing a catastrophe that had the power to rip apart entire universes. Was this another attempt by the Chaos Lords to introduce another potential candidate for Realmbreaker?

You think they want to try that with me...?

"I'm not sure... But the 'F Seals' that this 'Sam' spoke of. You know at least what the Forsaken Seals are, right?"

Jacob nodded slightly.

"Leo," he said, bringing the Tribal's attention to himself. "The Forsaken Seals are the most powerful Seals MODD has. They're given to the Primarchs, the top soldiers of MODD's elite, SWORD."

Canis grunted heavily with his arms crossed. "Yeah, I heard about those damn things. Apparently, the psychos that hold them are real nut jobs. I heard that one of them can actually destroy anything as long as they sacrifice the blood. They call her 'The Vampire'."

The Tribal looked a little fearful - a new expression on the wolf's face. "But was that the Sixth? He was dressed in armour and he had blades of light..."

Jacob shook his head sadly. "I don't think that was him, Leo. The Sixth my dad described was different..." He glanced to his left at where Spectre crouched on his shoulder. His miniature Animus nodded sagely.

"Well shit." His eyes switched to Canis who had leaned back and had his arms crossed over his impressive chest. "So we've got a badass white wolf running around that can beat the hulking idiot over there. He sounds like he can teleport and make all sorts of weapons. Doesn't sound like he has any restraint either." Canis grinned broadly. "Next time you see him, puppy, send him my way."

Fixing Canis with a sour look, Jacob said, "What? You going to 'fight-rape' him too?"

"Jealous?"

The countering smirk made him pause. "Don't flatter yourself," Jacob answered with a huff. He rose and bumped his head against the low hanging debris. After a wince, he crawled over to the far edge of the small pocket air they somehow survived in. "If it weren't for the rough play, you wouldn't have anything going for you."

"What? Foot-long doggy cock not enough for you?"

"I've got one too, smartass," he growled back, running a paw over the sharp shards of metal. As dark as it was, his eyes had adjusted and he could see well into the shadows. There was no telling what sat on the other side of the wall of wreckage. If it was just the rest of the underwater station, great, but if it was water... they were screwed.

Canis turned towards Leo. "That's right, puppy. I got the same doggy dick as your ex-boyfriend. If you ever wanna take mine for a ride now that you're single..."

"If it was water, you'd be seeing some leakage," Spectre advised. "Chances are, it's the station."

He nodded mildly, ignoring Canis' banter. Slowly, he tried to pry some of the sharp shards out from the wall. A soft gasp escaped him when a sharp edge cut into his paws. Leo was instantly by his side, whimpering softy. The Tribal blinked a few times in surprise as the wound began to close up almost instantly.

"You heal much faster than any of us..." the Tribal observed.

"Kind of a design I implemented into your Brand. I worked around your metabolism and made it so that it accelerated your body's natural regeneration without actually genetically modifying you. It will only work for your DNA. Not sure how it will affect everyone else's though. I designed the Brand for you. Not anyone else."

That made Jacob wonder if Leo or any of the other Branded possessed variations of his regeneration. He noticed they did heal faster than usual but nothing as fast as his own.

"It's my thing," he muttered in reply to Leo. Looking back at the massive wall of twisted metal and wiring, he realised that just trying to 'dig' his way out of the wreckage would be a very bad idea. "How're we going to get out here?" he muttered.

"Can't you just blast your way out?" Canis grunted. "Can't you just call up some lasers from your paws and cleave your way out?"

That was a possibility and certainly the most logical choice but because it was suggested by the Alsatian, he instinctively did not want to take the course. It was petty, childish and extremely prideful but he was not going to give the canine ground to brag about how he masterminded their escape. He wracked his brains for another solution and the one that came made him grin broadly.

Quickly, he undid the straps that crossed his coat and removed it. Leo gave him a curious look while Canis just rolled his eyes, no doubt thinking it was just a show of muscles and bravado.

"If you think you're going to impress me with your big muscles as you try batting your head against a brick wall, think again," Canis grunted. "I've seen it all before."

"So you think," Jacob snickered. He gave Leo a broad grin. "Brand Form."

The Tirbal's eyes sparked up and the both gave each other space. Their Brands began to glow brightly against their bodies. Light spilled out from Jacob's left shoulder and he felt the raw power of the Brand seep deep into him. Hot blood pumped into every muscle on his body, his heart racing against his chest. The rush of power blocked out all rational thought, reverting him temporarily into a bestial state where he felt like he could conquer the world.

Veins plumped up all over his arms, bulging as his biceps surged outwards. Two extra feet were added to his already impressive height and his back broadened, somehow still keeping well within the confines of his shirt. The muscles in his thighs surged outwards, their shapes and curves clearly defined against his pants. His paws grew, big enough to crush heads in a single grip with his feet large enough to do exactly the same. Bright, tattoo-like designs crawled all over his arms, back and legs, peeling away from his flesh to form a pair of glowing, white wings.

Beside him, Leo arched his back and let out a loud howl. Each muscle on his body grew even larger than Jacob's. His form became titanic, his back a venerable, symmetrical mountain range of iron muscle. His arms were like tree trunks and his legs steel cords of unbreakable muscle. Leo was forced to crouch down onto his paws and knees, his weight causing the ground beneath their feet to shudder.

Like Jacob, a pair of swirling designs sprang up from his back but instead of forming wings, they became a second pair of fully functioning, ethereal arms, claw-like hands reaching out and slashing through the air.

Both of them snarled and roared, their senses quickly returning and both of their erections straining against this pants.

"You know, I never designed the Brand Forms."

Jacob blinked a few times and ran his tongue over his lips, getting a grip on his transformed body.

Really...?

"Nope. That's the thing about the Brands. They evolve and change with their host. Unlike the Seals which are static, the Brands are dynamic and change. The Brand Form... I was just as surprised as you when you activated it for the first time."

You hid it well.

He glanced at the wall of debris and wiggled his fingers. It would be easy to tear through them now. However, he became aware of a second pair of eyes gazing at his broad back and he glanced over his shoulder. Canis quickly tried to shift his expression to one of clear indifference but the tent in his pants and his hanging tongue betrayed his true feelings.

Jacob leaned down towards the Alsatian, towering over the canine with a big, wolfish grin on his muzzle. "I turn you on, don't I?" he rumbled in the deepest, sexiest voice he could muster.

Canis closed his muzzle and said nothing.

I totally turn him on.

He spun around, swatting his tail into Canis' face purposefully. The sniff from the Alsatian sounded almost... like a shudder but he set it aside the thought for the moment. Nodding towards Leo, they both squared themselves at the wall. Brilliant blades of light sprang from Jacob's paws and he threw himself at the wall, tearing through the metal with driven slices. He made nice, clear cuts and Leo seized the fragments with each of his four arms, tearing them away.

Something about being in his Brand Form felt so... freeing. He enjoyed the sensation of his bulging muscles at work. Added to that the jealous, hungry looks he was getting from Canis when the Alsatian thought he was being subtle and he really enjoyed the experience.

Then Canis was suddenly beside him and aiding in tearing away the fragments of debris. His eyes were cast down, a light blush on his cheeks and his cock still painfully erect.

"Just admit it," Jacob snorted. "You so find me sexy."

"So?" the canine countered. "Doesn't mean I'll do you again."

"Doesn't mean I'll let you either." He eyed the Alsatian with a devilish stare. "I could have activated this form any time during that night. I could have crushed you had I wanted."

He realised he had just set himself up for an epic fall the moment he said that.

"And yet you didn't."

All too aware that Leo was just standing a few feet away, Jacob quickly thought of an escape route. "Sierra clearly cares for you. If I killed you, I'd lose her support."

"So you let yourself get fucked."

"For the greater good."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Jacob left it at that and glanced over at Leo but the Tribal looked distracted in his own way. He could only imagine what the poor, young wolf must have gone through having such a brutal lesson pushed onto him. This 'Sam' was a brute but one that appeared crushed and broken in ways that he could barely fathom.

He was left pondering on that white wolf as they burst through the debris and entered one of Triton's underwater tunnels. Cracks on the glass made Jacob nervous but there was no leakage just yet. Jacob emerged from the debris, grunting as he fit his frame through the massive hole they had made. Leo had a little more trouble and Jacob had to cut a few more inches around the side to allow the much bigger wolf through. Canis brought up the rear and the moment he emerged, he froze.

"What?" Jacob grunted.

"You don't see him?"

Canis' eyes were directed down the otherwise empty tunnel.

"See who?" Leo asked softly.

"The weird icy-blue eyed kid?" Jacob offered.

Canis gave him a startled look. "You see him?"

"Nope. I know about him though." Jacob flicked his ears towards the tunnel. "They're called the Drowned. Apparently, they're a collection of children who are led here by MODD and then sacrificed to power the city and its expansions. Apparently, they've formed a sort of collective consciousness with what little power they can spare and talk to people. This includes the Seagate."

"Then why can I see him...?"

"Apparently, because you were betrayed." Jacob's eyes shifted to the Alsatian. "So who screwed you over?"

Canis shook his head in confusion. "What? Okay, I've screwed over a lot of people but I'm pretty darn sure no one screwed me. Figuratively speaking, of course. I've had cocks in my ass before. Two this one time..."

"I just love how you can make such off-the-hand remarks like that," Jacob muttered sarcastically. "Seriously though, the Drowned apparently only appear to those people who feel the bite of betrayal. It apparently 'resonates' with their own feelings and lets them appear to you. If you can see them, then you clearly feel betrayed."

The sharp, accusing look he got from Canis was meant to unnerve him but he barely registered it. "Really? Aren't you the guy whose daddy gave him up for the greater good, got experimented on and then went on a crazy vendetta against one of the most powerful men in all of Mortaelis? Shouldn't you be able to see them?"

It was a fair question. The answer, however, was so simple it was confusing. "I don't feel betrayed. Not anymore."

"You're kidding. How?"

