Dagger, Demon, Kasha, Saphire, Lisam, Kija, Giy, Ne, Kyle, Silfren, Zane, Kript (c) Silent Wolf


Revenge Changes Everything

By: Silent Wolf


Prologue

    A black wolf stood on top of a cliff. He gazed down at an empty field laden with the bodies of wild cats and wolves, a total of twenty in all. The wolf turned revealing an ugly scar across his right eye. The eye itself was blood red, and the pupil was just a slit. The wolf showed no emotion as he walked down and towards the dead bodies. An icy mist hung in the air. Five wolves were walking among them. As he approached they turned to face him.

    The wolf turned his head away from them, making sure that they did not see his eye. He walked along, but one wolf came up to him.

 “Who did this?” The wolf asked.

The black wolf sighed, “One with great power.” He replied. His voice was deep and sent chills down the spin of any animal. He did not face the wolf, but stared down at the face of a cougar, its eyes wide with fear. A black spot covered one eye.

“I knew that cougar.” The wolf said, “She was a great fighter, I never knew that she would be killed. She had just had a cub to.”

At that same moment a mewing came from underneath the cougar. A small cub crawled out. Both of the wolves gasped. The cub, looked exactly like its mother. The wolf growled.

“I’ll kill whoever did this.” The wolf said

“You can’t,” The black wolf said, “He will get to you first.”

The wolf laughed. “I’d like to see him try.”

The black wolf turned and was now face to face with the other wolf, “Would you now.”

The wolf shrank back in fear, “You…you did this.” Its voice shook with fear. Every step it took back, the black wolf took one forward.

“Yes, I did this.” The black wolf said, “And you want to kill me? Well, it will take a lot more than one of Demon’s fighters to take me down. And as you can tell, maybe even more.”

The wolf turned and began to run, but the black wolf was instantly in front if it. The other wolves ran over to see what the problem is. The black wolf lunged, and sank his teeth deep into the others flesh. The warm blood ran into his mouth, and the black wolf went mad. He leaped at another wolf, and then jumped off. He landed in front of the baby cougar.

The poor thing mewed once, and backed up to its mothers, dead lifeless body. The black wolf just stood there staring at it. A wolf lunged landing on the wolf’s back. With lightning quick speed the black wolf turned and snapped. The wolf jumped out with a snarl of pain. Its face was ripped open and blood ran down, dripping onto the frozen ground. The black wolf turned to face his attackers. He darted through them, dodging their attacks and countering with his own. Within seconds the entire wolves lay on the ground, surrounded by their own blood.

The black wolf turned and walked back to the cougar cub. It was staring at the dead wolves, hypnotized. Then it turned and looked up at the black wolf. His eyes showed no emotion at what he had just done. He put his nose down by the cub and sniffed it. Instinctively, it scratched him with its razor sharp claws. The black wolf pulled his head up. Then he knocked the cub over with his paw.

“You will learn your place with time.” He said, “As for now, your coming with me.”

 He gingerly picked up the young cub in his mouth and carried it off into the mist. Before he disappeared from view he looked behind him, one last time.







Chapter 1

A young female cougar stalked quietly through the trees. A brown spot was around one of her eyes. In front of her stood a black wolf. It was on a cliff and gazed down to were her mother, and many others lay dead. She was only a few feet away from him, when she gathered her body and launched herself at the wolf.

The wolf turned quickly and suddenly the cougar was on her back, the wolf had its jaws around her neck. She snarled and the wolf let go. He smacked her on the head with his paw.

“Never snarl at your teacher.” He said, “It will get you nowhere.” He got up and walked away, one of his eyes red and cat like. A scar was across the same eye.

“But master Dagger, you told me to act like you were an enemy.”

“Only until you were defeated, and needless to say, that was rather quick.”

“Master, what am I doing wrong?”

“For one thing, keep your claws retracted until you are in mid-jump. Then you can easily attack and kill the enemy.”

The cougar got up and walked up after him. He was the same size as her, but still his head reached higher than hers. He stood tall and calm. The cougar walked next to him, not saying anything, but watching him.

“Kasha, you must learn how to stalk properly. Now, try again. I want you to stalk and attack, that stump up ahead.” He said, motioning towards a small stump.

“But master, how will that.” Kasha started, but Dagger cut her off.

“It is not your place to question my teachings, now do as I say, but keep your claws retracted until the leap.”

Kasha did as she was told. When she was prepared to jump she had her claws spring out. She nailed the stump, there was a crack, and a large scratch was across the top. Dagger approached her.

“See the difference?” He asked.

“Yes,” she said, “I noticed how much quieter it was when I walked.”

Dagger did not smile, or show any sort of pride in his pupil. Instead he continued to train her on her stalking. By the time they were done, her joints were stiff and she was breathing heavily.

“Be back here tomorrow. Early, your training will continue then.”

Kasha nodded and walked away, leaving Dagger to stand there. She was a little ways away when she heard some snarls. Without thinking Kasha sprang through the air and landed directly in front of Dagger.

Two white wolves were standing in the shadows growling at Dagger. When Kasha came from nowhere they turned and began to run. Kasha looked at Dagger for direction. He said nothing, but was staring at the two wolves, and then he lifted his head towards the sky. A bone-chilling howl ripped through the night air.

The two wolves turned to see Kasha hurdling towards them at lightning speed. They speed up, but were to late. Kasha was snarling and had both down in a flash. She leapt from one to another and jumped away, panting. Both wolves lay on the ground, their throats slashed open. Blood stained their fur and the ground around them. Kasha glanced back and then at Dagger.

“You knew I would do that.” She said. Dagger nodded and walked up to her.

“It was part of your training, to recognize the attack howl. You proved yourself well, now get some rest. Your training continues tomorrow.”

Then he began to walk away. Kasha ran forward and fell in beside him. She walked next to him and looked at his mangled eye.

“I want some questions answered.” She said.

Dagger growled, “You do not ask the questions. You must remember that.”

Kasha growled back, “No, you have to answer my questions. I want to know why you never congratulate me when I do something that you approve of.”

Dagger sighed, “If I were to tell you that you did well you would get cocky. And cockiness leads to death, Demon knows that all to well.”

“Then shouldn’t Demon be dead?”

Dagger shook his head, “He gets cocky, but not cocky enough to get him-self killed. But one day, he will get to cocky. I’ve been driving him deeper into his own territory, by killing his best fighter. Soon I will get my revenge…”

“What revenge?”

“No more questions,” Came the sharp reply, “Now go get some sleep.”

Kasha turned and began to slowly walk away. Dagger continued on forward, until he came to a thick brush. He walked through and came to seven mounds of dirt. He sat down in front of one of the mounds. He hung his head.

“My dear dear Tem,” He said, “You will soon be avenged.”

Dagger turned to leave when he saw another wolf emerging from the trees. She was white with brown markings, and when she saw Dagger she froze and began to growl.

“What are you doing here?” She snarled Dagger turned to look at her.

“Visiting those dear to me, Saphire.” The wolf stared at him, “How did you know my name?”

Dagger still gazed at her. “I once met you. You do not remember?”

She shook her head, still frozen. She growled and tensed up, prepared to attack. Dagger shook his head.

“I am not going to attack you.” He said.

She relaxed, but did not draw her gaze from him. “Why not?”

“Only I can know.” He turned and walked away. He headed away from the graves. A snarl suddenly sounded behind him and he whirled. He ran as fast as possible towards Saphire. He reached her and paused. Kasha was on top of her growling down at the female wolf.

“Kasha!” Kasha looked at Dagger and quickly scrambled away. She hung her head.

“I am sorry Master.”

Dagger walked over to her. “I told you your training was over for the day, that does not give you permission to follow me!”

“I’m sorry…I just wanted to know…”

“It is not important what you don’t know. Nor does the secrets of our allies. The only information you must know is that of your enemies.”

“But sir, she is an enemy!” Dagger stared at Saphire. She had remained silent the whole time. She looked from Dagger to Kasha and then she sat down.

“You trained her?”

