Well, well, well, here I am again, updating my wonderful fic for all of
my faithful and intelligent readers. You know what, I realized something
the other day, and it's that this fic is, sadly enough, will soon be coming
to a close. But the main idea was that, this story was made entirely
possible by all of you, my wonderful reviewers! Even though I may have
continued to write this even if it hadn't been read at all, the fact that
it received so many reviews just amazed me. For my first ever fic I am
proud to be able to stand here today and say that it was actually read by
someone. And for those of you who have reviewed, and had their stories
reviewed by me, I hope you all know that I will pass your names on to other
eager readers; after all, it is the best way, I have found, to show my true
gratitude and respect to all of you. But again, I must ask, who are your
favorite characters? These facts I must know, because they may drastically
affect the end of this story. Oh, and I need you all to take a vote,
should I just write this story to the end and leave it that way, or should
I give you two different endings so that you can choose one? It would be
very difficult on the sequel though if I did 2 endings, so I may just stick
with one. Oh well, this fic will most likely make it to about 24 chapters
give or take a few.
Chapter 20,
Is Blood Thicker Than Water?
Chirrontor stood before his beaten assembly.
Chirrontor: My dear followers, over the past few nights I have begun to sense a change in the wind. We have fought and quarreled for centuries over deaths that no longer hold any meaning. Today, I will come forward and take what is rightfully mine! Today, I will take the crown, and unite our two families as my father and mother will have wished. I have told you all of their tragic deaths, and of their last wishes, for their only son, the last bond between these tribes to unite them once again!
A great deal of murmuring swept through the crowd, some emitted grumbles of anger, while others yipped with joy at the thought of peace. Yet one brave young soul dared speak her mind. She couldn't have been more than 5 years younger than Ripfang, and she was a deep purple, with shimmering streaks of gold that lay like water over her scales. Her eyes were a pale grey, but burned with independence. She was a delicate creature; with nothing more than a row of dorsal fin shaped spikes that ran down her back, and hard armory scales that covered her throat, chest, and underbelly. She did, however possess the power to inject small blasts of lightning from her teeth into whatever she latched onto, and her nose was adorned with a single backwards curving horn, like that of a rhinoceros's. Yet she stepped boldly towards Chirrontor and stood before him, hissing out her words which were slathered with venom and vicious contempt!
Young Shrikan: But what of the omens! Why should we trust one who oppresses and beats us, who steals, and lies to his own kind? You are no leader, your father was thirty times the leader you'll ever be, and the way you act, I don't even see who you could be related to him! You're a useless, lying, cowardly bag of scum, and I would rather die than allow myself, or any of my family to fall under your command!
Chirrontor couldn't believe it, here he had all of this power and yet one foolish little brat was going to stand against him. He was entirely dazed and stupefied at her audacity. Then she turned to the others and continued her speech, despite the deploring stares she received from her loved ones, who desperately wanted her to curb her tongue before she got herself into any more trouble.
Young Shrikan: We will wait, until the Shadow Lord returns to us, and until then we shall do our best to achieve our own peace, but for now, stand together, and destroy this evil which has rooted itself into our lives..........long live the Shadow L......
Her cries were cut short as the wicked Chirrontor recovered from his dazed state, and dealt her a blow to the side of her face that sent her crashing to the ground and reeling over the hard stones and dirt.
He stood, panting with rage at her insolence, and as he moved in for the kill, her family watched helplessly, for fear of loosing their own lives. She lay still; ready to take the blow with all of the dignity she could muster, too weak to fight against his brute strength.
Chirrontor: You see everyone; she has disobeyed the first law of our tribes, NEVER DISRESPECT YOUR LEADER!!!! And for her rudeness, I shall make an example of her, and let this be a lesson to all of you, never doubt my word!
Young Shrikan: (she fixed him with one last glare, a glare that wrenched through him and would have halted even the mightiest force of nature) Long......live......the Shadow......Lord!
And with that she shut her eyes and readied herself for the blow, but it did not come. Thunder galloped overhead, as lightning lances goaded it on to greater blunder, an icy wind pierced the air as a heart stopping battle cry split the noise, drawing everyone's gaze to the cliff where Ripfang had perched.
Ripfang: BLOOOOOOOOOOD WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!!!!
He snarled as he launched into the air and bounded down the cliff side, skidding to a stop before Chirrontor, his shadowy, purpley black aura danced around him as hellish flames danced behind his blood colored eyes and slitted black pupils!
Everyone shuddered and gasped in both terror and awe at the sight before them.
