Is this the end? Or will someone unexpectedly come looking for Heart. She might not be dying just yet.
Song:
O Danny Boy
Ch 14: By Your Side
Alastor was busy and was frantic. Trying to get things cleared and demons to safety. The fire was all around him and was growing. It was hot and it's not the first time he has dealt with fire in his land. Dragons have always been an enemy of his and hasn't been the only time they have tried to burn him. This was worse than before though. More than one dragon was here and they were doing more than they ever have in the past. So much more.
He already had to move a few trees and stomp out some fires to try and rescue demons. Even his shadows were trying to help him as well. It was hard but at least his shadow friends could help him. So far no one was killed. Injured sure but not killed. At least he was ok with that. He tried to get them to someplace high. Meeting them all at the mountain if possible.
At the moment though, the deer was having a problem and he was not happy with that.
"Angel! Angel, where are you!" Alastor called out as Molly hung from his one antler.
They were looking for the matching spider. He was away from his cave when the fire started. Molly was worried and was trying not to cry. Her brother meant everything to her. This was the first fire they have experienced and it was honestly shown by how frantic Molly was. Angel had gone out and when the fire started, she couldn't find him. He must have gone farther than normal.
"Angel!" Molly called out as Alastor trotted along the fired path.
The fire was getting worse. It was getting warm and Alastor was already close to being burned. This wasn't good. If they couldn't find Angel soon this would be bad. He didn't want to leave anyone behind. Damn that spider and not being around home when he was supposed to. The deer looped around again just to be sure and looked at the trees and the ground. Anywhere he might have been.
"Lord Alastor…I'm scared." Molly said as she started to sound emotional.
"Don't worry Molly, we'll find your brother. I promise." Alastor said softly to reassure her.
"The fire is getting worse." The spider pointed out. "I…I don't know what to do."
Alastor was silent for a moment and tried to think of what to do. He was stuck in this situation of having a lost demon. Plus having a worried sibling on top of that.
"We will look around for a few more minutes." The deer told her as they continued along.
He made wider struts and tried to not go too fast. He started to feel like this was a lost cause. He couldn't give up yet though.
"Angel!" Alastor called again.
The deer thought he heard a reply back, even with all this fire and crackling wood around him. His ears flicked around, trying to pinpoint the sound.
"Angel?" He called again to be sure.
"Lord Alastor!" He heard a faint call back to him.
Alastor turned to his right and headed off. It was getting close to the mountains. He was heading that way after all. He trotted a little faster.
"Angel!?" Molly tried to see if she could get another response.
"Molly! Over here!" Came the reply.
Alastor looked up a little and tried to pinpoint the voice. He walked around a bit trying to find the spider.
"Guys, I see you! Over here!" Angel called out.
Alastor soon spotted the spider as he was up on a high branch, luckily the flames had not gotten to it yet. "Angel, what are you doing!?"
"Oh my god! Angel, are you ok?" Molly asked worriedly.
"Oh yes, I'm fantastic when a raging fire is happening around me. I knew I was hot but this is ridiculous." Angel huffed.
"Enough jokes. We need to get you out of here. Think you can jump onto my antler?" Alastor said.
The spider was silent for a moment to think. "I should be able to swing to you. Can you get any closer?"
Alastor looked down and saw the fire that was between them and looked around to see there was no way around to get to him. "I can't get anywhere closer. You have to try and trust yourself. Plus, trust in me as well to catch you." He informed the spider.
Angel Dust sighed and just tried to get himself ready. He had to jump. He could do it. Alastor tried to stand as close as possible for the spider to get to him without being burned.
"I'm ready when you are." The deer informed him.
"Ok, let's do this." Angel whispered to pump himself up.
Angel backed up a bit and then soon went as fast as he could to the edge of the branch and jumped. He flew through the air and he knew he was going to make it. The spider landed just at the edge of Alastor's nose. Molly felt relieved as she saw her brother crawl up the deer's face and to the other antler.