“Training. She still has much to learn.” He said turning his gaze back to Kasha. She avoided his mangled eye, but his gaze was too much. She looked up at his eye, the slit of a pupil. The scar was still the same blood red as it was the day he got it.

“Come” He said to Kasha. “You trainings extended tomorrow.”

Dagger turned to leave; with the cougar trailing at his heals. He held his head high, and he felt Saphire’s gaze staring after him. He had only moved a few feet before he turned and looked at her. He knew what she wanted to do.

“Are you coming?” He asked her. Saphire smiled and ran after them. Kasha growled, but Dagger quickly flicked her nose with his tail. He shot her an angry glance and then continued walking. He heard Saphire walking behind him, but not Kasha. Differences in training, He thought.

He turned to Saphire. “Quiet your steps. It’s not safe to be noisy at night. That is your first lesson.”

Saphire nodded and her steps instantly grew quieter. He shook his head. She was copying his steps.

“You will learn in time.” He said. He heard Kasha smirk. “And others to not take pride in others faults.”

Kasha grew silent, and did nothing else the rest of the way. Saphire went back to walking the way she had before, but slightly quieter. Dagger flicked his tail once and Kasha ran ahead, still as quiet as she was walking. Dagger noticed Saphire biting her lip.

“She’s checking to make sure we aren’t ambushed.” He said.

“Won’t she be in danger?”

“No, she has been trained to remain quiet. Now this is your next lesson. Kasha has learned this well, but still slips now and then. Listen closely.”

Saphire picked up her pace, so that she was walking next to him. He looked at her.

“When I tell you to run, run.”

“What?”

 “Do not question me. If we are in a battle and I tell you to run you are to do so. Do not look back and do not worry about me. My skills are more advanced than your or Kasha’s. No matter what happens even if we are winning. Run.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now your lesson is to listen and never question me. My teaching may be the only thing that can keep you alive in a fight were you are outnumbered.”

Kasha came back and nodded. Dagger looked at her.

“Saphire is to stay with you tonight. Meet me by the field at dawn.”

Kasha nodded and started to walk away. Saphire looked at Dagger and frowned.

“What you told me about running, that wasn’t the lesson?”

Dagger looked back at her over his shoulder as he walked away.

“No.”







Chapter 2

Demon stalked quietly through the forest. He had guards around him, in case they were to run into any enemies. Especially Kal. He thought. They were searching for one of their best fighters, Saphire. She had gone to hunt and had not returned. He looked around warily, the orange fur covering his back; tail and the top of his head made him stand out.

“Sir.” One of the guards said.

“Yes?”

“We detected a scent. A cougar I believe.”

“Keep your eyes open. We can’t afford any attack before the treaty.”

“Yes sir.”

The wolves formed a tighter circle around him as they made their way through. All of the guards were gray wolves. Demon himself was black, except for the orange on him. His daughter also had orange on her fur, although not the same half and half as himself. He looked to the side and saw a cougar following them among the shadows. She looks like Kija.

He knew it could not be, Kija was killed in a battle long ago. They never did find her daughter. He growled as he thought of Kal. He doesn’t know his place.

He shook his head, trying to clear the look of pure anger and revenge on the young wolfs face years ago. They came to a clearing, where they had buried Kal’s family. Dagger looked at the mound he knew was Storm’s, Kal’s father. He walked over to it and sat down.

“If only you could know the terror your son causes today.” He said.

The guards all nodded in agreement, looking at one another. Demon stood and walked quietly to the grave of Tem. He sat once again and stared at it for a long time before speaking.

“I never knew what you saw in him. And I am sorry it had to end the way it did.”

He stood and began walking away, when some paw marking caught his attention. He walked over and studied the tracks. He recognized Saphire’s and a cougars, but the other he was unsure of. He stood and looked over at his guards.

“Lisam.” He called.

The gray wolf trotted over and looked at the tracks. As soon as he spotted the strange wolfs tracks he shrunk back in fear. His eyes were wide with terror and his ears flat against his head.

“Whose are they?” Demon asked.

“Sir, they are those of Dagger’s. The cougar and Saphire are more than likely dead sir.” He replied, his voice shaken slightly.

Demon swore. “He’s gone to far.”

“Sir, what should we do?”

“Find him of course! We outnumber him eight to one, he has no chance.”

“But Sir! Do you not remember the Battle of The Fern? He killed fifteen wolves and five cougars single handedly!”

Demon snarled and whirled upon Lisam. He pinned the frightened wolf to the ground.

“Of course I remember! But I have increased your training by far sense then! Now, we are going to find him and make him pay for what he has done!”

“Ye…Yes Sir.” Lisam replied shakily.

Demon growled and let him up. He then started following the tracks, but was surprised when they split. With Dagger’s going one-way and the cougars and Saphire’s going another. He pointed this out to Lisam.

“They may still be alive!” He exclaimed.

“Quiet!” Demon snarled. “You forget we are in enemy territory!”

Lisam and the rest followed him silently. Demon followed Saphire’s tracks, determined to get her back. After a few minutes they came to a cave. Demon motioned for his guards to stay put and walked up to the entrance. He curved his head around the edge.

“Saphire?” He called.

A sudden roar greeted his ears and he was thrown forwards. He turned his head and saw the cougar that had been following him, standing above him. Growls from his guards were heard, but then they suddenly ceased. The cougar growled, but did not attack Demon. He took the advantage and threw his body weight upwards, knocking the cougar aside. He lunged, but the cougar kicked him in the face, and he slammed into the opposite wall.

“My master says to leave you for him.” She said snarling a sneer was on her face.

“And who is your master?” He asked, dreading the answer.

“I am.” A voice from inside the cave said.

Demon spun around and saw a black wolf emerging from the shadows. His eye was red, with a scar across it. His pupil was reduced to nothing more than a slit. Demon gasped and the backed out of the cave, while Dagger continued to walk forward. He did not smile, or have a sneer on his face, like Kasha. Only vengeance showed in his eyes.

Demon turned his head and saw Saphire growling at the guards, who would not attack her. Demon turned back to Dagger and quickly dove to the side. Dagger had taken the advantage of Demon not paying attention to attack.

Demon spun again as Dagger charged him. His guards instantly surrounded Saphire and began moving away. Kasha lunged, but was forced back. Demon saw something flicker in the black wolfs eyes. Dagger had seen Saphire being taken away, and now turned his attention towards her.

Demon lunged, but missed Dagger’s throat. He ran howling for his guards to follow with Saphire. They ran a short distance before Demon called them to a halt. He turned to Saphire.

“Why did you not return?” He demanded. Saphire did not reply, but glared at him. Demon snarled and knocked her to the ground with his paw. She yelped as her head struck a rock.

“Answer me!” He barked.

Saphire glared at him again, a line of blood trickled down out of her mouth.

“He…. he treated…me better.” She finally said.

Demon laughed. “How on earth could he treat you better?” He shook his head chuckling. “You don’t realize he was just using you to get to me?”

Saphire continued to glare at him, but stood up. She looked away. Demon sighed.

“Fine, believe what you want.” He nodded to his guards. “Take her back, I need to think.”

“Sir it’s not safe.” One guard said.

“To hell, if it’s not safe. Just go already.”

The guards said nothing else and walked away, Saphire walking between them. Demon sat down and watched them go. He sighed and walked back to the grave area. He sat in front of a different grave. He thought back to the Dagger. The look in his eyes disturbed him. When they had taken Saphire, there was not the same look of anger, or hatred, but fear. It was as if, he feared losing her.


* * * * * * *


Dagger sat in front of the cave, not saying anything. He stared at the ground his eyes wide. Kasha had gone off after them, not on his orders, but her own. He now waited for her return. A lizard skittered past his paws, but he still did not move. He seemed frozen. A twig snapped and he was brought out of his trance. Looking up he saw Kasha.

“Master…” she said quietly.

He could tell by her tone of voice, she had not found them. He didn’t blame her, for he had never trained her in tracking yet. He looked away from her and continued to stare at the ground.

“Master, please say something.”

Dagger did not shift his gaze. “I failed.”