Random Shrikan: Look, it's Phantom, come back from the dead to haunt us all!
Chirrontor: (shrinking back in fear at the towering figure) No, no father, you......you're dead, you can't be Phantom, you......
Young Shrikan: (staggering to her feet) You......you've returned, you've come back to us!
Ripfang: No, no, it's not Phantom; I'm Ripfang......his son.
Young Shrikan: Then the omens.......they've come true, and you have come back to save us all!
Chirrontor: (realizing who Ripfang really was, a wide, sinister grin spread across his features) Ahhhhhhhhh, so you are the little brother I never knew. Well, isn't this a lovely surprise, and after all of these years too, we finally meet.
Ripfang: What are you talking about? I am no relative of yours!
Chirrontor: Oh, quite the contrary my young fellow, I can see mommy and daddy haven't been totally honest with you! They wanted to hide the truth from their precious son, he didn't need to associate with his big bad brother.
Ripfang: I know not of what you speak, but your cruelty will end now!
Chirrontor: But don't you want to know all of the little secrets, the fact that you've got an older brother should be enough to shock you! You see, I was the first born, and according to the omens, it was the first born who was to become leader, however I didn't fit the character or color description, so in an angry huff I left before you were born and never came back. You were supposed to be the "special one", the "great savior" of our tribes! Well, I may have lied about the deaths of our parents, but I won't give up my leadership without a fight, so are you going to back down and leave. Or must I litter the ground with your bones?
Ripfang: I refuse to let you doom these innocents to a cursed fate!
With a savage snarl, Chirrontor leapt for his throat, but was rewarded with nothing but air as Ripfang threw himself to the ground and brought his head up, right into Chirrontor's gut, and tossed him over onto the ground.
Chirrontor: You may think you're so good, but how many of us can you take?
Nine other traitorous Shrikans leapt to Chirrontor's aid, besieging Ripfang with a flurry of teeth and claws. But Naomi saw her chance, and she leapt into the fray, dealing out ferocious blows to her enemies, and tearing into any flesh that came within her reach. Ripfang whipped his maces around and brought them crashing into the carcasses of his foes, and the little female Shrikan even leapt into the fight. Chirrontor urged his cronies on, and got a few more to join the mess on his side. He sat back and watched with satisfaction as Ripfang was rendered helpless once Naomi was taken from him and held hostage at Chirrontor's orders. She was brought to him and wrestled into submission as Chirrontor placed a claw at her throat.
Ripfang: Let her go, she has nothing to do with this!
Chirrontor: Oh I think she does, you see she took your part in this and will now share in your grief. So either surrender or she dies.
He began to chuckle to himself, thoroughly pleased at his success. But it was short lived, a flash of silver flew through the air, clothes lining Chirrontor and freeing Naomi.
Ripfang: (yipping in joy) Razor! You came after us!
Razor: What, did you think I was going to let you have all the fun? Besides look at this fine mess you've gotten yourself into, I leave you alone for a day, and look what happens!
Ripfang: Well, your timing couldn't have been better! Let's do this thang, Whoop Ass all around!
Razor: Woooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!
The fight resumed and had now become a sort of spectacle for the other Shrikans. They watched and rooted for their favorites, eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Ripfang chased Chirrontor down and halted any further escape.
Ripfang: You're mine! Come to me "dear brother" we have "sooooo" much to catch up on!
Chirrontor: I will smash your puny head in!
They locked in a death struggle, writhing and twisting over fallen bodies and muddy terrain, claws taking any foothold, jaws ripping any available flesh!
Finally, Ripfang got to his feet and lunged for his brother's throat, he almost made it, and would have ended it all, but something happened then, at that exact second, a burning sensation tore through his leg, causing him to falter and crumble onto the ground, sliding to a stop. Ripfang staggered to his feet, his own silvery blood streaming from the open wound in his leg.
Ripfang: Wh...what was that?
Chirrontor: (smoke wafting from his mouth) You didn't honestly think that I hadn't inherited anything from our "dear" mother now did you? I mean, her name is Flamejaw after all.
Ripfang: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, speak of MY mother again and I'll show them the colors of your innards!
Chirrontor: Oooooooooooo, scary, but the time for talk has passed, now is the time for battle!
Ripfang and his long lost brother circled one another, clashing every few steps, exchanging blow for blow, they appeared so evenly matched! Razor and Naomi, along with the other young female Shrikan, who was named Meehara, stood by and watched.
