THE DAY OF THE RIFTS (THREE YEARS AGO)(Part Two)A thunder of pawsteps and hooves rumbled through the forest ground, sending quivers up the canopy and forcing the smallest inhabitants of the great landscape of trees scurrying for cover. Among the fleeing creatures were a small pair of wolves, dodging elk, deer, and foxes as the wove through the crowd in the opposite direction of the frantic migration.
"Moonpelt, I can see smoke! You were right, it's coming from the mountains!" Drellan called over the thunderous noise. The grey wolf side-stepped a caribou to spy Moonpelt's shimmering white fur climbing to safety on a nearby boulder. Drellan received a nod in reply from the white wolf, following his friend's gesture and moving out of the crowd and into the undergrowth. Moments later Moonpelt joined him after a tussle through the running forest animals.
"It's the Council!' Moonpelt panted, eyes dimmed with worry. "I got up higher earlier, I was trying to tell you."
"We'll get to that, until we know what's happening we have to believe that the birds can handle themselves." Drellan stated, quickening his already brisk run. The wolf's nose quickly found the scent trail they had previously lost, and the pair set out again.
The wolves kept alongside each other, leaping over creek-beds and keeping out of the way of fleeing animals. Moonpelt did not argue as the two never slowed, fearing the worst from the thickening wisps of smoke that curled and snaked between his paws. He tried to keep his mind at ease by remembering who was involved. Najmah, Juryoku, and Rose had gone out this morning to check on the shaky northern border to the pack's territory. Recently, the northern parts of their land had become known for missing patrols. Drellan had confided in Moonpelt that he wished a different patrol was sent that way, but he would never allow his personal feeling to jeopardize or divide the pack. Instead, he swallowed his worried and focused on getting Raiya to eat her breakfast rather than the outside of their den. After the sun neared almost it's highest point, Drellan's worries had set back in. It wasn't until he saw the distant towers of smoke that he finally broke. He had ordered Pike to watch Raiya, and recall in all the patrols. They were to guard the camp and move East if the smoke came too close. Drellan, being Alpha of the pack, decided to go alone into the chaos of the forest fire to find his kin. Moonpelt had insisted on his need for safety, and accompanied him into the fray. The two picked up the patrol's scents, and ran.
"Stop!"
Drellan's abrupt halt had knocked Moonpelt from his thoughts, and he skidded to a stop a few feet after the alpha. With a shy blink, the white wolf pranced back to his place beside Drellan and attempted to regain his serious deposition. "..."
The alpha frantically sniffed at the ground, moving backwards and combing the edges of the small clearing the had stopped in. "I... I- don't.... the trail's gone. It's gone, not faded, not moved downwind... it's completely gone!"
Moonpelt nodded, giving the ground a small sniff. "Er, right! Yes, you're right, I was tracking their scent as well and I also am confused by this..."
Drellan stopped for a moment and simply stared at his white wolf counterpart, no humor in his face in contrast to Moonpelt's innocent smile. "What did you think we were tracking if you weren't following the scent trail If I wasn't following it either, we'd be- you know what, never mind because this is too crazy.... it's like they vanished, try actually tracking them this time and see if you find anything."
"I can do that! My nose never fails to find anything or anyone! You can bet your life on that, my friend!" Moonpelt exclaimed, dropping to all fours in an attempt to be serious as he practically crawled around the small clearing, scenting desperately.
Drellan stared at his friend until after nearly a minute later Moonpelt finally rose to return his gaze.
"Yeah, I didn't find anything this whole time, so...."
The alpha closed his eyes, trying to remain calm while he spoke. "This is serious Moonpelt! We have to look for a sign of where they went, the fire is getting closer and if get's here we'll never find their trail. Can you be a grown wolf and work with me here?"
"... Pretty lights..." Came a mesmerized response.
"What?" Drellan's eyes snapped open as he glared a Moonpelt. The white wolf was just staring off into the undergrowth, most likely admiring distant fire. "Will you just focus! Let's backtrack, maybe we missed something along the path."
"But there was a-"
Drellan let out a low growl, stepping over to where the white wolf was staring. "Moonpelt, this isn't the time for your antics, let's move back south. We must have missed something..."