"I just told you," he answered, flicking an ear down the hallway, hoping to hear the Drowned. He thought he could hear them wailing in anguish but he was fairly sure it was just his imagination. "My biological father went off to another world to save that world. My dad did what he could to save this world. I understand what he had to do. I don't like it but I understand it."

"Is that the closest I'm going to get to you forgiving me?"

Nothing to forgive, dad.

Spectre turned away. There was a slight curl to the edges of his lips and his eyes grew watery. Whether that was relief in his eyes or just sadness for the son he will never get to see, Jacob wasn't sure.

"So you just let go?" Canis retorted. "Who is to say I didn't just let go?"

"The undead, ghostly child that is making your tail twitch like a furry cobra about to strike."

The Alsatian scowled at him and turned defiantly towards the tunnel. Shaking a fist, he began to shout. "Hey! Dead guy! I'm well-adjusted you hear? I'm an orphan but I don't have any regrets! No one fucked me over!" Before Jacob could interrupt, Canis lifted a finger at him. "You know what I mean." Then began towards the Drowned, he said, "So stop haunting me!"

Strangely, the canine raised an eyebrow a moment later. "Huh."

"What?"

"He wants us to follow him."

Recalling what the Drowned had told him about Angelsea's true nature, Jacob was hesitant to be led anywhere. However, he wanted to see this 'host' for himself. Furthermore, if they were going to host the Elemental Lords of Light and Darkness, he needed to get into their good graces. No doubt they already knew about him and the Branded so if they did something heroic - like save Angelsea from plunging into a watery grave - maybe they'd get a minute or two of listening before the fight began.

"Lead the way."

Canis looked about to protest but there was a spark of... curiosity in his eyes. He briefly glanced at Leo who still had that perturbed look on his face. It was hard seeing the Tribal look so deep in thought. Harder still to think Leo was even capable of deep thought. Jacob discarded that stereotype quickly. Leo... he wasn't some dumb savage... He was a deep, caring person whose world had been brutally torn apart by a psychopath. Jacob wanted to meet this 'Sam'.

Whether or not he wanted to thank or kill him was a different matter.

Canis' boots emitted heavy clunks as the slowly made their way through the dark tunnel. Only emergency lighting was available; casting the tunnels in a dark veil that barely penetrated the abyss of the deep see beyond the cracked glass. The rest of Triton seemed like a ghostly city trapped beneath the waves. Jacob had to keep himself from jumping every time a fish would swim by.

I wonder what happened to Jo and Behemoth...

I wonder what happened to the others...

Thud!

Leo let out a soft yelp. The body of a wide-eyed ferret slammed into the glass above them. A shark swiped it a moment later, digging its sharp teeth into the dead body and swimming away, leaving a trail of blood as it did so.

"That was fresh..." Canis murmured grimly. "We've been down where for hours. I don't think these shark-infested waters would have let a body remain intact for very long."

Jacob could only grunt in agreement and flexed his inflated muscles. With his coat over one shoulder, he followed Canis who was apparently following the Drowned. He wasn't sure if he entirely trusted the Alsatian but he could do very little otherwise. Triton was a maze and only the soldier knew where the exit was.

"Hydra and Neptune attack constantly, right?" he asked. "Is this the first time Triton has been shut down because of them?"

Canis' brown ears flicked back against his head. A soft growl rippled from his throat. "Wish it was. This sets us back months. Sierra doesn't have much longer."

Clearly, the Alsatian cared about the Elemental Lord of Water. It was hard not to be a little envious of such a relationship. Spectre sensed the growing pit in his stomach and whimpered softly. Jacob mentally imagined himself petting his Animus and his father merely whispered an apology.

"Has she ever thought of a replacement?" he asked softly.

"Not her call," grumbled Canis. "The Seal is a property of MODD. She has no say who it goes to."

Jacob frowned at that. "Wait... So she didn't choose to be the Elemental Lord? Wasn't she the previous Elemental Lord's daughter?"

"Just by adoption. No Elemental Lord in recent history has ever had a lasting family. They've either been killed in duty or just never get the chance before something takes them." Canis shot him a cocky smirk. "You should know that. You've killed one before."

"Just a crazy one. The same one who sent me on a crusade to kill the head of ExIT."

"Doesn't that make you crazier?"

"Never said I was sane to begin with." Jacob grinned and hiked a thumb at his shoulder where Spectre sat. "My dad is sitting on my shoulder right now."

Canis scowled, shook his head and turned away, quickening his pace.

"I think he hates the fact that you've grown so quickly and so fast."

I don't think I've grown that much... I just let go of my anger. It was never mine to begin with.

"That's very mature of you, Jacob... Though I'm starting to fear that while you let go, someone else picked it up. This 'Sam' Leo mentioned... I'm afraid that the Sixth may have realised you are not following his plan and has roped someone else into the equation."

Jacob tightened his fists and nodded firmly.

Then we'll just stop him too. We'll try and make him see. Then we'll stop the Sixth alongside the other Chaos Lords.

Canis stepped into one of the smaller domes of Triton. It was pitch back and occasionally wires from above would spark wildly and illuminate their surroundings. All matter of scientific equipment lay strewn on the floor. There was blood too but no bodies. That unnerved Jacob. There were no trails to indicate the bodies were dragged away or any survivors had staggered off somewhere safe. There were just pools of crimson fluid.

They wended their way through Triton. A deep, resonating wail made them stop in the middle of one of the water tunnels. Freezing, Jacob peered into the depth of the ocean. An enormous shadowy shape glided across their vision very slowly.

"Neptune," Canis murmured softly. "Come on. I don't think he can see us."

Deeper into Triton, there was a haunting beauty about the scene. Only the faint lights from the exterior lights drifting in from the glass tunnels was their real source of illumination. Everything else was powered off and when they entered the domes, Jacob had to summon some light to guide their way through. He extinguished the light and dulled the light coming from his wings and glowing brands every time they came to a glass tunnel for fear of being seen by Neptune or any other Unsealed.

Deep in the ocean, they were at a severe disadvantage.

Then, Canis suddenly frowned and stopped. "I've never been to this part of Triton before..."

"Maybe there's a reason for that," Jacob said. He wrapped a paw around Canis' shoulder. It was meant to usher him forward but for some reason, the Alsatian leaned into him. The moment Canis' arm brushed against his flank, they both leapt away from each other, shooting piercing gazes at each other.

Just to taunt the Alsatian, he gave the dog a sly smirk and a wink.

Too bad Canis did exactly the same thing.

They frowned at one another and turned away at the same moment, storming forward.

The following research area looked extremely old. From the globe of light emanating from Jacob's paw, the area looked dusty and unused for a while. Paper files were strewn everywhere and ancient computers that still used monitors instead of holographic screens lay stacked on top of one another. There were even some filing cabinets amongst the boxes of old equipment.

"It's like this place is where obsolete data is thrown," Jacob said.

Leo sniffed the air and snorted, shaking his head free of the smell. "It smells old. Very old."

"Thanks, puppy," Canis muttered, striding forward towards one particular filing cabinet. He placed his paws on his hips in a very effeminate gesture and clucked his tongue, looking off to the side where Jacob guessed the Drowned was standing. "Let me guess, I look in here and there will be some incriminating evidence that will convince us to fight for you, huh?"

Whatever the Drowned said, Canis frowned and angrily threw open the filing cabinet. He took out one particular file.

Jacob waited a respectable distance away.

"Bullshit!"

Canis crumpled the pages in his paws and snarled at where the Drowned must have stood. "This ain't true! You planted this fucked up shit!"

Striding forward very slowly, Jacob peered over the Alsatian's shoulder at the file. He needn't bother as Canis thrust the files into his paws and stormed straight out, muttering something under his breath. Leo whimpered softly and stepped aside for the storming dog. Jacob peered after him and regarded the file.

"James Canis," he read softy. Letting the globe of light float above him for lighting, he began turning the pages.

"What does it say?" asked Leo.

Oh...

His heart wrenched painfully in the direction of the dog. "It says here that Canis' parents were actually researchers here on Triton. They were avid MODD supporters. Unfortunately, they were here at the time of the accident that took the previous Elemental Lord of Water's life. This is an order the office of the current Elemental Lord to hide this evidence from Canis." He folded the folder again, peering out to the tunnel where Canis stood, face pressed against the glass, one arm used for support and hiding his features. "Sierra hid the truth for him. That's the betrayal right there."

A wind blew suddenly, causing the folder in Jacob's paws to twist slightly. He still held it tightly so it just flopped back to a close but the message was clear. In the still underwater world of Triton, there could be no natural wind. Flipped further into the document her paused when he saw another document signed by Jenkins and Oculus.

"He was flagged to be used to power Angelsea just like the rest of the Drowned. He was an orphan, after all. Sierra actually signed the release papers. She gave them permission to do so." He flicked to another document and this one was signed by one Walter von Crosse. Jacob couldn't help but grin. "He was saved, though, when one Commander von Crosse actually requested that he be given ANVIL training and be shipped off to be a soldier."

"Who is this Commander?" Leo asked.

"He's Walter. The guy that saved me and gave me my weapons. He gave me a new start."

And I used it to live as a vagabond with no direction...

I never even thanked him...

He regarded the gloves that were stretched to their limit around his enlarged paws. The silvery discs on his palms reminded him of the little warehouse that Walter supplied with military grade weaponry that the discs had a direct link to. The Doberman probably worried about him every time he found some of his equipment missing, wondering what the wolf he saved was doing with them.

"You should visit him some time."

Yeah... I need to thank him. And tell him I'm not angry anymore.

"Were you ever angry?"

Jacob didn't answer that and closed the folder and approached Canis slowly. When he was just a foot away and Leo remained a little further away, he paused.

"It's bullshit," Canis growled. "There is no way Sierra would have done that! She cares for all her kids!"

"You know what?" Jacob tossed the folder over his shoulder absently. "It probably is fake. The Drowned told me they knew Sierra had nothing to do with this. Yet this shows she gave consent for you to be used in Jenkins' and Oculus' bid to power Angelsea."

