Thanks to Layla347, Blacktiger93, Crystal-Wolf-Gaurdian-967, Heather Tucker, Direngreyriles100, and an unnamed guest for reviewing the last chapter.
I'd also like to thank everyone for their shared patience, as some of you who have messaged me know i've been dealing with computer issue for the past few months, my previous computer broke down on me about two chapters ago and i had to save up to get a new one. I have the new one now so hopefully i can get right back into a regularly paced updating cycle.
Chapter: XV: From where I Came
The Deserts Bones live up to its title.
The land was barren and dry. There was no sign of animals not even an old trail, it was almost like The Forest of Death- almost. The thought of that forsaken land sparked a phantoms touch of pain but it was weak enough to be shrugged off and focus returned.
The Deserts Bones was like The Forest of Death yet at the same time it wasn't. The Forest of Death lacked any form of life-sure- but in that abandoned forest there was a yearning- a deep hunger for life that trapped all who entered. In that sense this barren land was different, this dry place was utterly abandoned. If it had a yearning for life at one point that too had long since left as well. Nothing remained… or at least… almost nothing.
There was a single brush of plant sitting here in the desert, its leaves were long and large hanging down in a canopy that could easily shelter someone from a merciless sun above. Why would a noble have use for such a thing? These humans would not talk and as they suddenly dropped to the dry earth it was obvious that they never would again. That was a shame, the soldiers of Nobles usually didn't know much but they knew enough.
Mahina sighed for the slight loss of information but when she felt soft fur brush against her side she found herself forgetting about such losses. Carefully, her crimson gaze found the young wolf that stood to her left and her hand found its way to its head. She focused on running her fingers through the pups thick earth brown fur when she heard a familiar voice speak behind her.
"It can't be…"
She knew this voice…
The young wolf beside her looked back before Mahina could but she did eventually look as well staring at the copper pup from her peripheral. Was she imaging it? Was the little runt really standing there, Mahina turned her head completely.
The first eyes she met were the golden eyes of Tsume before she drifted to Hige and finally Mahina locked eyes with Toboe. The pup's expression changed immediately, he clenched his teeth and made a boarding hideous face. Mahina shouldn't have been surprised if he started crying right there on the spot. He heaved in a breath and spoke.
"…Mahina…"
Just hearing the pup speak her name brought Mahina back to days before now, in Darcia's keep, where the she-wolf truly stared death in the face. She remembered the look of horror on Tsume's blanched face as he reached out for her.
"MAHINA!"
The sheer desperation in the male's voice when he screamed out her name made the situation all too clear to Mahina. It took a split second between his yell of her name and the blast for Mahina to realize that she was going to die. This was the end of her journey.
Then the blast hit.
It was like Darica's attack all over again. Mahina could feel the heat of the blast beating down on her back as the ground shuddered under its sheer power. Mahina was utterly engulfed in light so blindingly white the female thought her eyes would burn out of their sockets. Then, just as fast as it came, the light was gone and the ground along with it.
She was falling through darkness.
Everything was happening so fast. Mahina was free falling through black itself. She must have been falling fast- she couldn't even see the hole she fell through. The she-wolf could still hear the explosions from the attack echoing around her, now that she thought about it Mahina was lucky that blast didn't vaporize her.
Well lucky at that moment at least.
When one falls they eventually land after all and Mahina landed and she landed hard. To suddenly stop after falling for a while definitely took the she-wolf by surprise, her back slammed against concrete with such force the female felt her bones rattle. Pain shook across her already injured back and the air was knocked out of her before she was sliding rapidly down the slanted ground she had hit. Wind whistled past her face and in her ears and the concrete under her scraped at her fur until it reached her skin.
Boom!
Another strike hit the keep and sent what sounded like ruble raining down in the darkness around her. Some of it was small hitting the female and cutting at her face until another explosion rocked the darkness. What must have been the biggest piece of debris fell just before Mahina and the she-wolf-still sliding down at a now unstoppable speed- hit it with the force of what felt like a eighteen wheeler against a brick wall.
Mahina slide down the ruble in sheer agony that she couldn't even scream out. Her lungs seem to have completely forgotten what it meant to breath for a moment. Aside from the occasional explosion, that were beginning to die down, Mahina was left in silence but when the attacks quieted down the female found her breath again all at once.
Her back shot off the ground and her mouth snapped open. The female's lungs finally expanded and even though every inch of her body rocked with pain at the movement Mahina inhaled taking in air like she would never breathe it again. She inhaled and inhaled and inhaled until it felt like her lungs would burst only to shriek out into the darkness for all the pain she had experienced. The endless void swallowed her screams and left her in silence again battered and broken. She couldn't move and the pain she felt made it so she couldn't think, at that point all Mahina felt she could do was lay there and wait for death- hopefully it would be merciful and grant Mahina a swift sleep. Just as she hoped for this the female found herself slowly being engulfed in light.
This light…what was it?
Was it another blast from the Noble?
Maybe she was really about to die…
Whatever it was Mahina was in no position to fight it. As the ground shook and the light gre brighter the slender wolf lost consciousness.
There was really no telling how long Mahina was out, it could have been minutes of hours or days. Hell, it could have been years for all she knew… but it didn't matter… in the endless darkness that the she-wolf floated in nothing mattered. Death was all the female thought this was, she was sailing through limbo until the universe decided what to do with the wretched beast that was her but again that didn't matter and even if it did Mahina felt like that was okay. She had done all that she could, fought as hard as she could and made what she'd like to think were a couple of friends along the way. Her efforts fell short when it came to paradise but honestly Mahina felt it was enough. She could fade into nothing without regretting not seeing paradise. Here, in this darkness, the female felt at peace… she could slip away now,
…no…
'No?' Mahina slowly opened her eyes when she heard a voice speak to her.
…not yet…
Somewhere far above her a light appeared in a pinprick of a size, Mahina stared up at it in confusion. Steadily the light grew in size until it looked more like an opening to somewhere… beautiful. Was this it for Mahina? The she-wolf thought of the voices words and they grounded her, what did it mean by not yet?
You are not going to die here, not like this…
Mahina watched the light as other voices joined the one speaking. Millions of tiny voices singing so sweetly and so peacefully in a song Mahina remembered…she knew this song, this was Cheza's song.
'…Cheza?' the she-wolf croaked out in hop. Struggling to move, Mahina strained herself in order to life her arm and reach up about her towards the light.
There is still so much to be done, young one…
Something was coming out of the light. Hands countless hands reached out as if to reach Mahina's. The female reached back straining her best as the hands got closer and closer. One in particular was the closest, this had to be the one talking to her. Mahina fought against her useless body in her best effort to reach the hand as if broke from the others to reveal a pale arm.
The fire still burns within you.
Someone was coming from among from among the countless arms and voices in a sea of wondrously, long, white hair rained down on Mahina. The ivory locks felt like pure silk once they brushed past her face and ticked her skin. A figure bathed in light so bright the slender wolf couldn't make out her features emerged and reached out for Mahina. This figure… she knew this person.
See it. Feel it. Let it rekindle your spirit.
Mahina fought her lead like body even more now straining herself in hopes that she could reach this beautiful creature. The figure smiled down at her as this fingers touched and a strange warmth rushed across the females being from the touching skin. Suddenly, Mahina felt renewed- alive even. Opening her eyes fully Mahina took in a slow breath and stared up at the angelic figure in awe; every pore in her body breathed with her. A glorious wave of peace overcame the she-wolf, if she died now that would be nice.
You are not going to die here, Young one…
The figure hovered over Mahina for a moment but the light was drawing her back in and the arms pulled her in. Mahina reached, her mouth open in a wordless cry for the person she was certain she knew now.
You will not die here, Mahina.
You still have much to do.
And a long journey to go.
You've spent your life protecting the flowers
Now it's our turn to protect you…
'Ha…' Mahina reached desperately but the figure was far from her now and her weak throat wouldn't push out the name she wanted to scream out 'Ha…Hana' the ivory silk hair of this beautiful being swept past her leaving the heavenly scent lunar flower heavy in the space around her 'Hana…Hana…' like a ghost of the past the arms circled around the figure and for the second time Mahina watched them pull her into light.
Stay strong young one…
'Hanabito!' Mahina yelled out but the light was gone and the she-wolf was left in darkness once again. Silence surrounded her as she returned to the present. Slowly, Mahina's sensed were coming back to her. She could sense that, wherever she was, she was closed in; ruble and debris had probably buried her- the possibility of being trapped under the remains of Darica's keep were becoming very likely. Mahina wasn't hopeless though, the hand she had reached out could feel water around her… how far had she fallen? In the silence Mahina strained herself to hear any movement around her.
"Kisa lets just go… there's nothing here and we're not going any farther than this"
"I can't just leave now! Something here, I know it"
"And what am I blaming this adventure on?"
"My nose, I can smell something… something sweet and heavenly…"
"Yea… I'm telling the others you've lost your touch"
"Don't you dare!"
'Voices?' Mahina thought dully. Someone was out there… could they smell her? The she-wolf wanted to yell for them but her? The She-wolf wanted to yell for them but her head was swimming, she felt her muscles going limp and her eyes slowly closed.
"Wah!" the female assumed to be Kisa yelped.
"What?" her male company questioned
"S-something moved!" she replied
"I swear, Kisa, if this is another one of your jokes"
"It's not! I swear! L-Look!"
"Hm?...a-ah!" the male let out a slight yelp before Mahina heard a thump nearby her along with a grunt "it's a…a hand!"
