On My Fathers Wings
By Kaynight

‘Dad…DAD.’ A small pup yelled running up to Niju and pulling at his tail as he snoozed in the shade. ‘You promised we could go play today.’ The pup said rolling over onto his back and looking happily up at Niju who didn’t even open his eyes as he yawned.

‘Riddick please I’m busy.’ Niju said opening one eye and looking at his son who stood up.

‘You’re always busy.’ Riddick complained looking a little saddened. |

‘Niju quick Nava has called a meeting and we all need to go.’ Sumac said in a puffed voice as he ran up beside Niju who instantly stood up.

‘When will that old fool step down…?’ Niju grumbled stepping over Riddick. ‘…because of him we are starving we need a new leader.’ He finished holding his head up high. Behind him Riddick followed suit after his father, ‘Riddick stay here and wait for your mother!’ Niju snapped turning around to face his son who instantly stopped and sat on the ground. Riddick watched after his father his tail wagging behind him hoping that his father would soon return and then they could play.




‘Riddick, sir?’ Came a deep voice as slowly Riddick opened his eyes and looked up at the den entrance to see his friend and unofficial Beta standing there looking at him.

‘This better be important.’ Riddick growled closing his eyes.

‘We have just received word that the Spirit pack has completely disappeared!’ As soon as the beta was finished Riddick shot up and walked out the den.

‘Packs just don’t disappear you fool.’

‘One minute they were there and the next they were all gone.’

‘What about my father?’ Riddick spat hoping that he had left with the pack he had so wanted to lead but never had the brains to actually do so.

‘He and the old one have remained but they are not talking.’ Bursting into laughter Riddick walked away from his beta. ‘Should we gather the wolves and launch our attack now?’

‘Yes, yes as soon as possible but I have a special duty for you and a few others Blaine…’

‘What ever you wish sir and it will be done.’ Blaine said obediently as Riddick turned back to look at him.

‘My father…kill him.’ With that Riddick marched right past Blain and into the shadows.


Niju shivered madly as he huddled into a ball trying to warm up from the freezing water he had fallen in. His head lay on his paws as he looked out towards the ocean where his pack had all but disappeared. He was hoping and praying that maybe they were wrong and would come back home, come back to their land.

He waited for hours just staring out towards the ocean but still nothing but waves rolled upon the shore; the reality just couldn’t seem to sink in they had left him, his friends, his pack mates they had deserted him, why? He was doing what was best for them this land had been the home of the Great Aniu and many many generations beforehand why would they want to leave the promised land? They had just been going through a bad time the caribou would return why couldn’t they see that?

The rays from the morning sun did little to warm Niju as he admitted sadly to himself that they were not returning and it was time to leave the sea-side and get back on with his life.

Walking to the old meeting place Niju shivered when all he could hear was the wind howling through the gullies. He walked up to the ledge that Nava stood upon when he spook to the pack; the alpha position. Standing on the ledge all it had promised Niju, its power, its respect...he didn’t feel any of it, all he looked down upon was an empty ground with nothing left but empty footprints.

Of course he had seen Nava but Niju had too much pride and sought not to find him and hoped that he would do the same. Niju sneered to himself Nava had thought he was a such a good leader and loved by all but then why did they leave him also? They made no effort to help him and to think he allowed the pack to be run by a half-breed!

Returning to the all but empty forest Niju began to try and find food even though everyone else was gone because it didn’t mean he couldn’t hunt, he didn’t need them, he was strong and proud as well as an excellent hunter.

Niju wandered around for hours and still he found nothing but the scents of his pack mates who had already searched the entire pack lands days or even weeks before and had found nothing. He had to quickly admit that him alone stealing from a nearby pack would be nothing but suicide but perhaps just getting something from their pack lands and returning unnoticed would be a better option? As he began to walk to a nearby pack land he heard a very faint sound of a twig cracking, was it Nava? Turning around Niju only just managed to move out of the way of a huge wolf lunged at him. Gasping a spinning around teeth barred for a fight he soon noticed in the corner of his eye as two more wolves approached him from behind and one he recognized. Looking back around he watched as Blaine walked up to him. ‘Well well what do we have here?’ He grinned.

‘You dare walk upon the lands of the great Spirit pack? Nava will have you killed.’ Niju growled.

