“…what is the purpose of the Origin?” Aleu asked.
Alai sighed. “Aniu used this Origin as a way of communicating with her followers on your plane. If the Alpha’s of the five clans stand atop their respective caves and howl at the same time, Aniu will be summoned to your plane. She used this as a way to speak to those who sought her council, especialy during the great war… when she is summoned to your plane in this way Aniu takes her physical form and will be sans any of her spiritual powers. This is how Shade plans to kill her.”
A confused look came over Aleu’s face. “…but if she were killed on Earth while in her physical form… wouldn’t she just return here?”
“Ordinarialy yes, she would.” Alai said. He paused and sighed. “Aleu, when Aniu was summoned in this way it was a direct breach of the agreement she made with the rules so long ago; that of not taking direct action, only influence. Before Aniu always explained herself and her reasoning, and the rules consistantly forgave her… but if she were killed before she could do this…” He fell silent.
Aleu’s eyes widened. “My God…” She murmered. “She would be judged just like anyone else, wouldn’t she?”
Alai nodded.”The rules would find her to be in breah of their agreement… and they would send her to hell for it.”
Aleu sighed. “That’s it then, that’s the Shadow Clan’s plan… this is how Aniu falls.” She fell silent and looked away, absorbing the weight of the information she’d been given. Finally, she looked back up to Alai’s face. “What will happen to us?” She asked.
Alai sighed again. “…at first her absence will hardly be noticable to your plane, but without Aniu to keep the balance… Shade will grow more and more powerful until he’s able to enter you plane… if you believe in an apocolypse, this would be it.”
“…hell on Earth.” Aleu said.
Alai nodded. “…quite litterally.” He said. His facial expression and tone turned to one of deep concern, bordering on desperation. “It is imperitive that you get to Nome and return to the Origin as fast as you can Aleu. Aniu’s time grows shorter by the hour.”
Aleu nodded. “Alai… is Lytion aware that I know of their plan.”
Alai shook his head. “…right now he does not. Dash’s infiltration of The Talbourne was successful on that point.” He said. “…but it may not remain like this. Make haste Aleu… but tread carefully… I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
Aleu smiled “I’ll be careful Alai; don’t worry.”
Alai smiled at her and the two of them stood up. “On a more personal note, it is really good to see you again.”
Aleu smiled. “It’s good to see you too Alai.” She sighed. “I only wish it were under better circimstances.”
Alai nodded. He raised his paw and a green protal appeared behind Aleu. “This will return you to your world.” He said.
Aleu turned and walked toward the portal.
Alai’s voice stopped her about half-way there. “Aleu, before you go…”
Aleu stopped and turned. “What is it Alai?” She asked.
Alai sighed. “I know it’s selfish of me to keep you here when so much is at stake… and when time really is of the essence, but… well I just wanted you to know that… Ive been watching you and you’ve faced many trials in your life… more than most, and you’ve performed admirably. You have a lot to be proud of. I’ve also seen that you’ve found someone to watch over you and to care for you during your life… and I want you to know that it’s all right by me, but… but I’ll always love you Aleu… and I’m sorry to have dumped this all on your shoulders… again, but there really wasn’t anyone else…”
Aleu smiled and walked back over to him. She looked into his blue eyes, soft with compasion, and nuzzled him, somewhat surprised when she felt his soft fur caress her own. “Thank-you Alai.” She said. “I’ll always love you too. Though we spent such a short time together on Earth… I’ve never felt a closer bond with someone, not even Shadow… and don’t worry. I’ll save Aniu… somehow… I’ll give it my best effort anyway.”
Alai smiled and nuzzled her back. “I know you will Aleu.” He said. “Aniu was wise to place her trust in you. Truly, my fate, the fate of everyone, both spiritual and physical, rests in your paws. Once Shade has taken over your world he will move in here as well… without Aniu we are powerless to defeat him. We will fight… but it is futile… eventually he will destroy this place, and everyone in it.” He paused. “…but time really is of the essence, and I’ve kept you here with my selfishness for far too long. You must go now. Aniu is already losing ground. Return to Nome, gather your forces and journey to the Origin. It is there that the fate of both our worlds will be decided. Do not worry about how you’ll know the way. I will help you in that.”