Just as the wolf set out, his ears perked at the sound of a massive roar in the distance. The sheer volume told him it was not an animal he had met before. Both wolves turned their gaze to the mountains, following the sound. From their spot in the clearing the two could barely make out the sight of the distant Council Tree. They watched in horror as it erupted with fire, the gigantic branches starting to crumble. Unable to look away, the wolves saw the familiar flash of light that indicated a Phoenix had shifted forms. They watched as the distant ball of flame entered a massive dive, pulling up towards the hundreds of specks Drellan knew were birds fleeing the fire. As the Phoenix came out of the dive, the wolves caught a glimpse of the creature who would change their world forever.
Tyrin gazed upwards to see a massive pair of leathery wings blot out a portion of the sky. On wings of flame he spun to the right to avoid the creature's massive claws as it roared past him. The Phoenix glanced behind him, and got his first true look at the beast.
It's body was covered in black scales which tapered off to a white-silver around the tip of it's tail and claws. It was a massive thing, it's body rippled with hidden muscles from the base of it's black wings to it's pointed, spiked tail. It had two enormous legs tucked underneath it for flight, it's claws closing back up at the tips of it's feet. The midpoint of the edge of it's wings had smaller claws as well, indicating that it was capable of walking on land as well by use of it's non-folding wings. As it turned it's head, it revealed a pair of piercing silver eyes, the same color of it's claws and tail tip. It's crest and horns too, carried tones of silver amidst midnight-black markings. From the top of it's skull erupted two wicked horns, curving backwards so as not to impede flight. In addition, it's head was lined with a range of other sized horns, the smallest of which rounded out the base of it's jaw and followed along to the chin of his mid-sized muzzle.
Despite his initial surprise, after seeing those silver eyes Tyrin knew exactly what had attacked his home. He had warned of the Dragon's arrival since the day he returned from the Ethyrium. The Phoenix glared downwards as the Dragon's rage turned into a look of determination.
"Agathar... How did you leave the Ethyrium?"
The Dragon angled his wings to stay aloft, turning and powering up towards the Phoenix with a deadly hiss.
"I TOLD YOU A DEBT WOULD BE PAID, THAT I WOULD NEVER STOP. DID YOU DOUBT MY DETERMINATION, OR JUST PUT FAITH IN YOUR OWN ARROGANCE?"Agathar gave Tyrin not time to answer, slamming into him with his crest of horns and bowling the Phoenix over mid-air. The fire-bird snapped at his wings and drove his flaming talons into his side, but his hardened scales easily repelled the scratches. The Dragon swung his muzzle to the side and bit down on Tyrin's wings, un-phased by the fire. The pair viciously tangled with each other, spiraling downwards as wings, claws, talons, and jaws scraped against each-other till they spilled blood. The two beasts kept falling, till they crashed into a hollowed tree on the side of the mountain cliffs, separating the two for a moment.
The Dragon unleashed another deafening roar, and from his jaws erupted a volley of flames that obliterated the hollow and engulfed Tyrin completely. The Phoenix dove through the flames and headbutted Agathar, stopping the inferno and slashing at his throat. In an attempt to shake off Tyrin, Agathar leaped from the seared hollow and rocketed towards the Council Tree, where scores of smaller Dragons could be seen cutting down the bird's forces with ease.
The two shot through the cluster of fighting, striking several warriors on either side as they careened onto the shattered half-platform Tyrin had left only minutes earlier. The Phoenix quickly rolled to a stop, and jumped to his feet to face the next onslaught from Agathar, but the Dragon had come to a stop as well.
"AS ENTERTAINING AS IT MAY BE WE ARE FINISHED FIGHTING, TYRIN. YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST. THIS DAY HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR SEASONS NOW, PHOENIX. YOUR OUTCOME HAS ALL BUT BEEN ASSURED... MOVE, AND YOUR KING DIES." As he finished speaking, Agathar nodded to someone behind Tyrin.
Tyrin froze, whipping his massive head back towards the Dragon's gaze. From the doorway emerged a pair of unusual birds. Two dark-colored falcons shimmered with a violet flame, as if small purple Phoenix. From their unusually long talons led a short metal chain to something behind them. One of the two glanced at the other and pulled on the chain, sending violet cinders into the air around them as they moved aside, and Na'thain fell to the floor in front of them. The chain was wrapped around his wings and across his chest so that he could not fly, and his usually soft gaze was instead locked in fear at the Dragon in front of them.
Tyrin clenched his talons as if getting ready to fight, but a deep growl from Agathar forced him to stop.
