White's Winter

Chapter 1

“Who am I? Why am I like this?”

Riley asks himself this often. He sat fixated in a puddle that formed from last night's rain. He looked over his distinct features in the reflection. Features that made him feel alienated. He had scruffy fur between his ears, which wasn't so bad to him. He had bright blue fur, which was quite unusual for wolves. He was hideny and a bit smaller than the other Males.

His eyes were the worst part. They were blue, but that wasn't what he disliked. Down his right eye there was a thick white slash. It was a thick scar, white as snow, nothing like any wolf has ever seen. He sighs and covers it with his paw, trying to hide the truth from a reflection. It wasn't a battle-scar, he had never been in battle. The only fights he gets into are with Piper, and they are usually one sided. And never bad enough for a scar this size. Yet, he has it. He has had it his whole life.

Riley sighs and begins to walk out of the north's garden. He admired the trees, they were all so beautiful to him. He wishes he could see one outside the walls of the north. He reaches the pathway that led to the main part of the settlement. The north was beautiful. Stone buildings full of wolves living happy lives. The aroma of chicken and rabbit floods the clan. A big wall surrounded there home and bordered the unknown, keeping them safe from the outside.

“Why am I not happy?” Riley asks himself, quite often. He is never happy, unless singing, but that's a problem on its own. He walks down the center of town to see it full of life. Wolves were all preparing for the Bairbarn, the North's biggest festival. Wolves all over the clan were laughing and eating, those that were not preparing for the bairbarn of course. He would go but he never does, he gets too uncomfortable asking girls and he doesn't even have any friends to go with. His stomach growled; he realizes it has been around a day sense he ate.

Riley jumps in line for food with a smile. All the wolves lined up for lunch with their families. He gets to the front when the wolf serving the meat looks him over. He was a bigger wolf, scary features along his face.

“Riley, I told you yesterday you're not getting anything!” he says.

“Come on Trex, how am I supposed to eat!” He says, raising his voice just a little.

“Go shovel shit out of the bone pile, but leave before there is a problem!” The wolf says growling. Riley backs into a wolf afraid and the wolf checks him down.

“Watch where you are going Riley! Wolves like you should be cast to the unknown.” The other wolf says before getting his food. That wolf receives his food with no problem and walks away. Riley gets up and sighs before walking down the street. He wonders why all the wolves hate him, he is always nice, and they all still are mean to him. It was something he never understood.

He stumbles on the stone walkway and falls to the ground. He sighs and gets up but is pushed back down with force. He looks up to see a group of growling wolves. One comes up to him and checks him to the ground. Riley cringes in pain and the group of wolves laugh. The yellow wolf kicks Riley in the ribs.

“Piper...please just leave me alone.” Riley says, coughing and in pain. The yellow wolf known as Piper laughs.

“I hate singing in general, and I hate your voice even more, so why do I always catch you singing! I heard you in the garden today! You know what happens every time.” Piper says grinning.

“Maybe...you should cover your ears.” Riley says, quivering. Piper growls at him and goes to bite him. Riley rolls to the side and Piper's head hits the walkway. One of the other wolves grabs him and he squirms free.

He sprints through the north with Piper and his wolves behind him. He runs through buildings and homes. He barges into a house and pups inside yell in fear. Riley tries to calm them down, there screaming due to alert Piper.

“Hey! My name's Riley! What's your name? No need to be scared...please stop yelling! Just passing through!” Riley says. Riley steps back slowly but he hits something big backing up.

“What are you doing in my house?” a deep voice says. Riley turns to see a giant wolf growling. Riley backs up but the wolf grabs him.

The wolf sends Riley flying out the window. He collapses down the flowery hill. He gets up coughing, only to look up and see Piper and his group coming down the hill.

“Oh shit.” Riley says, spitting out a flower. He takes off towards the only safe place for him in the north, the temple. He runs through the civil town, wolves giving him glances as he runs by. He bumps into a food stand and runs off, being followed by lines of obscenities.

He runs until he reaches the massive steps of the temple. He looks up at the gigantic building. The temple was made of fine stone with gold lining. It was stained red, something Riley didn't think wolves were capable of. No wolf knows why it is here, but it always has been here. He runs up the large stone stairs, panting with exhaustion from running. He gets to the top and looks around the inside. There was nothing there besides a statue of a wolf he can't recognize. He hears running up the steps and hides behind a pillar, his heart racing a mile a minute.

“Where did he go!” one of the wolves says.

“He is in here somewhere, we just have to find him.” Piper says. Riley can hear them searching, looking around the empty temple. Their paws echoing through the temple.

Riley sits behind the pillar hearing them come closer. He closes his eyes and quivers before hearing the echoes of steps go silent. He slowly opens his eyes after a few minutes of silence. He sighs in relief but too early. Suddenly a wolf bites his neck and throws him in the center of the temple. Riley puts his paw on his wound, his neck bleeding. He tries to get up but falls.

“I never kill you, I should, so let's take a vote guys! Who wants me to kill Riley?” Piper says laughing. All the wolves howl with cheers and Piper bites Rileys neck. He hits him against the ground and let's go of his neck, laughing. Riley lay on the ground, awaiting the inevitable. Piper looks down at Riley, who is closing his eyes.

“Time to die you big blue pu-”

Riley doesn't hear Piper finish his sentence, but instead hears him yell. Riley opens his eyes to see Piper on the ground and coughs. Piper was bleeding from the mouth like a fountain, his eyes full of rage, with a hint of fear. A black wolf with weird long fur stood above him. All of his friends sprint out of the temple like they just saw a ghost. She throws Piper into a column with great force.

“The temple is strictly off limits to civilians, and fighting in it permits me to kill you..so I can let you off with a warning..or the fun option. You choose.” She says growling. Piper goes to talk, then runs out of the temple without hesitation.

“Good decision” She says grinning while watching him run down the stairs.

Riley gets up slowly and coughs, but doesn't stop looking at the black wolf. He gets up and stares in awe. She had jet black fur with even darker black fur. It was very long and flowed with the wind. Her eyes were light green, prettier than emeralds. She was small and toned, her curves were an added addition to her near perfect figure. The wolf turns and looks him in the eyes, he was entranced by her beauty. She is the most beautiful wolf Riley has ever seen. Riley wondered if she would go to the bairbarn with him.

“Stop staring at me right now and get off the temple grounds!” she yells, snapping Riley back to reality. He opens his mouth to say something but can't. She growls at him.

“If you don't leave I will have to escort you out, and trust me you don't want that.” she says with a fearful tone. Riley then perks up, an opportunity!

“No actually I do.” he says smiling. She could tell he was far from a good fighter, or good anything for that matter. She didn't want to attack him, it would be like hitting a kid. But she would intimidate him. She gets in his face.

“You don't want to know what I will do if you don't leave!” she yells loudly.

“I know what you will do, escort me out, you said it, let's go!” He says smiling. She sighs and gestures to him to follow her. He lights up with excitement, while she rolls her eyes and tries

not to attack him

They walk in silence, Rileys “opportunity” failing. He was concentrating not falling down the stairs, they were kinda big. “I need to say something!” he says to himself. He decides to speak up.

“So..what is being a hunter like? What is actual fighting? How do you do that kick thing hunters do?” he says, rambling out of anxiety. She growls silently, she was trying very hard to keep it together.

“Have you ever killed a wolf? I bet that's hard. Is it easy? Nah, I bet not..um..have you ever killed a bear? What even is a bear. This wolf I talk to sometimes said they exist in the unknown. What is the unknown like anyway?” he rambles.

She sighs and says” no more questions please, I have a piercing headache now.” Riley stays silent before starting up again in seconds.

“Why is your hair so long, I have never seen a wolf with such cool hair! How long did it take to grow? It's beautiful..your beautiful! Shit..that was too forward..I mean you are really pretty…” She looks at him weird and he decides to stop talking. They reach the end of the stairway and Erika sighs with relief.

“I gave you a free pass, you won't get another one, stay away from the temple.” She says sternly. She then turns but Riley tries to stop her from walking away. He was going to miss his chance.

“Wait..my name is Riley..and I know I barely know you but.. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the bairbarn with me.” he says, choking on his words. She looks at him with a look of anger and confusion. She goes to reply, but figures it's not worth it. She pushes past him and leaves him in front of the temple.

“Can you at least tell me your name?” Riley yells after her. She stops and thinks, before yelling back

“My name is Erika Brookes.”

She then turns and leaves him sulking in front of the temple. Erika walked through the clan searching for the only wolves she cares about. She looked at all the wolves and she smiled at them. She protected them, that was her purpose. She was the best hunter in the clan, and everyone knew it.

She runs up to the front of the training ground. The camp had wood walls and had a gated entrance, surrounded by hunters setting out for patrol missions and food recovery. She sees her squad-mates outside the hunter camp. One was older and had tan outlines around a bit of brown fur, That was Owen. He was kind, always has been. He is a good fighter, yet humble. He was instructing some hunters on food salvage. The other was a black furred wolf with tan coating. He was leaning against the wooden wall of the training ground, fast asleep. That was Taber. He was reckless, but a good fighter. He has always been reliable, one of the best hunters in the north...but not as good as her. Erika walks over and Owen smiles when he sees her. He finishes instructing the hunters.

“Go scout existing refuge locations and try to stay out of combat. Good luck.” Owen says. Erika walks up to him smiling. She looks at Taber, who was still asleep.

“I have to say, it's impressive he can sleep standing up.” Erika says.

“He is leaning, I don't think that is that impressive.” Owen says chuckling. Erika then goes over to him and kicks his hind leg out. Taber falls down onto the grass and hits his head. He gets up, his head pounding. He begins to stare Erika down. Suddenly he shoves her to the ground with his paw and laughs.

“Thanks for that Erika, I was having a dream I was killing an army, it was pretty great.” He says grinning, helping Erika up.

“That's weird, most of your dreams are about being in a palace full of girls.” She says.

“Why would I dream about things I can do in real life. I already have 5 dates to the bairbarn.” Taber replies with a narcissistic grin.

“How many do you have Owen?” Taber says laughing. Erika looks at Owen with a grin.

“I have a date actually, her name is Rose, were going together.” he says silently. Taber laughs

“Bet ya it's as friends!” Taber says grinning. “What about you Erika, i'm sure you have had a line of wolves asking you.”

Erika sighs and says “It's been happening all week, it's why I have such a headache. But I'm not going, i'm sticking to my patrols, I don't want a break.” Owen and Taber sigh.

“Come on, drink some libra! Interrupt the Alphas speech! Lets get shitfaced tonight!” Taber yells. Erika chuckles at him and Owen shakes his head.

“I'm going to stick to my patrols, but drink a bowl for me.” She says before turning and walking away. Owen watches her leave with concern.

She walks through the gates of the training grounds. There were training stations for all the hunters. There were wolves sparring, working on endurance, training for combat, and groundwork. She set up the whole camp, the alpha let her design it. This place was her home, more than anywhere else. She watched her hunters train. They were skilled, some sparring matches lasted over five minutes. But Erika never has been past one minute. She looks over to see a hunter running up to her.

“Hey Erika! I was wondering if you wanted to patrol together at the Bairbarn, might as well have some company.” He says with a look of hopefulness in his eyes.

“No sorry, I am doing my patrols alone.” She says annoyed. This is Bairbarn invitation number 18 this week, she counted. He goes to say something but a hunter says

“We all know Erika is going with me.”

She glares at the wolf and walks up to him, anger in her eyes. ‘I don't need this shit today.” She thought to herself. She gets up in his face, but his grin doesn't go away.

“Say it again..” She says slowly, with a tone that scared the other hunters. He tries to keep his grin but he was scared himself. Taber comes in through the door and grins. He sneaks into the crowd to watch the inevitable asskicking.

“You are going wi-” he begins to say before erika sidekicks him in the jaw. He falls back but gets up growling. Taber starts yelling “Fight! Fight! Fight!” and the other wolves join in.

The hunter charges at Erika and lunges to bite her. She rolls to the side and sidekicks him in the ribs. He falls back and she jumps on top of him. She head-buts him and his head smacks the ground. She goes to bite his neck but is thrown off by another wolf. She gets up to see it was Owen.

“Go back to your quarters while I deal with this, now.” He says slowly. Erika goes to talk but decides to walk away.

Taber slips into the crowd walking away and says to a wolf “That was awesome right!”

She walks through the hunter camp getting both positive and negative responses. She reaches her hunter quarters and goes inside. It was a small cabin and had her food and water storage set up. There was a small bed but besides that, it was a dimly lit empty room. She lays down on the bed for a few minutes before Owen comes in. He sits on the ground and doesn’t say anything.

She sighs and says, “I know what you are going to say, I should not have kicked his ass.” Owen grins and says, “that's probably one of my points.” He comes up and sits next to her.

“You are the fiercest wolf in the north, but stop acting like it. You are trying to act like you don't have emotions but both of us know you do. You are a sister to me, that's why I am worried about you. Fighting emotion will always end in pain.” He says with worry in his tone. She looks at him and sighs.

“I have my duty, I have you and Taber. That is the only thing I need. But i'm sorry about kicking Nolans ass, I wont come at the hunters again...Only you and Taber.” She says. They both laugh.

Owen says before leaving her little cabin “Fight another wolf and i'll make them all fight you!” Erika grins at that.

“I would win!” She yells back laughing.

As soon as the door closes she sighs and turns over on her bed. Her fur falls over her eyes as it does often, she blows it out of the way. She was a one wolf army she thought to herself. She knew she was a true hunter. All she does is train and fight. She knows she is the strongest in the north. But something is getting to her.

She walks out of her cabin and through the north, her home. She gets to the entrance of the wall and walks to the top. She used to come here to think when she was in training.

She looked across the unknown but couldn’t see through the trees. The north had very dense trees and deep woods. She has gone on countless missions, killed wolves from the strongest clans. But she was scared.

She can't say how she knows it, but something is coming.

Chapter 2

The Bairbarn begins at sunset and all the wolves arrive at the center of town. The center of the town was lit up, candles of different colors littered the stone buildings. The wolves were all talking and laughing, some were drinking libra, others having fun with their families. A stage was built for the alpha, He ate there, accompanied by his squads of guards. Many wolves were enjoying the food, fresh meat cooked over a fire pit.

Riley watches from a distance, hearing all the laughing. He goes to walk over but walks the other way instead when he almost gets there. He sits in the street and thinks about it. If he goes, he can talk to Erika, and just maybe she won't bite him. However, Piper will be there, along with other wolves he doesn't relish the idea of seeing. He turns around a few times before finally heading in the right direction.

He arrives and looks at the beautiful lights. He looks around with a smile, greeting other wolves as he passes them. They smile back, which was an unusual response to Riley. A wolf smiles at him before falling to the ground laughing, tears coming from his eyes. Riley assumed it was Libra, the drink that produces hallucination. It was rare for regular wolves to have, but for hunters it was far from unusual. When the Bairbarn rolls around the hunters usually decide to share with the clan.

Riley begins searching the masses for Erika, while trying to stay away from Piper at all costs. Suddenly he sees Erika walking through the crowd. She was with a Tan wolf, and a grayish wolf as well. A wolf suddenly grabs him, Riley was sure it was piper. He looks up with fear to see a weird wolf staring at him. Riley could see the dilation in his pupils. The wolf held back a grin.

“Hey man..can you like..uh..sit in front of me for like an hour, your fur is trippy, its like...so light..and blue..weird man.” The waisted wolf says. Riley looks around to find Erika and cant see her.

“No sorry i'm busy, but thanks for the compliment..if it is one.” Riley says.

“Bye bye blue guy!” The wolf says laughing

He then enters the crowd of wolves. Getting through the wolves was easy. The north had its downsides, but they did have civility. Riley continues to look for Erika until he sees her and the other two hunters at the center of the Bairbarn, walking through the festivities. Riley follows them through the crowd to hear what they are saying.

“These lights are so pretty, they are my favorite part of the Bairbarn.” Owen says, looking at the beautiful sights around him.

“My favorite part is drinking so much Libra I black out and wake up in the unknown.” Taber says with a grin. He than hits Owen in the chest, leaving an indent in his tan fur.

“Hey Owen, did you do what I told you to do for our bet? Did you ask?” Taber says laughing.” Erika looks at him with a grin. Owen looks down, and Taber's eyes light up.

“She said.. just as friends..” Owen says with a whisper.

“KNEW IT!” Taber says laughing, but Erika holds back her laughter.

“Better luck next time bud.” Erika says. Owen smiles and they continue to walk. Owen than looks at Erika funny, remembering his question from earlier.

“Hey Erika, so I heard you had a meeting with the Alpha..what was it about?”

“Something about a mission in the unknown, he didn't tell me much besides that.” She says.

“That's cool and all, but right now my shift just ended sooo see ya later!” He says before running in the other direction. Erika goes to yell at him but he was already gone. Owen scratches his head with his paw.

“Sorry Erika but I'm going as well, I love these festivities and..” He says before Erika cuts him off. “Its okay Owen, enjoy yourself.” She says smiling. Owen nods with a grin before walking away. Erika looks off at the wall and Owen stops.

“You okay?” He says. Erika looks back at him.

“Yea, i'm good, go have fun.” She says. Owen than walks through the crowd and disappears into the festival.

Riley then leaves the crowd and slowly walks forward, scared out of his mind. He goes to talk to Erika, but suddenly she takes off towards the garden. Riley follows her at a distance. She was sprinting, Riley could barely keep up, his lungs cramped and he was panting. She reaches the garden and looks around. Riley jumps in a bush before she could see him. She then cautiously enters the garden. Riley gets out of the bush covered in leaves. He shakes them off and brushes off his scruffy hair. He was sure he still had leaves in his tail. He goes to enter the garden but he hears singing. Suddenly the musical notes flow around Riley. The colors around him swayed and produced sounds that harmonized with the music. The range and rhythm of the song dancing around him in notes and colors. His ears perk up and Riley follows the song. The lights then get brighter, the notes get more fluent.

“There is no way that is Erika! Music is banned and she is a hunter!” Riley says silently.

“Maybe she can sing with me!” he says hopefully. Riley then turns the corner to see Erika on top of the big rock in the center, the moonlight shining down on her. Her hair blew with the breeze yet he could see her emerald eyes. She looked like a goddess to him. He hides behind a tree before looking back at her in amazement. He looks at her and listens to her beautiful voice.

The dark hides in our souls

Drinks won't make us whole

We walk along with such conviction

Fear inside of me

One day ill be set free

Walk away from the restriction

Oh guide me my friend take the fear away

The life I live and how I want to be portrayed

I can show you my teacher I won all these triumphs

The fear that i have but bravery flies up

The lights are dim without you

teacher I don't know the path

Keep them all at distance so I can hide my wrath

So I keep my traditions and I fight for their freedom

Keeping my clan safe because my friends I need them.

Suddenly Riley snaps a twig and she stops singing instantly. The lights around him fade. Erika scans the garden and gets ready to attack.

“Who is here! Come out now!” She yells. Riley then slowly comes out, ears and tail flat from anxiety. Erika angrily sighs.

“Dammit! Not you!” She yells in frustration. Riley smiles at her and she glares at him.

“That was so good! We should sing together!" He says with enthusiasm. She growls and checks him to the ground. He falls hard and coughs.

“I have no time for this shit! Music is banned! Tell anyone and I will throw you in the unknown!” She yells. “Not like anyone would notice you were gone anyway!”

Riley gets up and sits. His ears drop further and he lowers his head. Erika stops breathing so hard and sighs. She goes over to him and sits, knowing she went way too far.

“Look, i'm sorry I said that, but just listen to me, I don't like you, or anyone else. Stop bothering me, I need to attend to my job, protecting the North. This dumb festival pisses me off enough, so please just don’t talk to me anymore.” she says, before walking away to the festival.

Riley sits for around ten minutes. He knows his “chance” was a bunch of bullshit. He slowly walks back into the festival. He was walking with his head down, looking at all the spilled libra bowls. He suddenly bumps into a wolf and looks up. The wolf was one of Erikas friends. His name was..Owen! Riley remembered. Owen smiles at him and looks around.

“You seem down kid, you're the only wolf staring at the floor.” He says, laughing.

“Yea, some..life stuff.” Riley replies sadly. Owen takes another sip of his libra bowl.

“Want some? Owen says, pushing the bowl to him. Riley pushes it back and shakes his head.

“I don't drink.” He says. Owen shrugs and drinks some more. Riley sighs and looks down. Owen looks around at all the lights, hearing the laughing.

“I try to do things but everything blows up in my face...Every time. Everything seems impossible to me.”

“Isn't the purpose of life though? to achieve the impossible.” Owen replies after a minute. He then gets up and puts his paw on Rileys shoulder.

“Good luck with everything kid, I have to go.” Owen says, before leaving towards the stage.

Riley spent the rest of the Bairbarn eating. He was so hungry sense most of the food stands wont give him any. Suddenly a wolf howls on the alphas stage after about an hour. All wolves start gathering around, all trying to see. They all were murmuring, wondering what this will be about. Riley tries to get to the front but fails. He bumps into a wolf and he growls at Riley. He then settles for his shitty spot. The alpha of the north comes out and takes the center of the stage and the clan goes silent. He begins to speak.

“Wolves of the north! We have been safe for centuries thanks to the efforts of our hunters. The north is an honest clan, but we are having complications in food recovery, as most of you know. Our food is almost depleted, But that ends tonight!” He yells

“My most elite hunters will be protecting the walls, while others go on a recovery mission on a newly discovered food cache. The recon team will be lead by Erika Brookes, our most formidable hunter! She will ensure the food comes back safe.” The alpha says. Erika than walks up on the stage, getting cheers and howls. She sits at attention as the alpha continues.

“I will have wolves protecting the walls as well, don't worry! You can all sleep in peace. Taber Brookes is tasked to lead the guards on the wall.”

The wolves clap there paws but Erika hears Taber yell “DAMMIT!”

“Now return to the festivities, enjoy your food and drink responsibly!” The alpha yells. All the wolves howl and cheer before going back to enjoying the rest of the festival. Riley starts to panic, he thinks of a terrifying thought. He sees Erika preparing to leave with fourteen other hunters. Riley runs over to her, panic running through his blood. She sighs when she looks at him.

“Dammit!! Not you! Go away! Leave me alone before I kick you in the temple!” she yells.

“Please just hear me out! The north food storage was found near to the north right? Why would it just appear, the hunters would have seen it by now. I think it's a lure! They want a hunter response!” He yells. Erika looks down for a minute, in quick thought.

“We have to do this mission, it's our duty, the north will starve if we don’t fix this, fast. Now get away now!” She yells. He goes to say something before Owen looks at him and shakes his head. Riley sighs and walks away, looking back a few times.

Erika's squad goes past the border and into the unknown. Hunters were the only wolves who went past the borders and into the unknown, in all clans. The squad walks through the dense woods of the unknown. There were different kinds of trees, also many streams and hills. Epsilon was beautiful, but it was dark, they could barely see, the moon being there light. They walked on alert, analyzing the environment. They wait for an attack, but it doesn't come.

“Something really isn't right.” Erika says, looking around the empty woods. “What if Riley was right about the lure.”

“Is that his name? Funny you remember that.” he says grinning. Erika glares forward and ignores him.

They reach the food storage area. It was a shack full of recovered food, sitting alone. The shack was in a grassy circle, no trees besides the border of it. Something was in front of the shack. Erika and Owen could not prepare for what they saw. A wolf carcass lay in front, with no hind legs or tail. The carcass was completely soaked in blood. Eyes lifeless yet full of dead fear.

“Spread out! Erika yells. Some of the hunters begin searching the trees, sniffing out possible enemies. The others started moving food. Erika and Owen look at the body, analyzing it.

“This..this is a level of torture clans don’t do..its someone else.” Erika says, a hint of fear in her voice. Suddenly she hears a scream from the woods. Howling filled the air from the center of the woods.

It was a lure..

“Regroup!” Erika yells. The north hunters all run to her position and get ready to fight. Wolves poured out of the trees, growling and sprinting towards them. They had black and red warpaint around there menacing eyes and blood stained coats.

“Do anything you can do to escape! The north has to know about this!” Erika yells. The hunters then charge towards the exit while fighting the unknown wolves. They were outnumbered, the hunters being swarmed. Erika vaults over a wolf and sidekicks his jaw. A wolf bites her but she slams him on the ground. She then bites his neck and rips it out. Three charge at her and she dodges the first kick. He goes to bite but she slips him out and bites his neck. The other wolf kicks her and Owen tackles him to the ground.

Erika and Owen then begin to fight there way to the trees. They were using every style of fighting they were taught. Erika would kick wolves into Owen, who would slam them on the ground. Erika was vaulting over all the unknown attackers, slipping them out when they lunge forward to bite her. She looks to Owen to see he was tiring out. She turns right in just in time to see a wolf lung at her. She sidesteps and dodges, but another one comes at her and bites her leg. She falls, but quickly recovers, biting that wolf in the side, taking him down. The remaining north hunters begin clearing the path, but are failing. The mass amount of unknown killers begin to try to circle them.

“They want a fight, but they also want no survivors… I'm fighting and you are surviving. you need to go back to the north, tell them what is going on.” Erika yells. The hunters blocking the unknown wolves begin to get overpowered. Owen shakes his head.

“Don't do this..”

One of the wolves jump at Owen but Erika takes the hit. Owen looks at her with sadness, before running through the army. All hunters form a barrier, but they were getting killed fast. Erika continued to fight. The army watches as Erika is killing there soldiers, they did not like that. Erika quickly recovers and bites the wolf that hit her and throws him to the side.

The hunters break off and attack the unknown wolves so Owen can escape. He runs to the exit and looks at Erika. All the north hunters were dead at this point. The army was fixated on Erika. She jumps over one and kicks one in the jaw. One bites her neck and she jumps off a wolf and twists his grip. She bites his neck, then uses him as a shield from the others while they tried to bite her. Suddenly a wolf kicks Erika in the ribs. She gasps for air and drops the dead “shield wolf.” She tries to get up but gets kicked in the head. One larger wolf bites her neck and lifts her up. He goes over and slams her down with full force on a rock. She gasps on the ground as they surround her. Her vision begins to give out, and everything turns black when she hits the blood covered grass.

“The last thing she hears is “this one killed over sixteen wolves, he will want to speak with her.”

Back at the north, the festival was closing to an end, but Riley wasn't there. He found a tunnel that led to the line of the unknown, the north had a lot of tunnels. He spent the whole night standing at the border and staring into the unknown. After two hours he turns to go back to the north. “She is the best fighter in the north..nothing could go wrong.” Riley says to himself.

He walks back to his little tent in the back of the clan. He crawls into it and gets in bed. He attempts to go to sleep all night, but couldn’t. Riley eventually was able to fall asleep, yet the sun came up and woke him almost as soon as he closed his eyes.

He jumps out of his tent and sees the wolves cleaning up from last nights booming festival. Riley walked down the street to see everything normal, so no attacks last night. He walks with anxiety weighing him down, heading to see if Erika was at the hunter camp. He comes close to the camp-stand but when inside, Riley witnesses hunters running around frantically. They left the gate open, passing in and out. Riley slips into the camp when no eyes were on him. As he looked around he overhears Owen. He looks out of his spot to see Owen covered in blood and shaking, talking to the alpha.

“Owen we know how much she means to you but we need to focus on the whole clan.” The alpha says. Owen sighs.

“Please, just let me go out, I can find her!” Owen begs.

“She is dead, the living need your help.” The alpha says calmly “Are we clear?” Rileys ears go down, she is dead.. He didn't focus on the rest of the conversation, too shocked. Owen begins to walk away. Riley than stumbles out from the rock and tries to get up fast. Owen turns, his eyes were red from tears, his ears down and tail flat.

“You aren't supposed to be here, but I won't tell.” he says, walking over to a jug of libra. He drinks so much he falls down. Riley helps him up and Owen coughs on him. Riley doesn't say anything though.

Owen sits down and sighs. Riley sits down, not knowing how to react.

“She was my best friend, I fought so many battles with her. We always said we would die in a battle together...but..I didn't die with her.” Owen said, with emptiness in his voice.

“Are you sure she is dead?” Riley asks, hoping for anything. Owen looks down.

“I didn't see her die but she fought an army of wolves, they typically will kill you for that.” Owen says with an empty and forced chuckle, while staring at the ground. Riley thinks for a minute before getting up.

“I'm going to save her..there must be a chance she is alive..” Riley says with forced fake confidence. Owen looks up at him, slightly intoxicated.

“She is most likely dead, even if I didn't see it. You can't do it, you have no hunter support kid, you don't even know where to go, it's impossible.” Owen says, sliding down the wall.

“Hey well, isn't the purpose of life to achieve the impossible...” Riley says, half a smile on his face.

Riley sprints through town, hunters were patrolling more frequently. Riley reaches the tunnel. He slides into it when no wolves are looking. Riley crawls through and falls out of the tunnel. He gets up and looks out at the vast forest in front of him. He awkwardly walks towards the edge to the unknown and steps his paw out past the border. He retracts it instantly before heading back over to his spot away from the edge. He sighs, he can't do it. He begins to walk away when he looks one more time. He was terrified of what would happen if he steps across that border.

He thinks to himself, He is the only wolf that will come for her. She needs help. Nobody even thinks she is alive. He thinks about her, and how great it would be if she actually smiled at him instead of growling. He laughs to himself and starts walking towards the border again. He was full of fear, but a new feeling spread through his body. He wanted to go instead of running. He wants to help. He slowly stepped out of the clan boundaries and looked into the unknown. That's when suddenly, Riley felt something on his head.

He looked up to see it was snowfall. The beautiful designs of the snow floated across in Rileys face and landed on his nose. “That's so cool!” Riley thought, no wolf in over hundreds of years has seen snow. Once it falls, he feels something he has never felt before, courage. He looks back at his protected home, a home he knows may never see again.

“Well, here we go..” he says, with a hint of doubt in his voice. After that sentence Riley sprints into the dense woodlands, trying not to turn back.

Chapter 3

Riley ventured through the unknown in awe. The sights were incredible, he couldn't stop looking at everything. The snow rested gently on top of the trees. The ground was completely white, and the soft flurry of snow kept coming. Riley jumped around in the snow for a while, laughing to himself. He sprints after rabbits when he sees them, but never comes close to catching anything. He walks through the woods for hours, feeling like he was walking in circles.

Riley begins to tire and slow down. He finally makes it up a snowy hill when he trips and falls down the side of the hill. He hits the bottom but the large pile of snow cushioned his fall. He gets out of the snow pile and is amazed at what he sees. There was a large lake that spanned so far he couldn't see the end of it. He walks over to the water, never seeing a lake before. Half of the lake had a small blanket of ice that coated the top. Riley dips his paw in and pulls it out immediately, the cold piercing his fur. He does this for a few minutes. He wanted to swim, but Riley figures he will freeze.

He walks past a cave and decides to explore it. He goes in, the darkness rendering his eyes useless. He then suddenly hears a growling noise from deeper in the cave. Suddenly a loud rawr echoes throughout the cave, hurting Riley's ears. He sprints out of the cave in fear. He looks back to see a large animal running after him. He jumps off a hill and tries to slide down, only to trip and crash down the hill. The creature stared at him from the top of the hill, roaring.

“That must..be a bear...I don't like them.” Riley says, resting his head for a minute. Riley goes back to searching, walking through the unknown. The stars shined over him, he was feeling more fear by the minute. Riley could barely see, the moon not as bright. He tries very hard not to fall or slip.

Riley's head jolts up when he hears the snow cracking, pawsteps. He panics, but keeps walking, maybe it's a deer or something. The crackling gets closer and Riley begins to hear growling. He turns his head just in time to see a terrifying wolf lunge out of the bushes. Riley jumps to the side and runs. The wolves begin to howl and chase Riley. He sprints through the woods, the wolves on his trail. They were faster than him, much faster, They started coming up on his sides, growling.

“Shit shit shit SHIT!” Riley yells, running through the woods. Suddenly a wolf close behind Riley jumps at him. The wolf grapples him and slams Riley down hard, causing him to lose his breath. Riley is then slammed into a tree and sidekicks his head. Riley then slides down the side of the tree. Riley had blood dripping from his face, he tried to get up but the wolf bites his neck and throws him in the center of the trees. They corner him, not like he stood a chance anyway. He couldn't move, his face was dripping blood profusely.

“This one is weird looking, I don't think he is a hunter.” one of the unknown wolves say.

“Then what's he doing out here.. you know what..Let's let Zane decide to kill him.” The other says. They laugh before one cracks Riley in the head again. His vision goes blurry and the last thing he sees is the wolves dragging him away.

He turned in and out of consciousness, heading deep in the mountains. The snow was replaced by rain, which poured relentlessly. Riley could feel his soaked fur, he was very uncomfortable. However that was the least of his worries. His vision comes back and he is dumbstruck with fear at what he sees. The wolves dragged him through what he thought was hell.

The walls of the clan were covered in blood, wolf heads hung from posts like sick trophies. The wolves around him all have red and black warpaint, which was menacing looking to Riley. There were dead wolves lining the streets as if they were decorations. He trembled, awaiting his inevitable death, being dragged to his fate. There were so many of them, the clan packed with wolves. He looked around at all the cages, rusty and old. There were hunters in them, dead and alive. Some were crying, others sitting with lost hope in their eyes. He only had one thing on his mind, despite the hell he was in.

They throw Riley in the center of the clan. All the wolves surrounded him, growling and glaring. Riley is terrified for what is about to happen. The wolves suddenly all go silent. The candles go dim around the clan. Wind picked up, the temperature feeling like it dropped thirty degrees. Riley tries to get up but stumbles back to the ground. That is when Riley meets the greatest threat Epsilon has ever known.

A giant wolf walks through the crowd. Riley was struck with fear when he saw him. He had pitch-black fur with red linings on his body and head. His razor sharp fangs dripped red, teeth almost completely stained by blood. He was three times bigger than any wolf in the north. What scared Riley the most were his eyes, they were just a glowing red.The menacing wolf circles him, his eyes bearing into his soul.

“What clan do you fight for.” He says slowly, with a crackling sinister tone. His voice was menacing, it struck fear in Riley.

“I'm not a hunter... I am from the north.” Riley says, coughing blood. The giant wolf chuckles.

“Where am I” Riley says, his body shaking uncontrollably.

“You are in your new home...look around...What you see is the future of Epsilon...The Atrum Semita are rising.. Aretarian will have his redemption after all these years..” the huge wolf says slowly.

“Who.. are you..” Riley says, trembling. The giant wolf gets in his face

“I am who the four brothers feared would come one day...I am Zane” Zane says, teeth bared.

“Listen I don't know anything about that! I just came here to save Erika!” Riley yells. Zane laughs along with the rest of the Semita. Zane looks off in thought.

“Erika...Black furred wolf..long hair...yes I remember her. She is an incredible fighter..but too committed to her own cause...a lost cause.” Zane says, staring down Riley.

“So she is alive?” Riley says, voice cracking.

“Only until her home is in ashes, then I will put her out of her misery.” Zane says with a devilish grin. Riley begins to feel deep rage. He looks at Zane and does the stupidest thing he has ever done.

“LET HER GO!” Riley yells, before charging at zane. He lands on the ground and Zane disappears into the shadows. Riley looks around confused. Zane comes out of nowhere and slams him in the ribs. Riley goes down coughing and in pain. Zane laughs, watching Riley attempt to get up.

“The north will beat you..after I die attempting to.” Riley says, still out of breath. He then gets up and charges at Zane. Zane warps with the shadows and kicks Riley in the head. Riley goes down but gets back up. He bites Zanes neck but Zane just throws him off. Zane warps to all sides of Riley, kicking him all over. He ends with a crack to Riley's head. Riley goes down for good, struggling to stay conscious. Zane walks over to him slowly. Riley was bloody from his body to his head.

“I like you..What is your name.” Zane says slowly. His eyes bared into Rileys, the bright red almost like staring into the sun.

“Riley..White.” Riley says slowly. Zane gets in Rileys face, growling but smiling. Rileys vision begins to fade.

“Nothing can save Epsilon from me...and I will be there… very soon.” Zane says, Right as Riley blacks out.

Riley opens his eyes slowly, laying on a metal surface, cold as ice. The darkness was thicker during the night in the mountains. He gets up slowly and looks outside the bars. The cage was large, surrounded by other cages of Zanes victims. He looks over to see a silhouette of a wolf. He goes over slowly and sees Erika, looking down in defeat. She obviously heard him coming, but didn't look up.

“Hey..” Riley says quietly. She looks at him, but not out of anger. Her eyes showed sadness. Her fur was bloody, covering half of her face. She had blood on her nose and all over her body. She looks back at the ground.

“Dammit...Not you..” Erika says chuckling a bit. Riley sits next to her and looks at her. She looks at him with a puzzled look.

“How did you get here? Why are you even out in the unknown?” She asks. He looks away for a minute.

“I… came to save you. I had to. I don't know how but I just knew you were alive. I can't explain it, but it was like giving up was not an option for me. I knew I couldn't do it, but I had to try, I know it’s dumb but...just seemed right” Riley says.

“I don't think it's dumb.” Erika replies.

She looks at him and then stares out of the cage. They sit in silence for a minute before Riley speaks.

“Hey..I was wondering why you were singing...it was beautiful!..but music is shunned so I never would have thought you liked it” Riley says nervously. She looks at him and sighs.

“It just makes me feel better sometimes..” Erika says. Suddenly Riley hears a wolf scream in pain and jolts back scared. Erika was completely unfazed, used to it at this point. She looks at him, Riley was shaking and covered in blood. She could tell he was no fighter, but he was forcing himself to be. She kind of admired that.

“You are brave, you know, coming out here.. No other wolf would have.” she says. She smiles at him and Riley was happy for a second before remembering he was in a cage. Suddenly a larger of the Semita guards slam on the cage hard.

“Shut the hell up or I will rip your necks out!” He yells at Riley and Erika. Riley cowers back and Erika just glares. He walks away but Erika slams against the door with full force.

“Just you wait bitch, I'm gonna break your jaw!” Erika yells at the guard, who walks away chuckling. She walks to the side of the cage sulking. She sits down and leans on the wall. Riley sits in the corner, afraid. Erika felt bad for Riley. He came out here for her, but she couldn't understand why. She turns her head and looks at him. Riley was sitting in the corner, looking around with anxiety.

“The fur took two months to grow, I know you asked a few days ago.” She says, trying to lighten the mood. He looks at her, she is still sitting against the wall.

“All the hunters told me I glared too much, they all said I should start wearing a cloak. My best friend Owen found it funny. He said I should just grow really really long hair.” Erika says, she grins through her sadness.

Erika continues “I went on a salvation mission after our food supplies were destroyed. I was sent to investigate, and soon after I ran into some east hunters on patrol. They chased me and severely wounded me. Two west wolves found me and brought me back to their hut. They took care of me for two months, giving me some kind of herbal treatment. Part of the side effect is that it grew out hair. When I woke up, my hair was long like this. Kinda worked out well in the end, Taber thinks it hides my so-called menacing look.” Erika laughs and runs her paw through her long hair. She walks over to the back of the cage and sits.

“Now I am going to lose everything, Zane will kill all my friends..while I'm stuck in a cage.” Erika says, a tear going down her eye.

Riley goes over and sits next to her. She doesn't look at him, just keeps staring off. Riley knew she was afraid, because he was dumbstruck petrified. He wants to make her feel better.

“What do you see when you hear music?” Riley says. Erika stares at the ground still.

“Nothing, I just hear my own voice.” She replies, emptiness in her tone. Riley smiles at her and she glances at him in confusion.

“Do you want to see something cool?” Riley asks enthusiastically. Riley takes her paw, but she pulls it away instantly, looking at him weird.

“Trust me.” Riley says. He takes her paw again. Riley begins to hum, the cage silent. Erika looks around confused, not sure what she is supposed to be seeing.

Light, oh guide me, for I am not alone

Light, oh guide me, to a place that I call home

Hope, we call you, to bring back the faith and clearly

Oh so dearly it appears weee….

He picks up and the music explodes in lights and harmonies with his next words. The colors and lights blast all around the cage.

GOOO BACK to the land, we always cherish

GOO back before the land, we love will perish

Erika looks around in amazement, smiling and astonished. She looks at the lights, the notes dancing around her head. She hears sounds and melodies she has never heard or dreamed of hearing. She looks at him and starts to harmonize with his melody. They both start singing together.

We howl up and all united

Loved ones near our fires lighted!

The land we love it is in peril

We see through it all with this carol

Lights are all around me though fear is creeping up

Peace and courage are the things I am dreaming of!

Light oh guide me for I am not alone

Light oh guide us

Right back to our hommmeeee

The music continues and Erika smiles at Riley, music dancing and playing around them. She looks at him with amazement. The notes start to die down until they fade completely.

“What was that!” She says, temporarily distracted from their current situation. She has never experienced music like that before.

“Oh that...those lights and sounds always appear when I sing, I am not sure why. I call it synesthesia.” Riley says.

“That was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, you are really gifted” She says, laughing a bit. Riley sighs and sits.

“Trust me that's not true, no wolf thinks that..” he says, trying to laugh about it.

“I do now.” Erika says. She meets Riley's eyes before looking away with a slight grin. It goes away instantly however.

“Did Zane tell you what he told me..” Riley asks.

“Yes, and that's why we need to get out.” She starts looking around the cage for a weak spot. Riley looks around with her however he sees nothing useful. Erika was examining the whole cage and found nothing as well. Suddenly the guard slams on the door again.

“No escape! Keep trying and I will get Zane!” The guard says grinning. Riley perks up and gets an idea.

“Can you take him?” Riley asks, looking at the guard.

“Without a doubt, but the guards know to not open my cage” She says. Riley thinks for a minute. “I can get them to” Riley says. Time to act like Piper for the first time.

“Yea of course you are going to get Zane bitch. Cant do shit on your own, you fat prick.” Riley yells after the guard. The guard turns with his teeth bared. He walks back to the cage slowly. The guard than hits the bars, Riley tries to not run. He stands still and forces a laugh.

“Your laughing now, but when I tear your neck out you won't be” the guard says growling

“At Least I only have one neck to have ripped out fat shit, Come in bitch. I'll smack you around so much your chins will vibrate for an hour. ” Riley says chuckling. He felt really bad saying this, but he learned it all from Piper. The hunters from the other cages start to watch and laugh. The guard gets up right to the bars of the door, glaring at Riley.

“I'm disappointed Zane is the one who get to rip your foreleg off!.” The guard says growling with a smile on his face. He was trying to holding back his rage.

“Kind of like how your mom was disappointed with her child all her life. I mean damn, who even is your father? He probably turned and ran towards the mountains at the sight of your ass.” Riley says, never saying something like that. Erika starts laughing, along with the rest of the wolves stuck in the cages.

“OOOHHH!” All the caged hunters yell.

“Fine blue bitch, i'm coming in!” The guard says growling. He looks at Erika.

“If you help him, the whole camp will dismember you.” Hey says to her. She shrugs and goes to the corner.

“I hate him, do whatever you want..” She says, looking at the guard. Riley prayed it was part of the act. The guard calls over two more wolves. They stay outside in case Erika tries to escape. The wolf charges at Riley but Erika cracks him in the jaw. It dislocates and he goes down, half his jaw off.

“Told you I would break your jaw!” Erika says grinning. The wolves in the cages start cheering. “Open all the cages, I will distract them!” She yells to Riley

The guards run at her and she vaults over one of them and bites the other ones neck. She trips him and brings him down. The other wolf bites her, but she rolls on the ground. He loses his grip and she kicks him in the head. Suddenly the wolf howls, and a few seconds later howling comes from deeper in the camp.

Erika runs down to Riley and starts opening the other cages. The freed hunters cheered and most of them ran. Others hunters howl and charge toward the Semita, caring about revenge more than living. Erika and Riley struggle to open the cages. They look and see some of the prisoners were helping. Suddenly Semita wolves start charging at them. They clash with the prisoners, blood being shed already. Erika and some of the freed prisoners help attack the waves of troops. Riley smashes off the hinges as fast as he can. Some of the hunters start helping, smashing off hinges of the cages and taking on Semita troops. Erika jukes out a wolf and kicks him in the head, she than grapples a wolf and rips his neck out. Riley gets the last cage loose and the freed hunters run. Riley looks off to see Erika fighting two wolves. Riley turns around and jumps back. Three Semita stood there, growling with their teeth bared.

“Bad idea to stay at the crime scene, don't you think?” The Semita wolf says Riley turns to run but the wolf jumps on him. The wolf Headbuts Riley and throws him down. He bites Rileys side and rips it. Riley falls down in pain, it pierces him, the blood falling from the tear. The Semita start to laugh and beat him on the ground.

Erika looks over from the fight and instantly runs at them. One picks Riley up and goes to slam him but Erika body slams him to the ground. Riley falls to the surface, blood all around him. She headbuts the downed guard and rolls off him when the others lunged. She gets up and rolls over one guard, kicking him on the landing. She rips the neck out of the last guard, but she knew more were coming. The downed guard tries to get up, but just falls and hits his head. Erika grabs Riley, he was motionless and had his eyes closed. She puts him on her back, panicking. Erika sprints away from the Semita, running fast through the blood painted clan. Most of the Semita are dealing with the remaining prisoners, getting away would be easy she thought. Riley was leaving a trail of blood, she started getting nervous.

She almost reaches the exit when she feels the temperature drop. Wind picks up around them. Zane then warps right in front of the exit, leaving a mist of shadows. He had a malicious grin that showed his razor sharp teeth, he made Erika stop in her tracks. Zane stares at her, and she tries her best not to look away. Out of nowhere, Zane just steps to the side of the exit, looking confident.

“Well? Go! Warn your clan Erika! Attempt to save your friend...” Zane says. Shadows start to steam around him, his eyes grow brighter.

“Because it won't change the fact that I'm coming..”

Erika glares at him, his eyes were almost staring into her soul, analyzing her every insecurity and fear. Shadows then explode around Zane. The Semita run at them but Zane puts his paw up. The army of Semita wolves all stop instantly. After that Zane turns and walks back into camp. He was going to kill the prisoners “rebelling.” Erika sprints towards the gates, trying not to collapse. The Semita glare at Erika until she runs out of the clan.

Erika sprints through the mountains, rain soaking her hair. She was trained for this terrain, but it was hard with Riley on her back. She keeps running, panic sweeping over her, she couldn't possibly get to the north in time to save him. She wasn't looking ahead and doesn't see the rock sticking out. She trips over it down a hill. Her and Riley go tumbling down, Erika sliding and Riley flailing. She looks in the distance to see it was leading off a cliff.

She steadies and jumps off the edge and tumbles down next to Riley. She grabs him by the neck lightly and rolls with him onto the grass part. They slide down and Erika slams her back hind legs in the ground, dirt crushing around them. They slow down, and stop right before Riley goes over. Pebbles slid off the edge of the cliff from under Erikas paws. Erika gets up panting and drags Riley over to the flat part of the cliff. Erika goes over to him and puts her paw on his. The tear on his side dripped down streams of red into a moat of blood around him, his eyes started to look glassy.

“I'm so sorry..this is my fault.” Erika says, voice cracking. She didn't know why she cared, but she cared. She knew his death was on her paws, like so many others. Riley smiles and looks off the cliff.

“You...can see all of..epsilon from up here.” Riley says slowly, coughing blood. Erika looked at him, almost in tears.

“Yea..you can.” Erika says sadly. “Not a bad place to die.”

“I'm..not dying... Help me..get to the end of the cliff.” Riley says faintly. He didn't have much time. Erika runs over and lifts him up. He yells in pain but Erika supports him. He leans on her, trying to stay up. She puts him in the front of the cliff. It overlooked all of epsilon. The rain was pouring hard now. Riley slowly gets up but stumbles a bit. Erika looks at him with concern, she thinks he is delusional from blood loss. He closes his eyes and begins to do a chant. Wind picks up around Riley. Erika backs up, not sure what is happening.