"Oh Angel. Thank goodness you're ok. I was so worried about ya." Molly said as she started to crawl over to him.
"Sorry Moll's. I didn't mean to." He apologized to his sister. "At the same time, I didn't know dragons would start breathing fire down from the sky."
"I can explain later. For now, we have to move. The fire is starting to move faster." Alastor warned. "Hold on. I will take you two to safety."
The spiders made sure they were stuck to the deer as he started to run off. He had to get them to the mountain. After he got them out, everyone should be safe now. He needed to have a talk with Heart when he got back as well. So much was happening it conflicted with things in his heart and his mind. He didn't know what to do. Even though Heart might not have been the cause of the dragons, she still had something to do with it. It was a talk he had to have with her. It would be hard but it had to be done.
Deep down the deer still loved her but with him being the Lord of this land, it made it hard. He was conflicted on what to do with her. It was something he had to think about.
The deer made it out of the burning woods and up the path of the mountain to where everyone else was meeting. He saw all the demons that had gathered there and was grateful. Seemed like no one was really injured, that made him relieved. He looked around and tried to spot Heart in the crowd but he couldn't see her. Maybe…she was just among the group.
Alastor walked over to a rock and let the spiders off his antlers. "You two should be ok up here. I don't want you to get trampled."
"Thank you Lord Alastor." Molly said as the two got onto the rock. "Thank you so much for the help. I will have to repay you one day."
"I will remember that Molly, but there is no need. I am just doing what I need to protect those in my land." Alastor told her.
"Thank you, from me as well." Angel added.
"You're welcome. Just no more going out in a forest fire." Alastor chuckled.
"Believe me I don't want to leave our little cave for weeks." Angel said with his own chuckle.
"It will be a day." Molly muttered.
"Hey, no one asked ya!" The male spider said with a hurt voice.
Alastor shook his head and just turned to the crowd as the spiders talked amongst themselves. The deer looked out into the burning land and saw more than just his woods was on fire. That worried him but at the same time, whatever happened across his border was none of his concern. He started to walk through everyone to try and find Heart. Soon he found the small group that had went with her to the dragon territory. Although, he didn't see her with them. He frowned slightly with a small head tilt. That was odd.
The Lord walked up to the group, "Excuse me lady's, I was wondering if you have seen Heart around?"
The group looked at each other a moment and then back to him.
"Heart still isn't back?" Velvet wondered.
"She left a long while ago, right after you did." Jazz told him.
"Left? Where did she go?" Alastor asked, a little confused and worried.
"She went to go to her old pack since that part of the forest was on fire." Chicka informed him. "She was worried about everyone being injured over there. Especially her adopted mother. To warn them about the fire."
"What? She left!?" Alastor shouted, slightly angered at this news.
The group jumped back in surprise from his outburst.
"Y-Yes. We couldn't stop her. She just…took off flying." Chicka said.
"We know she is ok though. Heart has a lot of spunk." Olivia added.
Alastor put his ears down and looked out into the forest still in flame. She left when he did. She wasn't back yet. Heart could be in trouble and he wouldn't know it. She might be hurt or injured. He had to find her, go look for her. His chest felt constricted a moment at those words though. He couldn't lose her.
"Chicka, you're in charge till I get back." Alastor said as he turned his back.
The bird was surprised. "M-Me!? Why sir?"
"I have to go find Heart." The deer said over his shoulder and then ran off back down the mountain.
"Be careful Lord Alastor!" Chicka called out to him.
The group watched Alastor run off down the mountain and disappear back into the blazing woods. They all hoped that the deer would find Heart and bring her back safely.
Alastor ran and ran through the fire, weaving and jumping over any opening he saw. He had to get to the hybrid, he had to find her. Even though he might have been angry at what had happened, there were still things he had to tell the wolf. Feelings he had to get across. He wasn't going to let her die because of his emotional actions.
He crossed his borders and then was on the lookout for signs of Heart. He even called out her name. It was hard to try and find her scent because of the fire. It was impossible. All he would smell is the burning of wood. Blast!