Canis looked up, staring into the deep, blue abyss for a long moment. A broad grin crossed his features. "Yeah... That's right. Sons of bitches tried to trick me!" He gazed past Jacob, eyes flashing. "You here that? I'm not falling for your goddamn tricks! Fuck you!"

"I think that's considered paedophilia. I'm pretty sure you're not into that."

Canis shot him a raised eyebrow. "Yeah? You're the one who fucked an mentally underage Tribal."

"Come on. Wouldn't you?"

The Alsatian held his raised eyebrow for a few seconds before glancing over at Leo. Then with a begrudging shrug he said, "Fine. He does have a cute ass." Canis folded his arms and lost his scowl, his features becoming unreadable. "I don't like the fact that there are ghosts in my home town. I'm going to bust their ass. One way or another."

"How about we get back to the surface first? I don't know about you but I'm very tired of being cooped up down here."

Canis shared his grin. "Yeah. I love cock but being around all this salty fluid is unnerving."

Jacob punched Canis playfully and the Alsatian shared sentiment. Canis made an exaggerated show of shaking his paw.

"Damn. Those muscles are like steel, aren't they?"

"Not just for show, you motherless cocksucker."

"Overcompensating for something, you psychopathic tail-raiser?"

Jacob just smirked at that and nodded towards the end of the tunnel. "Tell you what? We get out of here, I'll show you I'm not overcompensating for anything."

"Deal."

*****

Thankfully the elevator was still functioning.

It struck Jacob as odd that above all else, the Unsealed had left the elevator intact. He guessed that with Leviathan and Behemoth in the fray, Hydra was held at bay from doing much damage. As they travelled back up to the surface, he saw the extent of the damage. Some of the domes were completely caved in and locked down but the majority of Triton was actually intact.

When the doors sprang open, several guns were instantly levelled at them.

"Wait!"

Joanna came charging through the line of ANVIL soldiers and threw her arms around Jacob's neck, hugging him tightly. He was momentarily stunned at the contact. When came to grips with the fact that she of all people was hugging her, he gently petted her back and stroked her short hair. Then she pulled away and -

WHACK!

His left cheek stung mildly but for only a second.

"You idiot! Why did you run off like that!?" she demanded. "Do you know how worried we were!?"

He when looked to the crowd, he saw Sierra and the rest of the Branded standing amongst the guards. Rex looked especially worried and he looked about read to charge over and give Jacob a big kiss but he held back.

"Sorry to have worried you," he replied. "We were chasing ghost children."

Whack!

"That's no excuse!" she barked. "I should put a goddamn tracking collar on you!" She flung towards Leo next. "And you!"

As she berated Leo, even giving him a sound clubbing over the ears, Jacob strode over to Sierra who waved down her soldiers. She looked both saddened and relieved. The closer her drew, her expression turned more towards disappointment even with Canis right behind Jacob. Both he and Leo had reverted back to their normal forms but he kept his coat draped over his shoulder.

"You don't look too happy," he observed.

Sierra glanced right and left before stepping aside and gesturing towards the distant Oasis. "Perhaps this is a topic best discussed elsewhere. For now, I am glad you are safe." Her eyes switched towards Canis and while her expression brightened a little, there was still a looming shadow over her. "And you too, James Canis."

She abruptly turned away and began to hobble back towards the Oasis. The other Branded gave her way. Rex made to accompany her and he gave Jacob a gentle, pouty-puppy look before following. Canis came to stand beside Jacob, his ears folded back and tail tucked between his legs.

"She only ever uses my full name if I'm in trouble," the Alsatian murmured. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

Shrugging, Jacob said, "You only got trapped in an underwater research facility with gargantuan Unsealed." He flashed Canis a sinister smirk. "Sounds like your mommy is going to give you a spanking. Can I watch?"

"You get off on old ladies spanking little kids?"

"Awww... I find it cute that you think of yourself as a little kid. Does baby need a diaper?"

Jacob's big grin faded when Canis didn't retort and the Alsatian's cocky smirk faded. He had grown used to their war with words, even enjoyed their verbal sparring even if he was just reduced to shouting blunt insults. He was also used to losing, oddly enough.

But for Canis to just... surrender like that.

The Alsatian brushed past him without so much as another word and disappeared into the crowd, leaving him more puzzled than ever.

"Your friend needs help."

A chill ran up from the base of Jacob's tail all the way up to his spine. It ended at the tips of his ears, pulling them back against his skull. It was strange. Of all the Branded, he tried to make them friends and the one friend he really made was the enemy who had torn him down. A stabbing pain hit his chest and he instinctively clutched at his left pectoral.

Guilt was not something he was accustomed to feeling especially when it didn't involve killing someone. No, this sensation was different. He had let someone down. His feet were carrying him after the sergeant when a hand seized his arm and pulled him aside. Canis' retreating back was the only thing he could see through the crowd even when Taylor and Kerry interposed themselves in front of him.

"Things are bad, Jay," Taylor said softly, his words only being half-registered in Jacob's mind. "Balthazar heard about what happened here. He's pulled out of the ball."

He snapped out of his daze and regarded the cougar with a mix of surprise and sorrow. It took him a moment to come to grip with that Taylor had just said and he fought hard to find the appropriate expression. In the end, he settled on the tried and true, angry scowl he had always word. However, the guilt welling up from his heart bled through and his reflection in the cougar's eyes only revealed a wolf who looked angry at himself.

"Are you alright?" Kerry asked, shaking the arm she had seized.

"Yeah..." he murmured softly. "Balthazar has pulled out," he repeated. "Are the Elemental Lords of Light and Darkness still coming though?"

The two exchanged puzzled looks before turning back to him. Their nods in unison gave him all the confirmation he needed.

"Good. It's them we need to talk to."

He ignored their startled looks and pushed past them, using his bulk to cut through the crowd. Sniffing the air was no use. There were so many soldiers and people around that Canis' scent was lost in the salty winds of Angelsea. He wished he had Leo's excellent tracking skills but the Branded were separated in the crowd as well.

Cursing himself for not acting sooner, he calmed himself, taking a few deep breaths.

Dad... Where would he go?

"The Oasis?"

Jacob thought about that but then shook his head.

No... He loves Sierra like a mother but he's also scared of her. When she caught him with his pants down and his cream all over Max, he looked petrified.

He doesn't have the balls to confront her.

He had a few ideas where Canis might be hiding but he pushed that aside for the moment. Balthazar sending the Elemental Lords of Light and Dark instead crept back into his consciousness and he realised there was something more important than his friendship with the Alsatian. If Reambreaker was formed from those two, there wouldn't be a friendship.

Quickly, he hurried through the streets of Angelsea, cutting through crowds and heading straight back to the Oasis. Near the palace, he summoned Spectre into the open and soared into the air. His eyes went to the Seagate and he wondered about the Drowned and how they powered the entire city. If Sierra was not behind it, then it had to be Oculus and Jenkins. He would have to confront them too at a later date but for the moment, he needed to talk to Sierra.

He landed at the arena at the very top of Oasis and began his trek through the facility, searching for Sierra. It wasn't hard to find her. The guards pointed him to the ballroom where she was overseeing the removal of the decorations that was to be for the ball.

"Sierra," he greeted, striding up next to her.

She didn't turn to him though her shoulders did sag. "I had hoped this would be the legacy I would leave the world. I would rid this world of a tyrant. And now, because of the attack on Triton, Balthazar has decided to send his most loyal Elemental Lords instead of coming himself."

"I heard. Doesn't mean things have to change."

"Of course it does." Her voice was strangely calm but he could sense the anger beneath her words. "I have little time on this world. Whatever this is..." She lifted her paw into the air, her grey fur looking thin and her wrinkled flesh starting to show beneath the layers. It seemed she had aged years in the day since they last saw one another. "... It is consuming me. I cannot maintain this form. Not for much longer."

"Fair enough. But your legacy can be more than just killing Balthazar." Jacob rubbed his temples for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. He wasn't sure where this other 'Sam' fit into the picture. Just when he thought he knew where everything fit, something else was thrown into the works. He ran his paw over his muzzle, gripping his chin lightly. What was worse, he could actually feel Leo starting to fall for this 'Sam'. It was obvious. When Leo spoke of the stranger, he had that glint in his eyes. It was a look of someone determined to chase a fleeting dream whatever came his way. A look he thought was reserved for him.

He wasn't sure if he should be jealous or happy for the Tribal.

"There's something... A little bigger than just Balthazar."

"A little more?"

What? You want me to lead off with the possibility that six crazy monstrously powerful entities want to destroy our world to gain a weapon that could cleave entire dimensions into pieces?

Seriously, if you weren't my father, I'm not sure if I'd even believe you.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jake."

Take it as a compliment.

He left his father to think about that as he turned his attention to Sierra's back. "Balthazar wants to use the Elemental Lords of Light and Dark to create Reambreaker."

The Sierra straightened and slowly turned to face him, a frown on her otherwise gentle features. "You know what Realmbreaker is?"

"Yes," he answered with a short nod. "It's a sort of 'stable paradox'. When two things of opposite charges meet, they let out energy and are expended. Reambreaker is sort of a midway between that. The two objects are opposite enough that they will expel a charge but related enough that they won't be consumed and maintain their form."

The squirrel's muzzle opened briefly then clamped shut. Abruptly, she tapped her cane on the floor, echoing across the entire ballroom. "Everyone," she said calmly but loud enough for all the workers to hear. "Please leave me with Mr. Reaper."

The workers exchanged a few glances before quickly scurrying out and leaving the two of them in the silence of the ballroom. When the doors shut with an audible bang, Sierra spoke.

"The Elemental Lords of Light and Darkness are twins."

Jacob nodded faintly. "I heard. One male and the other female."

