The Taiga

Cleaning up was easy enough, even after noticing that the Berserker had resumed his seat in front of the two-way window, it's black eyes staring hauntingly from the otherwise of the tunnel "Do You think... He's been watching this?" Belle asked, having put her clothes back on, much to Your sadness "if It even can watch us?" she added, You shook Your head

"I think it has the capacity, just look at the way it's looking at us." You said, looking a quiet rage in its expression.

"Well... Hopefully, Boris isn't watching too... or He might have seen... a lot." Belle said with a giggle, her hand rubbing Your arm suggestively, You grinned nervously, scratching Your head

"Hehe... that definitely wouldn't be awkward at all." You said sarcastically, sitting down on the chair, Belle promptly setting herself on Your lap, She seemed very content, quietly nestling her head into Your chest, but despite this, You sensed that she had something on Her mind and considering that the two of You had quite a bit of time left with the Berserker, You decided to ask "So... is everything alright?" You asked, not so subtly, Belle bit her lip, looking up at You

"What, No?" She said, seeing immediately that You weren't very convinced "Well..." She said, trailing off as she thought "I was thinking um... I'm sorry I'm not usually the person who asks in these kinds of situations, but... well, I was wondering what I am to You?" Belle asked, a rather expectant look in her eyes, Your eyebrows raised

"Oh..." is all You said, and she went to backtrack, placing her head back on Your chest

"Nevermind, It's a stupid question really." She said, but You took her by the chin, smiling warmly at Her

"It's not a stupid question." You said adamantly, making Her expectant look return, You thought for a moment "You're My friend, and My Delegate, but..." You quickly said, before the sad look in her eyes could continue any further "You're so much more than that, I realized that when I saw You in the Cave today, I don't think that I have anyone more devoted to me in our clan really, and well, I... I was thinking, that I'd like to have You as a lover, or-Girlfriend, yeah, Girlfriend, if You don't mind, I totally get if the title is intimidating, or Your not comfortable, cuz I know I have quite a lot of them at the moment and..." You paused, what the fuck was this, You sounded like the blithering Nerd that You were before, You were cool and confident, not a stuttering, uncertain dork. Belle seemed to be deeply happy by the response, however, looking at You with a quiet smile dripping with deep satisfaction

"Aren't You worried about what people will say about us?" She whispered, in a testy kinda voice, You knew better than to anything other than letting Her explain herself

"What do You mean by that?" You asked She took a dramatic breath

"Oh but I'm so much older than You, and Me being as High profile as I am, there might be a scandal" You weren't sure if she was being serious, looking at her like she was crazy, Belle screwed up her face at You "I'm 29, Nearly 30! Black sheep of the Russian Mafia gets with the Drake Heir, honestly, what will people think!?" She said in a very dramatic tone, You merely raised Your eyebrow, Maybe restoring Her free will was not such a good idea

"Who cares what they think, I Love You and You love me so it doesn't matter-" Belle erupted into tears of Joy, clutching You tightly as she wept "What, what did I say!?" You said in a panic, but Belle raised Her head, tears flooding down her face

"You said that You love Me, Oh Master, Oh I'm so happy, You Love meeeeee!" She exclaimed, sobbing loudly into Your chest as You simply patted her on the head as tears leaked all over You

"What have I gotten Myself into." You whispered, Belle too busy with Her dramatic tears of joy to even notice Your words.

A couple of hours passed and after Belle had finished her very loud excitement, paired with the Berserker walking around with his gigantic form, scratching at walls and occasionally staring at You spitefully, Belle came out with a sudden proposal

"I want You to meet My family!" She suddenly blurted, You raised an eyebrow

"I thought that You hated Your family?" You asked, Belle, nodded a little sadly but screwed up her lips

"Well, I hate most of My family, But My Sister and My Dad are okay, plus it's kind of a tradition with My family." She said, looking at You hopefully, You shrugged

"Sure, I'd love too." You said casually, Belle smiled at You before looking Grim

"You don't think... that Rose or Diana will get jealous will You, I know that You're... committed to them?" She said, looking quizzical, smiling You quickly shot that down

"Vampire's don't seem to mind Polyamorous relationship so much so that crossed Rose off, and Diana doesn't mind me sharing with Rose, in fact, I remembering Her bringing up the Whole Harem thing specifically. It doesn't bother You does it?" You asked earnestly, Belle shook her head vigorously

"Oh no, as long as I have time with You, I don't mind... it's weird, with You, I just kind of know that keeping You to myself is a silly expectation, but it doesn't bother me, Honestly, it doesn't!" She said happily, You smiled

"Good, I don't want anybody hurt, especially You, I don't think I could ever live with myself." You said, the thought of a Heartbroken Belle, both scaring and discouraging you. The Two of You sat for a while, watching mesmerized as the Berserker roamed around, his huge black body sweeping through the tunnel at surprising speeds, but just as You had thought that You would have to sit in that Office forever (Not that You didn't mind the company) something very curious happened.