Naomi: Oh, shouldn't we help him!?! What if he gets hurt!
Razor: No, not even I can go to his aid this time, this is Rip's fight, and he needs to do it on his own.
Ripfang had really begun to feel the effects of his wound; it burned and oozed silvery blood and puss. His movements had begun to slow as he lost more blood, and he stumbled slightly with each step he took. Chirrontor was on the offensive and he was taking advantage of every mistake Ripfang made. Finally he ducked to the ground, soaking his claws in the gritty, rain washed sand before lunging at Ripfang and burying his dirty claws in the open wound on Ripfang's leg.
Ripfang: RAAAAAAARRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Ripfang roared and staggered a step forward before collapsing onto the ground in agony.
Chirrontor: Hahahahahahaha, who's the great leader now, looks to me like you've lost this fight. But don't worry, I'll take good care of your sweet family and little sweet heart! She would make a lovely wife, don't you agree?
Ripfang: NO!!
Chirrontor had made the mistake of standing over Ripfang, and so as Ripfang shot to his feet, his head thudded into Chirrontor's gut, knocking the tormentor backwards. Ripfang leapt upon his brother, chomping and snapping at the brute's throat. Ripfang was back on his feet, and making a come back. A smile crept over Razor's face, his brother was back in action! But Chirrontor was not a fair fighter.
He flicked his tail in a strange manner that Ripfang, in the heat of battle, had failed to notice, however Razor didn't miss a thing. He saw one of Chirrontor's last henchmen creep up into the tree above Ripfang. Razor shouted to his brother, but Ripfang did not hear. The large rock fell, coming down hard on the Shrikan's right shoulder. Ripfang reeled in pain and fell onto the ground again. Now his two enemies had surrounded him, one knocked him out from behind, the other, Chirrontor, began to charge him.
Razor: Now I need to step in!
He raced to his brother's aid, coming in front of him, just in time to block Chirrontor's attack, but he had forgotten that there was another behind him. His evil brother was thrown back by the blow he had dealt him, but as he looked up, a smile crawled over his split and bleeding lips. Razor's face was frozen in shocked agony as he looked down at the sharp wooden stave that had run him through from behind, and his body slumped forward onto the ground, a misty glaze flowing over his dulled eyes, as they began to close forever the last time.
Ripfang had awoken just in time to see the Shrikan that had been behind him impale his brother with the small branch from the tree, and he became enraged, yet at the same time he couldn't believe what was happening to be true. Springing to his feet, he whirled on the unsuspecting brute, decapitating him in one swift slash with the axe blade shaped bones on the outside of his forearms. Naomi gasped in horror at the brutality and callousness that Ripfang was showing, and she could no longer bear to watch the fight, and had to flee somewhere secluded to dispose of the vomit rising in her throat. But a fearful curiosity for her friend's safety lured her back to watch the fight to its very end. Ripfang bent over his rapidly fading brother, tears, for the first time, and certainly not the last, (hint hint) coursed down his face.
Razor: Tell Mum, an Dad that I'm sorry for running off and leaving them, an tell them that I love em...
Ripfang: Why, why would you say such things, you will tell them yourself! Just wait till I'm done here and we can take you home, you can rest and get better, and soon we can all go back to our normal lives!
Razor: Hah, don't talk rubbish; you know I won't be here but for a few more brief seconds. I want you to promise me you'll take care of this traitor, alright? And I want you to take good care o that girl o yers. Make sure you watch after our sis, ok, you don't let her stray too far from ya, cause she's a bundle o trouble. An you had better not loose this fight, cause otherwise yer in fer a rude awakening when we meet again on the other side if'n ya do!
Ripfang: Yeah, you can count on it, but you have to hang in here, just for a little longer, an you'll be fine.
Razor: Let me be, come on, let's do this...just one last time...
Ripfang knew of what he spoke, and they raised their fists and clacked them together, reciting, for the last time, the words which had always cheered them before battle.
Ripfang: Live long,
Razor: Live proud,
Ripfang: Fight to the death,
Razor: And...and take your enemies......with you.
With a final shuddering breath he fell back, doomed to sleep for all eternity.