"Someones buried down there!... this smell…"
"…Hey! Kisa that hand is far past the 'No passing' line I established!"
"But this is the thing I was smelling!"
"Well, congratulations! You sniffed out a dead body! Now that we've solved our required mystery of the day… are you even listening?!"
Clearing Kisa wasn't listening, Mahina could hear the female grunting as she moved concrete from of where the slender wolf laid but as the distance between this female and Mahina closed the she-wolf felt herself too weak to remain awake. She was slipping by the time the last slab of ruble was gone and light shined down on her.
"AHA!" Kisa declared before gasping
"What is it? What's there?"
"Kileona…are those…are those what I think they are?"
Again, Mahina was uncertain how long she was out but when she came to she wasn't floating anymore. Though her body felt like lead Mahina felt herself being carried, it must have been the two who had found her before… what were the names she heard before?... Kisa and Kileona?...that sounded about right.
It was a male and female had a sharp nose from what Mahina had gathered. They were talking from what the she-wolf could hear.
"Kileona…" the female spoke out "are you sure it's okay to bring her back with us"
"Come on Kisa, where's your sense of adventure?" Kileona replied with a chuckle that his company didn't return.
"We don't know who she is… or even what she is…" Kisa voiced.
"We're bring her to the others Kisa" Kileona voiced over Kisa "you saw what was around her just like I did… Mother has to see her"
"We'd have to tell her that we were over by the Noble's keep" Kisa remarked
"So be it" Kileona replied "Mother can decide what we do with her"
Of course Mahina didn't like the idea of something else deciding her fate. The thought woke the she-wolf from her weak state but then the sound that followed shook her awake completely.
"Kiba!... Mahina!"
"That howl again…" the pair stopped and turned back in the direction of the howl that echoed through the air. "Kileona… do you think that wolf is looking for her?" Kisa spoke her concern "We should go back"
"It's too late to go back" Kileona brushed Kisa off "We're almost there anyway…"
"…If you're sure…"
"Mahina!" Toboe's howl rung out desperately.
"…Toboe…" Mahina found her voice finally earning the attention of those who found her. She gripped Kileona's shoulders as she stirred from her sluggish state "Put me down…"
"She's awake" Kisa jumped
"Yea, I can tell" Kileona winced when Mahina dug her nails into his shoulders "Don't move, you're pretty messed up"
"Put me down!" Mahina snarled out pushing against the male's shoulders with such force it tipped him forward. Kileona yelped aloud as he fell forward and Mahina used the shift in weight to slam his face into the icy ground under them.
"Kileona!" Kisa yelped from beside them quickly flinching when Mahina looked her way. The she-wolfs crimson eyes dart about wildly, she couldn't see- not that well at least. Everywhere she looked the slender female was met with odd shapes and blinded by bright colors that did nothing but adgitate her in her current state. When she spotted Kisa's blurry form from among the madness it was mainly because the young female let out a startled gasp.
Mahina didn't hesitate, she pushed off the ground and pounced.
Kisa cried out as both of them hit the ground hard and she found herself pinned by the hysterical wolf growling down at her.
"Stop!" kileona stammered recovering from his fall but gripping his nose in pain "We're not going to hurt you"
"Shut up!" Mahina snarled out but whirling around to bare her teeth in the male's general direction.
"Kiba!...Mahina!"
"Toboe…" Mahina breathed turning her head in the direction of the howl "…Toboe… Toboe…" Toboe had been in the keep during that attack! What if he was buried like she had been?! What if he needed her help!? Kisa took shaky breaths as Mahina climbed off her and turned where she heard the pups howl "Toboe" the she-wolf breathed the pup's name but try as she might she couldn't get to him. Colors and shapes danced around her vision making her stumble about dizzily holding her hands out forward to keep from falling.
"No wait! Don't go!" Kileona called but Mahina pushing on stumbling about blindly on shaky legs.
"Kileona" Kisa called though now it sounded more out of warning than just saying his name.
"Toboe!" Mahina shouted before a loud growl bubbled up behind her. The female spun around in time to see a black shape of what she assumed was a wolf charging at her. The wolf leapt up with a loud snarl and slashed Mahina down the left side of her face. Mahina shrieked stumbling back and away from the attacking wolf but lost her footing on her clumsy feet and fell backwards. Stars exploded before the she-wolfs eyes when her head hit the ground hard and she was left barely hanging onto her senses as all those bright colors and shapes now swirled together before her eyes.
"….Kiba…Mahina!" Mahina could still hear Toboe howling but she couldn't get to him… he sounded so far away…
"Toboe…" the female whimpered out as she suddenly found herself surrounded by three shadows- she listened to the copper pups howl and unwillingly gave in to unconsciousness.
When Mahina came to again she was laying on her back and feeling strange. As her conscious slowly swirled into focus the she-wolf felt oddly constricted, like she was wrapped tightly in something. Her body felt sluggish and heavy and when she opened her eyes she found that she could only see out her right eye. Thankfully the room wasn't a blind mess of swirling, bright colors and shapes like before. It came blurring into view in the one eye she could see out of and when she could get her vision into focus Mahina found that she was being stared at by a boy. The realization made the she-wolf blink in surprise and then bewilderment.
This boy, from his looks, was young-probably the same age as Toboe if not younger.
Windswept, brown hair framed his round face and two, big, crystal blue eyes stared down at Mahina seeming to stick out even more because of his olive skin. The expression on his face was one of awe but for what? For Mahina? Why? It took a moment but he seem to realize that the she-wolf was staring back at him and when he did a small smile came to his face. Mahina took in the boy's face in silence, it took her very little time to spot the dried blood clinging to his nose and even less time to guess what cause the bleeding.
This must be Kileona.
"You're awake" the young male observed still smiling at the she-wolf "That's a surprise, I didn't think you'd be up again for a few days with all your wounds"
"…" Mahina stared at him in silence before glancing around the room she lay in only to find it was a den.
"You're safe, don't worry" the boy spoke up when he noticed her looking around.
"… Coming from the pack that attacked me" Mahina spoke up weakly "I don't believe that for a second"
"That was my mother" the pup explained calmly "Please don't hate her, it's not like she wanted to hurt you…"
"Obviously" the female's sarcasm was apparent and she hardly suppressed rolling her eyes.
"You were going hysterical" the pup went on to say "We were in Noble territory- if you had kept yelling and howling like that Jagura would have spotted us and destroyed us all"
"…" Mahina frowned "Jagura?"
"The Noble that attacked Darcia's keep" the pup nodded his head "She's been collecting wolves-we don't know how she finds us but we had just given her the slip around when we found you… so you can understand- I hope- why mother wanted to stop you from making so much noise while she was still nearby…"
"Whatever…" Mahina grumbled in response
"I bandaged you up though" the pup perked up and looked over the she-wolf's body, she did as well and saw that it was true, her bare body was covered in bandages- that was what that sensation was "And my mother didn't go that deep when she got you so your eye will be okay"
"Thank goodness" Mahina replied dryly before grunting as she pushed herself up from the ground.
"My names Kileona by the way" the pup perked as the slender female moved, he wagged his tail like a happy little pet, an action Mahina stare oddly at. Was it just her or did this pup seem a bit… excited to see Mahina. Kileona became still for a moment and a look of expectation crossed his face "…well?"
"What?" Mahina questioned
"Are you going to tell me your name?" the pup asked with a slight chuckle to his tine "You do have a name don't you?"
"Of course I have a name" Mahina snapped shooting Kileona an annoyed look that the pup seemed to brush off "…It's Mahina" the she-wolf answered finally.
"Mahina…" Kileona repeated the name with a hum "Well Mahina it's a good thing we found you when we did, you would have suffocated down there"
"Hardly" the female responded "if anything I would have died from my wounds"
"No, you wouldn't" Kileona scrunched up his face in bewilderment that Mahina mirrored.
"Yes, I would" she nodded, she had been in such pain before and after her fall Mahina could hardly breathe. The keep had swallowed her up, chewed her up and spat her out close to unfixably broken- actually she was surprised she could even move right now.
"But when we found you…"Kileona started to say but quickly fell silent sparking Mahina's curiosity.
"What?" the she-wolf turned her head to look at the pup with an eyebrow raised "…what about when you found me?"
"…" for once the pup frowned slightly "you mean you don't know?"
"Know what?" questioned Mahina but Kileona tipped his head up in self-thought with a hand to his chin.
"That's weird, I was almost certain that you had cause that, or at least been aware of it" the pup remarked, he was muttering to himself as he did. "…that's strange"
"What are you talking about?" Mahina questioned the pup
"Well" started Kileona "When we found you-"
"When you were found, you were surrounded by blooming Lunar Flowers" a new voice filled the den and silenced Kileona without effort. The pup perked up and looked past Mahina with new found excitement. Curious, the she-wolf looked as well though she had to turn her head completely because the side that face this voice was bandaged completely.
"Mother Kileona addressed the new comer.
A wolf nudge their way past the curtain that blocked out all the chill that would enter the den. The female was an off set of white- not pure white like Kiba but a fort of worn out color as if it was bright once but time and life had worn it down. She was big for a female and everything that made up her intimidating mas was pure muscle, even Mahina could see that. A deep scar ran across the left side of her face right under her eye and across the bridge of her nose.
She was ferocious, her very aura screaming that she was an alpha.
This was Kileona's mother apparently and she was also the one that took Mahina down. Seeing the she-wolf for herself, Mahina didn't actually feel that bad about being bested anymore.
