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...