“Master…you didn’t fail.”

“I failed to kill him, and worst of all they took her.”

Kasha went over to her master’s side and sat down. She had never heard him speak like this before. His voice was usually serious, and now it was full of remorse. Her tail twitched and she picked at a leaf with one of her claws. Dagger seemed not to notice.

“You know that she didn’t want to leave.” She said.

“I could have stopped them.”

Kasha said nothing. His response had been so quick; she knew that she could not sway him in the matter. She sighed and stood up. She walked into the cave. Dagger stared at the ground, his eyes not seeing it, but the look on Saphire’s face when she was taken. Finally he lifted his head and looked into the forest.

“Kasha.”

Kasha poked her head out of the den. “Yes, master?”

“Tomorrow we head south.”

“Why master?”

Dagger did not say anything, but stood and walked into the forest. Kasha shrugged and walked back into the den. Dagger quietly walked along through the forest, until he reached a cliff. He walked to the end and over looked a large field.

“The grounds of The Battle of the Fern.” He said. He looked over the field and saw on the other side a group of gray wolves. In between them was Saphire.






Chapter 3

Dagger paced impatiently. He shook his head and looked towards the sky. Finally, Kasha came from the shadows and walked towards him. Dagger growled,

“About time.”

Kasha rolled her eyes.

Dagger walked to the edge of the cliff and stared over the edge. Kasha joined him at his side. At the bottom was Demons pack, training. Dagger gazed down, searching for one wolf, before finding it. Kasha followed his gaze and spotted Saphire. She smiled.

“She seems all right.”

“Don’t be so sure.” He said motioning off to the side.

Demon and two other wolves were walking towards Saphire. As soon as she saw them she stopped what she was doing and turned to face them. Demon stopped in front of her and began to say something.

“What do you think is happening?” Kasha asked.

“Nothing good.” Came the simple reply.

Demon struck Saphire with his paw and she stumbled to the ground. She stood up quickly and ran off. In an instant the two wolves that where with Demon sped off after Saphire. Demon turned and walked away a sneer on his face. Kasha stood and frowned.

“Should we go after them sir?” She asked.

She turned to look at Dagger, but he was nowhere to be found.

Dagger had taken off at the same time the other two wolves had. He ran through the woods, relying on his sense of smell to lead him to Saphire. He felt his muscles straining and protesting the extra work, but he pushed on.

He came to a halt as he saw Saphire. She was backed up against a large rock, the other two wolves were snarling and slowly approaching her.

Dagger darted around them and came up behind the rock. He heard sudden snarls and yelps. He darted off then turned sharply. He ran at the rock and quickly scaled it. With out thinking twice he leaped off the top and landed between Saphire and the other two wolves.

The two wolves stopped suddenly, then laughed. One-stepped forwards towards Dagger, a smile on his face.

“Back off. This is none of your business.”

Dagger raised his head and stared straight at the wolf. The wolf cowered slightly and back away, but the other one-stepped forward. This wolf was a deep brown color. One of her paws was black.

“Back off.” She said.

Her voice was harsh, but he detected a small tone of fear.

“You should not be concerned with this….” She looked at Saphire, “…traitor.”

Saphire growled and struggled to stand up. She was badly hurt, and a large gash was across her head. She snarled at the wolves, and then fell back to the ground.

Dagger turned towards the brown she-wolf. He growled and she sunk to the ground. He rushed forward and stopped short, bluffing an attack.

Both wolves sprang to their feet and ran off, falling and tripping over each other as the ran. Dagger watched them go and then turned to Saphire. She was still unable to stand. He walked up the back of the rock again. He sat down and tilted his head towards the sky. A deep bone chilling how rippled through the air.

Dagger stopped howling and returned to Saphire. As soon as he reached her, Kasha leaped through the brush, snarling, and her claws out. When she saw it was only Saphire and Dagger, she relaxed and walked over to them.

“Take her back to the cave.” He said standing and turning to Kasha.

“Yes sir. Will you meet us there?”

 “Later. I have other business to attend to.”

Kasha nodded and helped Saphire onto her back. Then she slowly walked away. Dagger watched them leave and then walked a short distance. He walked through the brush and then collapsed.

The strain on his muscles was too much, after having run so far and so hard. He growled at himself and tried to stand, but pain spread through his body. His ears jerked around as he heard a twig snapped. He lifted his head and stared right at Demon. A sneer was spread across the orange and black wolfs face.

“Well, well, well.” He said, still smiling, “would ya look at this. The mighty fighter has fallen.”

Dagger growled and struggled to stand, but fell back down. Demon laughed cruelly.

“There always a price to pay to save someone. Isn’t there Kal?”

Dagger’s eyes grew wide as he stared at Demon. He then growled and his eyes narrowed just as quickly as they had widened.

“What did you call me?”

Demon laughed again.

“Kal. That is your name after all.”

Dagger snarled and lunged to his feet. He stood shakily, but he was standing.

“I am not Kal.” Demon’s smile grew wider.

Dagger snarled in pain and he fell back down. Demon leaned his face close to Dagger’s.

“I knew you before you were Dagger. I knew you before you were this badass wolf. I knew you as Kal, the kind wolf that hated to fight. My how you’ve changed.”

Dagger growled again and snapped his jaws, just barely scrapping Demons cheek. Demon pulled away quickly and frowned. He lifted his lips and his tail swished back and forth.

“I could kill you right now, Kal.”

Dagger growled as he said the name again.

 “But there’s very little chance you’ll live anyway.” Demon turned to walk away and as he did he called over his shoulder, “Say hello to your family for me.”

Silence fell around the forest as Dagger lay there. He growled as he sat up. He howled into the air. Just as he stared the howl something struck him in the side of the head, changing it to a loud growl of pain. He turned his head, a cut now above his good eye.

The same brown wolf he had chased away before now stood there. He glared at her and she glared back. Ignoring her he howled again, and out of the corner of his eye saw her going to whip another rock at him. He ducked as she did so and managed to finish the howl.

Kasha sprang through the woods and tackled the brown wolf. She roared and slashed her claws across the wolf’s face. The wolf yelped. Kasha went to rake her claws across the wolf’s throat, but Dagger snarled.

“Let her go.” He said

Both wolf and cougar stared at him in disbelief. “But, sir, she’s…” Kasha started, but Dagger cut her off.

“She is pregnant. Now let her go.”

Kasha looked at the wolf and slowly backed away. The wolf stood and took off without hesitation. Kasha looked back at Dagger, who was now standing.

“Sir, how could you tell? She looked like a normal wolf to me.”

“I couldn’t tell.” Dagger replied. Kasha stared blankly at him. “I could smell it.”

He started walked, a small limp, becoming steadily worse. Kasha walked behind him, incase he was to collapse again. After what seemed like hours, they finally reached Saphire. She was waiting out side the cave; her wounds had stopped bleeding and looked slightly better. She stood to let him go in, but he stopped her.

“No, stay seated. I have something I need to tell you. Both of you.”






Chapter 4

Rage exploded through every vein in Kal’s body. He wanted to rip, tear, and destroy any piece of Demon he could reach. His eyes turned yellow and a blood-curling snarl left his lips.

Demon turned to face him, his muzzle stained red. He turned away from the life less body of Storm, Kal’s father, and Alia, his mother. His mate, Tem, and their three puppies also lay, slaughtered. Demon saw Kal’s eyes and froze.

“You…you have it…”

Kal snarled, “You thought I was bluffing. You didn’t believe I was a descendant of the Guardian wolfs. ”

His voice was deep and full of rage. He lunged at Demon and sank his teeth deep into his left side. Demon snapped at Kal’s face and caught the tri-colored wolfs eye. Kal leapt back in rage, his eye covered in blood and a large gash ran across it. What you could see of his pupil was still yellow.

“Kal snap out of it.” Demon said. “This isn’t like you.”

“YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!!” Kal roared and lunged for Demon again. He threw Demon off his feet, sending him into a nearby tree.

“Kal…don’t let The Fright take a hold of you like this.”