Her human frame was curvy with a small waist but luscious hips. The definition of her muscles was easier to see in this form that her true one. Unlike her fur, she skin was olive in shade like her son that made her golden eyes stick out intensely. Her hair was waist long and brown. The alpha adjusted her black form-fitting shirt and sat before Mahina. The curtain moved one more time and a ember female entered the den this time, her eyes were a honey gold and her wispy mess of hair was the color of her fur. She shoved her hands into her fern green zip up sweatshirt and stared at Mahina. The she-wolf stared back though her attention was centered on what was around the young female's neck. It was as Mahina took in the young she-wolf's leather collar that the alpha spoke.
"I'm surprised to see you up" she spoke up meeting Mahina's crimson eyes without trouble "With your wounds you shouldn't be awake let alone sitting up"
"Yea, well" Mahina shrugged causally "I'm made of sturdy parts" the alpha smirked after hearing this "Sorry about you son"
Kileona- at Mahina's words- brought a hand to his face were dried blood caked around his nose and upper lip. He didn't seem bother by what happen to him though and he said as much with a chuckle and a shake of his head.
"Don't worry about it" he shrugged and grinned "every scar has a story and every wound is a lesson" Kileona's mother beamed quietly at him before her focus returned to Mahina.
"Kisa informed me that her and my son found you buried under ruble a few yards from Darica's keep" explained the mother "when they found you, your body was surrounded by Lunar flowers"
"Lunar flowers?" Mahina repeated and snorted slightly.
"It's true!" spoke up the female with the collar, this must be Kisa "There was no mistaking that scent. The Lunar flowers led me to where you were!"
"Kisa" the alpha fixed Kisa with a sharp stare that made her settle down.
"She's not lying" Kileona jumped in calmly "I saw it with my own eyes, so many white flowers glowing under the moonlight" the look that crossed the male's face made it clear he was recalling the sight as he spoke "and I could have sworn I heard them singing…"
Singing? This caught Mahina's attention. She stare curiously at Kileona.
"…are they still there?" she found herself asking "The Lunar Flowers, I mean"
"No" Kileona shook his head "almost as soon as I pulled you out they withered and died"
"all of them were gone within minutes" Kisa ocnclused
"…I see" Mahina muttered turning her gaze to her lap in deep thought. She tracked back to that vision in blinding white that she saw before Kileona and Kisa found her. The Hanabito and her words… did she protect Mahina and heal her? Mahina recalled the warmth that washed over her when she touched the imperfect being and how insistent she was that Mahina wasn't going to die.
There is still much to be done, she said, did she mean paradise?
"We feared the worst when we saw Jagura's fleet" the alpha broke Mahina's trail of thought "We thought she had found us again… imagine our surprise when she attacks Darcia's keep and simply leaves… and then…. We find you" her golden eyes burned into Mahina's crimson ones. "A wolf buried in Lunar Flowers"
"Your words have some kind of point to them, I just know it" Mahian replied with utter sarcasm in her voice. She saw Kisa gain a look of absolute horror at the older female's tone to an alpha.
But this wasn't Mahina's alpha.
"…" The she-wolf didn't seem at all offended by the tone, in fact for a second she seemed amused "I trust that my son informed you of the reason I had to…" she paused and looked to be trying to find the right words.
"Tried to claw my eye out?" Mahina offered
"Incapacitated you" the alpha decided and though Mahina fixed the alpha with a hard stare she nodded.
"Some Noble named Jagura has been hunting you pack down, tracking you wherever you go by some unknown means"
"Correct" the she-wolf nodded "and as I've said Jagua is also the one who attacked Darcia's earlier today" still Mahina could tell this she-wolf wasn't saying everything she wanted to say. She was easing into the point at a pace Mahina had no patience for.
"All these words and I still don't see what any of this has to do with me" she expressed as much.
"Hm" a smirk came to the alpha's face before a loo kof seriousness replaced it "In the years that we've spent running from Jagura I've learned some things:" the she-wolf spoke "it's not just this pack she's hunting and so far as wolves go she's not really hunting us"
"She's not?"
"She's gathering us?" the alpha explained "Collecting us if you will"
"Collecting wolves?" Mahina frowned at the idea "for what reason?"
"We don't know" the alpha shook her head "but that is where my point comes in and you as well"
"…I'm listening…"
"Over the years we've come across flocks of birds who's flight path is over Jagura's keep to the south of us and they've told us they've seen wolves escape that keep" the alpha explained "and every time one would, a fleet would follow shortly"
"I still don't see how I-"
"And then- just this morning- when we feared she had found us again, Jagura attacked Darica's keep instead…and we find you…" for some reason this alpha's golden gaze was beginning to feel more intense that when this conversation started and it left Mahina unsettled "buried in the ruble of the fallen keep, surround by flowers believed to no longer exist" there was a pause and Mahina was beginning to understand.
"…You think that I…" Mahina motioned to herself "That I was captured by this Jagura?" it came before she could stop it, the female laughed "on what grounds?"
"Darcia's keep-" the she-wolf offered but Mahina shook her head.
"Nobles have been attacking each other for as long as they've been killing us" she replied "I've been in three different keeps that were attack by Nobles at this point and I can promise you it wasn't because of me" though she wasn't about to go and tell them it was because of Cheza either. The alpha fell silent at this point "you have no reason to suspect me of anything and no reason to keep me here" Mahina continued and had no intention of staying. Toboe was out there, he need her.
"…" where Mahina expected protest she was met with more silence. The alpha female frowned and both she and her son exchanged looks before she turned her frowning gaze back to Mahina. "So you truly don't remember" the alpha mused
"Remember what?" Mahina snapped, all the odd glances and hinting words. All this dancing around the point was aggravating the female and she had no patience for it.
"The wild fire that scorched the earth…" the alpha answered and Mahina could feel the blood drain from her face. "The howls of countless trapped souls" in that moment Mahina became as transparent as fine-tempered glass. The alpha gained an all-knowing look, she could see it on Mahina's face that even is she had no memory of the event the crimson eyes she-wolf somehow knew.
Mahina knew the heat and the fire; the stench and the death of that night.
"How…" Mahina trailed off, she didn't even know what she was asking.
"You're different" the alpha spoke in a surprisingly soft tone "Your eyes are different, your scent is different… even your personality and name are different" the brown haired she-wolf let out a slight snort "Mahina" she said the name as if it were some sort of bad joke and rolled her eyes but a serious look came to her face quickly "That Noble changed so much about you but a mother never forgets her own"
"!" Mahina let out a strangled sound as she took in the alpha's words "Mother?"
"On the night Jagura first attacked us" the alpha spoke "she took my home, my mate, most of my pack; but the memory that always haunted me was having to watch-helplessly- as he soldiers took you away from me" golden locked with crimson and even though Mahina was doubtful the alpha she stared at looked certain, sincere. "Miakoda"
Noele hadn't been and alpha for very long on the night Jagura's fleet burned their home to the ground. It had only been two years so far and her second litter hadn't even opened their eyes yet. She remembered it so well, they were joining with a neighboring pack in the next couple of days but in the dead of night the Noble attacked.
Jagura's fleets descended upon Noele and her pack and as flames sparked to life and painted the sky shades of orange and red, the massacre began.
Noele's mate joined the fray as did most of the pups of her first littler while she stayed behind to protect the newborns.
Of her family only she stayed behind, only Miakoda.
She was slender like her father with a mix of both her parents fur-tough she favored Noele more- looking shaky and scared where she stood before the den but determined all the same. She would stay and protect her brothers and sisters with her last breath, who was Noele to stop the pup?
But then, things became serious as a soldier suddenly emerged from a wall of flames.
Noele turned to face the human with teeth bared and fur standing on end. This human would bleed before she let him anywhere near her pups. Noele snapped her teeth threateningly at the human and though he looked to hesitate he still aimed his gun at her. The alpha snarled louder and charged before the human could decide if he wanted to pull the trigger. But somehow his hand still found the trigger and in an instant of fear for his own life he pulled it.
BANG!
The gun shot rang out like an explosion and the bullet flew free meeting Noele in the middle of her lunge. The bullet burned hotter than fire itself and pain shot across the she-wolf's face, blood splattered up into her eye and Noele was left jerking away from the gun wielding human.
'No,No!' Maikoda cried out when Noele hit the ground. Noele looked up when she heard the thump of her pup running to her aid.
'Miakoda' Noele struggled to see her pup from among her bloodied vision 'Don't! Run!'
BANG!
The soldier spun round and fired at Miakoda. Noele screamed, she wanted to look away from the oncoming tragedy but her eyes remained fixed but what would have been a tragedy turned to surprised. Miakoda's tiny paws left the ground and the bullet mean for her was buried into the dirt where she once was. The pup took to the air sailing across the distance until her teeth found the gunman's nose and she clenched it. The force and weight of Miakoda falling back to the ground caused the humans nose to be ripped completely off.
Miakoda tumbled to the ground, rolling away from the soldier and spitting out his nose as he dropped his gun and screamed in agony.
'MaMa!' the pup didn't hesitate to run for her wounded mother once the deed was done but before she could even get close the pup not only found her path blocked but suddenly surrounded 'MaMa!' Miakoda whimpered.
'Don't you dare touch her!' Noele snarled baring her teeth and ready to attack. The humans were suddenly everywhere now, one of them appeared behind Noele and with a hard stomp slammed the she-wolf's head down on the ground and pinned her in place 'Miakoda!'