Quickly, so quickly that it was slightly daunting, You started to see the Bear start to shrink, not in the traditional sense, it was more like It was rapidly losing its muscle and fat, watching it shamble and slump with every other step, You and Belle were slightly more surprised, however, when the still very large Beast, began to whimper and writhe in place, tossing and turning, sulking and gagging before just like Boris had done before.

The Beast Luched, it's jaws opening widely as a waterfall of crimson lept from its jaws, spraying the floor and walls with crimson as it choked horribly, spewing more and more blood from its mouth until just like with Boris, the walls were coated in Red.

Slowly the blood began to shift and gather itself, pooling before the deflated Berserker until it began to rise. Bones formed, muscles and flesh encircling them, a tall, powerful frame was building itself, veins pulsing, heart beating, face Stern and Iron.

Boris, tall, strong and healthier than You had ever seen him, stood, almost completely nude, in front of the deflated bear, staring uncertainly at it for a moment as the last of his skin wrapped tightly across his muscles. You stared, curious as to just what He was waiting for, hoping partly that He didn't have to eat the entire body of the gigantic bear, one: because it would be a gruesome sight and two: because it would surely mean a very long and unwanted watch. But Boris did not do anything just yet, just staring at the bear who stared back at him with weak, but wrathful eyes, You watched as Boris finally stepped forward, raising his hand... and stroking the Bears neck, almost as if to comfort it.

The Bear grunted, as Boris's hand suddenly plunged into its chest, easily piercing the skin and parting the bone, digging deeper and deeper as the animal sneered and whimpered, Boris' arm stopped, tensing suddenly, before withdrawing fiercely, his hand and forearm, coated in red, the still pulsing, bowling ball-sized heart, gripped tightly in his fingers.

The Berserker fell quickly, huffing it's dying breath weakly as it stared up at Boris with glazed over eyes, who had knelt down, whispering quietly to it as the life slowly faded from its black eyes.

Boris wasted no time in sinking his teeth into the massive heart, making You grimace and Belle turn and lurch dramatically "Oh fuck me... urgh... why does being a Monster always have to be so gross!" She exclaimed as You watched Boris rip pieces of the bloody heart away with ease, a relatively bored expression on his face as He dined.

It took him five minutes to finish it, his lips and jaw spattered with the Bears blood as He let out a loud burp, it was then that His eyes turned to the two-way glass, his stormy grey eyes lingering for only a minute before He stretched, his bones clicking and muscles relaxing, walking briskly over to the office entrance.

Knocking casually on the door, You quickly opened, though Boris tried to hide his large form behind the door, his eyes lingering on Belle for a moment "I am indecent, I apologise." Is what He said, his voice strong and accented just as it normally was, something that gave You some comfort. Boris pointed over to one of the large cabinets in the corner of the office "In cabinet, there is Black bag, can I have it?" He asked rather politely, moving past Belle, who You were sure would be blushing if she could, You opened the Cabinet to find a large Black duffle which You lifted up so Boris could see

"This the One?" You asked, trying to focus on him and not the Bear's emaciated corpse to Your left, Boris nodded with a hard smile, catching the bag easily as You tossed it to him

"Is good." He said, closing the door, doubtlessly putting on some clothes and freshening up a little.

As You waited patiently, Belle took Your hand, getting up on her tiptoes to whisper gently into Your ear "You know, You would think that a Big guy like him would have a bigger dick than someone like You..." She said, grinning evilly, You shrugged, smiling just as evilly back as You stared into her chocolate orbs

"You thought wrong." You said, pecking her on the lips, which somehow quickly transformed into a tight embrace, Belle's arms wrapping around Your neck as Her tongue danced with Yours, Her ice-cold skin somehow melting into Yours, humming with satisfaction in a plea for more.

" - Uhuhmm." You and Belle broke apart as You finally realised Boris' presence, although she did so sluggishly. Boris had a smile on his hard face, staring down at the two of You almost pridefully before He turned his eyes entirely to Belle "Значит, твое желание исполнилось?" He spoke in his thick Russian tongue, Belle smiled at him, shifting her heel girlishly

"Да, как Джинн в бутылке" Belle replied, Her Russian being a little smoother but clearly less practice

"Do I need to call immigration!?" You said, slightly annoyed, the two gave each other knowing looks before both turning to look at You. Crossing Your arms, You rubbed Your lips together

"Urgh, tell me, tell me what You said!?" You burst, unable to contain Your curiosity, Boris shrugged his massive shoulders, He looked pretty good in his grey shirt and Black jeans

"It is nothing Myska." He said, Belle winked at him, making You seeth with annoyance even more

"I hate You two so much right now, I should fire You old man." You said in jest, Boris cackled

"Fire me, You wouldn't, it is like Robin Williams Genie, You never had friend like me." He said, this made Belle chuckle, and You blink, very much unamused.