Aleu smiled. “…take care Alai.” Then she turned and walked toward the green portal.
Alai’s voice stopped her just outside the portal. “…and good luck Aleu.” He said. “…and may Aniu guide and keep you in your journey.”
Aleu turned. “Thank you Alai.” She said. Then she stepped into the portal and was gone, leaving Alai standing in the clearing alone. He raised his paw and the portal vanished. “…you’re going to need it.” He said. Then he turned his head toward the deep blue, cloudless sky. “Aniu, I know that you are even now fighting for your life, and ours as wel, but as your faithful and humble servant I beg of you. Watch over Aleu, guide her and keep her safe. Set her paws upon safe snows so that she may complete her quest.” He paused. “…for she truly is our only hope.”
He looked back down as a red and white husky walked into the the clearing. She hung her head and sighed. “Alai I’m sorry to have been the cause of all of this.” She said.
Alai smiled. “Saba, all things happen for a reason, though we might not know that reason at this time… whatever happens is in the rules’ will… it is in their hands now.” He said. “You are lucky they deemed your self-sacrifice in the defence of Aniu’s clan worthy of pardon for you other mis-guided actions.”
Saba nodded. “Yes, but still…”
Alai smiled. “Saba, all is forgiven you, both by Aniu and the rules. Come, we must prepare for whatever Shade might throw at us next.”
Saba nodded and followed Alai as he walked out of the clearing.
Chapter 11:
Jenna was rudely awoken from her sound sleep. Her chest burned and she found it hard to breathe. She yelped in pain and recoiled from whatever had hurt her, which jumped forward at the sound. A boot landed on her left foreleg and she felt a sharp pain stab upward through her leg to her shoulder, drawing another yelp of pain from her muzzle.
Roger stumbled over her and put his hand forward to catch himself on a table.
Jenna stood shakily and padded over to him, nursing a fairly prominent limp, holding her left foreleg close to her side.
Roger knelt down and patted her on the head. “I’m sorry girl.” He said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t turn the lights on ‘cause I didn’t want to wake everyone in the house. …but you’re usually sleeping in your bed, why’re you over here by the fireplace?”
Then he glanced over and saw Balto, still sleeping soundly. “Ah I see…” He said. He smiled and patted Jenna’s shoulder. “Now surely you guys have been behaving yourselves down here all alone haven’t you girl?”
Jenna licked his hand and he laughed. “Okay girl, I believe you.” He said.
Roger pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. In the dim light cast by the dying embers of the fire he could just barely make out the hands of the watch on the antique finish. He patted Jenna on the head and stood. “Well girl I’m already lare for work… it’s five thirty, so I guess I should get goin… I am sorry for hurting you though.”
Jenna jumped up and placed her paws on his thighs, nearly knocking him over. He laughed and patted her on the head. “Okay girl, okay.” He said. “I guess all is forgiven eh?” He rubbed the fur behind her ears for a moment, then he turned and walked out the door.
Jenna yawned. “…five thirty huh?” She thought. Her chest still burned and her leg hurt something awful. Jenna even thought it was starting to swell. She tried putting it on the floor and nearly yelped again as an intense heat washed over her leg. “…bad idea.” She thought, drawing the injured limb close to her side.
She sighed. “Well I don’t really feel like going back to sleep…” She thought. Her gaze wandered over to Balto, still sound asleep in front of the cooling fireplace, his mixed brown coat illuminated softly by the dying coals. She smiled. “…and I don’t want to wake Balto…” She turned to toward the door. “…maybe Aluse would like to talk.” She thought.
Then she walked over to the door and psuhed through the doggy door. Jenna shivered slightly in the cool morning, and then carefully climbed down the steps and walked over to the front gate, which she pushed open.
“…I hope Alyse is up at this hour.” Jenna thought. Then she turned right and headed down the sidewalk.
Jenna walked up to the green house on 4th Street and pushed the white painted gate open. She walked into the yard and up the steps to the door. Then she scratched on it with her paw.
Jenna heard Alyse moving around inisde. “…just a minute.” She said.
Jenna sat on the porch and waited.
A few moments
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