'MaMa!' Miakoda called with a yelp, Noele watched from her pinned place in horror as one of the soldiers grabbed her precious Miakoda by the scruff of her neck and snatched her up from the ground.
'Miakoda!' Noele struggled in vain to free herself but it was useless. The soldier pinning her delivered a swift blow to her head with the butt of his gun and left her delirious 'Miakoda!' she howled desperately but she could no longer hear her pups howling and crying.
The soliders that took Miakoda didn't bother to kill Noele, they left her dizzy and barely clinging to consciousness in that burning woods with the assumption that she would die. They were wrong, of course, despite the countless wolves taken that night many of Noele and her pack survived every wolf, dead and alive, was accounted for the next day when the flames had settled- all but Miakoda.
That was when Noele realized! They didn't kill her, they took her. This Noble stole Miakoda away, from that day on Noele never thought she'd live to see Miakoda again or learn what became of her.
It was hard for anyone to gauge what the injured she-wolf was thinking as Noele told her story. Mahina listened quietly and without interrupting, staring blankly at her lap through the whole tale and when it ended her gaze remained fixed a tense silence filled the den in which both Noele and her son watched Mahina with hopeful eyes, curious as to when the female might speak and what she would say.
When Mahina spoke she calmly and quietly asked to be left alone.
Reluctantly, the alpha granted Mahina's request gathering the two young wolves with her and leaving the den. The she-wolf sat in silence though she didn't spend it thinking about what she just learned. Actually, Mahina's mind wondered aimlessly, she thought of Toboe and how worried he must be about her, the little runt would be howling for Mahina all night and day if no one stopped him. Hopefully, Tsume and Hige got away safely and found him. Then, Mahina thought of Cheza. She hadn't sensed the Flower Maiden since she first woke up and right now the she-wolf didn't have the focus to reach out and search for the maiden. She wondered though, was Cheza okay? Did Cher get her to safety? Was she being treated well? Had Kiba found her?
Kiba…
The thought of the white wolf brought a pensive look to Mahina's once blank expression. Kiba would chase Cheza to the ends of the earth, Cheza would be fine but at what cost to Kiba? He wasn't afraid to die, so hard driven to find paradise that he didn't care how powerful the person in his way was. His focus was Cheza and paradise.
If only such determination meant anything in the face of battle.
Darcia had proven the worth of determination. He had demonstrated the power of the noble. Even a fallen house such as Darcia was able to decimate the pack with little effort imagine the destructive power this noble Jagura and her wolf hunting fleet must have,
'All that power and I was taken by them' the thought formed in Mahina's mind and everything came full circle.
Noele's worlds came spiraling back to Mahina with more clarity and sense than they had when she first heard them. Whether she liked it or not the revelation put something's into perspective, those dreams-the nightmares or mournful howls and fire, of tubes and tanks and green water… those were real?...those were memories? But why? What would a Noble need with a wolf? Why take one and kill the rest?
"You're different" Noele's declaration surfaced from Mahina's spiraling thoughts "That Noble changed so much about you"
"Different" Mahina repeated the word to herself and thought to those once cryptic dreams. That was it, Mahina had been altered-modified- for reasons unknown to her but she must have escaped. That wasn't the point though-or perhaps it was but Mahina wasn't focused on that. The pit of the she-wolf's stomach felt like it was dropping into a bottomless void as she thought of what Jagura might have done to her and what it might mean. "I'm different" Mahina spiraled back again, Noele-stripping her of all she was for all she currently was. "But than what does that make me?" the female questioned herself a loud "Who does that make me?"
Was she a wolf or a modified pet of a Noble?
Was she Mahina or was she Miakoda?
Has this search for Cheza and chasing paradise been something she had wanted or something programmed into her. The questions just kept spiraling around Mahina's head faster and faster until she felt dizzy. Slumping forward she gripped her head.
If she wasn't Mahina than who was she? Miakoda? Than who was that? What kind of wolf was this Miakoda? Did she like the same things that Mahina did? Did she walk the same? Talk the same? Was she better at hunting? Faster on her feet? Would she have spent almost all of her life chasing Cheza?
There were so many questions, Mahina laid back down as her head spun because of them all. Closing her eyes, Mahina let herself calm down, there was no point in working herself up she would only make her current condition worse. She had to put things into perspective again, she might have a lot of questions but there was someone who could answer some of them.
She waited for a while to rest and get enough strength back-it was only now that Mahina realized how exhausted she was- settling her mind enough to figure out where she should go from here. Mahina wasn't sure how long she'd spent laying there gathering her strength and mind but when she felt like she was ready to go out the she-wolf thought she hadn't spent nearly enough time resting. It was night when the female finally got up and walked out of the den she had been resting in. Noele wasn't hard to find, she sat a short distance from the entrance and when Mahina spotted her the female couldn't help but stare at the male who stood with her.
He was tall, towering over Mahina as she neared the pair with big broad shoulders. He wore a black coat that went down to his knees and what looked like dress pants. His hair was a dark shade of brown and though it appeared short and wild Mahina saw a long, braided ponytail hanging over his shoulder. The she-wolf was busy taking in the dozens of white and silver beads that decorated the braid when he turned around and crimson met electric blue.
"You're on your feet" Noele spoke up though Mahina kept her eyes on the male before her "You're recovering a lot faster than I thought you would" Mahina hummed to let the alpha know she had heard the comment. The male she stared at looked at Mahina with a look of expectation as if she should know him and perhaps she should have… if she had still been Miakoda maybe she would know him.
"…" with that thought in mind Mahina turned her gaze to Nole "I…" she paused for a moment "My name is Mahina" the statement pulled sullen looks from both Noele and the male she sat beside "I have no memories of this Miakoda… I don't know who that is and I don't think I can ever go back to being her" golden stared deep into crimson with a stern look but Mahina had never been one to back down from such examples of dominance "…but" she continued on in a soft, calm manner "I don't really know who-or what- Mahina is either… there are gaps in my memory, empty voids that I can't fill. I don't know how old Mahina is, I don't know why she seeks paradise, I don't know anything about the pack or family she had… if what you say is true… a Noble took those memories from me" Mahina thought this realization would anger her, that she would be shaking with rage for vengeance but all the she-wolf felt was calm. She stared back at the wolf claiming to be her mother with an expression of understanding of her situation "I don't think I'll ever get those memories back" Mahina confessed "but… I do want answers. I want to know what that Noble did to me and I want to know why"
"Will you go after Jagura?" Noele questioned
"Eventually" answered Mahina "but first I want to know exactly what she took from me" the male beside Noele perked slightly at this and the alpha looked generally surprised "I want to know Miakoda"
"…" Noele was quiet for a beat but a soft smile quickly graced her face and she reached out and took Mahina's hands in hers. "The first thing you should know is…" Noele spoke "you're just like your father"
Miakoda's father was given the name Nodin after the wind he was said to chase most of his young life. His frame was long and slender but what he lacked in size and muscle he made up for with speed and precision unlike anyone of his pack. He was an excellent leader, everything that he did-he did for the pack. He died the night Jagura attacked trying to protect the pack and help as many wolves as he could escape but there would never be it no other way.
Miakoda was just like him, Noele explained.
At a young age the pup showed a passion like none her age- a drive to see the pack prosper. If the day had ever come she would have made a wonderful alpha and if he had known that his pup had ripped a human's nose off protecting her siblings he would be proud.
Miakoda had six living siblings: four from Noele's first litter and two from the second. All of them varied in personalities and quirks that Mahina found herself introduced to later that night.
The first one she was introduced to was Jacy. Noele said that he was her twin and Mahina could see it- his fur was the same color and pattern as her own- but that was about all that they had alike. The tall male that Mahina first saw standing with Noele when she stepped out of the den didn't have the slender build that she did. Much like his human form, Jacy's true form was muscular and large like his mother that held just as much intimidation. A deep scar ran across his chest from his left collarbone to his right upper hip. Mahina couldn't help but stare at it when Noele turned her golden eyes to the eldest son.
"If I remember correctly, Kileona was very eager to introduce you to the rest of your siblings" she said calmly "we can talk more later. In the meantime, Jacy"
"Yes" Jacy spoke in a deep voice that seemed to match his tall, broad appearance.
"Why don't you sow Miakoda to the spring where your siblings are" Noele suggested "It will give you both time to reintroduce yourselves" Jacy didn't make any sounds that he would follow his mother's wishes, settling for simply turning away from the two females and going on his way. Mahina hesitated but after a reassuring nod from Noele she quickly ran after him.
The pack hid from Jagura in a forest and though Mahina didn't know exactly how deep in they were she could tell they were deep enough to stay undetected. Mahina quietly trailed behind Jacy as they walked along narrow paths not ruled yet by tree roots. She took in everything and everyone she past the best she could with her uncovered right eye and what she saw interested her greatly. Never could Mahina remember seeing as many wolves as she did in that short walk; not even Zari's pack was this big. The she-wolf observed in quiet awe wolves ranging from pups to the elderly milling about the wood on their own task though they all held two things in common; everyone sported a scar of some sort somewhere on their body and all of them took a moment to pause to stare at the female with a not subtle curiousity.
It left Mahina feeling exposed and the she-wolf couldn't help but wonder, as an elderly female took an extra-long moment to stare, if Noele's pack was as 'welcoming' to outsiders as Zari's had been.