Ego postulo viam nunc pro tutela. malum habet educatus caput eius et oportet crescere. Da mihi lumen senex, lumine ductu, et da mihi lucem vincere malum et concede unitatem, ut innocens. aurora borealis, da mihi vires veteris!

Riley howls at the sky after the final word and the sky erupts. Erika looks up in amazement as the rain clouds are swept away by a colorful aura. The rain stops and the stars reflect off the lights in the air. They changed colors, the massive coat of light flashing and shifting. She looks down at Riley to see his wounds healing, and his scar burning white. She even felt herself healing, her bones not in pain anymore. Riley sits at the edge, and Erika sits next to him.

“How did that happen? What is this!?” Erika says, astonished.

“This is aurora borealis, or what I call the northern lights. All my life I have had these.. weird abilities, They heal me, every time.” Riley says, watching the colors change. She looks at him.

“Why did they heal me?” Erika says. Riley looks at her puzzled.

“They healed you? That has never happened before.” Riley says, confused.

“Weird.” Erika says staring deep into the lights, while Riley was staring at her. Even covered in blood she was the prettiest wolf in epsilon to him. She turns and looks at him and his eyes look everywhere else. She chuckles at him. The lights slowly go away, leaving a starry sky. She stands up and Riley does as well. He stumbled, feeling tired from projecting the lights.

“We need to get to the north, and fast.” Erika says. “The mountains will be a challenge but when we get into Epsilon I can get us back to the north with shortcuts.

“I need rest..Go on without me.” Riley says. Erika chuckles and pulls him up.

“It's just walking, you will live.” She says. She then sprints out towards the trail. Riley sighs before chasing after her, praying he won't fall.

Chapter 4

Riley and Erika hike through the mountains, snow resting on their fur. The strong wind was blowing Erika's hair everywhere. Riley was trying to not laugh, it was flowing recklessly and out of character despite her lack of control over it. They both feel relief when they see Epsilon in the distance. Erika then sprints towards the border of the mountains, Riley following her the best he can. She looks around, seeing the south city in the distance, the snow covering all of Epsilon. It was peacefully dropping on the woodland, making her question if it was the same place she left. The ground was coated in a blanket of white which sat peacefully, growing in size by the minute. Moonlight reflected off the lake far in the distance.

“We have to get back fast, The north must know about what is coming” She says, before seeing Riley wasn't next to her. She looks around and sees Riley passed out asleep in front of the border. Erika comes over and drags his body into the woods. She rests him on grass behind the tree and she lays down herself. She needed rest, figured she might as well try to sleep. She closes her eyes and falls asleep in seconds.

Riley slowly opens his eyes but feels strange, like he wasn’t in his own body. He sees himself standing on a wall of a weird castle. Armored wolves were walking with civilians in their mouths. They throw the wolves down and brutally rip their necks out. One guard charges at Riley but goes right through him. Riley was shocked, but slightly relieved, yet utterly confused. An armored wolf then rips a mother's child from her helpless grip, and we throws the pup onto the ground. The mother begged the ruthless wolf. The wolf grinned and went to bite the child but he suddenly gets blasted to the ground by a force of light, half his body fried. A blinding light suddenly blasts from the path behind them, blinding all of the guards. The armored wolves turn around in horror. Four wolves walk out from the alley, eyes glowing along with there weird glowing necklaces.

Riley suddenly flashes to the top of a mountain he had never been to. He looks around panicking, the mountain overlooked everything, but it was all misty.

“I have been really anxious to meet you..” He hears a loud echoing voice say. Riley jumps out of fear and turns around, amazed at what he saw. There was a big white wolf, shining light off of his fur. He had glowing yellow eyes, but they were kind, rather than evil. He had a calming grin on his face.

“Who..are you? Why are you in my dreams.” The god wolf laughs and looks out at Epsilon.

“There is no need to be afraid my friend. My name is Alpha, and you are not dreaming, I have brought you to a vision” Alpha says, his deep voice calming. Alpha stares at Riley, examining him.

“Why did you show me those wolves, the ones with the glowing eyes.” Riley says, getting more questions than answers.

“Those wolves were the four wolves of legend, the four brothers.” Alpha says. “They both saved and destroyed Epsilon..yet, there legacy lives on. They ended Aretariens tyranny, but brought their own chaos but now..now it's back”

The scene changes to a city in flames. The four brothers stand over a wolf even bigger than Zane.

“We will not make his mistakes, we will rule together brothers, bring peace.” one brother says. The setting he was in quickly changes back to the snowy mountain. Riley falls on the ground yet again, his head spinning.

“Please at least warn me when you do that...” Riley says, standing up feeling dizzy. Alpha ignores him.

“The four brothers said they would not make Aritarians mistakes, but they did. They fought each other, power controlling them. They broke out in civil war, eventually splitting into the clans you know today. Out of fear, the wolves of Epsilon hide behind these clans, forming into the Epsilon you know today. Full of fear and isolation. I stopped snowfall, the representation of courage in epsilon, it no longer existed.” Alpha says.

“Then why did the snow come back, after all this time.” Riley says, very confused. Alpha chuckles.

“You believe the absence of fear is courage. You have based your life on this. You deem yourself weak due to your immense fear, yet do not see your over-comings as the perseverance it truly is. Courage requires fear, or there is no chance to grow, or triumph.” Alpha says, looking at him with his glowing eyes. Riley then falls, his vision getting blurry. Alpha turns but says

“It came back because of you Riley, and you will need your courage for what is coming..all of it.” Alpha says. Riley feels himself fading, but he has one more question.

“What..does Zane want..” Riley says, before his head falls. Alpha turns his head

“Malevolence..” a large yellow light then flashes in Rileys eyes.

Riley jolts awake, finding himself back in reality. He starts looking around and panicking. Once he realizes where he is Riley sighs and calms down. He sees Erika sitting on a rock.

“You sleep long.” She says “I already figured out routes to the north with little chance of hunter interference.”

Riley gets up yawning. “What do you mean little chance?” he says with worry. She grins and starts walking out of the mountains towards Epsilon without a word. Riley tilts his head slightly but follows her without question. As they walked, he would ask her questions every few minutes however this time she would answer them.

“What is being a hunter like?” Riley asks her.

“Its honorable, but hard. All of the wolves in the north..their lives are under my protection. I do my duty, I protect my wolves and my family, no matter what.” She replies, a hint of fear in her voice.

She makes him be quiet around the south territory, the most ruthless wolves in Epsilon. They get out of the southern territory and keep walking. Riley decides it's time for more questions.

“Have you ever met a south wolf? How about an east wolf?” Riley asks.

“They are both highly hostile, killing opposing clans instantly.” She grins and says “But yes, I have “met” many.”

They continue through the unknown with silence, at Erikas request. They walk past the frozen lake, Erika keeping her eyes away from it and wearing a strange and pained look. Riley stared at it, but then looked back at Erika. She had that strange expression, and was avoiding glancing at the lake. Riley wondered why, but figured he shouldn't ask sense there must be a reason she didn’t want to talk about.

Erika looks around at the environment and the different kinds of trees. She smiled in relief, the north was close. Riley looks at her.

“Erika..do you think Zane is coming..like actually.” Riley says. Erika stops for a second and looks down. She then forces a grin and looks at Riley

“He will fall to the north, he doesn't know what he is getting himself into.” Erika says. Riley looks relieved and they keep walking. Erika knows what she said was a lie. The army was massive, and then there is Zane. He could fight the north alone if he wanted to. She knew she had to do everything to protect her clan.

They reach the wall and walk through the entrance. They get glances from all the wolves as they walk through the clan. Erika would hear things like “Holy shit!” and “is that Erika? I thought she was dead.” Riley walks next to Erika awkwardly, looking at the staring wolves. She reaches the center when a squad of hunters see her, jaws dropping. She looks around at all the wolves in the clan, staring at her. She gets to the center of the city when wolves surround them. Riley looks around anxiously. The wolves suddenly all cheer and howl. The hunters all stand at attention and howl in sync.

“Erika!” She hears Owen and Taber yell. She turns around and sees them, looks of relief on there faces. They run towards her and hug her, happy to see her alive.

“I'm mad at you, I had to do all your patrols! You should have risen from the dead two days ago!” Taber says. Erika grins and shoves him. He then puts his paw on her shoulder.

“But for real, you did a good job sis.” Taber says. Owen looks at taber in shock.

“Was that a compliment from taber? I can't believe he was just nice!” Owen says, trying to jab at Taber. Owen looks at Erika with a humbled smile on his face.

“I'm glad you are okay Erika.” Owen says. She hugs him, happy she was home. Riley sits near them awkwardly. Suddenly a squad of hunters run through the crowd. Riley gets up but gets slammed out of the way by a guard. Riley lies down on the ground for a minute, he needed to catch his breath. The guards run up to Erika.

“Good to see you alive, we need to take you to the alpha. He is in the strategy room at the hunter camp. How much do you know about this threat?” The lead guard says.

“Too much, lets go.” Erika says, before walking with the squad to the hunter camp. She looks at Riley before walking away with the hunters. Suddenly a wolf helps Riley up. He turns and sees Owen. Riley says nothing, still catching his breath.

“I thought Erika was dead, certain of it, and we were all scared. but while we sat with our tails between our hind legs you went out and saved my best friend. I am proud of you kid, good job doing the impossible.” Owen says. He helps Riley up and grins at him, before walking away towards the hunter camp. Riley was left staring, thinking about what Owen said.

Erika walks through the Hunter camp with Taber and Owen, getting glances from the other hunters. They reach the building and enter the strategy room. The alpha looks up from his map of Epsilon, the three hunters standing at attention.

“At ease” The alpha says “Erika, I have come to understand you know about the threat.”

Erika sighs and steps forward. “The threat we are faced with is the Atrum Semita. They have a massive army and from what I gathered it's as big as the north's..maybe bigger.” Erika says. “Now let's talk about the “leader” Zane, he is ruthless and sociopathic. He can manipulate light, creating shadows to teleport himself...I don't know how. He alone could kill an army. I made the mistake of underestimating him. It was a mistake I regret and I implore we should not make.”

Erika looks around to see fear in the other hunters. “What do we do.” the alpha says. Erika knew she needed to say something, even if it was a lost cause. Hope is important, even against inevitable failure.

‘We need to focus on defense. Pull all squads back and get all civilians inside. We need all our hunters here to defend, it's our last chance.” Erika says.

“We can do the fortifications on defense. I will pull the squads back..but we cannot worry the public. We need to keep this confidential, or wolves will panic.” The alpha says. Owen looks at Erika, who looks concerned.

“Sir, the civilians will all be exposed during the attack, we need to..” she begins to say.

The alpha interrupts and says “There is no “We” Erika! I have my duties, run the clan, keep peace. You have your job, protect the clan. I will do my job, I suggest you find a way to do yours.”

Erika looks at him, glaring. He stares at her, not breaking eye contact.

“I'll lead the defense, but I have to go.” She turns to walk out, the alpha grinning. Taber and Owen go to follow but the alpha puts his paw up.

“You two are in charge of pulling the squads back, plot there courses..and taber! No snide comments after I stop talking!” The alpha says. Taber rolls his eyes and him and Owen go over to the charts. The alpha then leaves the strategy room to attend to more business, acting as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Riley sits on the blanket of snow, looking off into the unknown. He found his journey to be a good experience. He shuffles the snow around with his paw. He hoped to run into Erika in the town, hearing her talk about how she will save everyone. He hopes she will still talk to him. In depths of thought he didn't hear the leaves cracking.

“Hey.” He hears Erika say behind him. He looks to see she washed off all the blood. “Can I sit here?” Riley looks up in excitement. He nods his head and she sits next to him.

“When I was in that cage, I was sure I would die. I was sure nobody would come, Knew they couldn't. But then you, out of all the wolves, came to save me..” Erika says. “I wanted to thank you for that.”

Riley felt happy. He felt like for once he accomplished something. She pats his back with her paw and gets up.

“I have to go..I have strategies to plot and an army to put together.” She says

Riley felt bummed she was leaving, wishing she would stay longer. Erika would never say so, but she felt that way too. She looks back to see Riley looking at her. When she looks at him he looks away and around. She laughs.

“I set up my own breaks now that I run the army, you should visit the hunter camp sometime, it would be nice to see you again.” She says, hiding a smile. His ears perk up and he smiles.

“That sounds great!” Riley says, very happy. Erika then turns and walks aways towards the north. Riley stares out into the unknown, feeling accomplishment for the first time.

Chapter 5

To Erika's surprise, the north was quiet, aside from hunter operations. The hunters ran extra patrols, pulling back from the unknown for the impending attack. The wall and borders were swarming with Hunters. Erika was leading them, instructing what they were supposed to do. The alpha gave Erika full control of the hunters. She was making sure she sent them to every spot in the north that could be a target. The hunters were nervous, but hid it from the civilians. Taber and Owen were helping her with her new responsibilities. They would patrol the borders with Erika when things were settled. Erika walks through the snow, Owen and Taber following. They walked the border as they have so many times. The snow sat on the top of the trees, coating the ground as well. The sun illuminated off the snow which Taber was slipping over constantly. Suddenly he catches ice and falls down in the snow. Erika and Owen stop and look at him. He tries to get up and slips again.

“I hate this damn snow, I'm hitting the ground harder than Owen does in every sparring match.” Taber says, laughing as he slowly gets up while trying to keep his balance. Owen goes over and lightly pushes him, causing him to slip and fall. Erika starts laughing and Owen was grinning.

“Your right, you are hitting the ground harder.” Owen says. Taber rolls his eyes as Owen helps him up. They continue to walk in the snow, Taber getting the hang of it.

“What are you losers doing today after this.” Taber says grinning. He loved to pick at them, but they were his best friends at the end of the day. Owen moves his hind leg up and down and winces.

“I am getting my hind leg analyzed, it feels weird. I might try to get some sparring in before our next patrol though.” Owen says. Taber looks at Erika who is busy playing with her hair and avoiding his gaze.

“I assume Erika will be doing all our patrolling, unless she has a date” Taber says, casually glaring. She keeps playing with her hair.

“I am meeting Riley later, I was gonna show him the view from the temple.” Erika replies. “Not a date”

“Wait...is this the new version of Stan? Remember you would follow him around the camp when we first started training.” Taber says laughing. Erika cracked a smile.

“I do remember that, but I also remember you dragging a severed bear head back to the north to impress that girl who turned you down.” Erika replies. Taber rolls his eyes, but chuckling. He remembered that, and it worked.

“I think Riley is great, I met him a few times.” Owen says. Taber rolls his eyes.

“No he isn't, my boy Piper says he is a bitch, he runs away from his own shadow.” Taber says laughing. For a reason unknown to her, she got angry.

“He has more guts than you, he actually came out to save me, you didn't.” She says, trying to make it a joke. Owen and Taber look at each other and Taber laughs.

“Whatever you say sis.” Taber says, ruffling her long fur. She hits him off, her fur now covering her eyes. She blows it out of her eyes and keeps walking with them.

“So do you like him?” Owen asks. Erika rolls her eyes at him.

“No more Riley questions please.” She replies.

“Hey Owen, notice she didn't say no.” Taber whispers loudly.

“But I didn't say yes so shut up.” Erika says. She shoves him, causing him to fall in the snow again.

“Dammit I hate snow!” He yells as he gets up. Owen helps him up, trying not to laugh. They keep walking the line, making fun of each other and joking around. Erika loved them. They reach the end of the border and Taber cheers.

“YES! Patrol time is over, time for some liibbbrrraaa bitchhh.” Taber says, before taking off towards the north entrance. Owen looks at Erika, who was looking at the entrance.

“You should take off, go see Riley. He’s a good kid, i'm glad you finally have a friend, well outside us that is.” Owen says, smiling.

“Thanks Owen.” Erika says, before running towards the entrance. She walks through, the hunters saluting her as she walks by. She could see the fear they were facing, they all knew something was coming they just didn’t know what. They were acting strong, that's what hunters do, but hunters were not taught to lie to the clan. Erika looked around and saw all the townsfolk of the north. They were living their lives like nothing is wrong, because to their knowledge nothing is. Erika slowly walked through the town, she felt uneasy. The pups were running around laughing. Families walked around, Erika heard laughing and felt the false sense of comfort in the air. But the hunters know what is coming, and so does she, they just don't know when. She gets greeted by all the wolves, Erika tries to seem calm but is shaken.

As she approaches the temple she hears yelling in the distance. She gets in a fighting stance..this is it! She jolts her eyes around, but looks off and just sees some wolves fighting in front of the temple. Erika squints and looks closer, to see Riley on the ground and Pipers group kicking him relentlessly . Piper was on top of him, headbutting him. The tan bully was laughing the most out of all of them, he was clearly the ringleader. Riley had blood on his face and he was quivering, making Erika angry. She growls and charges at Piper, who barely looks up in time to see a black blur darting towards him. She slams through his friends and tackles him off Riley. They get up and Erika sidekicks Piper in the face. He falls back and hits the wall of the temple. Erika slams him against it and headbuts him. His head cracks against the wall and he slides down it slowly, blood all over his face. All Erika had to do was glare and all his friends ran. Riley slowly gets up, blood still dripping from his nose. Erika goes to walk over to him but piper speaks up.

“This bully beater bitch can't protect you forever!” He yells, coughing blood. Erika looks back at Piper and runs at him. She slams him against the pillar again, causing him to lose his breath.

“I will sink my teeth into your neck and have you screaming like the little pussy you really are! If I see you near Riley again it will be the last minute you breathe air!” she yells, before throwing him aside. Piper stumbles before falling to the ground. Erika glares at him and he stumbles away, trying to run but failing.

“Hey..I had them on the ropes..” Riley says laughing, however still out of breath. She grins at him.

“Yea sure you did, hold still while I check your eyes.” Erika walks up to Riley and grabs his head. She looks in both his eyes making sure he didn't have a concussion. She lets go of his head.

“Why do those wolves always come after you?” Erika says. Riley opens his mouth to reply but suddenly the whole ground shakes, causing both of them to fall. All the wolves of the north feel it, panic comes over the clan. Suddenly dark howls can be heard from the unknown. Wolves with bloody warpaint start rushing at the wall. Balls of fire took air and exploded on the walls protecting the north. A fireball flies across the clan and hits the temple. Erika gets up and grabs Riley. She runs with him to a ledge, and she freezes in fear at what she sees.

“no..” Erika says in fear, looking at the inevitable end of her clan. The walls were breached, there was a machine throwing fire through the air and at her home. She had no idea what it was, but all she knew it was destroying their defenses.

Erika looks at the trees and sees Zane walking in the middle of the sprinting wolves. He was grinning, walking at a slow pace. His eyes burned bright, the red illuminating from the shadows that circled him. He was taking his time, enjoying his moment. The Semita start overpowering the hunters and flooding into the clan. The civilians ran as the semita attacked them, trying to save their families and little food they could carry. The peaceful life these wolves knew before was gone forever. Buildings on fire were falling, leaving a trail of smoke cascading towards the sky. Structures were crushing wolves on the street, who were screaming and running in different directions. The ones who were not being attacked were hiding and crying, holding their families. Erika takes off towards the town, Riley following. A fireball hits a building in front of them and it goes down. Erika hits Riley out of the way and they fall to the ground. She gets up and helps Riley, who was still trying to figure out what the explosion was caused by.

“I need to kill Zane, it's the only way to stop this. You need to tell the alpha to evacuate. He knows the plan I made, once Zane is dead I will regroup.” She says, panicking.

“Erika, he is too strong, I've seen what he can do! Don't go after him alone.” Riley says trembling. Erika howls and suddenly Hunters flood their position. The ones that don't stay with Erika run towards town. The staying ones sit at attention.

“I won't be alone, don't worry about me.” She says with a forced smile. She howls and the hunters begin to group up and fight in numbers. Erika runs towards the town, Riley wanted to follow her but knew he had his own task. He then sprints towards the alphas chamber, running through the chaos that was unfolding around him.

Erika fights with her squads, protecting the center of the north. She was helping wolves run deeper into the north. Suddenly she hears a devilish howl echo across the north, piercing her ears. The howl came from the temple. Erika growls and sprints towards the north monument. Hunters group up and follow her, attempting to hide both their fear and confusion.

They fight their way to the temple, fear spreading like a plague. Wolves would look in Erika's eyes with emptiness, she could see she failed them. They reach the base of the stairs to see Zanes forces at the top. Zane was growling, with a malicious smile on his face. He slams his paw down, cracking the surface. All the Semita begin to charge down the temple stairs. The hunters pass Erika and clash with the Semita troops ready to either kill or be killed for the North. Erika runs at Zane, who was casually walking through the fight.

Erika runs at him, she jumps in the air and goes to bite him. He teleports to the side and decks her to the ground. She falls down the stairs a bit, wiping blood from her mouth. She sidekicks but he warps behind her and hits her down a few flights of stairs. She tries to hit him but he keeps teleporting further up the stairs. They get to the top and she goes to tackle him but he counters and slams her against a pillar. She goes down and he goes to bite her but is intercepted by a north hunter. Erika looks over to see the semita on the stairs dead and the other north hunters charging at Zane.

Two north hunters pin Zane but he bites one of the hunter's neck and rips him to the ground. He crushes the others ribs with a powerful slam. Two more hunters jump at Zane but he warps to the side and kicks one in the jaw, knocking him to the ground and taking the other one and head butting him into the ground. The remaining hunters surround Zane, including Erika. Zane suddenly warps to the side and takes the hunters out one by one. They try to fight him but he is too strong, they don’t stand any chance against the malevolent monster. Only Erika and one other hunter stand. Zane jumps up and kicks Erika in the face causing her to collapse, and bites the other hunter and rips his neck out. Erika goes to get up but Zane bites her neck and throws her against the pillar so hard it cracks. She falls to the ground and yells in pain. Her neck was bleeding all over her body, her face bleeding rivers from her nose. She tries to get up but collapses.

Zane laughs and circles her. “The shadow assassin, The siren of death, those are names my men gave you when they met you.” He says “You were good, a very good fighter, a smart soldier, but your allies did not share your.. What say… Motivation.”

Zane laughs and warps down next to her. “This is just the beginning of my vision Erika. I am sad you won't get to see it to the end”

Zane hits her and throws her down the stairs. She falls hard down the entire set, knocking her in the stomach and head. She hits the bottom, eyes blurry from blood, which coated her fur and body. She lies at the bottom coughing and defeated. Zane slowly walks down the staircase, growling. He reaches her, looking at her with disappointment.

“I am disappointed, I expected a fight, yet you will die here Erika..Alone coated in fear and blood.”

Riley wasn't doing well with his task. He was trying to stay brave, but he was not a hunter. He was in the back of the clan, which seemed strangely quiet. He would jump at the screams and yelling that flooded his burning home. The torched buildings terrifying him, smoke creeping upwards almost like they were descending to the afterlife. The balls of fire crashed around him, throwing Riley off his paws constantly. He makes his way to the entrance of the camp and freezes at what he sees. He stares in fear at the blood painted entrance, dead hunters littering the ground in a sea of red.

The whole camp was covered in blood. pools of dark red coated the walls like some sort of messed up fresher paint. Riley slowly walks through, forcing his shaky hind legs forward. There were no Semita, but the sight of the camp was horrifying enough. He reaches the entrance to the alphas quarters to find it drenched red like the camp. He walks up the stairs, stepping over dead hunters and Semita troops. Every step he takes feels like his last, he was surprised he got this far and was still breathing. He waits for some wolf to jump out and kill him. The stairs come to an end and he walks into the chamber. He looked around in fear, dead hunters were everywhere. He quickly diverts his eyes and almost throws up when he sees the North alpha. The alpha was torn to pieces, almost unrecognizable. His neck was gone, leaving his head hanging off the table. Riley looks behind the horrifying display Zane left to see two words on the wall painted in blood.

“I'm here”

Riley freezes, staring at the alpha. Suddenly he hears howling coming from the hunter camp. He panics, running around looking to hide, knowing they were coming. He hears the Semita running up the stairs, paws slamming the surface like a hoard of buffalo. He gets an idea and rolls around in all the blood. He almost pukes, but quickly puts a dead wolf on top of him. He closes his eyes, hoping this works. Six Semita troops come in and look around. They poke at the corpses, one jabs Riley in the ribs. Luckily he manages to not react, knowing he would end up like the alpha.

“Why are we doing this, the alpha is dead.” One says, poking another dead wolf. The other Semita soldier looks at him.

“That blue wolf who escaped is apparently in here, Zane said so.” the Semia wolf says. Riley turns pale.

“Shit!” Riley whispers, but not quite enough. The Semita wolves look at him and growl, then they walk towards him. He gets out of the pile and runs toward the exit. One of them jumps in front and kicks him. Riley goes down and one bites his neck. Suddenly a perfectly timed fireball crashes into the chamber, blowing all the wolves off their paws. The room catches fire, the Semita were trying to put out flames. The blood on Riley turned coal colored, but he wasn't on fire..that was a plus to him. The roof collapses on one of the Semita, but the other one charges at him. Riley looks at the hole in the infrastructure. He knows there is only one way out. He sprints at the hole and jumps out. Lucky for him there was a small hill to “catch his fall.” He tumbles down the hill, getting hit by rocks and debris from the building. He hits the ground and jumps out of the way before the rubble can crush him. He gets up panting and shaking, he couldn't believe this is happening.

He runs through the remains of the clan. Civilians were running, looking for a place to hide. Riley keeps going, the sounds of screams, crying, and howling flooded the air. Riley ran past dead civilians and lost families, most of them injured. The ones who were alive looked more empty than the dead wolves. They were either covered in ash or blood, they walked slowly with despair and pain in their eyes. He sprints towards the temple, ignoring all the dead hunters.

He reaches the temple to see Zane Biting Erikas neck. Zane looks up and stares at Riley with a look of sick happiness. He drops Erika, her body hitting the ground hard. Zane grins and walks towards him slowly, striking fear in the much smaller blue wolf. Riley backs up but tries to stand his ground.

“You won't win! This is a hopeless fight!” Riley says, voice cracking. Zane laughs and slams Riley to the ground with brutal force. Riley coughs and gets up slowly, his hind legs are shaking profusely. Zane warps behind him and kicks his liver. Zane warps left and kicks Riley in the eye after that. Riley collapses to the ground yet again, blood covering his face. Riley slowly manages to get up and tries to run at Zane. He stumbles over a bit and tries to bite him, with no success. Zane bites Rileys neck and slams him into a pillar on the temple. Riley then slides down, leaving a blood trail on the wall.

“You have good ambition..too bad it was wasted on a coward.” Zane says growling, yet smiling at the same time. Zane turns and starts to walk back over to Erika with murderous intent. Riley gets an idea and opens his eyes, coughing a bit of blood. He slowly gets up while giving a slight whistle, leaning slightly on a cracked pillar. Zane looks back over to him, a hint of surprise showing in his glowing eyes.

“Ambition isn't the only thing “wasted” on this coward, check this out.” Riley says, grinning yet angry.

Ego postulo viam nunc pro tutela. malum habet educatus caput eius et oportet crescere. Da mihi lumen senex, lumine ductu, et da mihi lucem vincere malum et concede unitatem, ut innocens. aurora borealis, da mihi vires veteris!

Suddenly the northern lights blast over the clan. Riley begins to heal instantly, his cuts and injuries fading. The bite marks on Erikas neck heals, but she still remains unconscious. Zane looks at them astonished. Instead of charging at Riley, he looks at the lights.

“Would you look at that...what pretty colors... I prefer red..I want to see red..on your body!” Zane yells, before warping behind Riley. Zane knocks him to the ground and bites his neck. He throws him against the pillar, the lights begin to flicker. Zane kicks Riley in the mouth and he falls. Zane then kicks him in the ribs, knocking the wind out of Riley.

“I came here for a FIGHT!” Zane yells, before biting Riley and throwing him again. He hits the ground and his head bounces off the surface. The northern lights were almost drained, he was using all their power. Riley slowly gets up and Zane kicks him in the nose. He falls back again and Zane jumps on him. He headbutts him into the ground, Riley only surviving from the fading lights.

“Is this my fight? I was waiting for a fight! I guess a massacure will be suitable as well.” Zane grabs Rileys neck and warps to the top of the temple. He holds Rileys neck, Zanes' razor sharp fangs digging into him like blades. Zane walks over to the stairs and throws Riley down.

Riley falls down the stairs, hitting his head and body on every stair. Zane stood at the top grinning, watching Riley fall. He hits the bottom and the lights fade, only healing him slightly. Zane walks down slowly, preparing to see Rileys corpse. But Riley looks at him and slowly gets up, feeling immense pain all over his body. Zane steps off the stairs and looks at Riley, who jumps in front of Erika. Zane laughs, slightly impressed.

“I do like you Riley, I hope to see you again.” Zane says, before howling loud. Shadows then enclose him and he vanishes. Riley runs over to Erika and tries to wake her up. The bite marks on her neck were healed, but her eyes were still closed. Suddenly Semita ran at them from around the corner. Riley closes his eyes but suddenly north hunters run from behind him and clash with the attacking Semita. Owen runs over to Erika and analyzes her. Taber looks at her nervously, but looks over to Riley after a minute.

“She is alive but unconscious. Something sealed her neck wounds, but we need to get her out of here!” Owen says with panic in his tone. Taber runs up to Riley, he was running out of options.

“Listen kid, we need to fight here but you don't. Get Erika out of here, find refuge or something..i don't know, something like that!” Taber yells. A semita wolf charges through the barrier and Taber tackles him. The wolf tries to fight but Taber rips his neck out.

“The north is gone! We only have one option and that's to kill Zane, you have the option to leave, take it!” Taber says. Riley goes to talk but a dark howl echoed across the north. Taber and Owen both look up at the temple. Zane was up there, slowly walking down. The Semita begin pouring into the temple grounds and charging at the remaining Hunters. They clash with them right as a fireball slams into the temple, causing the debri to crush some unexpecting wolves.

“Dammit! Get my sister out of here!” Taber yells at him. Riley runs to Erika and puts her on his back. Owen grabs Taber’s paw and they shake.

“It's been good fighting with you, ready for the end hunter.” Owen says, with a mixture of sadness and pride.

“I bet you will die before me, owen, let's make a game out of it!” Taber yells with a large grin. They then both charge at the temple, ready to die for their cause.

Riley ran through the north in fear. Erika's blood poured off his back, he was worried about her. He was glad the lights could heal her, but he didnt know how. The north was destroyed, the buildings were all coated in flames. Civilians ran, trying to get away from the Semita. Riley runs to his secret tunnel and brings Erika through it. Riley looks at the wall when they exit the tunnel, his old home gone forever. It was destroyed, Semita troops still poured in and screams echoed out of the destroyed walls. Riley gasps in fear, but snaps out of it. He puts Erika on his back and runs into the unknown.

Chapter 6

Riley sprints away from the northern clan, fear cascading in his mind. The snow was hard to run in but he didnt notice, all he could notice was the screams getting slightly further. Riley starts to notice the fearful cries for help going silent as he got further away, he figures they were far enough. He runs behind a tree and places Erika down gently. She was still breathing, but she was still covered in blood and bruises, he figured he also had a collection of injuries himself. The snow was doing them both justice, washing some of the blood off there torn fur and replacing it with ice. Riley makes sure Erika is breathing before walking a few paws and falling in the snow, no longer having the strength to stand. He cant keep his eyes open any longer either and quickly passes out, leaving them both unconscious and being gently coated in a blanket of snow.

Riley wakes up and slowly rises to see the familiar mountain of his visions. The clouds were so low he could almost touch them. Alpha was staring down at the snowy mountain landscape that Riley still couldn't describe. Alpha turns to Riley and sits down slowly, not saying a word. Riley avoids his gaze and looks down.

“I'm sorry Riley, I truly am.” Alpha says with pain in his godly voice. Riley looks down and his ears flatten. Alpha stares at Riley who was busy trying to not tear up.

“It's over… I knew we didn't stand a chance...part of me just hoped we did.” Riley says. Riley looks up with slight desperation to see Alpha's expression unchanged.

“Why has that hope gone away?” Alpha says calmly, his tone slightly changing to a hint of misplaced optimism. Riley looks up, seeing Alpha staring at him still. Before Riley can answer, alpha talks over him.

“Do you know why Zane is so fascinated with the four brothers? He is scared of them.”

“He isn't scared of anything!” Riley yells back, before realising how rude that was. Alpha however looked unfazed, his demeanor still calming.

“Even the strongest evils hold fear for something, whether that be a present reality or a fearful past.” Alpha says in his usual humble tone.

He gets up and walks over to Riley slowly, power almost illuminating from him. He places his paw on Rileys foreleg and the scenery around them changes to a weird temple. It was massive and dark, but snow flurried outside the massive doors. The destroyed stone walls welcomed chills from the wind inside to have their stay.

Soon after their arrival the temple lights up with colors and melodies no wolf has ever seen, even himself. Riley looks around at the breathtaking colors and patterns that danced around him like a ballroom. Light blue notes soared through the temple and erupted into explosions of light, almost like planned bursts of colors and feelings of understanding. The song he heard around him was soothing yet driving, making him feel no fear for a brief moment in time. Alpha then slides his paw through one of the notes causing it to burst spectacularly.

“This was what I heard when I first created music. I saw this beautiful portrait of colors and emotions. I then decided to craft them into something special, something we can all make, and all understand.” Alpha says. Riley can't even formulate a sentence. He had never heard this beautiful music.

Suddenly four silhouettes appear around them. Riley could sense their power, almost smelling the dirt and bloodshed that they prevented. Riley jumps back a bit but Alpha pretends not to notice.

“The four brothers were the ones to use it to unite, with the gifts I gave them.”

Bright lights shine on the silhouettes necks, leaving bright gold necklaces. Riley looks into one, seeing his scraggly fur in the reflection. He backs away from it and just stares at all of them. They were carved with different languages. They all shined, the gold almost hard to look at. One of them was rather unique, it even had a silhouetted headpiece he couldn’t make out.

Alpha raises his paw and swipes the air. The music forms a tornado of different colors, rapidly changing and erupting together. Riley had to look away, his eyes screaming at him. The mass of lights explodes into the necklaces. Riley looks back to see all four necklaces shining. One was a bright blue, the others were red, green, and yellow. Those bright crystals sat comfortably in the center of the core of the necklaces, each lighting up the carvings on the gold surface.

“I gave them the gifts. The relics that birthed the ways of alpha.” Alpha says. Riley goes up to the red one and touches it. When he does it glows bright and the carvings glow brighter.

“These relics were bound to the brothers by myself. I never have intervened in Epsilon before, and for good reason, but the music is hope, Riley, so I had to just one time. Even when all hope is gone you can inspire new courage with music. It gives us a reason to overcome our challenges and face our true demons.” Alpha says, looking at the relics.

“But how can this help me.” Riley says, looking at Alpha puzzled and confused. Alpha ignores him however.

“The brothers fueled the relics with the traits that defined them. When they found the power the relics contained, the brothers harnessed it. The actions they did and the ways they chose to live made the relic they wore stronger.”

Riley get frustrated and yells “But how does any of this help!” Alpha looks at him and the room changes back to the calming melodies they arrived to in the beginning. Riley feels calm again instantly, almost forgetting his situation. Alpha chuckles.

“This is how it helps my friend. What you are experiencing right now is Alphas harmony. This song can unite Epsilon as it did before.” Alpha says

“It made reason overcome emotion, so the most complex thoughts could be fathomed.”

Suddenly the room flashes and they are surrounded by all grey surroundings. The area was full of wolves howling, with the four brothers in the front singing on a bed of snow. Riley walks through the grey shadows of wolves to see a faint grey melody in the back.

“This is the day Epsilon was first united, they sang Alphas harmony. Wolves saw each other for who they were, just other wolves. It took all four of them, they needed to be united when singing it. Alphas harmony is special, it makes fear fade away Riley. With it, you can save Epsilon...That is why Zane truly fears the four brothers.”

Riley sighs and says “The four brothers are gone though, that's the problem.”

“But hope is not my friend. These Relics still are in existence. They still hold the power they held before, and alphas harmony still prospers in all of them.” Alpha says. Riley looks down, still very confused. Soon the scene starts fading. Riley looks to alpha who is calmly fading as well.

“There is one wolf left who can sing alphas harmony, harness the relics...it's you.” is the last thing Riley hears before everything fades to black.

Riley sees only blurs at first, but his vision focuses quickly. He looks up at the massive trees and the snow covering them like a peaceful coat. The ground was chilling, he was pretty cold in general. Riley slowly gets up, still feeling pain but nothing major. He looks to see Erika staring off into the forest, hair blowing with the wind yet still coated in blood. Riley slowly walks over to her and sits. She was staring in the direction of the north, emptiness and defeat in her eyes. They sit in silence, only watching the smoke in the distance.

“I had one duty my whole life. I protected the north because that was my home. It was my responsibility. I failed myself and I failed them…now I have no idea what to do.”

Erika finishes speaking and gets up slowly. She was shaking both from fear and adrenaline.

“I need to try to kill him, it's the only way to end this.”

Erika then goes to walk away but Riley jumps up quickly. He knew he needed her for this, he doesn't stand a chance alone.

“No wait wait, I have an idea! This will sound weird but hear me out. This white god wolf told me about these relics. He says I can harness the power to sing a song that will unite all the clans, it's called Alphas Harmony. With all the clans fighting together we actually stand a chance against Zane! I know it's a longshot but I think it can work..Hopefully... I know it sounds crazy now that I say it out loud, but it might work!” Riley says with desperation. Erika stops and turns to him, defeated and stripped of hope.

“I'm sorry Riley, but it's my duty as a hunter to protect the north or die trying..go West until you reach the Western clan. They will help you, they are the only clan that accepts outsiders...i'm sorry.” Erika says, a hint of depression in her tone. She goes to walk away but Riley grabs her paw. She goes to yell but she sees the fear in his eyes. She kept telling herself to follow protocol, just leave.

“Please Erika.. I don't want you to die...I don't want to do this but now I have to. Alpha said I am the only one who can use these relics. I don't know how or why.. I don't have a clue where they are.. I'm terrified and I need your help...Please..Please Erika.” Riley says, his voice stuttering and tears forming in his pleading eyes.

She thought for a minute, while looking at the snow that rested on her paws. Hunter code was everything to her. She looks back at Rileys blood soaked fur, his fear stuck blue eyes. He was shaking and shivering, he tried to hide it but he wasn't doing a good job. She didn't want to be alone either, even though that is encouraged for hunters. Riley lets go of her paw and looks down, expecting her to get up. However she stays sitting, but she then turns to him.

“Did you say the white wolf was named Alpha?” Erika says.

“Yea why” Riley replies.

“Hunters told an old story about him. They say he gave the original Alphas the power to beat the tyrant ruler and unite Epsilon, but I figured it was just a story. Do you think these.. relics or whatever, can do that? bring unity?” She says, starting to find hope in Rileys far fetched idea.

“Thats what Alpha said, but I don't know where they are.”

Erika thinks for a minute before coming up with an idea.

“The relic in the north resides in the temple, so it’s clear they exist. The other relics are probably in each clan. I think the best idea would be to infiltrate the clans and stay low until we locate them. The east will be the first spot we check, it's only ten miles out.”

“Wait..you're gonna stay?” Riley says, still shaky with a hint of hope. She takes his paw and holds it, rubbing it in a comforting way.

“I'm scared too, so I might as well stay. We can be scared together.” She says. Riley looks at her paw then back at her. He stares at her for a brief moment, before hugging her and holding her tight. Erika looks shocked, but hugs him back, she herself was also shaking. He holds her for a minute, feeling comfort and protection from the world for a brief moment, he felt a bit safer now.

“Thank..Thank you Erika.” Riley says before letting her go.

“Ready to save Epsilon?” Erika says with a form of confidence, she did a good job hiding her fear.

“I hope so.” Riley says, who was really just happy she was staying.

They then slowly get up and begin to walk east to begin their adventure. The snow fell fast, flurrying through the forest. They try to keep under the bigger trees to avoid the wind chill. They kept alert, well Erika did. Riley just tried to follow her and listen for things, even though the wind covered any sound. The snow finally let up after hours of walking. Riley assumed they were close but wasn't sure. Erika stops Riley and pulls him out of the open and behind a snowy bush.

“We are in East territory now. They are highly hostile, I have had plenty of run-ins with them. They are known for being smart but the real problem is the armor, you can't bite them.”

“You can't bite them? How do you kill them?” Riley says nervously, his odds of winning a fight already next to nothing.

“You have to hit them in the head, the armor vibrates and knocks them out. You have to hit them hard though with your kicks and hits. Taber once head butted one of them and I still can't tell who felt more pain, him or the stupid armored Wolf.” Erika replies, smirking at that old memory.

“So what's the plan?’

Erika goes to answer when they hear sounds of snow cracking. She grabs Riley and pulls him below a bush in the snow. Erika listens to the pawsteps to hear there were three of them. They were weighted, she figured they were East hunters with their armor. Out of nowhere a silver plated wolf grabs Riley and pulls him through the bush. The wolf grips him and throws him at a tree. Riley looked up at him, he wore terrifying sliver armor, he could even see his panicked reflection in the wolf’s chest piece. Erika suddenly jumps over the bush and checks one to the ground. The second wolf goes to bite her but she vaults over him and side kicks him in the head. The wolf goes down hard and rips his helmet off, clutching his head with his paws in pain. The wolf attacking Riley grapples him and goes to bite him. Riley struggles but dodges his bite, he was used to dodging that with Piper.

Erika’s first attacker gets up and jumps at her again. She jukes to the side and checks him down. She grapples him and gets him in a hold. She looks over to see Riley struggling against the east hunter.

“Hey!” She yells over to him. Riley looks after dodging another bite. “Hit them with the vibration like this!”

She finishes yelling and gives him a demonstration. She grabs the wolfs head with her front paws and slams it on the ground twice. The wolf yells and when she does it again, he goes out cold. She gets up and watches Riley, ready to jump in. Riley struggles hard to get out but can't. He dodges a bite and gets an Idea. When the wolf goes to bite him again Riley headbutts him dead on. Erika winces and chuckles a bit.

The wolf falls off yelling in agony, but not yelling as much as Riley. Riley was gripping his head, groaning and rocking. The wolf starts to get up but Erika simply hits him across the face with her front paw. He goes down like a rock, right next to Riley who was still gripping his head. Erika laughs and nudges him.

“Good job, Taber would be impressed.” She says. She grabs Riley and pulls him up. He looks around dizzy before his vision focuses. Erika walks over to the helmet on the ground and picks it up. She examines it before looking at Riley.

“Quick question, can you fit in this helmet?”

Riley goes over to her and she puts it on. It slides right onto his head before covering his eyes a bit.

“I have a new plan, but put all this armor on.” Erika says. Riley doesn't question and begins taking off the wolf's armor. He gets in it after a few tries, it wasn't as easy putting them on as he thought it would be. The armor covered his body and head, however his light blue tail still stuck out. Erika tried to find armor for herself but they were all boys. She wasn't as distinctive as Riley so she figures it's okay. Riley walks over to Erika in his armor. She looks at him and laughs, not certain why it was so funny to her.

“How do I look?” Riley says, half blind from the helmet over his eye.

“You look like one of the east hunters. But be careful in battle or I might accidentally kill you.” Erika says laughing.

“Wait, you're joking right?” Riley says, chuckling nervously. Erika nudges him and takes off towards the East.

“Lets go, we still got some land to cover!” She yells to him. Riley runs after her, clanking from the armor and slightly slower.

“Wait but you're joking right!” Riley yells after her. She doesn't reply, she just runs faster laughing. Riley chuckles nervously, but felt a bit better. He then takes off after his new partner, and best friend.

Chapter 7

Riley found it difficult to keep up with Erika, the armor weighing him down quite a bit. Erika constantly had to reassure him that she was kidding about killing him, the joke obviously going over his head. Riley was still fascinated by the environment of Epsilon, he would constantly ask Erika questions about their surroundings. She enjoyed answering his questions, it helped her remember the beautiful qualities of Epsilon.

“How many different animals are in Epsilon? How many trees? Is there an animal that can climb trees? Can wolves climb trees?” Riley says on one of his happy rambles.

“No Riley, wolves cannot climb trees.” She says laughing.

“How big is that lake I saw? It looks huge! Does it cover all of Epsilon?” Riley said curiously. Suddenly Erikas smile disappears and she stops suddenly. Riley looks around nervously, wondering if there was a threat. She looks at him with a look mixed with sadness and anger.

“Please don't bring up the lake.” Erika says slowly. Riley stops and tilts his head.

“Why?” He says, trying to make sense of the confusion. Erika glares for a second.

“Just dont bring it up!” She yells at him. He steps back, looking slightly scared. She shakes off her angry look and starts walking again.

“I'm really sorry Erika I wont ask again.” Riley says anxiously, he really hoped he didn't make her mad. She brushes hair out of her eyes and looks at Riley.

“Its okay, just..lets not talk about the lake.” She says, before giving him a faint smile. They continue their walk, Riley decides to ask fewer questions. Erika felt bad for yelling at Riley, the lake was just a sore subject.

After a few more miles they begin to see the east in the distance. From where they were standing they could see the beautiful buildings and the reflection of the sun bouncing off the silver plating. Rileys jaw drops in awe.

“Look at that! It's shining! That is so amazing I can't wait to get there!” Riley says cheerfully.

“Just remember the East is the most hostile clan, some hunters say they are even worse than the south, be vigilant.”

“Okay, just one question.” Riley says with his tilted ear. “What does vigilant mean?”

“It means don't act like an idiot and stay in your armor, iron wolf.” She says laughing, before slightly picking up the pace and walking towards the shining city of the east.

After a little more walking they reach the entrance to the east. There was no wall, just a centered entrance into the shining silver city. A massive statue sat near the border of the East and the unknown. Riley and Erika walk up to it and stare at it. They were both mesmerized, the statue looked like the one in the north temple. The wolf on the statue contained a device on its back, something Riley and Erika never saw before. It was a backpack that had a large cannon attached to it. A necklace sat on the statues neck, the relic! Riley points and yells “look!” before climbing onto the statue and pulling at the necklace. Erika sits and watches him attempt to remove a piece of stone from a stone statue.

“You do know that is not the real relic right?” Erika says laughing. Riley pulls on it more before falling off the statue. Riley smiles and goes to say something when they hear howling coming from the east. They turn and see four wolves running at them, all decked out with armor. Riley turns to run but Erika stops him. “I have an idea.” Erika says. The wolves stop when they reach Erika and Riley.

“What happened to your squad soldier. Why are you not wearing armor.” The east hunter says. Riley prepares for a fight but Erika knew what to say.

“My armor was lost during a fight with south scouts. We lost the majority of our squad and we need to report immediately. Identification code beta-5 omega-4 east-62.” Erika says. Riley tilts his head in confusion. The east wolves look at each other than back to Erika.

“Glad you two made it out, we will scout the area.” They say, before taking off towards the unknown. Riley looks at Erika who simply responds “Those were fake east identification codes, they wont hold against any smart soldiers but it looks like we got lucky with those idiots.”

Riley looks back at them before Erika grabs him and they continue to walk into the east clan. The east clan was beautiful. There were large silver structures, the walls lined with strange candles. East wolves walk around on the stone walkways and go inside what appeared to be stores. Riley looks around everywhere, amazed at what he was seeing. Erika glanced around but focused mostly on hunter locations, they could be stopped at any moment. The hunters did not pay much attention to them, however they did get some glances. Riley looks at a large stone building on the side, it was odd. It was very dark inside, and the only stone building in the East from what they have seen so far. They continue the walk through the clan and reach what appeared to be the center. A silver walkway surrounded a metal bell in the center, acting as a icon for the clan.

“This is incredible!” Riley yells, never seeing anything like it. Erika goes to respond before a hunter stops her. They grab her and pull her to the side.

“You think you are clever? We remember you, you long black haired bitch!” The hunter yells. Erika remembered them. Taber killed their squad and they barely got away a few months ago, just her luck. Erika goes to hit him but the other wolf brings her down and bites her neck.

