Chapter 21: Loss from the past

Wolves paced back and forth from the factory and to the ships, loading weapons, rations, and the cannons to prepare for Shen's conquest for china. At last, after many years the peacock's greatest desire is now within his grasp. Just this morning he planned to wait three days before setting sail, but thoughts of victory and total rule filled his mind, now that he's killed the hero destined to defeat him. Progress was going smoothly, and his army will be ready to move before sunrise. Soon all in china will know the beginning of a new era, the year of the peacock.

However, his second in command wasn't as riled up as his master. After overlooking the ship loading, General Yu requested he be allowed to rest up before they set out on water. Surprisingly, Shen granted his request, but the peacock was probably busy with his dark dreams to pay attention. Yu left the factory, and rushed on all fours back home. He knew what was going to happen, to Shen, his pack, and to himself. But before that, he wanted to have a few hours with Erdan, a few hours of joy, and laughter with the young wolf he loves. But as he ran through the city streets, he thought about the many lives that were lost because of him. Master Rhino, the citizens of Gongmen, no matter what, he watched people around him needlessly die. And he remembered how he started on this road of death and darkness.

((()-()))

The young man walked down the street, tired and hungry once again. For two weeks he's been working at the local blacksmith, a far better job for his family life. He often forged weapons for the Gongmen guard, so he still contributed to his fellow warriors and pack-mates. He walked down to his home, his mouth watering by imagining the dinner his wife would make. And he's been enjoying spending time with his pups, playing and laughing with them. He was also able to make more time with his wife, enjoying evening talks with her, cuddling by a warm fire with her, he could tell she became more happy with him around every day. Being with the husband and the kids she both loved so much, brought joy to her heart. Plus his job at the blacksmith kept his body in ripped condition, so Helen could always look forward to their romantic nights in bed. This was the happy life the young man had always wanted, after a tragic childhood, and years of despair, he gained true happiness.

He approached his house, but this time his son wasn't waiting like usual. He figured the puppy was with his mother or in the garden playing. He opened the door and entered the main hall. "Helen, Timber, Julie I'm home." He shouted out but no one replied.

After a moment he said "Where are you guys? If you're gonna jump out and startle me you're asking for it." He jokingly said.

He heard nothing but silence, creating a sense of dread in the air. The man searched the kitchen, the study, and the back garden but nothing. "Helen! Julie! Timber!" He yelled in worry, but again silence.

He searched upstairs, but he noticed a small stream of blood slowing on the wooden floor. He opened the bedroom door, but what he saw shattered his core, and left him in non-belief. Lying on the floor, was in wife, Helen, and his children, lifeless and in pools of blood. He immediately rushed at them and held his loved ones in his arms.

"Helen! Wake up, wake up please, PLEASE!" But he saw only death in her eyes. Stab wounds were visible on their backs, and he held his wife and children close. "No…noo… oh god no… no no no… Helen, Timber, Julie… Nooooooooooooo!" He cried out in sorrow.

A few days later, the funeral and burying finished. Only one person stayed afterwards for hours. The man sobbed and cried over the graves of his now dead family.

"Why, why wasn't it me, it should have been me, not them." He cried out loud.

Then he felt a feathery hand land on his shoulder, and he noticed Shen had joined him. Immediately the wolf hugged his friend, and the peacock wrapped his wings around the wolf. This continued for half an hour. Then, Shen said "I know who did this."

"What?" The wolf said surprised.

"I know who did this, who killed them." The peacock replied.

"How ?" The wolf asked.

"The soothsayer. A few days ago she foretold that death and destruction would come from those of black and white." Shen explained. The wolf then allowed thoughts to creep into his mind, dark thoughts.

"I want to kill them, kill them all for what they did." The wolf darkly shouted.

"Then let's take matters in our own hands." Shen replied.

"Then I have one thing to say, when do we go?" The man said, now replacing he sorrow with wrath.

"Now!" Shen said.

The rest of the day became a dark stain on Gongmen's history. Yu became Shen's second in command, and together they took an army of wolf guards, and set out to slaughter a village of panda murders. None were left alive, not even cubs and children. Yu had savagely killed them with his own paws, but during the mass murder the general lost his left eye, forever losing half of his vision, paying the price for vengeance. However in doing so, he and his pack fell from grace along with Shen. They were banished by force when they returned to Gongmen City. But even worse, that loving, caring man became a monster, one that spilled much blood on that day. That dark chapter of his life always haunted him, and it will for all his days.

((()-()))

Yu dreaded whenever memories of that day, but he shrugged them off. He didn't want to be that man, that monster, not anymore. He focused on getting back home, back to Erdan. He knew this might well be the last time he'll be with the boy, so he should enjoy it while it lasts.