The Battle
It was an afternoon over the Alaskan lands. It was snowing hard, and the winds blew merciless. Dan was walking with Luna, leading the pack behind them. Dan called Chaska, who came immediately to his side.
- Chaska, how far is it now? – the now alpha asked.
- We're only a few yards away from Ohanzee's refuge, sir. – the wolf answered, respectfully.
- How is it like? – Dan asked, reminding he never knew where or what the refuge was.
- It's a cliff, with lots of caves. – Chaska explained. - It's a perfect hideout, seeing that no one will know where to look first.
Dan got a bit apprehensive.
- We have to be careful. Ohanzee probably knows we’re coming. – he alerted.
- We need a strategy. – the light brown wolf wisely said.
- I’ll need your help, Chaska. I may be good with prep talk, but I don’t have experience in battle strategies. – the hybrid said. – I name you the beta of this pack.
Chaska widened his eyes, in surprised and flatter.
- It’s… an honor to help you in the lead, sir. – he thanked, regaining control over himself.
- You must divide the pack in groups. The hunting party, the scouts… - the alpha ordered.
- Right away, sir. – the now beta assured, and rushed to do his work.
Luna approached the thoughtful hybrid, smiling.
- Liking to be an alpha? – she asked, playfully.
Dan smiled back.
- Yeah. Liking to be the alpha female? – he asked back.
- Loving it. - the husky replied, chuckling. – So, what are you planning for the battle? Because you know, those fights are… bloody.
- I’ll do whatever it takes. – the alpha replied, but stared concerned at his girlfriend. – But I’m afraid for you. You know, wolves are… more used to this.
Luna chuckled.
- Two reasons for you not to worry. – she started, smiling. – First, you saw how I beat those wolves back there. Second, you know the rumors I mentioned about my grandfather being a wolf? – she watched Dan widening his eyes. – They were not rumors. It was true. I am part wolf, like you.
- Why didn’t you tell me that before? – he asked, raising an eyebrow.
- I don’t know. I didn’t want you to think I was just being with you because you were the only hybrid around. – she admitted, lowering her head. – I’m sorry.
- Hey, it’s okay. – Dan tranquilized her. – It doesn’t matter. We’re together, aren’t we?
Luna raised her head, still a little embarrassed.
- So, about the battle. – the gray-brown hybrid continued. – I’m planning a divided attack. Each group will be leaded by someone. I want you to lead one of them. I’ll see which when Chaska’s finished dividing the groups.
- Remember. – the female alerted. – We have to finish this quickly. Aniu will open the portal tomorrow.
She was right. They should end that quickly.
- Sir - Ahanu called from behind them, joining them in some seconds. - We're approaching the cliff.
Dan looked to the land ahead of them. Then continuous snow rain blurred the view, but he could distinguish the silhouette of a tall cliff, which with some moments, he recognized.
- That's the cliff from which Balto fell in the serum run. – he commented to Luna. - But I never knew it had caves.
The light gray hybrid looked at the place.
- He fell from that and survived? Wow. – she admired.
- Sir, the groups are set. – Chaska said, joining them.
Dan stopped walking and looked at the pack. The groups were already divided, waiting for orders. The alpha stepped ahead.
- I’ll select some of you for a special mission. – he said, as he started walking among the wolves, looking at each of them, followed by Chaska, who would tell him the qualities and weaknesses of each of them.
When the wolves were chosen, Dan instructed them for his plan, and told the other groups to keep walking.
The leader stayed in front of them again, beside a confused Luna.
- Why are they staying behind? – she asked, looking at the chosen wolves disappearing in the snow rain.
- You’ll see. – he answered, with a grin.
The pack was finally in front of the caves. Dan warned the leaders of each group to assume their positions. There were four groups, each of them leaded respectively by Chaska, Adahy, Luna and Dan himself, in the first group. Dan ordered his group to stop, while he kept going with two other wolves. He stopped when he was at a considerable distance from his group behind.
- Ohanzee! Get down here and face up your crimes! – he shouted to the cave so the sound of his voice could resound to the other caves above.
The black wolf's voice came from many of the higher caves, echoing, sounding cruel and cynical.
- What crimes, Wolf-dog? I just did what was right to keep the order in my pack!
Dan got angry seing how the black wolf was not showing any regret for his actions, and how he sounded to be having fun from that.
- Then why don't you get down here? Unless you are the coward! - he yelled back.
Dan waited for an answer for a while, until he heard paws walking. And there he was, walking out of the lowest cave, in front of him, with three other wolves. The three minions stopped, and let Ohanzee proceed alone. Dan told his companions to get back to the rest of the group, and they obeyed. The black wolf approached Dan with his already known cruel grin.