“I don't know how you got here but you are going to die for what you did to my brother!” The east hunter yells. He looks to Riley, who is still trying to figure out what to do.

“Get to east central and tell them to prepare an execution.” The hunter says, getting confused because of Riley's armor. Erika suddenly bites the hunters paw and rips at it. The hunter yells and Erika slams him in the head with her front paw. The hunter suddenly howls loudly, shortly followed by howls in the distance. Erika bites him and takes him down. One more jumps on her but she headbutts him and throws him off her, ignoring the throbbing pain in her forehead. More hunters swarm their location. Erika sprints towards the center of town, followed by Riley. Hunters were coming from every direction. Erika tries to find an opening but can’t, they are surrounded.

“They only know I am from outside, they don't know about you. You have to leave, I can keep them distracted, you need to keep going.” She says, glaring at all the hunters. Riley looks around frantically, trying to find another way. Riley looks at Erika and goes to argue but the east hunters charge at them.

“Go!” Erika yelled, before charging at the hunters. They run right by Riley, however the armor hides him quite well. Erika intercepts the first group and rolls off the first ones back. She lands and kicks him, he goes down clutching his head. Erika dodges two of them and slams one with her front paws. She hits his body and head, after he collapses she grapples another wolf and slams him into the armored wolf on the ground.

Riley looks around frantically. He begins to run out but looks over at Erika. She was fighting well, but they were swarming her. He starts to panic before making the decision he was not leaving. Riley begins looking all over the town square for something that might help. Erika was still busy fighting off the army of east wolves. She jumps off one's head and slams her weight down on one hunter. She gets up quick but suddenly a wolf bites down on her hind leg and rips it. Erika screams and falls down to the ground. The wolves restrain her, biting down on her neck and injured leg. Riley starts to panic, he needs to do something fast. Suddenly he looks at the bell in the center and gets an idea.

Riley sprints at the bell, doing his chant under his breath. Erika yelled as the hunters bit harder. Riley continues the chant, making sure he timed it perfectly. He was running full speed towards the bell, praying his plan works. Right before he collides with it he says the last word of the chant. He slams into the bell and the power projects from Riley. The power slams the bell when Riley hits it, sending a vibration across the whole clan. Every east hunter falls down, clutching their heads in pain. The northern lights projected across the clan, the civilians didn't know what to make of it. Riley slowly gets up, his head pounding like the rest of the east wolves with armor. The east troops were still on the ground, holding their heads in pain. He makes himself get up and in the confusion he grabs Erika, then puts her on his back. Riley recovers faster than the east wolves, apparently the northern lights also heal concussions.

Riley sprints at full speed towards the unknown. Erika was in a lot of pain, but she was stable. Her eyes were almost closed but she was doing her best to keep them open. The lights healed her a bit, but not fully yet. Riley sees the wolves behind them start getting up, looking around in confusion as to what just happened. Riley knew they didn't have much time, they had to hide. Riley stops running and looks up at the old stone building they passed earlier. It looked completely abandoned, the inside was dark. Riley says “Good as its gonna get I guess.” Before he sprints up the stairs and opens the large door. Riley runs inside and lays Erika down on the ground. He then closes the door and runs to the window. Riley wipes off the dust and looks outside through the cracked glass.

The east hunters have almost all recovered. They run around the clan, searching everywhere for them. Riley panics a bit whenever they walk by their building but they don't come inside. These searches last for a few minutes before the hunters return to their regular activities and minimal patrols. Riley sighs in relief and slides down the wall. He gets back up instantly and lights a few of the candles. They both look in awe at their surroundings. It was a large library, thousands of books lined the walls and rested on shelves. Erika figured this must be a very old building, libraries were almost non-existent in Epsilon. Riley looks around at all the books but Erika looks at him and smiles.

“That was smart with the bell, I am impressed.” She says. Riley looks at her with his ears perked up. He couldn't believe he impressed her, he was happy.

“You could have died too you know, coming back for me was risky.” Erika says softly, curious to hear what he says.

“I know.” Riley says before looking back at the bookshelves. She looks down for a second before looking back up again, she couldn't think of a time a wolf actually came back for her. She usually has to dig herself out of trouble if Taber and Owen aren't around. Even they didn't come back for her most of the time, but Riley did.

“That was the bravest yet stupidest plan I have ever witnessed.” She says chuckling. Riley laughs too before taking off the helmet and throwing it in the corner.

“I aim to please.” Riley says with a humorous tone. She tries to get up but yells in pain and falls down. Riley runs over to her and helps her lie down. Erika looks over her wounds, they could be worse but they still weren't great. Her neck was healed but her hind leg was bruised and bloody still. She rests her head on the ground, it still hurts to move her neck.

“I need to rest, we can look for the relic tomorrow.” Erika says before closing her eyes.

“You need to heal, I know you don't think so but we can keep searching when you have a healed leg. You will hate going that slow, you always yell at me when I am more than five paws behind you. It will drive you crazy ifI am ahead of you!” He says with a smile, laughing at his own awkwardness. Erika chuckles, he was correct actually. Riley goes “Wait! I have an idea!”

Riley runs over to a bunch of books and rips out the pages. After a few minutes he had a pile of pages laid out like a bed. He helps Erika off the ground and over to the bed. He helps her lay down and she rests her head on a pillow he made her. It was really comfortable.

“So yea! Hope you like my little bed I made-” He says

“I do.” Erika says cheerfully

“You do! So that's great!” Riley says enthusiastically. “I will keep watch, you enjoy a good night's sleep and I will make sure to take care of you until you can walk!” Riley says.

“So yea! Goodnight!” Riley says with a smile, he then walks over to the window and stares out of it. Erika stares at him for a second, for the first time she had full trust in someone.

“Hey” Erika says. “Thank you, for everything.”

“Right back at ya.” Riley replies with a smile. Erika chuckles before closing her eyes and resting on the pillow of pages. Riley looks at her and smiles a bit. He stares at her for a few minutes, she was a peaceful sleeper. Riley takes off the rest of the armor and checks the window one more time. The patrols were minimal, Riley figured he could catch some sleep too. Riley closes his eyes after laying down next to the window. He closes his eyes and in less than a blink he was asleep.

Chapter 8

Erika hated dreaming, her dreams were always filled with nightmares.

Erika opens her eyes slowly, looking around at her surroundings. The snowy ground was replaced by grass, the trees stood tall as they always did. She turned to see the lake, the image that burned in her memories. The sun was coming down, yet still cast light from its red and purple outlines. Erika walks over and looks down at her reflection that stared back from the lake. She was young, her hair was normal and short compared to her long hair she has in the present. She was barely older than a pup, the expression on her face was different, happy and carefree. Erika turns around to see a large black wolf standing behind her. He was not as big as the other hunters but he was regarded as the best fighter in the north. He comes up and puts his paw on Erika's back, looking out at the mile long lake.

“I wanted to show you this Erika. This lake is the center, the heart of epsilon. We continue to fight and kill, yet no matter what happens, the lake is still and peaceful, there is something beautiful about that.” The black wolf says. Erika looks up at him and he smiles back at her.

“The older you get, the more you will realize that the world of Epsilon is a scary place. But you will know how to face it Erika. You are different from the others, don't be scared of that. But that does not mean the world we live in doesn't have light.” He says, before turning and walking in a different direction.

“I want to show you something.” The wolf says, gesturing for Erika to follow. They walk in silence around the lake. Erika looked in awe around, she knew they were deep in the unknown. The black wolf stops her and points to a group of wolves near the lake a bit further from them.

“Look Erika, those are west wolves.”

Erika gets in her amateur fighting stance and says “Are these wolves hard to kill, I haven't killed a wolf ever, I don't want to yet.” She says in a panicked tone. The wolf puts his paw on Erikas' back.

“Its okay, they are west wolves, they mean no harm. Their clan is peaceful.’ he replies. The group of west wolves approach them. When they reach the two they remove their hoods. Erika could not believe what she was seeing. For the first time she saw a wolf from the outside, a wolf she was taught to be the enemy. The west wolf extends his paw to the black wolf with Erika.

“I am glad we are able to help guide your daughter to the path of enlightenment.” The west wolf says. Erika looks at them closely and the black wolf smiles down at her. This was a big moment for her.

“They are not so different from north wolves are they Erika.” He says. As soon as he says that one of the west wolves speaks up.

“We are very different actually, much more different than your father thinks we are.” The wolf says. Erika backs away as the west wolf walks towards her. Her father looks around to see more wolves coming out of the woods. Erika steps behind him as he stands strong in front.

“What is this! You are betraying your clan! The west is built on peace!” Her father yells. The west wolf laughs and throws off the hooded cloak.

“We never said we were from the west if you recall.” The wolf says. As soon as he finishes his sentence he howls at the sky and the imposter wolves run at them.

“Run Erika!” Her father yells. They both sprint along the lake, hugging its corners. The wolves were not far behind them, Erika was running in front of her father even though she didn't even know the way.

“Erika wait up!” Her father yells. She turns back to see him when one of the wolves checks her into the lake. She tries to swim, gasping and constantly going below the water. She starts to panic, her head going under continuously .

“NO!” Her father yells, picking up speed. He checks the wolf who threw her into the ground and rips his neck out. He runs over to Erika and lifts her out of the water. They were both panting and soaked, but Erikas father was determined to protect her. They could hear the howls of the imposter wolves in the distance, they were getting closer.

“Erika you listen to me. You need to run back to the north. Do not stop and do not even dream of coming back for me, okay?” He says, choking on his words. Erika starts crying instantly. Her father holds her close.

“You have to be a big girl okay Erika.. Take care of your brother and never forget what I taught you.” He says with tears in his eyes. “I love you Erika, everything is going to be okay.”

“I love you too dad.” Erika says, holding herself closer to him, crying uncontrollably. The wolves suddenly surround them both. Her father stepped in front of her, she was shivering and scared.

“Please..Let her go. You can do what you want with me. Please, she is just a kid.” Erika's father says. The wolves look at each other and laugh.

“The kid gets a ten second head start as soon as we kill you.” He says grinning. The wolf opens a path.

“I don't want to go dad!” She yells. Her father smiles at her sadly and pushes her a bit.

“I lived my life Erika, now you need to live yours. You are going to do great things..Now go..Please.” Erikas father says, nudging her closer to the gap. She slowly walks away, crying to herself. The wolves around them growled as she walked through them. She walks towards the trees, but stops and looks back, she couldn't help herself.

Two take him to the ground, he kicks off one but the other has him pinned. The third one goes and jumps on him, biting down on his leg. Erikas father screams in pain, but quickly recovers, biting the wolf that has his hind leg and throwing him into a tree. He kicks off the other wolf before getting up. Two attackers jump on Erikas father and pin him to the ground, the other two coming towards him. Her father forces himself up and slams one of the attackers into a tree. He kicks the other one in the face but one jumps out of nowhere and bites down on his neck, spins around and rips. Her father falls to the ground, motionless. Erika falls to the ground crying, forcing herself not to run for him, but it was too late. The wolves look at her and smirk.

“This is what Epsilon is kid, welcome to the real world. You have ten seconds to leave, well.. nine now.” The imposter wolf says laughing. Erika looks at her dead father one more time, her face coated in tears. She knew what he told her to do, and she knew she had to honor it. Erika turns herself around and runs towards the north, crying as she runs.

She wished she could have helped, done more. That is what haunted her most about her nightmares...

Back in reality, Riley opens his eyes and looks around the library. The sun shone in through the windows, lighting the shelves a bit. The books he toar to pieces to make Erika's bed were everywhere. He figured it didn't matter, not like this was his library. Riley runs over to the window and looks outside. The lives of the east wolves appeared unchanged. Hunters passed by at a normal rate, greeting civilians and going into stores. Riley figures hunters believe they got away, not very smart for a clan of geniuses. Riley looks over to Erika and sees her twitching. Runs over to her and looks down at her. She was growling and shaking uncontrollably, Riley didn't know what to do, he was panicked. Riley then starts tapping her paw.

“Erika. Erika wake up!” Riley yells a bit, he has no clue what is going on with her. Suddenly she jolts her eyes open and sits up screaming. Riley falls back and she tries to stand but collapses. Riley runs over to her panicked, she was shaking still and looking everywhere frantically. She had fear in her eyes, something he didn't see that often. Riley hated nightmares, he never had a friend to help him with them, he thought maybe she didn't either. He places his front hind leg on her shoulder and puts his paw on the back of her neck.

“Hey Erika! It's a dream, it's okay, see! We're in the library! I have to remake the bed of books for you, you kinda scattered them all. I promise everything is okay, it's just a dream.” Riley says, being cheerful. Erika looked down and then back at him. She felt a bit calmer, nothing major but she was not freaking out anymore. Riley retracts his paw from hers, not sure if that helped or made it worse. Erika laughs a bit and looks at him again.

“Sorry Riley. I get “nightmares” Sometimes. I'm okay don't worry, it won't happen again.” She says with a false confidence. Riley sits and looks at her, Erika then proceeds to move her eyes to the floor.

“It's okay if it happens again, I'll just do what I can to help, I am always here for you.” He says with a positive tone. Erika looks at him and brushes her hair out of her eyes. She hasn't heard that in a very long time.

“Thanks Riley.” Erika says calmly.

“Hey! I heard it helps to sleep with someone when you have nightmares! I have soft fur you could use as a pillow and...Shit that was a dumb thing to say… I do make a good pillow though. I have soft fur...i'm gonna stop talking now.” Riley says on a fast ramble, instantly shutting up after. Erika looks at him funny

“I'll keep that in mind.” Erika says, trying to hide her laughter. Erika goes to get up but falls down instantly. Riley runs over to her and helps her up. Riley helps her walk over to the book bed and lays her down.

“I can do the northern lights to heal you if you want. We could find the relic and get out of this crazy clan.” Riley says. He kept glancing out the window even though nothing changed.

“No, we have to play it smart. Doing the lights again will give us away. I am okay honestly, I just need a few days. The lights helped a lot, I just need to rest it a bit. I will stay off it for the next couple of days.” Erika replies.

“I can go into those store things and get some food and water, maybe some other stuff if those stores, like, sell other stuff. I have never been in a store to be honest seems like a weird concept.” Riley says with a happy tone. He wanted to stay positive for Erika, he felt it helped her.

“I could go for some food, tell me how the stores are I was thinking the same thing about them.” She says chuckling.

Riley tilts his head and says “Do you think they would sell the relics?” Erika starts laughing, thinking about how easy that would make their life.

“Just go get the food and water errand wolf, we will figure that out once I can move again.” She says laughing and shaking her paw for him to leave.

He laughs before putting on the armor. He goes over and opens the door. He looks Erika in the eyes and smiles faintly at her before running out the door, causing it to close slowly. Erika lays down but does not close her eyes. She just sat and tried to figure out how that actually made her feel a bit better.

Chapter 9

Riley sprints from the door of the library to the neighboring building. He hugs the side of it and sticks his head out from behind the wall. The wolves of the east were still acting nonchalant, walking in and out of buildings and stores. Riley saw them carrying the strangest things out of those stores. Some wolves would bring tables while others brought out multi colored drinks and exotic looking food. He figured he should start there and grab food. He leaves the corner and goes to walk to the store when a hunter grabs him. Riley yells and jumps back, just to see the hunter looking at him funny.

“Why are you hiding back there, you should be doing your rounds.” The east hunter says, suspicion in his voice. Riley panics a bit, but the east hunter couldn't tell due to his armor. He has easy tells when he is scared. Riley tries to think of something to say, the hunter still staring at him.

“Come back to the hunter camp if you are done with your patrols.” The east hunter says before gesturing to Riley to follow him. Riley slowly walks forward and the wolf begins to walk towards the camp. Riley was in full panic, he knew if he went to the hunter camp he would lose his cover. He really just wanted to buy food and go back to the library. They walk through the east, Riley was focused on trying to find an excuse to avoid the hunter camp.

Riley suddenly hears a wolf yell “Stop hunters!” Riley looks back to see a unique looking wolf. The wolf had green fur with white outlines. He looked big, but did not look like he fought much. His armor was gold plated, and didn’t cover his head or face, but was so bright Riley had to look away. The wolf was staring at both him and the other east hunter. The hunter stands at attention, Riley looks at him while trying to copy his stance. Riley sits up awkwardly as the wolf approaches him. The wolf comes over and looks at them both.

“I need an escort, I was hoping to go into a few stores today. I think it would be wise to have a wolf with training to protect me. After all, if I die, so will the whole clan.” He says. The other hunter goes to say something when Riley yells “I'm in, let's go!” Riley figured this was the only way to keep his cover.

“Okay, follow me hunter.” The green wolf says. Riley jumps to his side and the two of them walk through the east. Riley assumed this was the alpha due to the wolves saluting him when he passed by. Riley would glance at the wolf every now and then, he figured it was probably important to find out who he is.

“So quick question, who are you?” Riley says, choking on his words. The wolf stops and gives him a weird look.

“How do you not know who I am? Hunter.” He says sternly. Riley trips on his words a few times before coming up with something to say.

“Yea I got hit in the head by a rock pretty hard the other day, jumbled my memory, yea.. that’s what happened.” Riley says awkwardly. Riley thinks to himself, That was the wrong thing to say. The wolf goes from glaring to laughing. He puts his paw on Rileys shoulder, almost falling over from laughter. Riley stands there awkwardly smiling and forces a laugh. He didn't think it was really that funny.

“Oh I needed that today hunter, I don't hear jokes often. I am Armano, our clan alpha. I am your boss” Armano says. All the salutes and bowing made sense now. “What's your name hunter?”

“Riley..White.” Riley says faintly. Armano pulls himself up, using Riley as a stand.

“Nice to meet you officially Riley White.” Armano says, before gesturing Riley to follow. They walk through the east clan, Riley shaking and Armano still chuckling at Rileys joke. Armano didn't pay much attention to the wolves of the clan. They would salute him and some would even bow, but Armano didn't even look at them.

“Look around Riley White, the mere sight of our wonderful progression really proves we are superior.” Armano says with a cocky tone. Riley nods to him, which causes his helmet to fall over his eyes.

“It is really pretty, the silver is really cool.” Riley responds, however the words were muffled due to the helmet.

“The east was created on top of a silver mine. With many decades the clan has grown even stronger, we are able to create things such as stores, armor, and even reinforced buildings.” Armano replies. Riley felt a bit of fear once Armano said that. He imagined the East would be ready to slaughter any opposing clan, and to make things worse they have better tools at their disposal.

“Have you ever thought maybe the clans are the same? I dunno,it just seems like every wolf deserves to be treated well, and even loved, you know?” Riley says, feeling as he just broke his cover. Armano stares at him for a second before laughing even harder than the first time.

“Oh Riley White, that was the funniest joke I have heard this month, you are hysterical.” Armano says, wiping his eyes from laughing so hard. Riley forces a smile and waits for Armano to stop laughing before heading to the stores with him. Riley didn't really get a chance to see the stores before now but he was fascinated by them. There were so many different things in each store. Some stores sold food while others sold random items such as tables and drinks. They all had doors that were wide open, Riley saw wolves carrying the strangest things out of them. He even saw one wolf carrying a table all by himself.

Riley follows Armano into a store full of food. The wolf running it was rather old, his fur was white and his hind legs were slightly shaking. The wolf looks up and salutes Armano immediately.

“Hello sir, it is so good to see you! How can I help you today.” The old wolf says. Armano scratches his chin before pointing at a few different types of meat and bread.

“I would like venison with a side of bear please.” Armano replies. “My friend here will be carrying all my essential items, speaking of which Riley White, you will need to grab a bag from the side over there.” He says, pointing to a sack over in the corner. Riley goes over to the bag and puts it on. As soon as he puts it on he walks back over to the counter. The old wolf grabs the meat and puts it into Rileys bag. It was heavy for Riley, he was smaller after all.

“Ready to go back now?” Riley says, but Armano just laughs a bit.

“We are only in the first store Riley White, we have many more to stop at.” Armano replies. Riley whispers “Shit” before they leave the store and approach the one next to it.

Armano was not a light shopper. They went into numerous stores and bought things from rugs to silver tables. Riley was struggling with the weight, but he had to keep strong or he might blow his cover.

“I appreciate your help today Riley White, I think you are a unique individual. You are very funny and you even perspex me slightly. We will be seeing each other often, I assume.” Armano says, losing his cocky smile with one more genuine. Riley was almost falling over from all the stuff on his back. Suddenly Armano whistles and two East hunters come and stand at attention.

“Take these items off of my friends back, I believe he deserves to not break his hind legs and fall over.” Armano says. The hunters instantly run over to Riley and take all the stuff off his back. The second they do he falls down and lays on the ground. Armano looks down at him for a second before grabbing him and pulling him back up. Riley was still panting with exhaustion.

“Thank..you for taking all that stuff off.” Riley says, breathing heavier than when he ran from the north, he figures carrying that stuff must be a good workout.

“Of course Riley White, I appreciate your help gathering my materials. I have a few more essential things to pick up for my date tonight, but I think you deserve a rest.” Armano says with another one of his cocky smiles. Riley tilts his head, causing the helmet to adjust to its uncomfortable position.

“How do you go on a date? I have never been on one, what is it like?” Riley says, fixing his helmet. The north also had dates, he figures it must be a thing in every clan.

“It is like looking into someone's soul for the first time, as if all things about them are shared and exchanged. When you see someone in that light it is breathtaking, you sit and enjoy the embracing of emotion.” Armano replies, Riley actually found that to be a great explanation.

“Tell me Riley White, is there anyone special in your life?” Armano replies. Before Armano could even finish talking Riley pictured Erika.

“Yea, she is really special, she is really so amazing. I don't even like being away from her, I just don't know how or even if I should tell her. She used to hate me, but I think we’re friends now.” Riley says, shuffling the ground with his paw. Armano puts his paw on Rileys shoulder, he couldn't feel it though due to the armor.

“You don't tell her Riley White, you show her. You show her you are loyal and you are compatible with each other. It is true that dates reveil deep emotions. In this world, you never know what will happen, what will be taken from you. Don't wait for that, don't wait for it to be too late Riley White.” Armano says. Riley thinks about that for a second.

“I guess I could try it, maybe she would like it, I dunno.” Riley replies quietly. Armano removes his paw and hits him in the foreleg lightly. Riley wonders if that hurt his paw, he did just hit metal afterall. Suddenly Armano whistles again. Three East hunters come up to him and stand at attention.

“I want you two to gather dating supplies from the stores. A table, candles, drinks, food, everything my friend here will need for his important date.” Armano says. “And you, go get my box from my quarters.” He says to the last hunter. They comply at once and run to receive the items. Riley looks at Armano, he is amazed at his kindness.

“Thank you so much Armano, I don't know what to say.” Said Riley, who was amazed by his hospitality. Armano smiles and looks at him.

“Love is beautiful Riley White, it takes time though. But so does a rose or anything worthwhile. Trust time, rather than fear it.” Armano says humbly. Riley looks off and thinks about that for a minute. Soon after, the east hunters return with the supplies. Riley looked in awe at what they got him. There was a beautiful table, made of what he assumed was mahogany wood. The drinks were clear with floating bits of colors and the food smelled so good that Riley had to force himself not to devour it on the spot. They brought pillows to sit on and beautiful red candles. The wolves place all the supplies on Riley's back before walking away. Riley tried to not collapse but he knew he had to carry it alone, it would be dumb to lead the hunters right to the spot in the library. Before Riley goes to leave the last wolf gives Armano a little sliver box. Armano turns to Riley and smiles.

“I want to give you this Riley White, to show how thankful I am of our friendship. This is a music box, you open it and it plays a beautiful little tune, i'll show you.” Armano says. He then places it on the ground and opens it. The box played a beautiful melody, the synesthesia picked up with soothing light and notes. Riley thought it was beautiful. Armano closes it and puts it in Rileys bag.

“Use it at the right time, if this girl is as special as you say she is, she deserves to hear the music as well.” Armano says with a grin. He turns around and two hunters run to his side.

“Thank you for the conversations we had Riley White, I hope to see you soon." Armano says.

“Good luck with your date my friend.” He says, before turning and walking away.

Riley walked through the east clan, his mind switching between happiness and anxiety. He can't figure out if this is a good idea. He cant stop thinking about how embarrassed he will be if she doesn't like it. He sees the library and stops at the door. He goes to open it but stops and walks down the steps. “Maybe I should just return this stuff” Riley thinks to himself. He looks down before opening the bag and taking the music box out. He looks at it and sighs, and figures he might as well give it a try.

Riley opens the large door and shuts it quickly before turning around and facing the library. He saw Erika in the middle, she seemed invested in a book she was reading. Erika hears the door and looks up. “Shit this is a dumb idea.” Riley thinks to himself. He quickly throws all the “date equipment” behind a bookshelf.

“Hey there, what's all that stuff you just threw.” Erika says with a light and friendly tone. Riley looks away and she gets curious.

“Nothing.” Riley says quickly. “It's nothing, just some wood I found to fortify the library..yeah that's what it is.”

Erika chuckles before looking back down to her book. Her hair covered her eyes and half the book, she constantly had to blow it out of the way to even see the page. Riley tilts his head at her.

“What are you reading?” He says, wondering what types of books she liked. Instantly she throws it to the side before sitting up.

“Nothing.” Erika says quickly. “Its a really dumb book just found it slightly entertaining.”

Riley walks over to the book, but the whole time Erika was watching him. She felt a bit anxious, she hated being vulnerable. Riley reaches the book and flips back to the cover. The front had two wolves with their heads together. In the picture the moon shined down, turning the wolves into silhouettes. The title of the book read “The art of dancing.” Riley looks back at Erika and she looks down instantly.

“You like dancing?” Riley says with a surprised tone. Erika looks back up but avoids his gaze.

“I told you it was dumb, I dont know I just always admired dancing. I have never done it, I don't even know how to do it. But when I was a hunter, I always just wanted to try it. Told you it was dumb.” Erika says, chuckling quietly. Riley tilts his head a bit trying to meet her gaze, but she just looks off.

“Want me to show you?” Riley says, figuring it was worth a shot, he never danced with a wolf either. He only knew dancing by watching the wolves at the bairbarn. Erika looks up and her ears perk up. She tries to put them down but gives up.

“I think that would be really great.” Erika says, trying to hide her excitement. She never would guess Riley would be her first dance. Riley brings her to the center of the library, she doesn't really know what to do or how to react. She was excited, but nervous. From what she read, dancing is about emotion, something she struggled with. They reach the center and Riley runs over to the date supplies. He then pulls out the music box and runs back over to her. Riley places it next to Erika, leaving her confused how a silver block will help with dancing. Riley stands in front of Erika, staring into her eyes and watching her smile.

“So first, sit down and put your paw on my shoulder.” Riley says. Erika lifts her front hind leg and places her paw on him.

“Now I put my paw on your back.” He explains. She looks at him weird but shrugs. Riley then places his paw on her back, her fur covering his paw. She laughs a bit causing Riley to chuckle nervously.

“Now we dance to the music and let it be our guide.” Riley says. He kicks open the music box and the melodies dance around them, the tune soothing and beautiful. The library lit up, everything seemed euphoric in that moment they were sharing. Erika rocks with Riley, moving side to side with him. She suddenly places her head on his shoulder, still swaying with him. Riley looked down at her amazed, this is something he never thought he would be lucky enough to do.

“Now we walk alongside each other, holding paws together, then you go back to the regular dancing.” Riley says with a huge smile.

Erika glides next to him and he does the same. They glide twice before returning to the regular dance. He returns his paw to her back and she closes her eyes, keeping her head close to him. She couldn't explain it, but she felt safe and comfortable. She never feels that way. She couldn't tell if it was the dancing or the music box, or both for that matter. but everything seemed to change, the horrors of their lives vanishing in the present moment. The way Riley held her made her believe she was not in danger. It was like he was saying “Everything is going to be okay, I got you.”

The tune from the music box begins to die down and the colors start to fade away. Erika looks up at him and he meets her eyes. He stares for a minute before Erika lets go of him, causing him to walk back slightly and nervously.

Riley starts rambling “Sorry if I sucked at that or did something like...dumb..I dont know, I enjoyed it but I can see h-”

“That was really nice, every part of it, the best dance a north hunter has had in hundreds of years I bet.” Erika replies before he could go on. Rileys ears perk up, he actually just danced with a girl. The best girl in Epsilon to make it better. Erika looks behind him for a second and at the bookshelf by the door.

“What is that stuff you were hiding in that corner.” Erika says, pointing at the bookshelf. Riley gets an anxiety attack and runs in front of his hidden supplies. Erika moves her head to see behind him but he keeps stepping in front of her gaze. He knew his date idea was dumb, he wanted to get rid of it, however Erika was perplexed. She chuckles and slowly gets up. Riley stays in front of the shelf as she limps over.

“Are you going to move or am I going to have to move you.” Erika says jokingly. Riley looks behind him and then back to Erika. He figures it was his own fault for grabbing the equipment in the first place.

“It's really nothing, just some wood and stuff.” Riley says, still trying to block her view. Erika walks over until she is right in front of him. He looks behind the shelves one more time before moving to the side, still shaking from anxiety. Erika turns the corner to see all the dating supplies. She tried to not look surprised, yet she was a bit. She has never been on a date before, but everything Riley gathered was interesting to her. She gives him a weird look which prompts him to begin his rambling.

“It was really dumb I know. The alpha told me that it was a good idea so I went with it and on the walk over I was like “this is dumb I need to get rid of it” but it was too late because I already walked through the door and I th-” Riley says before Erika interupts him.

Erika simply says “Yes.”

“Yes what?” Riley says, tilting his head a bit.

“Yes I will go on a date with you.” She says. Rileys ears shot up, he was trying to hide the mixture of happiness and anxiety he was currently feeling. He was having a hard time seeing if she was serious, but the smile on her face said she was.

“Well what are you waiting for? Set it up you blue dummy!” Erika says with a smile. Riley instantly jumps to attention and runs around setting everything up. He placed the table in the center of the library, followed by the pillows for them to sit on. Riley lights the candle and puts it in the middle of the table, then he sets up the food and puts the drinks on the table as well. Erika watched him run around frantically, smiling to herself. She thought it was a cute idea, but she could tell he was nervous about it.

“Okay, all set up!” Riley says after he puts the last piece of meat on her side of the table. Erika limps over and sits down on her side while Riley sits on his. She looks at the bottle before asking “How are we even supposed to drink these?”

“They are designed to fit in our mouths, all we have to do is shoot our heads back, look.” Riley says before putting the top of the bottle in his mouth. He puts his head up and drinks a bit of the bottle before placing it back down. Erika copies him and shoots back the drink herself. It was delicious, it tasted like berries and the color of the drink was beautiful to her. She looks over the slab of meat on her side of the table before smelling it.

“Is this venison?” Erika asked out of curiosity. “Venison is my favorite!”

“Yep! It's really hot but it will cool down.” Riley says smiling. Erika shrugs and bites off a chunk, disregarding Rileys warning about the heat.

“Oh wow, this is really good!” Erika says with her mouth full of food. Riley rips a chunk off of his and they eat together. Riley would look up at her but when Erika looked up to smile he looked away. She didn't want him to be so nervous, she wanted him to have a good time too.

“Hunters aren't allowed on dates so this is my first one too. Taber has had a bunch but he doesn't get caught much for how much he breaks the rules.” Erika says snickering. Riley laughs, he can only imagine what her brother was like. Riley bites off some food and tries to not look as nervous as he was. Erika figured she should “break the ice” to help him relax.

“I really like this date idea, I didn't think I would ever get to do this.” She says calmly. Riley looks back at her before drinking a bit more of his glass.

“Yea I thought it would be fun, I was just worried you wouldn't like it.” He says.

“Well I love it, I think it's sweet of you.” Erika replies. Riley smiles and looks away again. She shakes her head, chuckling.

“Hey! You have to look at me if we are going to do this right.” Erika says laughing. Riley looks back at her with a smile.

“I have a hard time with eye contact.” He says awkwardly.

“I noticed.” Erika responds, smiling back at him. “It's just me, you don't have to be nervous.”

“Okay.. so this question might get you mad, but why did you hate me the first time we met.” He says, ears going down a bit. Erika looks down this time instead of him. She looks back up to see him tilting his head a bit.

“I never hated you, I just need a reason to trust someone before I call them a friend”

“But to be fair, that wasn't the first time I met you.” Erika says slowly. Riley looks at her with more confusion than before.

“I went on a..personal mission a long time ago, we were really young. I looked different, my fur was still short.” She says laughing a bit.

“What happened next?” Riley says to her, trying to remember.

“I was covered in blood and I couldn't go back to my station. It wasn't an “official mission.” lets just say. I would have gotten suspended for a week if I returned. Then I ran into you” She says, slightly chuckling.

"Uh oh, what dumb thing did I do.” He says awkwardly. She laughs and looks at him with a smile.

“You helped me to your small little tent and then helped me lay down. I got blood everywhere and you didn't even look at it, let alone get angry. You stood watch all night outside your tent while I was able to sleep after a..really hard day. After that I left in the morning while you were asleep outside, Taber helped me sneak in the camp and clean the blood off.” Erika says laughing a bit. This all came back to him now, he didn't really think about that before. Erika didn't look the same, and the fact that she was drenched in blood at the time didn't help.

“Well I wanted a friend..But hey! Little Riley would be so proud. My best friend now is a badass super hunter who can kill armies.” He says laughing.

Erika looks at him and accidently giggles a bit at that. Riley points at her instantly and says enthusiastically “Holy shit I just made Erika Brookes giggle! Where is the hunter record book, we need to write down history!”

“Yeah? Well now I don't feel bad about staining your tent with blood.” She says, laughing and playing with her fur.

“I love how you can sing in front of other wolves, I saw you dance and sing a song you made up awhile ago. You ran down across the north and you even barged into houses singing" She says laughing. Riley tilts his head and says “You saw that? That was years ago.”

Erika looks at him with a smile and tilts her head, imitating him, causing half her hair to fall in her face. Riley laughs, he found it cute but knew if he said it she would murder him.

“How long have you been singing.” Erika says, fixing her hair and blowing it out of her eyes.

“Ever since I could say my name.” Riley says chuckling. “How about you?”

Erika responds with “I have for a while, I just never performed in front of a wolf before. Except you but you were stalking me.” She says laughing. Riley goes to ramble, for what she assumed would be a minute, but she says “It was a joke dummy, calm down.” He keeps listening as she continues.

“I always wanted to sing in front of an audience, but I always knew I couldn't do that.” Erika says, scratching at the wood floor.

Riley laughs and drinks from his bottle a bit. “I would love to hear you sing, like officially that is. Not like, me hiding in a bush.” Riley says laughing, Erika smiles but laughs, saying “I get stagefright, why do you think I stopped singing right when I saw you.”

“Don't be nervous, it's just me. You said that line first, not me!” He says enthusiastically. Erika goes to protest but Riley jumps up and runs to the music box. He places it near the table and sits down next to it.

“Please, I would love to hear you sing.” Riley says. She sighs a bit and walks over. Erika sits in front of Riley and he kicks open the music box. The colors drifted around the library as the music played. Riley looks at her and gives her and grins a bit. Erika sighs while laughing faintly, before closing her eyes and singing with the tune.

Don't be scared now my friend

Do not lower your ears

We will play all around and round

And dance off all our fears

I wonder Why there's wisdom If you lose your words

Live of tales and things we done

see touch things we have heard

Now lay your head down on the

Floor and close your eyes

Watch the stars and comets fly

you give me no reason to cry

So I brush my fur

Watch it blow with the wind

Than I see the road paths

And the journeys to begin

I see you now

Would never wish you to be gone

Sing and dance

Oh what a trance

You light up Epsilon

Erika stops singing as the music box fades away. She opens her eyes and sees him sitting and watching her. Riley suddenly starts howling and clapping. Erika laughs but grabs his muzzle with her paws .

“Don't be so loud they will hear us!” She says while trying to keep from laughing.

“That was the most beautiful song I have ever heard! That was amazing!” Riley says, breaking free of her grip. Erika smiled, she couldn't believe she just sang a song in front of a wolf, even if it was only Riley. She looked at his smile and his calming blue eyes. He was the only wolf she would ever be comfortable singing in front of.

“Hey we better get back over there, our food is getting cold and those drinks wont down themselves.” Erika says with a grin. Riley walks with Erika back to the table before the two of them sit and continue eating. They eat for a while, they didn't want the food to get cold. Erika loved the taste of venison, and found it funny when Riley ripped off a piece of hers and acted like nothing happened. She looks up at him for a bit, watching him eat.

“So, we talked about what I always wanted to do, so it's your turn.” Erika says to Riley. He looks up with meat in his teeth.

“What?” Riley says, finishing chewing.

“What is something you always wanted to do?” Erika says again, laughing a bit. Riley looks down at the floor but she reaches over the table and messes with his hair. He laughs and looks up at her.

“It is really dumb dont make me say it.” Riley says with an embarrassed tone.

“Try me, you made me say my dumb dream now its your turn.” Erika says, trying to be supportive. He made her feel good about her dream. She wanted to do the same, even if it is to kill a bear or something like that. Riley mumbles something a few times, Erika clearly could not hear him.

“Speak up!” Erika yells playfully.

“I want to sleep next to another wolf.” Riley says slowly. Erika looks at him confused but his eyes stay focused on the ground.

“Like, I just wonder what that is like, you know? To wake up next to someone you care about, getting to hold them, be safe together, not alone you know? Damn this is the dumbest ramble but I guess, I just want that..to not be alone for one night.” Riley says, followed by a deep sigh.

“Oh come on that's not dumb! That's just companionship, don't feel bad about wanting that. Every wolf wants that.” Erika says, drinking from her bottle. Riley smiles faintly

“I guess so.” He says at a low volume. Riley starts eating again and Erika does the same. Riley feels like an idiot for saying that, but Erika was still being nice and having fun so he figures he didn't screw up too bad. The candle melts down to the table by the time they are done. Erika raises her glass and her and Riley clink them before chugging both their drinks. Erika lets out a yawn, which is shortly followed by Rileys. She looks at him and smiles, meeting his gaze.

“That was fun Riley, I really needed something like that. I think it was a really good idea! Thank you Riley.” She says to him. Rileys ears perked up as she said that, he was terrified she would hate it. But it was the opposite, he actually just went on a date with a girl and somehow it went well! Riley runs around and puts out most of the candles. Erika sat and watched him run around until the library was dim.

“Alright all set! You can have the pillows if you want, they would probably be the most comfortable.” Riley says.

Erika shrugs and says “You can have the pillows.” Before walking over to the book bed and laying down. Riley lays the pillows out on the floor and rests his head down.

“Goodnight Erika.” He says while yawning. Riley closes his eyes while Erika stares at him for a while. She slowly gets up and walks over to him, figuring she could use some company when her nightmares come. Erika walks next to Riley and suddenly runs her body against his fur, smiling. She lays down beside him and rubs her head against his neck a few times with closed eyes. Her hair follows her head and almost wraps around Riley. She nuzzles herself closer to his body, feeling his soft fur. She rests her head on him, her hair was even in his face a bit. Riley looked down at her in surprise and happiness, he wraps his front hind leg around her and moves closer. Erika's eyes were closing but she was still smiling. Riley was perplexed he was cuddling with Erika Brookes. Erika closes her eyes while Riley just enjoyed this moment he always wanted

“Goodnight Riley.”

Chapter 10

The nightmares disguised as memories engulf Erika once again in her sleep.

Rain fell on Epsilon, the trees dropping bits of water on the damp grass and plants. Erika and Taber were walking through the dense woods of Epsilon. The rainclouds coated the sky, the sun was nearly invisible. They were young, Taber was only a few years older than a pup. Erika was still young, but she wasn't a kid, or at least the north wolves knew not to call her that. She was a bit smaller and younger looking but the only real noticeable difference was her shorter hair. She kept it in a small ponytail behind her ears. Taber was much smaller, his greyish coat dripping with water just like his big sister. They could hear the drops of water tapping the lake in the distance, Erika was trying to stay near it. Her prey would be there.

“Erika, we need to go back. This isn't funny.” Taber said, cracking his voice a bit. He looked around the dark woods feeling terrified. He wasn't who he is today, he was just a scared child back then.

“It's not supposed to be funny, I have been tracking this bastard for years Taber, I fought to get to this damn moment!” Erika yells with a cracky voice.

“I know but I highly doubt that blue wolf will let you stay again, you got blood everywhere last time.” Taber says laughing. He looks at Erikas stern face and stops laughing.

“I don't care, everything I fought for leads here, this is where I am supposed to be.” she says. Taber opens his mouth to talk before they hear a gang of howls come from the woods. Taber yells and jumps back but Erika stands strong.

“However this actually isn't where I, myself, am supposed to be, I am supposed to be in bed...Bye!” Taber says with a shaky voice. He than takes off in the other direction towards the north. Erika goes to stop him but he shoves by her.

“Taber! Get back here!” Erika yells, but Taber was already out of sight.

“He was the smart one young lady.” A voice says, cracking to the point she could barely understand him. Erika turns to see a gang of wolves glaring at her. They had cloaks on, but they were bloody and clearly not from the west. She found the wolves she was looking for. She glares right at them, not breaking eye contact from the one in the middle.

“Are you Xeras.” Erika says slowly. The wolves chuckle together, Erika however does not break her dead stare.

“I am, and I'm assuming you are the wolf who keeps killing my brothers! I assumed you would be a strong wolf, but instead you are just a scared little girl.” The wolf called Xeras says snidely.

“Who said I was scared.” She says coldly, keeping eye contact. They took her for a joke, but that is exactly what Erika wanted.

“You are my prey now, I will devour you and my brothers will join me to feast on your bones. You will die here, just a scared little bitch! You think you made any difference? You merely killed a few wolves. Now you will die! Alone! Sca…” Xeras says, before Erika turns and walks away. He looks up at his followers and they murmur for a second.

“Don't walk away! I was just telling you the scary stuff we will do!” He yells. Despite that, Erika keeps walking away without a word. The wolves murmur more before following her at a pace, very confused. Erika walks through the rain, the killers following her. When they reach the lake Erika sits down and stares off. Xeras and his gang surround her.

“Ready to hear what horrors await you yo-” He says before Erika yells and interrupts him.

“I have killed your friends since I was a pup. What you took from me drove me to become who I am, a weapon. And this weapon is aimed right at you. I have killed all the wolves you care about! These wolves surrounding you will die in pain!! And when I am done, it will be ME feasting on YOUR bones!” Erika screams at them, her body shaking with anger and drenched in rain. The wolves look at each other before looking back at Erika.

“That was actually pretty scary, you need to give me a minute to think of something scarier to top that.” Xeras says to her, before turning to his brothers.

“Actually, I would prefer to skip the song and dance...lets get right to the show.” Erika says, before closing her eyes, listening to everything around her. The wolves glance at each other before looking at Erika and growling.

“Fine, kill her boys!” Xeras yells, prompting all the wolves to charge at her. The first wolf jumps at her and she opens her eyes. She turns to see the wolf mid jump, it was like it was frozen for a second. She then jumps out of the way and he slams into the ground. She bites him and throws him at the second wolf that jumps at her. They get up but Erika jumps at them. She grapples the first one and rips out his neck, causing the other one to bite her. She hits his neck with her front hind leg and he lets go before coughing on the ground. She jumps up and jumps off his skull, pushing his head into the dirt. She lands on Xeras and headbutts him, leaving him on the ground and holding his nose.

“You are last.” Erika says with anger. The wolves try to shake off their fear, they felt like pussies being afraid of a young girl. They charge at her and go to attack.

She dodges the first one to reach her. She grabs the other one and rips out his neck. He falls to the ground but two other wolves come out of the bushes. They charge at Erika and one tackles her. He goes to bite her in the face but she moves her head and he gets a mouth full of wet grass. She kicks him off, turns and bites his leg. She rips him to the ground and jumps in the air; kicking the attacker below her. She grabs him and slams him in the face with her front paw. Erika gets up and lunges at another wolf. She bites onto his neck and throws him into a tree. She gets up and glares at the three standing above Xeras, who is on the ground holding his nose still.

“Holy shit KILL THIS BITCH ALREADY!” He yells, fear in his voice. She charges at them and decks one into the side of a tree. The other two go to attack her but she is faster than them. She dodges their bites and kicks one, than bites the other. They both stagger back and she slams one to the ground and rips his neck out. The other bites her neck from behind and takes her to the ground. She quickly gets up and bites onto his hind leg and throws him off of her. She looks around panting, the rain mixing with the blood she was coated in. Xeras slowly gets up, holding one of his dead brothers.

“Why would you do this!” He says, an obvious answer to his question in the air for anyone to see. Erika walks up to him. He cowers back into a tree until Erika was dead in his face, staring into his soul.

“Welcome to the real world.” Erika says quietly. The wolf stutters on his words.

“You?” Xeras says looking up at Erika, understanding her reasons all of the sudden. He goes to talk but Erika bites down on his paw with all her strength. Xeras screams as she rips with all her power, blood starting to rush from his arm. After a few large rips Erika tears off his paw. Xeras holds his front leg, yelling in pain. Erika bites his neck and runs towards the lake, dragging Xeras across the ground. She yells and throws him next to the lake. She slips on the grass, but instantly get up and runs at him. Erika jumps on him and holds his head with her paw.

“You took everything from me!” Erika yells, slamming him in the face with her front leg. She hits him over and over again, his head covered in blood. She keeps hitting him, yelling “You killed my dad!!!”

She cracks him in the face one more time before slowly standing up. Xeras was almost dead, the blood pouring from his foreleg was rivaling his face. Erika looks down on him and hits his good paw away.

“Now you will know...Now you will know how it feels to drown in a pool of misery.” Erika says slowly at the cowering killer. She lets out a large yell before biting his neck and running at the water. Erika jumps up and slams Xeras into the water. The blood from his paw swept towards the top, his air bubbles depleting. Erika looks at him before ripping his other paw off. His yells are muffled by water as they both descend deeper into the lake. Erika hits him one more time before watching him slowly sink deeper into the abyss of water.

Erika swims to the top of the lake and bursts out of it gasping. She slowly swims to the shore and rolls onto it, coughing up blood and water. Erika lays on the soaking wet ground, looking at all the dead wolves, the wolves that killed her father. The rain picked up, the ground was soon as wet as the lake. Erika slowly rises after around an hour of laying there. She looks around, panting with anger. Erika looks up at the rainclouds as thunder can be heard in the distance. She suddenly lets out a loud howl, not knowing what else to do but sit and cry.

Erika jolts awake in reality and jumps up, causing her to at once fall over due to her leg. She sits there hyperventilating, her eyes frantically looking around the dimly lit library. Erika sighs after calming down a bit, but she still felt sad and scared, the same way she feels in every one of her dreams. She looks over to Riley, she wanted to make sure she did not wake him up. She felt he deserved to rest. His paw fell off her when she jolted up, but he still was laying down peacefully. Erika slowly gets up and limps over to the window. The streets were very dark, the lights were dim and the only wolves out were the hunters patrolling. She continues to look out the window, watching the hunters do their patrols. It reminded her of when she would patrol with Taber and Owen. She missed them, she missed her old life, for the most part that is. She looks back at Riley and smiles faintly. He was the only part of her new life that made any sense. No matter what has happened and what will happen, she knew he would stay by her side. He showed her that with every challenge they faced. She looks back out the window but begins to tear up. She wishes she could have done more to save her dad, but deep down she knew she did all that she could, she just wished it was enough. The only wolf that knew about her nightmares was Owen. When they were young he used to hold her until she went to sleep, it helped.

“Hey, what are you doing awake?” She hears Riley say with a crackly voice. She looks back at Riley to see him standing up and stretching. She sniffles and wipes the tears from her eyes, she never cried in front of other wolves.

“I'm fine, I just wanted to look out the window, the east is really pretty.” She says, lying. She didn't want him to worry about her, but that didn't stop him from feeling that way.

“Nightmares again?” Riley says, finishing his stretching. Erika stays facing the window, she didn't want to tell him about it, it would make her cry. Riley could tell that was the case, he had no clue what her nightmares were about. All he knew was that they were bad. She keeps her back to him, she wanted to regain her composer before she faced him.

