Amarok's Story

Out there beside that gorge, Summanus had considered throwing her off to her doom. He could claim it was an accident but that wouldn't sit right with him. If he were to kill another wolf, he would be the kind of wolf to own up to it but he wouldn't have done such a thing without clear reason. At this point, Summanus has only suspicions and no hard evidence to the contrary that Blue is anything less than she says. The others wouldn't understand not yet at least. Still the Borak was surprised that Blue was able to sense his subtle charge. Sure, despite how concealed a Borak might be with his charge there are little, hints that the natural world gives away. Usually in the form of a change in atmospheric pressure or even a change in temperature.

Yet these signs are usually recognized by other Boraks and not so much by other Wolves. How she managed to was beyond him especially since she is not a Borak herself. Perhaps there's something else tipping her off? Summanus thought long and hard about it as Blue came up to him with a surprising suggestion.

"Tell me, have you killed other wolves?"

"If you really think that way.... you really should kill me."

He was taken aback by this. Did she seriously tell him to do such a thing? She was brazen, he'd give her that. She must be able to tell that he would not just so callously take her life. She must understand him enough to know he would not do something so dishonorable. Summanus couldn't bring himself to say or do anything beyond watching her leave. It was frustrating not being able to do a thing.

Durandel did his best to pack his gear though a bit weary, he was ready to face the journey ahead. His attention was diverted however when Blue returned. "Huh? Do I look that sleepy?" He asked with a yawn. "Wait? You almost what!?" It was then Nova came in with a witty remark that eased him over. "Heh, yeah, maybe." He said a bit playfully.

Mydnyte watched as the others began to return, not too long after Blue arrived, Summanus came wandering back. He seemed a bit...upset but the Borak was good at keeping others out. He just waited for Fang and Vesta to show up and in a short time they did. "Well, Fang it's time to move, I'll take point and you take the rear." He ordered. "Sure, no problem." Fang responded. Fang felt distracted at the moment. He looked over to Vesta with a sad smile, he felt bad for the Tenneth. He didn't know much about her besides being as proud as any Tenneth he's known or heard of. But this journey is starting to affect her and with the prospect of figthing against her pack and her connection to Prometheus...he just hoped that Vesta will be alright.

He was impressed by the display the other day. So much in fact he had ordered the veteran general, Titus, to gather his forces for an invasion of the Cliffs. With Shimmer Doom calling for support from the Borak forces, they will march upon Stonehold and tear down their walls with the Borak's Drill. Yet, Prometheus could tell that the exhibition drill was not powerful enough to drill all the way through Stonehold's walls. It will need to be rebuilt bigger and with stronger materials than the Boraks used. Prometheus ordered that their best miners are to strip the nearby mountains for the best ores to be used in the construction of the new Drill.

Their miners worked tirelessly to bring the necessary resources for their project. From there the Tenneth's best smiths worked to smelt to ore into military grade steel which was then used by Borak engineers in their reconstruction of the Drill. It would take some time to build the Drill to fulfill Prometheus's request so in the meantime, their forces will were sent ahead to distract the Dimitrios until the Drill is completed. Despite this Prometheus was quite pleased, soon the Dimitrios will be conquered and then this war will be as good as theirs. Prometheus stood upon the balcony of his palace as he peered out across the heated plains where the Tenneth Army stood. General Titus, standing by his Alpha, gave a howl as they saluted their leader and howled his name.

Prometheus raised a paw as the army stood quietly. "Today! You stand upon the precipice of glory! Today! You shall march forth and claim your rightful spot in the annals of history! You will head into the heart of Dimitrios territory and you will show them once and for all, that the Tenneth are THE MIGHTIEST PACK IN NIGERIUS!!!!" He shouted across the plains as the Army barked and howled in a fervor. Shimmer Doom watched the display with a twisted grin as Prometheus went on with his speech. "Lady Doom?" Atalanta spoke. "Yes?" Shimmer asked in response. "I've just received word, Rowan Bane received the letter and he is redirecting his forces and sending them to the Cliffs. They should arrive upon the battlefield by week's end." She spoke. "Good, everything is going according to plan."

***

Our heroes slowly but surely have left behind their camp in the burnt up forest as they returned back to life on the road. The road was long but fortune seemed to have smiled upon them as they reached the Vulcans without much delay. But by the time our heroes arrived they will have just missed the Tenneth Army, which at this moment, have begun their march upon Stonehold. They didn't know it yet, but our heroes were about to enter the most hellacious fight of their lives.

The heat was becoming unbearable for the Ausi. Ever since they had entered they had entered the slopes of the Vulcan Mountain's, Nova's thick fur had worked to trap the hellish volcanic heat against his body. He felt like he was being baked. More and more often, he was having to douse himself with a sheen of frost to try and cool his body down. It brought temporary relief, but it always quickly melted away, leaving him looking wet and ragged. Why couldn't Rashid have set up in the Sharikeres? At least there he would be cool, and his fur wouldn't be actively trying to kill him. These fire mountains were going to be the death of him.