“The Fright represents my fury.” Kal said, his voice oddly calm. “The fury and heartbreak, that welled up inside me when I saw what you did.” His voice grew harsher with each word. “My father, my mother, my son and daughters, my mate!” His shook uncontrollably as, he looked up at Demon. “You killed them all.”

He rushed at Demon and grabbed his throat. The Fright would not leave until his enemy was killed. He tore at Demon, wherever he could reach. He backed away suddenly, shaking his head from side to side. Demon layed on the ground, fresh wounds bleeding. Kal continued to back up, shaking his head harder now.

“No…” He muttered, “No…leave me alone…”

He squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them. The yellow color of The Frights was gone from his eyes. The pupil of his right eye was reduced to nothing more than a slit. The gash across it had stopped bleeding. He stood there for a few seconds, panting, before he looked up. Demon was still lying there. He looked at Kal, and struggled to stand up.

Kal growled and felt The Fright coming back, but forced it back. Demon was now standing and started walking away. Kal did nothing but stand there.

“You realize,” Demon, said, “That even though your heart still beats, it is in fact dead. You will become a cold heartless killer.”

“Because of you.” Kal responded.

Demon looked at Kal and gasped. Kal’s fur was no longer red, black, and white. It was now completely black. His eye was completely red, except for the pupil. Demon frowned and walked away, limping.

Kal stood there for what seemed like hours, before he was able to move again.

“I won’t rest until I make you feel my pain, Demon.” He said, “I won’t rest…until I kill you. I shall no longer be Kal, but Dagger. As of now, there never was a Kal, and there never will be.”

With that, he turned and bit at his back leg. He pulled away, and a black barbed wire hung in his mouth. He tossed it to the side and as he walked away he muttered.

“I renounce my lineage as a Guardian wolf.”

Kasha looked at Dagger, her head cocked to one side.

“Guardian wolf?” She asked.

He nodded. “A Guardian wolf is an old bloodline of wolves, meant to protect what ever pack they were in. My entire family was in Demon’s pack. Well, before it became his. My father, grandfather, and grandmother served under a wolf called Kript.” Dagger explained.

“I thought that there weren’t anymore Guardian wolves? That the bloodline died when Storm did.” Saphire said.

“No, Demon didn’t realize that I was actually a Guardian wolf until The Fright took over my body.”

“How did you get it to back off?”

“I didn’t.”

Kasha and Saphire looked at each other and then back to Dagger.

“No, you had to of.” Saphire said, “Somehow you had to have gotten it to release its hold on you.”

Dagger shook his head. “You both must remember how I vowed to never rest until I killed Demon.”

“What about it?” Kasha asked.

“The Fright does not go away until you kill the creature or thing that made it take over in the first place. In my case, it wanted revenge for my family’s death. Numerous times after that it should have taken over. The Battle of The Fern for example, I killed twenty creatures by myself and I can remember that entire battle.”

“You remembered it? What does that mean?”

 “It means The Fright never took over. Even though I was vastly outnumbered and was feeling very threatened, not once did it even try to.”

 “I still don’t understand.”

This time Saphire answered Kasha, “It means that when The Fright would take over the wolf in question wouldn’t be able to remember what happened. While under control of course.”

Dagger nodded. “Exactly. The only way I can remember the fight with Demon is because it didn’t have full control. Of course…I had realized long before that there is only one way that it didn’t take over during other fights was simple.”

He paused and watched both Kasha and Saphire before continuing. “It has a permanent hold on me.”

“What?” They both said together.

“Its not that difficult to understand is it? My anger and want for revenge towards Demon, caused it to permanently take over my body. It hasn’t released itself sense. I’m also guessing that is why my fur changed.”

“Sir, I have one more question.” Saphire asked.

“I thought you would.”

“The barbed wire bracelet. I thought it was just a marking on the Guardian Wolfs leg? And wasn’t it always above a white paw?”

“It was always above a white paw. It was the same leg for me and my grandfather and my father’s was the same as his mother.”

“Wasn’t it just a marking?”

“No, it was actually piece of barbed wire wrapped around our ankles. We only said it was a marking.”

“Why?”

“Superstition. Many wolves believed that the Guardians had a tremendous power, and that the barbed wire only increased that power. They also thought it had something to do with our hair.”

“Hair?”

“Guardian Wolfs had what the humans called, Mohawks. Each one was different also. My grandparents were more spiked. My fathers was more smooth, or in better words, not spiked, but you could still see it. And mine,”

He shook his head, so that a large tuft of fur on his head swung back and forth, “Is hardly there.”

“Why is yours different?”

“Mine is different because my mother was not of the Guardian Wolf blood line, other wise it wouldn’t be as small.”

“Sir,” Kasha asked quietly, “in The Battle of The Fern…”

“Yes?”

 “You said you found me there and that I was only about five months old.”

“Yes, I did.”

 “What happened to my mother?”

Dagger was quiet. He had never told Kasha that her mother had been in that battle, and that he had killed her. He looked at the young cougar and sighed.

“Your mother…I do not know.”

Kasha hung her head a little. “Oh. I thought that because I was found there, maybe something had happened to her.”

“Who was your mother?” Saphire asked.

“Kija.”

Saphire swung her head around towards Dagger, her eyes wide. Kasha paid no attention to them lost in her own thoughts. Saphire glanced at her and then back to Dagger, pure venom in her eyes, and Dagger scooted backwards.

“Sir can I talk to you for a second?”

He nodded and they both stood and walked into the forest. Once they were far enough away, Saphire whispered.

“You didn’t tell her!”

“Of course not, what was I supposed to do? Let her know that her master killed her mother!”

“Yes! You are.”

“I can’t do that.”

 “And why not?”

“I need her help.”

 “Oh that’s right. I forgot about your ‘mission’ to get revenge on Demon. Well, I think it’s more important that she knows what happened to her mother, than killing Demon.”

She turned and started to go back. Dagger ran quickly and jumped in front of her.

 “You wouldn’t dare tell her.”

 “Why shouldn’t I? If you won’t whom else will? She needs to know Dagger.”

Both grew silent. Saphire had just called Dagger by his name and not sir, like she usually did. She clamped her mouth shut and looked at him with wide eyes. He stared at her back. He suddenly felt nervous around her, and was glad he no longer had white fur on his face, for it felt like he was constantly blushing. He was staring right into her blue eyes, and had the sudden urge to nuzzle her.

A twig snapped behind them and Dagger broke from his trance. He looked over his shoulder and saw Kasha standing there. She was looking at them both, with a curious look on her face. Saphire walked past Dagger. She stopped in front of Kasha and inclined her head a little, then looked back at Dagger and walked away. Dagger watched her leave and then looked at Kasha. She had a smile on her face.

“What?” He said.

“You like her.”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“You do. Admit it.”

“I do not. Now…” he paused and started walking away, “return to your training.”

Kasha smiled more as he walked away, “Sir.”

“Yes.”

“Training was over an hour ago.”








Chapter 5

For the next few days Dagger spent more and more time away from the cave. He was determined to keep away from Saphire, hoping that his feelings for her would eventually go away. Even though he knew Kasha was right, he would never admit that he liked Saphire.

However, Kasha was determined to get the two together. On one sunny afternoon, Dagger had left yet again. Saphire was dozing in the sun after training and Kasha layed in the shade. She watched the wolf, and stretched her claws. Saphire’s ears flicked. Kasha smiled and yawned.

“So…Saphire. What do you think of master?”

“Must we use formalities when he’s gone?”

“Fine, what do you think of Dagger?”

She opened her eyes and stared into the forest. Kasha could tell she was thinking. Patiently Kasha waited for her answer. Saphire yawned and lifted her head up.

“Well…I think he’s a tough teacher. And I kinda wonder why he’s been avoiding us, but I know it’s not my place to pry.”

Kasha smiled. “He hasn’t been avoiding us. He’s been avoiding you.”

“What? Why?”

“He won’t admit it, but I think he is avoiding you so that he doesn’t let his feelings get in the way of your training.”

 “His feelings?”

“I think he likes you.”

