fur and held on for dear life. Once she felt Toboe was safe, she sped up. She passed Hige and Blue with ease. She flew passed Tsume, who squinted his eyes to see if he saw what he thought he just saw.

The Pie was now running at Kiba’s side. They matched each other stride for stride. They bolted into the cave and slid to a stop in front of the gates, where Atali and Cheza waited. The Pie stared in wonder.

Kiba approached his awaiting Flower Maiden, who was very glad to see him.

"Kiba! You came back!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. "This One knew you would come!"

"Cheza! We found the Pied Wolf."

"This One knew you would find her! She is beautiful."

The others finally caught up. Hige collapsed in a heap, breathing like he’d just raced a cheetah. Tsume, who was also breathing hard, looked over at Hige.

"What’s the matter, Porky?" He gasped "Outta shape?"

"Shut-up." Hige spat out. "Where’s Toboe?"

The wolves looked at the Pie. A red fluff ball was attached to her back. His legs were wrapped tightly around her midsection, his tail between his legs, his ears flat against his skull, his head buried in her fur and his eyes tightly shut.

"Wake up, twerp." The Pie said.

Toboe opened one eye, then both. He released the death grip he had on the wolf and slid to the side of her. He lost his balance and found himself on his back, looking up at the cave’s ceiling.

"What just happened?" He asked.

Atali smiled.

"My 6 wolves! You’ve made it! Finally, Paradise can be opened!"

Atali turned to the Gate and howled.

"Oh, Paradise! The 6 wolves of the apocalypse are here to claim you! Kiba, Hige, Tsume, Toboe, Blue and…"

Atali went silent. He looked over at the Pie.

"What is your name, dear?"

The wolves all looked at the Pie.

"You never told us your name." Tsume said.

The Pie smiled.

"My name is Shiloh."

Tsume sighed at the name.

Atali nodded and smiled.

"Shiloh."

The window began to pulsate.

"Now, you must each howl. Cheza, sing your song."

As Cheza sang, the wolves howled. The window shattered, and Paradise spread. The cave disappeared. Paradise spread over the land, covering up the evil, smothering the wicked in its glory.

Kiba opened his eyes. He was sleeping in lush green grass near a babbling brook. He got up and looked around. He was in Paradise. He found his friends bounding in the fields, happy as can be. He smiled and looked at his surroundings. It was everything he’d ever wanted. But, what was he going to do now? Everything was perfect. Too perfect. He suddenly felt a sense of failure. How was he going to quench his lust for adventure? He sighed as looked over at his hopes and dreams.

Paradise… He thought. Now what?