Steele stopped and stood by a stalagmite growing from the ground. “There she is.” He said.

Aleu looked and a tear came to her eye. “…my God.” She said.

The white wolf stood in the center of the cave-like room. Six chains extended from the ceiling. They ended in hooks which had been driven deep into the white wolf’s body; one in each shoulder and two along her back, forcing her to stand. The chains were on fire.

“…my thoughts exactly.” Steele said.

Aleu ran from behind the stalagmite and down the hill toward the white wolf.

Aniu had burned stumps where bluish wings had once been.

Aleu stopped beside the white wolf.

Her eyes were closed.

“…Aniu?” She asked.

The eyes opened and Aleu could see extreme pain reflected behind her flashing blue eyes.

“…Aleu?” She asked. “My child, what are you doing here?”

Aleu sighed. “When I saw you die… I had to rescue you… I… I killed myself, stepped in front of a car… so that I could be with you, so that I could find a way to save you.”

Aniu cast her face to the floor. “Why my child. You must know that there is no escape from God’s will… why did you do such a thing?” She asked. Her voice was full of sorrow. “I deserve to be here.” She said. “My sentence here was just, but you? …you were the best of the wolves, my chosen one. You do not deserve this.”

“…but I had to save you.” Aleu said. “You’ve saved me so many times… how could I just leave you here?”

Aniu shook her head. “I could have left at any time child.” She said. “God has given me the ability. I have chosen to remain here.”

A shocked expression came over Aleu’s face. “…but why?” She asked. “We need you, my clan needs you...” She sighed. “I need you.”

Aniu smiled, her expression warming Aleu even through the immense pain she was suffering. “This is God’s will my child.” She said. “I have accepted that. Now, you must as well.” She paused. “You committed the sin that got you sentenced here for the wrong reasons. I will return you instead.”

“…but without you Aniu…”

Aniu smiled again. “God will always take care of you Aleu, with or without me. He will not allow Lytion to destroy his creation, or his followers. I must ask you to trust me… to trust him. That is all that we can ever do.”

Aleu nodded.

Aniu looked up at the ceiling of the cave and closed her eyes. “Oh God, thank you for giving me the choice to save myself; to deliver me from this hell, from this sentence of eternal torment. I ask instead that you pardon the sins of this one Lord, of Aleu. She did what she did for the wrong reasons, not to take your creation from you, but rather to save my own. In this her life was given in self sacrifice. You said it yourself; greater love hath no one than this, that he give up his life for his friend. Now I beg of you to allow me to use the last of my power which you have bestowed upon me to restore her soul to its former state of righteousness, that she might have the reward eternal life with you that her faith throughout the years has deserved. This request I ask in your name, A-men.

She looked down at Aleu and opened her eyes.

Aleu was staring in shock at what had happened.

Aniu frowned. “What is it my child? Something troubles you?”

Aleu raised her paw and Aniu saw that a brilliant blue flame licked it’s way along it.

Aniu smiled. “It is done.” She said.

Aleu looked at the blazing chains that were stabbed deep into the white wolf and remembered her fight with Shade so long ago.

She raised her paw and swiped it across the chain.

The fire along the length of the metal died and the chain snapped.

Aleu looked at Aniu.

Aniu smiled. “Praise God.” She said. “He has provided for us all.”

Aleu hit the next chain and it too snapped. She continued this until all six chains had snapped and withdrawn into the ceiling. Then she looked at Aniu.

The white wolf’s fur was matted with blood and the ends of the chains were still embedded into her body, leaving a length of about a foot to dangle by her sides.

Aniu stood up and looked at the ceiling of the chamber as her paws started to catch fire with the same brilliant blue as Aleu’s.

Steele felt a tingle in his paws and looked down to find that his too were blazing. He hopped back and shook them in an attempt to put the flame out.

“Fear not child.” Aniu said. “That flame will not harm you.”

Steele stopped and looked at his paws for a moment, and then looked at Aniu. “What is it?” He asked.

Aniu smiled. “With the sword of my spirit shall I strike down evil.” She said.

Steele looked down at his paws. “…but what have I done to deserve this.”

Aniu limped over to him and placed her paw on his shoulder. “You have believed.” She said.

Steele looked down at his paws in astonishment. “All my life I have done evil. I have served myself, and I did not realize it until I was sent here.” He paused. “I have had much time to think here; to wonder how things would have been had I served you, instead of selling my soul to Shade.” He looked up at the white wolf. “Perhaps now, for once in my worthless life I can do some good.”

