CHAPTER ONE:
When The Time Is Right
Far off from the land of Fiore, in the clouds, lay a kingdom that few have ever heard of…
"NO! I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!"
"Storm, calm down. This is what we've prepared for."
"To see such a young pup brought to the land of humans?! It's too risky, Karasu! God knows who might harm her!"
"This experiment has been planned for ages. You know it's time."
Two wolves faced each other over a firepit made of sky-blue flames. One was a male, with such a mix of blue-grey, light grey, and white streaks that he seemed to be woven from storm clouds. The other was a jet black female with the tiniest of patches of white on her chest.
"Very well. If you have no more complaints, summon the pup."
Storm opened his mouth in protest, but it was already done. A small pure white wolf pup lay in the flames, unhurt by the heat. Its tiny maw opened in a yawn.
Storm glared at Karasu.
Karasu shrugged and glared at him back.
"Very well Karasu, I'll do it. "
A flash of light engulfed the young pup, and Storm began to chant:
"Oh wind that guides our sails,
strong breeze that protects our next generation,
guide this pup
to her destination,
in the name of Sun
Moon,
And Star,
Let the cry of our kind be heard.
For we are
The Skyhowlers!"
The white light engulfed the pup, and with a cry of protest, she disappeared from the pit. Down in the sky below, a shooting star crossed the twinkling midnight expanse, and disappeared over a certain area.
Karasu turned to Storm.
"It is done."
Storm turned back to survey the land below them, where he knew, that somewhere out there, a tiny pup had touched down.
"Be safe, young Lunala."
With a nod to his companion, the two wolves jumped from the area and soared off into the night sky.
Because these were no ordinary wolves.
The Skyhowlers had wings.
When the time is right, when our kin our almost gone, one pup shall make the journey to the land below, and find a home for those who still live.
This pup will have been marked by the Moon, and will be joined by two other companions, one marked by the Sun, and the other, the Stars.
Together, they will save our people. At any cost.
When the time is right.
But was the time truly right?