Chapter one
the fire
Long shadows loomed over cliffs in a rocky, firey world. Geysers of hot air burst at unexpected moments, and huge volcanoes rumbled in the distance. There were no streams or water; instead the place wore pools of hot molten lava. Flames danced menacingly everywhere.
Amidst the Fire, demon-like Wolves floated sluggishly around. They had black fur like smoke, with fire-colored eyes. Their muzzles were longer and sharper. Ther limbs were cracked and twisted, making it awkward to walk. So, they floated.
Just recently they had failed their God and Master, The Fire Wolf. Most of their kind had perished in the Fight With the Living. The Fire Wolf had been furious with them. Horrified of their leader, the Demon-Wolves had shrank back. But then, He had taken one of the Demon-Wolves and changed him, showing the other his new plan. Make them stronger. The Demon-Wolf taken had shrieked in pain, for the God had turned him into geunine fire.
And soon enough they would all be like that.
In pain, making them rage.
"Demon-Wolves and Spirit-Wolves!," howled a booming, screaming voice. "You have seen the transformation once. Now, it is your turn, and soon enough we will rule." Howls of triumph roared loudly. "We will be ready. We will burn them!"
"We will burn them!" the crowd of Demon-Wolves howled. "Burn them, burn them!"
"But we will wait. Surely the Mage will get a warning. They will think it the next New-Moon - but it will not be."
"We will wait!" They cried again. "Wait, wait!"
"Step forward."
They all obeyed. Fire burst from the God's huge paws and the Demon-Wolves shrieked in agony and excitement. They would roam free. In a matter of seconds, the smoke cleared, and the Fire Wolf sniffed in pleasure. His demons were no longer broken, but strong. They had a fire-like fur and they were huge. Their eyes burned fiercer.
But one. His eyes were yellow, and his fur seemed only red-orange, with splotches of gray like smoke. ANd he was the size of an average wolf. The strange one sneered in jealousy of what the others were. The others could not supress snickers in this one's puny transformation.
"Perfect, wolf," the Fire Wolf smirked. "You have been chosen by fate. Go into the Living. Join the pettyful Dark Tree. Befriend the one fool - he is as black as night, the only one - and look out for us - make sure they are weak for our attack. Eat all the prey, do whatever for them to weaken." The wolf hissed his agreement, soared over the others, rose into the clouds - and penetrated the UnderWorld's barrier to the Living. He no longer had the sneer. A hissing was heard from where the wolf left the Underworld.
They all knew their success.
And Mhotell laughed.