Itzal's Story

Rashid

Rashid studied the arena. The Dimitrios had cleared some of the rubble and now here was a refurbished arena at his paw steps. The whole idea of the games was getting him excited. He walked out to the middle of the clearing and looked up at the dark ceiling. Nothing but rock, metal bars, and chains dangling loosely. He frowns. Those wolves...The bad part of him. The half that wanted revenge on all the wolf packs hated them. Hated them for intruding. Hating them for delaying his plans...But the, good part. The half that has been wanting to forgive the packs, admired them. Admiring them for their teamwork. Admiring them for their friendship and strength. They weren't even supposed to like each other. But they did. Rashid looks down at his paws and smiles. Maybe...There was hope for Nigerius after all. His thoughts were interrupted by an Avira flying across the top of the cave, rattling the chains. Rashid gains his dark demeanor almost instantly and shakes off the thoughts in his head before he flies off toward his chambers.

Kaveh

Kaveh wandered around the hallways until he reached the cell hall. He growls and walks up to the prisoners cell. "Well well well...Looks like Miss alpha got her own little cage hmm...To weak to fight back Alva?" Kaveh taunts. His eyes rest on the others. "Hahaha...I'm surprised our little heroes haven't tried to escape yet..." Kaveh mutters audibly."Have you all made up your mind yet? I'm getting impatient with all the waiting..." Kaveh growls. He paces on the outside of the cell and growls at the ground. Kaveh had already come up with the perfect plan for getting rid of Rashid. Now all he had to do was wait and see what the gang of wolves chose. But waiting was never really the Kamarians' game.

Itzal

Itzal wandered around the lonely forests. The trees around him looked...weak. To others the trees would appear the same. A tree. But someone who has lived on Nigerius for an eternity knows the great changes that have occurred. Cold air drifted through his hollow skull as he surveyed the small area. He stopped abruptly at the sound of splashing. His ears flicked toward the brush and he walked on toward the small noise. Once he was through the brush his head pointed toward the noise. To his amusement, he spots a rather unusual Arlyne pup who had just missed a small fish. Seemingly frustrated, he began to swim on the opposite bank. Itzal chuckled at the pups minor attempt. It was amusing to think that he of all gods would stumble upon such a sight. Oh just his luck. A chat with the young up is all he needs to brighten up his day. His nose however, detected the scent of another adult wolf nearby so he decided to keep the chat a little snappy before he would be heading off again.

"Hmm... Young Arlyne! I'm well impressed with your swimming abilities and I'm quite famished from my long trip. You see...An Alvan like me has no experience whatsoever with fishing so I was wondering if you could maybe catch me a fish or two...." He speaks over the soft current of the river.

"Then why delay the inevitable? Throw us in the ring already, or just kill us now to save everyone the trouble." Nova responded to the arrogant Kaveh. Besides, the best chance they actually had at escaping was when they were taken out of the cage. At it took was a small moment of confusion in the transition. A dropped key. A loud noise. A pair of guards more interested in their own conversation than a train of prisoners. It was natural for one to not be able to cope with surprises well, and even the most seamless of plans could fall apart at an unexpected event. It was knowing that any opportunity of escaping Nova had laid outside the cage was what kept him impatient.

***

Lost in his own thoughts, it was only when the strange Alva wolf spoke to him that young Tiberius realized that he was there. Although he had become naturally distrustful of strangers over the past few days, Tiberius was at least relieved that this wasn't one of those warrior wolves. But that was about the only relief Tiberius could salvage in this situation. Upon hearing the request of the odd looking wolf, Tiberius' first instinct of course was to swim far, far away. The eyes, the voice, the fur! They were all so odd to the young wolf. But the thing that struck the Arlyne most of all was the stranger's long tail. It rather reminded him of an eel, and in to Tiberius this probably meant that this wolf was as fast as one in water.

Not exactly a fan of being gobbled up from refusing and running, Tiberius decided to appease this stranger. Although he tried to suppress it, a nervous stutter came out in his voice while he replied "S-sure s-si-sir, I hope y-ya don't mind if its r-raw!" Without waiting for a response to his garble of words, Tiberius dived back into the deepest part of the stream, with a new-found fervor of a wolf who's very life hung in the balance.

