Chapter 19- A Darker End

Arnoue slowly walked over the land splashed in rain. A loud thunder clap made him flinch. “You’ve disappointed me Arnoue”. Chanoue grunted. He was striding along in front of Arnoue. “How so”? Chanoue laughed heartily. “I expected you to make my hunt a bit more entertaining”. Arnoue turned his eyes away. “There was no point in hiding any longer”. Chanoue laughed again. “Well I suppose you will die not looking like a coward, so there is an upside”. Arnoue frowned unhappily. His baggy old eyes looked up to see the elders cave growing closer. “Was this your only goal Chanoue; kill me”? Chanoue shook his head and smirked. “There’s so much more in store, too bad you won’t see it”. Arnoue stood up taller and the wolves next to him gave him a sharp shove. “Please gentleman, show some respect”. Arnoue turned his golden eyes to the wolf that shoved him. He simply sneered and growled. Arnoue looked forward. The cave opened up into a large room with wolves sitting in rock seats surrounding the circular rock. “Get on there, gramps”! Ranoue barked and he kicked Arnoue hard in the back forcing him onto the circular rock. The other wolves in the room roared and cheered. Arnoue looked around watching the faces glare down at him. It was like being in a trial surrounded by all those not in his favor. Chanoue walked around Arnoue watching him then stopped in front. “You drew a large crowd. Does it feel good”? Arnoue lowered his head. “They came for a show of pain, they will be disappointed”. Chanoue chuckled evilly. “I’m sure they will be satisfied with what they see tonight”. Arnoue looked up. “I will not die suffering”. Chanoue walked away. “We shall see”. He turned and sat. The wolves in the chamber quieted and looked over to Chanoue. “My fellow wolves, tonight we come to see the traitor, Arnoue be cleansed from our code of honor and start the journey to salvation and control”! The crowd cheered madly and howled. Chanoue’s eyes cast down to the standing figure of Arnoue. “I have searched and hunted for him and now he reveals himself”. Arnoue began speaking, his voice rang over the shouts and they began to quiet; others watched and listened. “You all may see me as a traitor to your code but maybe some see me as a hero, your code may be true or false. You are the ones that decide your own faints”. Chanoue cocked his head confused. “Chanoue, you may think you’ve won, but I see a dark end on your shoulders”. Chanoue growled angrily. “Arnoue, your myths and visions do not faze me”. Ranoue began hungrily barking. “Chanoue can I have his corpse when were done”? Chanoue barked and kicked Ranoue in the leg knocking him down. Ranoue whimpered backing away. “Believe what you want Chanoue, I thought a fair warning was in order, I’m a sport type in a way and I see it fair”. Chanoue stared almost transfixed by Arnoue. Never had he met someone who was taking death so striving. Chanoue walked slowly over to Arnoue. “In the name of the code of honor, I strike thee down, may your soul serve us all”! Chanoues teeth struck straight into Arnoue’s neck and blood burst over the circular rock. Chanoue stepped back and watched Arnoue’s bleeding corpse slide down onto the rock. Ranoue shook violently. “Chanoue! Chanoue! We spilt a councilor’s blood! On the alter too”! Chanoue huffed. “The rules no longer apply my friend; this is the beginning of a new era. An era in which our kind will rise to power once again”.

 

Shadow awoke and yawned. The morning sun was shining outside. He moved his arm off Crystal who shifted in response and awoke too. “Shadow? Is it morning already”? Shadow nodded down at her. “Yep, perfect morning to be traveling”. He chuckled. Shadow stood up and Crystal moved with him. “We should be about an hour away”. Shadow stepped out of the cave and looked out over the snowy mountains. Several birds chirped overhead and flew past. “I think we are here”. Shadow watched as other wolves ran past over a snow covered valley. “Crystal! Come on I think we found it”! Shadow chased after the wolves with Crystal running behind him. “Wait stop”! Shadow called the two wolves but they did not stop. The wolves ran over a hill and disappeared beyond it. Shadow climbed to the top to see a breath taking sight. He stared over a snow covered forest valley. Wolves were running about the valley hunting what looked like a herd of dear. Others lay in the snow and others were playing with one another rolling about in the snow and talking. Crystal gawked looking over the land.  “Wow, I never imagined how brilliant it would be”. Shadow ran down the hill. “Where are you going”? Crystal called out. “I’m going to find my parents”! Crystal jumped down “Wait for me”! Together they ran towards the valley. Two grey wolves were sitting together quietly talking it seemed. Shadow was quick to interrupt. “Have you two seen my parents”? The two glared at him. “No, probably not”. Shadow slowed his breathing and spoke again. “Their names are James and Sarina”. The grey wolf’s on the right eyes went wide. “Wait you’re… Shadow”? Shadow nodded. “Yes, that’s me I’m still alive”. The grey wolf shouted so loud Crystal flinched. “Oh my goodness! We all thought you were dead”! Shadow snorted. “Where are my parents”? The grey wolf giggled. “Yes, yes, follow me”. The wolf led them to a cave on the end of the valley. Shadow stepped through the entrance and stared in. “Sarina! You have a visitor”! Sarina’s white form rolled over from a dark corner in the back of the cave. “Who is it Sapientia”? Sapientia laughed happily. “You’ll see”! Sarina rolled over to look out, Shadow walked closer. “By Mother Nature herself, is that who I think it is”?! Shadow smiled and walked closer. Sarina stood up and walked over staring Shadow in the eyes. “It can’t be! This is just my imagination is it not”? Shadow shook his head. “No mom, I’m here; I’m alive”. Sarina broke into a shower of tears as she sprang forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Shadow. Shadow hugged her back. “You’re embarrassing me”. He giggled. Sarina hugged tighter. “I don’t care”. Shadow pulled back to see his mothers long and tear stained face. Shadow lifted his paw wiping the tears away. Sarina gazed outward to the entrance to the cave. “Who’s that”? Shadow looked back Crystal looked over at them with a blank face. Shadow turned back. “Mom there so much I need to tell you”. Sarina lowered her head and began to cry. “And so do I”.

 

 

Chanoue stepped into a dark cave. His crimson stained muzzle shined in the light. “Kanoue”! Chanoue called angrily. A squat figure climbed out of the darkness to face Chanoue. “What is it brother”? Chanoue’s claws slashed across the small wolf’s face. “How dare you refer to me like that”! Kanoue backed up. “Yes I’m sorry master”. Chanoue hammered his paws onto the ground impatiently. “Do I have the key yet? Has the door opened”? Kanoue backed up slowly, his face dripped red. “Well”? Kanoue slowly spoke in a squeaked voice. “There’s more that you need to do”. Chanoue roared loudly and bit into Kanoue’s leg. Kanoue yelled and backed away whimpering. “I’m sorry master”! Chanoue’s eyes glowered and he slowly moved towards Kanoue. Chanoues face glared at Kanoue and his bloody teeth shined as he growled. “You’ve lied to me again Kanoue, what more do I need to do”? Kanoue lay on the ground. “I am truly sorry master”! Chanoue sliced his claws against Kanoues paws. Thin drips of blood seeped over the floor. “Quit sniveling; what do I require Kanoue”. Kanoue stood up shaking. “I'll show you my master”.

 

To be continued…