Then Ripfang closed his eyes, breathing deeply, he sensed Chirrontor moving close behind him. Ripfang actually seemed in meditation for a moment. He collected what few thoughts he had at that time, and destroyed them, emptying his mind, and allowing nothing but the pure, insatiable lust to kill flood over him. He gave in to every last one of his most primitive instincts, the chief one being, kill or be killed. Ripfang was dead now; the old Ripfang had left him. He, he was no longer any humane creature, bound by neither reason nor feeling. He felt no pain, no emotion, no mercy! This was now a furious beast, filled with an endless lust for his enemy's blood. He could envision Chirrontor in his mind, and he could envision himself. No longer was he Ripfang, he was truly the Shadow Lord! The power of the Earth itself seemed to flood through him, and he rose, slowly turning to face his prey.
Chirrontor took but one look into his brother's eyes and felt as though something inside him had shattered, he was thoroughly afraid.
Chirrontor: (shrinking away from his assailant) Who......no, what are you!?!?!
Ripfang: (combusting into silvery flames) Your executioner!
Everyone, especially Naomi, was filled with a terrifying awe at this horrific feat of power and hatred. Chirrontor stumbled over his own feet, he was trying to back away so fast.
Chirrontor: Now...good brother, what is all of this about? Do you not know me? I am your kin, your flesh and blood!
Ripfang: No, sadly enough you are my parents' flesh and blood.
Chirrontor: But, you wouldn't kill your own brother, would you? After all, (he began to break into fitful hysterics, emitting nervous sobs every few words) is blood not thicker than water?
Ripfang: I don't know, you tell me, after all, you did help kill your own brother, what would be so wrong about me doing it to you. You should have acted more appropriately, because you should know by now that little brothers tend to behave similarly to their bigger ones!
Chirrontor: No, no please! Mercy, meeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrccccccccccccyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Ripfang: (his voice rising to an uncontrollable roar) MERCY! YOU HELP TO KILL MY INNOCENT BROTHER, AND MISTREAT OUR FAMILIES, AND YET YOU WILL LAY HERE AND BEG ME FOR MERCY! I WILL NOT HEAR ANOTHER WORD OF IT! YOUR DEATH EILL BE SLOW AND AGONIZING, IN REPENTANCE FOR EVERY CRUEL DEED YOU EVER COMMITTED!
With that, Ripfang raised his fist for a harsh blow, and brought it crashing down, but halted it just in time as his beloved Naomi appeared before him.
Ripfang: MOVE NOW!! HE WILL NOT SLIP AWAY FROM MY WRATH THIS TIME!
Naomi: You know not of what you speak, please, Ripfang, come back, what has happened to you? I know you are not truly like this,
And she thrust her head beneath his chin and nuzzled against him, the white, silvery flames gliding smoothly over her, feeding off of the spores on the outside of her body, and joining the two in a fiery aura. It was then that the rain began to fall, and caused the fire to die, washing away the blood, the anger, and hatred.
Naomi: (shutting her eyes tight and pressing against Ripfang's body) No more killing, no more sadness, you've won, just leave him, blood is thicker than water, but love is purer than anything, you must see this Ripfang. Come back to me, just come back.
Her words tamed the savage beast and he began to relax, each muscle unwinding, as all of the adrenaline and fury quieted within his ravaged heart. The old Ripfang began to reemerge, and he wrapped his arms about her once before turning to his groveling brother.
Ripfang: You will not leave my sight, and I will tear your head off should you make one wrong move! Razor will rest here, in the land of our fathers for his eternal sleep, and may this be a sign to all of you, that fear is a word, just a word, it is without meaning, without body, and without spirit, and just one word is powerless against our hearts as long as they should beat as one!
His proud words were met with righteous cheers and cries of approval. Meehara stood by him, ready to do his bidding. She was his first loyal follower, and something about her made Ripfang trust her immediately!
It was then that Skavah lit upon the ground before the new Shadow Lord, bearing her message of grim tidings.
Skavah: Ripfang, you must make haste back to the others! They are trapped at the arena, and require your assistance. They will not fight their captors for fear of endangering the lives of the innocent girls and others that are with them! You and Razor must...what is wrong?
She had noticed the wince that Ripfang's dear brother's name had inflicted upon him.
Ripfang: Alert them that I am on my way, but I'm afraid...I'm afraid that Razor will not be returning.
He gestured towards his fallen kin. Skavah let out a sharp cry and took off with his sobering message.
Ripfang: (turning to the others) Naomi, you know the way to Sora's house by now, right?
Naomi: Yes, you've explained to me its location.
Ripfang: Well, you must take all of them there! I must go back to the others, but get the tribes to where they need to be, and wait for us there. I will come for all of you when I am finished! Meehara, I will require your assistance. Choose ten of the strongest warriors here and that should be enough. Do it quickly, for then we must hurry back to my parents and family!