Itzal

Itzal opened his mouth to speak, just as the wolf dove into the clear waters. Itzal slowly closed his mouth shut and waited alongside the river. Over that fairly quick little response, the Alvan god had peered into the very past of the young Arlyne. The god had quickly learned during his childhood how to control his 'sightseeing' whereas, almost all Alvas now can't hardly look into another's eyes and witness a small tid-bit of tragedy. Itzal has learned quite a lot. The Arlyne ran away, met another pup, then a Kamarian.......Itzal's mouth had gone from shut, to just slightly open. This...Can't be right....He looked a little deeper. Ha! This is it! So the mighty Pharaoh's prediction has come true!!! He thought gleefully. "Wolves of different elements working together to stay alive, will venture across Nigerius and put an end to Ixtec and restore life to Nigerius, and peace among its packs." He recites Pharaohs prediction. Now the gods would have found the wolves sooner if his nephew hadn't blocked their view to Nigerius. The gods were forced to walk among the mortals in search of this small band of wolves...They had just recently given up but now..."'Aisha is going to be so jealous!!" He speaks happily. His tail flicking ever so slightly and the god would have been smiling if it wasn't for his skull.

Itzal looked a bit deeper and found only a small glimpse of the true wolves. Still, this pup could probably lead him to them. If not, then he knew a much smaller one that could help him. And it seems that the hybrid was wandering close by...

Rashid, Kaveh, and Cerise

Kaveh was about ready to blow their cell up in pieces if Rashid hadn't flown up. "So, did they make their decision?" Rashid spoke. Kaveh speaks, trying his hardest not to growl at the older wolf. "They said they would participate..." Rashid beamed, "Alright then, bring them out!" He calls. Almost instantly, a group of Kamarians appeared out of the shadows. Tentacle like structures grabbed the wolves bodies immobilizing their hostages. Kaveh opened the cell door before the wolves were dragged out of the cells and led, by Rashid, out of the hallway.

After ten minutes of walking through twists and turns, the wolves came across box like rooms with one of the walls missing from the front so the rooms were exposed for the group to see. Cerise was absolutely astounded. It was like small sections of their homes. One room was attuned to Ausi wolves because icicles hung from the ceiling and snow covered the ground. Another was attuned to Canicus because small streams of lava flowed through the walls, ceiling, and ground. Cerise's eyes darted across the boxes until she came across what looked like to be hers. Her room had a moderately large tree growing out of the side. The leaves bristled from an unknown current of wind that seemed endless.

Rashid chuckles, "I hope you like your rooms. I tried to fix them up as close to the real thing as possible but...They could use a little bit more work." After his statement, the Kamarians tentacles broke off of one another as each individual was led to their own room. Since there was one short however, Rashid had to lead Nova to his room. The older wolf glanced at the Ausi before speaking. "You have a few hours of rest before the games...Any questions?" He says as they reach the room. The tentacles around the Ausi seemed to loosen ever so slightly. A Dimitrios positioned himself at the end of the hallway, ready to make the missing wall as soon as Rashid was finished with the Ausi and everyone was freed.

Not one to fail at any task aquatic in nature, Tiberius' frantic hunt for fish for his guest eventually yielded up its fruits. Correcting himself from his earlier performance, he had managed to catch a brace of two small fish, bringing the lifeless pair onto the bank at the stranger's feet, all the while inwardly pleading that Drais and Feathers would come by soon. "Th-there you go sir. May uh, th-the blessings of the gods be upon your tra-ravels, sir..." Tiberius announced awkwardly, selecting from a list of courtesies he had heard his parents say to superiors. Not wanting to turn his back on the wolf, yet not wanting to be near him any longer than he had too, Tiberius smiled shyly and let go of his paws on the bank, and allowed the current to take him slowly away from the stranger.

