He gave his half torn ear a hard scratch, and the stepped onto a large blue-gray stone. He raised his head in howling position, bearing his neck to the west. A loud booming sound thundered above him, but he didn’t flinch.

“You are early…” A voice said from behind a western rock.

A large translucent gray wolf stepped out from behind the rock. “and you came from the eastern side…the hell dogs aren’t happy with your deeds to those Eastern Wolves.”

“Well, what are they going to do about it?” The black wolf said bravely.

“They will come. You have served them too much. They are coming. In three days. They’ll be looking for you, Death. You’ve nowhere to hide. You must fight them. And if you do, you will prove to me you are foe. I’m disappointed…soon, I may have to kill you myself…that is, if you do fight them-and win the fight-or I won’t and you shall be slaughtered by them.”

“Oh, Death, if only it were that simple. They are already in the forests of the Northern Pack. You’ve three days to prepare yourself. If you get the Western Pack to help you fight, I may change my mind on killing you. Goodbye now, Death. Sleep well.” And with that, Satin disappeared into the bush and the thundering sound was soothed with the soft sound of wind.

Death began to walk back towards the Eastern Pack. He stopped in his tracks as he heard the light sound of dogs barking and snarling. He shuttered. He wasn’t afraid of dogs, but the Hell Dogs were something else.

Three days…A soft whisper blew through the wind as Death sat alone. Then he heard something else behind him. He whipped around. Nothing. He saw a dark shadow slash through a tree and behind a bush.

“Who’s there?” Death thundered.

The shadow zoomed across into another tree.

“I said, who’s there!” Death snarled.

Death saw a dark shadow loom above him. He whipped around. Death let out a shrill yelp. He was horrified at what he saw…

Shard woke from a disturbed sleep. He had dreamed of some freakish sort of demon, it was as if it was a prophecy from the heavens. He hadn’t believed it at first, but now, as he emerged from the hollow tree stump in which he slept, he thought it might be some sort of sign…but he decided to ignore it for the time being. He had way to much to do.

Shard stretched and headed for his friend, Tinge, who was always finding ways to make trouble. Shard picked up a little mouse scuffling around in the dirt for him and Tinge to share.

“Ah, so you’re finally awake.” Tinge said. “Have you seen Death anywhere? He hasn’t been around Base for a long time. He said he was going to see his mate…maybe he wondered off into the Southern Pack’s Base! I wouldn’t be surprised, the egghead he is…”

“Do you really believe he went to see his mate? He’s been gone for a month now.”

A rustling sound in the bushes made Tinge and Shard look back. There were only four or five other wolves in the Base at the moment, but it didn’t smell like any of the others…

A big black figure walked in through bushes. “Oh look, there he is.” Tinge barked, rather disappointed.

Shard examined the black wolf thoroughly. He had large red splotches that stained his jet black coat. “Is he dead?” Shard asked Tinge, staring at Death’s motionless body.

“I hope so, but if not he better have a good reason for coming back like that after “visiting his mate”, don’t you think?”

Shard nodded.

Death slowly stood on his paws wobbly. He’s alive. Shard thought. Death glared around the Base with his one yellow eye.

“You all just sit there, staring. What use will you be in the war?” Death growled half to himself.

War? Shard muttered to himself. Was Death speaking of the war with the demon Shard saw in his dream? Suddenly, Shard was dying for answers.

“There’s something out there.” Death growled, half fear, half anger. “It’s big, but it’s not human. It’s not wolf either, not entirely. I suppose it’s some sort of demon, but I’m not sure. It has brought the Hell Dogs with it. It is coming in three days. We must be ready to fight! If you Eastern wolves want to live, then you will fight alongside me as comrades!”

Tinge gave Shard a strange look. “Why are the Hell Dogs coming?”

“They’re following the demon.”

“That’s impossible. They don’t follow, they either lead or go on their own. They’re after someone. That’s the only reason they would come. They’re after someone here!”

