The Wolves of the Gems

Chapter 18

19 miles from territory border: Metal Forest Pack Territory: Densite: Mid Summer

  The morning sky was filled oranges and golds as the sun rose into the sky, sending beautiful golden rays throughout the city. The birds were chirping happily in the morning air, and very few members of the Metal Forest Pack were up and about. The rest were happily sleeping in the ruined buildings. In what was once a grocery store the six companions slept. Faita slept next to Silver, who slept next to Darkness, while Chinook and Ghost slept near each other and Stormcloud was half asleep on the counter.

  The group had been in the Metal Forest Territory for over half a month now and - with the skills of the healers - Faita's wound was healed with barely even a scar, and Darkness' wounds were close to it.

  Stormcloud moved his head, so now he was facing the group. He opened one of his yellow eyes and watched over the companions. Ghost slowly moved closer to Chinook, while Faita raised her head and yawned, before placing her head back down on Silver's shoulders. Stormcloud smiled slightly and got up to stretch, yawning at the same time. He stretched his back legs as he stood on the counter, sun rays slowly entering the building.

  The large brute jumped off the counter and walked out of the building, as carefully as his size would allow to not wake the others just yet. He sat in the doorway of the building for a little while, soaking up the sun then moved out. The wolf-dogs and coyotes had come well accustomed to the large wolf over the past weeks. But today would be the last time they saw him, for him and his companions would be leaving once they all were awake.

  As the brute walked along, two wolf-dog pups ran past, their tails wagging. He smiled at the two, the sight reminding him of his niece and nephew. He quietly walked by and continued on deeper into the city.

  "Storm Wolf."

  Stormcloud raised his head and turned his attention to the alpha wolf-dog walking up beside him.

  "Too bad you and your group are leaving today," Forest said casually, while Stormcloud kept quiet, "but to make sure the Rogues can do no more harm must come soon." Stormcloud nodded. "And when the time comes, the ones who want to fight and myself will join you."

  Stormcloud stopped in his tracks and snapped his head towards the wolf-dog, surprised.

  "Yeah I said it," Forest looked up at the brute, "I know when you came into my territory that a change was coming. I just was unable to accept it at first, considering how long the wolf-dogs and dogs were under the control of the Rogues, well before myself and a few others stood their ground. But now I'm able to accept it, and while you continue your journey, this pack will prepare for the final battle."

  For a long while, Stormcloud just looked at the wolf-dog, his words slowly sinking in. Now, not only did the Snow Pack have some of the gems on their side, but they now had allies. Forest turned to look at the wolves approaching them. Faita and Chinook looked half asleep as they walked, while the others were ready to go.

  "Are you ready?" Darkness asked the larger male. Stormcloud nodded his head, but as the others walked past, he stood where he was.

  "How will you know when the gems have been collected?" Stormcloud asked the wolf-dog.

  In response, Forest just smirked, "we'll know, just hurry on, it will already take you 'til mid autumn before you reach the Canyons."

  The Storm Wolf simply nodded once again, before turning to his companions. The group seemed to send a silent message to one another, as one-by-one they ran out of the city, towards the North West Canyons.

0 miles from territory border: Metal Forest Pack Territory: Border Between Southern Forest and Metal Forest: Mid Summer

  The sun began to sink behind the city and horizon once again, the sky coloured with many shades of oranges and reds and purples. The trees on the edge of two territories grew thin, with not many hiding places. But the dark brown wolf standing on the border had no reason to hide. He was on the hunt. His white, oversized top canines gleamed in the sunlight. He lowered his muzzle to the ground and already he could smell the very faint scent of his son and his companions.

  Fang raised his head, a snarl on his muzzle. "Keep running Chinook, I'll catch up like I always do," he snarled to himself. The brute walked back into the trees, but for good reason. He had no reason to quarrel with the Street Runners of the Metal Forest Pack. The brute began to make the long way around the city.

  What Fang didn't know, was that he was being watched. Deep in the bushes behind him, a large, white wolf was somehow hiding. Behind the wolf's eyes was two black spots before a curved line, and his eyes gleamed an electric blue, like the blue gem that was around Faita's neck.

  The wolf had used a spell to make his wings disappear the moment he had found this wolf. He had no idea why he was following a wolf who seemed to be on an extended hunting trip, but his gut said to follow the brute. Then, something caught his attention. The faint scent wolves Fang was tracking and with it came the scent of the gem only the winged wolf could detect.

  Now he didn't need the dark brown wolf anymore. The white wolf called back his wings and spread them, quickly lifting off. He flew over the city, the rectangular buildings that touched the sky were strange to him, more so than any other wolf. He had no idea that the humans that were once so primitive had built them.

  A wave of exhaustion suddenly passed over him and he had to land on one of the buildings. His landing was graceful and gentle, even for a creature his size. He lowered his head panting.

  "I must get to my gem, otherwise my magic isn't as strong it once was," he said to himself. As he got ready to take off again, he looked out across the city and the sunset behind. It was a sight he was not used to, but it seemed to bring a sense of calm. The winged wolf laid down on the building top, looking at all the colours of the sunset. His search could wait, this place would bring his strength back, and even though he had slept for over a thousand years, his body longed for a proper sleep.

  He placed his head on his paws and closed the electric blue eyes. Sleep, surprisingly came easily and his dreams brought him back to the temple in the fire mountain and his Guardian siblings still in their thousands years rest.