***

Rashid's attitude made Nova respond as if an executioner just asked if he would like his electric chair to have a cushion, or if a firing squad wanted him to be shot in the shade so he was more comfortable. The end result was always the same, and as usual it just seemed like the wolf was toying with them. Noticing the slackening in his bindings, and the relative lack of local guards, Nova realized this had been the chance to escape he had been gambling on. His cell was the closest to the end of the corridor, and if he did something unexpected, like freeze Rashid's eyes open, he could push off these subjective tentacles and force his wounded leg to sprint for the maze of hallways. From there he could...feel for the exit? He would probably be caught and killed, but wasn't that better than having one of his companions kill him? Who knows, maybe he would score some "entertainment" points with Rashid.

But yet, defeatism prevailed again, and Nova knew that he would be plagued by the guilt of leaving behind the others to kill each other. Even if he brought back a batallion of crack troops, it wouldn't really matter if they were all already, well, you know.

Itzal waited patiently beside the small river. Letting the soft sound of water slipping across the earth sooth him. His ears perked at the sound of splashing. His nose tilted toward the ground and his eyes rest on the Arlyne with two small fish in front of him.

"Th-there you go sir. May uh, th-the blessings of the gods be upon your tra-ravels, sir..."

Itzals head snaked its way toward the ground so it could get a better look at the fish. "Well, I must thank you young-" He was cut short when he noticed the small wolf being carried off slowly by the river. No no no! He has searched Nigerius for over a hundred years for these so called 'saviors'. And now, his guide was being carried off by the current. His inner Alva wanted to pick up the pup instantly and cut right to the chase, it was such a small feeling though that he had enough sense to ignore it and instead, calmly snake his unusually long body over to the pup and abruptly pick him up by the scruff and set the Arlyne beside him.

"Now now young one...You aren't just going to leave yet now are you?" He asks calmly. While doing so, his tail glided over the grass and around the pup holding him close to the god. "You see, I have traveled far and long...Months and months...and not a wolf in sight!" He says. "And if there was a wolf, it was one of those wolves that jumped at you out of the bushes with the intent to kill on whatever wolf that wasn't their element." He says with a horrified expression that fades off seconds later. "Twas pure luck that I made it this far...and now I've stumbled upon you good pup, and I am certainly eager to hear your tales as a traveler!" He says with a genuine grin on his face. "Am I right? I mean, you are quite far from home..." He asks rather faintly.

"H-hey! Who are you?"

The sudden voice jerked Itzal out of his current thoughts and he looked toward the pup who was the owner of said voice. "Who am I?..." It took a moment for Itzal to think before his jaw gaped open in shock. "Dear gods! It seems that I have forgot to introduce myself!" Before long a smirk played along his lips and he bowed to the two pups in front of him. "My name is Skully! Skully the traveler!" He says happily. It was absurd that a god give away his or her true identity. Unless of course...It was a small, serious, meeting. Itzal, or Skully, faced the newcomer. "Oh new guest! How joyful!" Inside, the god was celebrating victoriously. He not only had one guide, but two!

Skully looked over at the stream before speaking once more. "Now, it'd only be polite if you both introduced yourselves to me..."

Rashid

Rashid waited seconds and seconds longer. "None...?" I silence was his answer. "Well okay then..." He grabs Nova by the scruff and pushes him into his room before the Dimitrios kicked up the barrier that sealed each of the wolves inside their rooms. The Kamarians freed the others just as Rashid left toward his chambers.

Nova looked around after being placed in his cage. It was as if he had been plopped inside the Sharikere's, and even the temperature was accurate for this time of year. The chill in the air was actually quite relaxing, and the only thing that could ruin his fantasy was the fact he was surrounded by four imposing stone walls. Besides the walls, there wasn't much to the room. A small mound of snow, a few rocks, and a single conifer. Walking over to the tree, Nova pushed together some of the fallen pine needles to make a more comfortable spot to lay down, after which he did just that.

