Chapter 51: Inner Voice

MIDNIGHT

    "I see," said the wolf. "He... escaped, didn't he? I... I should have guessed. It's about time."

    The most logical thing to do was to report to Lambda after the transformation of Epsilon. The black wolf paced round.

    "Well, if he's out for Be- Rune, then very soon, that lizard would have been on it's way sniffing for any trail of magic it could find," stated Lambda.

    "Sniffing out for any trail of magic? He can do that?" cried Midnight.

    "Well," Lambda said after a short pause, "the Komodo Dragon has enhanced smelling senses, and with training to detect the faintest tracks of magic, I have no doubt that Epsilon can find Rune soon and be locked in a ferocious battle with him."

    Iota, once silent and shaken by the whole ordeal, cried out, "Is there a way to bring him back?"

    "As long as his bloodlust is high, then there's no bringing him back," Lambda said. "Possibly, only by beating Rune, then he can return to be calm, where Theta can cast her magic on him."

    Midnight and Theta were silent.

    "I shall see if Omicron could be of any help," said Lambda, looking at every one of them in their eyes. "While if there might be any other trouble, I expect you to call for Tresley, and he'll send me the message. If he is unavailable... I suppose that you should use your inner voice."

    While Theta and Iota nodded, Midnight stuttered, "I-Inner voice?"

    Lambda looked at the rest. "Go," he briefly said, "return to your duties."

    With that, Theta and Iota left. Lambda started to pace around Midnight, but, somehow, their gaze always met each other's. Lambda's steely grey eyes seem to study Midnight intently. "Now, Midnight," he said, "the inner voice I spoke of varies with each person."

    "You mean?" Midnight inquired, not understanding.

    "It's the voice of your soul. Everyone has it, but not everyone is able to project them. For example, a little bird who has been abandoned after feeling it's mother's love for a week. While all you can hear are it's noisy chirps, it's inner voice reverberates  within it's heart, wishing, hoping someone could hear it and save them. Often, I'm sure you have found yourself feeling that way in many situations."

    Midnight was silent. It wa true. Like that time when her mother was dead, and her father was so cold about it, she wished someone heard her lonely cries and comfort her. Instead, she comforted Wisp instead, and the young pup was incapable of doing so to her. Or the other time when she was upset on going for the Lone Quest, which she almost forgot at this point, and she wished someone else, like Shadow, would stand up to her and let her go with a pack. They never worked. They never heard her cries!

    "That no one... came to your aid."

    Lambda's voice sounded icy. Midnight knew it was true.

    "However, you can unleash that call, that cry for help," Lambda said, softer this time. "That is called your inner voice... unleashed."

    Lambda closed his eyes, and opened them, showing glassy grey eyes. Though his mouth didn't twitch, nor did he move again, there was an echoing voice that seem to come from every angle of the room.

    This... this is the inner voice.

    It was unmistakably Lambda's deep voice.

    "It is not only used to deliver desperate pleas, though often that is the use of our inner voice, the voice of the soul, but it can also be used to convey messages. However," Lambda said, eyes fixed on Midnight, moving his mouth as he spoke, "everyone has different ways to unleash them. This is the very first and basic step to magic. Unleashing your inner voice."

    "I'm nothing of magic!" protested Midnight.

    Lambda shook his head. "You don't have to be," he said. "Delta and Sigma started out clueless about magic, and yet, Delta is one of our most powerful healers. Someone's magic capabilities doesn't depend on their origin."

    "So... I can actually...?"

    When Midnight's words faded away to nothingness, Lambda continued, "Do magic, yes."

    "However, that would come later, only if you are capable to project that inner voice of yours, then it is time to continue to nurture the potential you have in magic," Lambda added, and Midnight nodded.

    Lambda started to pace around again. "How to project it, you might wonder?"

    Midnight was thinking about it, nodding furiously, her heart thinking, How I wish that I could prove myself worth to magic!

    Lambda stopped pacing around. "It depends on every individual."

    Midnight was about to question him, but Lambda continued talking, "Every individual has the will, the power, to do something, but often their inner voice cannot be projected, due to their shy nature, or the fact they don't want to seem desperate. Many factors make the inner voice unable to be extended to another individual, as due to that, it changes for every individual.

    "For example, mine is the fear that others would see me as weak. What hinders you to let go of this inner wishes? That is what you need to overcome to be able to release these desires, and that when you overcome it, only then can your heart feel free of any worries or restrains, and let it's voice tumble into the air, and it be known, as nothing else hinders you from saying it, or from it to be said, such as fear."

    Midnight was slightly shocked that fear dominated Lambda, but grasped the understanding easily. "It's that simple?"

    "It sounds simple, but it might not be as easy to execute," Lambda said. "Why don't you try?"

    The burning feeling in her heart, her longing to be able to perform magic, ached in her soul. She might have given hints to Theta and Zeta that she wanted to-! How was she being hindered? How?

    Then it struck her, that she would seem too desperate, loosin touch with herself.

    It can't be too desperate, it's only natural-!

    Midnight wa sure it'd work.

    Her heart was quick to lash back. Natural? Your wishes, desires, to become like one of them? Pah! You're no longer a wolf who stick to the rules of the Nyx Pack, Midnight, you've grown weak, ambitious, your mind poisoned by the words of those who reside here!

    It was true. All too true.

    I... but I-!

    She had no other words to rebel her heart with.

    "Don't worry," Lambda's voice suddenly said. "It's not as easy as it seems, and that for every situation, the requirements change, but I'm sure you'll do it fine."

    See? Midnight bitterly thought to herself. Even Lambda has confidence! That's not poison!

    Before any other thoughts could pass between her conflicting heart and mind, the panicked voice suddenly swirled in the air, speaking loudly, the voice echoing around.

    Lambda noticed it's presence before it cried.

    "Urgent! Epsilon is fighting Beta in the Dragons of Stone Hill!"

Author's Note: This is dim. There's no 'B' button there to bold my text. Ugh. Anyway, more magic concept! Yay! A longer chapter too. I might go on hiatus again... sigh...

Chapter 50: Potion Making

DUSK

    Could things get any worse?

    Dusk had to get lost, meeting Midnight again was great, but the attacks, the fact about magic, it was all so messed up. Then, she learned Shadow was an evil mage in the past, having meeting Lambda, who requested Chi to scourge through her memories to find out why Dusk lost part of her memories and what Shadow-Beta-Rune was up to. After all that, Chi was weakened and attacked, leaving Dusk needing to 'protect' her.

    "So, what are we going to do today?" Dusk snapped. She had escorted Chi home after going through the woods, picking various kinds of flowers and herbs, and then Chi asked Dusk to sort them out- as if she knows what's what.

    "I can't possibly be weakened anymore, Dusk, I need power," Chi said in a soft voice. "So I guess we'll have to make a strengthening potion."

    "We? You mean I," Dusk protested.

    Chi laughed. "I'll give you instructions."

    "I have no use for them, why don't you just wave your horn, chant a spell and get it done?" Dusk protested.

    Chi sighed. "See, Dusk, when I'm weakened, it's not easy to do things. When you create a potion, you use power in yourself to fuel it. It's not a fire you need, or moonlight, or something, to trigger it, but it's the magic in you."

    "So you're saying that I need to use my energy to power you up?" Dusk icily said. She was hating Chi more and more by the minute.

    Chi smiled. To Dusk, it was a rather sly smile. "Oh, you won't die, Dusk, it's alright."

    "Oh, yeah, sure," Dusk growled. "It's alright."

    Chi faced her. "Don't sound so upset, Dusk, it's not very complex, it probably won't require much from you."

    "Much?" Dusk snapped. "How much?"

    "Oh, not much, really," Chi said. "Let's get working."

    Sighing, Dusk agreed. Perhaps if that she strengthened Chi with a potion, Chi wouldn't be as weak and Dusk wouldn't need to protect her.

    Chi's cauldron was ready. The round pot was empty as Chi looked around for ingredients. Dusk found Chi eyeing most of the herbs she collected earlier. They were unlike Dusk has ever seen.

    "A pinch of powdered tree bark..." Chi said, passing the pot to Dusk and she tried to take a pinch, but failed. Her paws were useless to measure a pinch.

    Sighing, Chi strode forwards and measured the approximate of a pinch and handed it to Dusk.

    "Why can't you just dump it into the pot?" protested Dusk.

    Chi smiled sadly. "I'd love to, but for every ingredient added, a little of me is sapped into it. Once everything is complete, a spell is needed to fuse everything together, and it uses the power embedded in the ingredients to fuse."

    "So if I added the materials..." Dusk started.

    Chi continued, "While I say the spell, the power will come from you."

    "I... see..." Dusk muttered.

    "Anyway, let's not wander," Chi said softly. "A dash of salt."

    That one was easier for Dusk.

    Materials, one after another, went into the pot. Aside from the powdered tree bark and salt, crushed rose petals, fine cocoa, three coffee beans, such and such. The items got weird at one point, like ashes of a birch tree at it's first birthday, or the grounded molars of a dog at their 100th birthday.

    "Say... what's up with these weird ingredients?" Dusk said as she dropped a bowl of snake scales.

    "You mean?" Chi cooed as she reached out for another ingredient.

     "Just who burns a tree at their first birthday?" demanded Dusk. "Or grind the teeth of a dog?"

    Chi laughed. "The birch tree willingly sacrificed itself," she said, "because trees have consciousness too. Those who don't like their lives will decide whether to live it or just... die. It's complex for those who are new to this matter, I was confused at first, but if you delve into it, you'll understand."

