"Not much further, Kayuna, really! Toughen Up…" Barked Taigo happily as he ran along the snowy forest edge.
"Taigo, believe me, I'm normally quite equipped for snowy weather. At least, I WOULD be now- if you hadn't enforced snow ball fighting…" Kayuna snarled part agitated but with a hint of happiness.
The happiness falls short. Taigo looks at the sky and gasps. "We're late!" He howls. The two pick up the pace and flee to the cliff side where the meeting is taking place.
Far across the scene atop a barren, dead, tree, there sat a dark coated coyote.
"What should we do to eliminate them, boss?" asked a large, midnight black crow. He sat across and stared at the coyote's unblinking, red, eyes.
The coyote was at first frighteningly silent. Then he moved his head in a swift movement to look at the crow. "Kill them. Both. Make it look… accidental." The coyote spoke with a sinister glee.
The crows flew to the dangerous path in the cliffs. They knew that Taigo and Kayuna would have to cross the dangerous way to get to their destination sooner or later.
"Taigo, wait up!"
That was the cue. The biggest crow soared down and rammed himself into the unsuspecting snow leopard. Kayuna was smacked forcefully into the rocks.
"HEY!" growled Taigo. He began to bark. The crows ignored it and attacked, cawing and ramming, him as well.
The fight continued. Kayuna was still fighting up against the rocks, whereas Taigo was on attack instead of defense. "BARK! BARK BARK!" He continued to bark and snarl at the demonic aviaries.
Suddenly the fight stopped. A gentle slipping noise was heard. "HELP!" Kayuna wailed. The leader, and biggest, of the crows had scraped her shoulder and distracted her long enough to shove her off the edge of the cliff. Below, waited a river of no escape. "TAIGO!" she screeched again.
Taigo turned immediately and ignored the crows. His only instinct was to help his counterpart. He ran to the edge as well to see that Kayuna was slipping, and had only her sharp claws digging into the rocks.
"Kayuna! Hang in! I will get you out!" Taigo screamed. He bent down to try to grab her scruff in his long muzzle.
"You can never help your friend. She is a goner, as are you!" The crows hissed. Taigo snarled at them and turned his head. That gave the crows just enough time to push Kayuna for good.
All time slowed down. Taigo howled as he bent down to see Kayuna. She stared up at him before she fell. As this happened, a single tear fell from Taigo's wolfy muzzle and landed on Kayuna's nose. It gave her enough courage to stare at him one last time and say "I'll see you soon. I promise."
Every crow was mercilessly killed by Taigo. He showed no pity, as he seeked revenge for his counterpart. He ran to the mountains and told all the other guardians what had happened.
How could the world survive now, after a guardian was missing? She must be replaced somehow. Then, the next mating season, it happened.