"Don't mind them" Jacy spoke up earning Mahina's gaze. The much taller male continued to look straight ahead as he walked sparing none of the wolves he passed so much as a glance "They're just curious, you're the first wolf we've ever found alive on a sight that Jagura sent her fleet through" it was most the male had spoken since they'd started walking and thought she'd only just met him Mahina had a feeling that Jacy wasn't much of a talker. Not that this fact bothered the she-wolf at all, given her current condition she wasn't in much of a mood for a chatter either.
Still, Mahina had questions.
"And yet your pack has greater numbers than I've seen before" she commented
"Our pack" Jacy paused in his walking leaving just enough time for Mahina to avoid walking into him.
"…excuse me?"
"When you referd to us just now" Jacuy explained glancing over his shoulder to stare down at Mahina "You called it 'My pack' but that is wrong"
"…Oh?" Mahina arched her none covered brow
"You belong in this pack as well, Miakoda" the male spoke on addressing Mahina by the name she felt nothing for. The she-wolf frowned and turned her gaze away from Jacy's electric blue gaze "this isn't just my pack… it is our pack"
"I have no memory of this pack" Mahina felt she should remind the male but with a stoic expression he shook his head.
"Even if you know nothing of yourself" Jacy spoke in a matter-of-fact tone that- like an invisible hand- tipped Mahina's chin up and forced her to stare the male in the eyes "I do" Jacy declared with certainty "I know you very well"
"…" Mahina knew no way to respond to this though she wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was the way his eyes didn't waver when he spoke or maybe it was the certainty in his voice and tone. Either way the she-wolf fell into silence and watched her apparent twin as he lowered his gaze and eventually turned back around.
"Miakoda was the first of us to be born, they say" Jacy spoke beginning to move again, Mahina stumbled at first but she quickly caught up with the larger wolf "Charging out, yelping and crying, Mother says she led the rest of us out… like she was born to it"
Jacy went on like this for a while, describing the twin that he had known, Miakoda was playful with wide eyes of wonder and curiosity- while her siblings were ever so weary and cautious of the world around them Miakoda saw the unknown as an invitation always setting a path for others to follow. Jacy, however, had been more cautious. Sticking with his twin the large male noted, with a chuckle of amusement, that he was the reason Miakoda lived to see a year of life. He'd save her from a bear once-so he claims- and ever since then he'd never left her side.
Except, of course, for that night.
"…" it was just as the two of them turned down a path that took them from the rest of the packs sight that Jacy suddenly stopped walking again. "… I thought that she would be okay" he confessed aloud, Mahina could see his hands shaking as he did "The den was deep in our territory. So, I let her stay behind thinking she would be safe but…" Jacy let his sentence hang but Mahina knew what he meant to say.
But it wasn't safe. But they took Miakoda.
"..." The male was met with silence from Mahina and a deep from began to form on her face. Should she say something? But what could she say? Honestly? She knew very little of Jacy and even less of Miakoda so what could she say about the situation she had no memory of? What did Jacy search for when he looked back at her this time? His once stoic face now seemed weary yet hopeful.
"Did they hurt you?" the question surprised Mahina and she blinked bewildered by it "did they lock you in a cage? beat you?... experiment on you?" Jacy cringed at his own mind. The sheer thought of what might have befallen his sister during her years of captivity sickened him.
Mahina couldn't lie to Jacy and tell him nothing happen to her just like she couldn't really say that terrible things happend to her. The she-wolf couldn't remember and so didn't know the truth of it all. Mahina frowned upon meeting Jacy's gaze; she could see the guilt in the male's eyes but she could do nothingto settle it.
"I honestly don't know" the she-wolf confessed quietly "I don't have many memories of it all... just bits and pieces"
"...I see" Jacy mused, he seemed to realize he'd been staring at Mahina for after another moment of staring he turned back around and looked forward. "Right... It's probably better if you can't remember any of what may have happen to you..." after Jacy said this he went on walking in silence and Mahina- feeling slightly disatified by the result of the conversation- quietly followed.
Farther down the path they walked in silence until a sound began to reach Mahina's ears. at first it sounded like an odd thumping sound stating slow but sounding like they were getting faster as she drew near. Mahina strained her ears to hear the pounding sound.
"What..." she paused as they neared a break in the trees and the thumping got louder "What is the sound?"
"Those fools" Jacy grumbled from infront of Mahina "Mother told them about making such noises"
"Them?" Mahina echoed stepping over a fallen branch and out into the open.
The opening wasn't very large, the sky above was covered by the trees mostly. the small patches of sky not covered were pitch black and seemed to emphasis the pale red moon within it. Mahina stared up at the moon until JAcy stepped forward allowing the she-wolf space to look at the rest of the clearing. there wasn't much to see though, just a simple river with a sandy shore on either side. the scene would look peacful if the moon didn't cast such an errie shade or red on the landscape. The thumping that Mahina heard came from a small group of wolves sitting around a fire. there were four of them and one moved about the fire with amazing grace. Mahian quietly trailed after Jacy and kept her eye fixed on the moving figure.
A very slender female, this wolfs human form appeared tall from where Mahina watched her. she was of a faintly olive shade against the fire light with wild curls of brown hair that framed her face and moved about her head as if they had their own mind as she moved. She moved with ease in a grey sweater that looked far too big for her and as she spun around the fire recklessly her long, black skirt moved about her like a wave.
The three wolves around her stomped their feet against the ground and with each 'Thump' the moving she-wolf leaped or twirled or swayed and that was when Mahina realized...
"... She's dancing!" she voiced aloud.
Faster than light, the four wolves stopped and turned their attention to Mahina. the stomping wolves stopped and one quickly shot to his feet. the dancing female stopped mid-twirl, her skirt wrapping abotu her legs from the momentum, her arms were raised over her head and she turned her head to look back at Mahina.
A silence quickly fell upon all of them.
An uncomfortable silence that made Mahian feel embarrassed for speaking. Suddenly embarrassed with herself, Mahina quickly stepped behind Jacy's massive form.
"...Oh!" The male who stood up chirped after a moment of staring "Jacy! It's just you!" he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck "I thought you were-"
"Who? Mother?" questioned Jacy "Who- I'm certain- will be upeset if she found you all making so much noise"
"I was going to say 'one of Jagura's soldiers' actually" the other male shot back with his hands on his hips before theatrically sighing and crossing his arms "and we weren't making that much noise, don't be such a kill joy!"
"Tate..." one of the seated wolves, a mousy little female with a soft voice, spoke up "You shouldn't speak to him like that... he's the oldest"
"By what? a few minutes?" the one known as Tate snorted in response "Listen, Chepi, your big brother Jacy and I are from the same litter. So, there really is no older brother"
" thta's funny because you defiently act like an immature younger brother if you ask me" this wolf Mahian recognized. Kileona sat beside the small female named Chepi, smirking up at Tate. Tate scowled quickly reaching down and pinching the younger wolf's face so hard he yelped out.
"Say that to my face, ya little brat!" Tate barked out in annoyance.
"Ow, Ow, Ow!" yelped the pup "I'm telling mother!"
"You better not, Mama's boy!"
"Jacy" The once dancing female finally spoke up. Her voice was a low hum of a picth and smooth as polished glass, just speaking Jacy's name brought focus back to the wolves she stood among "...who is that standing behind you" Mahina tensed slightly under the female's blue eyes and though she felt like moving out of the curious gaze of the four wolves Jacy made it impossible by stepping out of the way.
Kileona recognized her immediately. Perking up upon seeing her, the pup stood up.
"Miakoda!" he yipped out the name.
"Miakoda..." Tate repeated the name softly and he looked Mahina's bandaged form over carefully. The feel of the area changed dramatically now that everyone knew who she was- or rather who she was supposed to be- and not everyone looked at Mahina in quiet curiosity.
The once dancing female who had noticed Mahina's presence seemed to stare at her in a harsher way than was necessary. She let her raised arms drop to either side of her body and said nothing. Mahina met her gaze as Tate took a tentative step forward.
"But Mikaoda was..." he trailed off.
"Mother looked her over" Jacy explained shoving his hands into his pockets and walking forward, leaving Mahina standing alone as he took a seat by the fire "and she said that this is Miakoda"
"I suppose I can't doubt mothers judgment" Tate muttered before he began to move with more certainty. Tate was before Mahina before the she-wolf really noticed his presence, when she finally realized he was there she fought a look of surprise that tried to come to her face and she quickly took a step back to put some distance between her and the grinning male "Hey Mia" he greeted her cheerfully but Mahina didn't know him so instead of replying she stared at him. "...Uh" Tate seem to notice the she-wolf's lack of response and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Miakoda has no memories of us" Jacy explained when Tate looked back at him for an explanation.
"Amnesia, huh?" Tate mused turning back to look Mahina over "well I guess is you're trapped in Jagura's keep for all those years you'd definitely want to forget everything" still, despite the look of caution Mahina fixed Tate with, the male offer her a great big smile "Then I guess I'll introduce myself huh? The names Tate" he pointed to himself "I'm you littermate... and guess if we go by order of who came out I'm your younger brother- oh you're the oldest if you're wondering uh... geez this is weird"
"That's your own fault" snickered Kileona
"Hush you" Tate shot the pup a glare before he was grinning at Mahina again.