His tongue dry from non-stop panting, Nova tried to stay in the rear of the group so that the others wouldn't have to stare at his pathetic self as they made their way along. There could be worse places to be in the column. Fang invariably took up the rear, and so at least there was always a decent wolf to talk to. When Nova was between gasps, anyway.

Speaking to the Kamarian while still looking ahead, Nova tersely commented "I hope this whole overthrowing-a-tyrant thing is a quick job." Heh, like it was ever that easy. The Ausi wasn't even sure how they were going to do it. A squad of ten against an entire army? Sure they only had to take down one wolf. But how were they going to get to him? An army of wolves had two times that number of eyes, and there was, well, an Ausi's chance in a volcano that they were going to make it past them all.

Blue yawned and shook her her coat out, glaring at a stone on the ground. Since their journey had begun to heat up, she had decided to stay out of the way as much as possible and it was pretty boring. The temperatures here were bordering on suffocating, but it appeared that it didn't bother her as much as it did to Nova.

She had noticed how he had to cool himself down with frost and if anything, Blue was amazed he could even create frost here in the land of Tenneths and Canicus. Yet, it was funny when his frost melted leaving him in an odd state of looking like a drowned rat that was suddenly steamed to eat. It was hilarious! So much so that she was snickering at his inability to cope well here. Good thing I'm not a snow wolf.

Now, as much as she was enjoying an unhappy Nova, and coping better than him, she still wasn't a Tenneth so her activity levels went down. This was due to the hot ground that hurt her barely heard paws, as well as the dry air that was threatening to give her nose bleeds and a dry nose. She wasn't panting so much, but having to lick her nose a lot was drying out her tongue and mouth was a pain.

She would often trot ahead so she stop to rest her paws, while waiting for the others to catch ahead. So it wasn't strange when she was seen laying on her back now, with paws in the air. The not so cool air was not helping much, and so.... she got up and glared at Nova before walking by Nova in a calm manner.... and..... "I hope this whole overthrowing-a-tyrant thing is a quick job."

Her ears perked up and whatever sly move she was can make was halted. "Oh, so that's what we're doing?" She couldn't help but ask this in the most normal and clueless way, as if that was all they had do. Like they were just going to go in and do this job so easy.

And yet.

"So a tyrant is being a tyrant. Why should we care?" Her blue eyes didn't give anything away, as she nonchalantly began to scratch at her ear.

The mere idea of getting to their destination had filled her with a concoction of mixed feelings. She was surprised that Summanus hadn't attempt to kill her just yet.... and it filled her with disappointment and just tad bit of anger. While, on the other paw, she was happy she was alive, but not so much when she realized that she would be forced to carry out her traitorous mission. To some degree, she did feel a bit of pity for these wolves, but not enough to suddenly turn away from her Master, but she also.... HATED herself for giving in, and allowing herself to be a puppet.

And somewhere deep down, she had truly wished that Summanus had killed her so as to keep her from fulfilling her Master's orders. And right now, her soul felt like breaking.

She was afraid of her Master, afraid for her soul when he gave her orders since she could not refuse because to refuse was to.... go back that place of Nightmares. But to comply would face her with the possibility of being killed by these wolves for simply trying to stay alive, even if it meant being a spy. And through it all, Blue was just afraid of becoming a monster like her mother.

Needless to say, Blue was absolutely filled to the brim with fear.... and no one here, knew at all just how afraid she was as she kept it all beneath her mask of the clueless Blue they knew.

Funny, how life has a way of doing things that you wouldn't expect. The last time he left these mountains was underneath the orders of the Alpha to help establish peace and now another Alpha has labeled him a traitor to their war efforts. He was a citizen, a hero, and a friend and now he'd be lucky to step foot into any Vulcan settlement without being fired upon. He wasn't looking forward to what he and the others were about to face. From his times on the Council he has heard much about Prometheus and his band of guerrilla fighters. Besides being talked up as some icon of the people, he sounded like he was some type of military genius. He managed to invade the heart of Ausi territory and strike a mighty blow.

Now, in what seemed like no time at all he is the Alpha of the Tenneth Pack! There must be something to this wolf and Durandel actually felt intimidated...would they be able to beat him? They managed to defeat Rashid even though he gave them all the slip. This time there's a whole Pack backing him up! What could they do against such odds? Durandel looked around at his company and while some he has confidence in, others he is uncertain of. He stared for a while at poor Nova, one of the Wolves he has the most confidence in seems to be dying just at the slopes. This, of course, was no problem for the Canicus, heck his people can live inside volcanoes. This bit of heat is like a fair weathered day for him. He could see that the Vulcans are already affecting some of them and he knew it will only get worse. As for Nova he wondered how well he will he fare for the rest of their climb? And what a climb it will be.

