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Before I start, thank you to all my readers and everyone that leaves awesome feedback for my story and just comments in general! I know I am incredibly slow on posting my stories but I try to not post something just because I haven't posted in awhile. Life gets busy and I hope you all understand that I don't have that amount of free time and will power devoted to these chapters as I do with other things! In that sense I've kicked myself in the butt and organized a couple of things for this story for example I've now FINALLY put this series into a folder so it will be easier to access the older versions! https://www.sofurry.com/browse/folder/stories?by=146395&folder=34420&stories-display=10 I'm not super sure while the other links to stories haven't shown up in there yet but hopefully it will update! Thanks again to everyone for their patience! :) I hope you enjoy the read!

Leander

Leander couldn't believe it, the great and powerful Paladin, Dakota, collapsed before the entire school. Everyone gasped at the site of such a magnanimous warrior of Heaven simply crumble. His body was quickly hidden by most of the Dominus while others began to organize the rest of the students to fall back and return to their dorms.

Leander hadn't noticed the light tugging that Aiden was giving him he was still devastated by Dakotas fall. It was so strange seeing it and he didn't know why; the blood and gash marks covering him just didn't make sense. Again Aiden tugged a little harder, but this time Dominus Randall stopped him.

"Astrid wants to speak to him." The Dominus of the Ursus spoke. "Return to your dorm Aiden. I will make sure he finds his way back safely."

Dominus Randall took Leander by the arm and pulled him over to Dakota's body. The bear laid there, Sal was already taken up by the Dominus of the Boars and being walked to her dorms. She continually cried out looking back to Dakota and frantically muttering pieces of the attack that she had obviously just encountered. It was very panicked like she was consumed by something.

Her voice trailed off once Leander met the closed eyes of Dakota. Everything seemed to slow down once he saw the gorgeous figure of the bear he secretly had fallen in love with. The red just didn't mix with his brilliant pearl fur. They were being patched up quickly but already a puddle was forming from beneath his back and under his thighs. He was in critical condition as Astrid waved his hands up and down the bear's body, from the center of his groin up to the middle of his temple all the while a faint glow of gold falling from the Head Masters hand like snow into Dakota. It appeared to be healing him, or at least stopping the bleeding.

Once he reached the top of his head he ceased and waited. Then seconds after, Dakota flickered his eyes open, very slowly, almost reluctantly like he was hoping for death; meeting with Leander first. It was a long and dramatic hold, filled with anger and sorrow overly confusing as what he was trying to reveal. To Astrid they moved and he gasped to speak.

"Lea... Leanders... a ... a...vessel!" He laid his head back down and coughed closing his eyes again and shortly was out.

Astrid was distraught by something; it was easily visible in his eyes. "Randall and Laurel please take Leander and Dakota to their room. Laurel, you will stay outside of their dorm and Randall you will gather the other Dominus and patrol Divine and make sure that if any evil has followed them that they are purged." While the two tended to Dakota, Astrid stood up and looked at Leander. "I know you only just got here but things are going to have to change for the better. Some of your training sessions are going to begin with me now. If what Dakota said was true then I need you to be prepared for what is coming. Dakota won't like this either, but he's going to remain your partner for the time being." Inside Leander cringed, imagining the tantrum the polar bear would throw once he woke up. He had to force a nod in understanding, and then Laurel took his arm and escorted him back to his dorm.

Returning Leander watched as they laid Dakota on the couch he called his bed. Medical instructors were waiting for them as they entered and immediately took to the now red bandages covering Dakota, changing and wrapping up new ones. Once they finished that, they proceeded with a check up making sure nothing on him was broken, the way they scanned through his body was incredible. It was like how Astrid was going through Dakota, except this time, it played the illusion that the skin was no longer there only the bones and muscles that they examined.

They spoke to each other gently, phrases barely being over heard. Good news words like: Nothings broken and I don't see any internal bleeding. After the entire inspection was complete, the instructors cleaned everything up and took a quick note of Leander before leaving.

Laurel and Randall looked at one another and again whispered silent things. Leander figured it was about the patrol, because when they stopped, Randall got up and left briefly staring at him. Laurel stood up shortly after and turned.

"All of this commotion and no one's really asked you if you're alright? I know you weren't involved in any of this, but still the trauma of being thrown into something like this for the first time?" Laurel asked.

"I'm ok," Leander nodded eyes locked to Dakota. "Is he going to be okay?"