- Then, wolf-dog, what's the reason for this little rebellion? – he asked sarcastically, hypocrisy spilling from his words. - You're not planning to overthrow me, are you?
It was Dan's turn to grin.
- Oh, you're a genius. - he said, with equal irony, and stopped smiling - It's your choice, Ohanzee. Give up or fight.
Ohanzee laughed.
- Do you really think this small group of yours can beat my fighters? - he boasted. – Fool, I chose each of them myself. They are the elite of this pack. I had just sent those idiots for a hunt just to let them die and get us rid of their incompetence! – he looked at the wolves that had joined Dan.
- Wanna bet? – the hybrid replied.
- It will be a pleasure to see you and your group of fools die.
- I tried to make it peacefully, but you chose the defeat. – Dan said, meaning to make Ohanzee angry.
It worked. Ohanzee looked angry at him as he turned back and walked back to his group.
- We'll see about that, Half-breed. – the black wolf said before walking back inside the cave with his minions.
Back to his position, Dan turned to his pack.
- This is it, guys. Ohanzee is not going to step down willingly. It's up to us to take him down by ourselves. Are you with me?! - he yelled so everyone could hear him. Tens of howls came in answer. - Now let's fight! For our freedom! - the howls continued, until they heard Ohanzee's group coming down the cliff.
They all got startled. From the top of the inclined cliff, what it looked to be fifty wolves started to walk down. Surely Ohanzee had joined more survivors from his conquers than he had told. The enemy group took positions in a single group, approaching down the place looking like a threatening dark cloud. "Looks like Ohanzee is so confident that he made no strategy", Dan thought. He smiled inside. That was the advantage he was wishing for his plan. Ohanzee's group advanced randomly to Dan's, which was in front of the others, getting closer and closer.
- Get ready! – the alpha screamed to his group. When the enemy group was close enough… - CHARGE!
His group advanced ferociously, with many roars and growls. The two groups encountered with many thuds and eventual ripping sounds. The fight had begun. Dan killed many enemy wolves. The beast that had been awakened when he fought Ohanzee hadn’t been triggered, but he was still a fierce fighter. He bit, clawed, ripped… With some short time of fight, his mouth and paws were soaked with blood. He had received some strikes too. His back was covered with light cuts of enemy attempts to claw him. His neck was lightly hurt too after a particularly big brown wolf bit him. He eventually clawed strongly the big wolf’s throat to break free and bit him back, killing him. His bandage had been taken off by the killed wolf’s teeth. The wolves from Dan's pack were fighting and killing, but holding their positions, what let Ohanzee's wolves confused. One of their leaders looked around, and understood what they were planning
- They’re surrounding us! – he screamed, realizing what was happening.
All of Ohanzee's wolves were now surrounded by a circle of wolves from Dan’s other groups. Slowly they were being defeated, and the circle was closing in.
- Adahy! Now! – Dan alerted loudly.
After Dan's order, Adahy's group stormed to the cliff's lower caves, but stopped when other wolves from Ohanzee's pack got out to defend their stronghold. Luna realized that.
- Go, Yiska! – she screamed.
Yiska was with the special group Dan had chosen. It was their secret weapon. They were distant from the main groups for Ohanzee's wolves not to see them while they climbed the cliff from the other side. They were at the top, dropping rocks on Ohanzee's defense group, killing some, hurting others. With this advantage, when the rock rain stopped, Adahy and his group took out the remaining enemies and invaded the caves, conquering the fortress. Dan got out of the battle, and observed his plan working. He smiled with his assured victory, but then he frowned. Where was Ohanzee? His question was quickly answered when he smelled that hateful scent close by.
- Looking for me? – a voice said behind him.
Dan turned back and was tackled down, seing just a mass of black fur. He got almost terrified when he realized he was fallen, with his stomach up, and Ohanzee was on him, with his paw on Dan's neck, and his evil grin on his face.
- You are doomed. - he laughed lowly. – Even if your pack wins, you lose.
Dan grinned.
- Don’t bet on it. – he said.
The hybrid pushed Ohanzee up with his rear paws so quickly and strongly that the black wolf rolled away. Dan got up, trying to ignore the pain in his hurt neck. Suddenly, he saw a group of Ohanzee’s wolves approaching in his aid. Dan's heart almost jumped out of his chest when he saw one dragging an unconscious Luna. A thin line of blood was spilling from a wound on her head. The hybrid felt his anger growing again. The minion who was carrying Luna released her, letting her fall on the ground. Ohanzee rose and laughed.