"CHANGE FORMS. YOU ARE DONE FIGHTING, WE HAVE WON. AND I WILL NOT TELL YOU AGAIN, IF YOU MOVE HE WILL DIE."Tyrin stared at the Dragon, actual fear in his large sunset colored eyes as he glanced between his father and Agathar. After a moment of hesitation, his flames ceased and he reverted back to a Red-Tailed Hawk. Now, dwarfed in size by the mighty Dragon, Tyrin's feathers began to prickle with terror.
Where is Syrune?"I don't know how you got here, Agathar. But I know you're here for me. You've killed scores of birds that had nothing to do with this... Let the King go, and I'll return with you to the Ethyrium..."
Agathar snorted with amusement, taking a step closer to Tyrin.
"I HAVE KILLED NO INNOCENTS TODAY, ALL WHO FOLLOW YOU AND YOUR KIND... THEY DESERVE MORE THAN WHAT I'VE DONE TO THEM. YOU ARE A MURDERER, A LIAR, AND A TRAITOR... AND TODAY I WILL HAVE MY JUSTICE."Na'thain's voice pierced through the tension, the old king staring the Dragon down despite his fear. "You will not touch Tyrin! Whatever quarrel you have can be resolved in other ways. He is good, and kind. Whatever he has done I know he will help you with."
Agathar snarled, whipping his head down to Na'thain's eye level like a snake.
"YOUR SON WILL DIE ON THIS DAY FOR HIS CRIMES, BUT OUR JUSTICE DOES NOT STOP THERE. YOU WILL DISSOLVE THIS COUNCIL ACCORDING TO YOUR LAWS. YOUR PEOPLE WILL BE UNDER MY CARE. YOUR KINGDOM WILL BE MY HOME. SPEAK YOUR WORDS, OR WATCH YOUR PEOPLE BURN. IF YOU CARE FOR YOUR KINGDOM, SPEAK YOUR WORDS AND LET THEM LIVE."Tyrin's eyes blazed with anger, and his beak gritted into a viscous hiss. "YOU CANNOT TAKE OUR HOME!"
Agathar turned to watch Tyrin, taking a few steps towards him while Na'thain remained quiet. For a moment, everything seemed to be muted as Agathar stared into Tyrin's eyes. The Dragon's talons dug into the wood in calm rage as he gazed down at Tyrin.
Tyrin stared up at the Dragon, barely able to breathe as the world itself went quiet. "You will not take our home from us... I will never allow it. These birds will never be ruled by you..."
Agathar listened to Tyrin, keeping frigidly still as he observed, waiting.
"We will die fighting you, before we let you-" In his anger, and through his words, Tyrin had stepped forward to meet Agathar's challenging gaze. The instant his talon had moved, Agathar whipped his spiked tail to his side without so much as a sound, and slashed Na'thain's throat.
The movement had surprised the hawk, who had no time to interpret what happened until he watched the red seep from Na'thain's neck. Tyrin stopped talking with a stuttered breath, frozen in place as he watched his father.
As the King fell forward, Tyrin gave a silent cry, his eyes glistening with tears as he kept still.
".... I KEEP MY VOWS.... NOW, YOU WILL SPEAK THE WORDS."Tyrin could barely hear the Dragon speak as he watched his father fall in silent torment, his anguish running from his eyes and wetting the feathers on his beak. The Phoenix only tore his gaze from Na'thain when Agathar's head came between them. Tyrin gazed into his silver eyes, feeling the warm blood of his father pool around his talons. He was quiet as he focused only on breathing, and only a snarl from Agathar reminded him of the stakes. If he did not speak, more would die.
".... I, Tyrin.... Ki....King of this Council.... revoke my right as ruler, and declare the Council as finished.... By my words we are no more... And power to this land belongs to he who claims it..."
A rumble of satisfaction came from the Dragon's throat as Tyrin finished his words, and at last he rose to full height, gazing at the fighting around him. He opened his jaws and spoke with words that echoed from the mountain cliffs for all to hear.
"I AM AGATHAR... DRAGON, OF A LAND FORGOTTEN. YOUR KING IS DEAD. YOUR COUNCIL IS NO MORE. THE WORDS HAVE BEEN SPOKEN, AND YOUR PRINCE HAS GIVEN POWER TO WHOMEVER CAN CLAIM IT... I AM AGATHAR, AND I CLAIM THIS LAND AS MY OWN. FROM THIS MOMENT, YOU BOW TO ME. FROM THIS MOMENT YOU WILL KNOW NOT THE WARS YOUR PRINCE HAS STARTED, OR THE BLOODSHED HE HAS WROUGHT. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THIS KINGDOM... AND YOUR PHOENIX... YOUR PHOENIX HAS ONLY ONE MORE LESSON TO TEACH YOU. YOU SHALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU RESIST YOUR DESTINY, IF YOU RESIST ME..."As Agathar continued speaking, now drawing the crowd of fighting birds to stop around him. Each of them watched in terror as the Dragon lifted his tail once more, faced Tyrin again, and buried the spiked tip into his chest.
