Chapter- 14 Through Fire And Ice

Chapter 14- Through fire and ice

 

Mother Nature called over her struggle. “Shadow, you have to get out! What I am about to do will destroy this tomb”! Shadow nodded to her and began to flee in the opposite direction but turned back, Kanoue running past him. “What about you, what’s going to happen to you”? Mother Nature groaned in stuggle against the fireball raging against her lighting. “Don’t think about me, this is my time! I have to stop him here and now! Go and live! You’re a brave wolf Shadow, now go”! Shadow felt his eyes locked on Mother Nature, unable to leave the ground underneath him. Kanoue grabbed his arm pulling him along. “Come on Shadow let’s go”! Shadow began running leaving Mother Nature to battle her father. She pushed backward into the wall nearly being engulfed by the flame. Then with a heavy push the lighting circumvented into a ball of fire all its own and with a loud explosion shattered the chain and both Mother Nature and her father. The whole tomb began to collapse; the whole thing coming down on itself. Shadow and Kanoue sprinted down the halls as the rock collapsed around them. The exit could not be seen yet. They continued running against time as the rocks behind them began to pile in faster.

 

 

From outside the fighting had begun to cease. The specters began to collapse along with the cavern behind them. The curse was slowly lifting, the bond to the earth leaving them. Jakes army stood with surprise as the bones clattered to the ground in piles of old dust. Vladimir stood watching his fellows fall. “No, it’s not over yet! No! Noooo”! He screamed as he fell into a dust cloud. The doors from the tomb had crashed into the ground. The inside of the tomb still had rocks pouring out from it. Emerging among the rubble was Kanoue pulling himself along. He was greeted by several other wolves pulling him out. He turned back staring into the wreckage. Crystal ran up to him. “Where’s Shadow, is he in there”? Kanoue nodded leaning upward. Crystal ran to the rubble pulling at the rocks. “Shadow! Shadow answer me”! She cried to him. No answer returned. Crystal stopped pulling on the rocks and stepped backwards. But as she turned away, climbing from the debris was Shadow. He shook the rocky soot from his body and called out to Crystal who had began slowly weeping. “It’s done”. He said. She turned looking over her shoulder at him. Her tears flew from her face as she ran to him embracing him tightly. “Whoa, slow down, you’re going to choke me”! Crystal smiled. “Shut up”! She hugged even tighter. Cheers arose all round and the wolves gathered in victory. “Shadow”! A voice cried over the cheers from the other wolves. It was Sarina, damaged but alive. “Mother”! Shadow hugged her. Tears swiped down each others faces. “You did it, you stopped Chanoue”. Shadow shook his head. “No, we did it; all of us”. “Indeed, but it was your bravery that led us Shadow”. Donvu’s voice said faintly. Shadow looked up from his mothers embrace. “Donvu”? Shadow looked around. He could not see him but then a shade, a ghost of Donvu stepped from though the wall. “Donvu… you didn’t make it”. Shadow said sadly. Donvu smiled raising a paw. “Do not mourn me, I’ve been waiting to die for over a thousand years”. Shadow smiled. “Thank you Donvu, for all you did”. Donvu nodded. “I believe it is you that deserves thanking”. Another shade stepped from behind Donvu, a boney and disfigured wolf on all fours. “James”? Sarina asked walking forward. Shadow followed behind her gawking at him. “The curse is nearly lifted”. Donvu said sadly. James wrapped his arms around his mate and son. “I’m very proud of you Shadow, you risked so much to save so many”. Shadow looked down. “But if I had been there… I could have- “There was nothing you could have done Shadow. I made my sacrifice for you and you my dear Sarina”. Sarina hugged him chocking up from her tears. “It’s time for me to go now, live your life Shadow, for me”. James released the two from his embrace and stepped back. Donvu joined him at his side. “Goodbye”. Shadow whispered. As he did, James’ faded body turned to dust and Donvu faded before their eyes. The wolves all round the cavern joined in the howl of passing. Sarina joined in. Crystal followed as well and then finnaly joining them was Shadow. They howled into the coming night to mourn their fallen brothers; peaceful evening falling all around. The conflict finally subsided.