Meehara: You will not be disappointed my lord!
Ripfang: I should hope not, now off with you!
As everyone went off to their tasks, Ripfang took one final moment to return to his brother's side.
Ripfang: Looks like it'll be a while yet before we meet again Razor. (he had to discreetly whisk away the tears that had once again begun to flow) I will not fail you, I can promise you that!
Ok readers, how was it? I was trying to make up for the previous short chapter. I was sad though, because apparently my last chapter wasn't a huge hit with all of you. But oh well, when you've got lemons, make lemonade!
Chapter 20,
Is Blood Thicker Than Water?
Chirrontor stood before his beaten assembly.
Chirrontor: My dear followers, over the past few nights I have begun to sense a change in the wind. We have fought and quarreled for centuries over deaths that no longer hold any meaning. Today, I will come forward and take what is rightfully mine! Today, I will take the crown, and unite our two families as my father and mother will have wished. I have told you all of their tragic deaths, and of their last wishes, for their only son, the last bond between these tribes to unite them once again!
A great deal of murmuring swept through the crowd, some emitted grumbles of anger, while others yipped with joy at the thought of peace. Yet one brave young soul dared speak her mind. She couldn't have been more than 5 years younger than Ripfang, and she was a deep purple, with shimmering streaks of gold that lay like water over her scales. Her eyes were a pale grey, but burned with independence. She was a delicate creature; with nothing more than a row of dorsal fin shaped spikes that ran down her back, and hard armory scales that covered her throat, chest, and underbelly. She did, however possess the power to inject small blasts of lightning from her teeth into whatever she latched onto, and her nose was adorned with a single backwards curving horn, like that of a rhinoceros's. Yet she stepped boldly towards Chirrontor and stood before him, hissing out her words which were slathered with venom and vicious contempt!
Young Shrikan: But what of the omens! Why should we trust one who oppresses and beats us, who steals, and lies to his own kind? You are no leader, your father was thirty times the leader you'll ever be, and the way you act, I don't even see who you could be related to him! You're a useless, lying, cowardly bag of scum, and I would rather die than allow myself, or any of my family to fall under your command!
Chirrontor couldn't believe it, here he had all of this power and yet one foolish little brat was going to stand against him. He was entirely dazed and stupefied at her audacity. Then she turned to the others and continued her speech, despite the deploring stares she received from her loved ones, who desperately wanted her to curb her tongue before she got herself into any more trouble.
Young Shrikan: We will wait, until the Shadow Lord returns to us, and until then we shall do our best to achieve our own peace, but for now, stand together, and destroy this evil which has rooted itself into our lives..........long live the Shadow L......
Her cries were cut short as the wicked Chirrontor recovered from his dazed state, and dealt her a blow to the side of her face that sent her crashing to the ground and reeling over the hard stones and dirt.
He stood, panting with rage at her insolence, and as he moved in for the kill, her family watched helplessly, for fear of loosing their own lives. She lay still; ready to take the blow with all of the dignity she could muster, too weak to fight against his brute strength.
Chirrontor: You see everyone; she has disobeyed the first law of our tribes, NEVER DISRESPECT YOUR LEADER!!!! And for her rudeness, I shall make an example of her, and let this be a lesson to all of you, never doubt my word!
Young Shrikan: (she fixed him with one last glare, a glare that wrenched through him and would have halted even the mightiest force of nature) Long......live......the Shadow......Lord!
And with that she shut her eyes and readied herself for the blow, but it did not come. Thunder galloped overhead, as lightning lances goaded it on to greater blunder, an icy wind pierced the air as a heart stopping battle cry split the noise, drawing everyone's gaze to the cliff where Ripfang had perched.
Ripfang: BLOOOOOOOOOOD WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!!!!
He snarled as he launched into the air and bounded down the cliff side, skidding to a stop before Chirrontor, his shadowy, purpley black aura danced around him as hellish flames danced behind his blood colored eyes and slitted black pupils!
Everyone shuddered and gasped in both terror and awe at the sight before them.
Random Shrikan: Look, it's Phantom, come back from the dead to haunt us all!
Chirrontor: (shrinking back in fear at the towering figure) No, no father, you......you're dead, you can't be Phantom, you......
Young Shrikan: (staggering to her feet) You......you've returned, you've come back to us!
Ripfang: No, no, it's not Phantom; I'm Ripfang......his son.
Young Shrikan: Then the omens.......they've come true, and you have come back to save us all!