    Dusk didn't want to. She's sure that'd make her mark her territories with too much worries next time.

    "The final ingredient," said Chi, passing Dusk something. It was a thin and semi-transparent elastic piece of leathery-skin.

    "What's this?"

    Chi smiled sadly at it. "It's... dragon wing skin," she said.

    "D-dragons?" stuttered Dusk uncertainly.

    Chi nodded. "Delicate subject, don't bring it around much."

    Dusk dropped the skin down into the pot. "OK, I'm going to say the spell now," Chi said. "Ready?"

    Dusk didn't get a chance to reply as the unicorn chanted. The soft whispers from her lips escaped and hung in the room, and Dusk felt something heavy on her heart. Dusk gasped for air as her heartbeat accelerated quickly, speeding, racing, and Dusk started to sweat.

    She blinked. The pot was glowing orange ominously. She inhaled, but her chest felt limp.

    All of a sudden, the feeling was severed. Blinking, Dusk looked round.

    Chi was mixing the potion with her horn to even out the solution. "Are you alright?"

    Dusk panted, but nodded.

    "Good," Chi said. "There's a clear spring nearby if you need to refresh yourself."

    Dusk didn't really want to part. She wanted to see the potion in action.

    Chi strode towards the potion, a laddle ready. Dipping it into the potion, she drank it, and the unicorn coughed.

    "Bitter," Chi gagged, but then her horn started to be tinge with orange.

    Chi smiled. "Well, seems like it's working," she said and uttered a spell. Glass bottles from the shelves flew towards Chi and the orange liquid filled in each and every one of them.

    Dusk didn't see what happened next, for her eyelids grew very heavy...

Author's Note: DARN I FORGOT TO POST YESTERDAY!! So, exams soon, won't be posting until 11th November 2016. Yeah, what an anti-climatic ending for this chapter pfttt...

Chapter 49: To Hunt Or Not To Hunt

WISP

    It took them a while to find a good place to settle. Mist had marked her territory and plopped down beside Wisp. "Now, we need to hunt," said Mist.

    "Should we?" inquired Wisp, not feeling particularly hungry.

    Mist yawned. "I'm tired, go hunt me a hare or something," she said.

    "Tch, as if," Wisp playfully said as he stood up and went off to search for food. As much as he didn't want to, the two needed to eat.

    Instead of setting in a hunting mood, Wisp decided to take a stroll instead. Losing his mother had been hard enough, needing to let go of Midnyx was even harder. Then, Dusk disappeared after they bonded, even if they had a lot of arguments, and then his father. Even if he doesn't really care for Darke, his father had been a pleasant break for him in life...

    Along with his father, the entire pack.

    The place they picked wasn't too grassy, more of a barren and rocky one, with dried grass here and there. Wisp didn't think that finding a bunny would be possible here, but he tried to search for one anyway.

    After all, he didn't want to lose Mist either.

    Wisp continued to walk down the barren hill, remembering that Darren, Terra and Escarda were just a few miles away, and that Darren was willing to help them if they couldn't fend for themselves. However, Wisp wanted to show the wolf that he was more than capable.

    More than his father was in leading his pack.

    There wasn't a bunny in sight, as Wisp has expected, but Mist wanted one. So did Wisp, but he wished for a drink too.

    How did Darren survive in the barren wild for such a long time?

    Hold on. The hill. Wasn't Escarda hunting beyond there?

    Wisp paused. Perhaps there was a grassy meadow beyond there, concealing prey.

    Darren was probably too upset about the death of Darke to remember- typical him.

    Wisp turned and ran towards the path he remembered to have taken to Darren. With luck, Mist wouldn't be dying of starvation right now.

    Wisp wandered around before actually finding the right spot. Darren and Escarda were talking about the possibilities of what happened to the rest of the pack. The wolf generals- probably Rocky and Nyxtryx already made out and probably made plans for an entire pack for the years to come. They laughed.

    Wisp didn't bother greeting them. He was sneaking away if anything.

    "Hey, where are you off to?" said a feminine voice. Wisp turned back and saw a brown wolf standing there, stiffly, looking at him.

    "Oh, Terra," Wisp said, feeling awkward. "Um, hi."

    "Yeah, so... what are you doing here?" she inquired. "Aren't you with your... soulmate?"

    Wisp stiffly laughed. "Soulmate? It's nothing of the sort... I- Is there food over this hill?"

    Terra shrugged. "There should be, we came from there, hunted there as well, but, as for now, I can't say."

    "I see, thank you," said Wisp and decided to head off.

    Wisp barely heard Terra say, "Be cautious and don't get lost."

    The fields were vast, tall grass sprouting from every inch of the ground. A few fowl sent shrill cries from the skies, but Wisp paid no heed to them. He had spotted a young hare between the blades of grass.

    Slowly... Yes...

    Wisp pounced, but the hare zig-zagged away, trying to throw Wisp off. He was getting frustrated and wanted that hare.

    Suddenly it disappeared. Wisp halted. It had jumped into a hole.

    Cursing the hole and the hare, Wisp slunk off. Just before he realised what happened, there was the sound of squealing. Wisp glanced back, a fox had the hare in it's jaws and ran off.

    Digging... Wisp cursed the fox and the hare.

    With those two around- and the hole as well- he might never get to taste anymore easily-earned food.

    Unless he stole from Darren.

Author's Note: Kyaaa sorry for not updating in forever! I'm horrible at keeping schedules oops... However, I assure you next chapter is coming in two weeks as scheduled! Sorry again!

Chapter 48: Transformation

MIDNIGHT

    Epsilon's laughter scared her. Even Iota looked shaken. "Epsilon! Pray tell what are you laughing about!" she cried.

    Everyone had stopped in their tracks now. Epsilon calmed himself down. It was his first outburst as Midnight had seen.

    "This is no laughing matter, Epsilon," Theta sternly said.

    Epsilon finally controlled himself. "Well, it's just that..." he said, laughing a bit more, "I've been waiting for this day... hoping it'll come..."

    Theta looked more than surprised. "Why? You know the extent of his powers, and yet...!"

    Epsilon smiled. "You won't understand..."

    Even Iota looked unnerved.

    He faced them all, and when he opened his mouth to speak, Midnight noticed something unusual.

    His teeth weren't like before.

    "Rune, ah, Rune," Epsilon mused, his tail twitching. "He thinks he can best me in magic? I who have trained underneath the King of Magic himself alongside Omicron?"

     Before Midnight knew it, Theta was growling.

     How is this happening? Everyone in the woods is locked in an unhealthy rivalry! Midnight cried.

    "Even Lambda could do little against me," scoffed Epsilon. "Rune couldn't even cast a spell if he wanted."

    "Epsilon! You've forgotten too much!" cried Iota. "You know that isn't true!"

    "Is it, dear?" hissed Epsilon, his voice dangerous and filled with suspicious sweetness.

    Iota blushed and looked away.

    "Epsilon, you know Rune almost casted the Rune Tower, he can cast spells, and even if you deny it, it is true," Theta growled.

    Epsilon paused. "I want to have a battle with him. A duel. Just the two of us. I, Epsilon, him, Rune-Beta and magic."

    Midnight looked trapped. This wasn't the Epsilon she knew!

    "T-that's dense!" piped up Iota. "Please don't do it, E-Epsilon!"

    "This charade has gone too far, Theta," said a low dangerous voice from Epsilon.

    Theta stiffened. "Your... teeth..."

    Midnight could see they were starting to grow sharper. Suddenly, the twitching tail grew, it became long. It was a long black tail.

    All of a sudden, Epsilon's fur all turned dark, and his hooves gave way, claws starting to form. Iota backed away cautiously as Theta's curve upwards. The majestic deer began to shrunk, and suddenly he was on his fours, baring his teeth towards Midnight and Theta before scampering away.

    "That's the real Epsilon."

    The lizard had skulked out of the forest, leaving Iota, Theta and Midnight frightened.

Author's Note: Short chapter. Running out of time. Not cool, sorry.

Chapter 47: Epsilon's Side of the Forest

MIDNIGHT

    Theta was running towards the flying creature. "It got Blaze! It got Blaze!" she shrieked, and Midnight was trying her best to keep up.

    "It's useless!" Midnight screamed, panting. "Blaze... has been taken away!!"

    She knew it's true. She knew Theta was concerned, but both knew that it was impossible to catch up.

    They know that it would be impossible to catch that thing, and once they step outside, they are vulnerable to any threats. Midnight's running started to slow down. "I'm sorry, Theta, we know what's going to happen..."

    Theta stopped running too. "Still... Blaze..."

    Midnight noticed tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry..."

     They stood there in silence, gazing at the sky. No longer was there even a speck of Blaze or the creature. Outside, the magical feeling seem to cease, and that the wind shifted, blowing the grass and their fur.

    "Why...?" Theta asked, and howled louder, "WHY??"

    Midnight didn't want to see tears, or more enemies. She coaxed Theta to return to the forest. At first, Theta didn't want to, but after hearing a beast call, Theta called Midnight to hurry up and take shelter in the woods. Despite her magic, she was not eager to face in battle with the brutes.

    Neither was Midnight, after she seen their power. The two rushed back into the forest.

    "What are you doing here?" a voice addressed.

    "I-!" cried Theta, looking up from her panting. She gasped. "E-Epsilon! I'm so sorry, I-!"