"They control opposite Elements, opposite Seals. But they are still twins. You don't think...?" Sierra cut herself off and spun around, her frown so deep that it caused her wrinkles to truly show. "Those two are merely children... Just barely sixteen years of age... No... He couldn't..." She turned back towards him, her mouth agape. "This is my fault."

Brow furrowing, the wolf flicked his ears towards her at full attention. "Explain."

Sierra staggered back a few steps to a nearby seat. She sat down, running a paw down her face. "Angelsea... It was built long before I became Elemental Lord. The plans for it were already in the works but the greatest problem was how it would remain afloat. Originally, we had turbines and engines that kept it afloat but as we expanded, as the city developed, it became too heavy and slowly, it began to sink. We needed an alternate source of power."

Oh no way...

"I... My mother," she continued, "she oversaw the first batch... MODD brought in children from all over the world who were without parents and had little to no future. They were rapidly tested against any of the Seals currently in possession. I remember Natalia and Nathan... They were found to be suitable for the Seals of Light and Darkness but... the final say was mine. There were others who had higher synchronisation rates than they did but I couldn't bear to have those two..." She covered her muzzle, tears forming in her eyes. "... not the twins."

Jacob took a step towards the Elemental Lord. "So are you telling me you assigned the two to be the Elemental Lords of Light and Darkness. Why were you testing the kids anyway?"

Her eyes flicked back towards him but they were sharp again, not a fragment of remorse. "Those children had no future. We transformed them completely into Seals to keep Angelsea afloat. The thousands of children that we sacrificed that day would keep Angelsea afloat for centuries regardless of our advancements. Even with the Seagate, we would remain a float of centuries to come. It was a one-time sacrifice."

She really doesn't know...

"Then I guess you're not aware that more and more kids are being sacrificed, are you?"

She was instantly on her feet. "That's absurd! I was assured that it was just one time! Yes, I signed away those children's lives but it would ensure that countless more would survive!" Her eyes blazed with anger. "And do not judge me! I know how this must seem but -"

Jacob held up his paw, somehow getting her to fall silent with that simple gesture. "I'm not judging you, Sierra. I don't know how to feel about that. Fact is, those children somehow managed to squirrel away some of their power and have come together to form some sort of consensus. They call themselves the 'Drowned' and they are begging to die. They're appearing to people who are sympathetic to their cause and asking to be released. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if they're the ones controlling Hydra and Neptune."

The squirrel's eyes went wide and she fell back into her seat. "They...? Truly...?"

"I wish I could prove it to you. But -"

Sierra suddenly screamed and reeled back. Her eyes lay beyond Jacob and when he turned around, he only saw blank space.

"They're here, aren't they?"

She nodded. "You cannot see them?"

"Apparently, it's easier for them to appear to people who have felt betrayed. They appeared to Canis, Kerry and Tayl. I think I know why Kerry and Tayl feel betrayed. Not Canis as much." His eyes went back to Sierra. "I'm guessing now that you know, you felt betrayed too, huh?"

Sierra's features hardened and she stood up, her gaze at the shape Jacob could not see. "I swear to you. I will find who did this. I apologise for betraying you in the first instance but you must understand... it was for the good of Angelsea. I... I was new, weak... Jenkins and Oculus -"

She stopped, her jaw dropping open. "It was them... They're the ones that did this..." Her jaw hardened and she grit her teeth in anger. Jacob took a step back. Her rage made his fur prickle. "How dare they... I trusted them... And they would do this after I put so much effort into creating those orphanages and saving the children...? They are my children!"

She flung around, facing Jacob angrily. "You are right, Jacob, there is more to deal with than my vengeance against Balthazar. We must find Jenkins and Oculus and have them answer for their crimes."

"Great. Call them over and we'll have them arrested or whatever you want to do with them."

There, Sierra's face twisted into a scowl. "That is impossible, I fear. We thought they died. When the people in Triton fled, they saw those two fighting to release Leviathan. When they didn't come out of the elevator with you, I assumed the worst. We must deal with them."

"You sure they're still alive?"

Sierra glanced over his shoulder and nodded. "The Drowned say that they are not controlling Hydra or Neptune. That can only lead to those two. I will scramble my fleet and we will search for them. We will -"

BOOM!

The explosion was loud enough that it rattled the crystal chandelier hanging over their heads. Jacob exchanged glances with Sierra for a brief moment before they both bolted towards the nearest window. A storm had suddenly manifested and blanketed the otherwise clear, blue sky. Roiling bolts of lightning crackled between the thunderheads. The ominous roar of Neptune filled their ears.

"Three guesses who's behind this," Jacob growled.

"I only need two," Sierra spat. She spun and marched towards the door.

Jacob snatched her shoulder and spun her around. "You know the Drowned want to die, right?"

She nodded. "I will do what I can. I will find a way to preserve the beauty of Angelsea without having to resort to such monstrous ways."

Is that even possible?

Is it possible to create something as pretty as this place without first having to carve it out of something ugly?

******

Just like the first time Neptune had attacked, the streets of Angelsea became abruptly abandoned. As they soared high above the city with Sierra clinging tightly to him, Jacob watched as the ANVIL troops began swarming towards the shore. The waves had grown unruly with the storm. The winds were howling around them but Spectre maintained his course easily enough.

In the moment of peace, Jacob said, "Sierra, what do you know about the Forbidden Seals?"

She tightened her grip around his waist. "They are the Seals of the Primarchs, the most powerful Seal Wielders in MODD. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious. I figure if we're going against the head of ExIT, he might end up calling in someone from SWORD. I mean, two Elemental Lords are effectively dead, right? It's a wonder why MODD just lets this happen."

"ANVIL, SWORD and ExIT are all under the single company of 'MODD' but we are three separate bodies. There is rivalry between them. Perhaps it is to encourage competition between the three and therefore increase productivity. I am not entirely sure but if ExIT is weakened, SWORD will not help. They have their own problems."

"Like what?"

"You do not hear much of ExIT fighting the Rebellion, do you?"

That was true. The anti-MODD activists who had turned militant were pushed into the back of Jacob's mind even with Joanna's tendencies to lean towards them. He guessed SWORD was responsible for warring with them instead of maintaining the peace within its borders like ExIT and ANVIL.

"Alright... Do you know anything about the Forsaken Seals? Or the Forgotten Seals?"

Sierra laughed softly. "I'm afraid I do not. Though truly, do you think something called the 'Forgotten Seals' would be common knowledge?"

"I guess not. Though you are an Elemental Lord."

"One who did not suspect her lieutenants were still sacrificing children for some unholy experiment. I only wish I knew what they were using those poor children for..."

Yeah... Me too.

What doesn't make sense is if Jenkins and Oculus wanted to keep Angelsea afloat using these kids, why would they attack it?

Spectre began his descent and Jacob pressed himself against his Animus' back. He saw the other Branded had gathered at the artificial shore. Unsealed began emerging from the waves. They appeared to be those beasts that Leo had encountered, wielding tridents crackling with electricity. The swarm of knife-like fish erupted from the ocean and roiled above them while those enormous, shark-like creatures swam deep beneath the waves.

Off into the distance, Neptune rested just above the waves.

Jacob dismounted Spectre and help Sierra off.

He approached the other Branded who stood at the forefront of the line of defence. Rex's tail wagged upon his approach and seized his paw, squeezing it tightly before quickly letting go. Jacob found a pit form in his stomach.

How could I tell him that I'm not looking for a boyfriend?

Spectre padded up next to him, blue eyes regarding him. "He doesn't have to be your boyfriend. Just your brother."

And you're okay with his definition of 'brother' meaning we occasionally get into bed with one another and fuck each other silly?

"Jacob, I've experimented on you and driven you on a crusade you had no right participating in. I'm happy as long as you're happy."

He gave his father a quick nudge with his elbow.

Come on, dad. You're still my dad. I'd appreciate it if you at least tried to act like one every now and then.

Spectre rolled his eyes, a small smirk on his features.

Sierra brushed past him and stood at the very front of the defences, her frail form somehow stoic and strong against the raging storm. The Unsealed stopped their advance, forming a neat line in front of them.

Her paws tightened around her cane. Slowly, she reached into her standard MODD coat and pulled out an ornately carved dagger with a deep-blue blade.

Rex took a deep breath. "Last Tear... Sierra's Seal Weapon."

Jacob watched the scene curiously, interested to see how Sierra used the weapon that was a manifestation of her Seal. She lifted her blade into the air, still somehow standing stoically despite the raging storm around her.

Far off into the distance, lightning crashed, looking like it struck something on Neptune. His danger senses began screaming.

"Sierra!" he shouted but was just a second too late.

A blast of lightning came shooting out from Neptune and slammed straight into her lifted blade. Her eyes went wide and her body convulsed violently. The force of the blast was enough that it actually sent her sailing back into the sand. The ANVIL soldiers around them gasped and froze.

The Unsealed attacked.

And the line broke.

Shit!

Rex instantly dove for Sierra, protecting him with his body as countless Unsealed came swarming in around them. There was a flash of light that briefly pushed the Unsealed back and Rex was suddenly covered in his Seal Armour, wielding Shimmering Hope in one paw. Jacob thought fast, looking from each of the Branded before nodding.

"Max! Get Eden out here!" The dragon gave him a baleful look and seemed about to protest but they had no time. "Rip me a new one later! ANVIL is breaking! We need a fortress to hold off the Unsealed from Angelsea and the civilians!" He spun towards the rest. "Tayl, Kerry, I need you to give covering fire to the retreat! Leo, cover Rex while he gets Sierra on board Eden."

His gaze met Joanna. "Jo, bring out Behemoth. We're going after Neptune."

No one moved.

"Guys!" he shouted.

That snapped them to attention. Max let out a thunderous roar. There was a blast of purple light behind him and the tremendous Eden appeared behind him, barring the only exit back into the city. Her doors sprang open and the ANVIL soldiers poured in without hesitation. Taylor and Kerry summoned their Animus, Prometheus and Polaris. The two Animus crashed into the sand, swinging their weapons and slicing through the swathes of Unsealed. Rex swept Sierra up into his arms and bolted for Eden. Leo threw bolts of black lightning right, left and centre.