Chirrontor: (realizing who Ripfang really was, a wide, sinister grin spread across his features) Ahhhhhhhhh, so you are the little brother I never knew. Well, isn't this a lovely surprise, and after all of these years too, we finally meet.
Ripfang: What are you talking about? I am no relative of yours!
Chirrontor: Oh, quite the contrary my young fellow, I can see mommy and daddy haven't been totally honest with you! They wanted to hide the truth from their precious son, he didn't need to associate with his big bad brother.
Ripfang: I know not of what you speak, but your cruelty will end now!
Chirrontor: But don't you want to know all of the little secrets, the fact that you've got an older brother should be enough to shock you! You see, I was the first born, and according to the omens, it was the first born who was to become leader, however I didn't fit the character or color description, so in an angry huff I left before you were born and never came back. You were supposed to be the "special one", the "great savior" of our tribes! Well, I may have lied about the deaths of our parents, but I won't give up my leadership without a fight, so are you going to back down and leave. Or must I litter the ground with your bones?
Ripfang: I refuse to let you doom these innocents to a cursed fate!
With a savage snarl, Chirrontor leapt for his throat, but was rewarded with nothing but air as Ripfang threw himself to the ground and brought his head up, right into Chirrontor's gut, and tossed him over onto the ground.
Chirrontor: You may think you're so good, but how many of us can you take?
Nine other traitorous Shrikans leapt to Chirrontor's aid, besieging Ripfang with a flurry of teeth and claws. But Naomi saw her chance, and she leapt into the fray, dealing out ferocious blows to her enemies, and tearing into any flesh that came within her reach. Ripfang whipped his maces around and brought them crashing into the carcasses of his foes, and the little female Shrikan even leapt into the fight. Chirrontor urged his cronies on, and got a few more to join the mess on his side. He sat back and watched with satisfaction as Ripfang was rendered helpless once Naomi was taken from him and held hostage at Chirrontor's orders. She was brought to him and wrestled into submission as Chirrontor placed a claw at her throat.
Ripfang: Let her go, she has nothing to do with this!
Chirrontor: Oh I think she does, you see she took your part in this and will now share in your grief. So either surrender or she dies.
He began to chuckle to himself, thoroughly pleased at his success. But it was short lived, a flash of silver flew through the air, clothes lining Chirrontor and freeing Naomi.
Ripfang: (yipping in joy) Razor! You came after us!
Razor: What, did you think I was going to let you have all the fun? Besides look at this fine mess you've gotten yourself into, I leave you alone for a day, and look what happens!
Ripfang: Well, your timing couldn't have been better! Let's do this thang, Whoop Ass all around!
Razor: Woooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!
The fight resumed and had now become a sort of spectacle for the other Shrikans. They watched and rooted for their favorites, eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Ripfang chased Chirrontor down and halted any further escape.
Ripfang: You're mine! Come to me "dear brother" we have "sooooo" much to catch up on!
Chirrontor: I will smash your puny head in!
They locked in a death struggle, writhing and twisting over fallen bodies and muddy terrain, claws taking any foothold, jaws ripping any available flesh!
Finally, Ripfang got to his feet and lunged for his brother's throat, he almost made it, and would have ended it all, but something happened then, at that exact second, a burning sensation tore through his leg, causing him to falter and crumble onto the ground, sliding to a stop. Ripfang staggered to his feet, his own silvery blood streaming from the open wound in his leg.
Ripfang: Wh...what was that?
Chirrontor: (smoke wafting from his mouth) You didn't honestly think that I hadn't inherited anything from our "dear" mother now did you? I mean, her name is Flamejaw after all.
Ripfang: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, speak of MY mother again and I'll show them the colors of your innards!
Chirrontor: Oooooooooooo, scary, but the time for talk has passed, now is the time for battle!
Ripfang and his long lost brother circled one another, clashing every few steps, exchanging blow for blow, they appeared so evenly matched! Razor and Naomi, along with the other young female Shrikan, who was named Meehara, stood by and watched.
Naomi: Oh, shouldn't we help him!?! What if he gets hurt!
Razor: No, not even I can go to his aid this time, this is Rip's fight, and he needs to do it on his own.
Ripfang had really begun to feel the effects of his wound; it burned and oozed silvery blood and puss. His movements had begun to slow as he lost more blood, and he stumbled slightly with each step he took. Chirrontor was on the offensive and he was taking advantage of every mistake Ripfang made. Finally he ducked to the ground, soaking his claws in the gritty, rain washed sand before lunging at Ripfang and burying his dirty claws in the open wound on Ripfang's leg.