    "He asked you a question," an icy voice followed. "Answer."

    The voice seemed familiar... Midnight looked up. The magnificent white deer stood proudly, his long caramel horns crowning him. At once, Midnight recognised him as Epsilon. Beside him, a chestnut doe stood, her jade eyes glaring at Theta.

    "I was-! Iota!" cried Theta again, straying off topic.

    "Answer him!" barked the doe.

    "No, it's alright, Iota," said Epsilon. "It's been forever since one of you come over, except for Iota, of course, I'm glad you do drop by."

    Epsilon's friendliness never did waver. Midnight though he would chastise the two of them for trespassing, but that seem not to be the case. Epsilon was in his deer form, his regal and polite form. However... Iota...

    Midnight frowned. She remembered the doe apologising... right? Why is she so cold now?

    "Why are you here?" Iota asked instead.

    "We were chasing after Blaze," Theta explained.

    "Pray tell who this Blaze is," scoffed Iota.

    "Iota," Epsilon sternly said. "This may be my part of land, but they are welcome here."

    Iota didn't continue to ask, but hung her head down.

    Epsilon smiled. "Come, let us venture the woods. What worries do you carry?" he said. "I might be of assistance."

    "An outsider wolf... he was by the corner, the edge of the woods, and a creature carried them away," Theta said.

    As they paced forwards, Iota tried to keep pace with Epsilon, but he was interested in Theta's story. "Go on," he prompted.

    "We tried to catch up, but it had wings, the beast... It was out of a dark wispy material..." Theta continued.

    "Like beasts lurking outside the woods," Epsilon said.

    "Yes, those," Theta said.

    It was silent aside for the sound of their steps. "Pray tell why such a foolish creature would venture around here, and yet not enter it?" asked Iota.

    Theta shook her head. "I kept him too long waiting for nothing, he must have been starved," she said.

    "Sad lives, that they carry, like our friend here, Midnight," Epsilon said, remembering the black wolf, and she seemed to be surprised.

    "Secrets," scoffed Iota.

    Theta nodded slowly. "Not all is the same anymore. More secrets, more dangers..."

    She turned to face Epsilon. "Can I tell you something... Epsilon? It's not light, it can lead to our next war, and it be the reason to all our troubles."

    Midnight swallowed. She knew Theta was talking about the truth of Shadow.

    After a hesitant silence, Epsilon said, "Go on..."

    Iota tried to look uninterested, but it wore off as Theta said the words. "Beta has returned."

    "B-Beta!" cried Iota. Midnight knew she had heard stories.

    Epsilon suddenly stopped walking. "Beta..."

    He swung his head towards Theta. "You mean Rune...?"

    Theta nodded.

    Suddenly, the sound of laughter filled the air.

Author's Note: Guys, this one is a complete chapter. The ending is abrupt, I know. Also, I no longer am able to keep up with the story and studies, so I will be posting once in two weeks on Sundays.

In addition, chapter 45 has been updated, it has somehow been cut half way through at now the chapter is complete.

Chapter 46: Wounded Unicorn

DUSK

    "So, how was it?"

    Dusk looked back and saw the stern face of Lambda. He was walking towards Dusk with an unfamiliar gleam in his eyes.

    "It went OK, I guess," Dusk replied. If Lambda was looking for any wind of Shadow- err- Beta, he won't be getting any from her.

    Lambda nodded. "Did you find it?" he asked.

    Dusk shook her head. "No, not yet."

    "Well then," Lambda said, "if you're so persistent to find out, then I suppose Chi would have to spend more time with you."

     Dusk stiffened. It wasn't the best experience, but she suppose it was the only way.

    "Anyway," Dusk said, desperate to change the subject, "where's Midnight?"

    Lambda shrugged. "We of the Silver Woods do as we please within the safety of the woods if we have no desire to harm it," he said. "I do not keep tabs on anyone, not even Midnight, so perhaps there might be someone who had run into her."

    Dusk nodded. Somehow, she wanted to engage in conversation with Lambda, but also avoid him. He's like Shadow before Dusk knew him.

    She knew it.

    She wanted to impress him.

    Impress him so he respects her.

    "I'll be on my way now," Lambda said. "Until next time."

    "Yeah..." Dusk said as Lambda walked off.

    Suddenly, a loud cry came, "CHI!"

    Surprised, Dusk rushed towards the sound- where Lambda headed to. Dusk gave an audible gasp as well when she saw the sight.

    Chi was on the ground, lying on her side, seeming to pant. Lambda was regaining his composure, taking in deep breaths as he chanted something inaudible to Dusk.

    Something twisty, embedded in Chi's side, and with a spell, Lambda carefully removed it. Then, he cleaned her wound very carefully before closing it.

    Even so, Lambda was still shaking when the procedure was over.

    Dusk could hardly hear him whisper, "Chi..."

    "Ungh," Chi groaned.

    "What happened...?"

    The unicorn looked at Lambda. "Someone from the skies attacked me."

    Dusk was unsure if she should remain. When she was going to slip away, Lambda firmly said, "Remain here, Dusk."

    His voice suddenly scared her.

    With help, Lambda helped Chi up onto her four hooves. However, it was made clear that Chi could not travel at the moment, but she managed to sit up. Sighing, Lambda looked at the twisted item.

    So did Dusk.

    It was brown-black, almost as if shining in the little light present, and it was barbed in addition of being sharp. "With a spell on it..." Lambda mumbled.

    "What... spell?" inquired Chi warily.

    "It's a spell to weaken one's body for days and days," Lambda said.

    Chi's expression showed she was horrified.

    "I-! I can't go weakened!" she cried.

    "No, of course not, but one can't oppose the power of a spell either," Lambda responded.

    Lambda shattered the item and magic grounded it up into fine powder.

    "We've been using so many magic in the past days," Lambda growled, "it's impossible to track whose this is."

    Chi moaned. "I guess I'm as well good to die," she said. Facing Dusk, she said, "Sorry, no more memory scouring unless I'm stronger."

    Lambda swung his head towards the two. "You two should stick together. Dusk, try to protect Chi- is that OK?"

    "I don't even have powers!" Dusk protested.

    Lambda smiled. "If magic is everything you need to protect, how did you survive so far until now?"

    "I mean! I'm a non-magical wolf here! You all do magic, and if I'm going to protect her from this magical attacks, how can I even survive through that?" cried Dusk.

    Lambda casually walked away, towards Chi.

    "I will tell you a secret, Dusk," said Lambda. "Look at me- I'm a wolf."

    "So?" snapped Dusk. "So am I!"

    Ever so quietly, Lambda responded, "The wolf is the weakest form a powerful mage like me can chose to remain in. Do you know why I remained in such a form instead of another?"

    Dusk and Chi were silent.

    "It's because I'm weak."

Author's Note: Yay! Delays, delays! You guys probably think: Eh, Rainbow's gone again. Sorry, was busy with family reunion last week!

YOU WANT LAMBDA'S BACKSTORY? Nope, nope, you won't get it yet ahahahah.

Sticking Chi and Dusk for the moment. Chi can do more than memory search you know. You'll see in the next few episodes...

Whoa, it's been a while since I did Dusk, actually.

Chapter 45: Darren's Pack

WISP

    He couldn't believe it. His father, dead, before he could let his children take over. Shadow and the wolf generals sang songs of the death of the great chief, and they all, as a pack, howled into the sky, before the pack split.

    Wisp should build his own pack.

    He wanted to cry. He was far too young! That was absurd! His sister would never let him mate at this age!

    "Hey, are you OK?" asked a voice.

    Wisp looked up and saw Mist. He rushed to her and cried. Mist looked teary eyed too, but Wisp didn't know he could grieve so much for his father. The tears just kept running.

    In the bright sky, something seem to flash.

    "Shh, shhh..." Mist said soothingly, almost like chanting a lullaby. "It's over, but it's not the end..."

    "I can't even start a new pack!" protested Wisp, upset, tears still in his eyes.

    Mist shook her head. "I can, I'm the alpha!"

    "Hey, you didn't just recruit me-"

    "You rushed into me!" Mist protested.

    Wisp growled. "I'm my own pack's alpha."

    "So you want a fight?" Mist haughtily said.

    Wisp playfully lunged at Mist, and the two rolled around, laughing. "Let's just build a pack together," Mist shyly said.

    "Wait- what?"

    Mist nodded. "Perhaps it's time to start a new Nyx, and we're the leaders, Wisp. There wouldn't be any suspicious figures like Shadow or another person you'll end up loathing."

    Wisp smiled. He liked the idea.

    "Yeah," Wisp said. "Without marriage or mating."

    "Alright," Mist said and walked ahead. Wisp bounded along.

    "I'm elder than you are, to others, I'm the alpha, alright?" Mist reminded.

    "Fine," Wisp grumbled.

    "To Nyx II Pack!" Mist cheered.

     Wisp nodded.

     The two walked on, hunting on little squirrels to fill their bellies. Then, they heard the howling of wolves. "That howl sounds familiar," Wisp noted.

    "Yeah..." Mist said, but from her tone Wisp knew she was unsure.

    Wisp was getting curious. "Let's find out," Wisp said.

    "Hey, hey, hey! Territory!" Mist reminded.

    Wisp shrugged. "I just-! I have a feeling to go towards it..."

    "Fine," Mist grumbled. "I'll back you up."