Jacob jumped onto Spectre and the winged Animus shot into the air. Behemoth exploded out of the ocean a second later, Joanna running up his massive tail as the titanic Animus swam straight for the distant Neptune.

The storm grew more intense the closer they got to Neptune, lightning cascading from the raging clouds above them. A bolt curved right for them and only Spectre's quick reflexes avoided it. Someone was definitely controlling the lightning. Rain began pelting them, soaking into his fur and weighing him down a little. Spectre grunted as every flap of his wings became more difficult.

"I'm going to have to land!" Spectre roared. "I'm not fast enough in this wind!"

Jacob could only nod. He barely heard his father over the roar of the winds. Spectre dove towards Behemoth and landed securely on the Animus back. Joanna was hiding behind one of Behemoth's horns, shielding herself from the rain. Bolts of lightning came shooting at her but immediately struck the horns instead. Behemoth barely registered the strike, emitting a soft grunt that was drowned by the roar of the waves.

Jacob rushed up behind her, grimacing as the rain grew even more intense. It unnerved him that Neptune just sat there.

"Should I ram him?" Joanna asked.

He was a little surprised that she was asking him for advice. "No. Pull up beside him." He squinted through the rain. There was a tiny speck near the whale's head. "I think someone is standing there"

Behemoth followed Joanna's mental instructions and Behemoth came to float beside the creature. Jacob quietly reminded Joanna about the Unsealed's broadside guns before leaping across the gap between the two creatures. Neptune's flesh was slick and slippery but all the various pieces of armour made for good grips.

Together, they carefully made their way to where the figure stood peering towards Angelsea.

Jacob was in no way surprised to find that it was Jenkins. Joanna was, however.

"You!?" she exclaimed. "But you died! You went down with Triton!"

"Your leader didn't escape with you and yet here he stands beside you," the orca answered.

Wait... I'm the leader...?

"That's different!" Joanna snapped. "What are you doing? Why are you attacking the city you're protecting!?"

"To protect it!" Jenkins snapped back, spinning around to face them, his trident crackling with lightning. "If only you knew what the 'beauty' of Angelsea hid."

"The Drowned," Jacob said suddenly.

Jenkins went rigid and his lips peeled apart in a silent gasp. "You've seen them?"

"Probably not in the way you have." He stepped ahead of Joanna, narrowing his gaze at the orca mostly because the rain was getting into his eyes. "Who betrayed you?"

Jenkins scowled. "Sierra."

Joanna suddenly pushed past Jacob, charging at Jenkins with her sai. The lieutenant dodged easily and swiped at her with his trident. Jacob was suddenly between them, seizing their wrists and keeping them from harming one another.

"What could that sweet old lady have done to you to make you do all this!?" Joanna barked.

"If only you knew," the lieutenant laughed. "But you know what? I am not going to explain to either of you! I've taken her out of the picture! Now is the time to sink Angelsea!"

A realisation hit Jacob.

Shit... The Drowned have convinced him to destroy the city to free them!

Jenkins tried to yank his trident away but Jacob wouldn't let him. "If you destroy Angelsea just to free them, you're going to kill thousands of people."

"Millions," Jenkins sneered. "But those kids have been suffering for years. Freeing them will just be a small step to my redemption."

Jacob released the trident and stood in front of the orca, placing himself between Joanna and the orca. "Tell me what happened. Why would you keep taking the kids from the orphanages when you knew how they'd end up?"

The lieutenant straightened. "Laboratory 18 on Triton. Go there and you'll find out the truth."

Offering the orca a lopsided smile, he said, "Can't you just tell me without the need of a pointless fight? It'd make my life so much easier."

The orca snarled and swung his trident, lightning crackling from the tips and forcing Jacob to retreat. "You will not believe me until you see the evidence for yourself. I have no time to wait for you to open your eyes! Angelsea dies tonight or I die! Neptune!"

Loud, metallic groaning filled his ears and he spun to his right in time to see the massive cannons erupt from the Unsealed's flanks.

"No!"

Behemoth roared and sprang out of the ocean. He slammed into Neptune, sinking his massive jaws into the whale's flesh and with his claws digging into the whale's sides.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Animus roared as the cannons erupted at point blank range. Joanna screamed in horror as her Animus took the blows. Jacob wasn't sure if there was blood or not but Neptune was thrown onto its side, causing the three of them to scramble for better footing. He scrambled onto one of Neptune's metal plates, swinging himself up onto a ledge and holding out his paw for Joanna. She lunged for him, her claws digging into his wrist and making him wince. With all his strength, he yanked her onto the ledge.

Pain suddenly exploded from his flanks and his vision blurred. Every muscle in his body felt like jelly. In the haze of his vision, he saw the ocean coming to rush up towards him.

SPLASH!

The shock of the cold, salty water brought him back to his senses. He tried to move his limbs but they wouldn't respond. Even trying to force his lungs to hold the air wouldn't work. Air was streaming out in bubbles out of his muzzle, taking his life with it.

Shit! Dad!

"Jake! Hold on!"

There was a splash like a torpedo somewhere near him and he spied Spectre's form desperately trying to swim towards him. However, the currents of the water kept peeling them apart from one another. Jacob forced his arms to move and he only managed to wiggle his fingers. He screamed in frustration as he found his body sinking further and further into the depths of the ocean.

I am not going to go down like this!

And he didn't.

Strong arms swept up behind him and pulled him to the surface. When he breached the surface, he spluttered and coughed. Spectre swam straight towards them and whoever saved him threw him onto his Animus' back. In the blur of his vision, he saw both Neptune and Behemoth crush a boat beneath their collective weight. Joanna and Jenkins were leaping over the tumbling monsters, lightning arcing from Jenkins' trident with Joanna throwing up streams of water the caught the electrical bolts and threw them back at the orca.

Wait... if Joanna is up there... Then who...?

He turned towards his left.

James Canis panted beside him, one arm draped over his shoulders.

"What are you doing here...?" he coughed.

"Saving your sorry ass," Canis grunted.

For a moment, he blinked away the salty water from his eyes. "You came out here just to save me?"

Canis looked like he had been struck by one of Jenkins bolts and straightened. "Don't flatter yourself. I figured out that Jenkins was the one behind this so I came after him myself."

"You? A grunt. A soldier with no special powers whatsoever. What? Were you going to fuck him to death?"

"I..." Canis' eyes dropped. "Look can we just drop this? We've got more important matters to worry about."

"No," Jacob said fiercely, seizing Canis' paw. "What the fuck is this between us?" he demanded. "Are we friends? Are we fuck buddies or are we..." He choked.

Canis looked at him intently. "What? Are we what?"

It was clear Canis knew what he wanted them to be but he was too proud to say it himself. The last few days came sweeping back into him in a rush. Back after they were shot down, Canis had been lying beside him without showing much injury. He was there watching him sleep. Then he was there to break him down. Afterwards, he was actively encouraging him into breaking up with Leo.

And the worst part?

He liked Canis too.

"No," Jacob said sharply. He saw Canis heart break through his eyes and in that instant, he knew. "You're such a jackass." He seized the back of Canis' head and pushed their lips together. The Alsatian jerked back for a moment but Jacob pulled them even closer. Their tongues brushed against one another and suddenly, the cold wind and rain felt like nothing against their warm bodies.

Slowly, they pulled away and Canis was staring at him, confused, wanting and afraid.

"We're going to get out of this," he assured. "You hold onto that thought. Spectre, get him to safety."

"What!?" Canis exclaimed. "You can't just -"

Jacob pushed away from Spectre and immediately activated his Brand Form. He erupted from the waves, glowing, white wings cutting through the storm's rage. "Just get the hell out of here!"

He shot towards Jenkins and landed heavily behind the orca. The lieutenant spun around, eyes wide in horror. Jacob slammed his fist against the orca's beak, sending him sprawling onto Behemoth's undulating back. Joanna was bloodied and beaten but her wounds were quickly regenerating. Jenkins was showing his weariness but he was far from done.

"I always knew you were monsters," the orca snarled. "This just proves it." Straightening, he lifted his trident towards them. "Die!"

A bolt of lightning came shooting out from above them, slamming straight into Jenkins. The bolts of lightning sprayed out in a shower of electricity, revealing the orca in a full suit of crackling, silver, blue and yellow armour.

"Angelsea will be free of all monsters! You, Sierra and all Unsealed!"

Jenkins lunged at them, lightning exploding from his feet and propelling him straight towards Jacob. Knowing he was at a disadvantage in the water, Jacob ducked the attack. As Jenkins flew overhead, he slammed both his fists into the lieutenant's gut. Bolts of electricity rolled down Jacob's meaty arms but had little effect beyond giving him a slight tingling at his fingertips. Jenkins was winded and slammed to the ground.

Joanna gave a shout and swept her arms upwards. Water surged out from all around them and swept towards Jenkins. The tremendous wave swept the orca off Behemoth and sent him deep into the sea.

Jacob quickly seized the vixen and hurled away from the edge of the water. Neptune disengaged from Behemoth and quickly dove. There was a thunderous roar and bolts of lightning crawled all over the ocean waves. Behemoth threw his head back and roared. Somehow, the he managed remain floating but he was spent, unable to do further battle.

Neptune suddenly surged out of the water, opening its gargantuan maw and revealing the massive cannon buried deep inside its gullet. Jenkins shot out of the waters just beneath it, wreathed in an enormous silhouette of water crackling with lightning. His liquid arms wrapped around Neptune's maw. As powerful energies gathered at the barrel of the gun, Jenkins' crackling energies wreathed the bullet with even more power.

Jacob's mind swept with a dozen possibilities.

"Dive!"

Joanna gave him a horrified look. "What?"

"Just dive!"