It's obvious that they will not be able to tread on any established roads or paths, they are most likely being watched. Durandel has done as best he can to guide them away from all the beaten paths but their road will take them on a rigorous and dangerous climb. They will have to trek though miles of rocky and heated ground with not even an animal trail to take. It will be uneven, vertical surfaces to which they will have to dig their claws into that heated soil just to stay afoot. Durandel wished they could take another path that would be easier and safer but where?

Fang looked to Nova as the Ausi did his best to continue the conversation they were having. Poor wolf, he looked like he was about to keel over from the heat and he could agree. This damnable heat was starting to get to him and he couldn't help but feel the want to leave now before he gets cooked!

"I hope this whole overthrowing-a-tyrant thing is a quick job."
"Oh, so that's what we're doing?"
"So a tyrant is being a tyrant. Why should we care?"
"So an army of the Tenneths elite plus Prometheus and his guard. Whats everyone's plans for dinner? I know a wonderful place down by the lake."

Fang looked over to Blue with an raised ear. "Why? Because he's a danger to the world and those around him. You were there at the meeting right? You know who we suspect he's in league with, and if it's true, then he's being more than just a tyrant." Fang then looked over to Nova and chuckled. "One could only wish." He then looked to Vesta, "After this, I'm sure I'd be up for anything that isn't going to get me killed."

Summanus didn't appear to be as bothered with the heat as Nova, or the others that weren't a Canicus or a Tenneth. He's felt great heat before, especially when a Borak attempts to channel a bolt of lightning. The intense heat that comes down from the sky will set ablaze to most anything. The only problem is that even though the heat is intense, it's quick too, a Borak will not have to withstand it for long. But this, this protracted exposure to heat is becoming quite the bother but Summanus isn't the type to complain or even show his discomfort. He's done missions for Tenneth employers in these mountains before. It's best to distract your mind on others things besides the heat.

Summanus, was lucky to have that much. His mind was often fixed on Blue, he watched her to see what she might do. He could see the change in her demeanor, the way she acts with the others, it was not the same Blue he saw on that gorge. That Blue was cold and calculating, he knows that she's putting on some kind of act. But why? Why does she hide her true self? Is she some sort of spy or assassin? If she was an assassin how come she has yet to kill any of them? Unless we are not her target but still why travel with us? Wouldn't be more prudent to be walking amongst your target's inner circle? She could be a spy, it would explain her behavior and why she remains. She must be gathering information on everyone, but then, it begs the question, who does she work for?

Summanus's train of thought was derailed when Mydnyte suddenly appeared from out of a nearby shadow. "Everyone quick, we have to hide! A Tenneth patrol is coming this way!" He spoke in a hurried but hushed tone. "Fang, help me create a shadow that can conceal us all!" Mydnyte ordered. "Right!" Fang responded as the two Kamarians worked to create the Cloak of Darkness, a barrier of shadows that obscures the vision of those who are not within it's confines. Soon the two made a stable cloak and asked the others to simply walk on it.

His head bobbing slowly in beat with the conversations going on around him, Nova's mind was nevertheless not focused on the conversation. Rather, he was grimly contemplating his chances in these fire mountains. The imagined danger quickly turned real, however, when the Kamarians spotted the enemy approaching. Nova was relieved to hear that the plan was to hide rather than fight, he wouldn't be much more use than a one-time shield to one of his allies. And even then, a shield wouldn't complain like he would.

Wobbling has quickly as he could over to the shadowy barrier, Nova hesitated for just a moment before he entered where the shadow wolves had gone. Plunging into the void, he was disappointed to find that the shield had done nothing to reduce the temperature. Though perhaps the air was a bit easier to breath, or was he just imagining that? Hard to tell when his nose was plugged up and his throat was already scratched with soot. These fire wolves certainly had a dirty element. Why couldn't it be pure and refined like ice? No wonder Prometheus wanted to conquer new lands. He was tired of eating every meal with a side of ash!

Eager to separate from the sniggering Blue, who had been relentlessly hounding him about his heat problem ever since they set paw on these slopes, Nova decided he would talk to Vesta when she entered the barrier. They hadn't really spoken much since that night in the woods he had chewed her out for exploding that tree near Blue, but Nova was genuinely curious to hear about the place she knew to eat around here. Now when she had lake, did she mean lake of lava? Sure it would be pretty, to some, but wouldn't your fur catch on fire? What kind of stuff was there to even hunt up here? When she entered, he would ask these questions. Between pants, that is.

"Why? Because he's a danger to the world and those around him. You where there at the meeting right? You know who we suspect he's in league with, and if it's true, then he's being more than just a tyrant." Blue looked back at Fang, and forced a small embarassed smile. She was going to finally tell him that she hadn't listened to a word they had said in that meeting so she would have no clue who he was talking about... but that's what Mydnyte arrived, forewarning them of enemies on the way.

