Grey and Red

Chapter 5 ~ Flashbacks

Echo's POV:
    I looked out the window at the Moonlit Festival decorations being put up. I don't remember much about it. Howler does he says that's where mom was murdered I was too young to remember I guess. I never really liked the festival but I never really disliked it either. Howler obviously had some different memories than I did. My hair blew in the wind and I sniffed the outside air. It was a peaceful night. Nothing interesting it seemed would happen. I twirled in my dress and decided to go for a stroll through the woods. Howler never liked me going outside by myself. I appreciated his concern for me of course but sometimes I wanted to do things I wanted to do. I loved living in the palace and having almost everything done for me but I also liked sprinting in the woods alone. This was an activity I normally did. As I was walking out I bumped into Cobalt. "S- sorry Echo" Cobalt stuttered. He was Howler's best friend. I don't know why but I get a tingly feeling whenever I'm around him. He makes me feel less important and more me. Despite our age differences I guess you could say I liked him. "It's alright" I replied putting my hair behind my ears. "Where are you going? The festival starts soon" Cobalt remarked. I looked back at him and smiled "I'm just going to wait for you guys outside if that's alright". "Ok but I insist you take at least some guards with you" Cobalt frowned. I rolled my eyes but nodded. I knew he was right; it wasn't safe for royals to be by themselves especially at night or in this case at dusk. "Don't worry I will" I gave him a reassuring smile. Cobalt gave a slight nod before walking away towards Howler's scent. Despite his blindness he was really good at getting around but I guess he had practice. "Hey Major!" I yelled to the war general. Major was the War General but he was also my personal protector or at least that's what Howler assigned him as. "Hello Miss Echo, anything you need?" Major smiled. Major was also the war general for one reason he was of Dire fur other than Ethiopian fur, dire fur was the most ancient type of canis one could find. Major was the sweetest though even though he had tons of battle scars I still enjoyed his company. A dire canis was different from the others who just had weather powers and abilities. Major was the last of his species and he had almost four times the strength and speed of an average canis. His powers were also quite unique as he could manipulate rock and earth. "I was just going to take a stroll through the woods, you wanna come?" I smiled. "You know I enjoy our strolls" Major returned my smile. Major was also the only one who knew about my walks and runs in the forest. I walked out of the palace gates and used the blue pendant around my neck to transform into my creature form. I wagged my tail and looked back at Major who rarely ever used his creature form. I asked him once and he stated it was because the only time he had was when he saw good people die. So clearly there was a very dark reason but I didn't mind. I sprinted through the woods, the breeze blowing through my fur. Now this was living I would look over my shoulder just to make sure Major was nearby. I looked once more and he wasn't. I didn't mind normally that'd mean he would just take a bit to do so. I sat down on a nearby log and waited for him to turn the corner. Suddenly I heard something. It sounded like another canis but I couldn't tell. A gruff voice howled in my ears and I put my paws to my head. The whispering grew louder and I could hear what it was saying. "Go to the festival. Come alone". I shook off the voice and the horrible noise. I wondered if I should but I had second thoughts. The gust of wind came on stronger this time making me groan out in pain. "You need your brother to protect you, is that it?" the voice growled. I growled and looked around "Who's there! I'm not afraid!". My head ached when the voice rang through my head this time. "Then come to the festival to prove yourself" it growled. I gasped and found myself walking down the hill. I growled and shook my head. What was I doing? "Miss Echo there you are I had trouble locating you" Major smiled. I transformed into my bipedal form and looked at him. Then the voice said something else. "Tell him to stay behind". I gasped and looked at Major. "Is something wrong Miss Echo?" Major asked. "N- no" I stuttered. "Are you going to the festival without your brother?" Major titled his head. "Y- yes and I would prefer it if you stayed here" I groaned. "Alright but I insist my best men go with you" Major grumbled and blew a whistle. Five of his men stayed by my side as I went down the hill. My head was throbbing at this point and I tried to ignore whoever was talking but I couldn't. As soon as I got down to the festival my ears twitched. Someone was here. I growled "Come out". The soldiers turned around and growled as well three of the men transformed into their canis forms while the others withdrew weapons. A matted looking canis came out from the bushes snarling. "I was wondering when you'd get here unfortunately your just as stupid as your mother" he snickered. I transformed into my creature form and growled at him "Don't ever disrespect my mom". "Darling I can do whatever I want unfortunately for you... Your times almost up" he cackled. The horrid looking canis leapt at one of the soldiers before he had time to react. A bite to the throat and the man was dead. I stepped back as the canis got closer. Soon the two men had died and the other three soldiers in their creature forms leapt at the mystery canis. One of them ran up to the bell in the middle of town and rang it several times. I assumed it was to get the attention of any of the townspeople. I watched in horror as this canis was killing off each soldier. These were professional soldiers and they couldn't do shit to him. I growled and stepped back. This time he leapt before I had time to react at all. His body hit mine hard. I used my back claws to claw his underside. He whimpered but kept a hold of me. I struggled in his grip but couldn't seem to break free. I used my teeth and latched onto his ear. Blood spewed everywhere as I realized I ripped his ear off. He growled and bit my throat. I screamed out as his teeth sunk deeper and deeper. I could feel my body growing weaker and thought this was the end. My vision blurred and in the corner of my eye I spotted something. A huge reddish brown canis tackled the canis that was on me. I whimpered in pain and laid on the ground hoping whoever had come to help me would succeed. I squinted to see the canis that had saved me was Major. His body had become tons of rippling muscle with huge teeth and claws. The other canis was quick though. The two of them fought back and forth there was so much commotion all I could hear was growls, whimpers, and snarling. I groaned on the ground and my throat had begun to bleed. I heard a sharp whimper and then silence. The other canis was dead. Major took a quick look at me and ran up the hill once more. I wanted to tell him to come back but all that came out was a moan. My eyes closed and I tried to open them but failed. I heard my brother's footsteps and felt my body being lifted up. A sharp pain shot up my side and I groaned but no sound came out of my mouth. My eyes fluttered open as I realized I was in the medicine room of the castle. I stared at my body and realized I was still in my creature form. I glanced around the room and noticed Howler sitting beside the bed with his head in his hands. Cobalt was on the right side of the door and Major was in his bipedal form on the left side. I watched as nurses darted to and fro around carrying different vials of things. I felt a sharp pinch in my arm that made me groan. Howler looked up at me and realized I was awake. "Echo your awake I was afraid you wouldn't wake up". I managed a small smile and stared at him. I began to open my mouth to say something but one of the nurses stopped me. "You need to heal, just stay still". I narrowed my eyes at her. A sharp pain shot through my side once more and I looked down in curiosity. I looked in horror at a giant hole cut open along my side. The nurses and doctors seemed to be doing something. I could feel all the sharp cuts they made and I didn't like it. One of the nurses noticed I was staring down and shoved my head forward again. I rolled my eyes and grumbled to myself. I didn't know how long I was going to be here but it sure was irritating. At this point I was in so much pain it hurt to breathe. I found myself whimpering through each breath. "It's alright Echo you'll be better in no time" Cobalt smiled walking closer to the bed. I turned away from him and Howler. I didn't appreciate being here but it was kinda my own actions that led me here. I sighed and closed my eyes once more.