Behemoth instant plunged himself into the waters, taking the two Branded with him. The tremendous boom of the cannon was dulled in the waters but it was still strong enough to shake the waters around them. Jacob made a slashing motion with his paw across his throat and Joanna instantly caught his meaning.

The enormous Animus seemed to sigh as he dissipated into a burst of light, dismissed from the battlefield. Jacob clutched Joanna around the waist. He spread his wings and shot straight towards the surface. In his free paw, he pooled all the light he could muster and, forming an enormous, solid spear of light. Joanna's paw reached across his chest and gripped his wrist. He felt the water around them push them quicker and faster upwards.

They surged out of the water together, a cry ripping from their throats as Jacob came to level with the enormous Neptune. He levelled his spear at the creature's rapidly closing maw and with a shout, he threw it forward. Pushing his power into it, he propelled the spear at supersonic speeds. There was no need to count the seconds to impact. The spear just shot right through the Unsealed, ploughing through the cannon and erupting out of the Unsealed's back.

Neptune let out deep wailing as it slowly tipped to its side.

Jenkins gawked, watching his Unsealed topped towards the waves.

That took his eyes away from Jacob and Joanna.

"Hurk!"

Jenkins gagged. Buried deep in his chest, cutting right through his armour, were two sai encased in glowing light. He shuddered abruptly as Jacob slammed hard into him, keeping them floating only by the power of the wolf's wings. Joanna clung to the wolf's back, her paws reaching out and seizing one of the sai while Jacob held the other.

"No more monsters in Angelsea, huh?" Jacob murmured softly. "Let's start with you."

He yanked the sai out alongside Joanna.

Jenkins let out a soft gasp... and toppled back.

The two watched his body disappear into the waves amidst the shower of bright blue runes from Neptune's dissipating form. They both sighed in unison with Joanna letting herself hang on his broad shoulders. The storm began clearing up the moment Jenkins' body plunged into the waters, the lightning ceasing and the thunderheads peeling away.

"Jay..."

He glanced over his shoulder at Joanna. "Yeah?"

"What are the Drowned?"

*****

Celebration was in the air.

All of Angelsea was in full swing as it was announced Neptune had final been defeated. All its citizens were dancing in the streets and it was already well past midnight but the lights from the party in the city still shone brightly through the windows of Jacob's room. From what he heard, Rex and the other Branded had done an excellent job keeping the Unsealed back from the city and they were hailed as heroes. Sierra was making a full recovery but she was bedridden for the moment. Before she passed out into unconsciousness, she ordered the ball to continue.

In two days, they would host the Elemental Lords of Light and Darkness and attempt to sway them to turn against Balthazar.

Jacob had secretly told Sierra that Jenkins was dead and she seemed relieved at that.

He had been invited to partake in the festivities but he had given Joanna all the credit for defeating Neptune. She was confused at his sudden show of modesty but he didn't give her a moment to question him and retreated back into the Oasis.

In the dark, he pondered what Jenkins said. There was betrayal in the air. People were betraying one another and they were out for revenge. Jenkins sought revenge after Sierra and no doubt Oculus was in on it too. They were being used by the Drowned but the Drowned blamed those two for what happened to them. But what puzzled and frightened him was that the Drowned had appeared to Sierra as well and they were using her against her lieutenants.

It all came down to the Drowned...

What did they want? Who were they using? Why were they using them?

A knock came to his door.

His eyes lifted towards the wooden frame. He had dreaded this moment.

Would it be Leo to ask him for one last night as mates? He wasn't sure he could muster that, not after what he realised he felt about Canis.

Would it be Rex to 'celebrate' their victory? How could he tell his brother what he knew?

Or... would it be Canis?

The knock came again. Jacob braced himself and rose from his bed. With a deep breath he strode across the room but stopped just as he was about to open it. Confidence was never something he truly lacked but now, he found himself wavering.

It's weird... feeling like this...

"Feeling normal?"

Yeah...

"You're growing up, Jake..."

Thanks dad... I think.

Another knock came, this time more insistent. As he reached for the door, a drunken voice erupted from the other side.

"I know yer in there, asshole! Open up!"

It was Canis.

Rolling his eyes, Jacob pulled open the door and raised an eyebrow at the Alsatian. Canis was leaning against the doorframe, barely holding himself up. In one paw was a bottle some form of alcohol. Upon seeing him, Canis tried to straighten himself and tried to look sexy by leaning against the doorframe with one arm. Without a shirt and with his chiselled muscles for all to see, he did seem rather sexy in the moonlight.

"Well... hello there."

"You're drunk. For real this time."

Canis took a swing of the bottle and staggered into Jacob's room. "Nah. I ain't drunk... Just playin' ya... again." He flashed Jacob a grin. As he spoke the alcohol in his breath wafted into Jacob's muzzle, making him gag. "Did I fool ya again?"

"Not even remotely."

Jacob folded his arms across his chest and watched Canis stagger over to the bed and plop himself down, back against the mattress. The Alsatian tried to take another swing of his bottle but it spilled all over himself instead. With a disgusted scowl, Canis tossed the bottle across the room. Jacob forced himself not to jump at the sound of shattering glass.

"Well?" Canis muttered in his slurred tone. "What're ya waiting for?"

"I don't know. What am I waiting to do?"

"Fuck me." Canis grunted. "You love me, dontcha? Fuck me already!" He rolled onto his stomach and lifted his tail... at least he tried to. It sort of just flopped to his side. "Come on. I'll even bottom for ya. I know you love it."

Jacob wasn't even remotely turned on. "You needed to get yourself drunk to muster the courage to have sex with me? Is that the only way you and I can be close? Drunk or pretending to be drunk? Maybe even a little loopy from having our skulls caved in?"

Canis frowned at him and rolled back onto his back. "What's wrong with ya? Look, I'm all hard for ya!" The Alsatian event went so far as to remove his pants and show his bright red, erect 12-inch cock. "See? Come on. I'm ready!"

Jacob sighed heavily and strode forward. In a single move, he pulled the Alsatian's pants back over that delicious cock and zipped him up.

"We're not doing this."

"So you don't want me then?" Canis asked, sounding hurt, angry and like he had expected this all the time.

"No. Not when you're drunk. We're going to have a talk and you're going to do it sober. Come on."

Canis staggered to his feet and gave him a frown. He looked like he was unravelling some deep conundrum as he swayed from one leg to the other. Then he said, "I don't have a shirt."

Jacob sighed and tore off his coat. He removed his shirt and offered it to the Alsatian. "Here. You can wear my coat."

Shrugging, Canis threw on the shirt and even went so far as to sniff it a little. "It smells like you."

"What do I smell like?"

"Manly... kind of crisp... fresh... Drunk."

"That's you."

"Oh yeah..." The sergeant erupted into a series of silly giggles.

Jacob took the big dog's paw and pulled him out of his room. After a bit of drunken staggering, Jacob grew tired of Canis swaying left and right. He took a few steps ahead of the Alsatian and crouched down.

"Hop on."

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Canis exclaimed, hurrying to unzip his pants.

"Not that you, horny bastard!" Jacob snarled. "I'm going to carry you. Jump on my back."

"You're no fun."

"And you're drunk."

Canis clutched Jacob's neck and wrapped his legs around the wolf's waist. Despite his size, Jacob found himself capable of carrying the dog across the Oasis to the cafeteria. With the destruction of Neptune - and Jenkins' 'honourable' death trying to stop the monster - the cafeteria was still open. Only a few people remained but they had decided to open for the whole night in honour of the brave soldiers that had fought so hard for the city.

Jacob deposited Canis on a seat and took one himself. He ordered some coffees for them and waited.

Canis grinned lewdly at him. He felt the Alsatian's foot rise up and rub his crotch. Jacob kicked him for that but the sergeant persisted. Only when their coffee arrived did he stop. Canis stared at the steaming brew for a moment. He took a sip then scowled and slammed the cup back onto the plate, spilling some coffee around him.

"I don't want to be sober..." he murmured. "Can't you just... Just fuck me, already."

"Why are you so obsessed with having sex while drunk?"

Canis made no reply.

"I think..." Spectre began softly. "I think he's in denial, Jake. If you show affection to him while one of you is drunk, it's like it never really happened. He can dismiss whatever happened as some drunken flight of fancy. He's trying to make an excuse."

Jacob leaned forward and stared at Canis. The Alsatian couldn't meet his gaze. "Okay, level with me," he said in calm, even tones. "What is this?" He pointed first at Canis and then himself. "What do you want?"

Canis grunted and drank the rest of his coffee. A quick shake of his head on brought a wince of pain and he pressed the base of his paw against his forehead. "You going to finish that?" He pointed at Jacob's coffee. Without even waiting for a response, he took the cup and drained it all. Jacob could almost hear all the sizzling noise of the scalding brown fluid burning its way down. The Alsatian's throat.

"That's got to hurt..."

"Like hell," Canis muttered, blinking a couple of times. He regarded Jacob through teary eyes though it seemed those were tears of pain. What pain he was lamenting remained to be discovered. "You want to know at what this is?" Like Jacob, he pointed at them in turn. "You tell me. You seem to have the answers."

Jacob laughed softly. "Funny. I would've said the same thing about you. You seem to know everything about me."

"That's the problem!" Canis shouted, leaning back, throwing his head back and covering his eyes with his paws. "I can rip others a new one and I can pick at their weaknesses but fuck me if I can't understand what the fuck I want!"

"Tell me about it."

Canis slammed his paws against the table, causing it shake. He gave Jacob a penetrating stare but he swayed a little, the alcohol still making him a little shaky. "This is serious! You have no idea how lucky you have it! Leonardo and Taylor just throw themselves at you. Even that other one did the same! You get to be as badass as you want and people fall for you! But when I try to be like that, they do what you did! They just say, 'okay, cool. Let's be friends' and then go off on their way!"

"Are you saying that all this hate you've been tossing my way is because you're actually in love with me?"