She wanted to stay there, and recklessly get caught but she made herself step into the void created by the cloak. It was like stepping in complete and total darkness from the outside, and Blue's eyes began to glow, exactly at the same time the pendant on her neck started to spark dangerously. It slowly increased in power, and began to glow, as if reacting to the darkness.

Blue had felt the electricity building in her fur, and immediately shifted to the back of the group to try and hide it, hoping no one would put two and two together.

Her tail began to shake, and her eyes were closed as she placed a paw on her pendent, as if praying to it. When in reality....

Inside her head, she began a mantra played over and over like she had become a broken record. It's fine, it's fine, it's fine, it's fine. Her fear was barely held in check by her logic that there was no real darkness here, that it was just a trick on the part of Mydnyte and Fang. Looking out from their hiding spot was one way because of it... but it reminded her so much of the tricks that had been played on her mind before.

That's right, having been subjected to such terrible things.... She was deathly afraid of the dark, and having had lived in the darkness of the Earth, where Nightmarish wolves preyed on her weaknesses. She was so lucky to still be alive and sane and she owed it all to the pendent. It's glow had kept the dark monsters inside her head away. It was a precious treasure to her. The problem now though, was that it was starting to reject her.

Maybe not her as a wolf but the sudden darkness that had unnaturally started to entwine with her soul. It was the reason why it had started to emit energy pulses, and if her Master was right... it could end up killing her. So he had ordered her to dispose of it, and since it was the source of power for Summanus, returning it was out of the question.

It was beginning to look like Blue would lose the only thing she actually cared for.

Durandel didn't hesitate to stand into the shadows, he knew he would have to fight many of his fellow kin but if he can avoid that then why not? No need to get seriously hurt before they even reach the cities! As he entered he noticed that not all of them had enter the cloak and that was Vesta. "Vesta! What are you doing!?" He said in an hushed but agitated tone. "What the!?" Mydnyte spat as he saw her walk out into the road. "She's going to get us all spotted!" Mydnyte quietly barked. Durandel shook his head at the fact, does she not think that these Wolves would not turn on another of their Pack? They are loyal to Prometheus, not the Tenneth! Durandel was about to charge out when he was stopped by Summanus who shook his head.

"Summanus!? But why!?" He asked. "She made her own decision to do this and although stupid, we could take advantage of this." Summanus spoke. "How?" Durandel inquired. "Vesta could provide for us, a distraction, with the enemy focused on her we can outflank them and take them by surprise. They won't understand what's about to happen to them until too late." Summanus explained. Durandel didn't like the idea of using one of their own as bait, it seemed a callous thing to do. Still, they are up against superior numbers and a force that isn't afraid to use underhanded tactics. Yet it was dishonorable and it didn't sit well with Durandel in his mind.

"Summanus isn't wrong." Mydnyte spoke up. "If we do get the drop on them, perhaps we could take one of them hostage and use him as a means to enter the Vulcans." Myndyte contemplated. "And what makes you think one of Prometheus's goons would lead us safely into the Vulcans?" Durandel questioned. "He will, if he doesn't wish to die that is." Mydnyte gruffly answered. Maybe their plan could work and if it does, it would be safer than trying to scale over these mountains, carrying on the way that they have been. Durandel decided to bide his time then but he couldn't help but worry about Vesta. "Well, whatever you two plan to do, best do it quick before something bad happens to Vesta."

A stranger's voice was soon heard. "I smell Wolves, don't you?" A Wolf spoke. Sniffing another Wolf raises his nose to the air. "Yes, I believe you are right." "I told you! It must be the Resistance?! Right?" The Wolf spoke again. "Has to be! No one else would dare be on these roads!" A new voice rang out. "Look! Over there!" A group of four, no, five Tenneth Wolves where coming down the path when they spotted Vesta in the middle of the road. They howled as they began to rush her. "YOU STOP!! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST IN THE NAME OF THE ALHPA!!!" The one leading the charge shouted.

"Fang, can you hold the barrier by yourself for a bit? Summanus and I will out flank them." Mydnyte asked. Fang nodded. "Summanus, stand atop that boulder and when I capture one of them from the shadows, I want you to rain lightning down upon them. Got it?" Summanus nodded. "Let's go." Mydnyte finished. It was then Durandel shouted, "NO! WAIT!" Mydnyte and Summanus stopped in their tracks when suddenly another howl came from over the next horizon. "FOR THE RESISTANCE!!!" All of a sudden fireballs rained down upon the road as the Tenneths were ambushed! "MORE RESISTANCE!!! KILL THEM ALL!!" The Promethean barked as the Tenneth returned fire. Before she knew it, Vesta was in the middle of an attack! With all of the excitement going on, they barely noticed that Blue was having problems of her own.