    Wisp nodded. The two walked towards where they think the howl came from. Walking through bushes, between trees and rocks, they finally found a small rocky barren spot that spirals uphill, and there, two brown wolves sat, one with a white underside and the other with a beige mix on their fur.

    The two heard them coming. They glanced over, one with curiosity and the other with ferocity.

    "W-Wisp!" one of the called.

    "T-that voice..." mumbled Mist.

    The one with the white underside hopped down and strode towards them. "Mist too!" the wolf cried.

    "D-Darren?" Mist exclaimed.

    "Yes, i-it's I, Darren," the wolf replied.

    "Whoa, starting a pack?" Wisp inquired.

    Darren nodded. "That's Terra, m-my new m-mate," he said.

    Mist smiled. "Glad to hear, Darren! Soul-mate I hope?"

    Darren nervously laughed. "I hope so," he replied. He glanced around. "W-where's everyone else?"

    "Oh?" Mist said, as if it was obvious. "Nyx Pack has met it's end."

    Darren looked shocked. "W-what!"

    "Chief Darke died," Wisp bluntly said.

    "M-my deepest condolences," Darren replied, shaking his head. "I-I didn't k-know."

    "It was a surprise for all of us," Mist said softly.

    Darren shook his head. "M-my apologies if I sound blunt, b-but Chief Darke had been expecting this d-day."

    "Him being sick, I don't see why not," commented Wisp.

    Mist nudged him, cross.

    "N-no, not like t-that," Darren stammered. "He k-knew that the something that would k-kill him was something not of this world."

    "He was burning, then he fell into the river," Wisp said.

    Darren shook his head. "I don't know m-much about this, I'm s-sorry."

    There was a sharp bark from behind. "W-we've run out of time," Darren said as another wolf came into sight, and lay down beside Terra. "Escarda wouldn't t-think much of the news, b-but I'll tell here."

    "E-Escarda!" exclaimed Mist, surprised.

    The grey wolf barked again, "Darren!"

    Darren shrugged. "She couldn't f-form a pack, so she's w-with me until a male snags her."

    Mist laughed a bit. "Alright, bye Darren."

    "Bye... Darren."

    Darren nodded back stiffly and raced up the rocky hill. Speaking to Terra, he and Escarda moved away, talking animatedly.

    "It's good they've started their pack."

    Mist sounded as if she was wishing she could too.

    "We soon will," Wisp said, though unsure. He forced himself to sound hopeful for Mist. "We will."

Author's Note: AHAHAHA YOU PROBABLY FORGOTTEN DARREN! POOR GUY.

So, the struggle continues! Dum dum dummm...

Chapter 44: Forest's Beginnings

MIDNIGHT

    Midnight didn't want to hear the details of Pi's love life with Agruare, and then excused herself, claiming to try to find Blaze.

    Speaking of which, where is he?

    Not only Blaze, Cullen too.

    The two has been gone forever, she couldn't help wondering but think what happened to them. Did they get lost? Are they with Zeta and Theta?

    Also, Midnight haven't saw the two either. Nor did she see Epsilon, Omega and Alpha.

    She couldn't help but wonder.

    "Oh, Middy!" a voice cried. It was unmistakably Theta's.

    What a coincidental thought, Midnight mused and greeted her back. "Where have you been?"

    "On a wild goose chase trying to find Iota," Theta huffed. "It's not easy to find a shape shifter, Iota. She's really good at hiding."

    "I think she's at Epsilon's," Midnight grumbled, and told Theta how she met the doe, which Pi called Iota.

    Theta nodded. "Sounds like Iota's doe," she commented. "Come, then! If that's true, let's go!"

    Midnight nodded slowly. They walked past trees, and she decided to start a conversation, "Say, where are Alpha, Omega and Zeta?"

    "Them?" Theta inquired. "They're out guarding posts. Zeta and I are taking shifts."

    "I never thought being in the woods would need so much dedication..."

    "Excuse me?"

    Midnight paused. "I mean, I thought you all just do your parties and games, but... you're not doing anything but guarding the woods. Isn't there a magical barrier?"

    "Middy," Theta sighed. "Not everything in life is a game. Perhaps to Rune this is, but not us. We usually have our own lives to run, our little plans and fun, but since we heard Rune has returned, we took more precaution. The Quetzalquatl Barrier would never be as strong as it was, and that these demons are trying to enter. Rune is getting stronger, and we need to prepare for that..."

    "Quetzal- what?" Midnight piped up, ignoring the rest of what Theta said.

    Theta looked at the blue sky. "Quetzalquatl. It's a type of dragon-creature, but not quite. Quartz was the leader of the dragons, and in their battle to defeat Rune, they, however, foresaw the battle's outcome that Rune would win, so, instead, Quartz used their power that called upon the life of his body, every life and magic in him, to create the barrier."

    "So... the barrier doesn't come from the woods?" Midnight inquired, flabbergasted.

    "Nothing comes by easy, Middy," Theta replied. "Not even the fact that this forest turned magical instead of growing already being powered with magic."

    "You mean?" Midnight inquired.

    Theta nodded at the ground. "We used this forest as our training area at first, but using this place turned it into a magical place, where the magic we performed had given this place a new light. Magic seeps into this area, growing bitter vegetation. It was starting to get dangerous, so we tried using a magic ring that would prevent the magic from seeping over.

    "This barrier, however, didn't exactly hold evil out as Quartz's barrier, so there were days when mythical evil tried to take over this land, already powerful. Even so, dragons eventually joined us, the unicorns were forced into banishment for losing and trying to take this land- very few noble ones made through, and griffins had tried to burn this place down.

    "This place had endured so much, Middy, it has a history, it's not always like this."

    Midnight nodded, awestruck. The forest, a heaven, has never been one, except that these people formed it to be one.

    "Oh, Epsilon's area," Theta bluntly said, and Midnight just noticed a rock with weird writings on it. "That rocks marks the start of his territory. Not big, but enough."

    "Why didn't Lambda give a territory to Omega instead?" Midnight questioned.

    "It's just that Epsilon was the one who argued against so many who agreed, it may not be a very good idea, but it's the good for the many," Theta sadly said.

    "Still! Killing all the dragons?" cried Midnight.

    "No!" Theta replied. "No! They're not dead, not killed- not alive either!"

    "Then how?" inquired Midnight.

    "You probably know when we lose power we take form of wolves when we're 'great' enough, but when we die, what's left of us is an orb- our magical soul. Our original soul dies, but the soul formed of magic lives on until it's power is called upon and drained. This magical soul of ours, it does hold part of their consciousness," Theta replied.

    "So, they can talk?" inquired Midnight, curious.

    "Yeah!" said Theta. "Through our minds. We keep them in the sanctuary, where they all are alive. The dragons realised they were harsh and dense back then and accepted their fate. After all, they're more reasonable in their soul-state. We can summon them into another vessel if we want, but then, that's another life risked."

    "What's the difference compared to the Dragons of Stone?"

    "You've seen?" cried Theta.

    Midnight nodded.

     "For the Dragons of Stone, they're alive, their entire soul in the statue, lurking, even their souls can escape and roam free," explained Theta. "Magical souls... if they're just that, then, that's their only life they have."

    Without knowing it, they've reached farther into Epsilon's territory, close to the end of the forest. "Interesting," muttered Midnight.

    "Hee-EEEE-lp!!" a voice shrieked.

    "B-Blaze?" exclaimed Theta, shocked, and began to run forwards. Midnight hurried ahead. By the border, a large dark, shadowy bird was in the air, Blaze in it's talons.

    Then, the wolf was out of sight, just after Theta howled, "BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAZE!!!"

Author's Note: Hey guys! More explanation, origin of the forest, etc., etc., etc.. Not much of action scenes yet so far, soon, I hope...

Chapter 43: The Last of the Pack

WISP

    The wolf yawned. It was weird to feel so refreshed after a very long time. The nap seemed to be more satisfying than ever.

    The pack had moved on a little, but then they decided to lay low for the moment as Rocky and Axel has inspected, a farm was up ahead.

    Most of the pack was already up. They were talking amongst themselves, wondering about the future and the pack. Some of them discussed about the chief, whose health and reign is failing.

     Wisp is unpleased. He knew his father isn't always the best, but then to hear others but him whine on the chief suddenly seemed so much annoying andd bothering him a lot.

    "Where are we going?" Mist whispered, sleepy but awake by his side.

    "Don't know yet," Wisp said, but he was thirsty. The wolves landed themselves in a bad spot this time. They were by a farm, and the river is on the other side. Grey was out to try see the pattern of the humans' activities in the farm. They were trying to cross in a peaceful manner.

    They might be hungry for some human meat, but then they didn't want to risk the cubs in the pack. For they moved all together.

    "Ah, here comes Grey," Shadow muttered in the distance. Wisp looked up and spotted the grey wolf running to them.

    "They're gone!" he shouted joyfully. "They're gone!"

    "Who's gone?" demanded Shadow when Grey reached them.

    Despite the harsh tone, Grey still looked elated and replied, "The farmers!"

    "Are you sure?" Nyxtryx cried.

    Grey nodded so fast it convinced Wisp. "C'mon! Before they return!"

    "How are you sure they won't return so soon?" Ironide inquired.

    "They left on this tall thing that gives out smoke. 'Slow and steady, we're going far,' I heard the farmer say," replied Grey.

     "If what he says is true," said the low rumble of Chief Darke, "then we should hurry."