Unlike his mother, Tate's fur was mostly white though his back was brown with stripes of black. He was a tall, slender male with a build similar to Mahina's. The she-wolf couldn't help but notice though that Tate- who was still talking at the moment- had an 'X' shaped scar over his right eye and his right fang was missing. Tate's human shift only slightly differed from his siblings. He was a lighter shade of olive compared to the others. Tate's chestnut hair was short and wild on his head. He wore a cream colored hoodie and a form fitting black t-shirt under with jeans. As Mahina took a tentative step forward she caught the sight of an earring in his left ear of what looked like a fang... was it his?
Someone so young and obviously cheerful shouldn't bare such scars.
"But anyway..." whatever Tate had planned to rant on about suddenly became lost to him once he turned around and realized Mahina stood right before him.
"..." Mahina felt a twinge of sorrow and awe as she reached up a hand and placed it on the male's right cheek. taking in her expression, the male stared at Mahina with soft eyes and an even softer smile. He placed his hand over hers and nuzzled it affectionately "These scars..." Mahina voiced
"They're nothing" Tate shook his head "the stupid human got cocky, but I got him- thought he could take my tooth as a prize but I got that back too!" the male grinned pointing to his earring. With her free hand Mahina touched the bonewhite fang. He was so casual about it that Mahina wondered if he even cared about the loss. If she had never been taken, would this have happen to Tate?
If she had remained Miakoda, could she have stopped this?
"Come on" Tate took hold of both of Mahina's hands and nodded his head towards the fire "It's storming outside these woods so it's a bit chilly" the male took a step back but Mahina tensed up. Her response didn't bother Tate "Come sit by the fire, Mia" he said giving Mahina's hands a reassuring squeeze "I'll catch you up on everything"
Like his brother, Tate held an air of certainty. It was a look that told Mahina that even though she knew nothing he knew everything and he would trach her everything no matter how long it took. His hands held her tenderly with such warmth and understanding for Mahina's situation.
Mahina wasn't sure if it was Miakoda stirring somewhere within her of just Tate's over all friendliness. Either way, she felt the warmth and affection of this male towards the she-wolf he thought to be his sister. Mahina stared from her hands up into Tate's eyes before she found herself returning his warm smile with all sincerity.
"Okay" she found herself humming happily.
" and then, out of nowhere, this gigantic bear comes up from out of the bushes, standing on its hind legs and it towered of the runt and I!" the light of the fire cast a great shadow on the tree behind him as Tate stood up and imitated the creature from his story. From her seat Mahina stared up at the great show in awe- it almost looked like a giant bear. "It had claws like giant daggers and scars all over its body. A wild guy, he was-and none too happy with us- I tell ya"
"What did you do?" asked Mahina
"What a dignified wolf would do, of course" Tate snickered crossing his arms and smirking with pride "We turned tail and hauled ass out of there"
"You..." Mahina gave Tate a very bewildered look, she expected the tale to continue with details of a fierce- seemingly impossible- battle. The truth pulled a smile out of the she-wolf and seen she was holding her stomach in hard laughter. The cheery male grinned victoriously while Kileona and Jacy exchanged looks from across the fire."That's hardly a story to be proud of!" Mahina laughed out.
"What do you mean? I happen to be very proud of my quick thinking and overall speed when faced with such danger" Tate declared dropping back down in his seat beside Mahina.
Most of the night so far, Tate had been entertaining his siblings and Mahina by retelling tales of past adventures. He was a happy-go-lucky male who didn't seem to know how to stop talking-much like his name entailed. His favorite story was the one about his fang: how one of Jagura's men-thinking Tate was dead- took the male's right fang only to invoke wrath and death as result.
"Can't really do much with only on fang anyway" remarked Kileona
"Hey!" Tate glared at Kileona sparking a fit of giggles from Mahina.
"Um..." a small and fragile voice spoke up from the other side of Mahina and the she-wolf turned her head to gaze at the owner. She was a mousy little female named Chepi and she was Mahina's baby sister.
On then night that she was taken away, Mahina- as Miakoda, protected her newborn siblings from being found and killed. Unfortunately, the smoke and fire took two pups from the litter leaving Kileona and Chepi as the soul survivors.
IT was explained to Mahina that the smoke nearly took Chepi but death spared her at the cost of her general health. She was a thin little wolf-not sickly thin but not at all normal. Her fur was a pure white like her mothers though black lined her back. Chepi's human shift was petite and fragile in looks with olive skin. Her hair was long, straight and earth brown reaching her wait. In her sky blue off the shoulder long sleeve dress with white lace up the back and black boots that reached her knees Chepi barely gave off a hint that she was a wolf.
"...Miakoda..." Her voice was soft but Mahina heard her all the same "Kileona said you had an old scar on your back... like you'd been shot..." Chepi stared at the fire for a moment before her honey eyes met Mahina's crimson ones "Were...Were you shot?"
The question startled Mahina and it showed on her face, an expression that Chepi didn't miss.
"Uh-you don't have to tell me" the petite female spoke up quickly
"It's alright, Chepi" Mahina spoke up just as softly "Time has past since the night it happen..." the she-wolf brought her hand to her shoulder near where that old man had buried a bullet into her. This scar declared Mahina's devotion to Cheza... if she had never been taken would the idea of earning it have meant anything to her?
Mahina sighed at the question she almost couldn't help but pose for herself.
"I have many scars, little one" the she-wolf offered the fragile little creature a soft gaze to assure that no offense was taken from her curiousity "many of which almost caused my death" it was almost funny how often this world seem to try to end her life but she just kept ticking. Even when Mahina herself had given up she just wouldn't die. Staring down at fragile, little Chepi Mahina hoped this world had been kind to her "i'm still alive, that's all that matters"
"Why don't you tell us about some of those near death experiences"
"Ayita" Jacy snapped immediately
This was the first time she'd addressed Mahina- the dancing female wolf- and her tone was none too kind. Mahina stared across the dancing flames at the fellow she-wolf's stony expression. So her name was Ayita then?
"What?" Ayita snapped back fixing her brother with a hard stare before her blue eyes found Mahina's crimson ones "Our sister is as much a stranger to us as we are to her. I'm certain I'm not the only one who has questions"
Of course her statement held water, Mahina could see it in the expressions of her siblings that they too were curious of her. The she-wolf sighed toying with the idea of telling them stories- of being shot by the wolf hunter of nearly killed by Darcia...
"Perhaps one day" Mahina responded turning her eyes to the slowly dying fire "but not today" she pushed herself to her feet.
"Mia" Tate was on his feet when the female wobbled slightly but she held out a hand letting him know she was okay.
"It's late" Mahina declared tiredly "and though I'm on my feet i still have some recovering to do"
"I'll help you back to the den" Tate stated persistently and though Mahina would have preferred to find her own way back she couldn't deny the fact that she didn't know her way around and she was much too tired to argue. So she nodded and with quiet bids of goodnight Mahina and Tate left the clearing together.
"Sorry about Ayita" Tate was quick to apologize for the she-wolf the minute he and Mahina were out of view of their siblings. Mahina shook her head though Tate didn't see it from his place in front of her.
"She had her reasons" Mahina respond with a shrug of her shoulders "Besides... it's not like the rest of you weren't asking the same questions..." Tate paused before her but Mahina kept walking "Quietly in your minds, of course" she breathed out as she calmly brushed past Tate and turned onto the path that lead back to the den.
"...Mia" Tate called out to Mahina; she stopped but didn't look back at the male, the once cheerful wolf spoke on either way " I know you're tired and all but... I do have one question i wanted to ask..."
"..." Mahina said nothing in response, since she voice no protest to the question Tate spoke on.
"All this time that you've been free from Jagura, did you ever look for us?" he asked a bit hesitantly, Mahina could feel Tate's gaze on the back of her head " I don't mean us specifically but just family in general, you know... an old pack"
"...no" Mahina answered honestly after giving the question a moment of thought. When she looekd back at Tate the male held a troubled expression "I did wonder what everyone was like once or twice, but the idea of actively searching for you seemed pointless"
"But we looked for you" Tate spoke up through clenched teeth "We looekd for you for years"
"Because you knew me" Mahina didn't hesitate to reply turning back to face her brother "you knew Miakoda, you had memories of her to remind you that there was a chance that she was still out there... I" Mahina motioned to herself "had nothing. No faces, no names, no happy stories about bears and chasing foxes. the only thing I had on the day I woke up with nothing was my name... Mahina" the female confessed but thought bitterly that even her name was given to her by a Noble. "When I looked at this would all i saw was death, I figured if I had a family they were gone"
And so she chased Cheza and paradise because at the time Mahina believe she had nothing else, but now it just felt like someone made it so she knew nothing else.
"Mia-" Tate started
"Mahina" Mahina corrested him sharply "That's my name"
"..." Tate frowned but didn't seem offended "are you sure of that?" the question silenced the female, really she had no strong answer to that.
"You don't have to walk with me anymore" Mahina mused quietly turning her back on Tate "I can find my way back form here" before Tate could say anything Mahina was gone.
Darkness seemed to be the theme of Mahina's dreams as of recent. She opened her eyes to an empty void that seemed to go on forever. Groaning slightly, the she-wolf pushed herself to her feet grateful to have motion in a dream for once. She turned slowly taking in the void she stood within for a sign she wasn't alone.
She wasn't.
Mahina quickly spotted a figure standing within the darkness looking about as she did and after a few minutes of staring the she-wolf easily recognized who the figure was.