Saphire was silent. Kasha watched her closely and smiled. She had a look of pure happiness on her face. She looked at Kasha, her eyes sparkling.

“He is a handsome wolf.”

“Even with his….”

“Eye? I don’t care about that. It makes him look…I dunno, rebellious.”

“No not his eye, his background.”

Saphire was quiet again. Kasha watched her and let her eyes wander the forest. She spotted a black figure lurking in the shadows. She stared at it for a while before it noticed her and slowly wandered away. She turned back to Saphire and watched the wolf, waiting for her answer.

“I don’t know.” Saphire said in a whisper, “I guess…it kinda…”

“Kinda what?” Saphire looked at Kasha. “Helps me understand him better…I’m not sure.”

Kasha yawned again, “Well, yes it does that. For me it helps me understand why he’s been training us so hard.”

Saphire nodded and rested her head back down. She shut her eyes. Kasha continued to watch her until Dagger walked in the clearing. The two looked up at him. He looked at Kasha and then Saphire. When he looked at her, his eyes quickly darted away and his ears bent back slightly. Kasha perked her ears forward and caught his eye. Dagger quickly went back to his original stance and walked across the clearing and back into the forest.

Saphire watched him go. She turned back to Kasha and rested her head down. She shut her eyes and pinned back her ears, her mind full of what Kasha had said.

“I think he likes you.”

“He hasn’t been avoiding us. He’s been avoiding you.”

“…He doesn’t want his feelings to get in the way of your training.”

“Go after him.”

Saphire jerked out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Kasha staring at her.

“Go after him.” She repeated. Saphire, looked at her paws uneasily.

“I’m not sure if I should…he looks like he wants to be left alone.”

Kasha smiled. “Go after him.” She said again.

Saphire flicked her tail, realizing that Kasha wasn’t going to stop bugging her about it until she did. She stood and hopped off the rock. She turned towards the direction that Dagger had left. She looked over her shoulder and saw Kasha watching her.

“Go –“ Kasha started.

“I know I know.” Saphire said and walked into the forest. When she knew she was out of eye site of Kasha, she started trotting. Soon she was running through the forest.

She heard a noise, the quiet sound of a twig snapping, and she spun around. There was a snarling and suddenly Saphire was on the ground a large white wolf standing over her, his jaws clasped around her throat. Saphire struggled to free herself, but could not. She silently cursed at herself for not paying attention more. She looked up at the white wolf’s face and saw one brown eye and one blue eye.

“Giy! Let me go.” She gasped.

His jaws loosened slightly, but then clamped down harder. She tried to yelp, but couldn’t get any air. She kicked him in the stomach, and he let go snarling in pain. Saphire got to her feet and growled. Her eyes flashed in anger. Giy looked at her, and he growled back.

“I was sent to kill you.” He said. Saphire growled more. He ignored the growls and continued, “It’s a great honor you know. To be hand picked by Demon himself. And to kill a traitor such as you.”

He sneered at her. “I’m stronger now than I was in our puppy hood. I’ve had better training that you.” He lunged, jaws wide spread.

Saphire dodged easily and slashed her jaws at his shoulder. He snarled and whirled at her. Saphire met him with jaws spread. She jumped away and snarled. Giy had a large slash on both shoulders now. Saphire growled. Giy looked at his shoulders and then back at Saphire. His eyes were wide with astonishment.

“Oh yes. I can defiantly tell how well you’ve been trained.” Saphire snarled.

Giy lunged again and Saphire dodged once again. She darted deep into the forest and hid behind a fallen trunk. Giy followed, and stopped inches from her hiding spot. Growling, he slowly began to prowl the forest. His footsteps were noisy and he made many twigs snap.

Saphire followed, her footsteps silent. She followed him until she was standing on top of an over hang. Giy was standing below her. She leaped down upon him, snarling. Giy looked up and fear flashed through his eyes.

In mid-air she was struck from the side. She grunted as she slammed into the ground. She bounced off the ground and hit a tree. She stumbled as she tried to get up. She saw a black wolf now standing next to Giy. This new wolf had gold markings under his eyes. His eyes were a bright yellow. Giy walked up next to the black wolf. Saphire stumbled to her feet and fell down again.

“Giy…” she said looking at the white wolf and then at the black wolf. “…Nè…why?”

“You’re a traitor.” Nè responded.

The two wolves started advancing on her. Saphire tried to get up again, but fell down. She growled at the two wolves. Nè lunged and Giy stood back.

A loud snarling noise reached Saphire’s ears. There was a blur of black, and a yelp. Saphire looked up and saw Dagger standing in front of her Nè’s limp form in his jaws. He opened his jaws and the lifeless form fell to the ground.

Giy’s eyes grew wide as he saw Dagger. He stepped backwards. Dagger growled and lunged. His jaws closed around Giy’s throat, and Giy yelped in fright.

“Wait!”

Dagger looked over at Saphire, Giy still trapped in his jaws, alive. Saphire struggled to stand up. She stood on her feet and swayed. Dagger’s jaws loosened on Giy as she did. He stepped towards her as if to stop her from falling, but she stayed on her feet.

“Master, please.” She looked at him. “Don’t.”

Dagger dropped Giy, who scooted away as fast as possible. He watched Saphire with wide eyes. Dagger stepped towards her.

“He tried to kill you.”

“But he didn’t want to. Please, master. Take him as another pupil. He’ll listen.”

Dagger stared at Saphire. She shrunk back slightly thinking she had made a mistake. She glanced behind Dagger and lunged. Dagger snarled and leaped to the side. He saw Saphire go past him and turned. His eyes widened.

Saphire stood with Giy’s throat clutched in her jaws. Blood trickled down his white fur and fell onto the ground below. Saphire opened her jaws. Giy’s lifeless body fell to the ground. Dagger looked at him, and realized he was several feet from where he had been when Dagger let him go. Saphire turned towards Dagger.

“No.” Dagger said, his eyes wide.

Saphire eyes were completely yellow. Dagger backed away growling. Saphire’s eyes faded from yellow and back to their light blue. She looked at Dagger, her eyes glazed over. She stumbled and fell to the ground. Dagger rushed over to her. She tried to get up again, but he pushed her back to the ground.

“Saphire, don’t try and stay awake. Your not used to the effects of it, so your going to be tired. Its best to sleep.”

Saphire looked at him, and then her eyelids closed. She fell into a state of unconscious ness. Dagger grabbed the scruff of her neck and lifted her off the ground. He tried to carry her back this way, but hadn’t moved far before stopping.

He set her gently on the ground and sat down. Then he nudged his head under her. He tossed her onto his back, and once he was sure she wouldn’t fall off, he started walking. Dagger walked slowly through the woods. As he neared camp he heard Kasha prowling around. He shook his head.

“You should walk quietly at all times, Kasha.” He said loudly, “Even in a place that you may think is safe.”

Kasha jumped and turned. Dagger walked into the camp. He layed down and Saphire rolled off of his back. Kasha ran over.

“What happened?” She asked.

“She was attacked. By some of her so called friends.” He said motioning to Saphire. “She passed out…from her injuries.”

Dagger looks straight at Kasha. He dared not tell her the real reason. She was smart; she would eventually figure it out. He had known. He had known when he first saw Saphire. Is that why I feel so attached to her? He thought. Is it because I don’t want her to succumb to the same fate as I have?

“And you saved her?” Kasha said. A smile was on her face.

“Yes, but not for the reasons you may think.” Kasha frowned and cocked her head to the side.

“What reasons do you have then?” Dagger growled. Kasha shrunk back, her ears pinned back.

“Kasha,” Dagger said, “I had five pups with Tem, all of which, Demon killed. I want you to go their graves, and count them.”

Kasha shook her head. “Count them? Why do you want me to do that?”

“You’ll find out my reason that way.”

Kasha rolled her eyes, but got up and started walking away. She looked over her shoulder at Dagger who was still watching her. She sighed and made her way to the gravesite. It did not take her long, and soon she was sitting before the graves of Daggers family.