“It's totally fine to not be fine, my mom used to say that.” Riley says, trying to help her. She turns around and faces him, only to see his concerned look.

“It's just..hard..to have to relive your biggest mistakes every time you sleep.” Erika says with sadness in her tone. “Its okay though, I'll go back to sleep eventually, you don't have to worry.”

Riley keeps looking at her yet she kept her eyes away from his, the way that he normally does. She looked so sad, he felt awful for her. He wished he could help, but he wasn't sure how. He rattles his brain trying to think of something, leaving Erika sitting and staring at the ground.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Riley says with a calming tone. Erika laughs silently, she felt nothing could help her at this point.

“Yea, stay awake and keep guard for nightmares.” She says laughing a bit, trying to make a joke. After she says that Riley cracks a small smile.

“Sounds good! I'll stay up and keep a watch for nightmares! You deserve a peaceful night of sleep.” Riley says with a kind tone. Erika laughs a bit, Riley didn't always know when she was joking or not.

“I was just kidding Riley, let's just go back to sleep.” Erika replies, even though she was scared to. Riley stretches one more time before looking back at her.

“When I was young it really helped me when other wolves were awake while I slept. I felt safer, knowing others were watching out for me, even though it was just my imagination...But this time it isn't.” Riley says, his voice still slightly crackly. Erika looks at him with a small smile.

“You would really do that?” She says to him. She was in disbelief that he wanted to stay up all night with nothing to do.

“There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you Erika.” He says enthusiastically. Erika never heard that before, she never had anyone that would always be there for her, even Taber and Owen. They both knew there limits but Riley didn't care about his.

“Yea..That would help a bit I think.” Erika says, walking back over to him. She lays down on the pillow and rests her head. Riley goes over to the window and looks out.

“I will keep watch for the nightmares! They aren't getting past this blue wolf anytime soon.” Riley says with a friendly tone. Erika looks at him with her head down, her hair covering her eyes but she just brushes it away.

“Hey! I have another idea to help you sleep, check it out!” He says, before running over to the dating supplies. Erika is confused about what he was doing, until he grabs the music box and brings it over to her.

“Here, this might help. Falling asleep to music is soothing, even though most wolves don't get to.” He says with a happy voice. Erika looks up at him as he begins to walk to the window. She suddenly grabs his paw and stops him. Riley looks back at her with a look of surprise in his eyes.

“Wait...there is another way you could help me, something that used to help with my dreams.” Erika says quietly. Riley tilts his head and looks down at her, looking at her paw on his.

“What is it?” He says. She choked on her words a bit, but sighs and figures she might as well tell him.

“Could you..just hold me. I don't want to feel alone.” Erika replies to him faintly, feeling very self conscious. Riley looks at her with a big smile, knowing that would make him feel really happy.

“Yea! For sure! I know it sucks feeling alone, that would actually help me too.” Riley answers back. Erika smiles at him, she was really happy he was there for her. Riley lays down next to her, he was happy he could help her.

When Riley lays down she nuzzles close to him until there was barely any space between them. He rubs his head on hers a bit and she smiles, feeling safe. His soft fur acted as a pillow, even better than the ones they were sleeping on. Her body was pressed up against him, her fur was very warm and comfortable too. Erika rests her head next to him and nuzzles a bit closer. Riley wraps his front hind leg around her and she holds his paw, she actually felt okay for once. Riley looks down at her and smiles, she was so peaceful in that moment, Riley was happy he was able to do something right. He reaches over to the music box and opens it, causing the music to cascade into colors all around them. Erika looked around at the lights a bit before closing her eyes and going to sleep.

Riley stayed awake all night watching Erika. She was fast asleep and breathing normally rather than hyperventilating. She had a smile on her face, she left her paw on his the whole night. There were times Riley wanted to sleep, but he wanted to help Erika more than he wanted to rest. He loved cuddling with her, it made him feel good. They both knew they were not alone anymore, Riley would treasure this moment forever.

Riley had plenty of time to think while he sat with her. He thought about bad things like Zane, and good things like Erika. His mind wandered to fighting and how Erika usually does all the work. He wanted to help her fight, especially sense the road they are heading down leads to Zane. He needed to learn how to fight, and fast. Riley looks around the library while cuddling with Erika, trying to see if anything could help him learn to fight. He sees the books and thinks to himself, He figured if he could stack the books and learn the kick thing Erika does then she would be impressed. He wanted to make sure she was completely asleep before getting up so he waited for an hour or two. Riley looks down at her, she is smiling in her sleep for the first time in a while. Riley couldn't really tell, but she was having a good dream for once.

Riley slowly gets up so he does not wake her. Once he does she rolls onto his side of the pillows and mumbled some gibberish in her sleep, yet she was still smiling. Riley stands up and instantly starts grabbing books from all over the library. There were several stacks of books when he was finished, but he figured it was good enough. Riley stares at the first stack intensely for a minute before walking up to it.

“Here we go, time to impress Erika.” He says to himself. He closes his eyes for a minute, trying to focus. He instantly opens his eyes and attempts a sidekick. The second his rear hind legs leave the floor he slips and falls into the stack of books. Riley sighs and gets back up. He goes over to the second stack but when he attempts to kick it, he has the same results as the first stack. Riley falls yet again before sighing a second time. He pulls himself up and attempts to kick the third stack, but tumbles to the ground yet again. Riley rested his head on one of the books that fell on him, he had no idea how he could learn to fight like her. He moves his head to the side and stares at Erika, who was still fast asleep. He wanted to save Epsilon with her, but he knew he couldn't if he didnt even know how to fight. Riley pulls himself up yet again, feeling determined. He stacks up more books and keeps trying, he was not going to give up. Riley proceeds to attempt the sidekick all night, hoping he could at least learn to balance himself and not collapse into the book stacks. He knew he had a long way to go before he could even fight a Semita soldier, let alone Zane.

Riley didn't even notice when the sun came up. He stayed up all night trying to learn the kick with no results. Erika slowly blinks her eyes open, looking at the blurry library. She looks over at Riley who was about to kick another stack of books.

“What are you doing?” Erika says while laughing silently. Riley looks over at her and smiles. She looked calm, he figured she didn't have any more nightmares.

“I'm learning to do the sidekick you do! I wanted to surprise you, check it out!” Riley says before looking at the stack of books. He jumps up on his front hind legs and attempts to do the kick. He made a bit of progress, he didn't fall this time when he lifts his hind legs. However he misses the stack of books and falls to the ground anyway. Erika laughs and slowly gets up. She limps over to one of his stacks and performs a sidekick. The books go flying across the room after she makes contact with them.

“Wow I suck, even with a bad hind leg you can do it.” He says, his ears and head dropping a bit. Erika walks over to him and lifts up his head. She knew he never trained before, and that he wanted to learn.

“It's all balance, you need to go outside your instincts and fight with flexibility and power. It's hard Riley don’t feel bad for messing up a few times. You better believe I did.” Erika says laughing, before letting go of his head. He kept his head up but his ears and tail stayed flat.

“I wasn't always a good fighter you know. I had a fantastic teacher and a great place to train. You just need to believe you can do it and you will!” She says, trying to be enthusiastic.

“I don't believe I can do it, that's the thing.” He says quietly

“I believe you can.” Erika says happily. The crazy thing about that is she actually meant it. Rileys ears go up a bit but he stays silent. She goes over and puts her paw on his shoulder.

“Hey, while you are doing whatever you do today I will practice walking on my leg. Once I can actually walk, I would be happy to train you. I can have you fighting like a north hunter in no time.” Erika says enthusiastically. Rileys ears instantly shoot up, followed by a huge excited smile.

“That would be amazing! I swear I will be the best student. I will listen to everything you say I promise. I can't wait!” Riley says with a happy tone. She smiles, in a way he reminded her of how she acted when she first started training.

“I figured I would look for the relic some more, I was going to check Armanos quarters. I bet it's in there.” Riley says.

“Be careful, that is a risky plan.” Erika replies. She was a bit worried about his plan, but Erika had faith in him. She figured it would give her enough time to work on walking. Riley runs over to the armor and puts it all on, except he forgets about the helmet. He walks over to the door and goes to open it but Erika yells “I think you are forgetting something dummy.” Riley looks at her funny before looking at the helmet.

“Oh, right! Sorry, I'm just very excited!” He says, putting the helmet on. Erika chuckles at him as he slides the helmet onto his head. He opens the door but looks back at her. She sat there looking at him with a smile.

“Good luck out there, don't blow your cover. I don't feel like fighting the entire east clan with a bad leg.” She says while laughing a bit.

“I'll be sure to be careful, see you in a bit Erika!” Riley says, before closing the library door and walking out. Erika slowly gets up and starts walking around, she figured the best thing for her hind leg is exercise. All Riley could think to himself as he left was “Erika actually believes in me.”

For once he actually felt confident.

Chapter 11

Riley sprints out of the library and goes behind the same building he always does. He walks out slowly, and continues down the snowy streets of the east. The hunters would glance at him, but he would just keep his head forward and continue to walk. He did however enjoy the sights of the beautiful clan, the silver gleamed against the reflection of the snow, it was quite pretty to him.

“Hey!” an unknown hunter yells, causing Riley to jump in panic. “You are Riley White!” The hunter says, running over to him. Riley starts to panic, thinking about the horrible things the east will do to him if he gets caught. Once the east hunter reaches him Riley begins to stutter and choke on his words.

“Riley White? Yea..that's me, regular east hunter! How did you know it was me, I mean i'm just one of the guys...east hunter..guys.” Riley says, trembling with anxiety. The east hunter looks at him weird, but Riley couldn't tell due to the helmet he was wearing.

“Your tail is bright blue, no other wolf has a bright blue tail.” The hunter says with a questionable tone. Riley looks back to see his tail in the air, sticking out of the armor.

“Yea, guess it is..” Riley replies nervously. “But i didn't do anything I swear! I just was you know, going for a walk..yea thats what I was doing..nothing suspicious at all ya know?” Riley says in panic, preparing to run for Erika like a scared pup. The east hunter looks at him weird.

“Yea I know, I wanted to ask how your date went? I brought you the music box, remember?” He says. Riley felt a bit of the anxiety fade, thanking Alpha that the wolf wasn't going to kill him.

“Oh, right. It went really well actually! We had dinner and danced together, it was amazing!” Riley explains, now feeling a hint of excitement. The wolf nudges his foreleg a bit, laughing slightly.

“Good to hear, how was the kiss?” The east hunter says in a funny tone. Riley instantly feels a rush of anxiety yet again, only this time he wishes it was from the fear of being killed, not the possibility of kissing Erika. She would probably do much worse things to him than the east if he tried.

“Kiss? No no, we aren't.. It was...I don't, I mean it was just..we danced though! I could have kissed her? I was supposed to?...no I couldn't! I don't know what you mean!” Riley says rambling, not making any sense at all. The idea of kissing Erika shot his mind into a frantic state of fear and blind hopefulness. One of the wolf's ears dropped in confusion.

“Huh..okay, well I just was checking, glad it went well though, if you are looking for the alpha he should be in the hunter camp, he usually is in his quarters just so you know for the next time you are looking.” The hunter explains, before going to walk away. “Glad your date went well..I think.” He says, before turning and walking away.

“Armanos quarters! That's gotta be where it is!” Riley says to himself. Riley then takes off towards the end of the east, where he heard Armano lived. He figured it wouldn't be too hard to find it, seeing Armano probably had the largest house in the East. Riley continued his walk through the main center of the east clan, admiring the stores. He figures he should get more food once he finds the relic, if he actually succeeds.

Riley continues his journey until he reaches a massive building unlike any he has seen in the East yet. It was very large and had massive statues of Armano on both sides of the doors, both in cool poses. The building was both gold and silver, which shined so bright it hurt Rileys eyes. The doors were made of fine wood and the windows were crystal clear. Riley was amazed at the sight of this place, it must have taken years to build. As he slowly approaches he notices there are no guards, he figures the east must be very cocky to leave the alphas quarters unguarded. Riley looks around diligently before opening the doors and going inside.

The interior of the building was even more amazing than the outside. There was a fountain in the middle of a large silver room, which was full of different armor prototypes. Carvings of different east battles littered the walls, some of the armors in the photos even had a weird looking cannon on them. He looks around in amazement at the sights within the building, before noticing a large staircase at the back. Riley sprints across the room and looks up to see it lead to a second floor. He makes his way up to find a marvelous and royal looking bedroom, pretty much what he expected for Armano. The bed had fine threaded sheets, which Riley has never seen before in his life. The walls were lined with colored photographs of the East brother, he could tell because of the relic on his neck in the paintings. The statue in the middle was of the east brother, standing tall with a strange mechanism on the back of his armor.

Riley begins to search the whole room for the relic, still not knowing exactly what he was looking for. He knew it was a necklace, but besides that he was lost on what it looked like. He was searching under the bed, around the statue, and even in the fountains on the side. Riley sighs and sits after searching for a while, until he sees a weird lever on the back of the statue. He goes over to it and pulls on it with all his strength. When he does that the wall behind him makes a loud noise, causing him to jump out of fear and fall to the ground. It opens up to reveal a secret silver room. He adjusts the helmet, which fell over his eyes yet again, to see something he has never seen before, something amazing.

What sat behind the wall was a set of armor more advanced than anything in Epsilon. The armor was bright silver, with gold linings and covered the entire body of whoever wore it. There were gears and plates all around it, and a large helmet with shaded eye holes. A large cannon sat on the back, with two extending guns that sat on each side of the wearers back. Riley goes up to it and pokes it, but retracts his paw in pain. It even had a shielding around it, some sort of energy. This wasn't the relic, but it was still a pretty cool find.

“Amazing isn't it Riley White.” He hears Armano say, causing him to scream and fall to the ground in surprise. Riley turns to see Armano standing alone, watching him with a grin. Riley jumps up and fixes his helmet, instantly thinking of lame excuses.

“Armano! I was just waxing your statue...or this thing..I found it by accident I was only looking for you I didn't know whe…” Riley rambles before Armano raises his paw, shutting Riley up instantly. Armano walks over to the armor and places his paw on the helmet, admiring it.

“You are quite curious, and brave. I would normally be quite angry with a wolf breaking into my chambers, but you are a friend, so it is okay, for I show nothing but trust to you Riley White.” Armano says, staring at the armor. Riley looked down a bit, feeling bad knowing he would eventually have to betray someone who calls him a friend, which is very rare for a wolf to do.

“This is the armor designed by the alphas of the east, we have built it since the time of ancient Epsilon. It was originally worn by Permensio, our first alpha, the east brother. I was the one to finish it, I call it the silver guardian” Armano says, smiling at his work. Riley admires armor, it was incredible.

“Wow! You must be very proud, it's the coolest thing I have ever seen.” Riley says in amazement. Armano smiles at Riley with his usual cocky grin.

“It is unique, almost as strong as the relics, but i wouldn't expect you to know about those.”

“Yea, um, what’s a relic? I mean...no clue what that is, i'm just a guard.” Riley says, nervously laughing while fixing his helmet. Armano goes to open his mouth when suddenly howling can be heard throughout the clan. A guard comes rushing up the stairs, causing Riley to jump back in fear, he wonders what was happening. The guard stands at attention and Armano gets a very serious look.

“Report soldier, what is happening!” Armano yells.

“We are under attack sir, a full frontal siege in the entrance and the middle of our clan. The attackers have made their way to the central town, we are pushing them back but we require assistance sir!” He says with professionalism, yet slight fear in his voice. Armano looks at Riley, who is busy hyperventilating from fear, he didn't want Erika to be found, or worse to join in with her injury.

“Riley White, maybe you coming to my chambers is a sign, I can't fight like I used to, but I bet you can...I wish for you to use the Silver Guardian.” Armano says. Riley tilts his head and says “Wait..what?”

“You have proven you can be trusted, so I will return the favor. Wield this suit, you will be the first, I know you will protect your clan soldier. Do not let me down. I will be at the camp, do not fail me Riley White.” Armano says, putting his paw on Rileys shoulder. “Enter the room with the armor, and it will morph around you, it is the most advanced suit ever created..use it with the pride of the East.” Armano says, before following the guard out of the room quickly. Riley turns and walks towards the armor and into the secret room.

Once Riley enters the platform begins to go down, causing Riley to jump in fear. He stands next to the armor, and as the platform descends the armor begins to craft around his body. Gears and mechanical forelegs move the armor to fit onto Rileys body, it was the coolest thing Riley has ever done. It morphed around his body, the silver gearing up onto his fur and covering him. The guns are placed on his back and fit themselves onto the silver slots on the back. Once the platform reaches the ground, the helmet fits itself perfectly onto Riley's head and shows a little display with a target system in the eye sockets. Riley figured the relic played a part in creating this amazing suit.

The door opens and Riley leaps out, seeing the chaos in the distance. The guns foreleg up and make a cool noise, the armor begins to power up. Riley sprints faster than ever before, the silver pawing making him go faster than any wolf on the battlefield. He reaches the war zone quickly to see it in utter chaos. There were hooded wolves attacking the east guards, they were losing but putting up a fight. Riley glances around and sees two children cowering against a destroyed store, as three hooded wolves approach them, teeth bared and growling.

“Oh this is gonna be awesome!” Riley says to himself, as he primes the cannon on top. He fires it and it shoots a massive bullet at the wolves, blowing those wolves off their paws and killing them instantly. The children run to safety and Riley cheers, jumping into the battle. For the first time he was excited to fight. He runs up to four of the hooded wolves and decks one, causing that wolf to fly across the battlefield. Riley slams his paw on the ground and a shockwave shoots across the battlefield, knocking all of the wolves to the ground.

“Sorry guys...didn't know that was gonna happen.” Riley says to the East wolves, before charging at another hooded attacker. He does one of his failing sidekicks, but cracks the attacker's skull and sends him flying. Riley proceeds to pick off the attackers, blasting them to pieces with the turrets on the side of the armor, he was having a messed up sort of fun. One attacker goes to bite him, but the shielding causes his teeth to crack. The wolf goes down, holding his mouth and yelling in pain. Riley looks down at him and winces.

“Ohhh...that looks painful I actually am sorry, here i'll just..kill you so you don't have to keep feeling that pain...sorry” Riley says anxiously, before smacking the wolf and sending him flying across the battlefield and into a destroyed store. Two hooded wolves jump onto Riley and try to pin him. Riley simply jumps onto his back and crushes them below the armor, killing them instantly. The wolves of the East rally and begin to push the attackers out of town and towards the entrance.

“Guys, I got this.” Riley says to the East wolves in a weird cocky tone that did not suit him. He gets in front of the hunters of the East and primes the turrets. He unleashes a storm of bullets, which tear through the attackers numbers like thin paper. The attackers try to dodge, but fail and get torn to pieces. Just then, howling is heard in the distance and the attackers begin to flee. Some of the east hunters charge at them, ensuring they retreat back to their clan.

The east hunters howl and cheer as Riley stands tall with the guns smoking on his back, he felt like a badass for once. The east hunters all go up to Riley and start praising him, saying things like “You are a true east hunter” and “That was an incredible display.” Riley found the way they talked to be interesting and weird at the same time. Suddenly a deep howl can be heard within the east. As soon as they hear it, the hunters begin to run towards their camp, causing Riley to look around in confusion. The guard that warned Armano runs up to Riley and puts his paw on the armor.

“That was marvelous, Armano will be proud, he has instructed me to tell you to return the armor and meet us at the camp.” The hunter says with a hint of pride. Rileys ears drop in disappointment,

“What? But i wanted to play with it for a bit, shoot some targets and birds, stuff like that.”

“Return the armor and meet us at the camp now hunter!” The guard says, before walking towards the camp. Riley sighs and walks back towards Armanos house. He reaches the secret door and enters it, causing the armor to be removed from his body, and replaced with his boring old armor. Riley sighs and walks towards the camp, wondering why they are having this meeting and what will be said.

Once Riley arrives at the hunter camp he sees it in complete chaos. Wolves were gearing up and getting in packs, ready to move out into the unknown. The armor racks were being emptied and all the East hunters look as if they are preparing for war. Riley begins to panic, knowing if a war broke out he would have no chance at uniting the clans.. Riley figures Armano must be in the command station, so he sprints through the hunter line ups and towards the station. Luckily he was not stopped, which is something he was afraid would happen, yet they seemed to be focused on preparing for war.

Riley bursts through the silver doors to see Armano standing over a large map of Epsilon, surrounded by other armored wolves. He had a cannon on his back similar to the silver guardians armor, but it was far less advanced. The wolves in the chamber were all talking about different war tactics, each that frightened Riley more than the last. Armano looks up and sees Riley before giving a cocky smile.

“Riley White! Just the wolf I wished to see! We have plotted out a course and we are prepared to launch our counter attack on the West clan. We were able to identify them due to their ridiculous hoods, they are the only fools who wear them.” He says, with a more serious tone than normal. Riley begins to hyperventilate, he knew Armano would kill the whole West clan in retaliation if he didnt do something.”

“Why are we fighting them?! we just need to negotiate, find out why they decided to attack.” Riley says in a panicked tone. Armano completely ignores him, before walking up to him and staring him down.

“We have a plan of attack Riley, that is what we will do. That is the East way! In fact I was going to let you lead the assault, but with a suggestion like that you have made it clear you don't have the stomach to finish this fight and dismember our enemies! Our plan is to launch a full assault with all our troops, and stop this clan from breathing air! For good!” Armano yells, causing Riley to cower back. He then pushes past Riley and begins to leave, heading for the army to give them their orders. Riley thinks frantically, but gets an idea.

“Wait! I know what to do!” Riley yells, causing Armano to stop, along with the rest of the east wolves. Riley remembers something Erika told him once, a plan she made for Zanes attack on the north.

“We need to focus on defense! Pull all squads back and get all civilians inside. We need all our hunters here to defend..Yea..That's the plan” Riley says, anxiously but with a false sense of confidence. The wolves look at Armano, who thinks for a minute. He then goes up and places his paw on Rileys shoulder.

“That is brilliant! You are right, we need to ensure the safety of our own clan before we launch an assault. Our citizens come first, that is our priority.” Armano says, before looking to his commanders. “Issue this new plan to all our hunters! Focus primarily on our borders and have the rest of our troops protect the center of town, the rear shall be safe due to heavy fortification in the front!” He finishes saying, before the commanders run out to spread the word to the other hunters. Armano smiles at Riley, who is busy shaking from fear, he hates this situation. He knew he barely just saved a whole clan.

“You are brilliant Riley White, that is a genius point you made. Our people come first..I am just afraid of what will happen if the West attacks again.” Armano says with a saddened tone. Riley looks down in sadness.

“Trust me, there are bigger problems than the West..” Riley replies, thinking about Zane.

“No matter, I must deal with the task at paw. Get rest Riley White, I hope to see you soon. Now if you excuse me, I have a lot of work I need to do to prepare our defenses.” He says, before gesturing Riley to leave. Riley awkwardly walks out of the command center and through the hunter camp. Riley was overhearing the commanders telling the hunters to defend rather than attack, which made Riley a bit more at ease. After Riley exits the camp, he begins to sprint towards the library at full speed.

Riley sprints through the East until he reaches the library, the sun setting and casting a thick shadow across the peaceful library, which sat untouched. He barges in through the massive old doors to see Erika calmly reading a book, sitting with her hair covering half the page. She would grunt in frustration and push her hair out of the way, it would cover the section she was trying to read every now and then. She looks up and smiles when she sees Riley.

“Hey there, how was the fight? I heard it outside. Sorry I couldn't join in, I got wrapped up in this book.” Erika says, calmly. “And you know..the leg, but hey, it feels so much better.” she finishes saying, with a pretty smile.

Riley smiles back, finally having a good moment in that stressful day he just had. He walks over and sits next to her. She looked so peaceful which made him happy.

“What's the book about?” Riley asks in curiosity, it must be good to distract Erika from a fight.

“It's called “Cirilla, the First Hunter, it's a tale about the daughter of the north brother. In the story she faces all odds with a team she creates to save Epsilon, reminds me of us.” She says happily, looking at Riley with a small smile. Riley looks at her and places his head on her shoulder for a second, before instantly jumping back.

“Sorry! I didn't mean to do that, just a weird day please don't hurt me!” He says in panic. Erika looks at him weird before saying cheerfully “I'll hurt you if you don't stop acting so weird. If that helps it helps dummy, just relax.”

Riley goes back to sitting with her, burying his head in her fur for a minute to calm down. She continues reading in silence for a bit, Riley removes his head and just watches her, hoping she wouldn't notice. He enjoyed seeing her so calm, she was always so stressed and he was glad she found something that calmed her down.

“The West attacked the clan, and now the East is preparing to go to war with them, I actually used your strategy you told me about to get them to defend the clan, instead of going after the West.” He says. Erika looks at him with a puzzled look, yet thinks for a second about her plan. She was happy it even worked in the eyes of the east, the “superior clan.”

“Riley, that's impossible, the west is a pacifist clan. They have never attacked another clan before, they even helped Owen and I once. We ran out of food to bring back so they gave us some of theirs.” She says with a confused tone. Riley tilts his head a bit, confused about this whole situation.

“Then who attacked? They weren't Semita, they wore hoods and didn't have blood covering their whole bodies.” He says, thinking and trying to figure out this weird situation. Erika lets out a large yawn and looks back at him.

“I don't know, just another mystery we have to solve..in the morning, I am exhausted. I'm gonna go to sleep, I'll finish the book in the morning. And hey! My hind leg is feeling much better and you know what that means.” She says with a grin. Rileys ears perk up in excitement.

“Training time?” He says with hope in his eyes.

“Training time.” Erika replies with a smile, she was really happy he was excited to learn how to fight. She didn't want to get his hopes up, but she believed he would learn quickly. She then gets up and walks over to the pile of pillows, laying down on them. She rolls over and faces the wall before closing her eyes.

“We will start tomorrow, the sooner we get you fighting like a north hunter the better. And don't worry, my hind leg is fine.” Erika says. “Goodnight Riley.”

Riley walks over to the pile of books and lies down as well, but just stares at her. He wishes she would come over like she did before, sleeping with her was the greatest night he ever had, he felt safe. Riley just stares at her for about an hour, trying to keep his eyes open as the sun completely sets and engulfs the library in complete darkness. Suddenly Erika turns over and looks him in the eye, which prompts him to pretend like he was sleeping.

“If you want to sleep together you can just say so, it's just me.” She says smiling. Riley looks up again at her, with hope in his eyes.

“Yea..I would really like that, but only if you want to! I know you probably don't and I'm weird and I dont wa..” He says before being cut off by Erika.

“Shut up.” She says laughing, before getting up slowly and walking over to him. She lies down next to him and closes her eyes, smiling without him noticing. He lays his head down, but she looks up at him.

“Get closer to me..it helps.” She says awkwardly. She didn't want to admit that she liked being held. Riley smiles wide and wraps himself around her. She nuzzles close to him, feeling comfort in his embrace. He rubs his head against her fur a bit, before resting his head on hers. They lay peacefully on the bed of pages, enjoying each other's company.

“Goodnight Riley.” Erika says, getting a bit closer to him. She would never admit it, but she never slept better than before they started cuddling during the fearful depths of darkness called nightfall.

BEGINNING OF NOVELLA:

Chapter 12

Salvus erit a bell (Saved by the bell)

Erika wakes up only a few hours after they went to bed and quickly begins to set up the library for training. She made dummies out of books and set up the armor Riley had been wearing. She made obstacles with broken posts and after a few hours she set up a decent practice area. She goes over to Riley and shakes him awake. He slowly opens his eyes and looks up at her. She then suddenly grapples him and throws him lightly against the wall.

He coughs and gets up saying “Why did you do that! I mean..it was cool..but still.”

She laughs and tells him “I wanted to show you what you will be learning. A hunter uses their whole body as a weapon, something most wolves can't do.” She tells him to follow her outside and Riley gets nervous. He asks her if that is really a good idea and she tells him it's the first step to training. She glances out the window and tells him to follow her and leave the armor. She tells him they won't be seen, it's way too early in the morning. They step out of the library and Erika tackles Riley into the bushes. She points to four east hunters patrolling the town.

“Being a hunter means being one with the shadows. Nighttime may come, but do not let it scare you. Work with the darkness as the shadow it truly is.” She whispers. Riley nods and tries to stay quiet. Erika leads him through the town hugging blind spots and dark patches. She worried about Riley at first but he seems to be learning fast. They get to the border and Erika leads him out of the trees. They go into the middle of a field, the snow falling on their heads. Erika points to the stars and they stare up. Riley looked at the beautiful sky, he loved the stars.

Erika says with a smile “This is the first part of training, My..teacher…he did this test before seeing if I was truly ready to become a hunter.” Riley asks “What is it?”

She yells “Look at one star and spin in a circle really fast!” He looks at her funny before finding a star and twirling around. He spins and spins laughing but soon gets dizzy and falls over.” He looks up at Erika and can't see her due to the spinning.

“You have one minute to catch me or you fail!” She yells before running away. He gets up but instantly falls. He then chases her around the field falling constantly. He goes to jump on her but she jumps out of the way and he dives into a snowbank. She starts laughing but he runs out of the snowbank and tackles her. He takes her down and they fall down in the snow, Riley landing on top of her. She looks up at him and they meet eyes, noses touching. They stare at each other for a minute before she throws him off and she gets up, slightly blushing.

They look up at the stars and Riley asks “Did I make the minute, Did I pass the test?” She laughs and says “To be honest I forgot to time you, it was just fun.” She helps him up but he falls again. He manages to stand up and Erika begins to tell him that test practices mobility but it is just the most fun of the drills. She goes into all the drills they will be doing but while she is explaining he just stares at her, enticed by her beauty. Her long black hair flowed with the wind and snow rested on it. Her eyes were beautiful, prettier than the stars to him. She stares at him and says “Why are you still looking at me, I stopped talking like ten seconds ago.”

Riley snaps to attention and says “What? Oh I was just, thinking really deeply about what you were saying..yea.” She laughs at him and grins. She tells him “whatever you say.”

They head back to the library using the shadows to hide them. They make it to the library and close the door. Erika looks at him and gets a serious look on her face.

She says “The real training begins now. I have given us one week of training. It's not an ideal amount but it will have to work.”

Riley asks if she can really make him a better fighter and she grins and says they will see.

She lets him sleep until the sunrise, she didn't think it was good to overwork him, that's for stamina day. She wakes him up and he rubs his eyes yawning. She tells him to lap the library full speed ten times. He goes to argue but Erika says “A true north hunter never refuses a challenge!” He sighs and begins to run around the library. It takes him ten minutes to get around the whole thing.

He stands panting and says “see..did...it.” she laughs and he falls over.

She paces the course she set up and says “This is hunter training. Our ways of training have been passed down for centuries. You will learn how to move in ways most wolves do not. I will show you how to use your whole body as a weapon.” He looks at her thinking how cool this will be.

“This is going to be hard, my best recruits needed two weeks of extensive training before major results.” She says

Riley gets concerned and says “I won't be nearly as good as them.”

Erika grins and says “I hope you prove yourself wrong.”

She begins with sparring. She dodges every lunge Riley throws at her. He goes to bite her and she rolls over him and kicks him backwards.

“You want to be light on your paws. You will be fighting outside your instinctive boundaries. You can't think with instinct you have to use intelligence.” Erika says. Riley runs at her and she grapples him to the ground. She headbuts him lightly and rolls off. He shakes off the pain and gets up, dizzy however.

Erika says “Grappling is key in fighting wolves in mass numbers. Stay aware of the opponent's moves and use your own to counter their balance.” He jumps at her and she sidekicks him in the face. He rolls across the library and hits a shelf.

Erika walks over to him and says “don't forget my personal favorite, kicks. You have to use your front hind legs to balance and push off a kick with your rear hind legs.”

He tries to get up and falls down. She looks at him concerned but he gets up. She grins and they get back to sparring. Through the day they cover the basics of the hunter fighting style. It defied Rileys instincts, almost unnatural to him. Erika told him to push past that mindset. The more he trusted himself the better he got. He got beat up all day but he showed signs of improvement.

Erika gets woken up by Riley every morning for the last 6 days of the week. He wanted to train more every day. He was sloppy the first three days. He hit his head on the obstacle course and lost every sparring match but showed signs of improvement.

Riley taps Erika to wake her up on the sixth day when she grapples him and gets on top of him. She headbuts his nose but he bites on her chest and throws her off. They get up with Riley bleeding from the nose.

“Fake sleeping, nice one.” He says smiling.

She grins and says “a true hunter must never let their guard down.” They begin the final day of training. Riley does his 10 laps in less than four minutes. He jumped through the obstacle course at full speed, his training paying off. The last test was to beat Erika in a sparring match. She set up a ring of books for this and they get on opposite sides.

“Riley, I want you to know something before I destroy you in this fight.”

“What” He says, with determination in his voice.

“You proved yourself wrong already.” She says.

He smiles at her before she charges at him. He goes to kick her in the face but she dodges it and checks him to the ground. She goes to bite him but he rolls out of the way and stands up. He kicks her in the jaw and bites her neck. She counters him and gets on top of him. She headbuts him hard but he kicks her off. They stand panting and bleeding. She smiles at him before jumping at him. He jumps out of the way and she hits the wall cracking it. She gets up and Riley goes to bite her but she holds her paw up and says “Wait come look at this.” He goes over and she kicks the wall.

Suddenly the wall gives in and they both look down a tunnel. They look at each other before going down into it. There are cobwebs all over the place and a spider comes down from its web and onto Riley. They both are lost staring down the tunnel before Riley notices the spider and freaks out, running all over the place. Erika laughs at him but stops and continues to look down the tunnel. Riley runs into a wall and the spider falls off and runs away. He goes up to Erika panting and says he doesn’t like spiders. She laughs and says she figured that out.

She pauses and looks down the tunnel and says she wants to figure out where this leads. Riley nods and they walk down the tunnel. It is a three-minute walk before they reach a bridge over a giant pit. It was surrounding a staircase leading up to a golden necklace with a green glowing gem in it. Erika yells that that is the relic and they both go up to it. Riley stares at it in awe, yet Erika is lost staring at him for once. She couldn't stop thinking about how well he is doing, how brave he is, and how much he helps her.

It is enclosed in glass and there are two books on the ground. One of the books is torn up and unreadable so they ignore that one but the other one says Alpha, wolf of legend. Riley tells Erika that that is the wolf that he has been having the visions with.

He opens the book and reads that in the days of epsilon it was believed that Alpha gave the four brothers their relics and it is even believed that he originally created epsilon. Erika tells him to stop reading, and that they need to focus on the task at paw. Riley nods and takes off the glass on top of the relic. Riley grabs the relic and puts it around his neck. Suddenly the whole library starts to shake. A rock falls from the ceiling almost landing on Erika, but riley tackles her out of the way.

Erika yells for him to run and they both sprint across the bridge. As soon as they get across the bridge it collapses and hits a piece of metal deep in the pit. It makes a loud gong noise that echoes across Epsilon. Both Riley and Erika cover their ears in pain. They get up once the vibrations and the echos stop and suddenly all they hear is howling.

Erika grabs Riley and they run out of the tunnel and into the library to see east hunters looking around. Once they see Riley and Erika they all tackle them. They drag them out and throw them against the statue of the wolf outside the eastern clans border. They make a circle around them and Armano comes into the circle armored up with a large thing on the side of his armor. He tells them that the east does not tolerate thieves, and what the blue wolf has around his neck is worth more than all the lives in epsilon. Riley tells him that if they don’t leave with this all the lives in epsilon will actually be lost. Armano looks at him with anger and says he recognizes his voice, and that he is Riley White.

Riley begins to tell him why he is here but he interrupts him and tells him that what is on his back is called a pulse gun and will break his body, passed down by the eastern alphas, and he will use it. He asks if they were behind the west attack and Erika yells at him calling him stupid saying the west didn’t attack. He asks if the west didn’t attack than who did, and Erika looks down and says she doesn’t know. He aims it at Riley. He says that Riley and his little friend are going to regret messing with the eastern clan. Riley silently begins doing the chant and loudly shouts the last phrase. He howls towards the sky but something different happens. A large energy shoots out and knocks all the wolves off their paws and a blast of light goes into the sky. Riley collapses and Erika yells to him in fear.

She looks up and sees there are no northern lights in the sky. She looks down just in time to see Armano aiming the gun at Riley again. He pulls down with his paw and the machine on his back fires. Just in time Erika tackles Riley out of the way and behind the statue. She runs at him, dodging each shot. She reaches him, jumps in the air and kicks him in the mouth. He collapses but before Erika can get on top of him to finish him off two east hunters grab her and hold her down. Armano spits out blood and goes up to her, aiming the pulse gun at her face.

She closes her eyes, but opens them to hear Riley running at Armano. She looks to see it isn’t Riley, but one of the east clan members, or so she thinks. He jumps up, grabs Armanos gun with his mouth and rips it off the armor. He uses it as a bat and slams Armano in the face. He falls to the ground unconscious and all the east hunters run at them. The mystery wolf kicks Erika’s restraints off. They run toward the statue, Erika asks who he is and he throws off the helmet. Erika smiles, and Taber says “Did ya miss me?!”

He howls at the sky and north hunters run and attack the east hunters. The east hunters protect Armano, dragging him inside the border as the north hunter’s attack. Erika looks confused, she asks Taber how there are north hunters and why she doesn’t recognize some of them and he says those are questions for another day and that they need to leave. She picks up Riley and puts him on her back and they run towards the unknown, and towards the west.

Chapter 13

diligentia (Diligence)

Riley wakes up on the floor of what appears to be a ruined castle. He looks around to see everything looks misty and ghost-like. Suddenly wolves run up the stairs to his right. He goes to talk to them but they run through him and out the doors. He can hear fighting outside. He turns around to see alpha looking out at the castle grounds where a large fight is taking place. Riley comes up to him and asks him where he is. Alpha tells him that he is inside the relic, inside the memories of Permansio.

He tells him that when he did his chant, it powered the relic and his soul was sent inside it so he could see and learn the way of alpha that Permansio held. Riley looks confused and asks how that is possible and Alpha laughs and tells him to look in the mirror. He turns around to see a mirror on the wall. His scar burned bright white and as soon as he saw his scar the vision faded. The vision changed to permansios quarters. Riley turned to alpha but he sat quietly. Riley begins to ask why his scar is burning white but decides against it seeing alpha will probably just ignore him.

Permansio hits the map he was looking at off the table. Alpha tells Riley that what is going on right now is the siege of Aretarians old castle, now the headquarters for Permansios followers. Riley asks why he is here and alpha explains that in each relic he will see when that alpha truly demonstrated their way of alpha. Two wolves come up to Permansio and tell him they are losing. He tells them they need to re strategize. Alpha tells Riley that permansio held the way of diligence. Right now he is making what his troops believe is a final stand, but he uses his intelligence and his diligence to make it so his wolves can fight to see another day. He hears a howl erupt from the battlefield.

Permansio panics, but calms down and tells his soldiers that Makrothumia is here. He walks over to his armor and puts it on. He tells his troops they are to stop fighting and run. He points to a spot on the map and tells them this is where they will go, the east. The scene fast-forwards to the battle. Permansio is leading his soldiers out of the castle. They think the other wolves will kill them but the wolves ignore them and go for the castle, as soon as they pass the last of the opposing wolves Permansio turns to see Makrothumia grinning at the castle entrance.

Makrothumia tells him he lost the only landmark that truly matters in epsilon and he and his soldiers are cowards. Permansio turns and catches up with his commander. The commander asks how he knew they wouldn’t attack them and he tells him that as soon as he heard Makrothumia he realized this wasn’t an attack, it was a siege. They didn’t want them, they just wanted the castle. He says he knows his brother well, he just wanted the castle. The wolf asks him where they will go now and he tells him they will go east and make a home there. The wolf tells Permansio that they lost their one safe haven. He grins and pauses before saying that may be true, but they will not go down easy, and they may have lost their old home, but they live to see another day.

The vision desynchronizes and Riley opens his eyes to see they are back in the castle. Permansio stands over the map grinning and alpha tells him this is when his smarts and diligent attitude played its strongest part. He led his wolves to safety with a smart strategy and didn’t give up when things looked there hardest. The scene changes and all four brothers are grouped together surrounded by chanting wolves. Everything is in black and white and they are singing, but Riley cannot hear them or see the lyrics. Alpha tells him this is where they first sang alphas harmony, and when he learns the ways they held, he will be able to hear that alphas part. Riley concentrates on the lesson he just heard and suddenly Permansio became colored. Suddenly Riley could hear him and see the notes he was singing. Riley listens until his part is over and then alpha tells him that he is on his way to greatness, and he just took the first step.

Chapter 14

Et contrita trahentium (The shattered trail)

Riley wakes up to see it is already late at night. They are far from the east and he sees a giant frozen lake. He looks over to see Taber sleeping but he can see Erika’s silhouette by the lake. He walks closer and sees she is gazing into the frozen lake staring at her reflection. Riley steps on a branch and she quickly turns around. When she sees him Riley begins to explain himself but she runs up and hugs him instead of getting angry. She tells him she was scared she lost him. He tells her he went into some form of vision and learned the way of alpha. She grins and tells him there making progress, but her grin turns into a frown and she continues to stare out at the lake. Riley comes up and sits next to her. Riley asks her why she seems upset and she insists she is fine. Riley apologizes but sees her look depressed. He tells her she can talk to him, but doesn’t have to if she isn’t comfortable. She thinks for a minute, and then sighs.

She tells Riley she lost someone very close to her here. A tear falls down her face as she says the north is gone, all the hunters she fought with are as good as dead, and she is just tired of losing everything she has. Riley takes her paw and tells her they will take back everything, she won’t lose anything else. She smiles at him and than they hear Taber cough. He tells Erika with a harsh tone that part of war is losing things you care about and a true north hunter would know that. Erika lets his comment go but Riley steps in and tells him that that’s a harsh statement and obviously losing things you care about is hard.

He laughs and tells them they move at sunrise, to the west clan, he then walks away and goes back to his spot to sleep. Riley sighs and tells Erika to ignore him and that he is wrong. She tells Riley he has been acting differently since he saved them from the east and she doesn’t know why. Riley tells her it's probably shock from all that’s happened but she says she has never seen Taber act like this, even in shock. They both stare out at the lake before Erika lays down and closes her eyes. Riley continues to stare at the lake as Erika falls asleep.

Erika wakes up to the sound of howling. Riley and Taber both wake up and look around in confusion before they hear the howling getting closer. Taber yells that they have to move now and they won't have reinforcements. Riley asks where the west is and Taber points across the lake and says they will have to go around. Riley turns to run but an explosion knocks him off his feat. They look to see Armano approaching his cannon smoking, with wolves by his side. Soon east wolves are seen coming from all sides, and they are trapped.

Erika grabs the relic and throws it at where Armano is coming from. He runs to it and sees that it no longer glows green. He yells for the east hunters to kill them! Erika grabs Riley and yells to Taber saying the only way to get out of here is to run across the lake. He tells her that is suicide and there is no way of telling how thick the ice is and she asks him if he has any better ideas. He thinks before growling no and they begin to run across the lake. As soon as they get on the ice Riley slips and falls, he tries to get up but falls again. Taber yells at him and Erika goes over and helps him up. He thanks her and they start running across the lake. The lake is very large and they can hear the ice struggling to support them. Erika turns back to see Armano and the east wolves trying to get on the ice but failing. They hear Armano whistle and they look back to see him shoot the ice with his cannon. The ice makes a loud crack and they all stop moving. Suddenly, cracks appear all over the lake. Armano begins shooting all parts of the lake and the ice explodes all over, then the whole lake begins cracking apart. Taber shouts for them to run and they take off across the lake, the ice collapsing behind them. They sprint as fast as they can and they can hear nothing besides the ice cracking apart at their paws. Erika sees Riley collapse but he gets back up and keeps running, but further behind them.

They are almost across the lake, the east wolves out of sight when Erika notices Riley isn’t behind them. She yells at Taber but he tells her the lake will crack apart by the time she gets him and they need to leave him and keep going. He continues to run but Erika runs towards the back of the lake. As soon as the lake cracks under her paws she jumps off the sides of the pieces of ice. She jumps across them, scaling the sides of huge chunks of ice exploding around her. She jumps off a big piece and dives into the lake. As soon as she enters the water the cold pierces her hide. She looks around for Riley until she sees a figure floating under the cracked apart ice. She swims over to Riley and grabs him. she pulls him up to the surface and the wind chills them both. Riley coughs up water and thanks her before she pulls him out of the water and onto a piece of floating ice. They both sit there shivering as the whole lake starts to sit still, the ice totally cracked apart.

They make their way to the other side to see Taber sitting. Erika goes up to him and yells in his face and tells him you never abandon someone. He gets up and yells back that part of war is losing wolves, that she could have died because of saving someone she even said herself was nothing at all! Riley looks at Erika, sad and surprised. She looks at him and looks back at Taber who is grinning. She tells him she was wrong, Riley is not “nothing” and he is the key to solving this conflict. Taber yells that this is not a conflict this is a war and she better learn the difference real quick before it gets her killed. Before she can say anything else Taber turns and hits her with his tail before walking away. She hits the ground and yells before turning to Riley. She tells him that she said that a long time ago before she knew him and she was different back than. Riley looks at the ground and thanks her for saving him, again, before walking away leaving Erika next to the lake alone.

Chapter 15

Puto aliquem nosti (Think you know someone)

They walk in silence until they reach the west. Riley goes to hide but Taber tells him that there is no reason to hide and that the west is a group of pussies that can't fight. Erika sighs and tells him there are not “pussies,” they just don’t have hunters and that strategy goes well with them seeing they haven’t had to struggle for food and have never been attacked. Taber laughs and says, “Right, so you mean pussies.” They go into the west and they are just given nervous looks from the west wolves. Riley asks Taber what they are going to do now. Erika goes to answer him but Taber yells at them and demands that they are taken to the alpha. The wolves of the west just stare at him nervous before he goes up to one of them and knocks him down.

The wolf goes down and cowers. Erika grabs him and tells him to stop and he tells Erika they are in hostile territory and she should act like it, never make peace with the enemy. Erika tells him that the north hunters were told that the west was peaceful and the fact they aren’t attacking him for being an asshole is amazing. Taber says that the north was also told that the semita weren’t a threat and now the north is nothing but fire, ruins, and slaves. Erika starts yelling at him before Riley yells for them to stop and points. He points to a wolf in a cloak who looks relatively old. He was a regular looking wolf however he was older. A younger wolf stood by his side, and he was white with tan outlines like the elder wolf. The wolf greets them and introduces himself as Marion, the alpha of the west and says the other wolf is his son, Bo. He tells them if they have come looking for trouble to go elsewhere, as these are peaceful lands.

Taber laughs and tells him to wake up. Erika talks over him and tells him they are here because the clans are all in danger unless they find the relic from each clan. The alpha sighs and tells them he has noticed the wolves of the south have been being more aggressive, killing and maiming wolves that go out for food. He tells them he had to pull all the food gatherers back because their spots turned into the South’s main attack points. Riley tells him it isn’t the south it is the semita, a terrorist group. Marion says he has a map of where the relic is located and he will give it to them if they help them first. He says his wolves are starving and they need to retake their food bunkers again before the clan dies out. And if they can protect the west wolves gathering the food, he will give them the map. Riley asks Erika what she thinks and she says they don’t have time for that. Taber agrees with her and says if they don’t give them the map they will take it. Riley looks to Erika and she sighs, and tells Taber they won't do that and that they will help the west get food.

Taber grunts angrily and backs down. Marion smiles and tells them that he is very happy they will help, and until their done they will be given shelter and whatever food they have. Marion tells Bo to take them to the quarters and he nods and tells them to follow him. While they are walking Erika goes up to Riley and asks if he wants to talk. He asks her if she really thinks he is nothing, and that iIf she is with him in this because she feels like she has to, and would rather do it with someone else. She tells him no, and that if she thought he was useless she wouldn’t have stuck with him this whole time, she knows his potential, and she knows he is special. He smiles at her before Taber says “special in the head maybe.” Riley looks down and Erika glares at Taber who has a smirk on his face. She says to Riley “You are more important to me than anyone else, I hope you know that.” He hides his grin but she can see he felt better, and she meant her words.