Blue hasn't been paying much attention when the flames of battle were suddenly fanned into existence right before. It was the sounds of it all that struck a chord within her and it felt like she was going to lose her stomach contents. She had never taken a life, and she had no desire to see them taken before her, for War really was a gruesome thing. It never solved anything, nor would it help anyone.

And in her mind, something broke and the monsters inside her head, escaped. They fractured her reality, making her feel out of control and so afraid that she thought she was shaking all over. She thought, that surely the other wolves of the group had noticed now, that they saw how she trembled and whined. Or that the ground was shaking like giant demonic shadow wolves were trying to escape from beneath the earth.

But in reality, she was not shaking at all, nor was she whining. In fact, she was so still, that one could even think she stopped breathing.

A minute passed, in which Blue finally moved. And a part of her noticed how everyone's attention was on the battle before them, so without thinking, she backed away, out of the cloak and turned to run.

The heat of this place was unbearable for a wolf of non-Tenneth descent, and now she now she was running it. Not the easiest nor safest thing to do for her, but she had allowed her fears to control her, and safety was of no concern to her. She didn't notice anything at all, not even the sudden electricity building up in the pendant the further, it's power increasing with every step... until like a volcano, it burst out a high dosage of power. It was enough to bring Blue to the ground in a tumble, but this time, it did not knock her out.

Her body became numb, while her heart was desperatly pumping to keep up with her increased activity as well as a deal with the dangerous side effects of the pendant. She stayed lying on the ground, panting with her tongue and teeth fully exposed. Her core temperature was rising too high and too fast since her body was not able to dispel heat properly in this environment. I should stay like this and just give up...

Blue was at the end of her rope....

"Get up."

A chill ran along Blue's spine.

"And go back."

She whined, shutting her mouth and lifted her head. Golden eyes with a portrait of black fur darker than even a shadow, stared down at her. Her teeth began to clack from a new type of fear.

She looked away for his gaze, was not something you returned unless you wanted to lose your sanity.

A nod from her was all it took for the dark wolf of fear and death to go back to the shadows, where he would watch over her just as he had done from the very first day She had taken away her own memories.

She got back up, and walked back to group. Surely no one had noticed her absence.

Nova was more distraught then the other's about the implication of Vesta causing a fight to get started. If a scuffle broke out, he wouldn't be able to fight. He could scarcely see straight in this environment, much less keep his balance to defend himself properly. He was all the more anguished when Summanus had the idea of exposing the rest of the group just to make up for Vesta's folly. Why throw all your hopes down the well just because one fell down? This wasn't going to be good. All the less so because he was going to feel like a dirty coward for watching his mates take the hits. Who was the shield now?

As the rebellion burst from the hillside, plunging this small skirmish into a proper battle, the Ausi fearfully squirmed his way to the back of Fang's barrier to put some distance between him and the heat. He hadn't been this shaken since the Elemental Battles. At least there he could fight back. Here, his element was a good for nothing, other than a pitiful attempt at keeping him cool.

Nova continued to shrink away from the battle, until he realized he was at the back of the barrier. Wait, hadn't Blue retreated to this spot earlier? Where had that shewolf gone? She hadn't seemed up to action just moments before, from the little he had been paying attention to her, so he doubted she had run off and joined the ambush. Blast, why did she have to be so unpredictable? At least everyone could rely on him being a cynic. Now she was going to get herself captured or killed!

Feeling worse than useless, Nova did what little he could to stay out of the way of the others.

"YOU STOP!! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST IN THE NAME OF THE ALPHA!!!" Vesta stopped with a smile on her face. "This works. They will take me in giving the group time to move and gets me closer to Prometheus." She thought, but before her plan could go in to more detail. "FOR THE RESISTANCE!!!" She closed her eyes letting out a sigh. "Great." she whispered. Opening her eyes in time to see fireballs rain from the hills. "Who ever this resistance is just blow my chance at reaching Prometheus without the group. And since when is there a Tenneth resistance. That's not our style. We challenge the Alpha and to the victor goes the spoils. Now who to choose. Help the patrol and possibly have to fight my group. Or help the resistance and fight my people. Well as the old saying goes, Know thy enemy then burn them from within." She thought before nodding to herself. She aimed for the leader of the patrol and unleashed a cylindrical blast of fire at him. In an effort to draw as much attention towards her and away from the group she built up some of her rage and let loss a cone of fire focused on the patrol hopping to avoid hitting anyone else. She held the cone for a few seconds then dropped in to an aggressive posture.

Amarok hearing the wolves yelling turned away just for a moment, log enough for Blue to sneak away. "Blue? Maybe she is getting into position to attack who ever is ye..." Her thoughts interrupted by the sounds of combat. Turning back to around, Amarok made Vesta's shadow a little bigger and a lot darker before wrapping herself in a ball of darkness. She sprinted out of the void Fang was maintaining and slide on the loss rock under Vesta. Standing up on the other side still concealed in her shadow ball that now also covered Vesta.