As he considered taking Rashid's advice to rest, Nova lazily thought of what he would do in the coming tournament. He more or less had a blanket plan that applied to everyone, and it would help ease his guilt while possibly raising that feeling in his opponent. Not that he really cared about the latter as much as the former. He could probably even will himself to attack BattleDemon or Schemeko, so long as they were willing to do the same. But what if he had to go against Cerise or Fox? Fox was so weak all he would have to do is go step on her neck, and Cerise? He didn't know if he could fight her. Rashid better not be in the room if that was who he paired Nova up with. Shivering, but not from the cold, Nova dropped into sleep.

***

Tiberius had to clench his jaw in order to stop his lower lip from quivering. He listened to the slippery sweet voice of Skully, each of his words like a drop of oil lazily running into his ear. The new pup had somehow disappeared as quickly as she came. She had been there one second, and then she somehow vanished. Figuring that this wolf was just playing tricks on his mind, Tiberius decided to ignore the whole incident.

Speaking each word with slow precision, Tiberius responded "Tiberius. sir. son. of. my. father." He squirmed slightly inside of the eel of the tail that this wolf possessed, and hoped for once that all he expected Tiberius to do was listen. The young wolf didn't feel like talking any more than he had to. However, he did recall that the wolf was asking about his travels before he was interrupted, and Tiberius decided to continue his momentum and switch the conversation back on Skully. Speaking with a greater surety, he spoke the first thing that came into his head. "So uh, whats it like being...so...big?"

Tiberius was satisfied with the answer, but still wished that this Skully would uncoil himself from around Tiberius' body and time. "Well, uh, where are you goin? I don't wanna take up any more of your time..." the young wolf said meekly, hoping that the Alva would take the hint and hit the road. He wanted to find Feathers and show her how to fish. It would be nice to be the teacher for once. Shifting his weight slightly, he gave a disinterested sigh and looked up at the clouds. He wondered who else was looking up at the sky at the moment. Did they see the same clouds that he did? He doubted they were being harassed by a stranger in the way that he was. At least Skully didn't seem to keen on eating him at this point.

***

One particular reason that Nova disliked being confined indoors was the complete loss of the sense of time. The cell that he was in had yet to get any darker, and yet Nova couldn't seem to find the source of the light that was keeping him awake. He noted that along the tops of the walls there was an occasional glassy sheen near where the wall met the ceiling. This patch seemed to be where the light was coming from, perhaps where was a torch or candle behind it? It would make sense, heat sources like that would clash with his environment.

Falling in and out of consciousness ever since he decided to sleep, the rest was nevertheless beneficial for a body so deprived of its nightly recharge. As such, at the times he found himself awake, he obsessed over what would be the battle plan once he left the cell. He had decided escaping was unlikely, especially in the clandestine sense, so as usual, he would have to have events act upon him, instead of being able to act on events. He would play Rashid's game because he had no other choice, because he was tired of this little adventure, and above all, because of a growing sense of dread he had about this little "pack" he was a member of.

Ever since he had practically forsaken his pack in order to pledge non-aggression to his companions, he had been repressing a life time of carefully conditioned hatred of the other packs. Though a grain of that nationalism still flew through his thoughts every now and then, the goodwill of those around him had kept those feelings in check. However, as his fortunes gradually took greater and greater turns for the worse, he was beginning to see this little motley group as nothing but trouble. He had heard the others say something about their group being a possible sign peace among the packs. Instead, it seems to have just made every other force hate them more. Why else would SkyDancer or Rashid target them specifically? Because they were different. They stepped out of line. They were a sign of change. Nova didn't want change, at least, he didn't want to be the one to bring it. He didn't want to be a hero who would go down in history as trying to stop the Great War. He wanted to read about that hero. He wanted to worship that hero. He wanted to profit from all the heroes hard work. He just didn't want to be that hero. He simply wasn't brave enough to die for a cause.

Strange how quickly ones personality can change when bad fortune arrives, Nova pondered. Then again, reality is unrealistic.