    It was quite a sight. The wolves all starting to wake, woken by each other silently, then they began to journey. From the far side, they began to move as a pack towards the farm. Wisp, beside Mist, could see the tall grass and the peak of a building come in sight. Aside from the wolves and the rustling grass, everything else seemed silent.

    "You think it'll be OK to cross this thing?" Mist inquired.

    "Yeah, sure," Wisp said.

    The chief, who had started walking in front of everyone else, ended up walking in the back, and Wisp knew that his health was failing him. "Hey, Mist, I want to see my father," Wisp said, and without waiting for a response, in fear she'd stop him, he turned and nudged his father. "Hey, dad, what's up?"

    His father was warm, his heartbeat quick...

    "Wisp," Darke replied shortly.

    "That's me," Wisp said, helping his father feel better about the walk. Ahead, he could spot Mist reuniting with Ironide. He smiled apologetically to himself.

    Wisp concentrated on nothing else but walking. Walking beside his father. His father's body seemed to radiate heat, and that his heartbeat was unstable.

    Did I really wish for him to die so much? Wisp growled. The guilty feeling suddenly nabbed at him, and he truly wondered, why? How?

    They reached the farm, and over it, and finally they found the river. Immediately, everyone of the exhausted wolves rushed towards it and savoured the sweet river's water. Wisp did too, lapping the water. Beside him, Darke panted and lapped the water up. Shadow didn't seem to lap up the water as excitedly as the rest, but kept an eyeful watch.

    Wisp felt his body grow warmed. Warmer. He nudged his dad, wondering about the heat.

    He yelped instead as his body made contact with his father's body.

    It was burning hot.

    "Dad!" Wisp cried. It was unnaturally hot.

    Quickly, Wisp splashed into the river, allowing a wave of water to splash against his father's hot body, trying to cool it down. The other wolves were looking at Wisp nervously.

    "D-dad!" Wisp cried, tugging his father's fore leg, trying to get him into the water to cool.

    When he couldn't budge, Wisp suddenly had an instinct to swim backwards. As he did, the chief suddenly toppled down into the river. "CHIEF DARKE!" screamed Rocky and plunged in right after.

    Wisp was trying to keep the chief back to the shore, but was struggling badly. Ironide and Axel then came along too, and hauled the chief up. He was oddly cold now, stiff and...

    No... it can't be...

    Shadow strode forwards and looked at Chief Darke. He hung his head and faced the crowd. "The Nyx Pack... has met it's end."

Author's Note: Hmm... Looks like it's another misfortune that befallen the Nyx Pack. I wonder--

Anyway! I did a bit of research about what happens when one of a pack dies, so this along with the tradition to send off wolves (which is not real, however) is how the pack disappears and form again with another. Interesting, I must say.

Chapter 42: Grudges

MIDNIGHT

    The lone wolf walked around the woods, bored, no-one to talk to. She sighed when she sat down. The guardians were busy guarding the woods, Blaze and Cullen must have been hiding, Sunrise is gone...

    "Hello," said a voice.

    Midnight turned her head, to face Pi, her light orange fur shimmering in the light. "Oh, Pi," said Midnight.

    "H-hello!" a soft voice squeaked. In surprise, Midnight saw the young kit, Sunrise.

    "S-Sunrise! S-she can speak wolf?" asked Midnight.

    Pi smiled. "I'm teaching her. Both fox and wolf. Majority of us uses wolf, because that's what we end up as if we lose our powers."

    "Have you been a wolf, Pi?" Midnight asked.

    Pi frowned, the sparkle in her eyes suddenly gone. "Yes," she growled. "Momentarily."

    Midnight wanted to ask, but the sudden change in the fox's tone had told her to avoid the subject. "So... how's Sunrise doing?"

    "Oh, not bad, she can converse pretty OK in fox and slightly less better in wolf, but, hey, that's alright!" Pi said, regaining her happy tone. "So, up to anything lately?"

    "No... except," Midnight said, and the deer she encountered flashed into her mind. "I met this doe... Brown coat and extremely jumpy."

    Pi shot up quickly, scaring Sunrise into hiding, before Midnight could continue describing the doe. "Iota!" she cried.

    "Excuse me?" Midnight asked.

    "T-that's Iota! She's been gone from her post for weeks! I should have known!" Pi cried.

    "W-what is it, Pi?" Midnight cried.

    Pi shook her head and kissed Sunrise, and, with a gentle push, allowed her to depart from sight. "See, Iota has always loved Epsilon from a long time ago, even after dragons has been banished."

    "Iota told us that their relationship was over, but then... why does she keep abandoning her post to see him then?" Pi mused.

    Midnight was silent.

    "To be honest, one of the more powerful ones now is Iota. She didn't "fall" into the regeneration of the wolves for more than a century, and, well, that's not really fair, is that?" pouted Pi. "I mean, she doesn't even have true powers! Ugh!"

    Midnight frowned. Aside from Omega and Epsilon it seems like there are two other individuals in an unknown war- Iota and Pi.

    "Hey, maybe she evaded it all," Midnight sad, trying to assure Pi.

    "Hah! Didn't even join in the war against Beta, that child!" Pi snorted.

    Just made things worse, grumbled Midnight.

    "Does Iota even realise Epsilon is no longer trying to be with her?" Pi ranted. "I mean-!"

    Pi sighed, enraged. "His memories has been altered, he doesn't know her as he used to!"

    Midnight then remembered a little about what Pi has told her. "Does it mean... that when you change forms, you might not have any memories of when you have as in another?"

    Pi seem to relax and nod. "Yes, Midnight, that is true," she responded. "Iota is chasing something she can't achieve. Forced into the deer shape of his, Epsilon can barely remember relationships of him and the rest, to avoid war between him and Omega."

    "Interesting," said Midnight. "Still, do you have any grudges against her that made you sound... bitter?"

    Pi laughed nervously. "Bitter was I?"

    Midnight did not reply but fixed a cold stare at Pi. The fox sighed. "Yes, for it was her who personally slain Agruare."

    Midnight remembered it too well.

    "...My lover."

Author's Note: HEY guys! Long time no post, you guys probably forgot about Agruare hehe. So, yeah, notes, a new chapter, it's a bit lame, but eh.

Also make sure to comment or I'll have to get rid of your characters hehe...

Hiatus Announcement

Hey, guys. My family had made plans to leave for abroad, so, I have to go with them. I'll be sure to return by August, I'll be gone for the majority of July.

Any art I owe will be pending due to the need to leave all those papers behind. Many of them are near to completion, though. I can finish the commissions when I come back- that I'm certain of.

I'm leaving for hiatus on all the social medias I'm in. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Chapter 41: Shadow's Meeting

DUSK

    Chi had invited Dusk to her 'spot', which was a huge rock in a lake. Chi's bright eye looked into Dusk's.

    "Alright, Dusk," the unicorn said, lying down as well. "It's been a while since I did this, but looking at memories is my speciality. I used to do this for new members who wants to join us, I'm one of the oldest members alongside Lambda, Omicron and Pi. The evil Beta was with us, but that's another story.

    "Dusk, memories cannot be destroyed by others but by self, but simply to be bind to a place where you won't ever remember, and one day your brain is going to burn the memory because it's useless. You never used it. So, that's where I come in. I am to find those memories."

    "Interesting," mumbled Dusk, who was wet from swimming in the lake to the rock.

    "I will be using you to venture your mind," said Chi. "Not a very pleasant journey, but is there anything you'd like to avoid?"

    Dusk wondered for a moment. "I'd appreciate it if you kept off where my personal things are, like my family, arguments in the family. Anything related to family and love."

    After all, she was away from home. It could be forever.

    "Wow, that's tough," Chi whined. "I'll try though. OK, so, Dusk, calm down. Deep breaths. Good. Yes. Now, close your eyes... Just sleep. Relax."

    Dusk exhaled and closed her eyes, breathing as steadily as she could. She then inhaled once more before she realised she slept.

    Dusk opened her eyes. She was as a young wolf, crashing through the bushes, she looked left, and gasped. Whitney was on her left, her bloody snout and sharp eye looking ahead. Moona, Opal and Grace was with her. Dusk glanced right. The Pack Quest leader was there. Ice was running, growling, her beautiful white fur matted with blood. On her right was Bloom, Andromeda, Pearl and Milky.

    Before Dusk could hear what Ice had to say, the scene shifted and all was dark.

    The wolf suddenly was staring at the distant earth. It was brown-red, and suddenly her vision blurred. Her paws were paddling, bubbles surfaced around her. Dusk dived and then paddled to struggle to keep herself and the pup afloat.

    Dusk remembered it all too well, and then the memories shifted. She was in a meeting, it seems, she caught sight of Nyxtryx, who was laughing with Rocky. She smiled as Shadow called them to a silence. As Dusk swung her head to face him, she spotted Ironide, who was eyeing her. Dusk felt a pang of sadness. She and Ironide were never all that close like Nyxtryx and Rocky, but still...

    Chi did not let go and the meeting came into Dusk's mind. "We all know the chief is coming to the end of his days," he said. Dusk growled- Shadow kept saying that. This meeting was about six months ago.

    "We shall miss him, but I think he's still ready to rule," said Dusk herself.

    Shadow nodded, eyeing each wolf carefully. "I wonder if any of you are aware of the Pack Quest?" he asked.

    "Why do you ask?" Nyxtryx snapped, who lost an ear to it.

    Shadow looked outside. "It's no longer on going, is it...?"

    "No, and we forbid it," said Axel firmly.