As he ran though…he heard something. A voice. He slowed down and flicked his ears to catch the sound. Soon enough he caught it again. It had to be hers. He ran off towards the sound. "I'll be there soon, little wolf. Hold on."
Heart laid there still, the fire closing in around her. Her wing still pinned under the rocks as well as her lower half. She continued to sob as she laid there. Unsure of what to do anymore and just had accepted her fate. She was going to die here and no one would be looking for her. Her muzzle was wet with tears but was drying up fast because of the fire that had gotten closer to her. She looked out into the burning woods and tried to see anything she could.
The flames danced and her eyes softened as she saw them take shapes, at least in her mind they seemed to. The flames took the shape of a deer and a wolf. The two shapes danced around each other. This brought a smile to her face as she watched the fire dance.
She smiled and started to softly sing a song she has heard the wolves since she was a pup, usually when an elder was dying.
"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide."
Heart gave a huff as she started to cry again and watch the flames dance with each other as she sang.
"But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so."
The flames rubbed noses together and then nuzzled. Then before she realized another small flame started to dance with the other two. She lifted her head and her ears went up. The meaning behind it all was confusing. She felt more tears fall and she watched the small flame dance around the bigger two.
"And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me."
The deer's flame looked toward Heart for a moment and started to walk forward. It looked at her with its white blazing eyes. Heart picked up her head and smiled.
"And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me."
The wolf finished singing and the deer disappeared as well as the other two flames. She smiled knowing that everyone will be ok. She put her head down on top of her paws and shut her eyes. The world can go on without her. People will still be happy and thriving. He can move on and be happy.
As she shut her eyes though she heard something, other than the fire around her. The pounding of hooves against the dirt. No? It couldn't be him, could it? No, there would be no way. He wouldn't come looking for her. Her ears flicked around as she still heard the sound. Soon it stopped and she just put her ears back. It was all just in her mind.
"Heart?" A voice called out.
The hybrid's ears went up and her eyes snapped open then lifted her head and she was met with the red eyes of a deer. Not just any deer…Alastor. Was…he real? Please don't let her mind play tricks on her.
"Alastor?" Heart tilted her head. "Is it you? Are you really here?"
The deer smiled softly at her. "Heart, I'm so glad I found you. When I got everyone to safety and I heard you went back out, I was so worried."
Heart looked at him with a blank look, but she was so excited to see him. If her tail weren't currently crushed it would be wagging. "You were actually worried about me?"
"Of course, little wolf. I am glad I was able to find you. Come we must hurry to safety." He was about to turn to walk away when he looked up and saw the boulders crushing her back end. His ears went down a moment and looked down at her sadly. "You're stuck."
Heart smiled at him sadly as he realized. "I am. I'm too weak to get out." She tried to wiggle a little. "The rocks are too heavy. My one back paw is twisted and my wing might be broken."
Alastor looked at her then to the boulders. "I can get you out." He said and then started to get a little emotional. "I can get you out." His ears pinned against his head and it looked like he was starting to breathe heavily. "I…I can-"
"Alastor." The wolf interrupted him and tried to calm him down. "It's ok. You should go back to your land. Be safe for the others that need you. I was never really important. Few liked me anyway."
The deer shook his head and it looked like his eyes might be watering. "I can't! No!" His eyes glowed red and he grit his teeth together. "I'll get you free."
Even with the fire there was a red glow that started to surround Alastor. His red eyes seemed to turn black and black ooze dripped from his maw. It seemed like he had grown bigger as well as his antlers. Soon there were these black appendages that started to come out of the ground and they started to grab the boulders and toss them off of her. The deer was using his bigger antlers to try and help as well.
Soon the weight was off her and she found herself being able to move more. Eventually Alastor lifted a big boulder that was on top of her and it was just enough for her to get out. She crawled out from underneath the pile. She managed to get up onto her three paws but then fell down again. She panted as she was finally able to breathe better and her back half almost felt numb. She tried to stand but her legs shook and she fell again.