"He should be okay in a couple of days, right now he needs to rest. The doctors have done what they can so all that's left is for him to heal himself. I do need to ask a favor of you though?" Leander lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Help him when he wakes up, he'll be very weak and sore. Especially his soul, it literally was drowned in madness when he arrived. Sal more than him, which whom I'll need to check on next."

"M...madness?" He knew the word, but it still didn't make sense.

She softly smiled. "I forget you've been isolated from the real world." She sighed. "Madness is evil and evil is madness; they are one in the same. When you fight evil, it attacks you in two ways, one physically and the other on the soul, while physically it delivers fear, when it attacks your heart and soul it delivers insanity. If you're consumed you're unable to work with your will instead you're constantly fighting against it. By then Diabolus has consumed you and you're in his control."

"Is that what happened to Reign?" Leander immediately froze at the expression Laurel made at the mentioning of his name but she quickly softened and gave a nod.

"I know you probably have several questions, but I don't think I'm in a position to talk about Reign, he's a character very personal to Dakota and Astrid. That might be something to speak to both of them about, but I would be reluctant about it, we each have our own opinion about him." She looked back to Dakota. "Especially him... I'm sorry Leander but I do need to check up on Sal and make sure she is okay."

Leander quickly nodded now feeling like an intruder and watched her leave. Then the room was silent, he was alone with Dakota, the poor broken bear.

He watched as the gentle breathing continued from the polar bears breast. Inhaling and exhaling looked so very painful, like he was struggling. He remained by the bear's side for several long minutes and before long half an hour had drifted by and then an hour.

By then Leander had taken the chair by the couch constantly worried about Dakota. He didn't know why he worried about him so much, the bear disliked him and he disliked the bear, but for some reason that soft spot returned. He wished he could tell the bear now that he would be watching over him the whole time, but he knew once he opened his great big eyes things would go back to normal. Leaning over he put one elbow on his knee to support the palm of his hand as it tucked under his chin. He slowly took the paw of Dakota and gently squeezed, it was so warm. The soft pads were comfortable against his grip and he became lost in the moment. Leander knew he was hurting himself by doing this, but he just wanted Dakota to know that he cared for him and lightly squeezed again. He was hoping for a return but when nothing happened he settled for the touch.

Then like down in the main hall, a very faded turquoise aura wisped around Dakota. He could see how damaged it was how it barely fell from his skin and pooled down into the couch like it was leaving his body. Leander reached out with his soul and felt Dakotas.

Heavenly was the immediate word that came to his mind. It grabbed him viciously and took hold and felt like he was never going to let go. Leander was in paradise as his insides tingled with warmth and a vibe of passion. The only thing that prevented him from enjoying it most was the feeling of a frightened bear cub clinging for dear life. It was tragic the way he desperately clung to Leander's soul and shared its fears, bringing him to the verge of tears. It was still fighting off the madness that snaked around his soul and a part of Leander felt like he was being taken with as scenes of the battle began to flow between them.

He and Sal were in a forest together, the world felt dead... no breeze... no critters... not a single thing comforted them through the lack of reality. A black ring was closing in on them, demons forging from the black water and immerging to fight. The two of them were back to back fighting off the ambush-- at first cutting through with ease hundreds of demonic monsters falling, the two appearing as Gods-- but as the fight continued they were becoming more and more drained, not physically but on the soul and the will to continue to fight became hazed. Leander could feel the powerful heart of Dakotas beat and the magnificent and bright soul become darkened with each demon. The ring was nearly upon them, when Dakota shouted something. Sal came to aid, brightening the field of battle with a burst of light and dashed toward the ring.

_ Sal stuttered when they went through and so did Dakota, it ripped their soul from their body briefly and to pull it back used a mass amount of energy. They continued to run for several miles as far as their bodies would take them. Sal collapsed eventually her body violated by Hell barely breathing while she lay. Dakota was quick to her side and lifted her up over his shoulder and continued for another mile before the demons caught him. _

_ Sal was torn from his shoulder, thrown several feet into the grass. The once black pool slithered forward and formed into a large demonic being, huge in body size, thick and hard muscles covering the near nude body all but its genitals exposed, covered by a black loin that wrapped around its glutens. It struck Dakota firm in the chest, and the bear crumbled through the dirt rolling several times until he came to his stomach. He hurled up blood and a sudden rage burned in the bear, a berserk adrenaline rush bringing itself forward.-- Leander felt it through his soul, it felt like a raging furnace burning inside of him as it rushed out of his soul and up and out through his mouth, hot breathe leaving his lips.-- Dakota leapt to a stand and fired its pistol delivering a heart shot to the demon and as it staggered he took his hammer to buy time. It was just enough to rescue Sal who was able to help him with a final shot. They synergized and brought the demon down, not before the other smaller ones had taken a toll and caused the several wounds over the two's bodies. _