They reach the quarters and Bo tells them to get some rest because they will be escorting the food gatherers in two days. They will be leaving early in the morning that day so they have darkness to cover them. Bo leaves and they go inside the little house. Taber says he is getting the top floor and the two “children” can get the bottom. Erika yells and asks him what has gotten into him and why is he acting this way. He says snidely that if the way he is acting comes off as mean than she really is a child and she should look around and see that they are at war, and the fact he needs to keep reminding her of that is outrageous. She goes to talk but Taber talks over her and tells her that when he told them to run in the north it was because he thought Erika was the only wolf who could stop Zane, but instead of coming up with a real plan she is too busy playing scavenger hunt with her new “boyfriend.” She stares at him in disbelief before walking over to her bed and laying down. He goes upstairs but Riley follows and tells him that all of that is uncalled for. Taber growls at him and tells him to watch himself. Riley glares at him and tells him he should do the same. Right when he said it Taber stared at him while Riley stood awkwardly, regretting the threat. Taber kicks near his head and the piece of wood cracked in half, Riley jumps back and Taber smirks.

He tells Riley to get away from him and Riley goes down the stairs after telling Taber war has the power to change you, but only you have the power to make sure it doesn’t. Taber says quietly “Yea yea keep talking you blue twat.” He goes downstairs and lies down on the floor next to Erika’s bed, ignoring his own bed across the room. Riley closes his eyes and begins to go to sleep. Erika sighs and says “we can't stop him..Zane.” Riley opens his eyes and looks at her. She says “This is hopeless, Taber is right.” Riley pauses before saying “Yea this is hopeless.” She looks at him saddened and he says “We are chasing down ancient necklaces to find a song to save the world.” She snickers but he continues. “It's crazy! But the thing is...it's working, and we won't know if we will.. Or would have failed if we give up now.” She looks at him and grins, he looks at her and says “We have to at least try, together.” She lies down and so does Riley. They turn over and look at the ceiling. They stare at the roof in silence before Erika says “I really don't know if we can do this Riley.” they are silent before Riley says “I do know, we can and will.”

Chapter 16

damnum praecipitem (Identity)

Riley wakes up to something hitting his head lightly. He opens his eyes to see Taber flicking bits of rocks at him. He grunts and tells him to leave him alone. Taber smirks and says “Your bed's over there dummy, that's the floor your sleeping on.” Riley rolls over but Taber keeps talking. He says “You and my sister are ridiculous. You know that, why do you feel the need to sleep next to her? I get you are lonely but damn! It's like five paws….yea..so..Beds over there dummy, as I said.” Erika opens her eyes to hear Taber say “I really thought Erika hated everyone, but here she is! Going on a scavenger hunt and with her new blue buddy! Man...she has come so far” She yells with a crackly voice for him to shut up, and this isn't the first thing she needs to hear when she wakes up. She rolls over and looks at Riley. She says “Did you sleep on the floor all night?” He smirks and says yes, than taber interjects with “Told him where his bed was sis” he points over to it and says “Right there...righttt over there.” They hear a knock on the door and a west wolf stands in the doorway with cooked meat. Riley jumps up happy but Taber tells him they are not hungry. Erika slams by him and grabs the meat, saying “We actually are hungry, this is great thank you.” She then takes the meat over to Riley and begins eating with him.

The west wolf says they will begin the food recovery tomorrow. He says the alpha wants them to rest and prepare for the recovery. Taber says “I'll be nice and “recovered” once I get some Libra, where is it?” Taber asks.

“There is no libra, I am really sorry. But we have herbal methods of intoxication if that is what you are looking for.” The west wolf says calmly. Taber grunts and says “These herbs better be good cause i'm gonna lose it if I have to be sober any longer.”

After that Taber slams the door in the west wolf's face. Taber goes over to see Erika and Riley laughing and eating. He coughs loudly and they look at him.

Erika says with a mouthful of turkey “I thought you said you weren't hungry, go away.” Riley laughs and Taber grabs a hunk of beef and walks upstairs mumbling curse words. Riley and Erika sit eating when Erika says “I think it's cute by the way, how you sleep next to me all the time, even when the wood floor is the only option.” She laughs and Riley blushes nervously but tries to hide it. He takes a bite of the turkey and says “I don't know.. may be dumb but it helps me sleep” She smiles and says “me too.”

Taber storms down the stairs loudly. “There is no libra so I am going to find those “herbs” the wolf was talking about. I need a bunch of them if I am going to survive you two any longer.” he says. Erika looks at Taber and says “you do that.”

He walks out and Riley looks back at Erika. “What do you want to do today?” He says. Erika thinks for a minute before saying “I don't know, lets just see where the day takes us.”

Riley smiles and nods. Erika gets up and they go to walk out. Before they get far Riley runs back and rips off a piece of turkey to eat on the way. He then ran to catch up to her. As they walked through the east, the wolves would glance at them. Erika knew it was because they were outsiders. The west is afraid of other clans for the most part. They are afraid of violence. Suddenly a wolf runs up out of nowhere and yells “Hi!”

She was small and hideny and had yellow fur with slightly long hair, but not even close to as long as Erikas. She looked a bit younger than them but not by much. She was looking at them with a smile, just staring.

She looks back and forth for a minute before saying “I'm Samantha, I am an east wolf but I think you already knew that. I heard you were from the north! That's really cool!”

Riley and Erika look at each other before introducing themselves. She shakes Rileys paw but when Erika extends her paw, Samantha hesitates. She then shakes her paw lightly and makes no eye contact. Erika found this weird.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go play with sticks in the river. It's something I do to relax, I would love to hear about the north, the different traditions and stuff.” Samantha says, laughing awkwardly. Riley laughs a bit and Erika forces herself to. She didn't like this new wolf. Taber suddenly walks behind her. She looks at him to see him chewing something.

“What did I miss, who is this wolf?” Taber says, muffled by the food in his mouth. Samantha runs over to Taber and shakes his paw.

“Hi! I'm Samanta, it's really nice to meet you!” She says. Taber looks at her and swallows whatever he was chewing.

“Great, hi,amazing, yea. West wolf! I found this herb edible and it's delicious, where are more. I wanna black out.” Taber says. Samantha's ears flatten a bit and she says “center camp would probably have some.” She says, before looking at Riley again.

“Do you want to come to the river?” Samanta asks. Erika goes to answer but Riley says “Sure!” Riley starts walking with her and Erika follows, but Samantha stops and looks at her.

“Could we meet up with you a bit later maybe? I just want someone to talk to right now, I just want to play in the river with him a bit.” She says nervously. Erika glares at her. Taber overhears that and sits and watches. Erika was angry for a reason she was unsure of.

“Yes, see you later.” She says coldly through her teeth, with a forced smile. Samantha goes to talk, but runs after Riley. Erika glares at her for a while as she runs away. Erika hated her. There was something off about her. Taber suddenly walks up and hits her in the shoulder.

“Uh oh looks like you are losing your boyfriend, don't worry! It wasn't your fault!” Taber says with a mocking tone. Erika looks up and glares at him before saying “Not my boyfriend. He can hang out with whoever he wants.” She says. Taber starts walking towards center camp and Erika follows. She walks next to Taber for a minute before saying “But why couldn't I come? I'm not mad, I just don't get it. What would they be talking about?”

“You're jealous.” Taber says chuckling. They walk up the small steps towards the center of the camps. Taber was looking for more herbs but Erika was still pissed.

“I am not jealous, why would I be jealous? Riley can do whatever he wants. It's nothing anyway I'm sure of it. Its just some dumb talk nothing major.” Erika says, more to herself than him.

“Ohh what if it's not! What if she wants to run away with him on a faraway island! Like happily ever after! away from Erika Brookes.” Taber says, trying to get into her head. She growls and looks down. She knew that was bullshit but she kept asking herself why she couldn't come. Taber shoves the line of wolves away at the herb dispensary and grabs a bunch of edibles and puts them in a pouch bag he found. Taber shoves one in his mouth while Erika sits growling.

“Just don't do that thing you do when you are jealous. You get really grabby and mean. You held onto Owen for like an hour when we first met. You thought he liked me better. Member that? When we were kids? Member, you were so mean you made me cry? Member that? let this poor girl have a nice day.” Taber says with a mouth full of edibles. Erika goes to talk but Taber pats her and walks away.

“I want to be far away from you when these kick in! I don't need a bummer around. So bye Erika! Have fun being jealous!” Taber says, running away laughing. Erika hits the floor and walks back towards the hut. Some of the cloaked wolves would smile but she didn't meet their gaze.

Erika walked through talking to herself. “I am not jealous. I am a hunter, hunters don't get “jealous.” But why does she need him alone? What if she is trying to get him to go on a date with her! Whatever I don't care about it, I'm not jealous.”

Erika walks by the path to the river and stares at it. She walks towards it and looks down at it. She looks around before running down the hill and towards the river. Erika stopped running when she heard their voices. She sneaks up until she can see them. They were playing in the river laughing. RIley would say something and she would crack up.

Erika glared and thought “Why is he trying to make her laugh so much? Doesn't matter. I'm not jealous”

She looks at them for a minute before getting up and running over. Riley and Samantha turn and look at her. Samantha stops what she was saying mid sentence but Riley just yells “Hey Erika!”

Erika walks over next to Riley and suddenly grabs him, pulling him closer next to her, and putting her head on his shoulder. Riley looks at her confused but she just plays with his fur that dangled above his eyes, keeping her front hind leg wrapped around him. Samantha looks at Riley and sighs.

“Just figured I should come say hi, save Riley from having to hang out with you any longer.” She says. Samantha starts tearing up but Erika keeps glaring. Riley looks at her even more confused.

“How about you go back to your little tent and keep your “secrets” to yourself.” Erika says growling. Samantha instantly starts crying and runs further down the stream.

“What was that!” Riley yells, jumping up. Erika regrets what she said instantly, she didn't know why she said it. She sighed and looked down, leaving Riley staring at her.

“Sorry to interrupt your “island plans”.” She says with a snarky tone, looking back up

“Island? What islan- What? No! She just had some “Identity problems” or something, she was asking for help. I told her I didn't know how to help her, but that you did.” Riley says loudly. Erika's ears drop a bit, she thinks to herself she may have gone overboard.

“I'm sorry, I got in my own head. I'll go talk to her, I'll fix this Riley.” Erika says. Riley looks at her and says “You okay?”

“Yea I'm good, just been a weird day.” Erika says lightly. Riley gives a small smile as she turns and walks along the stream. Erika was embarrassed, she figured she could at least fix her part of the damage. Soon after walking a bit further she finds Samantha near the side of the stream. She had her paws on her eyes and was crying.

Erika goes over and quietly says “Hey Samantha.” Samantha looks up and looks away instantly. Erika goes up to her and sits with her. Samantha doesnt look up but Erika stares down at her.

“I'm sorry about what I said, I was wrong to be such a bitch. I give off that vibe sometimes.” Erika says laughing. Samantha laughs a bit.

“No, I understand, it's okay.” She says quietly, Erika looks down at her and sighs.

“No it's not okay. I got in my own head today and I made it your problem. I am really sorry Samantha. I guess you could say I was..Jealous.” Erika says to her. Samantha rubs her eyes and sits up next to Erika.

“Of what? Riley?” Samantha says.

“What! No of course not! Well yes... But just because he is a good partner!” Erika says quickly, playing with her hair a bit. Samantha laughs and Erika looks at her funny.

“Well I wouldn't worry, all he talks about is you.” She says, causing Erikas ears to go up. Samantha looks at the ground again after a few seconds.

“He said you could fix my problem.” Samantha says. Erika looks at her and says “What is the problem.”

Samantha sighs and says “Remember when I first met you and couldn't look at you, there is a reason for that. Or why I didn't want you to come..It was because I was attracted to you and I didnt want to look dumb.”

Erika accidentally tilts her head like Riley and says “What?”

“I'm attracted to other girls Erika, like you! You are beautiful! I mean, the hair, your face, your coat, your fit..anyway... I don't know who to tell and I thought Riley could help. I feel like a freak and I hate it! What's wrong with me.” Samantha says, hitting the dirt. Erika sits down and puts her paw on Samantha's back.

“It's okay, you don't have to be ashamed of that, it's more common than you think.” Erika says to her.

“Riley said you would be able to explain it for me, I just feel so confused,” Samantha says, with tears in her eyes.

“You are something called a lesbian. That means you are attracted to female wolves. It is most common in the south, backed by the north. Homosexuality has been around sense old Epsilon, and never viewed as a bad thing. It may not be common in the west, but it is viewed with high regard. It is a sign of courage. I think love is love, no matter where it comes from. Be proud of who you are” Erika says. She places her paw on Samanthas and she looks up at Erika.

“So i'm not a freak?” Samantha says, Erika laughs and says, “No, it's just the way you are, and it's always okay to be who you are.”

Samantha looks up at her and says “Riley is right, you are really smart.” Erika smiles but lifts Samantha up. They both stand tall, Erika looking at Samantha. Erika gestures for them to leave but Samantha says “wait!”

Erika stops and looks at her but all Samantha says is “Can I play with your hair? Just for a second!” Erika sighs and says yes and Samantha runs over and runs her paws through Erika's hair. She tried to lift it up and drop it down. She was amazed at how soft it was. Erika told her to stop after a minute, it was completely in her eyes. She brushes it out of the way and says “Ready now?” Samantha smiles and nods and they head back up the stream.

Riley walked through the clan in deep thought. He wondered why Erika was so mean to Samantha. He didn't think it was like her to say those things. Riley reaches the clans center to find all the hooded wolves crowded around something. Riley pushes his way to the front to see Taber in the middle stumbling and yelling.

“None of you will survive, it's crazy! Life is crazy right. It's like, one morning you are peaceful hooded wusses, the next morning you are all being killed in a bloodbath. That's crazy! If I were you I would be freaking out! But not me though dont worry, i'm a badass. A badass I say!” Taber yelled, falling and stumbling. The west wolves started getting nervous, not knowing what he was talking about. Riley runs over to Taber and tries to pull him away but Taber shoves him off.

“Don't touch me bitchass or I will bite you in the neck.” Taber says, but laughing. He suddenly grabs Riley and hugs him.

“I know this guy! The blue guy! Riley I had like over twenty of those edibles, I am flying. I'm going to chill here for a bit.”

Taber then falls to the ground and closes his eyes. The west wolves all were standing and murmuring. Riley shakes him but he growls.

“I will get you more edibles if you get up.” Riley says. Taber's eyes jolt awake and he gets up. Riley was lying, he figured Taber would forget. Riley had to hold him up, he was just rocking and laughing. His eyes were bloodshot but his grin was there as always.

“So did Erika come to be mean as shit to Samantha. Let me guess, she got all touchy and then said something I would normally say.” Taber says laughing. Riley looks at him with a tilted head.

“That's exactly what happened, how did you know that?” Riley says to him curiously.

“Because she was jealous and that's what she always does.” Taber says, causing Riley to stop dead in his tracks, leading to Taber to falling to the ground.

“Was she jealous because of me? Like, because she likes me?” Riley says with hidden excitement. Taber laughs even harder, rolling on the ground.

“Hell no!” Taber says chuckling. Rileys ears fall down and his tail goes flat. Taber looks at him and gets up slowly off the ground.

“Look it's like this. She may like you, but it's not what you think. She probably has the “Erika Brookes equivalent” of a crush. I know that sounds great and all but Erika doesn't get emotions. She will never admit she likes you, like ever. She will never reciprocate emotion. At the end of the day, she will always be one wolf pack. It's how it's always been.” Taber says. “She only loves the things she needs to survive.”

Rileys ears fall and taber says laughing “ She will never kiss you, she definitely would never be in love with you. Just accept she doesn’t like you, you stupid blue idiot.”

Taber walks by Riley and smacks him with his tail, chuckling and stumbling. Riley sits quivering, his ears were flat with his tail. He suddenly takes off towards the unknown, running into the trees. He runs behind one and slides down. He starts to cry a bit, holding his eyes with his paws. He figures Taber is right, and she will never love him. He felt dumb for crying about it, he figured it was for the best, she deserves better. Riley hears snow crackling and sees Erika looking around. Riley wipes his tears and gets up from behind the tree. Erika looks at him and says “Hey! What are you doing out here?”

“How did you find me?” Riley says, voice still crackly. Erika smiles and says “I can track you, I followed your pawprints, I know what they look like. Are you okay?”

“Yea i'm okay..Taber was just being mean.” Riley says, not sharing the full reason. Erika pats him on the back and says “He is an idiot don't listen to him. Samantha told me to come grab you, we are gonna play with sticks by the river again if you want to come, she really enjoys it for some reason.” Erika says to him chuckling. Riley says yes quietly and follows her.

They reach the stream to find Samantha still playing. Erika could tell something was wrong with Riley. She figured it was her fault but he would never say that, even if it was true. Regardless he still was laughing with them and having fun. They would tell Samantha all the stories of the north. Erika told her about her old hunter life and how it used to be. They play for hours before the sun goes down, leaving them under the stars. Samantha looks around nervously and says “I don't like being in the dark. Can we go back now.” Riley and Erika agree and they walk back to the west. Samantha breaks off and heads to her hut while Riley and Erika head back to theres. Erika would glance at Riley to see him looking down. She wanted to know what Taber said. They walk in the hut and slowly close the door. Riley looks at Erika and yawns, his ears still down.

“I'm going to sleep, i'll be next to the mattress, if that's okay.” Riley says softly. Erika smiles at him and says “of course! I'm going to bed soon, I just have to talk to Taber, goodnight.”

Riley walks over and lays on the floor next to the mattress. Erika looked at him for a minute before storming up the stairs. She gets to the top to see Taber passed out on a pile of herb edibles. He was staring straight with his mouth open, not even seeing her.

“What am I looking at!” Erika yells out of confusion. Taber then throws an edible at Erikas face.

“Thou shall not speak in such a way to the edible king!!” Taber yells chuckling. Erika rolls her eyes and moves on.

“Whatever, what did you say to Riley because now he is really sad.” Erika says. Taber laughs and says “Lean in, it's a secret.”

Erika sighs and moves in. He whispers “I told him you were a bitch!” before collapsing and having a laughing fit. Erika suddenly slams her paw next to his head. Taber stops laughing and looks at her. She was so angry that she was shaking.

“I don't give a shit what you say or what you do. Be a dick all you want, but don't mess with Riley.” Erika says, before Taber pushes her aside and eats another edible.

“I told him you don't have emotions, which is true according to yourself.” Taber says, still chewing. Erika thinks for a second and looks back at him.

“I didn't think I did.” She says slowly, looking down the stairs.

“Well you don't, but check this out.” Taber says, before closing his eyes and immediately collapsing further into the pile of edibles. Erika looks down at him weird.

“Holy shit Taber did you just die?” Erika says, checking his neck. He had a pulse, he just fell asleep. Erika rolls her eyes and walks down the stairs. She sees Riley next to the bed curled up. He wasn't asleep, he just had his eyes closed. Erika walks up to him and pets his back.

“Doing okay? She says. Riley looks at her and nods a bit. Erika pets his head and smiles. She sits on the bed and says “Come over here.”

Riley slowly gets up and comes over to her. He lays down next to her and she holds him close to her chest, just brushing the fur on top of his head. He nuzzles a bit closer to her and looks up at her, her fur falling into his face. She was just holding him and smiling.

“I love playing with that scraggly fur between your ears ” She says. Riley laughs a bit and rests his head on her, slightly smiling.

“I'm sorry if Taber said something to you, don't listen to him. Trust me, he is an idiot.” Erika says after a few minutes of silence.

“It's okay, I just have to learn to tune him out.” Riley says, laughing a bit. He wasn't going to tell Erika what he was really worried about. She suddenly looks down at him and says “Hey.”

“I need you to survive Riley, don't you forget that.” She says after a few seconds.

Riley smiles back at Erika before laying his head back on her. She rests her head on his and closes her eyes. Riley stared off for a while as Erika fell asleep. He nuzzled a bit closer to her, all he kept thinking was “Taber is wrong, I just know he is.”

Chapter 17

(Reckless endangerment)

They make their way to the front where there are food gatherers ready. Bo runs up to Riley and asks him if he can help and Riley asks Erika. Erika doesn’t want to bring Bo because she doesn’t see how he can help and Taber tells them to bring him and they might be able to use him as bait to lure away the Semita. Erika tells him to shut up but he ignores her and tells the food gatherers to start walking. They start walking with Taber guarding the front and with Riley and Erika guarding the back. Riley asks Erika if Taber acted like this usually and she tells him no.

She says that she doesn’t understand why he is being the way he is, but she has faith in him, he has always been a good brother and he is just anxious about saving the north. They walk through the dark in silence the rest of the way. They finally reach the food storage and Taber gestures for them to all get down. They get down and Riley and Erika work their way to the front and ask Taber what the situation is. He tells them that there are two semita soldiers guarding the storage and eating the food.

Bo comes up and looks at the semita before getting really angry and saying they need to attack them. Taber tells Bo they need to sneak up on them because they have a bell near them to call for reinforcements. Bo nods and goes to the back while Erika and Riley sneak around to the other side. They sneak up on the wolves and are about to attack them when Bo comes running out of the hiding spot and at the semita. They howl and hit the bell making a loud noise. Riley and Erika jump up and attack, trying to stop the guards from ringing the bell further. They take the two down and Taber yells for them to gather the food fast when they hear howling in the distance. The food gatherers run into the storage and run back out towards the west. One starts to get to the woods when semita wolves attack him. He tries to run but the semita pin him and tear the food pouch off causing his food to spill everywhere. They start to attack the food runners when Taber launches at a semita wolf. He rips his neck out and goes to attack another. Riley and Erika go to assist when they see dozens of semita coming from the other side of the woods. Erika yells for the food runners to retreat and they all start running towards the west. Erika runs to help a fallen food gatherer when she hears Riley yelling for her. She runs over to him and he says he just saw the semita take Bo.

Erika panics and tells him they have to go back for him but Taber tells her it is too late. She yells at him and tells him they need to save him and he tells Erika that she is a stupid bitch who can’t see the world around her. Erika suddenly kicks Taber in the jaw as hard as she can. He goes flying back but gets up with his mouth dripping blood. He glares at her before turning and running with the west food gatherers. Riley grabs her and pulls her out of the way of an attacking semita soldier. He yells they have to go and they both follow the west wolves. Erika and Riley are further behind and when they get back they see all the food gatherers panting, some with food but most without. The west alpha comes out with Taber and yells at them and tells them they should have protected Bo.

Erika tells him that they are going to go get Bo back and the west alpha tells them that he doesn’t want them to, and that the only one who is going is Taber, he says Taber is a better fighter and actually cares about bo. Taber looks around confused before saying “uh what?... oh yea, of course I do.” Erika yells that Taber doesn’t care about anyone but he smirks at her and tells them that obviously he is a kind, caring wolf for going to get Bo back. The west alpha tells them if taber succeeds in bringing home Bo, then he will give them the map and they can just leave. Taber turns to leave before saying he will succeed, because unlike his “friends,” he understands war. Erika yells to him as he turns away. She says that as soon as they get this relic, he is to leave, she doesn't want his help. Taber looks shocked but says “you can't do this without my help and you know it, you are nothing and this proves it...sis.” He howls and runs towards the unknown, the alpha tears up and walks back to his hut.

Erika sighs before turning and slowly walking back to her cabin with Riley at her side. They get in and she faceplants on her bed. Riley goes to say something but she says “I don't want to talk.. I want to sleep.” Riley stands awkwardly before walking back to his bed. He turns over and tries to sleep but fails. He looks over to Erika and spends the next ten minutes trying to figure out if she is awake. He gets tired and decides to just let her sleep.

Chapter 17

Stat adhuc in mundo(The world stands still)

Riley, Erika, and the rest of the west wait for Taber to return for days. Erika spends most of the time sleeping, while Riley tries to hunt rabbits for the west. He jumps off of the tree to try to catch a rabbit but crashes down into a rock and falls down a hill. He sighs and gets up before walking back to the cabin. He goes in to see Erika still asleep, even though it was the afternoon.

Riley looks at her before saying “I am chasing rabbits to help the west, it's fun! You should come!” he stands smiling before she sighs and says no.

He sits and looks at her, before she rolls over and looks at him. She looked sad, and somehow tired despite the fact she had been sleeping for two days. She says with a crackly voice “I wasn't what I thought I was Riley, I can't do this.”

“Erika, you are so much better than what you think you are. We are the wolves who will stop Zane and save Epsilon, because nobody else will if we don't.” Riley says, trying to be encouraging. Erika Looks down and slowly gets up. She stands up and walks over to Riley, staring him down for a reason he didn't understand.

“Okay Riley let's talk about saving Epsilon. There were hundreds of families in the north, and they were under my protection. MINE! And you know what happened? Zane destroyed the wall that protected all of us. I go to fight him and he almost kills me by throwing me off the DAMN TEMPLE STARES! all of the wolves that trusted me are now paying the price for MY MISTAKES!” Erika yells in his face.

“And it's all my fault. So I am nothing.”

Erika looks down, feeling bad but not in the mood for apologizing. Riley opens his mouth to say something, but goes to walk out with his ears flat. Erika returns to her bed and rolls over.

Riley looks back and says “The north is gone for now, and it's sad. But you did everything you could, and we still are doing everything we can. we can't save all the wolves in the north but we can save everyone else. I know you won't fail the north in the end, you still can save them. I know you will go back for them, and I will follow you when it's time, even if it means following you to my death.”

“But please just know, Taber is wrong about you. He says your choices make you nothing, but he is wrong. I see you save wolves, save me countless times, show real care and remorse, something Taber doesn't. You fight for the right things and you are honestly the strongest and scariest wolf I have ever met. The choices you make prove you fight for good and stand on the side of light. No matter what he says, you are Erika, and you will always find a way to win.” Riley says. Erika stays with her back turned to him and his ears drop again after waiting a few minutes. He walks out and closes the door, leaving erika awake thinking about what he said.

Riley goes back to chasing rabbits. He chases one throughout the woods for twenty minutes. He corners it between the rocks and jumps at it, but just hits his head on the rocks. He tries to get up but falls in the snow. Suddenly he feels something fall on his head. He looks at it to see a dead rabbit.

He looks up to see Erika smiling. She helps him up and says “The trick is to wait and move silently, here I will show you.”

She moves light on her paws and catches two rabbits in three minutes. She looks at him and says the time to beat is five minutes. He looks at her puzzled before she laughs and yells “five minutes!” Riley books it after the rabbits and Erika yells suggestions to him. He spends fifteen minutes before getting lucky and catching one. He goes over to Erika and asks how he did, and that he knows he sucked. She says “lets see…um...caught it in.. two minutes, nice! Beat me, good job!” He laughs and she smiles at him. But Erika looks down slowly and Riley asks “What?”

Erika begins saying “I am sorry for yelling at y-”

Riley cuts her off and says “It's okay, I know you didn't mean it, are you feeling any better?”

Erika looks back up to see Riley had his ears up again. She laughs a bit and says “a bit, it’s good to get out of bed. It will be even better once I catch a few rabbits..” She then sprints after a noise she heard, Riley runs after her trying to keep up.

They spend the day chasing rabbits together. Riley tries to keep her spirits up by trying to be funny. She laughs at a few of his jokes, but not all. It was Riley's goal to make her laugh at all of them, it was a work in progress. They started having races in the woods and having wrestling matches in melted puddles they find. Soon after they catch their last rabbits the sun begins to go down. Erika tells him they should get back, but Riley says they have to do something important first. He grabs her paw and brings her through the unknown. She had no idea where he was going, but he knew what he was looking for.

They walk in silence until they reach the lake. Riley walks up to the water but Erika looks around panicking. She realizes this is the spot where her father was killed. She runs her paw through the snow on the ground and slowly tears up. She looks up to see Riley staring at her with confusion.

“Riley, why would you bring me here?..this lake I hate it!..This spot..I can't be here!” She yells, fear and anger in her voice. Riley backs up in confusion and asks “Why? I still don't understand why you are so scared of this lake?” He says quietly.

“Because this is where my father was fucking murdered! This is where I learned that I can't help anyone! When he died I couldn't save him! Because this is where I learned nobody can count on me, nobody should ever trust me to help them! Because I will end up letting them down every time!” Erika yells, hyperventilating. She lays on the ground and buries her head in the snow to hide her tears.

“Did you know I am afraid of water?” Riley says after a minute. Erika looks up in confusion and says with a frustrated tone “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I can't swim...like at all. Piper tried to drown me once and I cried in my tent for a week, I never go in the water because every time I do I am terrified I will drown and sink.” Riley says. Erika looks down again, but suddenly Riley sprints at the lake and dives in head first.

Erika panics and sprints after him, plunging into the water herself. She swims around in the darkness until she sees him sprawling underwater. She instantly grabs him and swims to the surface. She pulls him above the water and swims over to the shore. Riley crawls out of the water and Erika shakes her hair dry before yelling at him.

“Why would you do that! You literally just said that you are afraid of water and can't swim!” She yells. Riley looks up at her, soaking wet and slightly scared, yet smiling.

“Because I wasn't afraid, I knew I could count on you.” He says, with optimism in his voice. Erika sighs and walks over to the lake, turning away from Riley. He goes up to her and puts his paw on her shoulder.

“Listen, I know you are blaming yourself, but there is a reason your dad wanted you to keep living. He wanted you to become who you are today, a wolf who can be counted on, a wolf that will fight for the ones she cares about no matter what happens.” he says. Erika turns and faces him to see his stupid yet comforting grin.

“Your father would be very proud of you.” Riley says. Erika tears up a bit and hugs him, holding him close for a while. Riley puts his front hind leg around her back and lays his head on her shoulder. She lets go and looks at him.

“Do you really think so?” Erika says quietly. Riley smiles and says “I think you know the answer to that.”

Erika lets go of Riley and sits by the lake, she never really looked at it like that. Her father told her to run, to keep living, not to just wallow in misery her whole life. His memory deserved better than that. She figures that maybe it's time to let go, just remember him for who he was, not how he ended.

Suddenly a breeze sweeps the air and Riley starts to shiver. He looks over to Erika and says. “Hey um..I'm kinda cold, could you cuddle with me, your fur would probably warm me up...yea...that's the reason” He says anxiously with a strange happy look. Erika laughs and says “I'm wet too dummy, it would probably make you colder.”

“Um..nope, don't think so, maybe we could see just in case.” He says, laughing nervously. Erika grins and wraps herself around him, holding him close and covering the remainder of his body with her tail. It made him much colder, but he lied and said he felt warm, which was true to a sense, on the inside at least.

They lay together next to the lake for hours. Erika begins to tell Riley stories of her father and the things he taught her. She felt better, she never had the chance to tell anyone about the wolf he was, she never remembered him like that until now. Riley loved to listen, he would ask her more questions about him, only to get long answers that made him happy. Riley was glad she was doing better, glad he could help. They dry off after an hour or two, but they dont leave. They just sit under the stars, Riley enjoying Erikas tales of the past. Erika looks at him after a while and says “you know what we should do, we should build a fire!”

Riley tilts his head in confusion. “How do you build a fire in the woods?”

Erika laughs and says she will show him. She lines up pebbles in a circle and clears it of snow. She places a big rock in the middle of a bunch of twigs and branches. She takes another rock and slashes it a few times against the stone in the center of the wood. Eventually it sparks and lights up, flames creeping towards the sky. Riley looks at it with amazement, he never has seen a fire that he didn't have to run from, aside from candles that is. Erika sits next to Riley and watches the fire. They sit in silence for a bit, looking up at the stars and watching the smoke from the fire cascade in the air. Riley looks down and stares at Erika while she watches the stars. Her hair blew with the wind, the way it always seemed to. The light from the stars and the lake reflected off the snow on her body, it looked like she was glowing. Riley could swear she was an angel. She looks at him and Riley looks in every direction that wasn't her, pretending he wasn't staring at her.

“Why do you always stare at me.” She says, cuckling a bit. Riley blushes and brushes the ground awkwardly.

“Its because you are the most beautiful wolf in epsilon, and I can't ever stop thinking about how I am so lucky to have you here with me.” Riley says with a shaky and nervous tone. She keeps looking at him, but now keeps running her paw through her fur.

“Yea? You really think I am the most beautiful wolf in epsilon?” She says lightly. She never admitted it to anyone, but she never felt beautiful.

“Of course! But I'm not even talking about how you look. You are drop dead gorgeous nobody can argue with that.” Riley pauses as Erika laughs a bit.

“But I'm talking about on the inside. Right now not a lot of wolves get to see that part of you. But I am just thankful I get to see who you are, everyday. You are the only one who inspires any remainder of hope I have anymore. That's the kind of beauty I'm talking about.” Riley says with confidence, but he worried he said something dumb. They both stare at the fire for a bit.

Erika then turns to him after a bit and says “Hey.” Riley looks down at her, the fire cast a shadow on her face, her hair casting its own silhouette.

“I come from a lifestyle that did not encourage emotion. We were taught to never let our guard down, trust only our other hunters. I lived like that my whole life” Erika looks into his eyes and says “until I met you.”

Riley stares at her for a minute. He knew how he felt, but he tried to avoid saying it. He knows how she feels about emotions, he knew this was a big moment, or thought he did at least. He looked into her eyes as she brushed her hair. He figured it was worth a shot to find out. He opens his mouth to talk but can't, it was like the words were deleted in his mind. He stumbles on his words a few more times before Erika asks him “What are you trying to say, spit it out dummy.” Erika says laughing. Riley sighs and counts to three. After he reaches the number 3 in his head Riley says with a low tone “Can I kiss you.” Erika looked completely surprised, she was not expecting that. Riley looks away instantly, staring at the fire.

“I have never kissed someone before. Hunters are strictly forbidden, well, besides Taber that is, but he just breaks the rules anyway .” She says, thinking about that, but at the same time there was a part of her that wanted to.

“I'm so sorry I should have known that was a dumb question. I know I look like a dumbass I just never kissed a wolf either I figured that sense you are the greatest wolf in Epsilon..I could I dont know.. I just I really don't want to make things weird between us I just figured hey I gue-” Riley rambles but gets interrupted by Erika nudging him.

Riley looks back at her and suddenly she places her paw on his shoulder. She stares into his sparkly blue eyes, Riley meeting her gaze. She slowly leans in and starts kissing him lightly, making Riley wonder if he was dreaming. He felt a fury of feelings of bonding and joy. Riley closes his eyes to match hers, the fire illuminates the silhouettes of them, creating a shadow that could be a painting. He wraps his front hind leg around her neck and she leans in more, feeling a sense of comfort she never has felt before. They stay like that for longer than Riley expected. but after a minute she pulls back, yet they leave their eyes closed and their noses touching. Riley opens his eyes after a minute and meets Erikas, feeling mesmerized by her beautiful emerald eyes.

“I told you, you help me get out of my comfort zone. Besides, the Brookes are known for breaking the rules.” She says laughing, causing some of her fur to cover her eye. Riley lightly brushes it behind her ear with his paw as he slightly pulls away. she looks up at him and smiles, before saying “So? Good first kiss?”

“That was the greatest moment of my life..and I'm serious, that's the best first kiss of all time.” Riley says, ears standing taller than ever.

“Glad I could help.” She says, chuckling

They sit in silence after that, the only noise is the fire crackling. Erika then rests her head on Rileys shoulder and closes her eyes. Riley looks down at her and rests his head on hers. They stare at the fire for a while before Erika falls asleep. She slides off Rileys shoulder and almost hits the ground but Riley catches her.

He taps her head saying “Erika? Erika?” She doesn’t respond, Riley figured she was asleep. He felt a bit scared sleeping in the unknown. He wasn't worried though, he knew Erika would protect him. He lays down by the fire and Erika rests her head on him again, nuzzling closer to his body and rubbing her head against his neck. She loved how soft his fur was. Riley looked at her for a bit, but then put his head down to go to sleep. They then sit next to the slowly dying fire together.

‘I think you are adorable by the way, everything you do. For me, and for everyone. I am glad to have you in my life. Thank you for a first kiss even Tabers stories couldnt top.” Erika says, smiling and half asleep. Riley just had a day he dreamed about his whole life. He looks at her knowing he would never trade anything in epsilon over being with her.

Chapter 18

Verum colorum (True colors)

Riley and Erika leave the unknown and return to the west to see the clan in chaos. They run down and a west wolf collides with Erika. She falls but gets up fast, helping up the west wolf. Rileys asks what is wrong and he says there are enemies approaching from the north and south. Suddenly howling can be heard throughout the west clan. Erika tells him to get the west civilians inside and he runs to do so without another word. Riley and Erika run to the border to see semita troops closing in on the west. When they get in, they begin to trash the west and kill the wolves. Erika tells Riley he has to get the west alpha to get his wolves to fight or else they won't stand a chance. Erika is looking at all the semita when she stops and stares at one. Riley turns to go get the alpha but Erika stops him.

He asks what it is and she says that she recognizes that wolf. She charges at the Semita wolf and tackles him. He struggles but she hits him in the head hard leaving him dazed. She wipes the warpaint off his face and stares in shock. “Dublin” she says, seeing her old friend below defeated at her own doing. He coughs blood and laughs before saying “Guess the hair really doesn't get in the way of fighting.” He coughs up blood laughing and starts to pass out. Erika gets up and starts pointing at the semita wolves and naming them off. She tells Riley these aren’t just semita, but northern hunters.

As soon as she says that all the semita stop attacking and stare at her. She hears someone in the distance say “you were slow figuring it out Erika....damn I thought you were smarter than that!” Suddenly Taber walks out of the shadows with two semita walking alongside him. All the west wolves stare at him until he gestures to the shadows and a semita soldier brings out a wolf nearly looking beaten to death young wolf, Bo. Erika yells to Taber and asks what he is doing and he says surviving. He tells Erika she was so stupid to let him come with them, that she couldn’t see what was right under her nose the whole time. He says as soon as Zane took over the north he gave the north hunters a choice, to join with him, or die. He says Zane has no intention of ruling the clans he wants to destroy them, and that by turning the clans against each other they will destroy themselves.

Riley says the clans are already attacking each other and taber tells him wrong again. He says the clans have only fought over food, but nothing else for centuries but they all dangle on a small string of chaos ready to be cut. He says the attacks on the east were all them, they have just been posing as the other clans because of the problems it will create. He tells them that Zane wants something greater than any of them can understand, but what he can understand is that Zane is an unstoppable force, a force that will go to every end to ensure that the only wolves left standing when this is all over are the Semita. Erika yells at him and tells him that he is a traitor. He laughs and says things aren’t that black and white, and that some of the northern hunters even agreed with her logic, but they are being dealt with. Suddenly he picks up Bo and slams him on the ground before ripping his neck out. The west wolves all scream and run.

She stares at him in disbelief when he orders the Semita to find the alpha and kill him, and to bring the map leading to the Relic to him. The semita run and Riley tells Erika to go defend the alpha. She tells him he can’t take Taber and he says he has to try. She runs towards the alpha and Taber runs at Riley. He jump kicks at Riley, but he dodges and slams Taber to the ground. He gets on top of Taber and tries to bite him, but Taber head buts him and he staggers back. Riley starts to do the chant but before he can finish taber kicks him in the face. Riley falls but gets up fast and goes to do the chant again but Taber slams into him and knocks him down.

Taber says he’s not letting him do his little light show this time and Riley jumps at him. Taber jumps to the side and bites down on Riley’s neck and throws him against a building. Riley slams his head against the building and falls to the ground, his vision blotchy. Taber goes up and hits him again. He picks him up and throws him in the middle of town. He says this will be an example of all who oppose Zane. Taber runs at Riley and he closes his eyes and awaits the inevitable, but it never comes. Riley opens his eyes to see Erika in front of him and Taber on the ground. She howls and soon the west wolves start attacking the semita. He looks over to see the alpha, hate in his eyes, ordering the west to attack. They aren’t good fighters but they outnumber the Semita. Erika yells at Taber saying she doesn’t want to do this, Riley can see tears forming in her eyes. Taber yells that she will lose, that she is weak and will fall like their father. Erika wipes away the tears in her eyes and asks Taber if he wants to know why she doesn’t act like she is at “war.” He goes to say something and Erika talks over him yelling, saying he always poses to be strong, but he is a coward. He joined with Zane because he isn’t strong enough to oppose and no matter what he says he is and what he pretends to be he will always come out less than her, she says their father taught her things he never told him, and he was brought into war, but she was built for it. And after that sentence she jumps at Taber.

Erika bites taber in the neck and he yells. She lets go and kicks him in the mouth causing him to fall back a little. The west soldiers are fighting the semita all over the clan, causing chaos to erupt in the once peaceful settlement. Riley gets up and looks around and sees Taber and Erika fighting. He does the chant and the northern lights appear in the sky. Taber curses and kicks Erika in the throat. She falls to the ground but before Taber can attack Riley jumps on top of him. Riley bites down on his neck but he rips Riley off. Riley falls and Erika jumps at Taber and kicks him in the temple. She yells for Riley to go find the alpha and get him to stop attacking and to evacuate. Riley goes to find him and Erika jump kicks taber. He falls to the ground but laughs, and says that Zane is too powerful to be stopped, he took the north and he will destroy all the clans like he did to their old home. Erika yells saying he betrayed everything he cared about because he was scared.

Taber says he has no reason to be scared and that he is on the winning side. A semita soldier runs over to Taber and tells him the east is closing in from all sides, they're here to launch a counter attack. He laughs and tells Erika he forgot to mention he ordered another attack on the east, just to stir up the pot a little more. He goes to walk away but Erika jumps at him. Taber moves to the side and kicks her right in the ribs. She falls to the ground and he lifts her head and tells her this isn’t over, and in fact it has just begun. He runs away and all the Semita follow. As soon as the last semita gets out of sight Erika hears a loud blast. One of the west wolves goes flying into the side of a building and she sees Armano standing there with his cannon smoking.

The west all take defensive positions and she yells to Armano to stop, and that the west did not attack. Riley and the alpha come out but the alpha says to Armano that if he has come looking for a fight he has found one. He laughs and says the west picked the wrong battle. Marion sighs and yells for his men to attack. Riley tries to stop him but he checks Riley to the ground. He tells Riley they have gotten his son killed, and now the west will avenge him, he runs at Armano and leaves Riley on the ground. Erika runs over to him and he says they have to find a way to stop the fighting. He says they need to find the map and Erika says she will do it but he has to break up the alphas fighting. He looks over and sees them attacking each other and says they need to just find the map and get out of here and that there is no way to stop them now, they won't listen and the relics are the only way to get the fighting to stop. She sighs and agrees and they run to the alphas quarters.

They get in to see a small looking room with almost nothing in it. They look around before Erika finds the map in a chest behind the bed. On the map they see the relic is in a small cave under the lake near the west. She grabs him and they leave the alphas quarters and run out the west with east hunters tailing them. They maneuver around trees, chasing Riley and Erika. They reach the lake and they can still hear fighting off in the distance, Riley jumps in the lake and Erika follows. The East hunters stop chasing them and go back to the battle. The water is freezing but they make it to the cave underwater. They emerge from the water to find the cave unusually warm. There is ancient writing all over the cave and in a glass container like the last one, the relic sits covered in dust. They stare at the relic before Riley says “I don't want to go in.” Erika tells him she doesn't see any traps but he shivers and points above the relic. There is a spider, a rather big one, coming down from a web and onto the glass. Erika smiles and chuckles before scooping the spider up with her paw. She puts it to the side and shoves it to go away. It rears its hind legs and hisses, Riley screams and jumps back. Erika laughs a bit, and crushes it with her paw. Riley goes over and takes the relic out but no traps go off. He puts it on and the walls light up. The ancient writing circles Riley and Erika, Riley looks around in amazement, but Erika just stares at the floor. Riley looks at her and feels sad, he tells her he is sorry, and she starts to cry.

Erika says “I never thought he would... It was so obvious, he was so different, how could I not recognize what was happening to my own brother.” She looks at Riley and asks him, still crying “What am I supposed to do Riley?” Riley stares at her with a blank expression, not knowing what to say. She walks over to the corner and sits. Riley thinks for a second before saying “I am going to say the most honest answer I can think of. I think when we lose people we love, either by death or circumstance, such as this, there is no real way to pawle it.” Erika starts crying again, her hair covering her eyes. Riley continues by saying “Things will never be the same again, but that doesn't mean they will always be bad. You have lost so much, but will gain much more in the future, we just have to take it day by day and keep going.” she stops crying and says “Day by day” sadly before she tries to smile at him but fails. He does the chant and the cave erupts with power. Erika goes flying off her paws and Riley passes out. She goes up to him and sits down, putting her paw on his bruised rib.

She says “I have to be strong right now, I know you are trying but you are scared.” she looks down at his closed eyes. She says “I know that because I am scared to death.” she pauses, thinking of what to say, even though he will never truly hear it. She says “I never knew taber would betray me, I never...thought... He would.” she starts to cry but stops herself. She says “You have been there for me more than anyone, I owe it to you to stay strong, and I will Riley.” she lays down and tries not to tear up again, but fails. She puts her head down and cries, knowing one day she might have to kill her own brother.

Chapter 19

Vultu (Face of fear)

The scene changes to the north. The buildings are being torn down and destroyed, wolves are being killed, and there is an army of menacing looking wolves training. There is a structure being built around in a circle in the middle of the north, the temple replaced with a looking tower for Zane. Blood paints the walls and wolves are hiding and starving. Taber walks through the north, blood covered and hurt. Zane sat overlooking the north, with a deep grin. He turns around when Taber comes in. Taber stares in fear but doesn’t show it, but Zane can sense it. He goes to tell Zane about the attack but Zane puts his paw up. Taber goes silent and in a minute a bloody beat up wolf gets dragged into the over watchtower. The bloody wolf looks up in fear at the giant red and black wolf, looking into Zane’s pitch red eyes. Zane gets close to the wolf and asks him what he knows about Riley White.

The wolf stutters and says he is a nobody, he just keeps to himself and hums and stuff. Zane cracks the wolf in the face; the wolf looks off without the ability to see. Zane then rips out the wolf's neck and tells the soldiers to drag his corpse to the center of town. They comply and Zane looks at Taber. Taber looks at the ground and Zane hits him hard. Taber goes down and Zane smiles. He says he knows Riley got away, his sister beat him, and is believed to have the other relic. He circles Taber and laughs saying how funny this is. He says a wolf that everyone told him was not a threat at ALL is able to best all his troops and succeed in getting these relics. Zane yells in his face and says I DON’T FIND IT VERY FUNNY ANYMORE. He bites onto Taber's ear and rips it off. Taber goes to the ground screaming in pain. He spits it out and says he wants Riley dead. Taber says in a weak voice he will get it done and Zane rips off part of his tail.

Taber screams in more pain before passing out. Zane tells the Semita to get him aid and have him fixed before the week is over. They ask what they want him to do about Riley and smiles, saying he wants to see how fall these dominos fall with these “new factors.” Zane walks out of his tower and proceeds to its lower levels, the old temple. There is a glowing artifact on a perch in a room to the side. Zane walks in and looks at his reflection in the blue northern relic and bares his bloodsoaked teeth and grins.

Chapter 20

Temperantia (Temperance)

Riley wakes up in total chaos. There are buildings on fire and collapsing. Wolves are running and fighting everywhere, Riley see’s alpha and goes up to him. Alpha sighs and says this was one of the saddest days of his life. This was the first day the civil war broke out, the brothers' armies clashing in the capital of epsilon. Alpha shakes it off and turns to Riley and says that the alpha of the west, Enkrateia, was always caring for the wolves that could not fight. He holds the way of temperance and is always caring for the defenseless. A building collapses next to them and onto wolves. Riley screams out of shock but then remembers he can't be harmed in visions. He looks in the shattered window to see his reflection, his scar burning white. The scene changes to Enkrateia and the small amount of troops he had. They are camping out in the castle wall, trying to stay away from the fighting. One of the troops come up to Enkrateia and tell him this is a bloodbath and they need to fall back. Enkrateia tells him he isn’t leaving until all the troops are evacuated. He looks up to see a fireball hit the hospital.