The deer went up to her, still looking the way he did. Heart looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you, Al. I thought I would die there for sure."
"Let's get you out of here and out of the fire." Alastor said as his voice now sounded distorted and filled with static.
"Al…I can't walk. I was under there too long. My legs are weak." She told him and looked away with her ears down.
"Well then you better hold on dear." The deer warned and then Heart was surprised as she was lifted from the ground by the appendages and placed on the deer's back. She was surprised but tried her best to hold on as she clamped onto the back of his neck with her jaw.
Alastor ran off then. Trying to avoid the fire as he went. He wanted to get up the cliff that Heart wanted to climb, but he needed to find a better way up than what she was trying. He ran along the cliff face still and tried to find something. Eventually he saw a path he would be able to climb.
The deer jumped and landed on the ledge of the cliff and started to follow it. He tried to keep his balance and the fire was still close to them from the trees. Soon Alastor jumped again onto another ledge and then another. Slowly he made his way up the cliff. Heart holding on as best she could.
Heart slipped away for a moment. "Al, I'm slipping!"
She slid off the deer's back and almost fell down the cliff. Luckily, the deer was quick and caught her by the scruff. With the help of the appendages, she was placed back on his back.
"We are almost there. Hold on a little longer." Alastor told her and then started to jump up the cliff again.
Soon he reached the top of the cliff. He stood high above the still burning land and just looked out into it. Heart also looked out and saw the trees ablaze. The dragons were thankfully gone from the skies and hopefully for good. What they could tell was that they were now somewhere between borders. Heart watched the fire and just put her ears flat against her head. She rested her muzzle on Alastor's neck and just whined.
"What is wrong love?" Alastor asked as he tried his best to look at her.
The wolf was silent for a moment but soon answered. "This is all my fault. I hope everyone is ok."
"Everyone is fine. The demons in my land are safe and I'm sure your pack is safe as well." The deer answered.
There was a moment of silence between them.
She looked up at him. "Why did you save me?"
Alastor looked at the wolf a moment before looking out back into the fire. He was silent, he knew the answer but he was still afraid of telling her. At least the truth. The deer summoned his appendages again and took the wolf girl off his back and laid her down. He laid down next to her, making sure their pelts were touching as he tucked his hooves under him.
Heart looked up at him still, waiting for her answer. "Al?"
The deer's ears went flat and he sighed a moment. "I...I don't know why I saved you. I just had this feeling in my chest telling me I had to." He admitted. It was only partially a lie. He knew why, but he wasn't going to say because his feelings told him to.
"Oh…I see." She said halfhearted, not really liking his answer. "Well, I am glad you came to my rescue. Thank you."
Alastor looked down at her and he felt his chest tighten a moment but he felt good now that she was by his side again. His demonic form slowly decompressed and he looked back to normal. He was trying to think of what to say. What to tell her.
Heart was looking out into the woods that was still on fire as her ears were back, her heart felt heavy and her voice had no emotion left. "Al, I understand if you want to punish me when everything gets put back to normal." The deer looked down sadly at her as she spoke. "You can…do with me as you wish. Hurt me, kill me, eat me or exile me. Whatever you think will be fitting." She put her head lower. "I know my place is not anywhere so I'm probably better off dead or gone anyway."
Alastor was surprised by her words and as soon as she was done talking, he shook his head. "I can't…I won't." He whispered.
The wolf had some tears falling from her face down her muzzle now at this point but looked up at him. "What? You…won't? I don't…understand."
Alastor took a breath. "I won't…because…I-" He paused for a moment and looked away from her. Heart looked at him with her watered eyes and was waiting to see what he would say. Alastor looked back at her finally and finished. "-I like you Heart. I want you…with me. By my side. I have…feelings for you. Strong feelings. I want to protect you at all costs. I want you by my side. I need you." He felt tears fill his eyes slightly. "No matter what. Even with everything that has been done today, I wouldn't blame you. It wasn't your fault."