She looked towards the pups’ graves. They were smaller than the rest and off to the side. She counted them to herself. She stood up having counted them and turned. What kind of a reason is this? There are only…

Kasha froze. Slowly she turned around and faced the pups’ graves again. She noticed something scribbled across the dirt, that she would not have recognized had she not been told to count them. She shook her head, and once again counted them, reading the message at the same time. Her eyes widened.

“It…it’s impossible.”







Chapter 6

Saphire made a quick recovery. She did not remember the encounter with Giy, which Dagger decided it would be best not to tell her. He had ordered Kasha not to tell her either. About the battle or why he saved her.

“So, even if…the other thing wasn’t true. Your saying you wouldn’t have saved her?”

“No, I still would have. But she would not have been taken over if she hadn’t tried to interfere. Do not think that I am that cold hearted. Besides, even after telling you about my past she doesn’t seem to remember…” his voice trailed off.

“So you’re saying you are cold hearted?” Dagger glared at her. “Okay, okay. But when are you going to tell her?”

“I will tell her when the time is right.”

He sighed remembering what secret he still held from Kasha, and how he had told Saphire the same thing. He frowned and shook his head. Better get it over with.

“Kasha, I need to speak with you about something.”

“Okay. What is it? Sir.” She quickly added.

“Its about…your mother.”

Kasha perked her ears up. Having not known her mother, she was deeply interested. Dagger looked at her eager eyes and sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“I killed her.”

 “What?”

“I was the one who killed you mother. At the Battle of The Fern.”

Kasha snarled. Rage flew through her veins and leapt into her eyes. Dagger remained motionless, his face unreadable. Kasha lunged for him and he ducked. She flew over him and landed behind him. She spun quickly; crunching some leaves beneath her feet and lunged again.

Once again Dagger ducked, but this time he attacked once she landed. Kasha struggled against Daggers hold. He tightened his grip on her throat, growling. Kasha tried to kick him off, but to no avail. Dagger threw her off to the side, and stood tall. His raised his tail as high as possible and lifted his head. Kasha stood and swayed slightly, before regaining her balance. She looked at Dagger and a spark of fear went through her.

Standing like that Dagger was at least four feet taller than her.

“Don’t let your anger get the best of you Kasha.” He said.

“Oh. So you’re going to give me advice on anger? You’re the one who is constantly controlled by The Fright!”

Dagger bared his teeth and Kasha knew she had made a mistake. She turned and started to run, but felt Daggers teeth on her back leg. She was dragged backwards and thrown into a tree. She roared in pain and slumped to the ground. She saw Daggers shadow fall over her. She looked up at him. He looked down at her and sighed.

A black and orange wolf rammed into Dagger. Kasha watched Dagger get thrown off his feet. She snarled and leapt at the wolf. She pinned the wolf down, and raised her paw. She saw another wolf charging out of the corner of her eye. She spun quickly and slammed her paw into its face. It fell to the ground. The orange and black wolf lunged and pinned Kasha to the ground.

Kasha kicked out with her hind legs. Her heard a grunt of pain and surprise and the wolf stumbled backwards. Dagger was on his feet and charged the other wolf. His jaws open wide he snapped his jaws shut on the wolf’s leg. The wolf yelped and Dagger yanked his head up, forcing the wolf to lie on its back.

“If you want to fight Demon.” Dagger said, a snarl forming on his lips, “I’m right here.”

Demon got to his feet and snarled. “There will be other times my friend.”

Dagger snarled savagely and Demon quickly turned and left, the wolves that had come with him followed. Dagger turned back to look at Kasha.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah, they didn’t do much.” She said, raising her paw and feeling a small bump that had formed on the back of her head.

“I meant from when I threw you.”

“Oh right. That. Yeah I’m fine.” Kasha looked at the ground.

She was constantly forgetting, that even though she was a cougar, Dagger was still larger than her, and stronger.

“Good.” He said. “Now lets go. Saphire will be wondering where we are.”

They both started walking into the woods. Dagger had a small limp, but he still held his head high. Kasha watched him, slightly amazed. If he was in any pain at all, he certainly wasn’t showing it. Kasha looked ahead and saw Saphire running towards them.

Dagger’s ears perked up instantly. “Saphire?” He asked. “What is it?”

The brown and white wolf stopped before them panting heavily.

“Sir…there is…” He cut her off before she could finish.

“Wait, catch your breath.”

Saphire smiled thankfully and sat down. Once she had caught her breath, she continued.

“Sir, there is a cougar at the camp. He’s been there for some time. I can’t get him to leave.”

“Has he attacked at all?”

Saphire paused and looked away.

“Have you attacked at all?”

“Well, yes.” She said quietly, the quickly added.

“But only to make try and chase him off. I think he might be working for Demon.”

Dagger growled and took off. Saphire and Kasha chased after him, but not very far. He stopped and waited for them to catch up, his impatience was clear.

“Kasha, go back to the camp taking this trail. Saphire and I will cut through the brush. You’ll get there before us, but prepare yourself for a fight.”

Kasha nodded and took off. She raced down the trail and soon saw the cave that was their only shelter at the campsite. And sitting in front of it was a large male cougar.

She watched him closely and slowed her pace. He was a light tan with a large tuft of fur on his head. He had two blue streaks under each eye, and an earring in his left ear. As Kasha drew closer he turned his head to look at her. Kasha walked quietly towards him. He was still watching her, but was no longer sitting.

She growled and he flattened his ears. She flicked her ears listening hard for any sounds from Dagger or Saphire.

“What do you call this place?” Kasha looked at the other cougar.

“What?”

He motioned around the campsite. “This. This is where you and that wolf stay isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, but we aren’t the only ones.” She paused, wondering if he would ask who else lived there.

He simply looked around his surrounding, glancing back at her now and then. She watched him. He was about her age and rather handsome. She blushed when he caught her watching him He smiled.

“My names Kyle.”

“I’m Kasha.”

 “With a ‘k’?”

 “Yeah.”

He smiled again. “Both start with k’s. Nice.”

She smiled. She was starting to feel uncomfortable. She saw him shift his weight slightly. He sat down and looked around at the trees. He cleared his throat and started to say something.

There was a loud growl and Dagger leapt out of the forest. He pinned Kyle to the ground, his jaws spread and a menacing snarl issuing from them. Kyle stared up at him, a look of terror on his face.

“What are you doing here?” Dagger demanded.

Kyle simply stared, wide eyed up at Dagger. The large wolf grew impatient and snapped his jaws around the cougar’s muzzle. Kyle struggled and broke free of the grip; he bolted as far away from Dagger as possible, but while still being able to see Kasha. Dagger snarled again.

“Did Demon send you?” He snarled.

Kyle looked from Dagger to Kasha and then turned and ran into the forest. Kasha started to run after him, but Dagger leapt in front of her blocking her path.

Anger swelled in Kasha’s veins, and without thinking she leapt for Dagger, her claws extended. At that same moment Saphire burst from the brush and rammed her body into Kasha’s, sending the cougar flying.

She slammed into a rock and crumpled to the ground, her body still. Saphire darted over to her friend’s body and nudged her shoulder gently. She looked back at Dagger, guilt and panic showed brightly on her face, and he slowly walked towards them. He looked down at Kasha and sighed.

“She’s fine.” He said.

Saphire smiled in relief, and watched as Dagger placed his large jaws around the cougar’s neck, and lifted the front half of her body off the ground. He dragged her into the cave, the rest of her body dragging across the ground, and set her down on the cool ground. He walked out of the cave and into the forest.

Saphire remained behind, unsure if she should follow or not. However, Dagger came back, this time carrying several large branches. He placed them across the den entrance and left again. This time Saphire did follow, catching up with Dagger to find him picking up more branches.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

He grunted and walked past her, several of the branches dragging across the ground and leaving large groove marks in the dirt. Saphire picked up a couple branches also and carried them, with some difficulty, back to the cave. When she reached the cave, she noticed Dagger had started stacking the branches, so that there were small gaps between them and so they blocked off the cave entrance.

Saphire dropped the heavy branches she was carrying with a loud thud.

“Sir!”