_ _ Suddenly, Leander was thrown out of Dakotas body and stumbled down to the floor. Dakota then cried out in anguish. The very soul of Dakota had gone to a toned gray and the once turquoise eyes were fading to black. He could feel the small bear cubs grip loosening and realized what was happening. Leander unsure how to react, quickly got to his feet and rushed to Dakota, grabbing both his hand and the small bear cub that was hanging over Hell.

"Laurel!" He shouted hoping she was close around. "Laurel!" Leander screamed again. He knew he was alone battling against madness. There was only panic at first while he watched the beautiful color in Dakotas eyes go black. He clenched the bears paw harder and clenched the imaginary cub too pressing him against his chest holding as tight as he could. "Dakota! Please Dakota tell me what to do!" His words were only drowned out by terrifying roars of pain. Nothing, he could do nothing only hold the bears paw, he screamed for the cub as Diabolous's hands yanked for him.

They were too sinister, prying open Leander's desperate grip, he tried to fight, but it was too much and while Dakota yelped for him the image of the cub was fading and drowning in that same black pool from the vision.

Suddenly he was pulled away from Dakota and thrown towards the door of the room where Laurel quickly reacted latching onto Dakota's soul. He still remained attached to the bear though; able to see everything that was going on. The sudden view of her soul pulling Dakotas was unbelievable. Behind her Astrid and Randall rushed in taking quick action with several other students of Divine who watched the panic from the doorway.

"Randal grab his soul now!" Both Astrid and Randal took to the sides and attached their soul to the near black wisp of Dakotas. There was a faint hint of the turquoise still there. They struggled for a moment, but somehow they seemed to stable the crazed soul. The three tugged back and forth against the demon, attempting to stretch the dark energy into three parts. Astrid realizing the devastation that was following spoke: "Laurel you need to perform an exorcism now! Randall and I can handle his soul you have to get in and pull it out!"

"Astrid that could kill him! Or permanently damage his soul!" Her voice was panicked too seeing Astrid's sudden conclusion to an exorcism.

"What other choice do we have? We cannot lose Dakota to Hell!" Astrid remarked again yelling for her to perform an exorcism.

"Do it Laurel, Astrid and I can handle this!" Randall growled.

She only nodded and went forward. Leander watched as Laurels entire spiritual soul dove into Dakota. He could see the demons dancing along his soul one in particular interfering with both Astrid and Randall sending out a pulse of madness to off their attachment. Soon it was accompanied by another and then another and before long, several pulses were being sent off and the strand between the souls was being stretched and broken. Each time they broke though, both Astrid and Randall reattached themselves to another part. Several minutes went on as this processed continued. As for Laurel it seemed like she was lost inside of Dakota, he couldn't see where she was the soul was too thick and clouded. Though Leander could still see the small cub as it waved for help and tried to stay afloat.

Then a great white burst exploded from inside Dakota and pulsed outward to Astrid and Randall baring an enlightenment that took away a pressure on Leander's mind. The cub also was being brought closer and closer to the surface.

"Continue Laurel, his soul is becoming clear!" Astrid shouted continuing with his complex battle of souls.

Then a growl came from Randall. "Astrid!" Seeing his strands suddenly become lose and tangled. The demons had adapted and noticed Astrid as being the superb and quickly shifted to Randalls side, multiplying the pulse action greatly.

"Hold on Randall, stay steady!" Astrid encouraged beginning to attack the now vulnerable side.

Another pulse flowed from Dakota by Laurel followed by another and another. The bear's soul was returning to its normal color. Laurel was pulling out of Dakota also, bringing with her the parasite taking over him. Leander smiled watching the exorcism finish and as she pulled the entire creature from him he felt a relief.

An enraged shriek cried out from the monster and suddenly Randalls line snapped as the energy from the scream struck the Dominus with an unimaginable amount of power. The power became a catalyst for the rest of the soul. It struck Laurels soul so hard it forced her back into her body and knocked her unconscious against the wall, then applied a powerful blow to Dakotas soul as it merged with his body again, breaking Astrids link.