"Al." Heart said happily as her tears fell again but this time out of happiness. Her heart was beating fast in her chest and she was smiling with her tail wagging. He did have the same feelings towards her.
"These feelings…are new to me. I've never liked another demon like this before. I won't ask you to be my mate…at least not yet, that time might come. For now…I just want to be close to you. To have you by my side and to protect you when you need it. To sleep by your side without judgment. To…kiss you."
The hybrid felt her ears get warm with a blush. "Al…you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear those words from you." She sniffled. "I honestly love you. So much. I understand you wanting to take it slow though, I can do that for you. Just know…that I would never hurt you on purpose because you hold a spot in my heart."
Alastor smiled at her. "You hold a spot in my heart as well…My little wolf." He said with a loving tone.
The wolf smiled at that. For a long time, he had just called her 'little wolf,' but now hearing him say it like this, in a different tone, in a different circumstance…it was so nice. So much weight lifted off her shoulders from them talking. Of course the way this happened is not as nice as she thought, but even so, she was glad it was now in the open.
Heart took this moment to lift her muzzle up and lick the side of the deer's mouth lovingly. She gave it a few licks to his cheek and then pulled away with her ears now on fire. The deer was surprised by the licks and was still a moment. She has never done this to him and it made his heart beat wildly and his tail started to wag. When she pulled away, he smiled at her.
The deer leaned down to lick around her muzzle, cleaning it of her tears. "No more sad tears my wolf. All will be ok now. We can rebuild the forest. Not all is lost. We can make everything new…with you by my side."
"With…me?" Heart's ears went up. "Al…I-I don't want to be in the way of your Lord duties."
"You won't. I promise. Although you will be treated with the utmost care." The deer told her.
"Thank you, Al. You really are…My Great Buck." She said with a big smile.
Alastor felt his heart beat race more with that name when it left her mouth. His tail wagged more. He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against her neck. Licking her neck as well to show affection. Heart was happy and her tail wagged more so. She rubbed her muzzle against his neck and started to lick his neck with kisses.
"Al, can this be our special spot?" The hybrid asked as she pulled away a moment. "Away from everyone and no one. Just me and you? No eyes to judge us and the beautiful land below us."
"I think that would be a wonderful idea, darling. We can come up here whenever you want." He answered with just as much happiness in his voice.
The two pulled apart and looked each other in the eyes for a moment. The universe seemed to pause or slow down. They finally got to see each other in the eyes after so long. This time each having a loving gaze. Alastor leaned his nose forward then placed the edge of his mouth against the edge of the wolf's muzzle and kissed her lightly before pulling away. Heart smiled and just did the same back to him.
They put their heads together and sighed happily.
"I never thought my day would go this way. I've wanted to tell you for so long." Heart admitted.
"As have I." Alastor agreed. "I knew that as soon as you got back, I had to tell you. Those few days you were gone...I realized how much you truly mean to me."
"I missed you to while I was gone." Heart whispered. "There wasn't a moment that I didn't think about you or forgot about you. Even when I thought about staying there...I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. Especially when the Lady asked me to forget about you. I couldn't do that."
"She wanted you to do that?" Alastor wondered and the wolf nodded. "Vile woman." He spat and then nuzzled his face into the girl's neck. "I don't want you to leave me."
"I won't, Al. I won't." Heart smiled and nuzzled into his neck as well.
"We are safe up here." Alastor whispered. "Let's stay here till things have calmed a little more."
"Agreed. It's too dangerous with the fire. Up here it won't reach us." Heart agreed.
Alastor nodded and nuzzled her. "We can just enjoy each other's company up here."
Heart smiled and nuzzled back. "I like that idea."
The deer started to lick the wolf's ears. Heart just relaxed and enjoyed the treatment. It's something she wanted for a long time from him. Now they could have each other. Things would be ok. Everything will go back to the way it was soon, except they will have each other now to help.
I've waited for this chapter forever and I wanted to make sure it was meaningful. I hope you enjoyed! This is not the end though; more is still to come!
