Dire Reach: Outer Exile

Chapter 21

The Twilight Dawn celebrated as they had driven the overwhelming force from their home yet again. Meanwhile, Roark was back in his den yet again. Except this time he talked with Golm and Araden while Shei and Narkir talked with the younger wolves outside and played around a little bit.

"Roark, things have gotten worse in the Inner Reach. We really need the Twilight Dawn back or we won't stand a chance against them." Golm told Roark as Roark tilted his head in confusion.

"Golm is trying to say Zahir has gotten out of control, once he took your territory he feels like he could challenge us all. He's started recruiting and forcing loners and rogue wolves into his ranks as well as the Burning Fall and the Soaring Skies." Araden explained to the black alpha as he listened to the two wolves from different packs.

"The Inner Reach as a whole has become a battlefield. We've been fighting them off almost anywhere, including our own camps." Golm chimed in as Roark gasped in surprise. Ullok's eyes darted from Roark to the two wolves in front of him.

"Ullok, this is a big choice to make and I'd like your opinion before I come to a decision.." Roark told Ullok as Ullok stopped in his track and took a moment to think.

"I believe it'd be wise to head back to the Inner Reach. We can't keep up the defense here. Our camp is too out in the open and exposed. Unlike our camp in the forest, it's covered and the trees and boulders blocked out the elements as well as our foes." Ullok put in as Roark processed the current situation.

"I think it's time to return home..we've been gone for far too long. The Twilight Dawn will return.. and we will fight alongside you." Roark declared as Golm's eyes brightened and Araden smiled. Ullok also had a look of approval on his face as he watched his leader walk out of the den first before they followed behind him.

"Twilight Dawn! To me, I have something important to say!" Roark called as the wolves began appearing out of their dens and all eyes had been placed on the Alpha.

"It's time we do what we should have done long ago, we will take our real home back! The bloodshed here wasn't for nothing, this has turned us into hardened warriors and survivors! The Creek Moon is close to taking over the lands that once belonged to us and to them." Roark shouted as the two wolves stood beside Roark.

"We must head back, and we must defeat Zahir. We will win this war, I can feel it in my bones that the ancestors are on our side. I feel the winds calling, the winds of conquest!" Roark howled as the Twilight Dawn roared and cheered in unison. Roark even noticed Kantu peeking his head out of the prisoner's den.

"Prepare Twilight Dawn, for soon we leave this land and return to the Inner Reach to put it back in place where it has fallen," Ullok said as the wolves began breaking off to get ready for departure. 

Roark then began to approach the Prisoner's Den where Kantu stood in full view of everyone. The black wolf stopped in front of him as the two were face to face after so long.

"I heard what you said Roark, I know what I did was wrong. I'll admit that, but I definitely won't beg for your forgiveness. However, I would like to ask that I'd be allowed to come with you back to the Inner Reach." Kantu told Roark as Roark looked at him, surprised slightly at the young wolf's attempt at an apology.

"I can't survive on my own out here, between the Cougars and the Outlanders as well as the other predators that we haven't even come across yet scatter these lands. I'll die fairly quickly and I don't want to die just yet." Kantu continued trying to further his argument.

"Where else did you think we'd take you? To the Den Mother's Lair?" Roark joked as a tiny chuckle came from the tawny wolf.

"Of course you are coming with us Kantu, we will need every able-bodied wolf to help us in the great battle to come. The winds of conquest have been set in motion and the howls of war have long since started. It's time we end this once and for all." Roark replied as Kantu nodded his head.