Chapter 10: Reunion

Niran sat outside of the family den, which was now quiet all the time since Kalil and Najan had died. Tychon was always either out inspecting their territory or, for some reason, at the cliffside. He must really miss his brothers... Niran thought and sighed sadly, Like we all do... As Niran watched the orange sun begin to set in the west, a few tears fell down his muzzle and to the grass beneath him as memories of Kalil and Najan appeared in his mind. "Why did they have to leave us so soon?" Niran asked no one, his voice only being answered by a slight gust of wind. Niran closed his eyes as more tears ran from his eyes. Lunera, who was just as devastated by Kalil's and Najan's deaths, padded up beside her mate and nuzzled him gently. "I know how you feel..." she said so softly it was almost a whisper, "I loved them just as much. They didn't deserve this..." Tears began to well up in Lunera's eyes as well as she buried her face in Niran's pelt. "It isn't fair..." Niran said between sobs, not opening his eyes, "They had so much to live for! Najan never had his first birthday... Kalil never found a mate... It was all too soon..." Lunera gently licked his muzle and rested her head on his shoulder. "I know... I wish dearly that they were still alive..." "As do I Lunera..." Niran replied and heaved another sigh.

A little less than a mile away, Kalil, Najan, and Kelia followed the guards until they stopped at a clearing. "Wait here please," one of the guards said to them, "Your father, Lord Niran, has demanded that only Master Tychon or his Beta may approach your den." The guards walked off further into the forest and left the three there. "So now what?" Kelia asked, slightly confused. Kalil sighed and watched the sun set behind the western horizon. "Now... we wait," he replied and sat down. Najan began to run around in circles, chasing his own tail as they waited for the Beta to show up. Kalil chuckled as he watched his brother chase himself for a good five minutes before finally exhausting himself and collapsing to the grass. "I don't think anyone's coming Kalil," Kelia said doubtfully and a rustling was heard nearby. A very familiar wolf stepped into the open, stared at Kalil and Najan and froze. "No..." the Beta said and took a few steps back, "That's impossible... You two... you died..." Kalil shook his head. "No, we didn't die," he answered, "But we almost did... Twice... Actually three times..." The Beta just stared at them for a moment, then bowed to them. "My Masters, I'm glad you have returned," he said and stood up, smiling at them, "Your parents will be pleased to see you- My God, your parents! They'll be overjoyed when they see you're not dead! Come, quickly! We must bring the great news as fast as we can!" The Beta headed off, leading a very happy Kalil, Najan, and Kelia toward the Alphas.

Lunera gently licked the tears off of Niran's face and nuzzled him lovingly. "Don't worry... We still have Tychon..." she said, trying to cheer him up, "At least we have him." Niran nodded, but knew that Tychon would never fill the places of Kalil and Najan. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he heard someone approaching. Niran turned around and saw his Beta standing there. "Yes, what is it?" he asked, wiping the remaining tears from his face, a little irritated by the interruption, "I told you only to disturb me if it was urgent..." "It is urgent my lord!" the Beta said, barely containing the joy in his voice, "Your sons, Kalil and Najan, they're alive and have returned!" From behind him, Kalil, Najan, and Kelia stepped into view, the Beta taking a few steps off to the side. "Hey Dad... Hey Mom..." Kalil said wearily, smiling at his parents, "Betcha didn't expect to see us ever again..." Lunera, not believing her eyes at first, walked up to Kalil and stared at him, then nuzzled him motherly. "Oh my God, Kalil, you're alive!" she said, tears of joy instead of sorrow running down her face, "We were so sure you were dead! Najan, I'm so glad you're alright!" She nuzzled Najan and Niran walked up to Kalil and smiled at him.