With the sudden intrusion of the Resistance, it gave Vesta the crucial opportunity to unleash her attack without interference! The cone of fire enveloped the leader of the attack and the few with him leading the charge. This caused those in the back to retreat from the sudden firestorm. The Resistance, although surprised by Vesta's attack, no less took advantage of the confusion it had caused. The retreating Prometheans were out of luck that day as the Resistance pelted them with fireballs, blasting them off their paws and unto the loose, and rocky soil. It wasn't long before the survivors were detained but more pressing to them was the matter of this third party.

They didn't recognize Vesta by sight or scent and wondered who she was and what she was doing here. Though more curiously was her sudden disappearance into a ball of shadows. Those shadows were not formed naturally, it had to have been created but that would suggest that a Kamarian is involved. Of course this conclusion did not make any sense to the Resistance, what could a Shadow Wolf be possibly doing all the way out here? Let alone in the company of one of their fellow Tenneth. Then came a howl and to those that can hear it, would know that those who have remained hidden are now known to the Resistance.

The Cloak of Darkness is an impressive technique to be sure and make use of the natural shadows to create an even darker one that obscures the vision of any who looks towards it. Yet, the Cloak was invented by the Kamaria to hide, not themselves, but to hide others instead. Because of this, the Cloak suffers from a major weakness that other Kamarian techniques do not. It cannot mask another Wolf's scent. With the air stirred from the sudden heat of the attack it carried the scent of the others as it reached the noses of those Resistance members hiding downwind from the ambush. Their howl alerted those on that road to their presence and soon who, one could only assume to be the leader of this ambush, turned and dressed the ball of shadows in the road.

"Alright, come on out of hiding! You're little tricks aren't fooling anyone anymore. We have no intention of fighting you, we only wish to talk, but be warned, if you do attack us, then we won't be holding back. Now show yourselves." He spoke aloud. This caused Mydnyte to pause and think about their current situation. Now they could fight back, not knowing who they are or what they are holds a distinct advantage, but the numbers are not in their favor. It would be a foolish move to attack without knowing how many foes stand in their way. They could do as the Wolf suggested, so far they haven't show any aggression towards the group. And if they are against Prometheus that could make them potential allies, which they so desperately need.

"Well, what do you guys think? Should we go and talk to them?" Fang asked. "Could be risky." Summanus spoke next. "True but we haven't much time to discuss this. The longer we take, the more we risk a more violent response, and if we are to fight then I'd rather it be us who strike first." Mydnyte responded. "I'll go first." Durandel spoke up. The others looked at him. "If we can avoid a fight then I'd rather we do, I mean just look at the others. Nova is dying up here and Blue, she looks out of it, besides the rest of you don't seem to be tolerating the heat that much more better. You and Fang have been panting a lot, we need to be smart about this. Since I'm a Canicus, they might open up to me before any of you, if I can secure our safety with this lot then I think our odds at actually pulling this off would look a lot better, don't you think?" Durandel finished.

His logic was pretty sound, it was hard to argue against. "It seems worth a shot to me and besides, he's right, the heat is killing me...I don't think I can hold this barrier any longer anyways." Fang said with a panted chuckle. It was then Durandel stepped from out of the shadows and onto the road. "Hello, my name is Durandel. If what you say is true then we too, don't want to fight you as well." Durandel spoke. The Resistance Wolf turned his head in shock as his eyes widened. "Wait...what was your name again?" He asked, almost choked up on his own words. "Durandel, why?" He asked. "Durandel!? You can't mean the traitor whose name is posted on every street corner!" Another Resistance Wolf said aghast. "Indeed, he did say that name and his face matches the description on those wanted posters. He is that traitor Prometheus is after, then that means only one thing." The Wolf paused, "That he is an enemy to Prometheus. Well any enemy of Prometheus is a friend of mine." He said with a smirk.

"What?! Really, I have wanted posters?!" Durandel gasped. "So, I assume that Tenneth who attacked those Prometheans is a friend of yours along with whatever other Wolves are with you?" The Wolf asked. "Uh, well yeah, of course." The Resistance Wolf then laughed, "Splendid! More friends of the Cause! And good thing to, we were beginning to think we were all alone in this fight. You and your friends should come with us, there will be more patrols out looking for these lowlifes once they realized they haven't returned. And you don't want to be on the receiving end of their wrath when they do find you." The Wolf suggested. The other Wolves howled to let the other Resistance members know that they are not enemies. "So, what do you say?" The Wolf asked.

Blue trudged onward, hating herself for being an idiot and running so far. Now she had to walk the same distance again! How bothersome for her paws.

She did occasionally stop since there was a battle going on at the place where she left her 'friends' and it would be bad to get back while it was still going on. Yes, better to make it back when the battle was over since Blue was not one for blood and guts. So, she took her time walking back, and in fact she diverted from the straightaway route to take one where she would appear further along the road Durandel and the others had taken.

