A howling wind raged through the edges of the jungle, the unseasonably
cold fall met the boughs with a cacophonous roar. The nearly deafening
roar penetrating deep into the valley. The walls of Akaariht's hut
shuddering under the strain. Without warning a tremendous crackle of
dark magic cut through the fall storm. Crackling tendrils of pure magic
lashed into the ground, stabilizing the ethereal portal. Suddenly the
cold almost died out, replaced instead by a wave of heat that flooded
his jungle with the stench of sulphur.

"What in the Bear's name is this madness." was all he could mutter as
he attempted to cover his nose.

The sudden formation of yet another portal caused his ears to pop as
if he was descending the mountain. Forcing him to awkwardly work his
jaw to alleviate the sudden change in pressure. His skin tingled under
the influence of the unstable magic. Causing his hair to stand on end.
He was done, he couldn't take this assault anymore. His land was not
even his anymore. The tribe had moved, it was only a few of those too
stubborn to give up their home. Too scared to fight he told himself,
all of them cowards in the face of a threat that didn't have claws.

He let the heavy cloak slip from his shoulders, wondering how long the
land would stay hot in the face of this portal. How many years would
it take for the herds to return to this place. It didn't matter, he
would starve if he tried to stay now. The Savants portals would leave
a stench that would linger for years, the grove south of Miruvhor was
more than enough evidence of that.

"What would you have of me spirits? What would you have me do." He
cried out, the anger welling up inside him.

He could count the number of times he had seen one of his kin transform
on one hand. It only came from within in times of great need, yet the
moment it started he knew what was happening. A strange tingle started
in the tips of his fingers, almost itching. His nails began elongate,
and curve over. The keratin thickening as they grew to a cruel point.
His lean body suddenly thickening at the shoulders, his neck bulging as
his spirit began to burst forth. Black hair sprouted across his body;
the glossy fur quickly covering his body as he fell forwards. His hands
deforming even as he clutched at the hard dirt on the floor of his hut.
His palms swelling as a thick pad formed. His eyesight was different,
almost as if he was seeing MORE of what surrounded him. Everything was
clearer, sharper. The door to his hut was burst open as another gust
of air burst through the small grove he called him. He turned his head
towards the open door, the smell of sulphur snapping him back to
attention as he gracefully sauntered out the door.

"The hunt has begun." He thought to himself, his tail thrashing about
betraying his excitement.