- I told you, Half-breed. There’s no way you can win. – he said, just increasing Dan’s rage. – Hmm, I wonder how a dog tastes.
He prepared to bite her neck, when a dark red form struck him with its head, and another brown-gray and a large gray one tackled the other three minions. They were Balto, Kodi and Ralph. Dan smiled relieved. He ran towards them.
- You couldn’t have come in a better time. – he said, smiling.
- News spread quickly. Especially when Stella sees the whole thing. We had to help. – Kodi explained.
- Who else came? – Dan asked.
- Dusty and Kirby. - Ralph said.
- We need to take her away from here. – Dan reminded, indicating the hurt Luna.
Ralph carried her on his back. They were about to go to the caves, but suddenly they heard a large group running after them. Twelve wolves from Ohanzee's group that had escaped from the siege were rushing ready to kill their enemies.
- Run! – Dan warned the others.
All of them were great runners, and were quickly gaining distance from their pursuers, but Ralph fell behind because of Luna's weight, and the enemies were getting even closer to him. Balto, Kodi and Dan were already inside the cave, seeing Ralph fighting to reach them. When the large gray husky was in the entrance of the cave, Ohanzee’s wolves were some feet away from him. Dan jumped beside him to help, but he didn’t need to. The ground started to tremble. Ohanzee’s wolves stopped, confused. They looked up to the top of the cliff. A small avalanche was about to fall on them. They tried to run, but too late. Dan and Ralph rushed deeper inside the cave, avoiding being smashed. They heard the loud sound of falling snow, and they looked back at where their enemies were. They were invisible buried under loads of snow.
Chaska and the rest of the pack became visible getting closer to the cave, and more members appeared from the other side of the tunnel. They gathered there, rounding Dan and Luna. Chaska approached them, smiling.
- Our clan will never forget you, Daniel. - he said, bowing respectfully.
Dan felt happy. He had freed a pack from a tyrant, and brought peace again. Suddenly he remembered another issue.
- Now we have to choose another leader. I’ve got to for another mission of my own. – he said, disappointing the entire pack. - Now, I'll indicate a candidate: our beta, Chaska.
Chaska looked surprised. He never thought it would be him.
- He bravely acted like a leader himself, aiding me in command, and sharing his wisdom with his companions. – the alpha stated. The pack looked to agree with him. - Who agrees that Chaska is the best leader for you?
Everyone in the pack howled, showing their support, agreeing with Dan's opinion.
- Then it's unanimous. Chaska is your new alpha for now on. – Dan declared, as Chaska stepped forward, proud. – Good luck, friend.
The pack howled supporting Chaska, who Dan knew that was feeling proud and victorious. Dan and the dogs howled too, but Dan stopped quickly, and looked to the other dogs that had joined the battle. Now they knew he was part wolf, and would never forget that he had leaded a pack, and killed many wolves. He got apprehensive. Would they tell anyone? When the celebration was happening, Dan silently left the cave, and sat on the snowy ground. The corpses of many wolves, enemies and allies, were lying on the field. That was sad, but he knew it was necessary. Things were right now. He looked to the horizon, above the woods, to the mount where he had been transformed. "One matter is solved", Dan thought with himself, "now it's time to accomplish my other mission, and fulfill my destiny".
~~~
It was an early morning in - You’re finally here. - they heard a deep feminine voice coming from the wind around them.
They looked around trying to locate who the voice belonged to. Then, the white wolf materialized herself amongst a swirling of snow near Dan, who smiled.
- Always a good entering. - he joked.
- I know. - she smiled too, but then returned to her ethereal tone. – You did wonderful things in this short time. You helped a pack that was in need, risking your life and asking for nothing in return. You fought bravely, young one.
Dan felt flattered for her compliment. But then he remembered Ohanzee’s story.
- Aniu, Ohanzee told me about the daughter of the original alpha of the pack. – he said. – Was it about you?
- Yes. – the white she-wolf answered, apparently sad.
- How are we going back? – he asked, remembering how his first travel had been.
- Just come near me. – the she-wolf explained.
Balto, Luna, Boris and the bears stepped forward. Aniu looked at them.
- This is something he must do alone. – she said. – I’m sorry. – she looked at Balto. – But none of you can go.
- It’s okay, guys. I’ll be fine. – Dan tranquilized them.
- Okay, then. Good luck, Dan. – Balto faked a calm smile, despite his worry. – Good-bye… mom.