He instantly charges towards the hospital. His troops all look worried but before Enkrateia leaves he tells his troops to head west to untouched territory, he will meet them there. The scene changes to inside the hospital. Enkrateia uses his magic to lift the debris. He gets inside and sees there are wounded wolves everywhere. He sighs and begins to do a chant. Power lifts around him and all the wolves look at him. He finishes the chant and a blast erupts from him and hits all the wounded wolves. Enkrateia collapses but the other wolves get up, unharmed. The wounded wolves are all saved from his magic and he tells them to run, get to the west. They all start evacuating the hospital when Enkrateia gets up and limps out. Once he gets outside, he collapses to the ground. He looks over to see wolves running away from something. One of the wolves yell “the dam has broken in the inner city!” and suddenly water comes flooding into the city. Enkrateia tries to run away but gets swept away by the water.

The scene changes to the lake. There are wolves bodies floating everywhere but Enkrateia rises from the water coughing. He swims to shore and begins walking west. Once he reaches the west he sees his soldiers and the wolves from the hospital. One wolf runs up and hugs him and thanks him, crying. She thanks him and says her son made it out of that hospital alive because of him. He smiles and says, “help the weak and one day they will become strong”

The scene changes back to the hospital. Enkrateia stands in the center casting his magic. Alpha tells Riley that the chant he used revived the wolves and they were able to escape. Riley asks how he was able to do that and Alpha tells him that all the Relics each had magic in them and that they each could do something special if used by the wolf that holds it. Alpha tells him by saving the wolves in the hospital, Enkrateia showed the true way of temperance. The scene changes to alphas harmony. Permansio is still colored and Riley can hear all his singing but Riley focuses on Enkrateia. Suddenly he becomes colored and he hears his singing, Riley smiles, halfway done.

Chapter 21

rebus societatem (alliance under circumstance)

Riley wakes up in the cave next to Erika. She is fast asleep although the cave was lit up with ancient writing. Riley gets up and looks over to the relic case, he goes over to it. He takes off the relic and places it back in the casing, placing the glass back over the relic. The glowing on the writing dies down and the cave is almost completely dark, besides a small torch. He sighs and looks at Erika. She was sleeping peacefully, well at least compared to the east… and for what she just went through. He goes over and sits with her, she still lays fast asleep. He looks at her, seeing her frowning in her sleep. He hopes one day she would smile instead. He sees her still asleep, sighs and says “I really don't know how you feel, losing your brother to.. Well.. I would say evil but i'm going to say Zane...but... basically evil.” She blinks awake to see him sitting with her, he looks down and she closes her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

He says “I want to tell you how to work through this, but I don't even know anything about family.” he sighs and says “My mom left when I was born, I was “too much for her to deal with.” Eventually my dad started blaming me, and he disappeared without a trace when I was a pup.” He stops and looks down, Erika still pretends to be asleep.

“I raised myself, going to wolf gatherings alone. I would be cared for by some of the wolves around town but besides that… nobody.” His voice cracks and he finishes with “I know… I know you had a family… I know you lost it… And I just wish I knew how to help you feel better...give you a family ” he says. She opens her eyes and he jolts up shocked. He laughs and forces a fake smile, says she scared him but looks down soon after. She tells him it's time to leave and they need to get going before the Semita find them. He agrees and they get to the edge of the cave and dive in the water

They get out of the freezing water shivering and freezing. The snow fell on their heads and almost froze the river over again. Erika helps Riley out of the water and they sit drying off, or at least waiting for the water on their fur to completely freeze. Erika sits next to Riley looking off at the lake. She breaks the silence and says “I'm sorry about your mother, and your father.” He looks down with a frown on his face and stays silent. She puts her paw on his and he looks at her. She says “Family isn't blood, it is loyalty. I just keep telling myself that my friends are alive but..I know you are, and to me that is what matters most right now.” She looks at him and says “You make me feel better every day, just remember that.” He smiles and looks down.

She suddenly kicks snow in his face and says they have to go. He gets puzzled but she shoves him in the snow. She yells at him that if she can catch him she will kill a bear for him. He says “your on” and takes off after her. She jumps across trees and off rocks and edges, he could barely keep up with her. She jumps off a tree and over a creek. He goes to jump off the same tree and falls into the river. She laughs and looks down at him. She says “You have to try harder than that.” Riley then jumps up and tries to get up but falls back down the hill. They laugh and Erika takes off. He gets up and continues the chase until she gets real ahead. They are so focused on running they fail to see the south patrol. They stop and try to run away but the south soldiers jump on them and pin them to the ground.

One says they caught some new chew toys for the arena. Riley asks what the arena is and the south soldier yells for him to shut up. They bring them to a tunnel and they go through it into what appeared to be the south clan. They are led through the south, which is full of life, and not like any other clan they have ever been in. There is singing in the streets and yelling in the wooden homes. Bridges span across the top of wooden towers built into trees. Wolves are fighting, rough housing in the streets, and drinking libra, all celebrating for no reason.

They are led into a giant arena yet were stopped by a massive door. Erika stares straight while Riley looks around anxiously. There were scary looking wolves everywhere. Riley avoided eye contact with them, yet he knew he was probably fighting wolves like them very soon.

“What do we do!” Riley says shaky. Erika looks at him for a minute before a scary looking wolf comes staggering over. “I am a bit drunk so let's just make this quick. You are not south wolves so I have to explain this. This is the are-” The wolf goes to say.

“This is the arena, where the only “peace” is the pieces ripped off of you. This marvelous show will show the might of the south, as they defeat the outside force. Get ready for your deaths, and time to bleed in the arena.” Erika says, interrupting him coldy. Both the wolf and Riley stared at her for a minute.

“Yea, actually... that's exactly what I was going to say, how did you know th....nevermind!” he says, as the crowd goes silent. The doors on both sides open. Riley and Erika are shoved out but stopped at the exit. They could see the massive stands with thousands of wolves in them. Riley looked up at a tower in the stands to see a bright red light. He focuses his vision to see it was a relic! He tapped Erikas' side a few times.

“Erika, Erika look! It's the relic!” Riley says loudly, he could barely talk over the crowd cheering.

“That's a whole other problem for later, let's focus on this shit right now!” She replies. Once they reach the exit into the arena the whole crowd goes silent. Erika could see an army of wolves on the other end, ready to fight. The wolf with the relic raises her paw and the crowd goes silent.

“We are gifted today with another chance to show the south's pride!” She says. “Two north wolves think they can fight our champions, but we must prove to them that this is a losing fight! Champions, howl for the south!”

The wolves on the other end howl loudly, Erika assumed there were a lot of them. The alpha looks at Riley and Erika.

“Are you ready to die, north trash?” she yells, facing the corner they were in. Erika growls and hits the ground hard.

“Game on!” Erika yells while growling. She knew about the south ring tradition, it's how she knew what the announcer would say. They fight until the crowd is fully cheering for the opposing wolves, which has never happened. It was all a show, who could impress the crowd the most. Suddenly the doors open and Erika moves in front of Riley.

They want a show, she will give them one.

Erika suddenly walks forward into the ring with a slow strut. She looks at the crowd and flips her hair slowly. The crowd stares for a minute as she slowly walks into the ring. She walks across the field already getting some cheers. Riley awkwardly followed her at a pace. She gets to the center of the arena and brushes a strain of hair with her paw. She raises her paw and howls. Riley does the same out of confusion, he didn't know the “rules.”

The wolves charge at them and they collide in the center of the ring. Riley gets up and runs away and two of the wolves follow him. Erika jumps up right in time as a wolf slides to bite her. She vaults over that wolf and kicks one right in the face; the wolf falls to the ground unconscious. Riley keeps running when he trips and the two wolves that were chasing him jump on him. One bites him in the neck and the other one bites his leg. He screams in pain and suddenly Erika rips the two wolves off of him but they get up fast. The door to the ring opens and more wolves come flooding in. Erika tells Riley to do the chant and that she has an idea. He does the chant and the sky lights up, all the wolves in the stands and even the alpha stare in amazement. Riley begins to heal but south wolves completely fill the ring.

Erika slides under one and kicks him in the stomach. Another one tries to bite her but she dodges and head butts that wolf in the face. Riley gets up and runs over to her. She checks a wolf to the ground but one tackles her and goes to bite her face. Riley suddenly wrestles him to the ground and hits him with his front leg. Erika nods at him before rolling out of the way and avoiding another wolf. Almost the whole crowd was cheering for them, they were chanting “dark angel! Dark angel! Dark angel!”

Erika assumed that was her.

“We almost have the whole crowd, keep going!” Erika yells. A wolf bites her neck and runs at the wall. He hits her body and slams her into the wall. She hits his neck and he goes down choking. Erika gets up and runs at the center where Riley was. He was on the ground in a hold but was quickly freed by Erika. She throws that wolf off him and sidekicks the other one. Suddenly a loud roar can be heard from a tunnel in the arena.

“Oh shit.” Riley says. Suddenly a bear comes slamming into the arena. It growls and roars, standing on its two hind legs. It charges at Riley and Erika but she pushes him out of the way. When it reaches them she vaults on its back and bites down. The bear throws her off but she quickly recovers. Riley slowly gets up only to see the bear charging at him. Riley yells and cowers but Erika jumps and bites its neck.

The massive beast tries to throw erika off, its neck pouring blood. It then slams on its back and leaves Erika stunned for a second. Riley jumps on the bears back but it throws him off. It roars in front of Riley, standing on its rear hind legs and ready to kill him. The crowd was going wild, no wolf has ever made it to the bear stage. Suddenly Erika slides under it and rips a chunk from its leg. It falls in pain and Erika sidekicks its nose. The bear roars and goes to claw her but she ducks and rips out a chunk of its arm. The bear goes down in pain and she gets on its back. She rips at its neck for a few seconds before it goes down for good.

Erika gets off the bear and looks around at the silent crowd. Riley was still shaking, he was barely standing. Erika glared at the crowd for a minute, before jolting her paw in the air and screaming so loud her voice cracked. The wolves in the stands go ballistic in celebration. She smiles at Riley, who was glad that was over. Suddenly three south wolves approach them.

“Hello newcomers. The alpha wishes to see you. Follow us.” The wolf says. He doesn't look too happy about it however.

They get to the tower to see the alpha standing watching the arena. Once they enter she turns around and looks them over. Riley looks at the relic around her neck, they need it. She tells the south wolves to leave and they comply. She stares at Erika for a minute, who just looked back at her.

“You are a looker! Fight well too, that's a combo that will win an arena fight anyday.” The alpha says with a smile.

She says she heard they were the wolves that freed her troops from the Semita. Riley says they have been fighting the Semita and that the Relic around her neck is the key to stopping Zane. She looks out across the south and sighs, she says they have been at war with the Semita for years now. At first, they stayed in the mountains, but once Zane took over they started assaulting the south. She tells them she has lost almost the whole clan and they are making their final stand against the semita at the capital.

Erika tells her that the relic is the key to stopping Zane and if she can give them it they can stop the semita. The alpha thinks for a second and tells them the relic around her neck has been passed down by the south alphas sense Makrothumia and she cant give it away. Erika thinks for a second and tells her she may have a compromise. She says if they can get the south back from the Semita then she will give them the relic. The alpha shakes her head and says that she has been trying to get her clan back since the first town was taken over, but it's not going to happen. Erika tells her now is the best chance because their grip on the south is weakened because Zane is in the north. The alpha thinks for a second before nodding and saying that if they can help her take back her land, they can have the relic, but working with two north wolves is not going to make her troops happy. She extends her paw to Erika and introduces herself as Adriana, alpha of the south. Erika and Riley introduce themselves and two south wolves come up and Adriana tells them that these wolves will take them to their quarters.

Chapter 22

Et infirma nomine tuo paveant (The weak shall tremble)

They leave the tower and are taken to a large house. Once they get in, they see the building is not like any other building they have seen. There is a large balcony and in the middle of the room there is a pool with a fountain. Erika goes and jumps in the pool while Riley continues to explore. Riley goes up the stairs and looks all around to see drawings of wolves in battle; each wolf has a relic on their neck, the drawing looks like the four brothers. There is ancient writing all over the place and Riley tries to focus on it and when he does the writing circles around him.

The weak shall tremble and the heir shall rise

All wolves will meet an ending demise

The descendent of evil and descendant of light

Will wage war on each other and in the final fight

One shall stand and one shall fall

But only if the past is found in recall

All will be lost but time will due tell

The hero who saved them

pulled from hell

The triumph of evil is it going to last

The solution is found in memories of past

Riley stares at the wall as the writing dissolved around him. He hears Erika yell from downstairs and he goes to see her. He sees her standing next to the pool smiling. She says “try this pool, it is awesome.” Riley shrugs and says he doesn't like cold water. She looks disappointed and says okay, but when he turns to walk back upstairs she yells and falls down next to the pool. Riley runs up to her panicked, he says “are you okay, what happened?!” She smiles and says “I wasn't buying your coldwater excuse” he looks at her puzzled when she kicks him into the pool.

He splashes around before gasping and shivering from the cold. He looks at Erika who is standing above the pool smiling. She says “you went in a frozen lake and came out okay, I think you can pawle a pool.” She then jumps in next to him and splashes him. He tries to swim away but she grabs him and wrestles him in the water. She splashes him laughing while he tries to stay above the water. She dunks him underwater one more time before he yells for her to stop, almost completely out of breath. They swim over to the side and Erika starts panicking. She starts saying sorry repeatedly. She says “Riley are you okay? I am really sorry I just really like water and I was having fun I didn't mean to almost drown you I jus..” before she can finish her sentence Riley says “time in!” And starts splashing her. She laughs and splashes back.

They continue playing in the water for some time, thinking of different games to play in the water. They played a game where they would wrestle each other in the water until the other tapped out. Riley was always the one under water and tapping out. Erika would pull him up and ruffle his scruffy blue hair. Her hair completely covered her eyes, but she would shake it out and get water everywhere.

After a while they figure out how to swim on their backs and relax.

They spend hours floating next to each other laughing and joking around. They sit floating for a while before Riley says “I found some sort of writing on the wall upstairs, it sounded like a prophecy.” He says. Erika asks him what he means and he says it told of a final battle, a fight between the descendants of dark and light. The battle is what will result in the fate of epsilon. She says “Do you think it is talking about you?” Riley says “I have no idea I never met my parents, but I highly doubt it, I would be much tougher.” Erika laughs and says “Cant be me or my asshole brother, the only thing the Brookes family has ever done is hunter work, no prophecy talk on our side.” Riley says “I hope it's not like some “prophecy child” or something we have to team up with, I like our current roster.” They laugh and float in silence for a bit. Erika turns her head and stares at Riley before looking back up.

She says “Hey, This would really be literal hell without you, I hope you know that. You make me realize there is still hope in this messed up world.”

Riley laughs and says “Glad I can help someway.”

Erika swims over and gets out of the pool. She goes over to her bed and shakes herself dry before laying down. Riley gets out and shakes dry before she goes “Oh yea, almost forgot!” she runs over to the corner where Riley's bed was and drags it across the room over to her side. She lies down and says “So now you don't have to sleep on the floor.” He laughs and lays down next to her. She closes her eyes and rests her head on him. Riley pauses before saying “How do you feel about...Taber...and everything that has happened.” She opens her eyes and thinks before saying “Its hard, but i'm trying to just do what you said, take it day by day… I just have a lot on my mind.” He looks down at her and says “what else is on your mind.” She looks off and says “I think about what happened to Owen, how Owen will react if he finds out about Taber, or if he already knows. I think about the north, if I will ever see my old friends again, or have to face them in battle.” She gets up and walks upstairs.

Before she gets all the way up Erika says “I think about you, a lot...” Riley looks at her but she looks away and heads up the stairs to do what Riley assumed was analyze the writing.

He goes over to the window to see wolves partying in the streets. He yells up to Erika if she thinks it is safe for him to explore. She yells down yes, but to be careful. He smiles and runs out the door, Erika looks down to see the door close.

Though it is nighttime the wolves of the south don’t seem to rest as the streets are still filled with singing and fighting. He hears roaring coming from the arena and goes to see what all the commotion is about. When he goes into the stands he goes to turn around but gets knocked to the ground. A wolf grabs him by the neck and throws him into the arena. This time it is different, there is a ring of fire surrounding him. Suddenly Adriana comes out into the center of the arena, all the wolves go quiet. She tells him how he failed to prove himself in the ring the way Erika did and that for doing so poorly he has two options, he can fight her to redeem his honor, or he can drink from fatam seculo. He tries to tell her about the prophecy but she hits him and tells him to make his choice.

Riley growls and says the glass. Two wolves bring out a pitcher filled with a glowing liquid. Adriana tells him to drink and he complies. The liquid tastes terrible and Riley gags on it but suddenly everything begins to melt. He looks up to see Adriana no longer there and instead he sees a pitch red wolf he never saw before fighting in the ring. The wolf defeats his opponents and the scene changes to a house; the wolf he saw in the ring is beating up his wife. A small wolf comes out from behind a corner. The pup was red and black. He looks at Riley and says “help.” Riley goes and rips the wolf off of the girl and when he goes to bite the other wolf he jumps back in horror, the other wolf turns into him, but with red glowing eyes.

The scene changes to a battle in ancient epsilon. Wolves are coming up to Riley, and begging for guidance and Riley says with fear in his voice that he doesn’t know how to help. Those words echo and Riley's head begins to burn. He screams and the scene changes to a lake. There is a large black wolf by the lake and when the wolf turns around he smiles. A small black wolf with short hair comes running from behind him and hugs the big wolf, and when she talks Riley realizes it is Erika. Riley suddenly appears in the north, he looks in a puddle to see himself as a young pup. He turns around and Piper knocks him into the puddle. The wolves laugh and all start chanting “scarface! Scarface!.” Riley screams and runs but the ground starts falling apart he falls through a crack and plummets into darkness.

He wakes up screaming in the arena and Adriana shakes her head. She goes to walk away when Riley asks what that was. She doesn’t answer; she just turns and says, “You failed.” The crowd boos Riley and he runs out of the stadium, shaking with tears in his eyes. He runs until he gets to the house and bursts in. He runs into the house in panic but trips and falls into the pool. Erika jumps up and runs over to the door to see no attackers. She helps him out of the pool before asking what happened. He looks at her, his eyes showing pure fear.

Riley says shivering “I don't….Know…..I want….I..Failed.” He starts trembling and Erika brings him over to the bed and lays him down so his head rests on her. She held him and told him “We didn't fail, we won't fail, like you always say, just hang in there Riley, just trust me.” His trembles stop and he calms down more, but is still panting. He says “I need to get better...I need to get better if we stand any chance.” Erika looks at him, knowing he is certain of this false reality that he is weak, and she cant change that with her words. She doesn't say anything, but holds his head close and waits for him to calm down. He keeps repeating “I need to be better” before going to sleep. She lays her head down after making sure he was asleep and closes her eyes to rest.

Chapter 23

subterraneis elicantes Unguibus in domum suam (Taking home)

Riley wakes up in the house but everything looks misty. He looks around and sees Erika isn’t there. He tries to go outside but the door won't open. Alpha comes out and tells him to relax and that he is sleeping, they are just in a dream state. Riley notes that this is the first time Alpha has ever told him exactly what is going on and Alpha chuckles and tells Riley has had a rough day already, and more confusion would do no good. Riley asks alpha what that vision meant, what the prophecy means and Alpha tells him that he needs to figure that out himself, and it should be regarded as a warning, not a plan or fate. Riley sighs and says that he is a failure in the south's eyes and Alpha tells him that he can change that. Riley shakes his head and tells him he refuses to drink from that crazy glass again and alpha tells him that he needs to find a smarter way to gain their respect. Riley agrees with him and tells him he will give it a shot but it seems pointless. The state seems to be fading and the last thing alpha says is “you are a true warrior Riley, you just need to find it within you.”

Riley wakes up and looks around the dimly lit house. He picks his head up off of Erika and she rolls over. He gets up and goes over to the pool, splashing water in his face. Erika opens her eyes to see Riley panicked and hyperventilating, relentlessly splashing his face.

She goes up to him and says “you okay?” He turns to face her and says “this glass, some drink I guess… showed me all these visions, these… flashes of events..I…” he looks at Erika and can't finish his sentence. She runs her paw through his hair and holds his head, Riley looks up and meets her eyes. He goes to move but she keeps his head in place. She looks him dead in the eye before saying “I don't care what some wall says, or even an alpha, I know who you are, and you shouldn't run from it, you will be the one to save us, we only have to keep going.”

Two wolves suddenly come in and tell Erika to follow them, but without Riley. She goes to argue but Riley sadly tells her to go with them and it could be important. She hesitates, but agrees and goes with them, leaving Riley alone with his insecurity. She goes to the south's base of operations. She looks at the camp as she passes through it and she is amazed. This hunter camp was three times the size of the North’s and the fighters seem much more efficient. She goes up to Adriana who is looking at a map of the South’s capital. She smiles when she sees Erika and tells her she needs to make good on her word today.

She goes to say that can't be done in one day but Adriana says she wants her city back, and that then they can grow stronger to cancel out the Semitas whole operation. She tells Erika that this part of city they are in used to be the capital of epsilon before the Great War. She tells her that during the civil war Makrothumia took the city and created the glory of the south. She tells Erika the Semita have captured the back end of the city, trying to push them out of the city and into the mountains, for something they call “Trials of the damned.” Rather than kill them upfront they make them walk into the mountains and freeze to death.

Adriana says they have been trying to capture the gates for a long time but keep failing. She looks down, this is the first time Erika saw a glimpse of emotion in Adrianas face. She says “Look, this is important to me, this is my home, these are my people, and I need to protect them.”

Erika nods and says she will honor her deal. Adriana looks back up and moves on quickly, she says the attacks on the gate won't stop until they cut out their flank routes from inside the city. She tells Erika she wishes for her to lead the assault. Erika agrees to but says she is going to do it her way, the way that works. Adriana barks at her that the south way is the best way. Erika responds with the fact that her and Riley are the only ones who have been fighting the Semita and winning. Adriana grunts and says that is true and she can have it her way, only going to prove her method insufficient. She says the other part of the agreement is Riley gets accepted and can come but Adriana yells to her that her men will not work alongside him for they deem him weak. She tells Erika that Riley cannot come until he is deemed a good fighter. Erika tries to vouch for him but she is ignored.

Erika returns to the house to see Riley training. She asks him what he is doing and he says he needs to get better. She tells him that he doesn’t need to be good in the eyes of them, and Riley says he needs to do it for himself. Erika’s concern makes Riley ask her why she thinks he can't take care of himself. She tells him that it is not that but a wolf barges in and tells Erika they need to move out. Riley asks where she is going and she tells him about the plan to retake the city. He wants to know why he cannot come but he is left without answers because the wolf makes Erika leave immediately, leaving Riley alone in the house with his insecurities for a second time.

Chapter 24

ira irritata (Repressed rage)

Erika leads the attack on the backside of the city. She has the main army hold back and takes a few squads to take out the wolves guarding the ropes to the gate. She observes their movement patterns and the south wolves do the same. She gestures to the wall and the other south wolves, she says they can't just charge the walls and they can't get into the back without snapping the ropes. She tells them to hold back until she gives a signal and she runs through the trees to the wall. She jumps off a tree and onto chipped parts of the walls edges. She climbs to the top and begins to take out the wolves guarding the wall quietly. She gets to the ropes and bites down, causing them to snap. Semita troops start to run at her and corner her. She jumps onto the gate that begins to slide on the angle and rolls off of it to safety. The Semita surround her when suddenly Erika howls and south wolves begin to run in. they rush the gate with all their forces, overwhelming the Semita.

The Semita are caught completely by surprise and divert all troops to defend the front entrances. They begin to push the south back, trying to take back the walls. Right then, Erika howls again and suddenly the Semita are flanked on all sides. The south troops begin to use the tunnels on the walls to get them from the sides and progress further into the city. The Semita mass all there forces to push back the south. They begin to succeed when the south wolves cut them off from the back. The semita soldiers are boxed in and trapped in the front between the two masses of soldiers, their numbers are quickly falling, the South begins to overpower them. Erika walks into battle and grabs one of the Semita.

She throws him to the ground and bites him. She looks up and jumps off of one's back and kicks one to the ground. She continues to kill semita, seeing her brother in every one of them. She gets angrier and angrier, thinking about everything. She gets hit by a bigger semita soldier and goes down. She thinks of the grin on her brother's face when he killed Bo. She gets up and jukes the Semita wolf. He trips and she kicks his paw out. Erika jumps on him and rips out his neck. Two begin to charge at her. She thinks about Zane and when she was defeated. She rushes at the two and slides under one causing him to fall. The other turns and goes to bite her but she grabs him and headbuts him. He goes down and the other gets up but she quickly rolls over him and rips his neck out. The other one goes to run but she bites his hind leg and breaks it. She goes over him, soaked in blood with a manic look in her eye. He cowers under her, bleeding from his hind leg and she stares at the incapacitated Semita soldier. She then thinks about Riley and how he believes in peace, redemption. She looks at him for a second before getting off and walking away. He limps away and goes to run to hide. Erika yells and they begin to raid the rest of the city. They take down any semita they find and eventually the Semita yell for a full retreat. The south forces them out of the city and they have no choice but to run into the freezing mountains, the fate they themselves sent so many to.

The ones that resisted died and eventually the whole part of the city was captured. Erika goes to the center and they all chant her name. The south alpha comes accompanied by guards and she tells Erika she is very impressed. Erika tells her she needs to clean up, covered in blood, and she will be returning to the house. Adriana claims she will miss the best celebration the south has had in years.

Erika runs to the house. When she gets in Riley asks her if she is okay, she had a look of pure rage on her face. She turned and said she lost control on the semita. She tells Riley she saw her brother in all of them. Riley asks if she needs to talk and she shakes her head. She goes and sits next to the pool. Riley goes up and sits next to her. They watch the water, both in deep thought about different things. After some silence she begins to wash all the blood off.

Riley tells her he has made a decision to fight Adriana. Erika jumps up and tells him he cant and that is suicide and he tells her it won't be to the death and she needs to have faith in him. Still obviously shaken, she tells him she will back him up if he needs it. Before leaving the house, Riley tells her he can pawle it.

Riley walks through the south with anger in his eyes. He hasn't felt like this in a long time about anything but Zane, angry. He thinks to himself he needs to prove himself not just to the south, but also to Erika. Erika runs up and tries to get in front of him. Riley asks what she is doing and she says “stopping you from killing yourself.” She holds back the fear that is bottled up inside her; she doesn’t want to lose Riley. He disregards her concerns, tells her he is going to fight Adriana and that he needs to do this not only to prove himself to the south, but for personal contentment. Erika sighs and tells him if he is losing she is jumping in and stopping it, period. Riley mutters okay and he continues to walk towards the ring, Leaving Erika staring at him, trying to understand why he is acting like this now.

Riley storms into the tower above the arena, the south wolves go to attack but Adriana calls them back. She comes up to him and asks him why he brought his pathetic presence into her tower. Riley tells her he wants to fight her. She laughs along with every guard in the tower. Riley stands starring Adriana dead in the eyes. The laughing dies down and Adriana says “holy shit you're serious.” He keeps glaring at her. She says, trying not to laugh, if he wants to die, she won't stop him. Riley says if he wins he gets to drink from the glass again, and help with the assaults. She laughs harder and agrees, telling him to go get prepared for his “execution.” He goes to walk out when she asks why he wants to drink from it again, and if he doesn't die fighting her, which he will, he would have passed. He stops and says “I need answers to questions outside this petty nonsense.” He walked out leaving Adriana furious.

The word of the fight spread through the south like wildfire, and soon the arena stands were packed full of every wolf in the south. Erika tries to get to the front but the south wolves block her. She tries to push them but they growl, realizing there are way too many of them, Erika sits and stares into the arena, petrified. Adriana walks out and the crowd cheers. When Riley walks out of the other end everyone starts booing. Riley walks up to the middle with hate in his eyes. Erika tries again to get to the front but with no results. Adriana tells the stands they are about to witness a beautiful display of the South’s might. Riley growls and says she sounds like Zane. The cheering stopped, everyone silent. She growls, “What did you say.” He growls and says ”I'm not surprised you hate me so much, those like him always do.”

Adriana jumps at Riley and kicks him in the mouth. He tries to dodge her second hit but she throws him to the ground. She goes to kick but he rolls out of the way. Riley jumps up and checks her to the ground. She laughs and gets back up, Riley was already panting and dripping blood from his mouth. Adriana jumps at him and bites his neck. Riley screams before hitting her with his front paws. He grabs her and brings her to the ground. He begins to headbutt her over and over again. She kicks him off and now they both stand panting and bloody. She tells him to give up and he yells I AM NOT GIVING UP. She begins to strike Riley repeatedly, hitting him in the face all over. She bites him and throws him to the ground. Erika fights to get to the front again but this time she shoves all the south wolves aside, she isn't letting Riley die. Riley starts to collapse after a kick to the jaw. He goes down and Adriana stands above him. Suddenly Erika bolts into the ring and runs at Adriana. Riley does his chant while Adriana is distracted and the light beams out of his body and the northern lights light up the sky.

Riley runs at Adriana and checks her as hard as he can. She goes flying to the ground and coughs up blood. Erika just stands there watching Riley fight, he is so angry, she can tell. He kicks Adriana over and over again. She struggles to fight and gets few hits in before Riley Kicks her between the eyes. She goes down, the stands are silent. She tries to get up but falls over. Riley comes up to her and looks down at her. She coughs up more blood and tries to get up, failing. Riley tells her he IS going to drink from that glass, he IS going to retake the city for the south, and he IS going to stop Zane! Riley howls leading all the other wolves to howl and cheer. Erika stands in the arena looking at Riley, a mixture of pride, anxiety, and worry. With the help of the soldiers who now flooded the ring, Adriana gets up. She walks over to Riley and tells him to follow her and he nods and follows. Erika tries to follow but the south soldiers block her, saying this is Rileys path. She runs back to the house to clear her head. She gets into the house and jumps in the pool. She splashes water on her face and tries to get her hair out of her eyes. She looks in her reflection before getting angry and hitting the water. She screams at the top of her lungs, not knowing what else to do.

Riley follows Adriana to a room below the arena. The room is full of carvings and torches. There is a glass in the middle of the room, she gestures to it, and tells Riley to drink it. Without another word Riley drinks the entire thing, and collapses.

Chapter 25

Nullius roboris iudiciis (Misguided trials of strength)

Once Riley drinks from the Glass he sees Zane in the ring from the last vision instead of the other wolf. He tears apart the wolves he was fighting but then turns to riley. Voices are whispering to defeat Zane and Riley does, quicker than expected. The scene changes to the house where the wife was beaten. He sees the mother running around trying to find a place to hide. Howling is echoing through the state and suddenly the door bursts open and shadows pour in. Zane, younger looking, walks in. His eyes dont glow, they just stare with dead hollow red retinas. The mother trips and begs Zane to let her live. He looks at the ground, debating, the first time Riley saw Zane have a slight ounce of mercy. He looks up and growls before jumping on his mother. He rips her neck out and the room goes silent.

An old wolf walks in and says his final trial has been complete. Zane grins and walks away from his dead mother, His eyes beginning to glow as he walks away. The scene changes to the north on fire. He runs around looking in horror until he runs up to see Erika’s body in the middle of a ring. He cries beside her until her body turns into Zane’s. He jumps back and the stands fill with wolves cheering. The body turns to Zane when he was a teenager, yet he lay still on the ground. The chanting gets louder and Riley wakes up. Adriana looks down at him with a smile. She says she was wrong about him, and he can now assist the south in retaking the city. He leaves the arena knowing he passed the test, a test he still has many questions about.

Riley returns to the house that him and Erika are staying at. He walks in, panting and bloody and passes out on the floor. Erika comes over in shock but calms down. He opens his eyes and smiles, saying in a weak voice “I did it.” Erika smiles for a second, saying “yes you did.” He closes his eyes and falls asleep, covered in blood. Erika runs through the south. She goes to Adriana's tower and bursts in to see them gathered around a map. They are charting and planning before Erika loudly coughs. Adriana turns around and smiles, telling her she is happy she is here. She asks Erika to bring Riley to her but Erika says he is resting and she will not wake him up, he deserves to sleep. Adriana laughs and the other wolves snicker. Erika snaps at her, saying that Riley is trying to save all of them and they treat him like shit!

Erika yells that now Riley feels like he has to prove himself. Adriana grins and asks Erika why she thinks that is a bad thing. Erika goes to answer but Adriana interrupts her. She circles Erika, saying Riley is the key to this, she saw that once he beat her, and they need to use their “secret weapon” to win back the rest of the south. Two guards bust in and Riley stumbles into the room. Erika looks at him with fear in her eyes. She can tell he is tired and worn out, he still had his cuts and had blood on him. Adriana then tells them they are leading the assault against the Semita camps in the mountains. Adriana continues by saying they need to cut the reinforcements before they can take back the rest of the city. She tells them Riley will lead the assault. Erika yells at her saying he is tired from that test but Riley says he can pawle it. Erika looks down, worrying about Riley more and more. Adriana smiles and tells him the attack begins the next day, and to get rest.

Riley and Erika walk back to the house in silence. Riley goes to walk away but Erika follows. She tells him to stop and he looks back. Erika asks him if everything is okay, she tells him she is worried about him. Riley sighs, and says he just wants to be like her. She is shocked, she tells him she doesn't want him to be like her, she wants him to be who he is. He says “Who I am is pathetic.” He starts walking away and she follows him thinking about what to say. They get in the house and he lies down, not even wiping off the blood. She says “You are not pathetic! I don't know why everyone thinks that...why I thought that!” He doesn't look up and she tries to think of something else to say. She asks if he is going to clean off the blood and he says no. She goes over to get a bucket, and fills it with water from the pool. She goes over to Riley, who was facing away laying on the floor and dumps it on him.

He jumps up and panics, when he slips in a puddle and falls. The blood starts dripping from him and the water takes most of it off. Riley says “why did you dump that on me! I was gonna clean the blood eventually but…”

Erika stops him and says “Stop!..talking. You are going to do whatever you do to prove to me and yourself that you can do this..I get that, I have been there and I know I can't stop you!” she pauses but continues “I just don't want you thinking you have to run from who you are! You are nice, And really sweet. You are fun to be around... You actually want to help..the same way you say I want to help..” He smiles but tries to hide it

She a little laughs and says “You are afraid of spiders, and the dark, you like cooked meat better than caught, you love reading, when your confused you do that cute thing you do where you drop one ear and tilt your head, you can even call a show of lights that heal both of us! The music...Everything!” He says he doesn't know what her point is and she sighs but she continues. She says “I mean, even before any of this ancient creator of Epsilon spoke to you! You are unique Riley, don't spend your time trying to be something you aren't, be you.”

She lays down next to him and closes her eyes. He says while she was still barely awake “Thank you, I still have to do this, but I know I can, but that meant a lot to me.”

He closes his eyes and falls asleep and Erika just stares at him for a while. She fights back the sadness before falling asleep herself.

Chapter 26

seniorem (The elder)

Riley and Erika began to lead the south into the mountains. The mountains are uncharted territory, all the wolves seem uneasy, scared of the possibility there could be an avalanche at any moment. Erika follows Riley noticing he is shivering and shaking. She goes to say something but decides against it, she wants him to stay focused. Riley was instructed to lead the assault with Erika, but Erika had her own mission. She told herself that she is to protect Riley at all costs, his reckless behavior was scaring her. They reach the camp to see it as nothing like any other clan. There were spiked balls all around with wolves impaled. The south soldiers get uneasy. Riley stops them and tells them he is going to go through the front with the majority of the south troops. He says Erika is going to lead the rest of the troops from behind. He says the objective is to destroy the camp, causing the Semita to flee.

Erika goes to say something but Riley howls and the assault begins. The south wolves charge in through the front. A bell goes off and the Semita soldiers come running and meet the south wolves at the front. The battle picks up momentum when Erika’s part comes into play. She notices wolves imprisoned and orders her soldiers to free all the captives. She sees Riley in the distance fighting two Semita. She tries to shake it off but keeps looking at him. Before she could move, a Semita soldier hits her in the face and she falls. She jumps up and rips his neck out before howling loud. The rest of her forces rush from the back once again trapping the semita. She goes with the plan and leaves an opening that leads further into the mountains. Riley kicks one in the face and bites another, fighting with everything he has. The semita began to fall for the plan, retreating further into the mountains. They look around the camp after the last of the Semita runs towards the depths of the mountains. The south soldiers cheer but Erika just stares at Riley who looks so angry. He suddenly picks up a torch and throws it into a building, setting fire to it.

The soldiers begin to do the same, the camp burning. They go to evacuate but they hear coughing from one of the buildings. Erika doesn’t think anything of it but suddenly Riley sprints into the burning building. She tries to grab him but he runs past her. She starts to panic, telling the south soldiers to help but none listen. She is about to run in after him but suddenly he jumps out of the building with another wolf on his back. Right when he gets out the building collapses. Erika screams at him, saying that was so dangerous and he could have easily been killed. He looks at her for a minute and goes to say something but the old wolf he saved coughs and begins to talk. He says that this burning village, his burning home, represents the fall of Epsilon. Riley glares at him, he continues by saying they have destroyed this sanctuary, which they will fall to the might of Aretarian for. Riley says with anger that Aretarian is dead, there is nothing bringing him back. The old wolf laughs and says he is wrong, a descendant still lives, the leader of the dark path. Erika and Riley look at each other before looking back at the old wolf. They ask his name and after coughing he says his name is Sabien, the elder of the dark path. Riley tells the south soldiers to take him and imprison him. He says they need to learn from him, and he may be the key to understanding Zane.

The south celebrates the victories they have had when they return. They begin the planning for the last push to take back the city. Erika makes her way through the partying streets. She goes into the underground part of the arena where they are holding Sabian. She walks in to find Riley asking questions, with no results. Once Sabian sees Erika he smiles and says he is ready to tell them what they are up against. He tells them that Zane was a warrior from birth. His father fought in the ring, he wanted to become the leader of the path. He was an incompetent fighter, and took out his rage on his wife, and “pup” Zane could only cower watching his mother be beaten. Eventually his father was killed in the ring as a punishment for shaming the path. Sabian tells them he was the one who gave that order to kill him, for what came next would cause a turn of tides that only he could see.. Riley glares at him but Sabian keeps his grin. He says that Zane was spared, but only to turn him into the rightful ere. He fought in the ring from when he was a pup, through his whole life.

Sabien tells them that he trained him, showing Zane a power that gave him the advantage over all the wolves in Epsilon. The style of fighting that Zane adapted is motus in tenebris, dark movement. The only wolf capable of doing the art was Aretarian himself. Zane killed and killed, turning more and more evil he explains. He tells them Zane grew stronger with every fight, eventually losing his soul to motus in tenebris. His final task to complete his trial was to kill the soul of innocence. This can be done only by killing the wolf that represents complete purity in his eyes, he was tasked with killing his mother. He was troubled at first, but completed his task. Zanes eyes glow red to symbolize the soulless, the immortal. He killed after that, and killed, not caring who. He killed his way up until he dismembered the “leader” of the dark path. He took his place as rightful leader. He laughs and says that Zane cannot be killed, he cannot be stopped, and he will never rest until every wolf in epsilon has perished. He coughs before telling them that is all they are going to learn. Riley goes to leave when Erika asks if Zane is Aretarian, but Sabian laughs and says no, he is the descendant, something much more powerful than the old dark leader.

Riley runs out of the arena and Erika sprints behind him. She yells for him to stop but he doesn't. He runs until he reaches the house and stops, looking up at it. Erika comes up behind him and puts her paw on him. She says they can do this, she says they can beat him; they just have two more relics. Riley sighs and says he is going to speak to Adriana; they need to launch the final attack tonight. Erika tells him he needs to rest but he sighs and says no and says he can do this. Erika goes to argue before going into the house without another word.

Chapter 27

ebrietas (intoxication)

Riley runs into Adriana's tower and tells her he is ready to lead the assault, now. She looks at him and smiles, she tells him that tonight is a celebration, not a hunt. He yells that they need that relic, they need to stop Zane, and there is NO time to celebrate. She says “on the contrary” and a wolf slides over a bowl to her. She drinks from it and gets relaxed. She slides it over and tells him to drink it. He refuses and she laughs, and says it is harmless. It is a hallucinogenic plant that melted in a lake in the mountains. Hunters often use it to relax, party, and fight. He sighs and says he knows what Libra is. He looks at it funny and looks around at the other wolves. He takes a sip of it before being drawn to drink more. He has never tasted something so good in his life, this was his first time trying libra afterall. He drinks half and coughs ferociously. The tower cheers and they all drink from bowls. Riley looks out with his vision completely distorted. He goes to move but falls down. Adriana goes to laugh and falls down as well. He gets up and goes to talk before laughing hysterically. She says to go find Erika and to enjoy the night. He laughs and agrees before stumbling out of the tower. He gets up and feels uforia. He feels so good and tries to sing. He hears his voice but doesn't know what he is saying. He is caught up in thought before falling down the stairs. The whole way down he is laughing. He gets up at the bottom and looks up at the south wolves above him. They help him up and make him down some of their drinks. He wobbles through town, laughing and muttering. The drink affected wolves differently, some fighting, laughing, singing, drinking more, even crying. He falls when a wolf shoves another south wolf into him. He falls down and looks around but it was only two other wolves fighting. They rolled off Riley and continued, Riley laughing and getting up.

He gets up and looks around to see Erika walking around confused. He smiles and yells to her. She runs over and asks if he is okay and he laughs loud. He smiles and puts his paw on her back and starts messing with her hair, moving it up and down. He says he is perfect and wants to do more cool things. He starts laughing and she smiles awkwardly. She gets defensive and looks around ready to attack. She asks who poisoned him and he laughs so hard he falls down. He points to a bowl by a door, filled with the drink. She goes over and relaxes. “Libra” she says out loud, shaking her head. In rileys fits of laughter he says to drink it. She hears wolves having fun and she was happy to see Riley less stressed out, so she drinks from it.

Erika feels nothing at first, but then feels light headed. She doesn't drink a lot, not liking it that much. She starts laughing and tells Riley that Taber used to drink a barrel before every hunt. Riley asks how he could manage to drink so much and she drank so little. She laughs and says she could drink more than anyone here if she wanted to. Riley laughs and says “You drank an idi bidi bit, you can't pawle it.” she laughs and says he is probably right. She then goes over and brings back the drum they were pouring it from. She starts to down the drink, chugging the whole thing in less than thirty seconds. The south wolves cheer and Riley stands dumbstruck. She says North hunters can hold themselves to mind altering substances. Right when she says that she falls over. Riley laughs causing her to laugh more. She gets up and tells him to follow her, and to trust the feeling of the drink to get more control. He is able to get himself up, but couldn't stop laughing. They run through the town, snow falling on their heads.They run into a group of wolves singing harmony and Riley laughs and tells her to watch him. He gets into the singers group and his tune picks up. He hums to the synesthesia and the music picks up. The other wolves watch him and try to match his tune

We fight to obtain that was taken from us

The atrum Semita have heads to go bust

We fight for our freedom and lives we obtain

The savors protectors and fighters of pain

Riley gags and runs off the stand to throw up. The south wolves rolls their eyes and he stumbles back over to the stand, Erika howling with laughter. He wipes his mouth and keeps singing.

Our lands are destroyed and all lay in fire

We learn from mistakes and lessons acquired

Red eyed one so evil will show no remorse

He takes and he kills but we know that of course

We bleed for our cause because it will be gone

We howl for unity for epsilon

Riley falls off the stage and Erika helps him up as he laughs hysterically. He looks at her but can only see blurs. The south wolves on stage start singing in harmony.

Oh my! The blue guy! Is our hope! before we die?

South blood! in the north! with a scar on his eye!

The angel of shadows and Riley… I think?

Are the reasons tonight

that we!

get to drink!

The other wolves start singing and they all drink more and dance. Erika joins Riley in a stumbly dance in the center of the street. The wolves start throwing up on the side and going back to dance. Riley bumps into Erika but she only stumbles a little. Erika trips over and both her and Riley fall. They laugh at each other when Riley says “Watch this.” The wolves continue to sing, RIley and Erika lay on the ground and stare at the moon on their backs in the middle of the dancing. Riley takes Erika's paw and the synesthesia lights up around them. The notes of the south were different, had louder colors and tones. She looked around amazed, noting how cool this was with Libra. She looks into Riley's blue and dilated eyes. They stare at each other smiling, the beautiful colors soaring around them. The south wolves keep singing as they look at the lights

So we cheer for the south

and if that's something new to ya

I'll rip you in half like im makrothumia!

We kill Semita for south and pride

Although

fallen brothers

They! may have died

But fear not! we fight for causes

Covered in blood all we hear is applauses!

We drink till we puke and until we feel nauseous

Drink and we drink until we are UNCONSCIOUS!

The lights explode with colors on the final verse and the south wolves cheer for the singers. Erika laughs and says she is glad they got to see that, those lights from music are always so beautiful. A south wolf trips over Riley and accidentally kicks him in the stomach on his fall. Riley gasps having the wind knocked out of him. The wolf staggers away, apologizing. Erika laughs and helps a gasping Riley off the floor.They laugh it off and go over to two bowls on the ground. They are only half empty and two south wolves lay passed out next to them. Erika goes up to them snickering. She says “Hey, if you want to give us your drinks for free, say nothing in 5 seconds.”

Riley and Erika watch them stay motionless, except for one rolling over. She shrugs and smiles and says they “didn't say anything so it must be okay.” She grabs the bowl and slides one to Riley. They clinck bowls before chugging them. Riley coughs all over the floor and Erika just coughs twice and is okay. They see behind them a wolf fall out a window and laugh.

Erika stumbles into Riley and they fall over. She laughs and rolls over. She goes to get up but falls again. She goes to lean on Riley but he can't keep his balance either, and collapses them both. They lay on the floor laughing for a few minutes before going quiet. She looks at him and he looks at her, she smiles and simply says “hey.”

He was feeling the drinks peak, he could barely see. A wolf almost trips over Riley and Erika decides they should probably get out of the street. She gets up and pulls up Riley. They walk to the side of the street while Riley looks around for anything that could trip over him yet again. He sees nothing and leans on the wall, resting his head on it.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Riley says, slurring his words. “But you can't tell anyone, especially Erika.”

Erika laughs a bit. She knew he was waisted, she liked talking with drunk wolves, funny conversations. She asks “I won't tell her, what's the secret.” He looks around before looking at her again.

“I wish Erika was my girlfriend.” Riley says. Erika looks shocked, not expecting that, expecting something more like “I'm afraid of spiders because Piper made me eat one once.” She brushes her hair with her paw before leaning on the wall and looking at him.

“Why is that.” She says calmly with a smile, she wanted to see where this was going.

“She has beautiful eyes like emeralds, she has the nicest smile, her fur is beautiful, She is beautiful! She always protects me, she also is the nicest wolf ever! She always looks out for others, she is brave, oh! And she likes music like me! She has the prettiest voice .” Riley says with enthusiasm that made her laugh.

“And when I wake up with her, it feels like the world really isn't ending.” He adds, before looking down. She smiles and looks at him until he looks up again.

“I think “Erika” might like to be your girlfriend too, she pretty much is already if you think about it. You would probably have to ask her when you aren't drunk.” She says laughing, running her paw through her hair. He looks serious all of the sudden and Erika says “What?”

“I just wish I could give her back what she used to have.” He says quietly. Erika holds his paw and says “she has you.”

Riley opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by loud howling followed by silence. The whole atmosphere of the party changed. The colors of the music was soothing and calm, something Riley would never expect from the south.