The room went silent and for a moment Dakotas body floated before the full black eyes opened wide. Leander saw they were directed at him and realized he was still attached to Dakota. The power arched to him and expecting an agonizing attack he prepared for a harsh impact and perhaps even a sudden conversion into Hell. But as it hit him he struck back, like it was instinct. His soul reacted to the black magic and fired its defenses. The way he slid straight through the demons attack was incredible--how he evaded the crippling swing, unharmed and returning full force into Dakotas body striking hard at the core of the shadow. His own soul dealt such tremendous power that it blinded him and the entire room lit with rays of light suppressing the dark energy destroying it as it left the body.

There was a bright white light for several long seconds and as it started to fade, the room became clear. First he saw Astrid, an expression he had yet to see, pale and confused. Almost mesmerized by Leander, Dakota was next, the bear standing looking straight at him. He looked unharmed absolutely untouched, his wounds were gone, the cuts on his body were healed and not even a scar remained. His fur glowed with a pearly white and the turquoise eyes gleamed with beauty. Leander smiled and then collapsed where he stood blacking out.

I awoke hazed and one eye opened. The ceiling was what I saw first, and then I allowed my other eye to open revealing my dorm. I pinched my forehead confused remembering the attack just after that contract what had happened to... Springing forward every muscle in my body surged with an aching pain and when I went to bark out her name nothing came out but a growl of pain.

"S... Sal..." I muttered from my snout wincing as Randall turned to me.

"He's awake." Randall said crossing his arms with a grin. Giving a nudge to Laurel she looked up; she looked exhausted, beaten up and tired. Her smile was at least a little comforting.

I turned and sat up looking around the room, looking down at my body and assessing the damage. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, not a bandage, no wraps, not even a scar around my body. "Hmph, at least Astrid really has those healers trained."

Laurel and Randall looked at one another and then Laurel spoke. "They didn't heal you."

"Astrid did?" I growled his name; I growled every human's name. "At least he's good for something."

Again they were both silent for a moment and then Randall said. "No..."

"Then who did?"

Laurel hesitated to speak and then ever so slowly as the humans dragged out said softly. "...Leander did."

I said nothing, Laurel said nothing and Randall continued to stare. Leander... he wasn't even here... "Where is he?"

"Astrid's taken him into custody, after the attack Leander fainted, he hasn't been awake yet, or so we've been told."

"Attack, what attack?"

Laurel got up from her chair and began to talk about what had happened after I reached the gate. About the exorcism that they had all tried to do, how I was being consumed by madness and how Leander had saved me. They said somehow he had managed to tether himself to me and retrieve the smallest bit of life from me and save me. I could barely believe what I was hearing, coming from both Randall and Laurel, it was confirming what the target had said back at the manor.

I suddenly stood up. "I have to talk to Astrid, it's about Leander."

Laurel shook her head then said. "We don't know where he took him; he only said it was important that he was not followed and that he was not disturbed during his time of being gone."

"How long did he say he was going to be gone?"

"He didn't." Randall replied without skipping a beat.

"Then I have to hunt them down."

Randall snatched me by the arm as I pushed past both of them stopping me with. "Woah there, no sit down! You just barely gained consciousness and now you want to get yourself in more trouble? Astrid gave me orders to keep you contained in this room until you were fully replenished."

I growled at my Dominus not showing fear. "It's important that Astrid hears what the contact had to say about Leander."

"No you're not understanding cub."

I roared. "No you! Are the one not understanding!"

"Do not!" Randall retaliated with a fierce and heart pounding roar even as another Ursus I felt fear. "Attack your commander! You are barely alive you are in no condition to leave this room!" He quickly regained composure letting his Ursus blood simmer. "Dakota don't you understand? You've been asleep for two days! Astrid left within an hour after the attack was over. You're in no condition to leave yet and you won't find the two of them anyways, with a storm blowing there scent's been scattered miles away."

My blood was boiling still, I still had to learn to regain my control like Randall did but I managed to calm myself with a hard and forced breathe. I knew there was nothing I could do at this point but wait for the two of them to get back. I sat back down and starred at the two of them, thinking... thinking about Astrid and Leander. Mostly about Leander.

The boy still continues to surprise me._I thought to myself. _Even after all this time of trying to get rid of him and demoralize him... he saves my life.

I took a deep breath. I have to say... I groaned thinking of the words.

I bit my tongue as they began to form on the root of my fangs...Thank you

"I have to tell Astrid about Leander, it wasn't just a contract this time. They delivered a message."

"Share what you found."