Ripfang: RAAAAAAARRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Ripfang roared and staggered a step forward before collapsing onto the ground in agony.
Chirrontor: Hahahahahahaha, who's the great leader now, looks to me like you've lost this fight. But don't worry, I'll take good care of your sweet family and little sweet heart! She would make a lovely wife, don't you agree?
Ripfang: NO!!
Chirrontor had made the mistake of standing over Ripfang, and so as Ripfang shot to his feet, his head thudded into Chirrontor's gut, knocking the tormentor backwards. Ripfang leapt upon his brother, chomping and snapping at the brute's throat. Ripfang was back on his feet, and making a come back. A smile crept over Razor's face, his brother was back in action! But Chirrontor was not a fair fighter.
He flicked his tail in a strange manner that Ripfang, in the heat of battle, had failed to notice, however Razor didn't miss a thing. He saw one of Chirrontor's last henchmen creep up into the tree above Ripfang. Razor shouted to his brother, but Ripfang did not hear. The large rock fell, coming down hard on the Shrikan's right shoulder. Ripfang reeled in pain and fell onto the ground again. Now his two enemies had surrounded him, one knocked him out from behind, the other, Chirrontor, began to charge him.
Razor: Now I need to step in!
He raced to his brother's aid, coming in front of him, just in time to block Chirrontor's attack, but he had forgotten that there was another behind him. His evil brother was thrown back by the blow he had dealt him, but as he looked up, a smile crawled over his split and bleeding lips. Razor's face was frozen in shocked agony as he looked down at the sharp wooden stave that had run him through from behind, and his body slumped forward onto the ground, a misty glaze flowing over his dulled eyes, as they began to close forever the last time.
Ripfang had awoken just in time to see the Shrikan that had been behind him impale his brother with the small branch from the tree, and he became enraged, yet at the same time he couldn't believe what was happening to be true. Springing to his feet, he whirled on the unsuspecting brute, decapitating him in one swift slash with the axe blade shaped bones on the outside of his forearms. Naomi gasped in horror at the brutality and callousness that Ripfang was showing, and she could no longer bear to watch the fight, and had to flee somewhere secluded to dispose of the vomit rising in her throat. But a fearful curiosity for her friend's safety lured her back to watch the fight to its very end. Ripfang bent over his rapidly fading brother, tears, for the first time, and certainly not the last, (hint hint) coursed down his face.
Razor: Tell Mum, an Dad that I'm sorry for running off and leaving them, an tell them that I love em...
Ripfang: Why, why would you say such things, you will tell them yourself! Just wait till I'm done here and we can take you home, you can rest and get better, and soon we can all go back to our normal lives!
Razor: Hah, don't talk rubbish; you know I won't be here but for a few more brief seconds. I want you to promise me you'll take care of this traitor, alright? And I want you to take good care o that girl o yers. Make sure you watch after our sis, ok, you don't let her stray too far from ya, cause she's a bundle o trouble. An you had better not loose this fight, cause otherwise yer in fer a rude awakening when we meet again on the other side if'n ya do!
Ripfang: Yeah, you can count on it, but you have to hang in here, just for a little longer, an you'll be fine.
Razor: Let me be, come on, let's do this...just one last time...
Ripfang knew of what he spoke, and they raised their fists and clacked them together, reciting, for the last time, the words which had always cheered them before battle.
Ripfang: Live long,
Razor: Live proud,
Ripfang: Fight to the death,
Razor: And...and take your enemies......with you.
With a final shuddering breath he fell back, doomed to sleep for all eternity.
Then Ripfang closed his eyes, breathing deeply, he sensed Chirrontor moving close behind him. Ripfang actually seemed in meditation for a moment. He collected what few thoughts he had at that time, and destroyed them, emptying his mind, and allowing nothing but the pure, insatiable lust to kill flood over him. He gave in to every last one of his most primitive instincts, the chief one being, kill or be killed. Ripfang was dead now; the old Ripfang had left him. He, he was no longer any humane creature, bound by neither reason nor feeling. He felt no pain, no emotion, no mercy! This was now a furious beast, filled with an endless lust for his enemy's blood. He could envision Chirrontor in his mind, and he could envision himself. No longer was he Ripfang, he was truly the Shadow Lord! The power of the Earth itself seemed to flood through him, and he rose, slowly turning to face his prey.
Chirrontor took but one look into his brother's eyes and felt as though something inside him had shattered, he was thoroughly afraid.