- Good-bye, son. – the she-wolf said.
Aniu closed her eyes to focus. She opened her eyes, which were now with a golden glow. The wind started to swirl around her and Dan, raising snow and blurring his vision. The hybrid suddenly felt snow disappearing from under his paws, giving place to a solid earthy ground. The snow cloud slowly vanished. Before he could get used to his senses again, he heard a cracking noise of a small branch, but he ignored it. They were now in another forest, and it looked to be summertime, just like when Dan left. The sun was shining in an almost cloudless sky. In a side, there was a pond Dan remembered very well. The marks he let on the ground when he was pulled into the water were still there. He saw a mark resembling his human hand near the water's surface. He approached it and laid his paw on it, noticing again how much he had changed.
- Aniu, where are they? – Dan asked.
Aniu had disappeared. Dan got startled. She had left him to face his parents alone? There was no way he could convince them, just by getting in there, and humans couldn’t hear dogs! The house was visible, a few meters away. The young hybrid decided to head to the house. There should be something he could do. He stopped in front of the back door, and scratched the door continuously to call someone. The door opened, and behind it was Paula, Dan’s mother. She looked confused to see a dog there. She was about to close the door again, assuming it was just some stray, but Dan called her back.
- Mom!
Paula stopped, shocked. She opened the door again to look at him. Paula was understanding what her son was saying, like what had happened when Dan arrived in - Dan? – she asked, looking at him when they separated. – How did you…? What…?
- It’s a long story, but Dad needs to hear it too. – he said. – Is he here?
- Yes… - Paula looked unsure. She was talking to a dog, and it was her son!
She got up, and walked inside, leading her son to the living room. There they saw Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Wellington talking seriously. Dan’s father had come back several times to look for his son. They had alerted the police the police the last week, but they hadn’t found Dan anywhere, so they gave up. Mr. Hawkins noticed Paula walking in followed by the canid.
- Paula, what is…? – he tried to ask, confused.
- I… don’t know. – she answered, lost.
- It’s me, Dad. – Dan said.
Dan’s father stepped back in shock. A dog was talking to him! Mr. Wellington was wide-eyed, frozen in place. Dan stepped closer, with his father looking at him unsure.
- How…? Dan, how did this happen? – the man asked.
- It’s a way long story…
- Which will need some help to be told. – a voice spoke, coming from somewhere they couldn’t tell.
The doors and windows closed themselves with clanks, causing everyone to get scared. Aniu materialized herself beside Dan, shocking the humans. Dan sighed in relief, knowing he would have Aniu to help him.
And they told everything, just trying to skip the part that involved Luna. Aniu helped him explaining the part that involved the fact that he was always a wolf-dog inside, and that he needed to come back to that place to have a new chance. When they were finished, the humans in the room remained silent for some moments.
Mr. Hawkins shook his head, contrary to all of their statements.
- This has gone far enough, lad! - he said, angry, to his son. - This adventure is over! It's time for you to get back to reality. You! - he scoffed to Aniu. - Turn him back, you had no right to drag him inside all this. He almost got killed!
- Yes, I had. – she denied. – The forces behind what happened those days are far beyond your understanding. This is not his place. It could be, but that was not his choice.
The ex-human’s parents started to ponder that.
- Keeping him here… - Aniu continued, calmer. - … you are forcing him to live a lie. He was never a human.
- She's right. – Paula realized.
Mr. Hawkins looked surprised at her.
- He always seemed like he didn’t belong here… it’s hard to explain… - she said, uncertain.
- It's just a fantasy! - Daniel bucked. - He belongs here, with his family, and he needs to adapt himself to the world he was thrown in!
Dan got angry now.
- Oh, so let me guess, you think it’s all because I liked Balto’s film and this was living dream. – he said, contesting his father. – Well, that was what I thought at first, but I realized it was something far more complicated than that. I was always a wolf-dog, but I never got to adapt to be a human, and I never will. I never belonged here, and now I have the chance of being what I was meant to be. Don’t you understand?
Suddenly, he felt the last scent he wanted to smell there. It couldn’t be. Sensing the danger, he turned to the door, and froze in place. Dan snarled threateningly. Ohanzee was looking at them from the door, with his already known cruel grin. He released a maniac laughter. Dan's mother screamed in fear, and the humans stepped back to the other side of the room.
- Then, wolf-dog. - he said, cynical. - Is this your happy family? – his grin got wider. - They won't be happy for long.
The black wolf leaped in their direction, with his teeth and claws bared. Dan leaped in his way to stop him, ready to give his life for his family.
To be continued…