"I SPEAK NOW TO THE QUEEN. YOUR LOVE IS DEAD, AND JUSTICE HAS BEEN PAID. DO NOT RUN, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HIDE FROM ME, OR ANYONE YOU COME NEAR WILL DIE AS WELL. COME TO ME NOW AND RELINQUISH THE FIRE YOU STOLE, AND I WILL ALLOW YOU TO LIVE." Tyrin could make no sound as the pointed horn drove into his chest. His body went cold in shock, and there was no time to think. In a natural attempt to save him, his own body tried to shift to his Phoenix form, but the wound was too fatal, and the last thing Tyrin saw was his father's blood around his talons, as he faded to ashes for the seventh and final time.
Drellan stared up at the mountain, diligently listening to the distant voice. "He... he said.... did he just say Tyrin is dead?!"
Moonpelt turned to face Drellan with terrified eyes, "I... I think..."
The two wolves stared at each other in shock for a while, trying to make sense of what they had seen and heard, it wasn't until the overpowering smell of smoke filled their noses that they remembered the forest fire was getting closer.
"We have to go, we have to find them!" Drellan ran forward, not stopping to make sure Moonpelt was keeping up as he tore through the undergrowth.
I can't worry about Tyrin right now, him and Rinka will be fine! Fin and Fayru too, they're okay, I know it! I have to know it.The grey wolf had been running so fast, he barely notice when the log he had started to leap over crackled with cinders. Drellan panicked, diving sideways and sliding into the soot of a half-burned tree. He turned to go back the way he came when more fire erupted from the bushes nearby. It suddenly occurred to him that he had no idea where his friend had gone, and he let out a howling call. "MOONPELT!!"
"DRELLAN!!" Came a reply from the other side of the trees, as Drellan spied the flashes of white through the undergrowth. By now, the roar of the fire had begun to drown out whatever Moonpelt was saying, and Drellan focused on finding a way through to him. The wolf dove into a creekbed, and caught a glimpse of Moonpelt retreating from a line of flaming branches that had fallen close by.
"Hold on Moonpelt, I can see you! I'm going to find a way through!" Though even as Drellan called to him, he lost sight of the white wolf around the top of the creekbed as smoke began to billow down from the sides.
"Moonpelt where are-"
Drellan's cry was cut short by the sound of an explosion behind him, and as light cut through the smoke in front of him, he turned to find the source. A few feet away, a massive ripple of torn light filled his vision. The yellow and white light let off a loud hum, but Drellan was forced closer to it as the smoke bore down on him. The wolf approached the light, and began to see figured through the center of yellow hues. As if gazing into a reflection in a pond, Drellan saw familiar sights, and strange ones. He froze as spotted a cluster of wolves in the strange light, and a familiar voice let out a desperate cry.
"SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE HER!!""Rose?!" Drellan stared into the light, seeing the strange creatures attacking his family. He turned behind him to try and see Moonpelt, but the approaching flames told him the white wolf must have gone looking for him in the wrong direction. He hesitated for a moment, hearing no sign of Moonpelt, and forced himself to believe that the white wolf had already made it out. Drellan took one last glance as the approaching flames, and dove into the light with bared fangs and a viscous snarl.
"DRELLAN!!" Moonpelt cried into the flames, no sign of the grey wolf anywhere near. Moonpelt kept calling, forcing himself to believe that maybe Drellan had made it out on the other side. The white wolf headed for the safety of the un-burned forest, and started to double around to where they were first separated. He got halfway there when another set of flames roared overheard. Moonpelt's first instinct was that Tyrin had come to save them, but this fire was a deep violet, and dark shades of blue and black shone through it. Panting, Moonpelt watched the fire-bird soar overhead, and was struck rigid with fear when he saw it curve in the direction of the camp.
The white wolf knew if Drellan had seen the purple bird, he would have followed it too, and so he ran towards camp as fast as he could. Moonpelt didn't stop until he broke through the undergrowth at the edge of their camp to see the wolves gathered around the purple bird in fear. He stared at the purple bird for a moment, then finally recognized him as Zarrock, and slipped back into the undergrowth to stay hidden.