Chirrontor: (shrinking away from his assailant) Who......no, what are you!?!?!
Ripfang: (combusting into silvery flames) Your executioner!
Everyone, especially Naomi, was filled with a terrifying awe at this horrific feat of power and hatred. Chirrontor stumbled over his own feet, he was trying to back away so fast.
Chirrontor: Now...good brother, what is all of this about? Do you not know me? I am your kin, your flesh and blood!
Ripfang: No, sadly enough you are my parents' flesh and blood.
Chirrontor: But, you wouldn't kill your own brother, would you? After all, (he began to break into fitful hysterics, emitting nervous sobs every few words) is blood not thicker than water?
Ripfang: I don't know, you tell me, after all, you did help kill your own brother, what would be so wrong about me doing it to you. You should have acted more appropriately, because you should know by now that little brothers tend to behave similarly to their bigger ones!
Chirrontor: No, no please! Mercy, meeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrccccccccccccyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Ripfang: (his voice rising to an uncontrollable roar) MERCY! YOU HELP TO KILL MY INNOCENT BROTHER, AND MISTREAT OUR FAMILIES, AND YET YOU WILL LAY HERE AND BEG ME FOR MERCY! I WILL NOT HEAR ANOTHER WORD OF IT! YOUR DEATH EILL BE SLOW AND AGONIZING, IN REPENTANCE FOR EVERY CRUEL DEED YOU EVER COMMITTED!
With that, Ripfang raised his fist for a harsh blow, and brought it crashing down, but halted it just in time as his beloved Naomi appeared before him.
Ripfang: MOVE NOW!! HE WILL NOT SLIP AWAY FROM MY WRATH THIS TIME!
Naomi: You know not of what you speak, please, Ripfang, come back, what has happened to you? I know you are not truly like this,
And she thrust her head beneath his chin and nuzzled against him, the white, silvery flames gliding smoothly over her, feeding off of the spores on the outside of her body, and joining the two in a fiery aura. It was then that the rain began to fall, and caused the fire to die, washing away the blood, the anger, and hatred.
Naomi: (shutting her eyes tight and pressing against Ripfang's body) No more killing, no more sadness, you've won, just leave him, blood is thicker than water, but love is purer than anything, you must see this Ripfang. Come back to me, just come back.
Her words tamed the savage beast and he began to relax, each muscle unwinding, as all of the adrenaline and fury quieted within his ravaged heart. The old Ripfang began to reemerge, and he wrapped his arms about her once before turning to his groveling brother.
Ripfang: You will not leave my sight, and I will tear your head off should you make one wrong move! Razor will rest here, in the land of our fathers for his eternal sleep, and may this be a sign to all of you, that fear is a word, just a word, it is without meaning, without body, and without spirit, and just one word is powerless against our hearts as long as they should beat as one!
His proud words were met with righteous cheers and cries of approval. Meehara stood by him, ready to do his bidding. She was his first loyal follower, and something about her made Ripfang trust her immediately!
It was then that Skavah lit upon the ground before the new Shadow Lord, bearing her message of grim tidings.
Skavah: Ripfang, you must make haste back to the others! They are trapped at the arena, and require your assistance. They will not fight their captors for fear of endangering the lives of the innocent girls and others that are with them! You and Razor must...what is wrong?
She had noticed the wince that Ripfang's dear brother's name had inflicted upon him.
Ripfang: Alert them that I am on my way, but I'm afraid...I'm afraid that Razor will not be returning.
He gestured towards his fallen kin. Skavah let out a sharp cry and took off with his sobering message.
Ripfang: (turning to the others) Naomi, you know the way to Sora's house by now, right?
Naomi: Yes, you've explained to me its location.
Ripfang: Well, you must take all of them there! I must go back to the others, but get the tribes to where they need to be, and wait for us there. I will come for all of you when I am finished! Meehara, I will require your assistance. Choose ten of the strongest warriors here and that should be enough. Do it quickly, for then we must hurry back to my parents and family!
Meehara: You will not be disappointed my lord!
Ripfang: I should hope not, now off with you!
As everyone went off to their tasks, Ripfang took one final moment to return to his brother's side.
Ripfang: Looks like it'll be a while yet before we meet again Razor. (he had to discreetly whisk away the tears that had once again begun to flow) I will not fail you, I can promise you that!
Ok readers, how was it? I was trying to make up for the previous short chapter. I was sad though, because apparently my last chapter wasn't a huge hit with all of you. But oh well, when you've got lemons, make lemonade!