He stopped what he was doing and turned around. He stared straight at her and said in a calm voice. “What is it Saphire?”

Saphire stood there gaping at him. When she did not say anything for a while, Dagger turned back to his work, picking up and stacking the branches.

“You are barring Kasha in there!” Saphire finally managed to say.

“I am aware of that.” Dagger continued to stack the branches. “Kasha has gotten out of control. She attacked me twice today, and until she learns that rebellion is not acceptable, she will be kept in here.”

“But sir-” Saphire was cut off. Dagger had whirled upon Saphire, pinning her to the ground. His teeth bared and his wounded eye gleamed menacingly. A savage snarl issued from his lips.

Saphire tried to curl into a ball, but only managed to curl her hind legs towards her, and she began to tremble. Dagger ceased snarling, and he relaxed, his eyes still fixed on Saphire’s trembling body. He stepped away from her, as if horrified, and turned and ran into the forest, leaving Saphire lying on the ground, scared and confused.

A low moaning sound came from inside the cave and Saphire stood up quickly. It wasn’t long before Kasha had realized she was caged in, and an angry roar echoed through the air. Saphire ran over the cave and saw Kasha pacing inside, glaring at the wolf outside.

 “Kasha, please don’t be mad at me. I didn’t put you in here.”

“Do you at least know why I am in here?” The cougar growled.

Saphire gulped, still trembling from when Dagger had pinned her, and slowly said, “Master…put you in here. He…he said it was…for your own good.”

Saphire prepared herself to spring away from the den quickly, incase Kasha was to lung for her. However, the cougar simply sighed and sat down. She looked up at Saphire, as if she was debating on whether or not she should tell her something. Saphire took her chance and quickly explained what had happened after Kasha was knocked out. When Saphire had finished, Kasha approached the branches and placed one of her massive paws on them. She pushed, but the branches barely moved.

She sighed and sat down. “You said that after he pinned you, Master ran off?”

“Yes. And I don’t know why. It was as if he was scared of me.”

Kasha smiled. “I think he was more afraid that he had hurt you.”

“Why? He didn’t seem to have a problem caging you in here.”

“Saphire, when Master told us about…well…why he is out for revenge. Did the name ‘Kal’ sound familiar at all?”

“Yes. I remember back in my puppy hood. I one of my friends was a wolf named Kal. But he was the complete opposite of Dagger; besides, Kal was a common name when I was a pup. And once we had become adults we…well we feel in love.”

Kasha didn’t say anything so Saphire continued. “We became mates, but never had any pups. Before we could Kal was sent off to war. I was forced to stay behind, all the females were. The war ended, but I never saw him again.”

 “I think you should go find Dagger.” Kasha said quickly.

“What?” Saphire was taken back by this response. And Kasha had said it so quickly after she had stopped, it made it seem like Dagger had told her something, and she wanted Saphire to find him before she accidentally said something.

Saphire cocked her head to the side, but still stood and walked into the forest. She had no idea where Dagger was, but thought she could try and find him.

Her paws seemed to know where they were going better than she did, and after forcing her way through some thick brush, she came to a ledge that jutted out from the rest of the hill and it over looked a large valley. Sitting at the end of it was Dagger.

Saphire walked over to him and sat down beside him. He did not seem to notice she was there, and continued to stare across the valley at nothing. Saphire followed his gaze and saw the sun setting in the distance. They sat in silence.

“I left for the war,” Dagger said, causing Saphire to jump a little, “when I was a younger wolf. I left behind the one wolf I had ever loved, to fight for my bloodline.

"The pack I was in consisted of mostly Guardian’s and there were very few other packs that also had Guardians. It was the packs that didn’t, and that felt threatened by us that started the war, trying to take out our bloodline completely. And at the end of the war, they had almost succeeded, but we won, with very few of us left. I returned to my pack to find that Demon had taken over. The old leader had died, whether of old age or murder I do not know, but all I knew is that he banished all Guardian’s.

"I had never told my mate that I was one, fearing she would leave me, and I could not find her before I was forced to leave. I went to a neighboring pack and they accepted my father and I with open paws. They had known my grandfather, and were proud to have such close relatives to him in their pack. I became mates with another wolf, a pretty female by the name of Tem. However, I still had deep feelings for my previous mate, who I thought I would never see again. I figured she had accepted me for dead and had moved on, but I never went a single day without thinking of her.

"Then Demon came. Killed all of my new pack, my family. I swore revenge, and a few months later The Battle of The Fern occurred. I found Kasha and began to train her, yet I still thought of my first love. Whenever I went to visit my family’s graves I thought of her, hoping that perhaps I would see her again. That I could convince her, that once she knew my story, to come with me, to help me fight Demon. But for a whole year I never saw her.

"Then, I did. After more than two years waiting I finally saw her again. But she did not recognize me, and what was worse was that she was afraid of me. Afraid of whom I was, of what I had become, but not my cause. I thought, maybe after she heard my story she would know, she would recognize me. But she did not. She didn’t even acknowledge my old name. Kal.”

At this point Saphire’s heart was pounding in her chest. She stared at Dagger, who continued to look out across the valley, and silently cursing at her-self for not have knowing it sooner. She was shocked at how much he knew. Demon taking over the pack and banishing the Guardian’s, the war, everything was just as she remembered.

Dagger said no more, and Saphire realized he had said all he meant to say. He tilted his head away from her and stared at his paws. Saphire looked at him, her mind racing to try and figure out how she wanted to say it. She glanced down at her own paws.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She said, her voice quiet.

For the first time since she arrived there, Dagger looked at her. She looked back at him.

“Why didn’t I tell you what?” He said, still looking at her.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a Guardian?” She said, trying not to smile.

Dagger stared at her, and then something happened that even Demon couldn’t say he had ever seen Dagger do. He smiled.







Chapter 7

Dagger trotted through the forest, alert, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Ever since he had finally told Saphire who he was, they had been sneaking off at night to spend some time together. At first they had gone after training, but with Kasha watching them leave, they both agreed it was awkward. Whenever Kasha spotted the two of the sitting by each other or lying next to each other (which was about every morning), she’d simply smile and become extremely interested in a bug or leaf. So they started sneaking off at night.

It had been months since they last snuck out, and now with Saphire and Kasha back at the cave, Dagger was left with his thoughts. And they were many. Two months ago Saphire had tripped over a rock and landed hard on her stomach. He shook his head, trying to clear it a little when he heard a rustling. His fur bristled and stood up, listening closely. He heard it again and snapped his head in the direction of the noise, but saw nothing. Paying attention this time, he proceeded through the forest.

A snarl behind him caused him to whirl around and see a brown wolf flying through the air at him. He ducked and sent it crashing into the ground behind him. He barely had time to react when another wolf had its jaws, around his hind leg. Dagger kicked hard, hitting the roof of the wolf’s mouth, and yanked his foot free. The wolf stumbled back, disoriented by the kick, and Dagger lunged, seizing the wolf’s front leg.

The other wolf had gotten up and was know attacking Dagger. The large black wolf flung the other wolf into the brown wolf and took off. He was not running from the fight, but to one, a more important one. He looked over his shoulder briefly and saw the two wolfs chasing after him. He swerved trying to loose them, and managed to, but the returned, this time with more wolves. Dagger growled.

Demon. He though, you had better not be there.

Dagger raced into the camp, only to find his way blocked by the backs of many wolves. He slammed through them and into the center of a circle. The wolves instantly shrunk back.

Demon was standing in the center of the circle, a bewildered look on his face as he stared at Dagger. Then a smile. Dagger snarled, and looked around.

Saphire and Kasha were at the entrance of the den. Saphire’s fur was standing as far up as possible, and her brilliant white teeth flashed in the sunlight. Kasha’s claws were extended and one paw was raised slightly. Dagger quickly looked at Demon’s pack. Not only were there wolves, but also cougars.

Dagger shifted his gaze to Demon, who had turned to face him, a smirk on his face.

“Why hello Dagger.” He said.

Dagger snarled his response. Demon ignored it and continued to talk, in a pleasant tone. The smirk on his face gave away his intentions though.