Zarrock had landed in the clearing with a deafening rumble, scattering the wolves to the edges of the camp as he gazed at each of them. The violet Phoenix opened his beak in a menacing hiss, slowly gazing at each of the wolves as they began to assemble.
Pike stared up at the fire-bird, eyes full of fear for a moment until he blinked it away with a small shake of his head. He tucked Raiya closer to him, and slowly moved through the crowd with the pup stumbling along until he reached K'Rule. Quietly, he nudged a stunned Raiya over to her grandfather and stood on the other side to protect her. "Stay quiet now, Raiya. Don't make a sound..."
The small pup nodded, her tiny fur fluffed up in terror as she quietly snuggled closer to K'Rule and Pike.
After a while of silence, Zarrock opened his beak to speak as the wolves looked on in mutual fear.
"Today this land has changed...Your kind is no longer welcome... Where is your leader? I want Drellan, and I'll kill every one of you, until I find him....Come out and play, Alpha!" Zarrock cackled, his voice radiating as if a dozen of him spoke at once in different tones.
K'Rule was silent as he turned to Pike, both aware that Drellan and Moonpelt had left earlier. Most of the pack looked around as if searching for him, while others stood rigidly still.
"What are we going to do?!" Pike whispered, panic in his voice as he looked to K'Rule for answers.
K'Rule stared at Pike, opening his muzzle to answer when Zarrock spoke again.
"Where is Drellan? ... I'll tell you what.... I'm going to count from, let's say... fifteen. If Drellan doesn't show himself in that time, I kill a wolf, and we count again. And it goes on and on and on until I see that grey wolf standing RIGHT HERE!!!"
Pike looked at K'Rule again in horror as Zarrock began to count.
"Fifteen..."
"We have to do something, if we can tell him Drellan's not here maybe he'll go!" Pike whispered as K'Rule shook his head. "No, he'll likely kill us all in that case..."
"Twelve..."
While the two wolves spoke, Zarrock continued counting, reaching ten before Pike could think of a reply. He closed his eyes, trying to quell his fear.
Drellan is coming, Drellan will save us!"Nine..."
And Najmah too! She's never let us down Najmah will come, she's strong and brave, she'll be here!"Eight..."
Pike's ears flattened and he squeezed his eyes even tighter, praying for help as K'Rule began backing slowly with Raiya towards one of the dens.
"Seven..."
He's not going to kill us! Drellan won't let him! "Six..."
Someone please help us! PLEASE!!"Five!"
Rose.... I don't think I'll ever get to tell you..."Four!"
No, if he kills us all he'll come after you too..."Three!"
I'll never let him hurt you Rose. I'll never let him hurt any of us again."Two! Come out now Drellan! Or your pack is going to start dying!"
Pike's eyes shot open, and his paws dug into the dirt as he stiffled his fear into anger. The wolf took a shaky deep breath, keeping his fur flat and his eyes up. He washed his fear away as he moved forward, a flame of determination in his eyes.
"One! That's it, it's time for fun. You've let your pack die for you Drellan, wherever you're cowering, I will find you!" Zarrock snarled, and the Phoenix took a step forward while his flames grew brighter. Just as he was about to strike, a small wolf stepped out of the crowd.
Pike stared across the clearing from Zarrock as he stepped forward, shrugging out of some wolves in front of him as he broke the crowd.
K'Rule let out a frantic whisper, holding Raiya close. "Pike?! What are you doing?!"
The young wolf ignored K'Rule's desperate whispers, and glared at the wicked bird before him. "You wanted me... here I am."
Zarrock hissed in surprise, moving forwards to get down to Pike's face. He stared at him for a long while, as if trying to recall features from the brief glimpse he had stolen when Drellan had emerged from the Soul Key. After a long while, he saw the bravery in the young wolf's eyes, and his arrogance told him that no wolf who had not fought him could be so bold. The others were fearful, but this one was strong... Satisfied, the Dark Phoenix let out a low chuckle. "Why did you wait so long, Drellan? Did you think I don't keep my word? You should know better..."
Pike glared up at the violet bird. "I know exactly what you are... You're evil, it it's truest form... You love torment, because you are monster... And we are no longer scared of monsters!"
Zarrock snarled menacingly, "Oh...you are afraid of monsters, and if they do not fear me... they will." The Dark Phoenix finished with a whisper, before looking up at the gathered wolves. "Your alpha has just told me he is not afraid... are you?"
