Chapter twenty-one
unexpected allies
Bats watched uptop the largest tree of Dark Tree. Some of the small creatures' eyes shone red, reflecting the Fire and chaos that dwelled underneath them. The largest one, who had long, silver wings, flew and hovered in the air, watching his flock. He gave a single nod of his head and, at the command, the flock followed him. They soared down into the clearing, and landed on low branches. Wing, the leader, flew quietly towards Crimson, who was still fighting with the One, Holly. The bat sneered at the Demon wolf and said to Crimson, "The Bats are here to help, Wolf Leader." Crimson lunged at Holly while panting out his words.
"Bat Leader," he said. "Thank you. We will be needing the help -"
"Yes you will!" Holly panted in a snarl.
"-but not as much as they," finished Crimson. AT those words, Holly snarled, baring his fangs, and clawed at the Leader's throat, who dodged. Wing let out a shrill wail and the bats began to help the Colony of wolves.
That made the Demon WOlves hesitate. A runty bat flew towards Erchen, still against Nighsigh, and muttered in his ear, "Get his muzzle, I'll get his tail."
The battle went on long. More and more Wolf, demon and non-demon, piled onto the floor. Bat bodies joined them, but still, the Living were winning. Finally, a snarled curse issued from a Demon Wolf, Nighsigh. The Runty bat, named Keelain, had done much help with Erchen. Fire blood issued from a deep wound in Nighsigh's side and throat. Then, Nighsigh's body burst into flames after Keelain and Erchen had issued the fatal blow. A low hissing sound was heard, and soon nothing was left of Nighisgh. Holly, who had been watching his father's death for the second time, wailed. Wing and Crimson had then attack Holly, and the same grutesque display was watched. The Demon-Wolves, seeing the One and his Father die, yelped and rose quickly, rushing through the Firecircle.
Mhotell snarled in outrage.
"You idiots!" he hissed. "You cowardly, puny idiots!" His firey fur shook with outrage. Every Demon-Wolf had gone, and the Night's light began to clear. Dawn was approaching.
"I haven't gotten you this time," Mhotell barked, "but just you wait. I will get you, Living scum! I vow I will!"
And then the angry Fire Wolf dissolved into the fading Firecircle. The wolves and bats watched, stunned, as the dead Demon-Wolves' bodies dissapeared, fading into the newly risen Sun's warm glow. A triumphant howl issued unexpectedly from the Wolves, then the Bat's flock. There was no dry face, for a Wolf's body was lying motionless on the ground.
"Raeril!" Serene rushed forward, something in her paws.
"She may be alive yet," Serene reassured the Colony. She checked quickly for any vital signs of life: a pulse, rising chest, anything. Finally Serene croaked out, "She's gone."
"No," whispered a bat. It was Keelain. "I knew her. She was so nice."
"She is in a better place," Tylle cried.
"I'm surprised no one else was taken," Crimson remarked.
"As am I," Wing said.
"Am I glad you bats came, or we'd've lost," Cloud said.
They all smiled.
"Whenever battle comes, we will come," Wing said, and flew off. Keelain mouthed, "Bye!" and flew off with his flock.
Who would have known that it would have ended like this? Erchen thought. Only two more deaths to Mhotell's name, Raeril and Fickle. And Nighsigh and Holly just.. Burned, just like that. I just hope it won't happen again. What's the chance, anyways?