“Don’t be foolish pup. They are after no one.” Death barked gently to the crowd of wolves that had gathered around where he stood.

“Death, you lie! They’re after you!” Tinge growled.

“Silence, fool!” Death leapt into the air, landing perfectly atop Tinge a moment later.

“Then it is true!” Tinge choked from under Death’s paw.

“Shut up!” Death dug his claws into Tinge’s face.

Shard felt a little nervous as Tinge struggled under Death’s paws.

“Why do you leap to your defense then? Why are you so eager to silence me? You are being tracked by those Hell Dogs, and you know it! And so you put our lives in danger to save your pitiful one! You helpless fool!”

“Shut up! Shut up, shut up! You best keep your mouth shut pup, with your stupid comments, or you’ll pay the price!”

Shard couldn’t withstand himself. He hauled himself at Death, trying to knock him off of Tinge. It didn’t work. Death swung around and kicked Shard right in the neck. Shard fell to the ground, choking and groaning in pain. Death grabbed Tinge by the hind leg.

“Release him!” Shard snarled as he wobbly stood up. “Now!”

“As you wish.” Death tightened his grip on Tinge’s leg and flung him at Shard. Tinge came crashing into Shard, his face and leg bleeding. Tinge twitched a few more times and then lay motionless.

“T-T-” Shard stammered, shocked the sight of his brave friend dying. “T-Tinge! Tinge, don’t die! You idiot! You…you…you liar! You killed him for nothing!”

“Did not! I killed him because he was of wrong doing from the moment he was born!” Death snapped.

“Well,” Shard turned to Tinge’s mother, who was among the many wolves that had gathered around. “what do you think of this, Rose? Is your son of “wrong doing”?”

Rose hesitated. “If that’s what Death said, it’s true.”

Shard was taken aback, but could see the anger and sadness behind Rose’s sharp, green eyes.

“Ah, so you see, child, that you and your friend’s bravery was wasted. All of it.” Death barked.

Shard could see the evil in Death’s eyes. Those Hell Dogs were after Death, and now, the entire pack was almost sure to die.

“Well, what do you think of this? Are you going to follow this liar?” Shard snapped, facing the large crowd of wolves. They were silent. “Well? Well?!”

“Under my dead body, maybe!” It was Shard’s mother who was the first to speak. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Death. Slaughtering innocent children, making us poor old mothers cry! Shame on you, shame on you!”

“Old Woman, you’ve not the right to speak out against me! For I am your leader!” Death growled.

“You are not, and you never will be! You may be their leader, but I will forever be lead by our rightful leader, Shama, the White Wolf! He was a good mate, brave and loyal, until you killed him! You foul beast! You’ve got the heart of the demon who tried to kill you!”

“Shut your trap, or you’ll be lying in a grave with that puppy!” Death growled.

“You haven’t the right to speak to me in that tone! If Shama were still our leader, e would of sacrificed his life for us! He would have never run away like you did!”

Death took a step forward.

“Don’t you dare move!” Shard growled.

“No…you…don’t! Stay…right…where…you are!”

“Tinge! Are you okay?” Shard rushed to his friends side.

“I’m fine. And I want to finish the fight I started!” Tinge charged at Death.

“Fool!” Death growled, and dodged Tinge easily. Death grabbed Tinge by the neck and through him back.

“Shard…” Tinge whispered.

“Tinge…don’t go…” Shard muttered, rushing over to Tinge.

“Don’t let him get them killed!” Tinge rasped, and with that, breathed his last.

“No…no!” Shard wailed. “Death! You will pay for this!”

“Will I now?” Death barked, smirking.

“Everyone! This is a fight between me and him! Do not interfere!” Shard announced.

“As you wish, puppy!” Death leapt into the air.

“I will avenge you, Tinge!” Shard breathed, dodging Death’s attack.

Death stumbled a bit then rose to his paws.

Shard glared at him, and then realized Death had him backed into a tree.

Death smirked and ran as quick as lightning in Shard’s direction. Shard ducked as Death bit into the tree. Shard wiggled out from where he was cornered.