K'Rule let out an enraged growl, "We will NEVER fear you!"
Zarrock snorted, letting out another hiss. "I AM fear! This wolf tried to kill me before, and now he has convinced you that you have nothing to fear... Then maybe I'll GIVE you a reason!!"
Without warning, he slammed his massive talons down on Pike, pinning him to the ground. As K'Rule started forward with a snarl, Zarrock let out a sickening roar, causing the crowd to stay put.
Pike stared up at the Dark Phoenix, his paws shook his terror, but his eyes remained bold. "No matter what you do, we'll never be scared of you!
I WILL NEVER BE SCARED OF YOU! WE ARE THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS PACK, AND WE NEVER FEAR."
Even as the talons clenched tighter around him, piercing his hide, Pike remained brave as he stared back into Zarrock's eyes.
Drellan, I am as brave as you are. I will never forget what you have shown me. You showed me how to be brave, and now I'll be brave for you.Zarrock lifted Pike off the ground with one talon, and slammed him back down with violent force. As the talons sank into his body, Pike heard some of the wolves scream but he himself stayed silent, glaring into the eyes of the Phoenix and showing no pain.
Najmah, I am as strong as you now too... even though you fought with me, and never seemed to like me, you were always my friend. And even when you wouldn't laugh at my jokes, or kicked me for waking you up to early, I still love you...I'm strong for you now.Zarrock lifted Pike off the ground again, and slammed him down with his now bloodies talons, sinking them even deeper into the wolf.
Juryoku, I'm as tough as you are. I'll always stand for what's right, and I'll always remember you helping me, even if I forgot how to say your name and you got mad at me. I'm sorry if I ever let you down, but I'll be tough for you now...Zarrock roared, cackling as tears broke from Pike's eyes, and he began to whimper from pain. He lifted him once more amidst the screams of the wolves around him,
Rose...I will always-Zarrock slammed Pike down a final time, a horrifying crunch erupting from the wolf's back as at last the whimpering stopped. Zarrock roared in triumph over the screams of horror from the wolves, and tossed Pike's body aside.
K'Rule holwed with anger, tears streaming from his eyes as he charged the fire-bird. Wolves from all sides rushed toward Zarrock, lunging at his flaming feathers and biting onto anything they could a hold of. Zarrock roared and shook, grabbing wolves with his bloodied talons and throwing them aside. In the midst of the chaos, Moonpelt had erupted from the undergrowth, anguish on his eyes as he ran towards the fighting. The wolves who weren't fighting had run for shelter in a nearby den, and Moonpelt caught a glimpse of Raiya and Raven being pushed inside. He recognized the den as Hazelle's, his mate and the mother of Raven. He rushed into the den and searched for his mate and pup, and nearly tripped over Raiya instead.
Moonpelt took a frantic look at the danger outside, and scooped up Raiya in his jaws. He scattered from the den and ran into the nearby undergrowth, placing a crying Raiya in the folded roots of the first tree he could find. "Raiya stay here! Don't move!"
Panicking, Moonpelt rushed back to the camp and into the clearing as he saw Zarrock shake the last of the wolves off. Some of them lay un-moving on the ground, others were covered in blood or debri as they tried to get up and fight again. He stared, frozen, as Zarrock pushed K'Rule back into the entrance of the den the wolves had been hiding in. The old alpha stood in front of the door, barely able to stand, and with blood streaming from a gash on his head.
With his back turned to Moonpelt, Zarrock reared his head back, and Moonpelt's eyes met with K'Rule's.
"WE NEVER FEAR." The old wolf stared Zarrock down, and bared his fangs to the last breath as the Dark Phoenix unleashed a torrent of fire through K'Rule and the den.
Moonpelt screamed in anguish, his legs falling from under him as he collapsed, watching the flames consume the den. Hazelle, Raven, K'Rule, all of the pups, the pack, and Drellan for all he knew had been inside.
Moonpelt struggled to stand as as the fire kept roaring, and as he watched his world erupt in cinders, Zarrock lifted from the ground and shot into the air with another roar. Tears streamed from the white wolf's eyes as he let out another cry of grief. He began backing away, sobbing as he helplessly watched the fires. Finally, he tore his head away and headed for the treeline. Barely able to breathe through his sobs, Moonpelt grabbed Raiya by her scruff, and ran.
(
#CharacterDeath)
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