    Shadow sighed. "Rygeane, ah, Rygeane, I'm not sure if any of you knew this, but, did you know I came from around there?"

    The room was tense. They didn't exactly care, but Shadow continued.

    "I was kicked out of the pack for trying to be powerful and strong, just because I was much more talented than the leader of the pack, he was jealous, he didn't like it, he sent me on a run and sent two of his underlings to attack me," Shadow growled.

    "What, are you trying to say you're trying to be stronger than Chief Darke too?" Ironide coldly said. "That you want to be a chief?"

    "I am thankful for his actions that saved me," Shadow said softly. The scar on his right side seem to be more visible, the fur thin.

    This is it, a melodious voice said in present Dusk's mind. She growled.

    "If you truly wish to be thankful, then make his final months last long in great achievements," Rocky grunted.

    The wolves nodded their heads. Dusk choked as she saw Fairye, an elder wolf general who recently passed after stepping down for Grey. "Shadow," she said, "I'm aware you're his advisor, but everyone need advices. If you need help, we, the wolf generals, are willing to help the chief."

    Dusk recognised resentment written all over Shadow's face when Fairye didn't mention about Shadow. He forced a curt, "Very well."

    Then, Shadow continued his findings about the Pack Quest, and then told Fairye another party should be sent out. "Assume it is as a present law," he said, looking into the pink-red eyes of the grey wolf. He was staring so intensely, but yet so naturally.

    "Oh dear, I believe so," she said, shaking her head. Dusk growled. She recognised it at once. It was a manipulative Shadow performed!

    "Then it is the Pack Quest we shall perform," said Shadow, who grinned. "Meeting dismissed."

    Suddenly, memory Dusk couldn't even remember what the meeting was about, the words Pack Quest ringing in her ears...

    Chi shook her head. "Terrible," she muttered. They were once more on the rock, and Dusk was shaken. Chi, however, looked much more shaken.

    "A-are you alright?" Dusk inquired softly.

    "Not quite," Chi admitted. "Memory searching takes time, patience and energy. It's painful process. After delving into all that..."

    She shuddered, her purple eyes wide.

    Dusk frowned. "I didn't get my answer yet."

    "No, not yet," Chi said. "Maybe another day."

    Dusk frowned. She knew that Chi had her own capabilities and limits, but...

    ...she wanted to know Beta as fast as she could.

Author's Note: Yes, more vile actions of the Shadow! Anyway, I'm having my first "official" examination tomorrow, and, yeah, that's what I'll be doing, studying, for over the days. I might not post next week. Thanks!

Chapter 40: Entry Into Nyx Pack

WISP

    He was still confused about his conversation with Shadow. After that, he visited his father. He rarely did so, except when his father summoned him. For the first time, he approached him.

    "...Father," he said after a long pause.

    His father turned, looking at Wisp with his grey eyes. "Wisp," he greeted.

    Wisp eyed his father. Could it be Shadow talked to me about that because father no longer has use for him? he wondered.

    "Father, hello," Wisp said, trying to keep his tone icy.

    Chief Darke coughed. His dark fur swept in the wind. He was more worn-down than Wisp had ever seen. "You've come to talk to me about something?" he asked. However, Wisp realised a change.

    There was a spark in his eyes. A twinkle of joy.

    "It's about Shadow," Wisp said, sauntering to his father's side.

    "What about him?"

    Wisp was silent. "He was talking to me about that he should remain as an advisor, but I got confused. Did you two argue?"

    "Argue? In the past, yes, but not anymore. When it was about Pack Quest, changes and all, but I've gotten too sick to even argue," Chief Darke replied.

    "I'm not sure why, but he insisted that I keep him advisor when I become chief," Wisp replied.

    "Being an advisor will give him a high status in the pack," said Darke, nodding sombrely. Wisp playfully nudged his father. His father was warm...

    "That wouldn't be long until you have yet a higher power than his," Darke said after a long but comfortable silence.

    "Huh?"

    Darke looked at his son. "I'm sick, I'm growing older as well, Wisp. When the moment comes, you'll be chief, you'll rule these wolves, but not as someone with great ambitions, but you must be someone to follow the rules and respect the Pack Rules and your members. You need to be wise, Wisp, and be strong..."

    "What about Midnyx?" Wisp inquired, sadness filling his voice.

    "I'm afraid we cannot launch a search party as we are in currently on the run from humans," said Darke.

    Wisp pouted. "Tell me about Shadow, please, I'm not sure if I can trust him after a talk..."

    "What talk?" Darke inquired.

    Wisp told his father about Shadow requesting to be an advisor still, calling Wisp inexperienced and needing of assistance. He tried to use the same exact words.

    Darke shook his head. "That, I cannot ease you, nor your relationship with him, but let me tell you a little about his past."

    In a low tone and in a voice barely audible, Darke said, "When it was a cold downpour, I remember a few wolves reporting back to me that there was a scarred wolf in the rain, unconscious, but alive. Sick, but holding on to life. I didn't know what to do, but when Snow suggested we nurse him for the time being, we all agreed. After all, it would be wrong for the predator to die like that. It's such a pathetic way to die. We didn't know why, but we did it. In a week's time, he healed.

    "One day, I walked over to the wolf and asked him for his name, and he said it was Shadow. I asked where his pack is, and he said they were dead.  Why or how he would not answer and shook his head whenever I tried to ask. Eventually, we accepted him because he had no where to go.

    "He said he came from around the Rygeane Ruins, and then he noticed that some of our wolves were weak, and he suggested that they should embark on a journey to Rygeane, which is quite far, Wisp. I myself, Shadow and a few wolves went over to oversee if it was a good thing. Seeing the ruins made me think clear. There was no objections. The rule was made.

    "Overtime, I start to wonder. Why is it that only females should go? Shadow told me not to worry. He had risen to advisor ever since the trip to Rygeane. 'Females had always been a burden of not having enough stamina,' he said, but I knew that females are equals, or sometimes even better. The proof is the story of the lions. Female lions are the ones who hunt. Females also strive for their child. I grew blind and cold to what's obviously wrong, I don't know how, but Shadow kept on leading me.

    "We argued. We bickered. Somehow I could not win. These memories had just resurfaced days ago, my head is clear, my daughter is lost and my health is failing. If anything, Wisp, stay away from Shadow."

    Then his father stopped whispering.

    "Chief, shall we move to-"

    Shadow, who just entered the scene, stopped short, and stared at Wisp and Chief Darke, and his eyes sparkled with emotion.

    An emotion called anger. 

Author's Note: What. It's Sunday already? What sorcery is this. SHADOWWWWWW.

Either way, I guess this is Beta's backstory after his downfall, and now we know more things about him. Tip: Shadow had manipulated the chief! Dun dun dunn.

Chapter 39: Shadow's Spell

DUSK

    Lambda intimidated Dusk, but she was surprised when he said, "We need to talk."

    Dusk and Lambda were walking through the woods. A distant sound of a woodpecker made itself clear in the air.

    "What is it?" inquired Dusk. The wind blew back her fur, and her irritating long fur- err- feathers.

    Lambda cleared his throat. "I'm sure Midnight told you that the advisor, Shadow, of your pack, is one of us, rising as a villain. However, out there, he is unable to perform magic because the land has little to no magic," he said. "He's trying to rise again. What can you tell me about him?"

    "Hmm, first he arrived," Dusk said, "then the Chief started making plans for new rules. He said he was being too lax, thus the rules."

    Lambda was nodding. "Mhmm, go on," he encouraged.

    "After that, a silly quest named Pack Quest was established, where we had to travel to a ruins called Rygeane, grab a rune and go," said Dusk. "Then, a week after the chief's mate went off for the quest, she passed. After that, Shadow was the closest to the chief."

    "I guessed," said Lambda, growling. "Manipulation."

    "Excuse me?" yelped Dusk.

    Lambda started to pace around. "Manipulation. Beta- the Shadow one- best plays magic in manipulation. Making things seem what they aren't, making things believable, that's what he's doing to your pack."

    "What's he scheming?" inquired Dusk.

    Lambda shook his head. "I shouldn't tell just yet, it might be wrong, but, again, I don't want panic to spread."

    Dusk sighed. She was hoping for an answer. Still, Lambda had explained many things. About the fake incident of hunters, about the attack of the water hole. Shadow was playing them all as fools. Dusk wanted more than ever to strike him down.

    Lambda nodded at Dusk's feathers. "You must be close to irritating him, what did you do?" he inquired softly.

    "I... I can't remember," said Dusk. She tried many times to remember why she was alone without the pack but she simply couldn't remember.

    "Either way," said Lambda, continuing, "he was trying to perform a spell on you. The Silent Misfortune, as we call it. Very difficult, and only skilled people can use it. It's words are very twisting, so Beta must have panicked when he was using it. Perhaps someone was stirring to life or that someone was approaching, then he sped up and slipped somewhere. Certain slips in the spell can cause many other things.

    "A storm, for the earth to part, but he must have slipped in a minor part that he didn't notice. If he did, he would have stopped and cancelled the spell. Instead, he gave you wings."

    "WINGS?" yelped Dusk. "What wings?"

    Lambda nodded. "Wings. To be exact- a wing. Growing feathers is the first step, then, over the days, you will feel sharp pain as your bones modify itself and starts to grow out. If you ever need any help, any of us can calm you and reduce or take the pain away."

    "Is there any way for me to get rid of this right now?" Dusk growled.