Of course, Blue did this so that she had an excuse for when they noticed her disappearance. She could claim to have scouted further ahead to make sure no more hostiles would appear. It was second nature to her for her to think such things. Perhaps it was in her blood - with BattleDemon being her mother and all. But once she thought about it all the evidence pointed to the opposite. Her mother sounded like an honestly strong wolf who stated her pleasure and displeasure clearly for all to hear. A complete opposite from me - the spying daughter and soon-to-be-traitor.

And possible killer.

Blue jumped, and winced at stepping on a sharp rock that did not help her sore paws at all. Her ears dropped and her shoulders became hunched as she tried to stifle... this secret from ever coming forward. It was one secret she would have to take to her grave, and unfortunately, it looked like within a few assignments, she would do exactly that.

A sigh of total sadness left her, and she continued forward, but this she stepped through the bushes to find herself on the road, further up ahead from Nova and the others. Wow, I guess I walked too fast. The thought was once of dry humor as she gazed upon the stand-off between Durandel and the possible Enemy. She was going to raise a paw to wave and call out when she found herself surrounded by a few scary Tenneth. Not a word had even escape her lips and now she was suddenly surrounded with glares full of distrust and hate.

Her eyes went wide with shock and her ears went straight up, and her tail went low. It was a comical look, one filled with surprise and chagrin. She immediately sat and let out a small whine of doubt and attempted to smile, albeit nervously. "Uh, K-Kh-Khan." The name came out a small whisper, before Blue cleared her throat and let her mask of the clueless Blue fall back into place. "Agheem! Khan, can you, uh, do something about these, intimidating fellows."

Blue wagged the tip of her tail embarrassingly, and ducked her head a little bit, perhaps a bit nervous since the wolves surrounding her were all taller then her. It was truly strange, and she took notes in their appearances because other then Durandel, had never been around Tenneth's and other strange Cancius. One thing she took from their look is that they obviously shared the same heritage as Durandel since they were all tough, burly looking wolves with battle scars to prove it. It was unnerving. Especially since they were focused on her like she was a bug that needed squishing.

Nova forced himself to stand. Now that there was no shadow to conceal his cowering his embarrassment got the better of him, and he tried look stoic. Perhaps he did, but if anything it was a soggy type of stoic. The rebels seemed eager to extend a paw of friendship to them, and since it seemed like they were all fighting the same bad guy, Nova couldn't see any problem allying the two groups. For despite his normally cautious nature, he was excited at the prospect of not having to fight this fight alone. Their odds of defeating Rashid through Promotheus seemed like impossibly long odds, why not accept help if it makes those odds appear just a bit shorter? In any case, he wasn't about to suggest they fought these new wolves; they seemed to outnumber them.

"So long as they can stomach having an Ausi around, I say we go with them," Nova said as the group deliberated.

Leaving the negotiating to the fire wolves, Nova decided to stay on the fringes of the conversation with Summanus and Amarok. Both of them seemed to be as bent out about the heat as he was, though perhaps not as extreme of an angle. He had to wonder what the confrontation was going to be like when it came down to it. Was having wolves of different talents and elements superior to simply fighting fire with fire? It was a shame they did not have an Arlyne with them, but those reclusive wolves seemed to have dived deep into their lakes to hold their breath through this war. Hopefully it worked for them. It certainly hadn't worked for his home.

"You think that we have much further to do with these lot?" Nova asked idly to those near him. It would say a lot about the strength of the rebellion on how near they were the city. A tiny band of brigands would have to stick to the countryside, a mighty revolution would be able to roar in the cities.

It seemed to Durandel that everyone was tired and quite hopeful at having an ally in the coming battle. He looked towards his haggered companions, who had neither the strength or pride to rebuttal such an alliance. The Tenneth looked towards Vesta and smiled, "Good to see another sister out here." Durandel turned to her, "Friends, I'm hoping." He responded. He could see that confused look of Blue mixed in with all of that weariness. "Well, they might just be our friends...it would seem they need help as much as we need help." He spoke. He looked over to Nova who seemed to be on board with the whole teaming up idea. If anyone would object to just trusting a group of wolves we've never met, it be him. "I think in this case they might." He respond to the Ausi.

Mydnyte stood forth, "Well, it seems you have the general consent of the group, we can give these rebels a chance...providing they help our lot of course." The Kamarian spoke. "If you can show my group somewhere they can rest...the Vulcans are never kind to strangers." Durandel said to their leader. "I know all to well, the heat is unforgiving, I suppose that is were the Fire Pack gets such a rough reputation from. Born in these conditions, condition us to become nothing less than that. But there was a time that Tenneth hospitality did mean something. We shall take you through the tunnels, back in the day when visitors came to our lands, especially honored guests, tunnels were built to shield them from the heat. Until they reached the boarding homes where they could rest, in relative comfort." The Tenneth spoke.