Boris pulled up a small chair from the corner of the office, and sat with a patient look on his iron face, most likely in anticipation of the barrage of questions that You had, but Boris held up his hand, pulling out a silver flask and taking a very long sip before slipping it back into his pocket, placing his elbows on his knees like a storyteller preparing to tell a long, but bountiful tale.

"Listen well... for this is not a tale that I tell lightly, or with pride." Boris said, his eyes becoming grave, "In tell this too You, I make You a part of legacy, better left to die and wither, forgotten to the world, thus I ask that this information does not leave this room. Can I ask that of You Myska, Ms Belle?" He asked softly, Belle nodded immediately, holding her hand to her chest and calling

"I PROMISE BORIS, NOT A WORD!" She exclaimed, but You, You were deep in thought, unable to pull Boris' transformation from Your mind, but as You met his eyes, that pleading look in them, You nodded

"I'll keep it to myself, old friend." You said, Boris returning Your reassuring smile as He lent down to the to of You, beginning his Tale of the Berserker.

The Tale of the Berserker.

In a time lost to the low clarities of Human Memory, was the taiga forest, a cold and ruthless place back in these days of early man. Many would hear whispers of this icy ridden forest, ancient beasts and evil spirits that lurked among the shadows and frost, that revelled in the desires and animosity of Man, they would lie in wait for fools to listen to their mutterings of promised powers and dark curses, luring the fools in like flies and turning them into twisted monsters... Bori Medvedi and his clan were the Fools that headed the call.

The Medvedi was the name given to the 85 Men and Women who had once lived in a small village of Ironworkers since destroyed by a group of bloodthirsty bandits that were a scourge on the land. Ivan; the leader of the Medvedi, strong and driven to protect his people... but stronger was his need for **** on the Bandits that killed his wife and orphaned his two sons, Alexei and Bori.

Lost and alone, the Medvedi were in tatters after the raid, having lost their home, their valuables and their families, they followed Ivan in his crusade to avenge their loss at the hands of the Bandits.

With hatred in their hearts, The Medvedi ignored the signs, ignored the warnings engrained by the Hags and Mystics of old and travelled into the Taiga, to seek the power needed to destroy the Bandits that wronged them, they trudged through shadow and snow, broke through stone and Ice, deep into the heart of the Forest to appeal to the dark creatures that lived within. Bori and Alexei were both big and strong like their father, unafraid of cold and ****, but for every bit of wrath that Alexi and Ivan possessed, Bori was kind and compassionate, fearful for the dark path that the Medvedi followed, still He listened to the elders, heard the whispers of the Mystics and knew that amount that place of evil was an ancient, albeit unknown power... the Power of the Berserkers.

Not many survived those nights in the Taiga, the old perished due to cold, the weak died of starvation and the fragile's minds were lost in the corners where dark spirits stole their souls, leaving only 50 of the clan to travel to the Forest's heart. Bori pleaded with his father and brother, that they should leave, that they should save who they could and try to rebuild their broken lives, but the others did not listen, venturing further into the Taiga, more and more losing their lives to the monsters that lurked and the ruthless wrath of nature until only 40 of the Medvedi remained.

Bori began to hate his father and his brother just as much as the Bandits who had destroyed their home, why were they doing this, killing off their people even more efficiently than the Bandits ever managed, all in the pursuit of vengeance, but He followed them begrudgingly as they finally grew closer to the centre of the Taiga, which is where the trails began.

What remained of the Medvedi were the strong, Bori suspected that this was in fact the first trial already, for what came next was truly horrible. Following the ancient whispers direction, The Medvedi sang songs to the Leshy, to Porewit and Chernobog, dark gods and creatures of the forest, beckoning them to their side as they paid tribute in blood sacrifice.

They opened the gullets of the weak on old stones, brother fought brother, beating each other bloody under the red haze of the gaze of the dark spirits, Bori murdered his father, bludgeoned his brother, Man and Woman clashed, spilling so much of their kin's blood so that it flooded in the cursed Parish.

No Better than Beasts, the 20 remaining Medvedi, lay in the river of red, exhausted and battered, snarling at one another, lost to their minds and torn from their humanity. They lay there for 12 days and 12 nights, unable to fight, unable to eat, unable to sleep, cold and broken, emaciated and lost, that is when it happened You see, that is when the Bears came.

20 of the Beasts stood on the bank of the river of blood, sneering and snarling at the near-corpses that lay in the congealed crimson, One for each of the barely living victors, one of which was the biggest and greatest of the Beast's in the pack, it's claws the size of a longsword, it's body colossal, so dark that it was almost one with the night.

