The Wounded Pack

#7 - Wolves

When one wolf stands alone, its ferocity is ruthless, and its instinct is driven by the will to survive. On its own, he can overcome the greatest obstacles: famine, cold weather, death. Lone wolves are strong, aggressive, but above all, more dangerous. They won't bark, they will just bite, and they will bite hard.

Two wolves take care of each other. Their fierceness is doubled, and their combined cunning will lead them to subdue any greater predator. Together, they can travel further, they can hunt bigger prey, they provide each other safety.

But three wolves, they are a pack already. The concept of the "pack" is something quite special. The pack's whole strength is greater than the sum of each individual wolf's. Nothing stands in their way. Their might is unmatched, and every living creature can be subdued by their combined wit. When a wolf belongs to a pack, its spirit is complete, and the other members are everything that is worth fighting for.

Over generations, orcs from the Frostwolf Clan had learned the wisdom of these beasts. It was in their nature to stand together, and in their unity laid their true strength. Nevertheless, sometimes being a wolf meant that you had to be on your own, and unleash your full ferocity. There is not time for hesitation, there is not time to look back; all you can do, is move forward, and jump at the maws of peril if that means a mere chance of survival.

But there was one important lesson that Dunris had learned over the years: a true wolf never left another wolf alone. This was his thought as he sprinted through the snowy lands of Icecrown Glacier, rushing towards the source of a clamor that echoed in the air. Thanks to his shamanic powers, he could turn into a Spirit Wolf, so he had a deep understanding of how it felt to be within those beasts' skin.

He sniffed around and felt the unmistakable scent of death. At the Glacier, it was everywhere, polluting the wind, the ice, the clouds and the stones. His senses were heightened, and his instincts commanded him to move forward. The orc within him drove him to hurry up, and his wolven body reacted instantly. He could sense he was close the the battle, as he could hear the unmistakable sound of metal against metal. He reached a cliff and, without giving it a second thought, he leaped down precipice.

As he was falling, he shifted back to his original form, charging both his axes with the power of the storm. He landed with an impressive force, and the ground was sundered around him, carbonizing and pulverizing all undead minions that were reached by the might of the elements. He didn't waste any second, and he started hacking and slashing every enemy he encountered. In no time, he reached his older brother's side.

— Took you long enough! — Naurosh yelled, describing a wide arc with his spear, forcing his foes away.

Wolfeye had arrived to Wildsoul's aid right on time, as him and the Warsong Offensive Warriors were being overwhelmed by the Scourge. He alone wasn't enough to bring down an entire undead army, but now that both brothers were together, their chances of victory had increased tenfold. Dunris identified Gorgonna, and they shared a knowing look. She nodded in a thankful gesture, and she raised her battle axe high in the air.

— Don't waver! For the Horde! — she shouted.

— Lok'tar! — her men echoed.

Dunris called forth two spirit wolves to fight by his side, joining Naurosh's own pack of worgs in their maiming and biting. The Shaman then asked the two elements that favored him the most to assist him: Wind and Earth. The first would always help him when assuming an offensive stance, while the second one would protect him from any harm. But actually, he had also learned how to command them to fulfill both roles. A gust of wind would push his foes away, while a series of stone spikes would erupt from the ground to impale any aggressor.