<h4>Chapter 184: History of n nc</h4>


    Thend stretches gently, a mixture of open skies and quietly rolling ground, where fields blur into patches of woond and thickets cluster along the edges of windingnes. Tall grasses shift with the wind, their pale-green des dancing under a sky that changes often... one moment bright and open, the next veiled in slow-moving clouds.


    Hedgerows border the roads like green walls, thick with hawthorn, ivy, andtle, tangled together in wild patterns. In spring and early summer, they bloom with scattered white blossoms and the subtle hum of bees moving between tiny flowers. Elder trees lean over fences, their branches shaped by years of weather, casting dappled shade on the earth below.


    Beyond the hedges, broad meadows open up... not t, but gently undting and dotted with wildflowers: buttercups, cow parsley, and the asional thistle pushing through with stubborn beauty. Birds are constantpanions here. Wood pigeons wheel across the air in soft flurries, crows stand sentinel on fenceposts, and smaller birds flit between the low brush and rustling grass.


    Closer to the wooded areas, the light changes. It bes filtered, golden, falling through the leaves in long, broken beams. The ground underfoot is soft with fallen leaves and moss, and the air carries the cool, damp scent of old trees and shaded soil. In these quiet groves, the sound of the outside world fades, reced by birdsong, the asional rustle of small creatures, and the whisper of breeze through the canopy.


    Even the wind seems to know its path here... slipping over the rise of distant hills, bending the tall grasses, shaking a few early petals free. On misty mornings, the wholendscape lies hidden in a silver veil, and when the sun returns, it washes everything in a pale glow, drawing dew from every leaf and de.


    Knowsley is andscape of quiet resilience... shaped by seasons, wind, and the long patience of nature, still alive and untouched along the edges of the human world.


    Amidst this sanctuary of nature, n nc had resided for hundreds of years. They were a peace-loving n that lived in istion, away from worldly affairs. In ancient times, no one dwelled in this vast expanse of woods andkes but this reclusive werewolf n.


    During eras of chaos and war, their unique shadow ability drew the attention of other supernatural races, who sought to enve them for their own ends. The shadow power had limited offensive capabilities... it was effective for assassination of lower beings, but not in directbat. Its true strengthsy in scouting and espionage. To defend themselves, n nc had to rely solely on their superior werewolf physique.


    But as generations passed in peace and seclusion, even their physical strength waned.


    These were the days before the Supernatural Council was established... a time of anarchy. very was the norm then, and power among supernatural ns was often measured by the number and strength of ves they owned.


    In that brutal hierarchy, humans were considered worthless. The supernatural races saw themselves as the next stage in human evolution... an elevated, superior existence. Even now, most supernatural species view each other with rivalry and disdain, but when ites to humans, there is an unspoken consensus: they are lesser, primitive, and beneath them all. Some races even regard humans as little more than a food source... livestock, to be consumed and discarded.


    Ironically, humans themselves believed they were the centre of the world... the most intelligent species on Earth. Among them, countless factions and ns considered themselves superior to others, endlessly killing and enving each other to prove it. Yet, as the most populous of all intelligent races, with an exceptionally high reproductive rate, humanity remained dominant. No matter how many were ughtered... by their own kind or others... they endured, multiplied, and spread all over the earth.


    In those dark days, only the strongest human warriors were ever deemed worthy of bing ves in the supernatural world. The rest had no value. Supernatural forces were far more interested in enving other supernatural beings... especially those with unique abilities. Even within their own races, powerful ns sought to subjugate weaker ones to umte strength and influence.


    Within that power structure, the rare shadow ability of n nc held exceptional significance. Other werewolf ns from the same ind attempted to enve them, hoping to harness that elusive power for espionage and infiltration. But they all failed. The nc territory was remote... isted from other ns, and sending arge force left one’s own stronghold vulnerable. Moreover, n nc had long adapted to the harsh terrain of forests andkes, and they could use thendscape to their advantage.


    For a time, this istion protected them.