    Lambda nodded. "Your choice, by either using alberteau, the spell of change, or ignisis, the burning spell. Using the changing spell will stop whatever has happened there in your bones unwanted, but the feathers remain. Using the burning spell, it needs to be used repeatedly over time, but if there are no feathers, the bones wouldn't want to modify until the body is suitable."

    "That doesn't even make any sense," growled Dusk.

    Lambda's eyes twinkled. "It's not like anything here makes sense, right? Either way, the less painful and effective way is too complicated and one slip might change you completely."

    Dusk frowned. It was pain with or without wings or a risky spell.

    "I'll keep the wing," she finally said. Wing sounded weird being a singular.

    "It's your choice," said Lambda. "I advice you to meet up with Delta or Zeta some time around if you need any help with... your change. Theta can hide your wings if you're uncertain."

    Dusk nodded, not knowing who they are.

    The bushes rustled. Dusk was prepared for a fight when Lambda casually turned over. A horned steed entered the clearing. Dusk was flabbergasted. "A unicorn!" she cried.

    "Yes," said the unicorn. "I am Chi, but you can call me Chie as well. Lambda, you called?"

    Lambda nodded. "Chi, it's been a while, and I'm not sure if you'd still like to do it, but-"

    Chi whinnied a little.

    "Would you help me search this wolf's memories?"

Author's Note: I'm SO dead in the Blogger world. Don't worry, guys, I'm not going on a hiatus on this account because it's easy to access through my phone. Except I got busy and forgot yesterday and last week, so I'm terribly story. Ugh.

Chapter 38: Beta's Advice

MIDNIGHT

    Despite how late it was, Midnight was elated to see Dusk once more. After Lambda checked Dusk, he asked who gave her the feathers.

    Confused, Midnight approached Dusk and saw her left side was all feathery. "I thought they were fur," Dusk said, but Lambda denied it and repeated his question.

    When she could not answer, Omicron stepped in. "Obviously, it's Beta."

    Beta? She's the-

    Beta. Rune. Shadow.

    "The hawk?" inquired Dusk.

    "No, Shadow," said Midnight, which Dusk shuddered at all of a sudden.

    For an hour, Midnight filled Dusk in with magic, of Shadow, and in return, Dusk of the pack when she last saw them.

    Midnight felt tears in her eyes when Dusk told her how lonely Wisp was.

    "I left Mist too..." Dusk said, and the two spoke of no more.

    Dusk was years older than Midnight, but they relate well.

    When morning came, Dusk and Midnight both felt hungry, though not very. There was no one in sight.

    Not Cullen.

    Not Blaze.

    "Let's head out to find food," said Midnight.

    Dusk nodded, understanding why before they were off for a hunt. It was an easy one.

    The moment they exited the forest, they spied a plump brown hare and chased it off. As they ran through the less dense forest which no longer shone silvery light, they split paths and dashed for it. The hare was utterly confused where to go, and Dusk caught the hare by surprise, pouncing on it, and then grinned at Midnight.

    The two shared the plump hare together, and then headed for the forest again. When they entered, Lambda was waiting. "After last night," he said in a threatening deep voice, "you both still dare to exit without telling us?"

    The two were silent.

    "Nevertheless," Lambda continued, "Dusk, please, follow me."

    Dusk gulped, glancing at Lambda then at Midnight. She eventually sighed and followed the wolf with grey eyes, trudging deep into the woods. Suddenly, a doe popped out from the bushes once Lambda and Dusk left, scaring Midnight.

    She saw a magnificent doe, the doe's chestnut fur shining. Her jade eyes looking around, and then looked into Midnight's blue ones. "Oh, um," the doe said.

    Midnight looked at the doe, but it then skittishly pranced off. Midnight didn't know what just happened, but she casually walked deeper into the forest.

    "Hey," said the voice from above.

    Midnight looked up.

    Perched on the branches was a magnificent white wolf with purple-red eyes. "Midnight, I'm sorry," said Beta.

    "Huh?"

    Beta sighed, combing her tail with her claws. "I mean, I accidentally got you with my water sprays a little past... midnight, no pun intended."

    Midnight frowned. "Was it, like, a bad shot?" she inquired.

    "No, no, it's just that," Beta said, "I can't seem to control it, it was all rushing so fast..."

    Midnight's soft growl escaped her lips. "You were laughing."

    "Midnight, I always laugh."

    "You don't seem to be now." Midnight's tone was dead serious.

    Beta's light tone vanished. "I don't know why, I don't know why. Was I laughing when I accidentally hit you?"

    "You then turned into an elephant," said Midnight coldly.

    The white wolf was silent. "Ohh!" Beta chirped, her light tone and enthusiastic voice coming back into her speech. "By the way, it's called a mammoth. Prehistoric elephants."

    "Whatever," said Midnight. She then turned away to walk towards the forest.

    Beta looked at the black wolf, grinning dangerously. "One bit of advice from me to you, Midnight," she said, "watch your back."

    Midnight glanced over it. "You too, I guess."

    Beta's grin was unsettling. "Of course, I will."

Author's Note: Yay. Everyone is giving advices. Darn, this one is lame. School is getting a lot busier as well.

Chapter 37: The Odd Advice

WISP

    The grey wolf yawned. Lately, they've been travelling in daylight more than usual. "To see the path," said Shadow, but Wisp could see the road as well in the dark.

    Snuggling beside him was his and Midnight's friend, Mist. The pale grey fur had deeper grey swirls on them, painting a wispy image of the mist.

    Wisp's ears perked upwards as he heard the camp in a lively time of the day. Where humans were bustling, other animals as well, the wolves were a new addition to the morning glory.

    Beside him, Mist began to wake, but not quite.

    A familiar mahogany wolf strode towards them. It was Ironide. Wisp, to be honest, was quite relieved to have him around. The wolf was always kind to him.

    "Good morning, Wisp," he grunted.

    "Mornin'," the sleepy-headed Mist replied instead. She rolled over before dozing off again.

    Ironide offered a smirk in amusement. "We're heading off again, Chief Darke wanted to make sure you're ready to go."

    Wisp sniffed. Lately, his father was spotlighting the attention to him. Wisp was as well his only family left.

    Except Wisp doesn't accept the fact.

    He knew Midnight was still out there.

    Somewhere... Somewhere...

    "Oh, yeah," Wisp replied. "I'm good."

    "There's a deer by the chief's resting place for breakfast," Ironide offered, "still fresh."

    Wisp nodded and stood up, and shook his fur. He looked at Mist, who was still fast asleep, and left for breakfast.

    Wisp was familiar with the new routine. Sleep, some other wolves hunt, eat, leave. Everyday.

    They often only get a meal a day, and the unlucky ones wouldn't even get much left.

    However, food wasn't the problem. Water was. Sometimes, the water hole they found was dry, and the river they have been following was thinning away. Sometimes, the river was murky, so the wolves didn't dare drink it.

    There was a large deer on the ground, it's antlers intertwining with the grass, leaves and branches. A few young pups were playing with it, batting, scratching and licking it. Wisp was a little old for that.

    Ripping meat from it's hind leg, Wisp noticed Shadow nearby. He was pacing around, which wasn't normal, staring at the ground as if the grass was blue.

    Feeling full quickly after his meal, Wisp strode over to Shadow. "Hey, Shadow, what's wrong?" he asked.

    Shadow glanced up. "I- uh-"

    "What's wrong? Is it my father?" Wisp asked. Many wolves had the tenancy to feel awkward when talking to Wisp about the chief, so the young wolf thought that might be it.

    Shadow swallowed and nodded. "His condition... it's getting worse."

    "How?" asked Wisp.

    "He's weakening so rapidly, it's insane," Shadow replied, sighing, looking into Wisp's eyes.

    Wisp blinked, but Shadow still stared at him. "Mhmm," he finally said and Shadow averted his gaze.

    Shadow sighed. "How can I break this to you?" he muttered. "You're young, Wisp, and if your father makes you Chief, I'm sorry to say you're inexperienced."

    "The wolf generals can help me," said Wisp.

    Shadow grunted. "Aye, but as an advisor, I would always be your... say, partner. Only, if you're young and gullible, it's dangerous for you to make decisions," he said, slowly, and Wisp wondered if Shadow wanted to be chief.

    "Shadow, are you-"

    The advisor cut him off. "I'd be honoured to advise you in many paths in the future, Wisp," he said, bowing down.

    Wisp was stunned. What's going on with Shadow? Is he thinking that... I'm getting RID of him?

Author's note: Darn, I forgot to post last week. Sorry guys. School made me lose memories of some things I should remember like important event dates and posting schedule. Like, seriously? Anyway, this chapter is a bit short, sorry.

Chapter 36: Magic Battle

DUSK

    The wolf was stunned and confused. First, there was a tree monster. Then there was a silver dragon. Now, the silver dragon has her in her clutches, breathing out fire at their foe, a flying dinosaur.

    Dusk had never felt so helpless or confused in her entire life.

    Dusk convinced herself not to look down. The ground seems to be so far away, dotted with green, black, brown, grey and white. She felt a tug as the silver dragon sharply turned right, and the ground beneath her swirled as well.

    She gulped and looked ahead.

    The deep blue sky was dotted with stars, and Dusk was closer to them than she ever was.

    The stars blinked out and reappeared.

    Dusk felt the talons loosen then tighten itself firmly around Dusk without actually hurting her.  She only wished the dragon knew how to hold her right and not drop her or even find time to land and drop her off in safe ground.

    Beside Midnight.