"Are you certain these tunnels are safe?" Summanus asked. "Normally they wouldn't be, but as you can tell, we don't get many visitors anymore...new management around here kind of has a discrimination towards Wolves of other Elements. So these tunnels are not tended to like they were used to. At least, not the direct tunnel lanes. We will have to take the abandoned ones, and I know how that sounds but, it's the best we got, especially with the Borak around." He finished. Summanus perked up, "Borak? What do you mean?" The Tenneth shook his head, "Here isn't the best place to discuss it, we should enter the tunnels and take you to our base...it's the best thing to do right now. Now, if you're ready we should move, the entrance isn't too far off." The Tenneth spoke as he turned to lead them.

Without much more coaxing Durandel followed, along with all who decided to take the shelter of the rebels. Soon they were lead at the foot of a nearby cliff. The Tenneth pushed aside a large boulder that was concealing the entrance to the tunnels. "Though here." The Leader spoke. Soon the group would find themselves in a dimly lit tunnel and it led deep, deep enough to avoid the heat of the outside world. The tunnels were built through access points that circumvented any nearby lava beds and streams. There were rebels patrolling up and down the abandoned network as they looked on in surprise to see such a gaggle of different Wolves. "Don't mind the others, they aren't used to getting visitors." He chuckled. "Sorry, just my attempt at a joke." The Tenneth said feeling more than a little silly. "Are all of you alright back there? I'm hoping being out of the heat will give you some of your energy back." "We would all feel a lot better if we had some water." Mydnyte spoke up.

"There will be water at the base were nearly there." Soon enough, they reached this so-called base of the Tenneth Resistance. There wasn't much, they seemed to be holed up in an out-of-the-way boarding house that's obviously seen better days, as they came in the back through the tunnel exit. "To the left are the beds, you can make your rest in there. So if you would, make yourselves comfortable while I go and inform our leader of your arrival. We don't have the best amenities I'm afraid, the beds are little more than cots, and we have only dried foods, but there is plenty of water. I will have some of the Wolves fetch you all some much needed nourishment. Excuse me." He spoke as he walked off leaving the group to their own devices.

From what you can see, the house wasn't that large of a space, it certainly wouldn't be the type of place that distinguished guests would be sent to live in. Yet it had a couple of floors and rooms, the whole structure was built right into a mountain side. The place was lit with candles and torches as the windows and doors were all boarded up, shutting out all but little slivers of light. The place was kept cool, obviously the house was built for other wolves in mind, as vents were made to redirect the heat outside while moving the cool air in. There were quite a bit of rebels holed up here, but even so, it seems the group is rather ragged and beaten up. The rebel faction doesn't seem to be doing all too well in the fight as one might have previously thought. Still, no sign of defeat could be seen, they are prepared to hold out as long as they can. Whoever is leading them, must be quite the inspiration, otherwise moral would seem a lot more strained. Of course their presence here could be the key thing they need, unless, of course there involvement leads to their downfall. Only time will tell.

Blue didn't disagree with the joining of forces but the amount of doubt she initially had about this journey so far stayed the same. Gaining allies did nothing for this band of doomed Wolves. That, she was sure of but she went along with them anyways. This was her... lesson afterall.

"Through here." Blue had not been paying attention so far but.... once they got to the tunnel entrance, a shiver went down her spine and it was a good thing no one was watching her for her face was frozen. Her eyes were glassy and wide with fear, the internal conflict of her irrational fear of the dark fighting with her logic made her frame shake for a mere second. She swallowed loudly before moving forward, back into the embrace of the dark, every step leading her closer and closer to a terrible end. She needed to get this job done.

The entombing tunnels were familiar in that they played tricks on her mind, leaving her to questioning her sanity again and again. Every time they turned a corner or stayed silent, she was see dark shadows flitting by at the edge of her peripherals. And the voices. The demonic voices. The hallucinations as well as her fear of the dark all weighed on her, bending her within breaking point and it showed.

Her eyes had darkened, while her tail dropped entirely while her ears would constantly twitch and swivel about to listen for approaching monsters. This was mostly neutral body language, since she could not allow herself to show her fear as it could possibly hinder her in her... spying. So, all in all, these things would not catch anyone here as red flag behavior. If anything, they probably thought she was just tired and unable to cope well with the current environment.

Finally, with a noticeable change in temperature and light, Blue was able to get some relief but her tension would not leave for she didn't like being here underground. It kept her from making observations of the rebel camp, and her depressive mood only plummeted further. It got to the point that once they got to the safe house, Blue couldn't relax.

Her muzzle was clamped shut for she was afraid that if she talked, she'd breakdown. So, she stayed silent, and found a place to sit where she could look like she was listening to the others.... when really, Blue was not there at all for she was already giving up, slowly but surely.