    But as rival ns were defeated and tales of their rare ability spread far and wide, word eventually reached beyond their ind.


    And that was when the true danger began.


    When a group of Banshees attacked the n, the ncs were unable to defend themselves. The Banshees’ signature abilities... Piercing Wail and Death Omen Aura immobilised all the n nc warriors, before the fight even started. The former caused madness and deafness, while thetter induced overwhelming fear. Most of the n members sumbed instantly.


    Only the n head at that time, Aethelred nc, withstood the attack to any meaningful degree. As an Alpha, he possessed immense mental resilience and physical prowess. When he realised his n would surely lose, he made the decision to flee and seek aid. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, he ordered his people to surrender for the time being while he alone escaped into the wilderness.


    He knew of a powerful werewolf n living deep within the itone Forest of Mamucium, which is now known as yton in Manchester... home to the Raynor n.


    The Raynor n was renowned for its bloodline, its size, and its unity as a pack. They were famed as schrs, and other werewolf ns... and even other races sought their counsel. Though known for their intellect, theirbat reputation was formidable. Most ns feared them, not because of their warriors, but because the Raynors took no prisoners as ves like other ns. Any attack on them meant only one oue: death.


    Aethelred knew the Raynors despised very, just as he did. With that shared value, he approached them and humbly pleaded for protection. In return, n nc would offer their service in chores and dailybour... essentially the work of ves, but without the chains.


    The Raynors, always curious and contemtive, were intrigued by this offer. Thus, the first subordinate n in werewolf history was formed.


    When Aethelred returned to his homnd, he found it looted and burned. Fortunately, his n had followed orders and surrendered without resistance. Only a few lives were lost. He tracked the captors to Liuerpul Beach, where the nc n members were chained and awaiting transport across the Irish Sea... known then as Mare Hibernicum.


    Eanswith Elizabeth Raynor, the head of the Raynor n, was the only one who came to rescue the members of n nc. Although Aethelred was somewhat hesitant and uncertain about the sess of the mission, he didn’t dare voice his doubts, not wanting to offend such a powerful n leader.


    But when Eanswith acted, all doubts dissolved... leaving only awe, fear, and reverence.


    In mere minutes, every Banshee, their enved human warriors, and even their ships were obliterated. None had time to counterattack. It was a massacre. The only survivors were the chained members of n nc.


    The beach at Liuerpul, now Liverpool, was dyed red with blood. The waves of the Irish Sea ran crimson that day. Without a word, Eanswith left the stunned and trembling ncs behind to fend for themselves.


    The members of n nc were the first to survive and tell the tale of the carnage unleashed by one of the Elizabeths of the Raynor n. From that day forward, n nc became a subordinate to the Raynor n—a status they have maintained to this day.


    Though history changed many times... wars came and went, the Raynors even fought in the World Wars... n nc remained their only subordinate n. That never changed.


    It is all written in the records of n nc. Every child learns it growing up: that their very existence was owed to the Raynor n’s mercy and power... and that even the gentle, schrly Raynors could be terrifying forces of nature when provoked.


    ***


    In the grand hall of the n head’s vi, Dominic nc and a few others were deep in discussion regarding the uing marriage. It had already been finalised that the main ceremony would be held at the nc Estate, with invitations extended only to members of supernatural races.


    This, however, presented a challenge.


    Both Raphael and La had good rtionships with some of their human co-workers, and excluding them entirely would cause difort and disappointment. After a lengthy discussion, they agreed to host a smaller, separate event a day before the official marriage ceremony.


    Raphael’s mother, Juliette nc, supported the decision. During her time working at Heimdall Tower, she had also developed friendships with several co-workers... Teresa, Lily, and Maya were among them. It was ultimately decided that, following La’s turning ritual, they would take a week to prepare, then obtain a legal human marriage certificate and host a modest ceremony in Manchester. Juliette would take responsibility for organising that event.


    The main wedding, held exclusively for the supernatural guests, would take ce the following day under the direct supervision of n Head Dominic nc.