Suddenly the wolves all howl in sync. The busting party halted, leaving Riley and Erika surprised. The south wolves all take partners and slowly dance with each other. The wolves howling did it at a quiet pitch, a calming mood in the air. Riley looks at the notes, amazed. Erika remembers hearing about this. The south did “momental dances” where wolves hold each other and dance. She looks at Riley and he is busy watching the notes.

She laughs and grabs his paw, running into the dance floor. She stops him and he tilts his head, looking around confused. “What is this?” She tells him it is supposed to be fun, she wanted to try it. Riley looks at all the wolves and mimics what they are doing. He puts his paw on Erikas shoulder and she does the same. They step in sync, moving with the melodies. They sway with each other, looking at the calming blue notes. Riley lays his head on hers, closing his eyes matching hers.

They move with the music, both enjoying the bliss of the experience. The howling gets quieter and the notes slow, but still dance. The wolves around them dance elegantly, paw in paw and moving elegantly. Riley swings Erika and pulls her back. Erika does the same but Riley goes falling into a food stand. She helps him up and they keep dancing. Riley looked so happy, Erika was as well. Riley couldn't see far due to his blurry visions, but he saw many of the south wolves kissing their partners every time the song repeated it’s beautiful chorus. Riley tilts his head before looking back at Erika. They looked into each other's eyes smiling, and Riley forgot everything for a second.

Riley kisses Erika in the middle of the dance floor. He closes his eyes and Erika looks at him shocked. She then closes her eyes, enjoying a moment she didn't expect. She meets his muzzle and they feel comfort and passion, feeling each other for a second time, yet with more intensity. The moonlight shining on them, like they were in a spotlight.

He holds her head, her fur completely covering his paw. She leans further into him and places her front hind leg around Riley's back. They press their bodies close to each other, their fur looking like it was combined. She moved with him as they shared each other’s souls, their muzzle telling a story to each other even they couldn’t hear.

Riley pulls away slowly after a couple of minutes. she opens her eyes in a mixture of slight confusion and overwhelming happiness. He looks at her and scratches his head. “Sorry! I tripped and fell and then my eyes closed because I thought I would hit the floor and tha-” Erika covers his mouth with her paw, interrupting him. “It's okay, you won't remember anyway.” She says laughing. He looks her in the eye and says “I hope I remember.”

She looks down and catches herself blushing, and too distracted to see Riley fall over. She turns around and laughs before looking at him funny with a half smile. He attempts to get up but continues to fail, making Erika laugh a bit. He tries to use her as a base to stand up but ends up grabbing her hair and stumbling down into a barrel.

Erika finally helps Riley lay down and she fixes her hair. She lies down next to him, resting her head on his soft blue body. She rubs her head against Rileys neck, feeling his soft fur. Riley smiled down at Erika and rested his head on top of hers.

Riley seems hazy and asks “Will I still feel this wasted forever?” erika chuckles and says no.

Erika looks up at him and says “do you remember what you did during the momental dance?”

Riley looks down at her and says “what happened at the momentum dance..and what's a momental dance”

Erika laughs and says “nothing important” while slightly grinning.

He looks up at her with half closed eyes and mumbles he will remember the "dance thing" in a minute. Erika looks up at him again, he looks like he was pondering. Erika says “Hey, remember what you said about “Erika”” Riley snaps back from his trance and says “shhh she might hear you it's a secret!” She laughed at him, she found this funny. She looks off again.

“She likes you too, that's why you are scaring her.” She says, trying to be playful about it, but she had a hint of worry in her voice.

Erika says “I like what we have, and it keeps getting better, I don't want to lose you, lose these new feelings I didn't believe in. You are my only constant Riley, I wouldn't trade that for the world.”

“I want to show you I can do this, show myself. I am not afraid, not much at least. I have the fiercest wolf in Epsilon for a partner after all.” He says rubbing his head on Erikas neck without even realizing it, he liked how soft her hair was.

“I need to show her she has a reason to believe in me.” Riley says, in a sad tone. Erika looks back at him.

“At the battle for the north, I thought I was dead. Zane threw me down the stairs and I saw him coming down, I knew, well thought, it was my time. I passed out when he bit me, I was sure I would die.. But I didn't. I woke up in a bed of snow next to you, passed out on the ground. Knowing you had my back gave me hope. I saw something in you, something special.” She says. She smiles and says.

“You show me every day I made the right choice, the choice to believe in you.”

Riley opens his mouth to talk before he can, he completely passes out. She laughs and goes to get off the ground, dragging him up. She drags him a few yards before he falls on top of her, her hind legs giving out. He shifts himself and nuzzles closer to her. She laughs and smiles at him, laying next to Riley in the middle of a partying street, still feeling happy. He mumbles something like “Drink till we puke la la la nauseous..” then rolls his head onto Erikas shoulder.

She looks at him for a while before she makes sure he is completely asleep. She looks at the streets and says “I know you won't remember this so I might as well tell you, I liked it better when you kissed me sober. But it was still a close second.” she laughs weird and looks at him again.

She looks down and says quietly. “I would have never talked to you if this never happened, I never would have had what you were talking about earlier, “something”..something as great as you. I have you at the end of the day in this shitstorm of a world.” She says, before nuzzling close to him and embedding herself in his fur. Erika rests her head on him and closes her eyes, happy to always have him next to her. Suddenly Riley wraps his front hind leg around her and rubs his head on hers, still fast asleep. She looks up at him and lightly kisses his cheek before closing her eyes. But before she goes to sleep, Erika hears Riley mumble quietly in his slumber...

“I love you Erika.”

She opens her eyes and smiles, she felt warmth inside, a warmth she had never felt before. She knew he meant it.

Erika pauses before saying gently, “I love you too Riley.”

She looked at him, he was still passed out and smiling. She laughs quietly and goes to sleep, thinking to herself she will never be able to say it to him while they were awake.

Chapter 28

fides contritum (Broken faith)

Riley wakes up with his head pounding and his body weak. Erika helps him up, she seems fine. He asks her what happened, still hazed, and she says they had a relaxing and fun time. She smiled at him and he smiles back, before getting serious. He says they need to start the final assault. She frowns and sees he doesn't remember their talk, or just forgot what they said. She knew he forgot about kissing her, and what he said when he went to sleep which hurt the most. Erika says she will be at the house before shoving by him. He looks at her walking away confused, trying to remember the conversation, but can’t. All that he remembered was that it was important.

He barges into the tower to see Adriana passed out with bowls everywhere and passed out officers. He yells “hello!” and she jumps. She groans and says she knows why he is here, and to give her 10 minutes. He says they have no time and it is time to attack. She glares for a second before ordering a soldier to prepare the final assault on the rear side of the city where the main barracks were. He gets off the ground and goes down the stairs, (They hear him fall down.) She says it is time to take it back, it is crucial for the progression of the south's army. She then throws up on the floor and says “in ten minutes.” Riley goes to find Erika but when he comes into the house he sees her glaring at the floor. He goes to ask if she is okay but she just walks away and tells him to prepare for the assault. He looks down and his ears fall, he knows it is his fault, somehow.

They march the south's army through the city. They reach the border to the rear side when Riley yells for them to charge. The south soldiers sprint into the rear side, fighting the Semita. They try to hold off the south but there are too many of them. Riley leads the soldiers from the front while Erika directs the soldiers flanking. The fighting lasts for a short time before something unexpected happens. The entire Semita stand down, they say they give up. Riley is skeptical but Erika orders the south to take them to the holding cells, and that this victory secures the city. The south wolves cheer and Riley smiles at Erika. She meets his eyes for a minute before turning away and walking towards the Capital. Riley catches up to her but they walk in silence until they reach the tower. They enter and Adriana congratulates them, she says that a deal is a deal and that they can BORROW the relic, to stop Zane. She takes it off and it falls to the ground. Riley grabs it and puts it on, Adriana tells him to leave before she changes her mind, and that he better take care of it. He nods and Erika and Riley leave the tower.

While walking he asks Erika if she is okay but she ignores him. She glares at Riley a few times before pushing him and stepping in front of him.

“Do you remember literally nothing we talked about last night? The things we said? About everything. You said I was your partner! You said a lot actually! It hurts you don't remember, and to be honest.. It kind of feels like you didn't mean it.” Erika says, trying to act less hurt than she was.

Riley looks at her confused and says “I'm sorry Erika, I just don't remember. I am your partner, I just have to learn to fight the way you do kill or we will both die.”

She glares at him and yells “Well the way you are doing it is basically like training to kill yourself! We need each other and if you go and do reckless things you can die. If you keep doing the same thing, you WILL DIE!” Erika yells, shaking with anger and worry.

He tells her she is paranoid and she looks shocked. She says “This isn't you! Stop trying to be something you are not!” Riley says ”This is what I need to be! To save Epsilon, to save you!” She yells back “Every time a wolf thinks they need to “save me” they always end up dead! Or turn on me! I can take care of myself! Taber didn't think so, and he turned into a monster due to fear! My dad..in my dreams who died..Everyone! I thought you out of everyone would know I am stronger than that!” she pauses briefly but then yells “I am done having wolves die for me!”

Riley tells Erika that he is different! She looks at him and says “No you are not! I can't have you die over this!” He yells back “if you really doubt me so much just lea...”

He stops talking instantly, regretting instantly what he said. She looks at him shocked, before getting a sad, and angry look on her face.

She looks down and says “Good luck saving Epsilon Riley, I'm done...” She turns and walks away. He looks at her leave and sighs, not knowing what to do. He tries calling her back but she doesn't listen. He gives up, hopeless and having no idea how to fix what he just messed up. He looks down and does the chant, the light explodes from him. He then passes out with no protection from Erika.

Chapter 29

PATIENTIA (Forbearance)

Riley goes into the vision and alpha looks at him funny, telling him he seems angry. Riley tells him that Erika does not think he can do anything by himself, she thinks she is the only one capable of anything and now she left. Alpha grins and Riley gets mad, asking what is so funny. Alpha tells him he just finds it interesting because it reminds him of this vision. Alpha tells him that Makrothumia was the toughest soldier who ever lived. Like Erika, he tried to fight alone, degrading and patronizing his brothers fighting. He was a lone wolf until the day he died. He tells Riley that even though it appeared that Makrothumia just wanted to fight alone, he really just didn’t want his brothers to be hurt, and in the end would die to protect them.

Alpha tells him that Erika does not underestimate him; she overestimates the dangers of the world. He tells Riley that Erika believes this road ends with him dead and she is terrified of that. Riley looks down and soon the scene changes. Riley wakes up in the south capital. There are buildings on fire and dead wolves everywhere. The fighting seems to have died down, wolves wandering covered in blood, missing ears and tails, even hind legs. Riley passes a mother crying over her dead son. He walks to see two wolves in the middle of the capital fighting like he has never seen. They are both covered in blood, Makrothumia missing an ear. Alpha explains that Makrothumia held the way of Forbearance. Riley confused asked how that is if he was the wolf of war. Alpha laughs and says this scene shows the true colors of Makrothumia. Makrothumia soon defeats Aretarian, taking him to the ground and ripping out his neck. He kept ripping after he was dead until Aretarians head came off. Riley asks alpha how this is forbearance and he doesn’t answer. The scene changes to the four brothers all looking at the captured enemies. They discuss how to deal with them and everyone wants to kill them besides Makrothumia. He used his power and convinced his brothers he would take them to the mountains and execute them. Riley follows them until they reach the mountains, the enemies cowering, ready to die.

Makrothumia moves to the side and gestures to the path of the mountains. He tells the wolves to leave and never return. They run by him, his mortal enemies, letting them live. The scene changes to the four brothers singing, Riley could still only see and hear the two brothers, but he focuses on Makrothumia and soon his song comes to life. Riley felt good about the progress but was sad, because now he has to do the rest on his own.

Riley wakes up to find himself alone in the building. He looks around and gets sad when he sees that Erika is gone and lies down, depressed. He is deep in thought about her when he hears howling. He looks down and sees wolves fighting in certain sectors of the south. The Semita who were imprisoned run out of the holding cells. He looks around and yells Erika's name when two south soldiers run up to him. They say this is a minor attack and they need to escort him. He looks confused, but ignores it and says he needs to find Erika. He turns when one of them jumps on him and wrestles him to the ground. He looks at the traitors about to kill him. He goes to do the chant but they hit him. He sees a gang of Semita come out from corners and the south traitors slam him to the ground. They walk away and Riley just lays on the floor stunned, he couldn't get up. A semita wolf bites down on his neck but doesnt kill him. He tries to move but can't, it hurts too much. Suddenly Taber comes out of the shadows and laughs. Riley glares at him but can't even see him, his vision completely blurry. Taber tells the wolf biting him to put more pressure. Riley screams in pain as he bites down harder.

Taber says “Thanks for bringing my soldiers right inside the south! Great opportunity to grab you and my sister...where is she though?” Taber looks around, not finding her. He laughs and says “No way!!! She ditched you!” he falls down laughing, Riley tries to get up but can't escape the hold. He stops laughing and says “Oh well, guess Zane will be happy we atleast got you.” The wolf biting Riley lets go and he falls to the ground. Taber kicks him hard between the eyes and he goes out cold. Taber laughs and says “fall back, we have what we came for.” The wolves go to drag Riley away but Taber rips off the relic first. He throws it on the ground and they drag Riley to the north.

Erika is walking, ranting about Riley, she looks in a puddle and thinks about him, and her ears drop and she gets sad. She is walking, all she wanted was him to act like himself, to be okay with who he is. She stops and thinks, figures some wolves just…need to grow. She is on the brink of tears and in deep thought when a Semita wolf attacks her. She beats him, and others attack her. She beats them all, without even getting injured and runs back to the building she and Riley were in. Erika gets in and sees the empty relic on the ground and signs of struggle. She panics and yells Riley's name. She checks the whole building before she goes outside to see south wolves wounded. They tell her that Semita just attacked a couple of hours ago, the ones that were imprisoned escaped. She runs over to the Alphas building, while running she sees the south preparing for a fight, they all are training and grouping together. When she gets there she asks Adriana why everyone is gearing up. She tells her that they are preparing for war against the other clans. Erika yells at her, telling her that the whole reason her and Riley are doing this is to make peace with the clans.

She asks where Riley is and she gets silent. Erika tells her that she believes Zane took him and she is going to help him. Adriana nods, and wishes her luck. Erika asks if she can help get Riley but she tells her she needs to prepare. Erika glares and Adriana gets defensive. She gets mad, and tells her not to judge her, and her people will not shy from a fight in the name of Makrothumia, and a north wolf like her would not understand. Erika turns but says “You are going to be a part of what kills us all, I hope you know what you are doing.” Adriana suddenly stops acting tough and says “If you see me...on the battlefield...don't try to fight me Erika. I like you, and Riley. But know, I will have to kill you if you stand in my way...and I will.” Erika leaves and Adriana looks out at the south. She watches her army preparing, and sees Erika run out of the bottom of the tower. Erika put her hair in a ponytail and races through the south. She vaults over wolves and jumps off the bridges until she reaches the exit of the city.

Adriana watches her run through the south and sighs. Adriana says to herself “Please Erika, succeed in your path, it's the only way to stop the inevitable...to save us all.” Two south soldiers come in, her main guards. They say to her that the south is ready to march. She looks at them and says “Say goodbye to your families, tell everyone to.” they nod and walk out. She says before they leave “I want to give a speech.”

Adriana gets on stage in front of all the south. At the same time Armano and Marion address their clans, and armies. All eyes were on the alphas, in every clan.

Adriana begins and says “We will show the south's might today! We will do this for the safety of the south and for our loved ones! We are the true warriors of Epsilon!”

Armano shoots his cannon in the air in the East, his followers watching him. He yells “we will prove today we are the superior wolves! We are stronger! Smarter! We will PREVAIL” The East wolves howl at the sky.

Marion looks at his clan scared, they are starving, scared, but determined. He yells “We have no choice but to fight. I know you are scared, but we will go down in history! We are the first west wolves to fight sense our old protector Enrkatiea, AND WE WILL MAKE HIM PROUD!” they yell and howl for him.

Adriana looks out at the south, the people she needs to lead, that she always has. She says “I may lead you to death today. I may be what kills you..I am sorry..But I want you all to know. I will LAY DOWN MY LIFE for all of you, I will FIGHT BESIDE YOU UNTIL MY LAST BREATH!” They cheer, they get bowls of Libra and all look at her. She says loud “We will kill every wolf that opposes us, for we are THE SOUTH! NOW DRINK IN HONOR OF MAKROTHUMIA!!!” she howls loud and they all cheer and drink their bowls of Libra.

They go back to preparing, and all the alphas look at their people, scared of the malevolence that is to come.

Chapter 30

Verum In amarum (The bitter truth)

Riley opened his eyes but couldn't see due to darkness. He tries to move but he can't get up, his whole body hurting. A dark laughter echoed throughout the room, he felt his body get cold. Zane's voice echoes through the room.

“Your life has no meaning Riley, your story will end dark...cold.. Coated in red. the meaning of your journey, is as little as your worth.”

His eyes glow bright in front of Riley and he jumps, but falls due to pain. The torches in the room suddenly light up and Riley looks at everything in fear. His vision was still blurry considering how badly he was hurt. The room has blood painted walls and no windows, he could tell this room had many bad memories to it. Zane stands above him, Riley stares in fear at what was around his neck. Zane grins and looks down at the blue necklace.

He laughs and says “These relics are really...powerful. I find them very intriguing.”

Zane looks down at it and chuckles. “You thought you were the only one who knew about them..there power..didn't you?” he says. He gets down to Rileys face and says “I knew.”

Riley growls at him and he expects to be hit but Zane just laughs. He circles him and says “I built the ring in the northern Clan, do you like it? It is for symbolization, a symbol of fear, and the opposite of these..relics.” He looks down at Riley, who was nearly unconscious again.

“The ring has brewed gods, like myself. It will eat the weak and prove the worthy. My father was not, but..I am. ” Zane says with a grin. He yells so loud the room echoes “The ring gave me POWER! MADE ME A GOD!!!!” Riley coughs and says “I know how you really gained your power Zane, and was it worth it? Killing the “soul of the innocent.”

Zane looks at him, glaring. Riley spits at his paws. Zane lifts his paw to see the spit drip off his claw. He hits Riley across the face. He laughs and says “You know of the trials...so you know what I am..and that I cannot be stopped.” He says, baring his teeth. Riley kicks him from the ground with no power behind it. The kick grazes Zane and does no damage. Zane laughs and Riley coughs more. He growls on the ground at Zane and says “was it worth it? Killing the only wolf that could ever care for a psychopath like you!.” Zane just laughs, and says “sacrifices must be made and things like that...I just do them.“ He laughs and points to the relic and says “is this the last relic of your little..quest?”

He gets up and walks away from Riley, saying “As long as you are here, Erika will come to find you..bringing the last part of your little “savoir quest” to an end, with her death.” Riley yells at him, finding his voice “I will never let you kill her, I won't let you win! so just KILL ME! Every minute I am awake I will be hunting YOU! SO KILL ME!”

Zane turns and laughs and says “Not yet, you must be put on display, for all to see.” He chuckles as he leaves Riley coughing blood. As soon as Zane leaves, the torches go out and the room is plunged into darkness.

Chapter 31

et loyal (The loyals)

Erika races through Epsilon at top speed. She runs through the trees panicking, going as fast as she can. She could only think about Riley, what Zane will do to him. She stops, panting and out of breath. She jumps behind a rock when she hears a noise. Fifteen armored hunters run past her and towards the east, silver beaming off the sun. “Hunter recall, they only do that for war…. It's starting.” she thinks in terror. She goes back to running, knowing she might see something out of her nightmares, see Riley dead.

She approaches the north clan very stealthy. When she gets there she sees the wall, separating the unknown and the north clan. There are some guards on the wall but not as much as she thought there would be. She vaults up the large wall using the debris and edges as points to land on. Once in, Erika sneaks in and finds the clan is pretty much deserted. She hears cheering coming from the end of the clan that was once her home, a home she no longer recognized. She continues through the ruins of what used to be the northern clan to find a big ring built with buildings attached to it. She gets up and looks into the ring to find Riley. He is in the ring, bloody and beat up. Piper is also in the ring, with his group of wolves, slightly injured but nothing compared to Riley. All the Atrum Semita and north hunter traitors are watching and cheering, and a lot of northern civilians are watching, but not cheering, some are even crying. She can see Zane watching from a tall tower above the ring, grinning, with something around his neck. Piper is mocking him and Riley is striking at him, however is losing because of Piper's gang. Erika is about to launch them down into the ring but is grabbed by an unknown wolf.

She panics and turns, to see Owen. Owen pulls her to the side and hugs her, tears in his eyes. He says he is so glad she is alive and he believed she died a long time ago. He tells her that she needs to get out of here, and the Semita are on the watch for her. Owen says that some remaining wolves of the North are trying to stop Zane, but all the Semita and rogue hunters are aware of their resistance and the last hunters devoted to the north, Who call themselves the loyals, are scattered. Erika tells them Zane’s plans to start a civil war and have all the wolves kill each other. Erika tells Owen that Riley is the key to stopping him and they need to get him out of here.

He thinks for a minute, then tells her that it is a miracle she got in and there is no way she is walking out the front, the guard presence will be too high after she gets Riley because of the commotion it will cause. He tells her the Loyals know of secret old tunnels that lead into the unknown. They were built after the Great War in case the north ever had to be evacuated. He tells her to go infiltrate the ring and save Riley, and that the Loyal’s will create a distraction, use most of their forces to attack the ring, giving her enough time to evacuate Riley and stop the war. Erika asks if they will be okay and Owen tells her that this is the only hope in saving the clans, and to not have their sacrifices be in vain. He makes her promise one thing though, that they will come back and free the rest of the north. She agrees and he tells her how to get to the ring and how two of the loyal hunters will be waiting at the tunnel after she gets him.

In the ring Riley goes to Bite Piper but his gang member takes the hit. That wolf then turns and body slams Riley, causing his hind leg to give out. Piper taunts Riley and tells him that he is alone and he always will be, that his parents were right to ditch him. Piper says that Zane will kill all the clans, and give him the leadership he wants. Riley tells piper that it’s not too late, and the whole north clan shouldn't die over a dumb rivalry. Piper laughs and tells Riley that he is still a lonely loser like he was before, his whole life he has just been his prey. His gang goes to hit Riley but Erika jumps from the roof and tackles him to the ground. His gang attacks Erika and Piper goes to bite her neck, but Riley jumps on him.

Piper throws him off but Riley recovers. Piper charges at him but Riley side steps and slams him to the ground. Riley sees Erika successfully beating Pipers gang, who are completely inexperienced compared to her. Piper gets up but stumbles, asking if that’s all he’s got. Riley runs over and kicks him between the eyes. He stumbles back and Riley tackles him. He gets on top of him and headbutts him over and over again. He stops after a minute, Piper was almost knocked out, he has blood dripping from his nose and mouth. Riley looks at him on the ground and Piper coughs a bit, saying “come on scarface, kill the bully you big blue pussy!” he coughs more blood and Riley just stares at him. He looks down and says to Piper “I don't need that false satisfaction. You are irrelevant, I have bigger things to care about than you.” Erika walks over and puts her paw on Rileys shoulder.

He smiles at her and is about to say something when the ring doors open and civilian wolves are thrown in. They are shaking but look determined, and say they have no choice or Zane will kill their families. They jump at Riley and Erika but they dodge, and don’t attack. Erika very easily dodges them but Riley struggles, being injured. While Erika is distracted with two of them, two of the wolves others corner Riley and jump at him. Out of nowhere, the loyal hunters tackle them to the ground without killing them. Erika then howls, giving the signal. Suddenly all the loyal hunters attack the ring. Every loyal hunter in the north starts attacking the Semita, causing complete chaos. They are losing due to the lack of troops and Owen tells Riley and Erika to leave, and the window of opportunity is closing.

Erika nods at him, but Riley stops her and tells her he needs to go after Zane, and how that thing around his neck is a relic. Erika tells him no and they will have to do without and Riley gets mad, and says he can do it. She tells him he can’t and he yells at her saying this is the end if he doesn't do this! She interrupts him and tells him “we will find a way to do this but we will do it together, it's the only way” She looks at him and he goes to say something but a loyal hunter tells them they have to go with an annoyed tone. She asks him if they will be okay. He tells them that this is what they have trained for, and if they're going out they're going out like true hunters, fighting. He nods at them and charges at an Atrum Semita soldier.

Chapter 32

INCASSUM (All for nothing)

Riley and Erika run out of the ring and into the town. It is Chaos as Civilians run for safety, to get away from the ring. Erika follows the instructions to get to the tunnel. But when they get there they see two wolf bodies on the floor. They go over and see they are two Loyals. Suddenly shadows form around them and Zane jumps out of nowhere, slamming Erika into the ground. Riley goes to bite Zane but he moves to the side and takes Riley down. Riley goes to get up but Zane rips Riley’s leg, injuring him badly. Erika tries to run over but two troops intercept her. They pin Erika to the ground and make a circle around Riley and Zane, Erika yells to him, fighting the troops to get out of the pin, but they are too strong.

Zane laughs, and kicks Riley in the face. Zane says he has failed, his plan will unfold before his eyes! Riley looks up and Zane hits his head down.

“What you said about my mother Riley….yes, it was very much worth it..” Zane says, and pushes Riley's head into the ground with force. Riley yells, feeling the pressure. Zane gets off and takes off the Relic. He looks at Riley on the ground and Erika pinned, and says “Doing all that work to see hope die...I ask you Riley...was it worth it for you?”

He grins and smashes it on the ground. Riley yells and tries to get up, but falls to the ground, screaming at Zane. He laughs and bites Riley, then throws him to the side. He starts walking towards him, but a Semita wolf yells in pain. Suddenly the remaining loyals attack the circle. Owen jumps high, and decks Zane into the side of the tunnel. Erika notices the tunnel entrance move a bit with the hit, almost collapsing. Owen yells to her and tells her to run, but Zane hits his mouth before he can finish, and pulls him down slamming Owen to the ground. Erika runs over to Riley, and helps him up. She notices there is a big piece of the Relic that is attached to the chain still, and she picks it up with her mouth.

Erika gets into the tunnel, and lays Riley down. She runs over to the entrance, where the troops are starting to head towards. She slams herself into the side of the entrance, causing it to collapse due to age. The rocks landslide and she jumps out of the way. The rocks stop moving, and her and Riley are alone. The Semita try to break through but they yell to find another way, that's when she hears them run and leave. She helps Riley walk and they make their way out of the tunnel. They are almost to the exit and see it ends up in a cave that overlooks the unknown.

She lays Riley down, but Riley tries to get back up. He struggles at first, but gains his balance. He looks stressed, and she tells him that she found a piece of the Relic, and it might be big enough to work. He takes it and sings the chant. Nothing happens. He keeps trying and eventually gets mad, and throws it on the floor. He paces while limping, yelling this isn’t how it is supposed to end. Riley freaks out, yelling, panicking about how they won’t be able to do the full chant, and all the wolves are going to kill each other, no matter how hard they try to stop it. He lies down and looks out at Epsilon, feeling no hope. Erika goes over to him with the relic and puts it on his neck. She sits next to him and holds his paw. He starts to tear up and looks at the ground.

“I failed everyone. Alpha chose me and he chose wrong. I couldn't do it, I don't know what I'm doing, and that's clear now.” Riley says, about to start crying. Erika grips his paw and starts to hum. Riley wipes his eyes and looks at her. She looks at him with a smile before lightly howling, keeping the lights around them alive.Blue notes circle them, they were calming melodies.

The rain it falls on fire and our home is up in flames

The last spark of hope we had destroyed in his dark games

We fight for what's right and we know we will prevail

Together, win the weather will snow all night this tail

Is meant for you to hear my words and know we will survive

I swear to you I will protect we will come out alive

But our hero was chosen it's all up to the two of us

Came so close to each other

we were built on our trust

I'll sit here with you till epsilon falls apart

We have not lost just have to make a new start

But I sit and i'm terrified

I look up at the sky

We may lose or win

But hell we might as well try

Riley sits up and looks at her when she stops singing, meeting her gaze. She smiles at him and he hugs her. He holds her tightly for a few seconds before letting go. He didn't think he would ever see her again.

“Don't blame yourself for failing, you just have to keep trying until you do it right. You know who taught me that?” She says, Riley was still just looking at her. “Your father?” Riley says, wiping his eyes.

“You did.” Erika says. Riley rests his head on her shoulder and they sit in silence together for a while. He suddenly says “I am sorry, about what I said, in the south. I'm sorry for how I acted, I just wanted to try to be as strong as you.. I'm sorry for everything.”

Erika pauses, but says “In the semita camp, I saw you in a way I don't see anyone else. I know you are, without a doubt, the only one who could have got me through this crazy situation. If you were trying to prove yourself, just know you did, you did a really long time ago Riley.”

Riley thinks about that before saying. before saying “I thought I would never see you again, I thought you couldn't come because… because of how I was such an asshole.” She jumps up causing him to fall due to his leg. He falls on the ground and goes to say something when Erika talks over him. She rants saying “Did you really think I wouldnt come? I'm going to tell you the truth, what I keep trying to make sense of. I thought I was this “one wolf pack.” I always have been..but now..now it’s different. I need you Riley! This isn't about the relics.. Or Epsilon...Or anything else for that matter! I lost everything… and you have worked with me to give it back.”

Riley smiles but her voice gets louder. “I would always come back for you Riley, I would face all of the Semita if I had to! You are my best friend, the only wolf I have ever cared about like this.. I panicked when I saw they took you and charged towards the north! I thought it was too late and I couldn't pawle that because I lov…” She pauses for a second before looking away. Riley looks at her, hearing what she almost said. Suddenly the relic sparks, zapping Riley a little. They look at each other with looks of hope. They look at it and Riley says “It still works!.... Kinda.” She smiles but keeps thinking to herself about what she said.

Riley and Erika make their way out of the tunnel and into the unknown. She tells Riley about the south preparing for war, and that it is happening soon. While they are walking Riley stumbles, his hind leg in bad condition. He looks like he is in pain so Erika helps him, telling him to lean on her and use her as support. He does and they look at each other and smile. The relic sparks again causing Riley to jump in fear. Erika laughs and he chuckles, but is curious why It keeps doing that.

They make their way far enough away from the north and Erika lays down Riley. She tells him that the clans are going to fight tomorrow, and they need their rest if they plan on stopping them. Erika suggests that Riley uses the northern lights to heal his hind leg but he says no, saying the lights will give them away and Zane will find them. She agrees and tells him she will help him walk until he’s able to do the chant.

They lay down and look at the stars, both in deep thought about what comes tomorrow. Riley looks at her and says “Hey Erika?” she looks over to him and replies “Yea?” He says nothing for a minute, opening his mouth and not finding words. He finally says “Im scared.” She stares at him and takes his paw, before looking back at the stars and saying “Me too”

Chapter 33

Harmonia Eliphaz (Alphas harmony)

They wake up to the sound of howling, and yelling. Riley jumps up but collapses due to his leg, but Erika supports him. She panics when she hears the sound of more yelling and fighting. They run towards the sound of the yelling to the center of Epsilon. They see the three armies, massive in size, every wolf, hunter or civilian, ready for war. Adriana is in the front of the south, her soldiers with war paint on their face. Armano geared up with his armored gun, and most other east hunters have armor too. The west side looks scared, but determined. Marion, the west alpha looks different, with a look of anger on his face under his hood.

All the south soldiers howl then charge, causing the other two armies to charge at each other too. They all clash in the center, chaos erupting. There is fighting and killing already from all the clans. Erika sees a point in the center, a large rock where they can do the chant. Erika supports Riley and they enter the battlefield. Erika clears through wolves, fighting anyone who goes after Riley. The war was massive, the clans were destroying each other already. It was hard to tell who was winning, it shifted between the East and South every now and then however. Riley tries his best to keep up but his hind leg slows him down. They finally get to the center and Erika tells him to go up the rock while she holds off any wolf that tries to stop them. A wolf tackles Erika but she hits him off, Riley turns around to try to help but she yells for him to keep going! He feels fear, afraid for her, but knows doing the chant is the only way to stop this. He climbs the rock and turns to see Erika fighting two wolves. One jumps on her and brings her down, she looks at him and yells “go Riley! do it!” She is then checked to the ground and lost in the sea of fighting.

He stumbles to the top and starts the chant. He focuses on the lessons he learned from the ways, and sings the chant.

Oooohhhhhh

Ohhhh

Ooooohhhh

Ohhhhhh

The world is burning and the consequences firm

The world is yearning to age, grow, and learn

We fight and think!

the tides have turned

But all our clans will forever end up burned

The power blasts from him, and the northern lights shine over the whole battlefield. Musical notes projecting from him and dancing across the battlefield. Most wolves are still fighting, but some are watching the lights. He starts singing the songs that the alphas sang, and feels the power from the words.

We turn our backs on the truth and we run from its presence

The ways we had of peace ruined war we get this

The peace that lasted not much time

Years ago we learn rewind

And see the past and what was written

The path we take and what were given

Breathing air not really livin

The dark past needs to be forgiven

Or else

Everything will end in this minute

The synsethia blasted, and he saw it in ways he has never seen before, the colors and notes blaring. As soon as he starts singing the Synesthesia projects across the battlefield and all the wolves stop fighting, and look in amazement at the Lights, and the synesthesia they can now see with their own eyes. It is almost as if they feel the music. They start looking at each other differently, not seeing each other’s differences, not enemies, just other wolves. Riley continues the song, feeling its power, and he can feel it’s at its peak, but it’s not enough. The alphas still fight in the center, and the wolves start looking at each other with anger again, like they’re about to fight.

He Is scared it’s not going to work and he starts messing up, the notes hitting strange and it looks as if the wolves are about to continue their war. He starts to look around, for anything that might help him and he meets eyes with Erika. She is on the ground wounded, but humming with the song the best she can. He thinks of their journey and how far they have come. He thinks about singing with her, training with her, laughing at jokes and smiling.

He thinks about how even in the worst situations, even when he was at his worst, she was there for him. He then thinks of all the good times they had. He thinks of the kiss during the lake, the song in the Semita camp, even when she dumped the water on him in the South, He thinks about when she was about to say I love you. He thinks about that for a second... Erika loves him, it was clear to him now. The last thing that goes through his mind was when he kissed her in the south, then told her he loved her...a memory he didn't even know was there. The relic sparks him, he thinks about his feelings for Erika and it sparks again, he realizes that he loves her… and he has this whole time. He starts to sing with more intensity.

Are we all destined for death I wish I knewwwwww

Have we really learned or sealed our fate it's truuueeee

We raise our heads and howl at the lights that unite us

We bare our teeth and growl at those who try to smite us

The brightness is enlightening

We will die so end the fighting

Conflict sparks up just like lightning

The tales we live will go in writing

One day

One day

The song pitches up and the fourth part of the ways of alpha is found. The relic around Rileys neck burns but flickers still. The wolves start looking again, at the music. As he sings ancient voices from past wolves sang with him in harmony. Ghosts of wolves appear and join in, the melody spreading through the wolves who fought. The ghosts of the four brothers appear around him with their relics burning bright and the song intesfies to a peak. He looks to Erika and knows what he needs to do. He sings the final verse of alphas harmony, the verse he never learned, but somehow knew.

Ohhh ohhh ohhh oh

We all will come together united

As one or none will live to tell

The stories of our glories are so far sighted

We need to get out of this living hell

So see my stories of long ago

Seal your fate or learn to grow

All join together then we show

I want to save this land because I love you so

You show me why to keep on fighting

This cave is dark and your the lighting

I see you cry and it is oh so frightening

So

I know I should have told you that I knew you were my soulmate

The one that shaped it all

and controlled the whole fate

I could never do without you the prophecy never told of two

Wolves together who fight the weather but now I know

He stops singing, looks at Erika and says

“I love you.”

The shattered relic on his chest burns bright, and then power emits from him, sending a blast of energy from his body and into the sky. The notes and lights blast throughout the battlefield, coating all the wolves in lights. They all fall over unconscious with a blast of white light, having no time to prepare for what comes next.

Erika saw all the notes from the song and when Riley said he loved her she felt something inside her. When the blast erupted she started seeing visions in flashes, visions of epsilon and the ways of alpha. She could feel herself learning them, learning what Riley did and seeing what he saw, it was incredible. She heard beautiful songs from the past. She watches the visions of the four brothers and their ways, their mistakes, their triumphs. She feels herself begin to be calmed and enlightened before passing out in reality.

She wakes up to see all the wolves waking up from the same state she was in. The lights hang above them and snow falls on what was a battlefield. All the wolves are getting up, and talking, not fighting. She sees the alphas all looking at each other, no anger in their eyes, just seeing each other as fellow wolves. One of the south wolves goes up to an east wolf. They stare at each other for a second, before the east wolf extends his paw. The South warrior looks down, says he would be a fool to fight knowing what they have just seen. He extends his paw and they shake making a truce. The east wolves start showing the south wolves the armor, and even letting them try it on. The west wolves start tending to the wounded of all the sides.

Erika looks over to see the alphas talking. Adriana looks like she’s about to start yelling but is keeping her behavior at bay but the other two look just fine. She smiles and yells up to Riley that it worked, no response. She yells again, no response. Wolves start looking at her funny, until they look up on the rock, then they get looks of sadness. She looks over to see the alphas staring at the top of the rock, Adriana makes eye contact with Erika and she has a deep look of despair in her eyes. Erika turns pale and says “no.” She panics and runs up the rock.

She gets to the top and stares in fear, at Riley's lifeless body. His eyes were open, a dead blue in them. He was on the ground, completely motionless. Tears roll down her face as she runs up to his body saying “no no no NO NO!” She hits his chest, crying and begging for him to wake up. She hits the relic, trying everything. She hits his chest repeatedly saying “we have almost died so MANY TIMES! We did it! This can't be the end Riley...Please Riley wake up! Please wake u….”

She backs away after hitting his chest hard.. She stares at him, knowing it was finally the time, the time she feared would come. The time she had to say goodbye.

All the wolves stare at the top of the rock, watching. Adriana walks up to Erika and tells her he did it, he brought peace to the clans, they both did it. She turns with a look of pure rage and yells “did what? Stop all of you from killing each other! Stop something I WARNED YOU WOULD HAPPEN!” She yells at all the wolves, saying “YOU ALL DID THIS! The blood that was shed! The dead brothers and sisters around you!” she looks down at Rileys body, tearing up even more. She says “You took…the last thing I had, and I BLAME YOU!” She looks at them all, Adriana looking down like most of them.

Erika sighs and says quietly “now I have nothing, you might as well have killed me when you fucking killed him.”

She lays next to Riley and cries. The fried relic on his chest does not spark.

Chapter 34

Ultima petitio (The last request)

Riley goes into the vision. This vision is different and seems to look over epsilon. Riley looks around and sees Alpha. Riley asks alpha if the song worked, and what happened. Alpha tells him it worked, and what happened were the northern lights and the ways of alpha projected to all the wolves. They all heard the songs of the four brothers and learned from them the way he did. Alpha tells him that all the fear they felt, for each other’s differences is gone, and they will not see each other as enemies, but just other wolves. Riley asks him where he is and Alpha looks around, telling him he is not quite sure himself. Riley says that the relic was broken and it shouldn’t have worked, and he never learned the last way of alpha. Alpha laughs, and tells him that that relic was different from the others, and it was not learned, but experienced. He tells Riley that when they first met, he showed the vision of the first rebellion, and the alpha that held the north relic, Corinthian; he Purposely hid something about him.

He shows Riley what he really looked like; he had the same white scar down his eye. Alpha tells him that Corinthian was deaf from birth. All his brothers would sing and Corinthian always wanted to, but could never hear the music. Alpha tells Riley he gave him the mark of alpha to trigger the Synesthesia, a gift to him that allowed him to see the music notes instead of hearing them. Overtime, Corinthian learned how to speak perfectly and nobody except his brothers knew that he was really deaf. After the Great War, Corinthian and his followers were few in numbers and scattered. Corinthian used the synesthesia to make a sort of chant, to put together a power, using light to power him, and guide him and his followers to a safe haven. He eventually succeeded, creating and perfecting his Aurora borealis summoning, or as Riley calls them, the northern lights. They guided him and his followers north, to create the clan and finally give them a home.

He tells Riley he represented Unity. “He saw hope to make a difference. His brothers were in it for the stories they would tell one day. But Corinthian stayed true to every innocent wolf, anyone who needed help.

“He fell in love before the times of war, before the relic, he knew true unity before he even met me.” Alpha says. Alpha tells him his wife died shortly before the war after getting ill. She passed and Corinthian lost part of his soul. He mourned, but talked to her soul every night. He wanted to be better, He used his scar to strengthen the relic and its powers with the lights. Through his guidance, the north found the unity he found long ago, as did many in the past with his guidance. He learned eventually how to see inside the relic, see his memories with the scar. He went back and said his final words to his wife, before joining her in death. Throughout his life he even tried to create a chant to bring her back, but he failed. However in the end they were United, but the chant was never successfully created.

Riley, still confused, asks how the relic worked, and alpha tells him it is because he experienced love, The truest form of unity. He tells him that Corinthians element was the most powerful, and even though it was broken Riley realized what unity truly is, and that is what sparked it, creating the blast and completing the ancient song.

Alpha tells him that he thought nobody could feel love like Corinthian, having the same unity he did. But Alpha says he knew he was wrong when he saw Riley and Erika’s commitment, compassion, and loyalty towards each other. Alpha says to Riley that Corinthian and his wife had something special about them, a very powerful bond, and that when she was alive if she touched him, she could see the synesthesia as well. He explains he believed if she was alive at the time, The Aurora Borealis would have probably given her strength as well, because their souls were linked and they were eternally bound together. He tells Riley he never has seen anything like that bond, until he saw that Erika got strength from the Relics and the lights as well.

He reminds Riley that the relics strengthen the soul, something that can be shared with the truest form of unity. Riley asks how he got the scar like Corinthian. Alpha says that before Corinthians wife Died she had a daughter that he never knew about. She went to continue his ancestry, and that Riley, is actually the last descendant of the four brothers. The mark of alpha did not come up in his daughter or any of her descendants until Riley. Alpha tells him that he feared that the scar was lost, and that nobody would be able to use its true power to unite the clans through the relics, until he saw Riley that day he showed true courage.

Riley asked why the scar didn’t appear in any other descendant and Alpha tells him the mark would only appear in their bloodline when destiny truly called for it. Riley goes silent before asking Alpha if he is dead. Alpha looks away and stands silent. Riley begins to hyperventilate when alpha says the power from alphas harmony was meant for four, not one. He says it was a miracle his soul wasn't completely destroyed all together. Riley panics and says he needs to go back for Erika and can't die now. Alpha thinks before saying the writing in the south predicted his final fight against Zane, and though destiny is out of his control and understanding, he may be able to help. He says he can try and resurrect Riley, bring him back but he has never granted a wolf that gift. Riley asks if he would really do it and alpha nods slowly. Alpha says Riley has brought clarity to wolves everywhere, given them a chance to fight back against the true dark forces. Alpha says that destiny is created, and he will try to get him the ending he deserves.

Alpha says the vision state will fade soon, and if it works he will be back, but this can never be done again. He starts to walk away, but Riley tells Alpha he has one more question. Alpha nods and he asks why music was shunned in all the clans in the first place. Alpha tells him that as he said before, all the history before the Great War was lost in the clans. The alphas after the four brothers only saw the pain music brought, the magical force theorized for devastation behind it, or so they called it. They feared it, knowing little of its nature. They saw the four brothers use it for power and didn’t know what it could really do and be used for, unity. Riley nods, thanks him, and asks if he will see him again. Alpha grins and says; “only time will tell my friend, but goodbye for now Riley White.” Alpha turns but Riley yells for him to wait. Alpha turns again and Riley smiles.

“Thank you, for everything.” Riley says to Alpha, tearing up a bit. Alpha grins and walks up to Riley before placing his godly paw on Rileys small shoulder.

“No Riley, thank you, for fixing my greatest mistakes...you have given me peace in my wrongdoings, I will forever be grateful..Goodbye my friend.” Everything fades into white and alpha disappears in a flurry of snow and beams of bright colors

Erika lies next to Riley, Eyes red from crying but now just staring straight. Adriana looks at the wolves all looking sad now, avoiding eye contact with each other. Some felt bad for Erika, others mourning their fallen brothers and sisters. Erika looks into his eyes, his dead blue eyes. Adriana goes over to Erika and tries to get her to get up, she refuses. Adriana tells Erika it's over and that he’s gone, and that Riley would have wanted her to move on and be okay. Erika doesn't move, but sighs. She says “Let me say goodbye..that's all I ask.”

Erika looks at him, she smiles sadly, saying “We did it...I hope you know you made a difference, you will go down in legend...You saved Epsilon.”

Erika gets up and says in tears. “I will never forget you...you achieved the impossible.”

She walks past all the wolves, thinking to herself. She lost Riley for good, now she again has nothing. Adriana follows her to try to talk to her but a pulse erupts from the sky and hits Rileys body. They look in amazement before Erika sprints at the rock. Adriana follows and another bolt hits Riley. Adriana yells for her to stop but Erika reaches the top of the rock. She hits Rileys body, yelling for him to wake up. Another bolt hits Riley and sends Erika flying off the rock. She looks up dazed, and can't see the top of the rock due to foggy vision. Some wolves’ cheer and others just stare. Her eyes focused and she couldn’t believe what she saw. Riley stands up slowly and smiles at down Erika. She just stands and looks at him in disbelief. Riley yells down to Erika “Not goodbye yet...yet probably being the keyword here though.”

She looks at him in disbelief before sprinting at the rock. Riley goes to say something but Erika tackles him off the rock. They fall down and land in snow. Riley gets up and Erika runs up and tackles him to the ground. She gets on top of him and looks down. She hugs him and holds Riley close. She says with tears in her eyes “I thought...you were gone..I didn't know how to..deal with tha..” she tries to finish her sentence but can't. They stare into each other’s eyes, Erika's paw on Rileys chest and noses touching. everything made sense all of a sudden. Erika goes to think about everything they have done, but she realizes she doesn't need to think anymore to know her feelings.

Erika suddenly kisses Riley passionately, stunning him, but he closes his eyes and enjoys the happiest moment of his life. They feel their souls united and for a brief moment, everything made sense to both of them. Erika presses herself closer to him and wraps her front hind leg around his head. He does the same, feeling her long hair, which was sort of in his face sense Erika was on top of him. The lights shine brighter and they even seem to glow a bit. She slowly pulls away and gets off of him, staring in his eyes. She then gets off him by rolling to the side lying next to him.

“Sorry, I fell and my eyes closed.” Erika says, sort of in a giggly way. Riley goes to talk but Adriana clears her throat loudly next to her. They raise their heads to see all the wolves of Epsilon staring at them. All the wolves are quiet for a minute, but Erika grabs Rileys paw and holds it in the air. After she does that all the wolves howl and cheer.

“Oh, right.” Riley says, forgetting the situation for a moment.

“We still have work to do, are you ready to finish this fight.” Erika says with her old grin.

“Big time.” Riley says, for the first time in a while he wasn't scared. His mindset was focused on determination.

Erika and Riley walk to the top of the rock, looking out at all the wolves. Riley tells them that for centuries the clans have been divided, and looked at each other's differences as a bad thing instead of embracing them. He says that they have been living in fear, but not anymore! He tells them that they are no longer known as clans, but all as one, as Epsilon!

The wolves all murmur to each other. Riley tells them the fight is not over, that the semita still occupy the north and will stop at nothing until all wolves in the epsilon are dead. The wolves start to murmur again, nervous. Riley continues, saying that it does look scary, but they need to be brave, they can face Zane and his cult and win this fight once and for all!

The wolves all start to cheer and howl. Riley yells out that this is their land! They will not be defeated! With courage, and the strength of Epsilons pack nothing can stop them! Riley yells “for epsilon!” all the wolves shout FOR EPSILON! The masses of wolves charge towards the north, led by Riley, Erika, and the alphas.