Itzal

Skully's ear twitched at the sigh the young wolf gave him. "Well, I plan on heading to the Sharikeres next..." He says. Another voice could be heard in the distance and Skully pointed his head toward the hole in which the hybrid had tripped and fallen into. Skully glanced inside the hole before grabbing the hybrid by the scruff and placing her beside him. He then, slowly uncoiled his tail around the Arlynes body. "I am sorry if I seem to waste your time young ones. I do believe that you both have something of higher importance than me hmm?" He asks. "I assure you that I will be leaving soon." He says as he lowers his head toward the two fish and engulfing one. "Now, I have been a traveler for many years...Like I said, sometimes I would go without the slightest contact with another wolf in ages..." He sighs. "...You know...If you tend to think about the nature around you rather than the wolves itself, then will find some interesting discoveries." He knew that negotiating the pups into guiding him to this prison would be futile. Who knew how far this prison was? All he knew was that it was located semi-close to the Sharikeres. "...I want you both to... Maybe, take a look around you...And reminisce the days where the war was less violent..." With that said, he gulps down the last fish and in a blink of an eye, disappears into the brush.

Itzal

Itzal darted through the forest. Of course, faster than the normal wolf. His long body and tail often reminded others of a cheetah gliding over the Savannah. He wasn't near as fast as them, but it was pretty close. After an hour or so of nonstop running, Itzal concluded his trek with a halt right in front of this so called 'Rashids Prison'. Observing the horrendous decor and frightening guards, Itzal grins. He carefully walks up toward the obsidian black guard who tensed upon the sight of the deity. "Halt! You shall not pass unless-" The guard was cut short before his eyes turned black as the deity gazed into the eyes of the other. Inside the very depths of the guards mind, Itzal unraveled the small snippet of memory of a couple of familiar wolves seen a while ago. Itzals grin would have widened if it weren't for the fact that they had apparently been trapped by this Rashid fellow. Oh well. It was their situation now. Not his. And if the wolves in the prophecy could make it this far, they could surely make it out of this predicament.

Cerise

The white wolf couldn't help but drift into a light doze. The excruciating hours Rashid was making them wait was becoming unbearable. Like slowly running knives down bare flesh. Torture. The howling and restlessness of the others awakened her and she reluctantly stood. Her exhausted mind mistaking her location to be in Era somewhere. However, her daydreaming lasted for a couple of seconds before vanishing into thin air. She was in Rashids prison. About to kill her friends. Cerise looks down at the ground, whimpering prayers under her breath. This pitiful sight didn't last any longer until the room walls, leading them into the arena, abruptly slid down into the ground in a matter of seconds. A piercing light blinded her eyes as she stepped out of the tiny room and into a much larger extent.

Uncanny eyes shifted from around her, to her sides scanning the area for her friends. A voice interrupted her from doing so any further. "Greetings wolves!...." The voice began. Cerise scanned the perimeter to see Rashid standing on a tall cliff that out looked the entire arena. "I hope you found your break rather helpful in regaining those extra senses back lost from sleep deprivation!" Cackling could be heard and Cerise scowls. "Alright, allow me to cover some rules...Attack using only your elemental abilities! Don't die! And uhm...That's about it! The arena will be attuned to one element so...Watch your step!" Cerise couldn't help but raise an eyebrow before the ground below her began to rumble. She immediately backs up and, taking her previous spot, rose a great green tree. The same thing continues until, surrounding her, was the thickest forest she had ever seen. Beautiful green grass slipped through her toes and the leaves from the trees sifted from an unknown current of wind. A ball of light formed in the commotion resembling the sun. It would have been beautiful, if Rashids voice hadn't boomed out over the field, reminding her of where she was. "From this point on, let the battles begin!"

Instead of the booming cheer of the crowd, she heard nothing. Just...stillness. Silence. In fact, the last she recalled of the audience was...nothing. Just a few wolves who hadn't been brainwashed. The real spectators were Rashid and Kaveh. Cerise studied her surroundings, realizing she couldn't spot a wolf in this kind of forest, Cerise starts her trek into the woods. She wouldn't use her wings just yet. Flying would result in automatic death, or the enemy behind her heels. She would just have to stay on the ground, for now.

