Cbapter FOUR
The Stone
A yawn erupted from the exhausted Erchen's throat. He blinked, and lookep up with a stretch. Everything seemed blurry around him: the forest in the distance, the grass, the sky, the moon... The Stone, though, was bright and sharp. It was ornamented with small lights, like stars. Erchen remembered it was his task to repeat the Words of the Dark Tree to make something happen.
"I repeat these words, the ancient, uhm, words of Dark Tree!" Erchen howled. A crow shrieked. He continued, "I am but ah... but a pup who is hoping to be back at Dark Tree as a wolf!" The crow circled the stone, then landed on it. Erchen's eyes widened. He launched himself at the crow, then fell as the crow flew. Then, he positioned himself properly, and finished the words.
"I command the ancient Gods of the Wolves to send me a guide!" He watched the rock, and the stars.
The bewildered Erchen watched when those stars shaped into something. He backed away, fear stabbing his heart like sharp thorns.
"Do not be afraid!" A voice cried.
How can I not be afraid? thought Erchen.
"I am but your Star guide, young Erchen! You have called me, and I have obeyed. Come hither." The shivering Erchen obeyed slowly and cautiously. As every pawstep got him closer, the stars dissapeared and the voice showed to be one of a old wolf.
"Who are you?" Erchen asked. The old, dead wolf's dead eyes twinkled.
"Guess, Erchen," was the reply. Erchen concentrated. He did not know many old dead wolves, but one or two. He realized who it was now.
"Grandpaw Elery?" he whispered.
"I was worried you wouldn't know!" the old wolf laughed.
"Course I would know."
"Now, on to buisness.
"You are here to learn of the ways of Dark Tree, and the Ancestry world." The old wolf coughed lightly, then cleared his throat in a gross, rasping noise.
"The first ever colony was said to be created by Naeveh and Saber, when they were alive. It was called Dark Night. They were mates, you know. Now, after that, only fifteen leaders came. After that fifteeth year, a devastating thing happened. Arkit was born, and once he learned the way of his colony, he was acused of murdering two males. One female followed, Milia. They mated, and soon after Arkit's death, Milia had eight pups." He pondered for a moment.
"They seperated and finished Arkit's legacy. Milia died then as all Colonies created.
Her first son, Flowth, created Raging River.
Her first daughter was called Clode, who created Cold Mountain.
Her second son, Brite, created Light Star.
Her third son, Irroise, created Burning Flame.
Her second daughter was called Orisa. She stayed with Clode, and her fourth son Raws, stayed with Flowth.
Then, the two similar wolves, her fifth son and her third daughter led Dark Tree. The girl was Drakeone and the male was Tredorkel. That was how it all began." Erchen nodded numbly. It was so swift, so quick.
"Before you join Spark, and Serene -" began Elery with a wry smile. "I have someone here to speak with you. And I will watch over you." His shape dissapeared, and was replaced with a larger wolf. He was like looking through a magnifying mirror."
"I am Arkit," the wolf said in a coarse growl, like Erchen's. "I am Arkit, your ancestor from a long time ago. Listen closely."
Erchen nodded again, shocked.
"A wolf is trying to get you," he said. "He knows you are his downfall. He knows you will get him. Beware him - and you must save the Colonies. Do you want all the history that has been told to you to be erased? Or do you want more added? You will be the one that rewrites history, Erchen. Kill the Wolf. Save the forest."
"Who do I have to kill? Where do I have to go?" Erchen asked, flabergasted.
"The one you suspect. As to where you must go - the Place where the Dead rest."
End chapter FIVE