Chapter 35

Obsidione aquilonis (The siege of the north) part 1

The wolves of Epsilon Charge the walls of the north, and once they are down the real war begins. Wolves from all the clans begin to attack the northern fortress Zane has created. The semita troops were outnumbered and had no idea how to react, they were not used to the possibility of losing. The south troops lead the assault, running at full speeds towards the wall and at the semita, singing songs of triumph as they attack. The east flanks through the service tunnels, catching them by surprise and using their wits to plot the best places to attack, they sing songs of perseverance and diligence. The wolves of the west evacuate the northern civilians, using stealth while the semita are distracted; they sing songs of humility to keep the north civilians calm and collected.

You can hear the songs throughout the battlefield, stopping the semita alone would be impossible, but all the clans together are stronger than any force Zane could throw at them. By working together, fighting side by side, they knew they would do the impossible.. Riley, Erika and four other south troops went through the tunnels with the east wolves. Their plan is to Infiltrate Zane’s overlooking tower from the ring and to kill him. They assume he is in there and watching the battle. The tower is above the ring, which appears to be deserted, because all the wolves are in the front of the clan near the wall, or in the town. They get up to the top tower and look at it with fear. The room was massive and the walls were coated in blood, heads from wolves hung above them. The walls had paintings of Zanes favorite kills on them and the room was cold, despite being lit with torches.

It appears to be empty until they see a flicker within the light of the torches. All of the sudden Zane appears from the shadows and attacks a south soldier, rips his neck out, and goes for the next. Zane moves at top speed and slams Erika into the wall, knocking her unconscious. Riley goes to jump at him, but he is too fast, Riley keeps trying, but he is not fast enough. The remaining south soldiers try to defeat Zane but are outmatched and easily killed. Riley hits him but eventually Zane takes Riley to the ground. Riley thinks Zane is going to kill him, but he only slams him down, knocking him unconscious as well.

Riley wakes up in the ring where Zane’s tower overlooked. He tries to get up but is too weak. He looks around to see the stands filled with bodies of Loyals and Semita from the before battle. The Ring has bodies lying from previous fights. He can hear the battle off in the distance, but the ring is in the back of the clan, so everyone is in the front fighting the battle. The ring appears to be destroyed in some parts from the loyals attack and deserted, except for Erika in the center who was still unconscious. Just then she seems to wake up, she is not as weak and she tries to stand. She looks over to him and is about to say something when Zane Appears from the shadows and slams her down.

She gets up to fight him but he bites her hind leg and slams her on the ground again, she yells and tries to jump in the air but Zane hits her down with all his strength. Riley goes to run to her but two semita troops jump at him and pin him to the ground, he struggles but he is too weak to get them off. Zane goes over to him, leaving Erika on the ground and hits Riley hard in the face. Zane's voice is shaking, he tells Riley how he ruined everything, and now epsilon will never return to its former glory. Riley tells him how epsilon never had former glory, just fear and pain. He tells him how he knows of his ancestor Aretarian, and tells him that epsilon will never go back to that, but become something new and better, without fear, even if he dies.

Zane hits him again, and tells him his plan may have failed, but he can still take the thing that Riley values the most, the sole reason he has fought. He goes over and starts attacking Erika, strike after strike he hits her and Riley yells to her, begging Zane to stop. Fear floods Riley and he watches and can’t do anything to stop it. Zane slams her down and while she is on the ground severely injured Riley meets her eyes, seeing life draining from them. He has flashbacks to everything they went through, when they were in the cage singing, to when she taught him how to fight. Every talk they had together, how she could calm him, how she actually saw something in him. He remembers her pulling him from the lake and saving him from drowning. He remembers the laughter and the times they spent. He thinks back to the vision with her, and the first time he realized he loved her. The last thing that goes through his mind is when they kissed, after the song and when they united the clans. She looks at Riley, almost completely lifeless, and smiles at him, mouthing “I love you.”

He feels the fear leaving his body and being replaced with something else, courage. Riley looks down to see the relic sparking on his chest. He looks to the sky and sees snow begin to fall again. He struggles against the Semita but they push him down, he is still too weak. He looks as the snow falls, and remembers the lights, and starts the chant.

All of the sudden the power from the lights erupts from him, shooting the Semita off. His scar lights bright along with his eyes and he feels power emit from him, feeling strength he never had felt before. The courage was almost acting as fuel, as a powerful force within him. The blue relic sparked yet maintained a bright blue light. Erika is on the ground and Zane is looking at the lights. He locks eyes with Riley and they charge at each other. They run at full speed and collide into each other, knocking them both off their paws. They jump up and Riley strikes at him over and over but keeps missing, due to Zane moving with the shadows. Zane goes to strike but Riley dodges and strikes at his jaw, making a direct hit.

Zane staggers back, and then jumps at Riley again. Erika, almost at the point of death, looks up at the lights and feels herself healing. She looks around to see Semita in the stadium bleachers, they were about to jump in the fight, but are either busy looking at the lights or watching Riley and Zane fight. She gets up, still in pain but healing. Riley is putting up a fight, but Zane looks as if he is winning. She goes to run but falls, she doesn’t think she is healing fast enough, but gets back up anyway. Erika looks back at the lights and feels adrenaline go through her body as she charges at Zane with rage in her eyes.

Chapter 36

Obsidione aquilonis (The siege of the north) part 2

Riley goes to make another strike but Zane sees it coming. He takes Riley’s strike and counters it, Taking Riley to the ground, tearing Riley’s side. Zane laughs, and goes to jump on him but Erika slams into him, beating Zane down. She gets on top of him and bites his neck, but he jumps up and forces her off. Riley feels his side healing from the northern lights; he gets back up and strikes Zane. Erika and Riley fight Zane, working together perfectly, fighting together in sync. Riley strikes Zane and Erika jumps off Riley's back and kicks him in the face.

The Semita start jumping into the ring, cornering Riley and Erika. Zane moves to the side as more and more Semita jump into the ring, wiping a bit of blood from his nose. Riley and Erika go to the center, enemies moving in on them at all sides, Zane watches, grinning as he starts moving in too. Zane taunts and tells them that this is it, this is where they die. He is about to say something else but is interrupted by loud howls. He looks up to see south wolves are jumping into the bleachers. Adriana jumps in and tells Riley that she and some of her boys had to leave the main battle to come here, because she couldn’t let a northern wolf have the glory of killing the leader of the Atrum Semita, and her people have a score to settle from all the attacks.

Riley cannot believe his eyes, but Loyals start to jump into the bleachers from the roofs. They look at the south troops and nod. Owen jumps next to Adriana, he looks torn up, cuts and bruises all over his body. He looks like hell, but he has a huge grin on his face. He says he still has a score to settle as well, and he thinks that it’s time he retakes his home. He grins at Adriana, then winks to Riley and howls, giving the command for the south soldiers and loyals to jump into the ring and attack. Two Semita jump at Adriana, but she rips one's side, and tackles the other one into the ring. Owen Dives into the ring with her, disappearing into the fight.

The ring instantly turns to chaos. The southern wolves and loyals fight the Semita in every corner of the ring. Erika and Riley fight off the Semita but Erika scans the battlefield for Zane. She finds him in the center of the ring, ripping wolves to pieces. A south soldier charges at him but he warps to the side, and sinks his teeth into the south soldiers neck, throwing him aside. Riley makes eye contact with him, and charges. Erika follows Riley but he gets to Zane first. He moves for the tackle but Zane dodges and goes to bite his neck. Before he can Erika decks Zane causing him to lose his balance. Zane stumbles and Riley tackles him, biting his side.

Zane roars in pain and throws Riley off. Semita jump on Erika and pin her but Owen tackles one of them and pulls him into the fighting. Erika kicks the other off and runs at Zane. He warps to the side and tackles Erika to the ground. Zane is on top of Erika and is trying to bite her head but she keeps moving, she tries to knock him off but he is too strong. Riley runs into Zane and checks him, putting all his power onto the wound in Zane’s side. Zane falls on the ground, but quickly gets up, his red eyes glowing with anger. Riley evades his next hit and counters with a kick. Zane staggers, but kicks Riley in the face. He goes to jump on him but Erika slams him down while he is in the air. He rolls to the side and gets up growling. He runs at Erika but Owen jumps on him out of nowhere and tries to bring him down. He pulls his weight against Owen and slams him down. He bites Owen and tries to finish him but Adriana slams him off, Zane crashes down but gets up and stares them down, pure rage in his eyes. Riley helps up Owen and Erika lifts up Adriana, the four of them staring right back at Zane, no fear within them.

They run at him and Adriana leads with a kick. He falls back but bites her leg. Owen bites his face and rips his jaw, causing him to break free of Adriana. She rolls to the side and checks him. Zanee gets disbalanced, then Erika slides under him and kicks him off his feat. He looks up in time to see Riley slam down on him with all his force.

Zane coughs blood and yells loud. “ENOUGH!” his voice booming and full of anger, causing all the wolves to stop fighting.

They all stare at him, full of fear, even his cult members look afraid. He yells to Riley and Erika that they have not won, that if epsilon can’t return to its further glory, there will be no epsilon to rule. He jolts back his neck and howls at the sky. It is a loud and dark howl that echoes across the northern clan. Adriana curses and decks one of the Semita and the fighting continues, but Zane just stands with a grin on his face. Erika and Riley charge at him but before they reach him a huge ball of fire slams into the arena causing an explosion. Erika falls to the ground and Riley helps her up, but they look off into the distance to see the catapult. More fireballs fly into the arena, and at the buildings of the north. Troops from both sides start getting blown up from the fire that rained from the sky. Riley looks around for Zane, but sees him retreat up into the tower. He tells Erika he is going for Zane. She says she is coming with him but he says no, she needs to shut down the catapult. He tells her if she doesn’t then they will all die, and Zane will win. She thinks for a second before hugging Riley tight. He holds her for a second before she looks him in the eyes and tells him he better come back. She turns and runs off at the catapult.

Chapter 37

Et quis stabit (One shall stand)

Erika runs through the town at full speed. War continues to rage all around her but she ignores it, and heads for the catapult. Buildings are on fire, wolves are screaming, and the wolves that aren’t fighting are civilians trying to run to safety. It reminds her of the first assault on the north. She reaches the catapult; it is stationed off on the side of the north town. It was massive, there were different decks leading up to the main mechanism on top. She watches as the main ropes from the top would move everything in motion. Erika figured if she jammed the mechanism on top, the catapult will light itself on fire and blow up.

She approaches it to see armored wolves on the decks and staircases of the catapult. She figured it wouldn't be a final fight without soldiers. They look at her and move to block the pathways up the catapult. Erika approaches the entrance and goes to enter but she suddenly gets checked out the door by another wolf. She quickly gets up but two large wolves block the entrance to the catapult. Taber walks up from behind them with a malicious grin on his face. His appearance was different, he only had one ear left and part of his tail was missing. He had new scars on his body and his coat had faded a bit. Erika tries to get through the guards but they just throw her back. Erika stares at him growling. Taber returns her glare with a smirk.

“Sorry the catapult is closed for today, come back another time for the grand tour!” Taber says laughing.

“You really think these wolves can keep me from you!” Erika yells. Taber looks around at his wolves, decked out in armor ready to attack her with a few glances.

“Ha! These wolves cant do shit Erika! I know you will kill them all.” Taber says, as the wolves in armor exchange glances. “I would be sad if you didn't get through them to be honest, we need to have our boss fight after all!”

“See you at the top sis, time to find out who really is best.” Taber says, walking up the stairs. The guards let him through and go back into fighting stances. The whole ground shakes as the catapult fires another ball at the north. Erika looks at all the wolves in front of her growling.

“Fine, let's do this the fun way.” Erika says, before jumping at the wolves guarding the entrance. She bites the first wolf in the neck and spins her body around him. She kicks the second wolf in the face while twirling around and ripping out the first guards neck. She jumps over his body and meets the other two guarding the base of the catapult. She hits one in the helmet with her front paw and jukes out the other. He recovers and tackles Erika while the other wolf steadies himself. She grapples off the one on top of her and hits him in the face twice with her front elbow. The other charges her but she grabs him and throws him into the first guard. She runs over and rips out his neck while he is on the ground, the other lay motionless.

Erika runs up the first flight of stairs to meet an unexpecting guard. She bites him and runs up with him by the throat to the deck part of the platform. She throws him over the side and meets eyes with the wolf next to her. He bites her neck but she jumps off the side of the wall and gets loose. She then hits the wolf with her front hind leg and throws him over the side as well. Erika kept moving up the tower and eliminating wolves as she ran into them. She was kicking them down the stairs and slamming them into the walls. She would vault over them and rip their necks out as they tried to stop her. She sent them over the edge of the catapult and let them fall to their deaths. She was close to the top, she could feel the breeze getting stronger.

She gets to the top to see the ropes pull back and fire another ball of flames at her home. Taber was sitting and just watching the chaos. Erika sits behind him at the top of the stairs slowly. He didn't turn to look at her, he didn't need to.

“Remember when things were just “us.” like before the Semita, just you, me, and Owen. Laughing and having a good time, I remember those days.” Taber said snidely, but almost with a hint of sincerity. Erika sighs and stares at him.

“We can still make it right, please Taber.” Erika says, feeling a spark of hope. Taber smirks however and slowly gets up and faces her.

“There is no “right” and even if there was, what does that say about you? You wish to kill your own brother. Damn, I thought you valued family sis.” Taber says laughing. Erika stands up and meets his glare.

“My real brother died a long time ago, i'm just killing a hollow shell!” Erika yells at him.

They yell and charge towards the middle of the platform. They slam into each other in the center and fall off their paws. Taber gets up and on top of her, beginning to headbutt her nose. She kicks him off and gets up, blood dripping down her face. Taber laughs and bites her fur. He rips her to the side and slams her on the ground next to the ledge. Her head was off the surface, she just stared up at him.

“Guess Dublin was right about the hair afterall, does mess with combat, huh!” Taber says with a grin. She rolls under him catching his balance and rips herself free of his grip. She dodges his hit and slams him down. He hits her and she steps back. Erika recovers and side kicks Taber, then bites his hind leg and slides down, pulling him off his balance yet again. He almost falls off the ledge but tries to steady himself. Taber stumbles and she rolls over him and kicks him hard. He goes down and she jumps at him. He jumps to the side to recover, and goes to hit Erika. he catches her on the cheek and she goes back against the ledge.

“Still think you can win.” Taber says panting, blood dripping from his cheek. Erika jumps behind him and fakes him out. She rips off the lever to the mechanism and slams it into his head. Taber goes down and almost slides off the edge. Erika throws it over the side and it lands in the ropes, jamming it slightly. Erika jumps on Taber and beats his face with her front paws. Every hit slammed taber's head to the side. She goes to hit him again but the catapult creaks. The lever was caught on a rope, which then snaps back. The rope hits Erika in the face and she collapses. Taber and Erika slowly get up panting and staring at each other. They were drenched in blood, taber had it in his eyes and Erika's hair was pretty much red. They slowly run at each other and collide. Taber gets on top of Erika and headbutts her yet again. She throws him off and charges at him screaming. Suddenly Taber grapples over Erika and bites her neck. In the air, he twists and Erikas neck shreds open. She falls to the ground and stops sliding right at the edge.

Blood poured from her neck, he got her vien. She held her paw to her neck and brought it to her eyes. Her paw was drenched red. Taber stands over Erika, yelling things she can't understand. She could feel herself bleeding out. Her vision is completely blurry to the point she couldn't see, until it all goes black.

“Why are you on the ground.” Erika hears a voice like her fathers say. Erika looks up to see herself at the lake. She is young again, her hair short and her body blood-free. She turns and faces a large, yet smiling familiar black wolf.

“I failed.” Erika replies, in a quiet young voice.

“You don't have time to fail, you have a job to do.” Her father says. Erika still couldn't see in reality, losing blood by the second .

“I tried, I am so sorry I failed you.” Erika says with a crackly voice, looking down at her own reflection in the lake.

“You can never fail me Erika, no matter what, and I know you will not stay down, you can't! You can rest soon, we will be together again my daughter. But for now..you have a job to do. You are the last true north hunter Erika. ” the voice says “And hunters never stay down.”

Erika jolts open her eyes back in reality to see Taber laughing and walking away. Erika stumbles on the ground and screams. Taber looks over to her in surprise. Erika places her front paw on the surface and slowly forces herself up. She stands tall, glaring at Taber with a stare that could halt an army. She was still wobbling and her vision was still spotty, blood pouring from her. The wounds on her neck were causing her to fade, she didn't have much time. Yet, she stood strong and determined.

“Wow, I gotta give it to you sis, you really don't stay down.” Taber says panting. He was hoping the fight was over. Erika sprints at him without another word, yelling at the top of what was left of her lungs. Taber jumps to the side but Erika still is able to check him down. Erika jumps on him and headbutts him. The blood from Erika's neck was pouring down onto Taber. Erika sits up and hits him in the face. He kicks her off him and hits her in the neck. She goes down and screams, holding her neck. Taber looks down and smirks, but Erika jumps at him again without warning. She cracks him in the face and bites down on his other ear, ripping it off. Erika spits it out and cracks him in the ribs with her front leg. He screams and goes down, and she kicks him between the eyes with all her strength. He falls down into the center of the platform, failing to get up. He slowly tries to stand but Erika suddenly bites down on his neck. He goes to break free but her fangs were in his pressure points. She drags his body with her mouth slowly towards the rope mechanisms. Taber tries to break free but can't, her hold was strong.

“Woah woah what are you doing sis! Relax!” Taber says, voice shaking. Erika growls loud and starts sprinting towards the edge. Taber tries to break free but can't. She then sprints towards the ropes and throws Taber into them. He yells on the way down until he gets caught in the ropes and jams up the strings. The sling falls over and fire ignites all over the catapult, taber's body being lost in flames. Erika slowly hobbles down the catapult as it catches fire. She fell down a few stairs, she couldn't even see anymore. She feels the ground shaking from the collapsing catapult and runs out of it just in time.

Erika runs as far as she can before falling over into a ditch. She could tell she was still close to the catapult. She could see the towering thing fall into itself, exploding and collapsing. She tries to get up but falls down. She holds her neck wounds, they were deep and pouring blood. Her fur was completely charcoal, it was burned along with all the blood coating her body. She lays down on her side and closes her eyes, slowly drifting off.

She did it, and it was time to rest.

Chapter 38

Et ceciderit unus (One shall fall)

Riley makes his way up the tower, still shaken from the explosion. That fireball hit the base of the tower and has started to set fire to the bottom. It's not going to be long before the tower collapses, it can't take many more hits. He hears the explosion of the catapult and gets excited, Erika stopped the catapult; the last thing he needs to do is kill Zane...much easier said than done. The flames begin to climb the tower and Riley tries to move fast. He heads up into the tower. Torches are lit, but Zane is not in sight. He goes over to the window and sees the catapult in flames, and the fighting below.

“You think you have won” He hears Zane say.

Riley turns around to see nobody. The tower creeks and tilts a little, the structure is beginning to give out. He hears Zane again,

“You have not won, and in fact you have lost more than anybody on this battlefield.”

Riley growls and asks what he means, he hears Zane growl, it echoes throughout the room.

“I knew my vision ended when I saw the blast Riley. You ruined everything...So I thought, how can I ruin you? Could I kill you..no its past that, that will happen but..what could really RUIN you. The death of Epsilon...somehow no… But your companion! This is what I will repay you with..”

Riley panics and runs over to the overlook and sees the burning catapult.

“She is dead..but if not...I will kill her after you..Riley...For that is your fate TO DIE!”

He turns to see Zane standing. half his body covered in blood, ear hanging off, his jaw was torn, and his eyes were glowing red with hate. Zane grins and Riley charges at him. Zane warps to the side but Riley jumps left and tackles him into the wall. Zane recovers and slams Riley in the face, Riley falls back and Zane slams him again. Riley staggers and Zane catches him with a kick between the eyes. Riley falls and Zane goes to jump on him but Riley jumps up and rolls off Zane’s back pushing him forward. Riley gets up and they lock eyes. Zane’s dark red, hate filled eyes bearing into Riley’s soul. But Riley’s not scared, he’s angry. Riley spits out blood and tackles Zane. Zane falls to the ground and goes to get up but the whole building shakes, the fire spreading to the top of the tower. Zane bites Rileys neck and throws him against the wall. Riley yells in pain, blood coming from where Zane bit.

“Stopping the rise of the true ere, that is impossible!” Zane yells with a deep sadistic grin.

Zane jumps at Riley and goes at him with all his rage. He bites down on Rileys neck again and rips it. He throws Riley against the wall, leaving a blood stain. Before Riley could even get up Zane runs at him and slams his head against the wall repeatedly. Riley goes down, barely clinging to life. Zane grins and picks Rileys limp body off the ground by his neck. Zane then jumps in the air and slams down Riley.

Riley was covered in blood, his body and neck had gashes and red openings. He looks up to see Zane growling and ready to attack. Riley closes his eyes and focuses. He slowly does the chant. He could feel Zanes eyes on him, his malicious grin burned into Riley's mind. Riley jolts open his eyes and says the final word of the chant.

Light explodes from him, causing the whole battlefield and tower to shake. The tower begins to fall apart around them, flames creeping upward. Rileys scar and eyes burn a bright white. The relic morphs around his body, forming a crown of blades and feathers followed by golden bracelets. It was signs of the relic of Alpha, never before seen.

The relic on his neck was glowing blue, still sparky yet illuminating power like never before. New tribal marks appeared on his face, his body was sparking pure energy made of a white glow. His wounds faded almost instantly, leaving just small marks. Riley feels power in him he has never felt before. His scar burned bright white with his eyes. Power that was ancient, the power of Alpha. Zane looks surprised, for the first time he feared he may lose. Riley stares Zane dead in the face, his bright eyes rivaling his. Suddenly a mist circles Riley and starts taking form. Zane stands shocked at what he sees.

The spirits of the four brothers line up next to Riley, two on each side. They wore their relics, which gleamed bright with their eyes. Riley looks at them for a second, then looks right back at Zane

“You forgot something Zane. Thats the purpose of life..To fucking achieve the impossible...” Riley says, with anger and determination in his voice.

Zane yells and charges at Riley. Riley glares at him and suddenly the brothers' relics light up down in a line. Rileys lights up last but when it does a blast of power erupts from them and slams into Zane. He collides with the wall but quickly gets up. Half his body was burned from the burst, but he seemed unfazed.

Riley charges and the shadows of the brothers disappear. Zane warps to the side However Riley moves faster. He jumps in the air and spins, kicking Zane in the face. Riley strikes him hard and hits him in the jaw, causing a burst of light to erupt on Zanes face. Zane goes down and Riley stands above him, power illuminating from him. Riley begins to channel his power and ancient chants appear around him, chants of the four brothers. Zane gets up and jumps at Riley but he dodges him. Riley says out loud the first chant, causing the Relic to turn green.

singularis est sapientia mea, quia ego control i terras et ego non videbo sanguinem in explicandos!

Suddenly a faded green device forms on Riley's back. It forms a cannon that he shoots apart the room with its glowing green rays of light. Zane teleports as much as he can, but he was still getting hit. Suddenly Zane warps behind Riley and slams him down, stronger than ever before. The device fades away, leaving the relic a faint green. Riley does the second chant as he sees zane is about to bite him. The relic glows yellow with his words.

Quia liberasti animam indigent ordo indignis dolor metus adhibebitu!

Zane screams and falls, holding his head. His power was being dissolved instead of his soul, which he lost long ago. He stops yelling and gets up slowly and full of rage, power depleting by the second. He kicks Riley between the eyes and warps behind him. He slams Riley to the ground and goes to finish him. Zane jumps at him, but Riley is ready. He does the third chant, turning the relic bright red.

Affer mihi par facere similis mei postremo omnis cura meorum vitas!

Mid jump Zane feels his hind leg shatter. He hits the ground in pain, feeling his destroyed hind leg and the bone fragments. Riley slams him up against the tower overlook, leaving a blast of red energy as Zane flies into the wall. Riley goes to hit Zane when he warps behind him and sinks his teeth into Rileys neck. Zane slams him down on the tower so hard it cracks. He sinks his teeth in deep, tasting Rileys blood. Rileys vision starts fading, but the last chant plays in his head and Riley focuses his power. He closes his eyes and does the final chant. The relic burns blue, sparking more than before.

Donate mihi hanc male vincere in sanguine est et ego ex meipso!

Power erupts from him and throws Zane off. All of epsilon shakes with the final chant, all the wolves feeling the presence of power. Flames begin to dance around the tower. The tower creeks and flames are everywhere. Riley looks back to see the flames and the tower jerks to the side causing them both to fall. Zane spits blood and looks at Riley with a snide look and says “goodbye.” Riley feels the base of the tower giving out. He jumps at Zane and rolls over his back again. He landed and hits him again, over and over again. Zane dodges but Riley uses his power to slam Zane against the wall. The whole tower shifted to the side and the floor weakened. Zane tries to get up but the floor cracks under him. Riley jumps up and slams Zane through the ground of the tower.

The tower gives out and begins to collapse in on them, a combination of debris of wood and flames. Riley and Zane fall into the imploding tower however they don’t stop fighting. The relic on Riley was burning blue. Riley was using the relic to shield himself, Zane however took the full damage from the debris.They jumped off debris and continued to bite and kick each other in the fall. Riley hits a board but jumps off the wall. Zane teleports out of the way but crashes into a piece of the stairs, stunning him. Riley bites onto him and they crash through several stairs knocking them apart. Riley sees an opening in the burning wall and he jumps through it, still trying to figure out if he made it or not.

The second Riley lands on the ground he rolls and recovers. He glares at the tower and does the chant of the northern lights. Suddenly the sky opens up and light blasts down on the tower, destroying the whole thing in an explosion of blue energy. Riley looks up as the light fades and the crown disappears, then collapses on the ground.

Riley opens his eyes to the sound of Owen yelling his name. He looks up to see all the fighting has stopped. Some Semita were staring at Riley, others staring at the destroyed tower. Suddenly Zane comes out of the rubble, but he is covered in blood, wounds, and fried from the light. Zane tries to stand, but coughs an immense amount of blood and falls over. Riley goes up to him, the most powerful wolf in Epsilon, defeated by him. Zane coughs blood and looks at Riley.

He tells Riley “the power of the Semita...will never die.”

Riley kicks him to the ground and blasts him with a power kick. Zane slams into the side of the ring and Riley runs up to him. Zane charges with as much stamina as he could but Riley rolls over his back while ripping his neck out. Zane collapses in the ring, and crashes to the ground.

Riley goes up to his body, which is still. He looks at Zane’s eyes, no longer glowing red, just a dead looking white with red pupils.

Riley says slowly, “It just did...”

Adriana runs up to Riley and hugs him, almost in tears. The Atrum soldiers are all staring at Zane, no longer fighting, just standing afraid, knowing they have lost and awaiting their fate. The south soldiers cover all the exits and Adriana asks Riley what their orders are, to finish off the semita or let them leave. Riley tells her to let them leave; they know they have been beaten. Riley yells to the remaining Atrum Semita to leave, and if they ever come back they will be torn to pieces. Most of them go running, but some stay.

A Semita cultist comes up to Riley and says that not all of the Semita were there by choice, and now that Zane’s gone they can finally be free from the cult. Riley thinks for a minute, looks at Adriana who is glaring at the semita wolf, before saying yes, and that any semita who decides to join them is welcome. Adriana slams the cultist on the ground before telling him that he better not try anything, cause if he pulls one stunt she will rip his, and every “bitch ass semitas” throat out. She gets off him and goes over to Owen who is busy helping wolves who were caught in the rubble. Riley tries to get up but falls, his hind leg in terrible pain. The Semita wolf tells him it's probably broken, and walking is not a good idea.

Riley says he needs to go somewhere and he has no choice but to walk. The wolf offers to help him but Riley refuses. Riley gets up and hobbles out of the arena. Riley walks past burning buildings, and a battlefield filled with bodies but in the distance hears cheering and howling from the wolves, they did it, they won. But he felt empty and anxious, only one thing on his mind.

He continues until he reaches the burning remains of the catapult. He looked at all the bodies, he saw what was left of Tabers next to the remains of the catapult. Suddenly he hears coughing from a ditch next to the catapult. Riley runs over to see Erika covered in blood with her eyes closed. He tears up instantly and yells “Somebody get help!” Riley runs down and shakes Erika. She opens her eyes a little and smiles at him.

“Did…you kill him.” she said faintly. Riley quietly says, “Yea, I did.”

Erika rests her head on him. “Good..That’s good.” Riley jumps up and yells the chant but he collapses. The relic didn't even glow, he used all the power he had. Erika sits up a bit.

“I'm okay with this Riley..Please just come sit with me.” Erika says lightly. Riley looks at the sky before walking over to her. She rests on him and closes her eyes. Riley was sobbing and he couldn’t even hide it. She looks at him and holds his head.

“Everything is going to be okay, i'll be watching..all your life… I love you Riley White.” Erika mumbles. Suddenly her head drops and her eyes stay still. Adriana and the alphas run over to see Riley holding her and crying, He looks at them for a second before looking back at Erika. He grabs her head and places it against his.

“Please don’t go Erika! Please!” Riley was yelling, but she was gone, another casualty of Zane. The alphas drop their heads. Adriana sheds a tear, before walking away. Riley slowly picked her up and limped through the north with Erika on his back. Wolves that saw Erika dropped their ears, but Riley would hear “She is dead? But she saved us from the fire...”

He reaches the temple and walks to the top. Riley rests Erikas body on the pillar and sits next to her. He was past the point of crying; all he felt was just a dead feeling inside. He sits with her for a while, before getting the courage to speak.

“I don’t know if you can hear me, but this temple will be dedicated to you…. You saved the north…. You won.” Riley starts to cry again. “And I love you…I love you so much…”

“Tell your dad I say hello, and I am sure he is proud… say hi to Bo too, he was a good kid.” Riley kisses her head and lays down, tears coming down like rain.

“Goodnight Erika, I will never forget you.”

Epilogue 1:

Erika had a large funeral, much bigger than what the other casualties had. Every wolf in epsilon was there, Adriana and Owen sat next to Riley. The look in Riley’s eyes which were empty, and showed he died with her. They gathered around the lake, Erika's body on a small boat the east constructed. Slowly the wolves howl, all except Riley. He walked up to her, looking at her closed eyes, he wished he could see them one last time.

“We love you Erika, we will miss you.. And I will always remember you.”

Riley slowly pushes the boat into the water until it floats on its own. Before Riley pushes the boat all the way he lights up the relic. After that the boat glows bright as he pushes it away slowly. The wolves of Epsilon stared at it drift away, slowly watching it fade to light. Adriana cries secretly, holding Owens front leg, and owen doesn't even try to hide crying. Riley just stared and quivered, both ears down. He just stares at the lake silently. Adriana goes up and hugs him.

“We will all miss her, but she would want Epsilon to grow, we need you. I know how hard this will be for you, I saw it in her once. But you have to be strong.” Adriana says to him.

Riley doesn't even look responsive, he just stares at the lake. They look at him for a minute before turning and leaving. The funeral ended shortly after that, but Riley didn't move, he just stared at the lake. Days passed but he stayed right in that spot watching the lake, wishing he could join her.

5 months later:

The land of Epsilon did what was never done before, prospered. The buildings were rebuilt and fortified with the easts silver. All the clans agreed to stay united, wolves were even going to live in other clans. Some liked different lifestyles, and they were welcome with open forelegs. Even the remaining Semita kept to themselves. They were supervised by the south but lived civil lives after the death of Zane. All the alphas were working hard. It was to Owens' surprise that he was made alpha of the north. Every wolf thought it would be Riley but he was barely seen. He didn't ask for a large room in the leading structure like Owen, even though Riley was offered one. He had a small tent that was next to Erikas temple. The statue of Corinthian was replaced with a statue of her. Riley always looked at it, it looked like her to everyone else, but he felt it just didn't look the same.

Riley wakes up and looks at the top of his tent. He had a bunch of books lying around, all have been read. He puts on the north relic and drags himself out of the tent. He walks through the north silent. Wolves didn't even say hi to him anymore, not out of hate but respect. They knew he had nothing to say to them. He walks up the temple stares and looks at Erikas statue. Riley then sits next to it, leaning on it a bit. He would come to the statue and talk to it for hours on end, it was almost the only time the wolves saw him.

“Yesterday I saw a cool rabbit, I thought you might find it cute. It was puffy and white, then it just hobbled in the snow, it was so fat.” Riley says with a faint laugh. “I saw Adriana on a date actually! It was with Samantha actually, They looked like a great couple, I am so happy for her.”

Riley looks down. “Like we were, and could have been after that hellstorm we went through.”

“I miss you. Things really aren't okay without you and...I just wish you were here.” He says, before crying a bit. He rubs his eyes after a few minutes and stops crying. Riley gets up before putting his paw on the statue.

“I won't give up on you, I swear it.” Riley says with a cracky voice. He then walks away from the statue and runs towards the lake. The north relic shined on the new silver walls in the north as he ran past. He runs out of the wall gate and into the unknown, for a reason only he knew. The wolves wondered where he went, but they never asked, they didn’t need to know.

Riley reaches the lake but doesn't stop running. It was winter, the snow was still light, the lake only a bit frozen. Riley reaches the water and dives through the ice into the freezing cold water. He swims down and into the crevice at the bottom. He submerges in the old west's relic chamber. He had completely taken it over, there were books everywhere and a station in the middle that looked burned. Riley flips through books for a few hours, trying to find chants from the four brothers, mainly Corinthian. He stops reading and runs to the spot in the middle. The relic burns bright on his chest as he does a chant.

“Bring back the fallin for all has faile-”

He couldn't even finish it and the relic blasts him against the wall, as all of the attempts do. Riley slowly gets up and walks over to a book. He crosses out the chant he attempted, as he did with all the other books of chants. After a few hours of reading he sighs at his failed results and gets no success, exactly like the last 5 months. Riley walks over to a beautiful looking book, the cover reads

“Dear Erika.” Riley opens it and begins to write with the help of the relic.

“Hey Erika. I am sorry I keep failing with my chants, I just can't seem to find the right one. I hope you get to read this book, read the things I have written to you. But the longer time goes on the further that seems from a reality. I won't give up, I promise. I just need to finish Corinthians chant. I just want to bring you back. I can't live without you. I love you Erika, and it says that on every page. I need you back”

Riley stops writing and lays down, he didn't even have the energy to go back to his tent. He curls up in a bed made out of books and closes his eyes to rest. When he closed his eyes he had nightmares as he always did. He would dream about seeing Erika dead most of the time, a repetitive but effective dream.

But this dream was different. He was in a castle he had never been in before. Whispers picked up as he kept walking. There was nothing in it but a plaque in the middle of the room, the light from the moon on it. Riley suddenly looks up to see alpha. He went to look again but he was gone. He walks up to it and gasps. The writing contained Corinthians old chant, the parts he wrote mostly. The rest was blank however Riley tries to memorize it but he snaps back to reality and jolts up. He stands there for a second before sprinting out of the cave and diving in the water.

Riley sprints to the north and barges into the dining hall. The wolves all seem surprised to see him, he had never been seen in the dining hall before. He jolts around frantically until he finds the alphas eating.

“Riley! Holy shit it's good to see you wh-” Adriana begins to say but Riley talks over her.

“You got to help me! There is this castle, it's big, has a plaque in it...The plaque is important. That plaque might be able to save Erika. Where is it? Is it real?” He says rambling.

Owen says quietly, “Nothing can save her Riley, you have to accept that.”

Riley slams on the table and yells “something can be done!!” All the wolves stop talking and glance over, but try not to stare.

Adriana sighs and says “Yes it exists, but it has nothing of use, the “plaque” was just a bookstand with carvings. But we need you Riley, you are abandoning all of us, do you think that is right?”

“I don't know what right anymore, I can't help anyone I know that, I did what I could and I just want Erika BACK! SO WHERE IS IT!” Riley yells. He was trying not to cry, but he was losing the battle. Adriana looks down and says “It’s in the southeast mountains, you know what, I actually want you to go. I really hope you can find some closure out there, cause we need you.” Riley then turns without a word and runs out of the north yet again, leaving the alphas staring in sadness.

Riley sprints through Epsilon, he didn't care how tired he was, he ran at top speed. The trees soon turned to mountains, however there was a blizzard up where he was going. The snow hit him hard and he couldn't even see where he was going anymore. The wind almost blows him off the side but he uses the relic to shield himself. He figured he had two options, reach the castle or freeze to death. He didn't care which option happened.

After a bit more walking he spots something in the distance. There was a large building, almost completely destroyed. Riley sprints at it and pushes the door open. It took all his strength and he barely gets the massive door open, but he just barely squeezes inside. Riley looks around the castle with amazement. There were statues of the four brothers and carvings of the wolves of Epsilon. He didn't recognize all of them, but he figured they did something right if they are carved here.

Riley walks up to the old plaque in the middle. He brushes off the debris and stares at it. The plaque had ancient writing on it, however it was incomplete. Riley stares at it, this is the last chance he has. He stares at it and begins chanting it. The whole plaque begins to glow, even the carvings on the wall.

“I have failed the path but you may prevail. Give a second chance, but for not my own reasons. Bring back the one I love. The path is dark without you, and I seek light, return what this land never truly deserved, what I myself failed to protect”

The temple starts shaking, the relic glowing brighter than it ever has. It burned Riley, spreading lines of power through his body.

“Save my other! Without her I am lost in depths of black and shadows, I know I am not worthy! Bring back the honored, bring back the one who deserves the gift of life!” Riley says before the relic causes his whole body to pulse with light.

All of Epsilon began to shake, the clouds snowing harder than ever before. The wolves of Epsilon were scared, trying to run away from the shaking. Riley closes his eyes and focuses on everything he read in the last 5 months, he needed to finish the incomplete chant.

Riley uses the best of his knowledge and yells “Bring back her soul, for I am afraid. Bring back her soul, though I am not worthy!”

Riley screams as the Relic ignites power. The northern lights explode across Epsilon violently. The colors changed rapidly, sucking in all the snow. Adriana and the others look up in wonder and fear. Riley kept screaming at the top of his lungues, giving more power. The relic burns blindingly bright and suddenly explodes on his chest, sending Riley flying back. The northern lights all ignite in colors and shapes, before strongly shooting back into the mountains. Once it reached the temple the light exploded into atoms..

Riley opens his eyes to see himself still in the temple, however it was lighter inside. He looked down at his body to see his fur burned and the relic destroyed. He looks up and is surprised at what he sees. Alpha stood over him, staring at the center of the temple. Riley looks at him and says “Did it work..” Alpha then smiles and disappears without another word. Riley gets up slowly and has to shield his eyes from the brightness in the center. He walks forward and the lights die down. Suddenly they focus through the roof, no longer in his eyes. He keeps walking but stops instantly at what he sees.

Tears begin running down his face when he looks in the center. Erika was laid down around a circle of light. She had her eyes closed but her body had no scars or blood. Her hair rested on the ground around her head, and her grey fur was clean and untouched. Riley slowly walks up to her and taps her. Erika suddenly opens her eyes and jolts up. Riley gets startled and jumps up in disbelief. Erika stood in front of him, staring at him with her beautiful emerald eyes, her hair flowing with the wind once again.

Erika looks up at him smiling, tears coming from both of them. “What the fu..where are we? Did we win?”

Riley stares for a few seconds, then runs up and hugs her tighter than ever before. He starts sobbing and holding her closer, she almost couldn't breath. He then falls over crying, but Erika sits down and holds him.

“Are you really..The real Erika” He says, playing with her hair and blowing on it to see if it moved. She laughs and replies “yep, the one who will make sure there are no spiders in our tent...also the one who is super confused with what's going on.” Riley rests on her and stops playing with her hair. She patted his scruffy hair as he cried, nuzzling his head closer to her.

“I thought you were gone Erika.” He says in between his sobbing.

Erika surprisingly laughs and says “Now you know how I felt when I thought you died.” Riley keeps crying but she suddenly grabs his head and says “its okay Riley, I'm here now, and I will never leave I promise.”

She drags him up and walks to the center of the temple. He slowly gets up and looks at her. She rests her paw on his shoulder and suddenly she starts to lightly howl a melody at the ground. The synesthesia picks up and her howls turn to beautiful colors and noises. Riley places his paw on her and they lightly howl together. The notes were calming and beautiful. They sway with each other slowly, the melodies dancing around them.

They were moving with their heads together, smiling with their eyes closed. The music continues to play even after they finish howling there tune, Riley figured this must be a powerful place. Riley looks at Erika and they stare at each other for a while. They both had tears in their eyes, but not from sadness. They knew they had each other finally, the one thing they always wanted. Riley wipes his eyes and stares at her, never thinking he would see her smile again. Erika says “What, did my hair get shorter? I will be pissed if it did.” in a playful tone.

“I’m yours, Erika Brookes.” He says. She then kisses him with the melody dancing around them. He holds her head and kisses back, he never felt this happy in his whole life, even when killing Zane. They hold each other and the moon reflects their silhouettes, two souls united against all odds.

Epilogue part 2:

Riley and Erika walk through the mountains with ease. They reached Epsilon finally, it was hard to go fast since Riley wrapped their tails together. He felt happier that way, a reminder she was actually alive. She looks at him and says “You can unwrap it now, we have walked pretty far.” before laughing.

Riley responded with his old happy rambling “It's the same as holding your paw Erika, we can just walk this way, I figured it out! It's just so good to see you! I never thought I would again, I had no idea if that chant would work Erika! Erika I am so happy you are back Erika!”

She laughs at him and they walk in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Erika stares at him and when they reach the lake she stops suddenly. Riley falls forward and their tails separate. He slowly gets up and stares back. He says “What?”

“Thank you for everything, I love you.” Erika says quietly.

“I said I would never forget you, I meant it.” Riley says.

“Jinx.” Erika says laughing, remembering herself saying the same thing. Riley looks at the lake and thinks about his new cave, and showing her that book he wrote for her and all the chants. But he figured he has all the time in the world to tell her how he feels, she was never leaving again.

Erika grins and says “We better get ourselves back, I'm sure we will have some fight to worry about soon.” Riley looks down but she pulls his head back up. “What is on your mind, you can tell me.” Erika says comfortingly.

“What if there was no fight, well at least not for us.” Riley says.

Erika looks at him confused and says “What do you mean?” Riley looks down and tears up, but keeps his composer.

“I can't lose you again. I need you, you are the only thing that matters to me. I would never trade you for anything, not even Epsilon. I don't know..I figured we could, maybe leave the north...not live in any clan. I know it sounds dumb but I just thought maybe we could just be together...all the time.” Riley says softly.

Erika smiles and says “I dont think its dumb.” She then wraps her tail around his tail again and they proceed towards the north. Erika asks Riley to fill her in on the last 5 months and she is delighted at what she hears. Riley tells her about the peace in Epsilon, the big steps they have achieved already. Erika kept thinking about what he said before, she was thinking about it on the walk back.

“Do you like large tents or small tents?” She says randomly. Riley tilts his head and says “I love middle sized tents actually, what for?”

“For the start of our new home, we are moving out after all, keep up!” Erika says smiling. "I know the perfect place to set up by the lake… I also like the idea of starting a new life..together.”

Riley almost jumps with excitement. She kisses him on the cheek and says “But you better get over your fear of bears, because we are going hunting a lot when we set up camp.”

Riley rambled for ten minutes straight about their new life. Erika wanted it to be where her father died and was buried, out of respect for him. Riley was so happy he would even agree to living in the middle of the lake if she wanted to. They hoped the wolves of Epsilon would understand, but would understand if they were let down. That was the last thing Erika wanted to do, but she was done fighting, they both were.

They approach the north and the wolves at the gate drop their jaws in surprise. They see Erika and Riley walking near the gate, the guards then proceed to open it instantly. They walked through town together, tails intertwined. The wolves couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Riley and Erika walk into the central room to see the guards at attention and all the alphas meeting. They look at Erika in amazement, tears go down Adrianas eyes. They all yell in excitement and run to her. Owen hugs her, but the second he lets go Adriana pushes him away and hugs Erika tighter.

“What happened? I saw you die! How are you here!?” Adriana yells in excitement. All Erika does is point at Riley, who puts his paw up and awkwardly waves. The alphas bring Erika over to the map they were looking at.

“Check this out Erika, this is the new blueprint of Epsilon defense.” Adriana says. Erika looks at it, the army they had was the biggest in the history of Epsilon. “We are all happy to follow you, you will be the commander after all.” Adriana says, happy as could be. All the wolves look at Erika, who looks away from the map and at Riley.

“Actually, I think I will go with a new life now.” Erika says. “Something more peaceful believe it or not.”

“But what about us?” Owen says, looking at both Riley and Erika. Adriana looked sad too, the other alphas even looked sad.

“You are the greatest alphas who have ever lived, you made Epsilon what it is today, not us, we just sparked the fire.” Riley says.

“But you will make sure it ignites, and I know you can do it.” Erika responds with after. The alphas looked at each other for a minute before looking back at Erika.

“Will you come back?” Adriana says slowly..

“Of course! We can't wait for the next bairbarn, along with the next arena fight. We will just be a bit further away, living peaceful lives.” Erika says, smiling at Riley. The Alphas all say their goodbyes and Riley and Erika go to leave the central room.

Owen yells “Wait!” causing Riley and Erika to turn around. Owen says “What if we need you here.”

Erika looks at Riley before looking back and saying “If you need us, we will know, and we will come.”

Owen smiles and says to Riley “Told you..purpose of life.” He then turns away to avoid Erika seeing him cry, he figured she would hold that over his head for years.

After Erika looks back one more time, both her and Riley leave the building and walk through the north. They gathered some supplies before leaving and put all the equipment on their backs. The wolves would smile at them, some thanking Erika and asking how she is alive. Erika would just say “you never know what will happen in epsilon.”

Riley and Erika reach the lake and their new life begins with a fire by the water. Riley was telling her all the stories that he heard in the last 5 months and she would listen with fascination. After a few days they set up a little tent and after a few weeks their little site turned into a beautiful property. The tent was large, it fit both of them and even had legroom with a big bed and a small library. They set up a food and water station, it even included Libra. The fire was always lit, they used it to cook all the animals they caught. Even Riley got good at hunting after a few months.

The lake was still, Erika and Riley would sit together and watch the sunset every night. They did everything together. They played and explored during the day and cuddled by the fire at night. She would rest her head on him and they would sing, the synesthesia would circle them. They loved their new life. They would cuddle in their bed and Riley would read Erika stories he found in the east library. Armano kindly allowed them to take any book they wanted. Erika and Riley were happier than they ever had been before.

Epsilon prospered as predicted. The alphas were able to successfully restore epsilon, even the older structures. The moral and comfort within the clans was at an all time high, everything was at peace. Riley and Erika kept their promise, they would return to the clans often to be with their wolves. Every bairbarn was exciting and the south ring fights got even more brutal. Erika would watch with Riley in the stands, no wolf wanted to fight them, out of both respect and fear. They would go to the east to help Armano with defense designs and go to the west for herbal treatments. Adriana was happy Erika and Riley visited her and Samantha, she was happy they were both still within the lives of Epsilon. Although even though Riley did not lead the clans, he did have one job he would remain loyal to, a job he did every year.

Riley and Erika lead the wolves of Epsilon to the border of the lake. All the wolves of Epsilon sat all around the lake's borders. Riley and Erika walk close to the lake as all the wolves of Epsilon start quietly howling. Riley smiles at Erika before doing the old but not forgotten chant.

As soon as he finishes he howls at the sky, along with every wolf there. The northern lights burst into colors and the wolves all look in amazement. Suddenly snow starts falling from the sky and all the wolves cheer. Owen pats Adriana who kisses her new girlfriend Samantha.

Riley sits with Erika in the front, he just puts his paw on hers. They watch the lights with the rest of the wolves, smiling with tails wrapped together. Erika rests on Rileys shoulder and they watch the snow slowly gently fall, together.

Finis