"Fuck no!" Canis turned away. "Yes... No... I don't know!" He growled and buried his head into the coffee soaked table cloth. "This is fucking confusing... You're the most infuriating person I've met. You're reckless, crazy and don't care for anyone else... At least... That's who you were... Then... Suddenly, you're this guy."

"What guy?"

Canis slammed his fist into the table again, keeping his head buried. "This asshole who brightens the room the moment you step in. It's like the spotlights just turn on you. There's a confidence about you that... it's not that cocky, smarmy attitude. It's like... like you're saying 'Don't worry, I'll take care of you.' You're taking responsibility for your actions, you're thinking things through and then I discover you're doing this all for some noble goal... fuck me... And back there on the beach... You went out of your way to save people..."

Jacob wanted to reach out to him but held back. "What are you saying?"

"I fucking hate you," the Alsatian growled, peering at him with one eye. "But... Fuck... Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" Jacob asked softly.

"Like you're fighting against yourself to want me. Like you're trying to take the noble road here and not be with me because you're on some 'great quest'."

Dad... I'm confused...

Spectre took a moment to ponder.

"I think... He's falling for you Jacob. I think he has been from the very start. But I think what he's confused about is what you're struggling with as well. You met out of mutual hatred and you've hurt one another in some way shape or form. He doesn't want to want you but he does. You don't want to want him either but you do.

"For him, it's like every time you act noble and good, he wants you more but can't get over the person you were. And for you...?"

I hate being proven wrong by him... but I love it when he picks me apart... He's the only one that's ever really been able to look me like that... Not even you...

Jacob sighed and stood up. "Are you sober yet?"

"I had three bottles of who knows what," Canis grunted. "What do you think?"

He offered his paw to Canis and the Alsatian regarded it in confusing. "Come on then."

"What is this...?"

"Just come on."

Gingerly, the Alsatian took his paw. The moment their fingers touched... it was like a lock to a key. Jacob felt the strength from the dog's paw ripple up his arm and he sensed Canis grip his paw just as securely. He helped Canis to his feet, draping one of the canine's arms over his shoulders. He helped Canis back up to the living quarters, keeping the silence between them until they reached his room.

There, he prised open the door and set Canis down on the bed. The Alsatian stared up at him with clear eyes, muzzle hanging half open. Jacob slowly unbuckled his coat and tossed it aside. Canis swallowed hard. Slowly, he nestled himself beside the canine, forcing Canis to lie on his side. He draped one arm around Canis' flank, pressing his half nude body against the warmth of the canine's. As they spooned, he pressed his muzzle against the crook of his friend's neck and took a whiff of the Alsatian's musky, manly scent. He breathed softly, Canis shuddering as his breath ran through his thick fur.

Slowly, he lifted his muzzle towards Canis' ear and shut his eyes tightly. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say next. In all his relationships - even before entering this fight - people had come for him. Taylor had thrown himself at him, Leo had chased him doggedly and Rex took every opportunity he could to emphasise their 'brotherhood'.

But for the first time, he wanted the man in his arms and it killed him that he knew he wasn't mature enough to start another relationship.

In the instant he closed his eyes, he had a brief flash into the future. There he was, standing on a patio with a mug of coffee in his paws, the words 'world's greatest dad' in his paws. In the front yard was one black wolf with brown hair and another an Alsatian with blonde hair, both boys laughing as they roughhoused in the summer sun. There was a honk from the driveway and a car pulled up. James Canis stepped out, looking snazzy in his suit and beamed at them. The Alsatian took their sons in his arms, giving them a tight hug before ushering them indoors. Canis came to stand in front of him.

Jacob would welcome him home and Canis would kiss him, telling him how great it was to be home.

"Are you crying?"

Jacob opened his eyes, feeling the rush of pent up tears in pouring down his cheeks. He laughed softly and shook his head. "You're such a fucking idiot..." He held Canis tighter against himself.

Canis didn't say anything for a long moment. Then... "So... What is this...?"

Jacob it his lip. Spilling his emotions to someone didn't come easily. He had just broken up with Leo but the odd thing was, it didn't feel like a wound. It pained him to realise that the reason was because there never was any true emotion beneath it all. Or perhaps there were... but it was born from loneliness, a lack of understanding and physical desire.

Seriously, a polygamous relationship with a Tribal and his half-brother?

He couldn't believe he even agreed to that.

Again he laughed and Canis' tail struck his thighs angrily. "I'm asking, Reaper," Canis growled. "What is this?"

Jacob shut his eyes, lips quivering.

"Reaper? Tell me now, damnit, or I'm out of here!"

This was it.

The turning point.

If he told Canis how he felt... they were going to plunge into another relationship while he was still emotionally immature. It would only lead to tragedy, that much he knew. That future with two kids and a mug of steaming coffee, waiting for his husband to come back... it would remain a dream if he told Canis that he wanted him.

But if he didn't...

"Reaper...?" Canis' voice broke.

Slowly... Jacob loosened his grip on the Alsatian. His muscles protested, screaming at him that he was making the wrong move as he pulled his arms away back to his sides. They felt stiff and he was fighting his reflexes. His arms wanted to snap back out, take Canis into his arms and never let go. With all his will, he held back.

I can't... I'm not ready...

"Jacob... I think just saying that makes you ready..."

No! I... I just can't!

Every second that the Alsatian lay there in front of him, stiff as a board was an eternity of torture. He wasn't sure if he should have been relieved or heartbroken when Canis slowly slipped away from the bed. Back to him, the canine didn't even look at him as he quietly strode towards the door at the foot of Jacob's bed.

"Thanks for the coat..." Canis murmured softly.

Jacob shut his eyes and listened for the opening... and the soft slam of the door behind him.

He spun onto his stomach, burying his muzzle into the pillow and quietly screamed. His fangs dug deep into the cloth and after a moment, he pulled his muzzle away and rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. He wasn't so sure how long he lay there. Time had no meaning while the aching in his chest persisted. Only when he felt the agony start to dull did he finally managed to utter the words he had hoped to say.

"I love you..."

A soft snort met rang in his ears.

"I knew it."

He immediately sat up.

Canis leaned against the door, the smile on his muzzle mocking but the shine in his blue eyes filled with the tears of relief.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Hours," replied the Alsatian. "It's dawn."

Jacob glanced towards the windows and was surprised to find that the sun was starting to rise. His eyes flicked back to Canis. Did the canine stand there the entire time just waiting for him to say those words?

Why...?

"You're still a coward," Canis said, ducking his head slightly, the smile on his muzzle growing. "You fought someone else's war because you were eager to blame someone else for your mistakes, for the way you lived your life. You had the choice to turn it all around if you wanted but you never did and you wanted to blame Balthazar for that. Now... you finally have no one else to blame and you're just chickening out when something good finally comes your way."

Jacob swallowed loudly and managed to croak out, "How modest of you to think of yourself as the only 'good' to come my way."

Canis lifted his muzzle, his smile cocky but his eyes still showing that softer side that had Jacob's heart racing. "Hey. Look at me. I'm gold."

"I don't like fucking gold."

"Yeah... that'd be pretty hard."

They both chuckled at the little pun then stared at one another from across the room. The distance between them seemed so vast.

It was... funny.

Jacob didn't fear an enormous sea monster with a cannon in its mouth but crossing the distance between him and Canis... it made him want to shrink into the depths of the bed and hide himself beneath the sheets.

But if anything, he was a fast learner.

Slowly, he rose from the bed and crossed that distance, every step increasing his urge to spin around and flee. Somehow, he persevered and suddenly, he was standing nose to nose with James Canis. He could still smell the alcohol on his breath but just the touch of that hot air made his heart want to leap out of his chest and bind itself to the canine in front of him. All those things he felt with Leo, Rex and Taylor... they were nothing like this.

With Taylor, he would be his first, always would be. It was sex between friends. But with Leo and Rex... it was like... family. They came together as a 'pack' as Leo put it. Rex was his older brother and Leo his younger.

But Canis...

... this... it was vastly different.

"Well, fucktard?" Canis grunted.

"What do you think, shithead?"

He seized the back of Canis' head with one paw and pulled their lips together in a passionate kiss. There was no resistance on either of their parts. They pushed their bodies against one another, slamming against the door and feeling the heat of their bodies rising. Canis' paws rolled across Jacob's abs, rising up to his nipples and making him squirm as those leathery pads gently caressed the fleshy nubs.

There was no rough love.

Just love.

Jacob moaned, the noise mirrored by Canis. He eagerly broke their kiss as he tore of the shirt Canis wore. He took one moment to take in the Alsatian's chiselled body and dove right back into, plunging his tongue deep into the canine's muzzle and enjoying the moment they shared the same breath.

Suddenly, his legs were swept out from underneath him and Canis's massive muscles bunched. Jacob let out a loud 'whoa' as the Alsatian carried him all the way to the bed and dropped him down onto the fluffy mattress. Jacob lay back, a little stunned from the feat of strength. Canis tore off his shoes and then eagerly nuzzled his feet through the socks. Jacob squirmed at the touch of the canine's wet nose against his toes. A shudder ran down his spine as Canis gently bit at his socks and tore them off with his fangs.

A soft, flat tongue ran up from his heel to the tip of his toes. Jacob gasped softly as Canis suckled on his toes, running his dexterous tongue between each toe and lathering his feet with hot, wet, doggy drool. Canis eagerly propped himself up on the bed and tore off his pants, discarding them to reveal his painfully erect 12 inch doggy dick. Jacob grinned softly and pressed his drool-covered foot against that cock, cupping the member between his big toe and the next to over. Canis shuddered at the touch and let his paws rise to his nipples, squeezing them tightly. Seeing the canine in such immense pleasure sent waves of arousal all over Jacob for some reason.

It amazed him that he could feel so amazing watching someone else in such pleasure.

"That's love, Jacob. The moment when you -"

Dad. I'm in love. I get it. Go masturbate somewhere.

His father chuckled and vanished from his consciousness.

Jacob suddenly felt Canis' hot breath on his neck and the Alsatian's hard, muscular body pressed on top of his own. Their cocks were only separated by the fabric of Jacob's pants.