‘Nava that old fool wouldn’t hurt a fly but however we know well clear your pack has left you for dead.’ Blaine laughed walking around Niju as Niju's eyes followed him.

‘Your son has given me some pretty clear orders about you.’

‘I have no son.’ Niju said through gritted teeth looking at Blaine who rolled his eyes.

‘Don’t worry no need to be jealous of your son any more…we’ll make sure of that.’ Blaine growled lunging at Niju who easily dodged him, Niju was a good fighter and had age and experience to back him up whilst Blaine was still only a pup and new nothing about fighting. Knowing he was outnumbered by three wolves Niju lunged at another one of the nearby wolves biting down hard on its back causing it to yelp and in that split second Niju easily let go leaping over the wolf and running into the forest. ‘You fools kill him or Riddick will kill us all!” Blaine yelled as the two wolves that had accompanied him ran after him.

Niju glances behind him at the young wolves and smiled to himself, he had been born on this land and knew it like the back of his paw, if there was one thing he could do it was lose them. Bursting through some undergrowth Niju began to run back towards the seaside and the huge cliffs. Reaching a cliff face Niju ran along side it until he was sure the wolves behind him could see and he instantly changed direction jumping off the cliff beside him. The two wolves behind him quickly came to a stop and began laughing, ‘That fool just killed himself!’ One laughed looking at the edge of the huge drop on the side.

‘Lets get back to Riddick he’ll need us for the attack on the Summit pack and of course to reward us.’ Blaine said eagerly the three wolves quickly ran away just as Niju breathed out. He had known about the small ledge just below the cliff and the tiny cave inside ever since he was a pup and had nearby fallen down. Just managing to squeeze his was out of the cave near the bottom of the cliff Niju stretched not realizing how much had had grown since last he had used the small tunnel he was surprised he could even still fit. Looking back up at the cliff face a saddened face soon came over Niju as he sat down on the warm sand and looked out at the ocean, he thought he would never have to hear his son’s name ever again after what he had done and what he had become.



‘We just need an excuse to take power now think you three!’ Niju yelled at Yak, Sumac and Nuk who all looked at each other trying to think of something.

‘Dad!’ Riddick yelled running forward up to Niju who looked shocked as the small pup sat at his legs looking happily up at his father.

‘What are you doing here Riddick!’ Niju yelled. ‘You should be with your mother.’

‘I want to come with you.’ Riddick smiled.

‘Go back right now!’

‘But dad…’ The pup pleaded standing up and looking at his father who just frowned.

‘Listen young pup its time you began to learn…’ Niju didn’t have time to finish because Riddick quickly got a little teary before turning around and running away. Looking after him Niju tried to hide his guilt but his son had to learn. Niju was not going to make the same mistakes his father had made on him, Riddick would grow up into a strong pack run by his father, safe and surrounded by family but Niju knew he had no time yet for being a father…he would soon enough and than he could give his pup the future he deserved.




Sighing to him self Niju sadly walked along the cold beach towards the nearest pack lands to hunt for food and even perhaps seek asylum. It was obvious his son like him wanted nothing to do with him, but unlike his son Niju would never ever hurt Riddick and he knew it was best for his son if he just disappeared.

Soon darkness again descended upon the beach and the calmness of the night began again, the full moon turned the sand a glowing silver color and lit up the whole beach. Feeling tried Niju sat down on the beach and as the waves rolled ashore near his paws. Just in front of him he could see the invisible border between his packs and the next but he wasn't sure if he could cross it...it scared him.




‘We have killed Niju!’ One of the wolves who had chased him reported happily back to Riddick who nodded happily.

‘Yes very nice…’ He stopped when he saw Blaine run up to him. ‘…the Summit rebellions?’

‘They are prepared to attack the Summit alpha when ever you give the word.'

‘Then give them the word!’ Riddick said walking up to Blaine who quickly nodded before he and the other two wolves walked away towards the Summit Peak Pack. Watching them go Riddick was glad to finally be left alone in his thoughts. He walked down to a small stream and took a quick drink before looking at his reflection and shaking his head as he looked at the large scar on his left eye. Sitting down Riddick stared down long and hard at his reflection and almost laughed at him self because he was so similar to his father that it sickened him. He was never going to be like his father, his father