This is Beast that strolled through the River of blood towards Bori, along with its brethren who closed in one the remaining Medvedi... and ate them all whole. But this was not the end them, for as their corpses dissolved in the crucible of the Bear's thundering stomachs, their beings, mind body and soul became one with them, moulding into their frames, taking on their fire's and hatred, becoming Berserk in the wrath of their fused souls.

In a hideous rebirth, the Bears, including the Black fired, spewed the blood of their new Masters into the river, the old blood of the deceased Medvedi mixing with the new, making them stronger and harder as they reformed anew, bigger and greater in their monstrous power.

And as their new Bear companions weakened and fell without their Host's within them, the Medvedi and Bori all knew, even as they plunged their hands into the Bears chests and consumed them hungrily, that this Berserker's path, was one that would hold them for all time.

Nobody ever saw the Medvedi again, at least not in any human form, the last whispers of their existence, lingered in the bandit camp, bloodsoaked and destroyed where animals had come in the night from the forest, tearing everything and everyone they could find before returning to the Taiga, leaving devastation in the wake of any who would challenge them.

You stared at Boris with wide eyes, lost in his Tale, Belle even more so, a childish mix of Horror and wonder in her Brown eyes "Jesus." You muttered, looking at the fallen look on Boris' hard face...

"So... are You, related to Bori or something?" Belle asked You tutted and Boris shook his head, looking at Her with grave eyes

"I wish that I had headed my own words, taken those who would have followed me and left that forest. But Past is Past, and Now... I am thankful that this Story is lost, so nobody else can repeat my Mistake." He said with a dark look on his face, You gave Boris a pressing stare

"So the Bear, inside of You, Is it... like an actual bear, or one of the spirits of the forest?" You asked He shrugged

"Most likely something in-between, since He seems to be able to do things that a Bear shouldn't, not to mention the size of it." He said You nodded, remembering the colossal Black bear that Boris turned into, Belle shuffled forward, placing a hand on Boris' shoulder

"A-And the rest of the Berserkers... there were twenty of You guys right, what happened to them, why aren't You with them?" She asked softly, Boris' eyes flashed with hatred, His lips curling into a dark smile

"Roman killed them." He said, staring at You in an ominously dark way which was deepened with a strange satisfaction.

"My dad killed them, why would He do that, sure You and the others didn't deserve to die after all You went through!?" You asked, furious at the notion that Your father would just walk in a slaughter them, Boris chuckled, shaking his head

"You don't seem to understand Myska, having this Curse is not like being a Vampir, or any other Lyncanthrope, when You do not often live as man, it is the Bear that is in control, and My clan were some of the fiercest, most bloodthirsty Berserkers to ever exist, we would leave the forest, slaughter towns, kill women, children, eat them whole... Your father... He decided to pay us a visit after hearing the rumours. You see, Your father did not just hunt and kill monsters, He wanted to learn from them, give them the opportunity to try and live peaceful lives, He treated My clan just the same," Boris said earnestly, drumming his fingers on the desk and chuckling to himself "The look on our faces when this Human just strolled into the Taiga, untouched by any of it's dark forces, that sword on his back and that smile on his face, we had to listen, we respected the nerve." He said, chuckling even more now.

You found Yourself smiling also... it was a comforting thought, Your father in his younger days, trying to do right by people with a grin on his face, not so different than You "So Mr Drake failed then, He must have, or He wouldn't have had to kill off the other Werebears right?" Belle asked, clearly very invested, Boris' smiled faded from his hard face and he swept his Iron grey hair back

"I... I would still be there if not for him, if not for what He taught me and what He did, but the problem is, I was the only one who listened. The Other's refused to try and control themselves and so... Roman killed them all, without hesitation and without Mercy, for we had shown none for our victims. I entered into his service after that, to assist in helping others, protecting and fixing instead of destroying and devouring, we worked wonders together... as I am sure, that You and I will just the same Myska." Boris said, renewing his smile to look upon You, You gazed back, trying to grin passed the thought of Your father's ****... sometimes it didn't even seem real, like You would go home to find his unamused frown and impatient glare

WE WILL MAKE HER PAY, CHARLIE, SHE WILL DIE.

"You're god damn right."

Looking up at Boris, You grinned fully, resting Your hand on his shoulder rand exclaiming "If My dad thought that You were worthy of being a part of this family, then I would ask that You resume Your service to him through me so that we can try and do some good for Monsters like us, what do You say?" You asked, eyes burning with passion, Boris laughed, taking Your hand in his massive paw and pulling You in a hug

"Do You even have to ask!? Of course, Myska, I will follow You into Hell and back." He exclaimed. You nodded, reaching and taking Belle's hand

"Welp, we can start by following me out of this bloody tunnel, I think I could do with a little Night air, eh guys?" You said the Two both nodded, sweeping in behind You as You swiftly and promptly left the office, leaving the Dark Tunnel behind and venturing back into the night.