Chapter 3:Tragedy Beneath A Red Moon
Coryn had awoken before the sun completely slid below the western horizon. However, it was not a natural rise from the depths of sleep. A messenger had arrived with news from the relay owl posted on the west side of Kuneer, along with another that had just reported from the Ice Talons.
"What news do you bring, Jonas?"
The small Whiskered Screech stood up taller and spoke.
"Our Kuneer relay owl has reported that the Pure Ones, along with the blue owls led by The Striga, have left the desert and are now traversing the canyon lands in a northwest direction, sir. Our Ice Talons owl had previously met up with the slink melf and confirmed that the hagsfiend eggs, along with their nest sitters, were destroyed. Lastly, our allies from the Northern and Southern Kingdoms have arrived and are awaiting your command."
"Very well. The news of the egg destruction is somewhat relieving..."
Coryn's gizzard was still heavy with dread.
"We must alert our forces and form up immediately. Spread the word for our soldiers to meet at the base of the Hot Gates."
"Yes sir. Right away."
As the owl turned to leave, Coryn stopped him.
"One more thing, Jonas."
"Anything, sir."
The king continued, "Your service is much valued, and I pray you make it through the coming fight. And Glauxspeed, friend."
"I hope the same for all of us. And thank you, sir."
He flew off like a rocket into the black of night pierced by red flashes of light.
The allies the Guardians had sought out the weeks before their arrival in the Beyond had arrived late that day, a few hours before Coryn was awakened. He flew to the eastern spire of the Hot Gates, and was met by the Chaw Of Chaws perched there as he lighted down.
Coryn cleared his throat and belted out a speech about how all of them have come to fight for a noble cause. He also reminded them that they must not fear death, but instead convert that fear into courage, so that one day they could tell their children and grandchildren how they fought alongside the noble Guardians Of Ga'Hoole in the face of an ancient horror.
As Coryn finished, cheers, roars, howls, and squawks arose from the sea of animals below. He glanced at the owls perched near him.
They smiled back, but he knew they all felt the same emotions that left his gizzard in turmoil: fear, dread, hope, strength, and pride.
The Moon was hanging low in the east section of the sky, its silver surface darkening to a black as deep as a Barn Owl's eyes, which soon faded to a dusty red.
The eclipse has arrived. Will we be able to end this conflict and put an end to my mother on the very same day she came into being?
The cheering abruptly stopped as a deep, pulsing sound issued from the east. It was the sound of a vast armada of owls pumping the air with countless wings. And this armada was coming straight for them...
The night sky was light up with the trails from a storm of embers that rained down upon the approaching sea of owls. The herding of the owls by the dire wolves increased the lethality of the hot rain.
Scores of flaming bodies were plummeting along with the embers. Mighty polar bears swatted the remaining owls that escaped with boulder sized paws.
The Chaw Of Chaws lifted off to engage the survivors of the firestorm and bear attacks.
Meanwhile, Coryn had returned to his cave and quickly snatched up the Ember Of Hoole from the niche he had placed it in a few days before. He carried it in his port talon and flew straight for Hrath'ghar, the volcano that had yielded the Ember so many seasons before.
He silently hovered over the scalding pool and spread his talon. The ember fell and sank into the lava pool with a sigh.
He then swooped down and grasped a glowing coal in a pile at the foot of the mountain. He rose and to his horror saw Nyra flying at him, followed by The Striga. He gave Nyra ample time to see what he held in his talon, then flew up and over the rim of the volcano and down inside. Soren flew in next to him. He knew Death Lure had begun.
Soren held an ice sword in his talons , but had an ice splinter hidden under his right wing as well. He saw Coryn slowly glide toward Nyra with his foot extended.
Soren shouted, "That is a fake ember!"
Nyra's face swam with confusion and in that instant, Soren launched his splinter. It struck her in the neck, and as blood seeped down her chest, she stilled and a plume of lava cascaded over her and dragged her down.
The Striga, now outnumbered, turned and flew out of the crater.
Coryn followed madly and as they exited the crater, Soren saw his nephew bleeding from the right wing joint.
Soren then saw a smirk on The Striga's face as he charged him.
Soren extended his sword and sliced off the blue owls head with one smooth swing.
He then dove after Coryn and saw that he had hit the ground and been killed. Near him lay a distorted tawny wing. The world fell silent for him.
He did not know or care if the war was still raging. A small owl landed next to him.
"The Pure Ones have been routed. Where is the king?"
The owl next to Soren wilfed as he saw the disfigured body of Coryn.
"The king is dead..." Soren said slowly.
After Soren had watched his nephew's body being removed, Martin the Saw Whet landed next to Soren. He was sobbing as he tried to speak. His voice was heavy with panic and desperation.
Soren shook the tiny owl and asked him loudly, "What in Glaux's name is wrong, Martin?"
He managed to choke out the words: "Ice.. dying... need help... not much time..."
Soren felt his reality shatter before him as the dream rushed back to him with the force of a tsunami.
Martin had regained his composure slightly and was yelling at Soren to follow him.
The rest of the Band landed then and asked Martin what happened.
They immediately wilfed as he explained, his words drenched in remorse, but they soon came to and began imitating Martin.
Gylfie's best friend simply stood there, eyes staring, thin as a fir sapling, wings drooping to the ground. Soren had to be carried by Twilight to the site where the accident had happened.
The shock of what Soren saw was enough to bring him out of his yeep state, and the tears began to cascade from the midnight spheres of the Barn Owl's eyes.