"I'm not going to say I love you," Canis murmured softly.

Jacob was about to protest when he realised what that meant. He smiled softly and nuzzled the Alsatian's neck. "That's okay. I know you do."

Canis propped himself up on his arms, their noses touching and a frown on his face, their eyes locked. "You sure? I've spent a lot of time hating you."

Jacob just grinned back confidently. "You said it yourself. You've done this multiple times. You've picked people apart only for those people to turn away and call you a friend. You wouldn't spend so much time trying to delve into a person if you didn't really care for them." He licked Canis' nose. "Am I wrong?"

"Fuck no."

He could have almost giggled. Canis just had to say 'yes' in the most badass way he could. But he didn't chuckle. He couldn't. Their lips met and their hips bucked against one another. Canis' arms curled around his back, squeezing the tight muscles there, his biceps compressing Jacob's flanks in their vice-like grip. In return, Jacob rolled his massive paws onto the Alsatian's bubble butt, squeezing the tight muscles there.

They pulled apart, panting. Jacob fumbled for his belt. Canis growled fiercely and dove for his groin, seizing his belt with his fangs and tearing it off with a feral snarl. Jacob found his throat go dry at the show of pure emotion. Canis pulled his pants down and he kicked them away. The Alsatian came to level with him once more, both of them shuddering at their equally large dicks pressed against one another, precum dripping between onto Jacob's thick, gold-coloured treasure trail.

Canis buried his muzzle into Jacob's thick chest-fur. He took a deep breath while his paw worked down to their rock-hard abs. He gripped their cocks, squeezing them both tightly together. Jacob moaned, his claws digging into the sides of the mattress and tearing holes into them. Canis pulled his muzzle away from Jacob's chest fur and ran his long tongue over Jacob's plump, nipples. Bolts of pleasure shot throughout Jacob's body, making the wolf shudder and whimper.

Hot lips wrapped around his nipples, sucking softly with a rogue tongue rolling over the hard edge and drawing circles that drove him wild. At least it wasn't a belly rub or he'd revert to 'puppy Jake' and he wanted to experience this moment to fullest.

A soft yelp escaped him when Canis buried his muzzle into his armpit.

"Suck it up, you baby," the Alsatian growled and ran his tongue over his pit. Jacob shuddered at the odd sensation and giggled a little. Slowly, Canis' tongue rolled up his bicep, tracing one particular vein to his neck where the canine kissed his neck softly. Jacob turned to meet the canine's gaze and couldn't help but smile stupidly.

"You look like such a dork," Canis murmured, unable to keep himself from smiling as well.

"Yeah. You look pretty stupid yourself."

Their lips met again, their hot, muscular bodies pressing against one another. Hard pecs compressed their hard nipples while washboard abs compressed their dribbling cocks. Tree-trunk thighs rubbed against one another, toes curling around one another, intertwining just as their paws did.

Canis broke the kiss, panting. "You want to be on top tonight?"

Jacob was a little startled that the canine would as him but he just smiled and said, "Nah. Bet you can't aim while you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk."

"Yes you are."

Canis playfully scowled at him. "Challenge accepted." He seized Jacob's sides and flung him around, making them both laugh. Jacob eagerly lifted his tail to Canis. The dog suddenly pressed something that definitely wasn't his cock into Jacob's ass, making the wolf yelp.

"See?" Canis snickered, wiggling his slick finger lightly. "I can so aim."

Jacob winced as Canis pushed another finger into his ass, pulling in and out and sending waves of pleasure deep into the wolf. "You're such an - urgh!"

The Alsatian pressed his hard chest against Jacob's back. Even without looking, the wolf could paint a picture of the canine's chiselled form just by the sensations on his back. That perfectly set of abs, those plump pecs, the hard nipples and the perfectly 'v' shape of that enormous, muscular torso. He was surprised when he felt a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you..."

He flicked Canis a confused look. "For what?"

Canis pressed their cheeks against one another, gently brushing them together in a surprisingly tender gesture for both of them. He even pulled his fingers out, making Jacob gasp.

"Just... For being here... Thank you."

"I - ack!"

A mixture of pain and pleasure exploded from his ass. Canis' massive twelve-inch cock pushed deep into him, not even bothering to ease into it. All twelve inches were pushed deep into him. There was a moment of blinding pain that was quickly soothed by the thick, throbbing warmth of another man's cock deep in his ass. He could feel the Alsatian's cock throbbing in his ass, the canine's heartbeat.

It beat exactly in tandem with his own.

Canis hugged him tightly and gently, very gently, began to thrust in and out. Jacob felt nothing but pleasure, shuddering every time he was met with that brief flash of emptiness when the canine pulled out of him and then letting out a moan of pleasure when that cock pushed back into him.

Their rock-hard bodies ground against one another. Sweat dripped off their undulating muscles, their tongue rolling out as the heat in their veins grew and grew. Each of Canis' thrust grew stronger, his deep grunts rising into heavy growls. His claws clutched Jacob tightly to himself and the wolf never wanted those arms to let go. Jacob found himself pushing back against the canine, chasing that cock backwards when it drew back, eager for it to push deeper into him.

He felt Canis' knot start to form and whimpered softly, desperate for it to enter him. As if sensing his own need, Canis reached down and gripped Jacob's cock, making the wolf arch his back a little and take in a deep breath through his fangs. Canis thrust deep and ran his slick paw over Jacob's cock. Overcome with pleasure, Jacob gripped the Alsatian's paw with own, helping guide the canine over his cock. He twisted his muzzle to the right, meeting Canis'. Their lips intertwisted, tongue lapping desperately at one another. They were both panting, whimpering and gasping.

Canis' thrusts became desperate. Jacob grunted as with every thrust, Canis bulbous knot pushed deeper and deeper into him. Jacob's arms began to scream in pain from holding both of them up and he collapsed onto the bed. That did little to stall Canis' advance. They rolled onto their side and Canis persisted, pushing his knot inch by inch into Jacob's ass until -

"Oh fuck...!" Jacob grunted, feeling himself filled with that knot. "Don't stop!"

Canis just let out a loud feral growl and kept thrusting wildly, his pace matching their heartbeat. Jacob was being shaken wildly, his eyes rolled up into the back of his head in pure pleasure. The heat that flooded out of Canis' cock just seemed to seep all through his body, filling him with the canine's essence. Every inch of flesh that made contact with the canine was another inch of heaven.

In a moment of clarity, he remembered where he had felt this burst of blazing heat in his body.

"Shit... Canis... fuck..."

He felt the raw power pounding through his body. His Brand began to glow brightly, shining against his left shoulder as it began to grow and creep across his entire body. His left bicep surged, bulging out and stretching outwards. Power flooded his spine, stretching it further and further. He could barely utter any more words as he became consumed by the pure, primal instinct of sex during his Brand Form.

Jacob Reaper became a grunting, undulating machine as his entire body shuddered and grew. His already impressive pecs bulged out, pushing his lats outwards to become even broader. His impressive six pack became a definitive eight and his thighs ballooned out, corded muscle crisscrossing against his jet-black fur. His impressive cock thickened and grew in Canis' paw. Suddenly, they were both stroking about eight inches of his sixteen-inch cock, meeting in the middle and them peeling away, filling him with a dual pleasure.

If he had been paying attention, he would have noticed that Canis' paw was gripping his thickening cock just as easily. Bright, glowing tattoos began creeping all over Sergeant James Canis' body. The Alsatian's eyes rolled into the back of his head and with every thrust of his hips, the tattoos covering more and more of his chiselled, muscular form. His legs stretched out to meet Jacob's, their toes intertwining against. His biceps and forearms thickened, matching Jacob's as his spine stretched out, adding an extra three feet to his already impressive height.

Canis threw his head back letting out a feral snarl just as Jacob's wings burst out from his back, twin glowing runes shaped like wings. At the same time, a pair of fins jutted out from Canis' shoulders just as each muscle all over his arms grew, tightened and became hard as steel. His shoulders broadened, the 'v' shape of his body becoming even more pronounced. At the same time, the tattoos all over his body seeped into his tail, extending further than his fluffy tail's limits.

The bed shook and shuddered from the two massive canines' rippling, muscular bodies. The wooden supports creaked and shattered but neither of them gave pause. Jacob's free paws clawed into the mattress, his cock slapping hard against his hard chest. Canis' enormous chest and erect nipples brushing against his back drove him wild, his knot fully formed. The heat from their passion seemed to coalesce in his ass. He dully felt Canis' twelve-inch cock bury itself deeper and deeper into his insides.

He groaned, the noise rising and rising into a howl that was building deep in his throat. With very thrust of Canis' hips, his cock grew, plunging deeper and deeper into the wolf. Every buck pushed Jacob's cock closer and closer to the edge.

Jacob arched his back and let out the deafening howl that had built in his chest. His cock went rigid and at the same time, he and Canis both squeezed on the 16-inch, black member. A flood of cum exploded from the pointed tip, blasting out like a fire hose and splattering across the wall. He shuddered and was suddenly hit by a shock from deep inside him like someone had kicked his stomach from the inside. The sensation as quickly eased by the overwhelming feeling of hot cum seeping into his ass.

It took him a second to realise that a second howl had joined his own. The pressure in his ass built and built until he couldn't take any more. In a rare flash of sentience mid-coitus, Jacob pulled himself off Canis' ass and felt the hot wash of the Alsatian's cum across his back followed by the wet flop of the monster cock on the small of his back. It was only a brief moment of clarity before the second wave of orgasm hit him and he arched his back, unleashing another howl as his cock shot another load across the bed.

After the fifth load from both of them, they collapsed against one another, swimming in their own cum. Neither of them minded that they their fur was sticky with semen. Or that there was another Branded. Jacob just found the strength to twist around in his bed, staring into the glazed expression of his lover.

They managed to weakly kiss one another...

... before they wrapped their arms around one another...

... and drifted into peaceful slumber.