Death shook his head, snarled and charged at Shard. Shard quickly mapped out his attack and a slash of teeth ripped into Death’s snout.

Shard landed easily on the opposite side of Death.

Death curled his lip and shook his head, blood droplets splattering everywhere. “You think you’ve won just because of one little fluke!”

Shard felt his claws extend. He braced himself to bite down hard into the huge wolf’s black, furry neck.

“Here comes your death!” Death snarled leaping onto a tree branch and advancing many braches higher. Then, he leapt off one, coming down with increasing speed towards Shard.

This is for you, Tinge! Shard thought, colliding into Death.

Death yelped. Shard bit down hard on whatever he was biting as the two wolves tumbled into the crowd, each wolf snarling and whimpering. Shard felt a pain in his ear. He refused to let go, even though he could feel the warm blood creep down his face as Death jerked at his ear.

“Give up, kid! You’ll never win!” Death growled aloud as the two wolves toppled into a clump of bushes. The two hit a tree root, and stopped in their tumble.

Shard let go of Death and leapt back, ready to fight some more.

Death gasped and choked before lying still. Shard hesitated, then realized the sharp root had pierced through Death’s back.

Shard watched in horror as a little devilish creature leaped out from Death’s open mouth. “Oh my god! He was possessed!” Shard was to shocked to say anything more.

Death gave a choke an d crinkling sound and then looked up at Shard with wide eyes. “I’m sorry, young one…” He breathed deeply. “That demon did something to me. I don’t know what came over me, but don’t let the others die. Tell your mother I said sorry. And tell Tinge’s mother I’m sorry.”

“Yes, Death.” Shard said bowing his head.

“Now you best be going, you might not want to see the death of a friend.” Death joked.

“No joke.” Shard said. “I’m sorry, too. This is all my fault.”

“No, it’s mine. I was the one who lied to the pack. I shouldn’t have even gone to see Satin. He just got me into more trouble than I was already in.”

“Well, then you weren’t visiting your mate.” Shard barked.

“No, and I shouldn’t have lied about that either. I’m sorry, Shard.”

“Death…” Shard whimpered.

“Go now. That’s an order” Death barked, resting his head.

“Yes, leader.”

Shard turned and walked away.

“Wait, Shard.” Death muttered.

Shard felt a pang of sadness to hear him so weak.

“You are the new leader…Shard-san.” Death smiled, and rested his head.

Shard walked slowly back to base, tears creeping down his cheeks.

“Shard! Shard-san! Leader!” Shard was surprised to here a chorus of voices shouting his name. He barked in delight.

“We heard what happened back there. We’re sorry, leader.” It was the tiny pup, Leo.

“It’s okay, Leo.” Shard barked, putting a paw over the pup’s shoulder. “We best train you up, huh? There’s a big battle coming, and we need a lot of soldiers. What do you say, Ms. Chi?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Shard-san!” Leo’s mother Chi barked gleefully.

“Well then, you come with me, Leo, and we’ll have your first training course.”

“Yay! Yay! Yay! Let’s go! Come on, leader!” Leo barked, jumping around Shard.

“Alright!” Shard said, bolting for the bushes, Leo right behind him.

Shard ran through the forest easily. He made it back to base in time for the Dinner Feast. He had brought back a duck to roast with the rooster he’d caught with Leo yesterday. He dropped it at his mother’s feet. She smiled, knowing her son was leader was a good thought.

“Thank you, Shard-san.”

Shard smiled crookedly in embarrassment. He never thought he would see his mother giving him so much respect.

Not wanting to stick around for the feast, Shard crept away. He walked for a long time, about three hours to be exact. He didn’t realize he was walking right into Western Wolf territory. He shuttered. The Western Wolves had quite a reputation. They showed no mercy, they were the only wolves out of the four packs that never settled disputes with compromise. They just fought. And most say when you look into their eyes, you see no light at all. He new to himself that the myth wasn’t a myth at all. He’d seen a western wolf before, and it was nothing any wolf would want to look at.