Niran looked Kalil over, examining his wounds and sat down in front of him, a warm smile on his face. "You look awful, son," he said and laughed. Kalil laughed back and nuzzled his father happily. "It's great to see you too Dad!" he said and looked at Kelia. Niran noticed Kelia and so did Lunera. "Who's this son?" Lunera asked. Niran smiled, pretty sure he knew the answer. "This is Kelia," Kalil said as she walked forward and sat beside him, bowing her head, "She's from the Crystal Pack, 50 miles south of us. I love her; she's my mate..." Lunera nuzzled her son again, overcome with joy and pride for him. "Congratulations son!" Niran said, proud of his son, "I'm sure you two will be very happy together!" "Wait, you approve and you've just met me?" Kelia asked, surprised by Niran's sudden approval. "I trust my son's judgement," Niran answered and winked at Kalil, "If he's in love with you, then of course I approve. I just want whatever my children want."

"Mom, Dad, there is something I have to deal with first though," Kalil said seriously and Kelia knew what he was talking about, "Where's Tychon? Where's my brother?" Niran and Lunera exchanged curious looks, then stared at Kalil seriously. "You never fell off that cliff, did you Kalil?" Niran asked, fully understanding now. Kalil nodded solemnly and Lunera gasped in horror. "Tychon tried to kill Najan and I... Dad, you know the laws of our pack... As much as it pains you and myself, Tychon must be put to death... I want to be the one to do that..." Niran thought for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "He's at the cliffside... Take care Kalil..." Kalil nuzzled his father, mother, and brother before looking at Kelia, worry in her eyes. "Please be careful Kalil," she said and nuzzled him, "I don't want to lose you..." "You won't lose me..." Kalil answered and kissed her softly before turning towards the forest. "Kalil!" Niran said to him as he prepared to leave, "Be humane about it..." Kalil nodded and dashed off towards the cliffside.

Chapter 11: Setting Things Right

Tychon sat at the edge of the cliffside, staring down into the rapidly flowing Syn River; the same river that had made him heir by claiming the lives of his brothers. "You know, it feels great to be the heir, Kalil," Tychon said proudly to no one, but feeling as if Kalil's spirit was with him and could hear every word he was saying, "It gives me a sense of success, dominance, and power... Something you'll never be able to feel again, if you ever felt it at all!" Kalil silently pushed through the bushes that bordered the rocky outcropping of the cliffside and glared at Tychon. It took a lot of his self-control to stop him from growling at his treacherous brother right there, but even more to stop him from attacking him right now! Kalil decided to keep his honor and wait for Tychon to notice him, making it a fair fight. "Want to know something else Kalil?" Tychon said wickedly, smirking to himself, "I feel no regret for killing you..."

"Is that so?" Kalil barked behind him, causing Tychon to jump in shock and spin around. Tychon's mouth dropped open when he saw Kalil standing there, alive and well. "No..." he said in both, fear and shock, "You can't be alive! I killed you! I saw you die!" Kalil shook his head and advanced on his brother. "No Tychon, you just tried to kill us. You failed to finish the job..." Kalil said angrily and stopped in the center of the outcropping. Tychon chuckled evilly and began to circle Kalil, a mist setting in around their paws, the fog glowing silver in the moonlight. "Well then, maybe I'll just have to finish it, right here... right now..." Without warning, Tychon jumped at Kalil and Kalil jumped at Tychon, both of them colliding in midair and falling to the ground. As the two got to their feet, they circled each other, a deep hatred for the other burning in their eyes as the mist got thicker. "I've wanted to kill you for a long time, Kalil," Tychon said confidently, "My resolve is stronger than yours; you can't beat me!" Kalil muttered "We'll see..." and rammed into Tychon's side, sending him hurdling through the fog and out of sight.

Tychon stopped rolling and found himself encased in a silvery-white environment. He silently growled and got to his feet, sniffing around and pinpointing Kalil's location. Tychon smirked to himself as he silently padded through the fog towards his brother. "You know, it's going to be fun watching you die..." he said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere. Kalil's eyes darted left and right as he desperately searched for his enemy. "Where are you?" Kalil shouted back into the mist. "Here..." came a soft whisper behind him and Kalil felt someone bite down into the back of his neck. Tychon! He was behind me! Kalil thought as Tychon tossed him forcefully through the dense fog and into a boulder. Kalil's head hit the rock with a tremendous force and he cried out in pain as he crumpled to the ground and lay there, unmoving, to weak to get up. Tychon laughed triumphantly as he made his way through