"Kiba" Mahina;s voice echoed around them sounding softer than the female had intened it to. Kiba spun around as Mahina drew close and Azure met Crimson. "Kiba..." Mahina felt a swell of relief bubble within her at the sight of the white wolf. of course, she figured that Kiba would escape the keep alive but seeing him-standing there before her- felt like some of this heavy burden on Mahina's shoulders was gone. Smiling, Mahina reached for him her moth slightly open in a silent beckon for him to come to her.
Come, she wanted to say, let's keep going to Paradise, together.
Kiba looked at Mahina's extended hand before taking in her face but not once did the white wolf show any sign he recognized her.
"...who are you?" the question didn't echo like Mahina's voice did "Do I know you?"
"..." Mahina opened her mouth to insist that he did but the words lost strength before they could reach her tongue. Instead Mahina sighed, did Kiba really know her? "...I guess not..." the she-wolf confessed honestly, she smiled sadly at Kiba and turned away from him. Kiba faded into the darkness as she did. "... who am I?" the question echoed around her and a loud hoot replied.
Who are you? What are you? I don't know.
"This voice..." Mahina muttered spinning around in hopes of spotting who spoke to her. She'd only heard it briefly- and in a state of delirium- but Mahina remembered it. This was the owl from The Forest of Death. With a loud hoot the owl suddenly appeared, swooping over Mahina's head and off into the distance.
But what defines who a creature is and who decides what creature is?... I dont know.
The she-wolf didn't hesitate to chase after the bird, running through the endless black in slight hope that this elusive owl would give her some kind of answer.
Who are you? What are you?
Why do you exist?
So many questions, so little answers.
Answers only lead to more questions with all the same answers.
Around and around and around.
Who are you? What are you? Why do you exist?
I don't know...
Mahina made sure she kept that pesky owl in her sights. He flew a good distance away but not so much that the she-wolf couldn't catch up to him. But then, suddenl, something took shape before Mahina and she hd to skid to a halt just to keep from running into it. Mahina stumbled back when she took in the little creature. It was a pup, a slender female whose coat matched theshe-wolf's with big silver eyes.
"M...Miakoda" the name escaped Mahina's lips at the pup's eyes bore inot her. the sight was unnerving enough to make the she-wolf try and put as much distance between her and the pup as possible but within the first few step she backed into someone. Mahina spun around with a sharp gasp, across from Miakoda stood a young girl. Her hair was black and long draping over her body and sticking wet to her pale skin. Her eyes were big and an intense red that Mahina almost cringed at. She said nothing, this little girl, she just stood there silently as Miakoda and stared. Disturbed by the sight Mahina made for an escape but her path was still blocked by a figure matching Mahina's height.
Long black hair fell off her shoulders in waves that ran past her waist, a white gown hugged her slender frame. Mahina recognized this woman as the ghostly phantom that haunted the keep where Cheza was born but now she stood before Mahina rather than hiding in the shadows. She did nothing, said nothing only stared, from the black hair that framed that pale face bright Crimson eyes burned into Mahina's core and the She-wolf cringed under the feeling.
"What is this?" the female questioned looking around her t the three girls staring at her "Why are you here? What does this mean?!"
"Its mean nothing" Mahina spun around at the voice that replied to her question. at first she thought a mirror stood before her but Mahina quickly realized she was staring at herself all bandaged and bloodied. This reflection of herself completed the square and boxed the she-wolf in, she was trapped "Honestly?" her copy spoke on "all of this... it means nothing"
"Nothing?" Mahina whimpered hugging herself
"Nothing" her copy echoed, above them the owl hooted and circled "for nothing has meaning if you don't have a self"
What happens if you know not who you are or what you are?
Nothing.
To have no self is to have no goals.
To have no goals is to have no meaning.
To have no meaning is to have no answers.
No answers means many questions.
Who are you? What are you? Why do you exist? Why were you created?
I don't know...You don't know.
There is nothing if there is no self.
"If there is no self?" Mahina echoed, she watched the owl over her head as his words- along with his hooting- echoed around her.
Around and around and around still.
The circle is endless!
Endlessly spinning! Endlessly lost!
An end is a beginning and a beginning is an end.
And so the cycle continues.
Around and around and around once more.
Where did it begin? where does it end?
I don't know...You don't know
Without a self we may never know...
The owl's words echoed around Mahina as did his hooting and none of it made a bit of sense. none of it but one thing...
"If I have no sense of self...I'm lost?" Mahina voiced to herself before her vision suddenly swam before her eyes and her body lost all strength.
"You're healing a lot faster than I think i've ever seen anyone heal"
"What can I say... I'm made of sturdy parts"
"..." pausing in what they were doing, both Kileona and Chepi frowned as did Mahina. The comment was meant to be a joke but given the situation it would be surprising is either of them could get out a chuckle.
"...Sorry" the she-wolf apologized
"No, It's alright" Kileona shook his head as chepi went back to unraveling the bandages that were wrapped around Mahina's head.
A day had past since Mahina had been reunited with her family and she spent most of it resting. Now, on the morning of the second day, Noele had deemed Mahina well enough to travel and declared that the pack would continue south. she planned to pass Jagura's keep and get as far south as south went. Mahina had agreed to join the pack as he had questions for the Noble.
Besides, Jagura had taken Cheza and that meant Kiba would be...
"...Hm" The she-wolf stare off into nothing at the thought of the male, Kileona took notice.
"Thinking about your old pack again?" the pup questioned grinning with amusment when Mahina offered him a slightly startled expression.
"Are you worried about them?" asked Chepi
"... A bit" Mahina confessed with a shrug "there was a pup among them... a little runt that reminds me of you a bit" she motioned to Kileona
"I'm not a runt" Kileona pouted to which Mahina chuckled at.
"He says that a lot too..." she remarked
"Toboe... was that his name?" Mahina nodded her head at Kileona's words
"How did you?..."
"When Kisa and I found you that was the name you kept screaming" the pup explained "he must mean a lot to you"
"In a way I guess..." Mahina smiled fondly "scrawny little runt can hardly take care of himself. I guess that's what drew me to him..."
"You wanted to protect him" Kileona explained, Mahina nodded in agreement and a silence came to the three as the last of the bandaged fell from the she-wolf's head "...you want to know my only regret?" Kileona spoke up after a moment. Mahina didn't voice a response but she met his eyes indicating he could continue "When we got a little older Mother told Chepi and I about you and what you did. How you sacrificed yourself to protect us..." Kileona and Chepi met eyes before Kileona smiled fondly at Mahina "We thought you were so cool Miakoda" he confessed
"I... I'm hardly anything like that" Mahina remarked bashfully.
"It's true" Chepi spoke in her normally soft voice "We always as ourselves:...'What would Miakoda do?' when we're in trouble" These two... their eyes hummed with the warmth of their fond memories, the sight of it made Mahina smile.
"My only regret in life" Kileona spoke up "Is that I hadn't been old enough to meet my big sister Miakoda" he confessed with a hint of sorrow in his voice. From her place beside him Chepi nodded her head in agreement.
Mahina frowned, she must be such a disappointment. Sure, she was here now but so far the female had done nothing but stubbornly deny that she was the wolf everyone claimed she was.
"Kileona... Chepi..." Mahina mused "I'm sorry that I can't be that same sister that you remember"
"What do you mean?" Kileona arched a brow at Mahina "Mia... you could barely walk when I found you, I don't even think you could see... butwhen you heard that wolf howling for you, you fought your hardest jsut to get to him... Just like you fought to save Chepi and I" Kileona took both of Mahina's hands and squeezed them tightly. "Mahina or Miakoda I don't care what you decide your name is. When I think of my big sister... I think of how willing she was to sacrifice herself for others."
"..." Mahina was speechless before an almost miserable look came to her face and the she-wolf couldn't take it anymore. With a hard yank both young pups fell forward into Mahina's open arms where she enveloped them in a tight hug.
"Ah!" Chepi yelped in surprise
"M-Mia-" Kileona stammered out
"I want to be her again" Mahina gave her emotions words "the sister you both remember, The Miakoda you hoped for..."
"But that's what we've been trying to tell you" Kileona chuckled, both her and Chepi smiled at each other before they circled Mahina in their arms allowing her to pull them close and bury her face between them "You're all we've ever imagined and more" Kileona assured Mahina running a hand over her head.
"A name" Chepi added with a tone of wisdom far beyond her years "is just a name. You are the values you hold and the actions you take in life" Mahina found no power in her voice at that point, she simply nodded and continued to clutch the two pups like there were life itself.
It took Mahina a couple of minutes to finally gather herself enough to exit the den. The woods were livelier than they had been two days ago, head counts were taking place, mothers called to their pups while others simply stood around idly waiting for the pack to move out as a whole.
Currently, Mahina stared at herself in the reflection of the nearby stream with grown curiosity. Her human shift had changed. once long, black hair was now short, boyish in style and windswept. It almost looked like Tates hair if it wasn't for the fact that it was black. Her jeans were now jean shorts and her white blouse had become a purple halter top exposing her back and revealing to Mahina the extended damage done to her. Of course there was the scar from the bullet on her shoulder but thanks to more recent confrontations with Nobles there was no place left on the she-wolf's back that was left unmarred. Mahina didn't mind of course, she gazed at the dark scars that criss-crossed her back with admiration and pride.
"looks good on you" Mahina stopped looking at her back quickly meeting eyes with Jacy. The male had his arms crossed behind his back and a small smirk on his face. "...you look surprised..." he observed.
"My hair is shorter" Mahina explained shrugging on the gray jacket that she now had in place of her hoode "My clothes have changed too... I've never..." she trailed off, Jacy's smirk grew a bit before e slowly made his way to Mahina's side.