I sighed and shuffled my paws back and forth between each other. "Leander's another vessel of power."

Randall kind of laughed, it was brief. "I could have told you that by his performance when he saved you."

"Then we can't sit here and wait for Astrid to return with him. They're out there hunting him already! Diabolus himself is out there hunting him!"

"Diabolus hasn't left his sanction for hundreds of years that are what his minions are for."

I grew serious and as much as it pained me I brought him up. "He made a move for Reign, and that was the first time Diabolus was ever curious about someone from D.U! It wasn't until after he had been consumed that Diabolus had started attacking more and more! If Leanders the same way then you both know that he's going to be hunting with his pack for that boy."

Laurell for once agreed with me. "Dakota may have a point, but that doesn't mean that you should be risking your life again to save Leander. The Dominus can take care of it."

"You were completely covered in madness Dakota," Randall started in. "I have never ever seen you that close to becoming consumed, if Leander weren't here that night you would have been consumed and we would have lost a valiant member. You're not well enough to go yet, your soul hasn't had time to mend and retrieve its normal state yet. You have to stay."

"But I want to go," The two of them raised their brow and I scowled. "I have to stay one up on the recruits, even if he's supposed to be another vessel."

They were both quiet for a moment before Randall told me to get my things and to be prepared to go at dusk, normally it would be safer to search at dawn, but because of the urgency it would have made the situation much more dire if they left in the morning.

Randall and Laurel were going along with one of the Boar Dominus's, Heathen. He was stronger in his magic and mind then he was in the physicality but it gave us a better variety if we were to get in combat. There were several other Paladins attending, one in particular that I didn't take a liking to, but he got the job done and that was Runt. Three others came with us Tybalt, we called him Tibs one of the snow tigers who used a bow, who was excellent with a bow but I for one wasn't a fan of the ranged combat. I felt weak at range; I wanted my enemies to tremble at my size and fierceness! Tibs was our tracker though, our key to finding Leander out of everyone in the group he was our most important. Angela our healer was another party member. She was a lynx I had to say beautiful though I wasn't into the females she still had a very flawless appearance. Though I never needed someone to mend my wounds, I figured the Dominus were just being cautious now. Our last member was another bear that had been under my command before, Kato. He was a great warrior using a two handed axe he reminded me of a lesser Sal who I wish would be joining us on the mission.

Unfortunately she was in rehabilitation; she wasn't able to escape the madness as easily as I was. I had planned on visiting her before I left, but news from the Boars told me she was in no condition to see anyone. She was lost in a comma, battling for her soul the final step before being consumed. It made me feel obligated even more to go see her, but from teachings in the pass ever student is taught that if one is going through the final corruption stage that it's best to give them isolation. It can actually add pressure on the soul if the voice of a partner or close friend is heard, it adds a distraction it didn't make very much sense but at the same time it did. My paws tightened and even beneath the white fur the knuckled went white and burned with power that I couldn't save her or help her. All I could do was wait.

The thought of really risking my life to save Leander continually crept into my head. A large part of me wanted to go back and rest, but the other part of me wanted to save him. Something had changed in him that I hadn't seen before and constantly I'm reminded of this vision I had where he held me. The Ursus side of me didn't want to believe that I was starting to enjoy the company of this boy just because of something that happened so quickly but the more I thought of it the more it compelled me to believe that there was something more to Leander. That he wasn't just this human that I thought he was, there was something deeper, some kind of warrior in him. It was faint for now, but just enough for me to become interested as much as I tried to resist I couldn't.

When I first saw Leander in Astrid's quarters he only had his handsome looks and that was it. At Divine you can't just have looks to save the Earth, there had to be determination a willingness to be pushed out of your comfort zone and want to be a part of something so much greater than just life. Leander never had this at first, but I have a feeling that the real him is starting to come out, the warrior in him is beginning to take flight.

I cursed myself for thinking this way and as Dusk approached we were readying ourselves at the gates. There was already a pressure forming at the back of our minds, the darkness was already starting to hunt. Second thoughts pursued me again about being ready, but the instinctive Ursus side quickly reminded me that you are never ready.

We began our journey for Leander, into the darkness Tibs leading the way in our group of eight. Astrid had two days ahead of us, it seemed like a lot but he wasn't moving anymore he was only secluding Leander probably for safety and probably for training. It was no doubt that Astrid was taking him under his own wing after the performance that Laurel and Randall had described earlier that morning. In a way I looked forward to seeing the new born Leander, if we survived the journey getting there.