    That, however, was impossible. The dragon was engaged in combat.

    Blue fire burst out once more, Dusk feeling the heat, the sky tinted with a bright blue light. The dinosaur swooped away as the dragon chased it, fire still bursting from the dragon's mouth. Dusk couldn't see well from underneath it's underside of silver-blue scales, but she could see the view quite well.

    Suddenly, the dinosaur was attacked by a sudden burst of water. There was a brown hawk in the skies, water orbiting it's body. When the dinosaur faltered, the hawk used the orbiting water to act as a beam, directed at the dinosaur, and it crashed down. "I hope I didn't hit you, Sigma?" asked the hawk, it's voice a little sharp.

    Sigma shook his head. "Thanks, Beta."

    Then, before the hawk could reply, the dragon extended his wings and fluttered downwards towards the ground, towards the denser trees. Dusk could hear the beating of his wings slow down as they neared the ground. She hopped off towards the ground, feeling the shaky ground beneath her paws. She looked back. A towering dinosaur was battling a black wolf. Dusk recognised the wolf, it was none other that Midnight.

    Dusk felt the feeling of dread creep up her. The black wolf was climbing up the creature at a quick speed, but a few voices called out, "Midnight! Get out of the way!"

    Another said, "Midnight! Watch out!"

    Suddenly, water crashed down on the creature and Midnight. There was laughter. Dusk knew who did it. The one with water from above. Beta.

    "Hey! Beta!" Dusk screamed, looking up, the brown hawk laughing. "Stop that!"

    The hawk's eye gleamed dangerously. It turned into a mammoth and was free falling towards the triceratops... right where Midnight was.

    "Get out of the way, Midnight!" Dusk screamed. If Midnight died, she didn't know what to do.

    She found Midnight, that's good enough. All she has to do is try to locate Wisp and show him her sister. Then, everything's well.

    Midnight is the chief.

    Midnight agilely leaped off the triceratops as Beta came crashing down. The earth shook at the impact.

    The triceratops was reduced into rubble.

    There was the flying dinosaur and tyrannosaurus left. Sigma the dragon was fighting the flying dinosaur, clawing each other mercilessly. Sigma burst flames from his mouth, and the hatzegopteryx's large body aided Sigma in more chances to hit the dinosaur. Charred, the hatzegopteryx went down in flames, crashing on the soil.

    On the ground, an enraged Midnight was clawing the dark tyrannosaurus's back as Beta showered the creature with water with a grey-black-white wolf's help. "Midnight, get off!" a clear voice said, which came from a winged wolf. At once, the black wolf jumped off the dinosaur's back.

    The blue winged wolf stood beside a black and white wolf, who were chanting. The orbs around the winged wolf glowed yellow and the black wolf's eyes glowed in the same hue as well.

    Suddenly, lighting came crashing down. It struck the tyrannosaurus as the surrounding creatures fled. The bright light was a cause for Dusk to squeeze her eyes shut.

    When she opened them, there was a charred picture on the ground, piled on it was timber and rocks.

    Dusk gulped.

    In this world, there was something she was oblivious to.

    Magic. 

Author's Note: I decided to keep Dusk's perspective! Yay! I've planned so much, I can't wait to write them!

Guys, before your character's die for real you might want to comment...

Chapter 35: Prehistoric Battle

MIDNIGHT

    At least ten trees had transformed. Eleven with the T-Rex clutching Dusk. Sigma turned into an equally fearsome dinosaur and began to clash with the creature grasping Dusk. Sigma had an advantage. As the creature's forearm was occupied with Dusk, Sigma knocked the creature over, pulling Dusk over to him.

    Dusk looked terrified. Midnight could understand why.

    Lambda had been chanting more spells, creating homing blazing fire around him, targeting for the creatures. Some caught on fire. Some didn't.

    Epsilon was turning back, charging into the forest. Why, Midnight didn't want to know much about it. Delta was as a large grey mammoth. Delta slowly walked towards a tree-stegoraurus. The stegosaurus roared at Delta, and Delta trumpeted back. A blast off fire crashed against a velociraptor. The stegosaurus' head was crushed underneath Delta's mighty foot, but it resisted. Furious, Delta trampled across it, returning the creature into earth- woods and rocks.

    Beta! Midnight suddenly remembered, turning around, seeing her nowhere in sight. Where is she?

    Suddenly, a creature touched down from the skies beside her. It was Comet- err- Omicron. The arctic wolf them shifted into a grandiose winged wolf, standing on his forelegs, and then dropping down to all fours. The crystal bracelet on his tail was no more. Instead a blue orb danced around him.

    His wings fluttered gently as he cried out a spell, the orb's glow expanding. Alongside Lambda, his orb burned and shimmered white. Fire burst out, but instead of being red flames like Lambda, Omicron's flame was white. Blazing white fire.

    They danced around him, attacking the surrounding creatures, and those who were targeted burned down. However, when the grass started blowing, a splash of water would be aimed at any burning spot aside from the creatures. It was Beta, laughing, flying in the sky, her brown fur glinting in the sunlight.

    Midnight wasn't all that pleased.

    Omicron was shying from one spot to another as lighting crashed down around him. It was a spinosaur attacking him. "Zalzedj!" cried Omicron and the earth underneath the spinosaur rushed up, throwing the creature upwards, where it was near to level with Delta, who sprayed him with high-pressure water. It then smashed against a carnotaurus.

    The T-Rex was being burnt slowly by Lambda, but it seemed like there was no change. The T-Rex was then harassed by Delta, who was trying to move it. The T-Rex, annoyed, snapped at Delta, who dodged in time, and the T-Rex started to rampage towards Delta. Trumpeting, Delta shifted into a large snake and slithered away from it's crushing blows.

    Sigma was as a large dragon again for quite some time. He had Dusk in his talons as he fought a hatzegopteryx in the skies. Beta tried to help, but it was too risky as the two were moving so much.

    The final creature alongside the hatzegopteryx and the T-Rex was a massive triceratops. It's brown-black skin flared up as lighting flickered between it's two horns, directed for Sigma.

    Midnight couldn't just do nothing, she needed to help! She didn't need to, but she... she wanted to! She felt desperate to stand around doing nothing.

    The tricratop's lighting flickered. Good, far from perfect, noted Midnight.

    With that, she charged out of the forest and began to run for the triceratop. This better be something.

    Crash! The tree was as hard as a rock.

    Tilted it head to observe Midnight, it clearly saw a mortal. One who could die quickly, suddenly. Enraged and determined to live on, Midnight leaped...

    ...right onto the creature.

Author's Note:  Sorry for not posting last week. The Internet got cut off, so I hope this makes up for it. It's action time!

Chapter 34: A Mournful Pack

WISP

    His father and Shadow had led them to a long journey. This time, he had lost many. Midnight, Dusk, six wolves for the tradition, a pup that drowned last night, a lost pup this morning... Axel was out to search for him as they took a rest.

    "Hey, Wisp," said Mist. Mist's eyes were always filled with sadness nowadays, after unable to find her sister, and Shadow saying the possibilities Dusk could have escaped the pack due to the unsatisfactory of moving.

    Shadow always had an answer.

    "Hi," Wisp said. He laid his head down, the afternoon sun covered by clouds. He thanked the clouds for that.

    Mist sighed. It has been about three or so days Dusk was gone. Shadow said that they couldn't risk going back in case hunters were having a run. "All the better if they caught water buffaloes instead," Shadow said.

    "Waffer buttertoes," Mist had absent-mindedly repeated, nodding sadly.

    Wisp and Mist then became bonded. Through lost sisters.

    Wisp haven't seen his father for a long time now. Shadow prevented it. Wisp didn't know why, but he trusted him. He trusted Mist. He trusted the generals.

    He trusted Midnight, most of all, that he will return. He trusted that Dusk was searching for Midnight. She was his guardian after all.

    The only one he couldn't trust was his chief and father. Darke.

    "It would have hurt his heart if you said you couldn't, or wouldn't, trust him," Mist had coaxed. Her father was killed by a human for his pelt, so she couldn't actually say much about it.

    "So, how are you?" Mist asked, sitting down, curling up beside Wisp. "Are you still... sad?"

    For the days Dusk were gone, Wisp did cry a lot, in addition of that Midnight was still gone, but he looked calmer now.

    "Hmm," Wisp grunted. He wasn't sure either it was a yes or a no.

    Mist frowned. "Cheer up, Wisp."

    Wisp noted that Mist had been less talkative lately, less cheerful, more formal.

    "You cheer up too," Wisp said, leaning against Mist's warm fur. Wisp was younger than Mist, but then, that only tighten their friendship as sister and brother.

    "Let's both cheer up then," Mist said, and the two said no more of the issue.

    Ironide walked past them. He glanced at them as he did. Wisp knew something.

    Iron liked Dusk, Wisp said to himself. Now she's gone. The loss of one person could impact so much.

    It triggered the concern of the chief.

    It made Shadow take more precaution.

    It made the wolf generals upset.

    It made Mist feel miserable.

    It made Wisp feel terrible.

    It made the pack feel less ready.

    Worse of all, Wisp didn't only lose Dusk.

    He still missed her. He still missed his sister. The black wolf with daring blue eyes.

    Midnyx, come back.

Author's Note: Who guessed? No one? Ah, alright. So, yeah! Dusk's P.O.V. has been given to Wisp as we need to stalk the pack and Dusk's P.O.V. would either to gone or switches with Midnight's. I still need to decided. Yay.