Itzal


"So you believe your weak?" spoke a soothingly calm voice. Within the darkness of BattleDemons deepest dreams drew a figure. The darkness covered him, completely camouflaged the only thing that stood out was the pale white skull. "You are not weak...", a light shone behind the Alva God as it illuminated to show the grasslands of the Felix Valley, on a particularly bright day, "You are after all a Demon." Itzal spoke as he stood before BattleDemon within her subconsciousness. "Hm, yes the valley, the grass always looks lackluster when I see it." He spoke trailing off. "I assume you recognize who I am?" Itzal asked. "It's not easy to forget a God, but then again I have never personally visited you before." Itzal spoke in an ever calm demeanor.

"Despite what you come to think of me as, just know I am an ally." Itzal spoke plainly. "You may be thinking why I am I here?" "I'm here for you, but, that is only a fraction of the mission." "But before details can be discussed, you must know that your time of dying has not arrived." "You still have much work to do." Itzal spoke his emotions masked, making him seem apathetic. Then a light green light shone from the side of the Alva as a wolf made of brush and leaves appeared. "Allow me to introduce Akashia, Deity of the Aven." Itzal spoke. "Hello." The Aven said in a soft, nurturing voice.



Soon Akashia walked next to BattleDemon and already she would feel immediate healing. Wounds were sealing, pain was fading, infection was dying. Soon she would feel refreshed and relived. "Akashia has graciously accepted to help in this time of need." Itzal spoke. "Once you awaken your injuries and illness will have subsided, but only for the duration of your mission." "Once finished, Akashia's rejuvenating aura will fade and you will feel weak again, but no longer in danger of death so long as you rest." Itzal spoke. "You must be wondering why are Gods helping you, well the answer is simple, we need your help." Itzal spoke with a stern and serious voice. Akashia moved away as Itzal was allowed to speak.

"All of Wolvenkind is in danger of destruction." "An event we as Gods cannot allow to pass, but we cannot directly intervene not with out mortal hosts." "That is where you and your friends come in." Itzal spoke. "As we speak an evil force has been vying to destroy the Heart of Nigerius." "Already he corrupts the Heart, and therefor in doing, corrupts the land." "Your homes are dying and your packs are killing each other in a war that will lead to genocide." "We as the gods are calling upon a group of champions to face this evil, and we have decided you and your friends will be such champions." Itzal spoke. "Soon you will escape from Rashid's grasp and must venture deep underground and stop the corrupter from destroying the heart." Itzal spoke as he looked towards BattleDemon. "I am sure you have questions, now would be the time to ask them." Itzal spoke as he looked at BattleDemon and pondered on her thoughts. Akashia stood silently besides Itzal as she looked towards Battle and then back to Itzal. "Unless you wish more of me then I shall leave." She soothingly spoke giving BattleDemon her consideration. Itzal waited for BattleDemon's reaction.

Summanus and Schemeko

Summanus and Schemeko were a bit surprised by BattleDemon's sudden responsiveness. She seemed healthy, healthier than ever! Though it was dark through these tunnels so they could be imagining, but when Battle raised a valid point Schemeko questioned Summanus. "She's right, could be nothing at all." Schemeko spoke a bit critical. Summanus then pondered the possibility it sounded like a good plan, but there could always be something wrong. Then BattleDemon came up with a plan of her own. "That might actually work." Summanus spoke concurring. Then came a question that perplexed Summanus. "Yes, I do." He answered. "Can you hand it to me?"

Summanus looked at her oddly but then hesistantly gave her the pendant. He took his teeth and pulled it off and then dropped in Battle's paw. "What are you going to do with it might I ask?" Summanus asked a bit worried. It was his own special pendant after all.


Itzal

Meanwhile hidden from the mess watched Itzal from afar with in the caves. Akashia spoke mentally with him from an unknown place as she spoke, "Was that to be expected?" Akashia asked. "Why yes, very much like her." Itzal responded. "Do you believe she will be your champion?" Akashia asked. "The choice was ultimately up to her, even though I chosen her." Itzal spoke ever coolly. "So you think she turned down the offer?" Akashia asked. "No, I think we will have our champions." Itzal finished speaking. Soon he would disappear from the caves altogether as he awaited for the final battle to begin.