Suddenly he realized-as he was thinking-he had been venturing deeper into the forest. He stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around and headed back to his own territory.

“Hello, puppy.” Shard shuttered as the thundering voice echoed through the black forest.

Shard somehow found the courage to say something back to the voice. “Going back to my own territory.”

“Why were you here in the first place?”

Shard hesitated. “I was wondering.”

The voice laughed and a black object-so fast it was a blur-darted from a tree on Shard’s right to a tree on the left.

“Who are you?” Shard snarled, trying not to show his growing fear.

The voice was not as loud. “You are scared puppy. I can sense it.”

Shard was no longer scared. He was angry. “Stop calling me puppy! I am not scared! I am Shard leader of the Eastern Wolves!”

The voice laughed. “Bravery. But, what happened to Death?”

Shard suddenly began to worry. This wasn’t a Western Wolf. None of the Western Wolves knew of Death, except for Cregg, but he was exiled and is now a rouge. “Who are you?” Shard said at last.

“You didn’t answer my question. Where is Death?” The voice thundered.

“Dead! Gone!” Shard snarled in aggravation.

“Dead?”

“Yes! Dead! He’s dead!” Shard growled. He must find out who this wolf was…if it was even a wolf.

“Who killed him?”

Shard hesitated. “I did.”

After a moment’s pause, the voice said, “Good.”

“What do mean, ‘good’? He wasn’t evil! He was possessed!”

“Yes, I know.” The voice said. “I know the whole story. I saw. We were the ones possessing him. We forced him to do something horrible so you would kill him. But at the last minute, he managed to choke up what was left of the poison. And for a moment, we thought he would live. But you got him real good. You put him at a point where all he could do was speak his last words.”

Shard jumped back as a big, red dog-followed by two more-came down from the tree.

Shard froze. The hell dogs! He thought in horror. All that time he was talking to them, the hell dogs. He was in complete shock.

“Our work here is done. We’ve no need to give this youngster a heart attack…unless Satin tells us to.”

Shard growled, his head down. “Don’t go.”

The biggest one-who seemed to lead the rest-turned. “Ha! Don’t try and act tough.” He laughed, followed by the others.

Shard felt a shadow fall across him. The clouds had blocked the moon.

“He’s done it.” One of the hell dogs muttered.

“That’s impossible! How can he block the exit to hell? Only Shama could do that…”

Shard’s eyes widened. His father. His father…his father could close the gates to hell? Why hadn’t he known? The power that he’d had when he fought Death, it came from the heavens! And his father! He had closed the gates to hell when he defeated Death, he remembered the darkness, and Death choked up that…thing. He should have known.

“Well, we might as well get going.”

Shard felt his lips rise in a snarl. He couldn’t control his anger. Those dogs were responsible for everything. Tinge. His father. Death. His eyes narrowed and he could feel them turn red through his rage. He wasn’t going to let those murderers leave his sight.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Shard screamed.

All three dogs turned around. The smallest one spoke. “Wh-what’s the kid doing?”

The biggest dog stepped forward and laughed. “Tryin’ to be tough like your old Pa, huh? Well, you’re not stopping us from leaving. And possibly, we’ll be back…to kill you.”

Shard looked up.

“Gosh, his eyes are red…” The small one said.

“Leave, puppy. Or I’ll make you!” The biggest dog leapt into the air and began to come down on Shard.

Shard was as quick as lightning and looked up and grasped the dog’s neck.

“He’s…” The middle dog stammered. The two other dogs stared in horror.

Shard threw the dog into a tree. Scarlet blood trickled down the dog’s neck. His breathing grew faster, then stopped.

Shard’s anger left him. He shook himself. He had no idea how he’d done it or how it happened.

He whipped his head around and glared at the other dogs. “We’ll never come back! We promise!” They echoed and darted away and disappeared. The moon reappeared.

                                            To Be Continued