 “Maybe you could help me understand why Saphire here, won’t let me into your…lovely little cave?”

Dagger’s snarl faltered. Demon smiled even wider. He flicked his tail and instantly two wolves lunged and dragged Saphire out to Demon. She snarled and struggled, but they were too powerful for her. Kasha lunged at them, but two cougars from Demon’s pack held her back. The wolves tossed Saphire onto the ground in from of Demon. She scrambled to her feet, but Demon seized her neck and turned to face Dagger.

“Let her go Demon.” Dagger said.

Demon obliged, and dropped Saphire to the ground. Before she could get up he placed one of his paws on the back of her neck, holding her to the ground.

“Dagger, friend. We have been through so much; perhaps you would like to humor me. Now, tell me. How is it that at the burial site of your family that there are only four graves small enough to be pups.”

As he said this he motioned forwards and tan colored wolf. She had dark brown speckles across her face, and two of her paws were brown.

 “Elena.” Demon said to the tan wolf, “Do you know why?”

Elena shook her head, her eyes fixed on Saphire.

“Well now.” Demon chuckled. “I do know. I killed dagger’s family, most of them, all except one of his daughters. Elena here is that daughter.”

Dagger’s growl grew louder. Demon wasn’t smiling any more.

“She had been proving herself greatly, except until a couple days ago…when during a training session she killed to guards.”

Elena trembled and shrunk down as the other wolves glared and growled at her. Demon silenced them and continued to speak.

“You see she was…overcome…by something we all know as The Fright. And because of that, she must be punished.”

Demon turned towards Elena, his jaws beginning to spread, when Dagger stopped growling and stood to his full height. Demon glanced at him and stopped suddenly. He shrunk down and stared at the massive black wolf. Elena took the chance and darted away into the forest. The other wolves did not try to stop her.

“Did you think harming my family, in front of me, AGAIN, would be a good idea?” Dagger said his teeth exposed. Demon did not reply.

“You will not take her from me again!” Dagger roared. This seemed to bring Demon to his senses.

“If you didn’t want to loose her, you shouldn’t have let her run off.” He said with a smirk.

“I wasn’t talking about Elena.”

Demon looked down at Saphire, who was still pinned beneath his paw. Her eyes were closed, but her brow was furrowed. Dagger bolted forward, knocking Demon off of her. The pack closed in, but Demon shouted “No! He’s mine!”

Saphire sprang to her feet and rushed the pack closets to the cave entrance. Kasha sprang at the wolves opposite of her and pushed them back. Soon the entire pack was upon Kasha and Saphire, who started to draw them away from the cave.

Dagger rushed Demon again, biting down on the wolf’s foreleg. He snarled and sank his teeth into Dagger’s neck. Dagger reared suddenly, throwing him backwards and onto his back. Demon rolled across the ground, stumbling to his feet, only to be knocked down repeatedly.

The pack slowly stopped their assault on Kasha, Saphire, and Kyle, who had turned on his own pack members. The watched the fight that their leader was so desperately trying to win.

Demon finally managed to dodge one of Dagger’s attacked. The black wolf whirled on the spot and lunged for Demon. Demon met him halfway and the two collided with a clash of fangs. They ripped at each other’s fur and soon, they were not only covered in their own blood, but the other’s as well.

“Dagger.” Demon panted. He had more wounds then the other. “Let me go, and I will leave you and Saphire alone.”

“You know I can’t do that.” Dagger lunged and his teeth slashed down on the wolf’s shoulder. Demon stumbled back and Dagger lunged again. His teeth sank deep into Demon’s throat. The other’s eyes grew wide, and when Dagger leaped way, his body fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Dagger turned, panting, towards Saphire. She stood looking back at him, her tail wagging. She stepped forward slowly, and then stopped. Dagger felt relieved, he would finally be able to live a happy life with her. Demon was gone; he had gotten his revenge for his family.

Two cougars moved, one behind Saphire, the other, behind Dagger. Dagger’s ears twitched. He heard the cougar’s soft padding and knew that in a matter of seconds, they could lunge and kill.

“SAPHIRE GET DOWN!” He yelled as the two cougars jumped.

In the few seconds it took for him to call out, he had lost his chance to protect himself. Saphire had ducked and saw the cougar miss her, but at the same time, saw her mate’s body fall.

“NO!”

The cougar jumped from Dagger’s lifeless body and took off into the forest. Kasha and Kyle took off after it, the pack parted for them to pass.

Saphire rushed forward and knelt down next to Dagger’s body. She was barely aware that the pack around her was celebrating; the demon of the forest was dead. She licked the large gash that ran down Dagger’s neck. His eyes were open, staring at the place she had been. Saphire looked down at Dagger, black fur, and her vision blurred. She felt tears running down her cheeks and watched them drop onto his matted fur. Her throat suddenly hurt and she sobbed, the tears streaming down her cheeks. She buried her head into his fur and cried.

Then the noise of the pack reached her ears.

The pack stopped celebrating and watch the white wolf rise up from Dagger’s body. They looked at her and started whispering. The fur running from the top of her head, along her back, and to the tip of her tail had suddenly become spiked. She turned, her eyes closed, and the spiked fur turned a jet black, the same colored fur that Dagger had. She opened her eyes and the pack was flung into a panic.

They ran into each other as they tried to run away. Saphire flung herself at them, increasing their terror. She dragged wolves down and killed them, the last words they ever hearing were “…celebrating his death.”

Such venom was in her voice; the ones around her would turn in terror. Out of the twenty-five wolves there, ten were killed. And for each one, the last thing they ever saw, her blazing yellow eyes.





Epilogue

Saphire walked into the cave and shook her fur. The long fur along her back swayed, which for her felt weird. She looked around and saw the two bundles lying on a patch of moss. She sighed and walked over to the pups.

One was all white, a splash of red running down the back of its neck. The other was all black, with gold running down its neck. She looked down at them, and fresh tears formed in her eyes. She tried to speak softly to her pups, but her voice cracked and she broke down sobbing.

She curled around them and cried softly. They had slept through the whole fight, the death of their father.

“My poor, poor sons…” she said. “Silfren, Zane, You’ll never get to know you’re father.”

“Saphire…” a soft voice came from outside the den.

She looked up and saw Kasha and Kyle standing in the entrance.

“Saphire, we buried him.”

She nodded, more tears running down her cheeks. “Where?”

“Do you remember the ledge were he always sat?”

“Y-yes.”

“We buried him there.” Saphire nodded and looked down at her sleeping pups.

“Saphire.” Kasha said.

She looked up again.

“Saphire…I…I miss him to.”

“I know…. Kasha?”

 “Yeah?”

 “I remember…when I first met him.” She smiled a little. “He came up to talk to me, and he tripped…and landed at my feet.” Kasha smiled, but didn’t say anything.

 “Then, when I saw him again, after the war, after he had changed…I asked him what he was doing there, at the grave sites. He said ‘Visiting those dear to me, Saphire’. I was surprised he had known my name…and…when I asked him how, he simply said we had met before.”

Saphire was silent, and Kasha turned to walked away.

“Kasha?”

 “Yes?”

 “Can you watch them for me? I want to…to go say goodbye.”

As she said the last two words her voice rose and she started to cry again. Kasha nodded and walked into the cave.

Saphire hurried out past Kyle and towards the ledge. She had traveled this path before, many times, and as she remembered each time, her heart felt like it was ripping more and more. Finally she reached the ledge. There was a fresh mound of dirt, buried just at the base of it.

She walked over to it and layed down, not saying anything, just staring at it.

“I miss you Dagger.” She said, her cheeks getting increasingly wet. “I miss you, and…I wish, you hadn’t have left.” She was silent again.

Slowly, she stood up and walked up the ledge. She sat down at the edge and stared up at the stars. The twinkled down at her, oblivious to the pain she felt. She found two stars that had always seemed to twinkle the most at her. Another star, brighter than all the rest, was in between the two. Saphire half sobbed half laughed, and knew that even though he was gone, he was always watching over her.

“I love you.” She whispered.