Aniu smiled. “…perhaps.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 13:

 

Balto slid to a stop in front of a building. He turned his head over his shoulder. “So this is it.” He said.

The gray and white cat jumped off his back. “Yes, this is the building I saw them enter.”

Balto nodded. “Thank you Kate. I am in your debt.” He sighed. “…but this is as far as I want you to go. If I am right… and I’m sure I am, then this is going to be dangerous. I cannot ask you to go any further.”

The cat scoffed. “Please, spare me the pity party. I came this far, now I’m going to help you save your mate.”

“…but…” Balto started. Then Kate cut him off. “But nothing, ***** have you still not learned that I can…”

“…can take care of yourself. Okay, okay, I get it.” Balto said.

Kate smiled.

“…thanks.” Balto said. He looked up at the building. “…let’s go.”

 

Balto crept up the dust covered stairs and heard a slight whimper coming from under the door just ahead. He turned to the small cat beside him. “Do you hear that?”

She nodded.

Balto crept closer to the door and stuck his nose out into the hall. “It’s clear.” He said. Then he crept out into the hall and to the door. He nudged it open slightly and glanced inside. His heart skipped a beat and he smiled.

Jenna sat against the window, gazing out at the night sky. Her body shook in racking sobs.

He opened the door further and it squeaked.

Jenna whirled around. “If you’ve come to hit me for looking out the window I…” She stopped in mid-sentence. “Oh my…” A smile split her muzzle and she sprinted over to him. “Balto!” She cried.

Balto nuzzled her. “Shhh!” He said.

She grinned. “…sorry.” She said.

She nuzzled him back. “I’m so glad to see you.” She said. “Jason he…”

“I know.” Balto said.

Jenna buried her nose in his shoulder and sobbed. “I thought… I thought he was going to kill me… me and Alyse.” She said.

“…Balto?”

Balto turned and saw Alyse stumble out from behind a dust covered dresser. He smiled. “…Alyse.” He said. “…good to know you’re alright.”

“Heh, alright yes, but I injured my leg trying to escape. I’m afraid that it’s broken.”

Balto walked over to her and looked at her leg. “Yeah… yeah, looks like it to me too.” He looked up at her. “Can you walk?”

Alyse nodded. “…anything to get away from this place.”

Kate stepped into the room. “So is this your mate?” She asked.

“Who’s that?” Jenna asked.

Balto smiled. “Jenna, Alyse, this is Kate. She’s the one that led me to you.”

Jenna smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Thank you.” Alyse said.

Kate smiled. “…not a problem.” She said.

Jenna cleared her throat. “…not to break up the meet and greet or anything, but… can we get out of here?”

Balto smiled. “Yes.” He said. “…let’s go.” He stood and walked toward the door. “…follow me.” He said.

Kate followed him and then Jenna and Alyse fell in line.

He crossed the hall and walked to the stairs. Then he froze.

A black dog was walking up the stairs.

“…shoot!” He whispered. “…back this way, come on!” He turned and walked quickly down the hall and took a left into a large room.

“…bravo Balto.” A familiar voice said.

Balto looked up and saw Jason standing beside another, unfamiliar wolf across the room.

Jason walked down the steps toward the middle of the room. “…quite a rescue effort Balto. I expected you to come a lot sooner.” He glared at Balto. “Perhaps I should have killed her instead.”

“Jason, I know what you think and…”

“Shut up!” Jason yelled. “Don’t try to twist my mind, don’t make me think that what I know to be true is false. I know the truth!” He snarled. “You killed my father!”

Balto sighed. “Jason, he attacked me I had no choice but to…”

Jason leapt across the room and slapped Balto across the face and threw him to the ground. “…shut up!” He yelled. “He did not! You killed him. You murdered him!”

Balto looked behind him and then sighed and looked back at Jason. “Jason, even if I did… Jenna and Alyse have done nothing to you or your family. …spare them? You have me now, why make them suffer?”

Jason appeared to consider this for a moment and then nodded. “Fine, they can go.”

Balto looked behind him. “Kate, get them out of here.”

The cat looked as if to question him, then nodded and turned. “…come on.” She said.

Jenna hesitated.

“Go Jenna, I’ll be there soon.”

“Balto I can’t…” She started, but Balto cut her off. “Go Jenna, don’t worry about me.”

Jenna nodded and turned, following Alyse and Kate out of the room.

Jason smirked. “That was so cute Balto.” He said. “…but you see… you won’t be along soon, or ever for that matter.” He laughed. “See, Fairbourne here has

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