"Tell me" he spoke "when you see an elder do you assume their shift always looked so old?" it was a good question, Mahina frowned when she realized she'd never actually thought about it "What about the pups, do you assume they will always look so child-like?"
"...No...I suppose they wouldn't?" Mahina hummed.
"Our human shift" spoke Jacy as he stepped forward until he stood beside Mahina "Is an illusion we use to hide ourselves from the humans who wish us dead. They change depending on our age, the place where we are born and the experience in our lives" he explained watching Mahina as she examined the three long, dark slash marks that ran down the left side of her face where Noele had attacked her just two days ago. She lightly touched the scar before turning back to Jacy.
"It does make sense" she mused
"In there past two days you've gone through a great emotional event, its changed you and who you see yourself as and so your shift-too- has changed" Jacy smiled warmly at Mahina reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair out of her face "Like a camilien blending into nature" he spoke fondly.
"Of a snake shedding its old skin" a new voice joined the conversation with a sting of venom that Mahina had grown use to.
The paur turned their focus to the she-wolf who now approached them. Ayita fixed Mahina with a hard look but Mahina wasn't bothered by it at this point.
"Ayita" Jacy sighed "enough of this nonsense"
"It is not nonsense" Ayita snarled "why does everyone say that i'm speaking nonsense?"
"Come on, give it a rest already" Tate spoke from nearby. he stepped forward to join the slowly brewing argument.
"Why? Because i ask the questions that no one seems to think to ask?" Ayita shot back before motioning to Mahina "Because I refuse to simply accept that this stranger is who she says she is"
"I've said no such things" Mahina voiced calmly only to be drowned out by Ayita snarling
"You are a liar and a fake!" she accused pointing a harsh finger at Mahina
"Ayita!" Jacy barked out in anger, he bared his fangs at his sister "are you saying you doubt mother?" the area became tense as the pack standing about whispered and mutter among themselves "Choose your next words carefully Ayita"
"I do not" Ayita answered with a shake of her head "Mother is careful, I know she would not make such decisions lightly, but I refuse to belie that this she-wolf is the Miakoda taken from us years ago!" the female sneered slightly when she said the name "Do I even dare to call you Miakoda or do you prefer Mahina?"
"..." honestly Mahina didn't care but she felt if she said that Ayita would simply scream over her again.
"I see the truth" the female ranted on "the others pretend they don't but I see it. What is the possibility of not only Jagura not killing when she took you- but that you would somehow escape and somehow run into us your 'long lost pack' " it was at this point that Mahina was starting to see the picture the female was painting and she didn't like it one bit. "There are only two ways a wolf gets out of Jagura's keep" Ayita declared loudly for everyone to hear "Either- by some dumbluck- the escaped or she let them go"
"Ayita"
"Shup up Tate" Ayita snarled fixing her angered glare on her brother before looking back at Mahina who was glaring right back t her now "It makes sense doesn't it?" she was egging MAhina on and they both knew it. "What better way to hunt wolves then to set one loose and track it!"
"Enough!" a new voice shouted over the yelling and all in the area fell still and silent. All the commotion had attracted the Alpha and as she came int view Noele did not look please "What is the meaning of all this noise" she held authority in her voice that caused a flicker of fear to cross Ayita's face.
"Mother..." after all that overzealous finger pointing Ayita lost most of her confidence in the face of her more dominant mother.
"My dear sister" Mahina spoke up "was explaining that I may possibly be some sort of tracker for Jagura"
"Don't call me your sister" Ayita growled feirsly "Miakoda... Mahina-whoever you call yourself! you have no right to call me sister!"
Ayita" Noel spoke sternly, the female addressed fell silent "we spoke of this last night, I don't want to hear another word"
"But-"
"Ayita" Noele was now a mother lecturing a stubborn child, Ayita frowned deeply "That's enough"
"It's fine" finally, after listening to Ayita's ranting and raving and accusing, Mahina spoke up. all heads turned to look at her "Really it is"
"Mia"
"Miakoda, Mahina. Call me what you want, ' ." the statement seemed ot take Ayita by surprise "Scrawny, Mahi, devil... this one" the last one Mahina spoke in a soft whisper of a voice "A name is just a name, nothing else" slowly Mahina took a step forward and approached Ayita not flinching even as the she-wolf snarled dangerously at her "It doesn't matter, I know who i am regardless of who calls me what and you know what you're right, I'm not the Miakoda you remember and that's because she's dead!"
"She's-" Ayita looked speechless for a second but quickly became furious "How dare you!" she bared her teeth at Mahina and with a snarl and a loud bark she charged.
Mahna didn't flinch letting the she-wolf pounce her and pin her to the ground even as Noele yelled for them to stop. the pair rolled and tumbled about kicking up dust sparking yelling among the rest of the pack.
"Stop it, both of you!" Noele stepped forward but paused. there was a cloud of dust surrounding them, The Alpha wasn't sure who was who "I said enough!"
The fighting did stop but only after Mahina's teeth found flesh and Ayita shrieked out in pain. Copper blood filled Mahina's mouth and the hand that she bit into twitched, clenching and unclenching while its owner whimpered in pain. With her free hand Ayita slugged Mahina hard enough to make her let go allowing the female room to jump back but Mahina wasn't done with Ayita yet. She charged the brown she-wolf ramming her body into her hard enough to take her off her feet and onto her back. Still upon the stunned female Mahina slammed a weather shoe against Ayita's chest and pinned her down knocking the air out of her at the same time. Mahina watched her so-called sister cough and gasp for air with blank-almost passive eyes.
"Your threats are a joke" she taunted the downed female "A joke yapped out by a bitch throwing a temper tantrum and i'm not afraid of you. Death itself can't contain me- and trust me, it's always trying- so what makes you think i'm even worried about what you say?" she pressed her foot down firmly on Ayita's chest when she tried to move and fixed her with a look fueled by all her current anger "That noble you so stupidly accused me of tracking wolves for took something from me, something precious... something .back. and i plan to get it. I will find Jagura, I will get all the information i need out of her and after i rip out her throat and watch her choke on her own blood I will take back what is mine" she meant her words and she could see it in Ayita's eyes that she knew that she meant what she said "and I'm not about to let some self entitled, paranoid she-wolf get in my way" Mahina declared "family or not... if you stand in my way... I will gladly make you bleed"
A silence followed Mahina's startling speech and she used this moment to take her foot off Ayita allowing the female to scramble to her feet bloody and gasping to catch her breath.
"Nobles!" the tense silence broke thanks to Kileona's loud declaration from somewhere among the crowd and he was quickly given a path to his mother "Nobles..."
"Where?" Noele questioned
"Scouts said a few miles south" Kileona panted out leaning froward trying to catch his breath "A Truck full perhaps, driving North through The Deserts Bones"
"I see..." Noele hummed crossing her arms "I'll nee a group to stay here with the elderly and young and the rest will patrol the woods. Jacy"
"Mother" Jacy stepped forward upon being called
"form the necessary team so we can go search out an alternative route"
"That's not all" Keliona panted holding out a hand to stop his mother before she could get far "There's a scent, two wolves have been spotted and there's a faint scent of a third that might be nearby..."
"Three wolves?" Mahina perked at the mention of the wolves, Noele noticed and gave her a curious look.
"You know there wolves?"
"Maybe" Mahina answered with a slight nod "The wolves I had been with were inside the keep when Jagura attacked it... though I know one escaped there were three others..." it could be them with Toboe among them. The poor pup, Mahina almost couldn't bring herself to think of what he must be going through for the past few days with Tsume and Hige.
"I see" Noele nodded "Friend or not we never leave one of our kind unaided" the tone in her words spoke of her authority over her large pack, wolves- most of them young- began moving about to stand behind the female. She looked them over for a moment before nodding "The nobles have targeted our brethren and I do not intend to leave them to their fate. Who will stand with me?"
The response was immediate, loud barks and howls erupted among the crowd. They were easily rallied and it took no time for a large group to be formed and sent off to fight the Noble's soldiers, of the wolves that made their way to The Deserts Bones both Kileona and Mahina were among them. With the help of the two wolves and a nearby human the soldiers- that didn't suddenly fall unconscious- were killed.
So here Mahina was, standing among her family's pack looking like a complete stranger to her own pack but was recognized all the same.
"Mahina... you're alive" Hige remarked in disbelief while Toboe seemed to be trying his damndist to not start crying
"But how" Tsume questioned "I was there, I saw..." he trailed off
"You saw me disappear through the floor to my apparent death" Mahina finished softly wit a hum thinking back to the fate and pure dumb luck that resulted in her standing here now "it's alright... I thought I had died too"
"Who is that?" Mahina finally noticed the black wolf standing among her pack that wasn't Blue. The male leaned towards Hige and whispered though Mahina could hear them "is this the friend you were looking for? the one looking for Paradise?"
"One of them" Hige muttered back.
"This scent" Kisa spoke up sniffing the air "The one that belonged to that third wolf" her gaze looekd past Mahina at the patch of green they stood around.
"There's a wolf in here!"
"Miakoda..." Noele spoke up and Mahina turned around to see this wolf everyone was gaping at. It looked like skin and bones, like it hadn't eaten for days, and though the dirt colored it tan Mahina could tell it's fur was white, almost like...
"..." Mahina took in a sharp breath spinning around completely to face the plant just as a light breeze past through. This faint scent of pine and snow... "...Kiba" the she-wolf breathed out.