So I know this is a day later than what I'd said it'd be, but I had an entire scene typed out with Lone Sky(Link) talking to Faron, but it didn't seem to work; it seemed too choppy and sudden. So in between two parties over the course of two days, I had to think of another scene that would fit the story better. BUT, this chapter is a lot longer :)
ALSO…
Thanks to everyone who read the beginning of the story, it means a lot, however a special thanks goes out to these four people.
ROFLCOPTER- Thanks for the comment about the prologue's cliffhanger. If I had known it was that bad, I'd have posted sooner.
Isetba- Thanks for the fav, honestly, I wasn't too happy with the outcome of the prologue and first chapter, but I'm glad you're liking it so far.
Esparia- Thanks for the follow, I actually thought I'd have to post four-five chapters before I got even one (also for the comment; you got the exact point of what I was aiming for)
Random guy dude-Thanks a ton for the follow! It really does mean a lot (also, is that really your pen name? It's pretty funny, I honestly thought the website was pulling a joke on me!)
Either way, I'm happy with the attention the story is getting so far, and I hope to continue to please you.
Many thanks,
WolvesoftheBlueMist
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"Every possible stress you have has got to be there. The baby blues, being separated from your family, and also not knowing where you're going to go, or what's going to happen in the long run."
-Beth Manning
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WARNING!
There is a scene later that is a bit…sad. OK maybe two scenes…or three.
CHAPTER TWO: Separated
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As Lone Sky and Epona headed towards the spring of Faron, Sky couldn't help but get the feeling that they were being followed. He turned on Epona's back and, thanks to his keen eyesight, caught the faint flash of black fur.
Sighing Sky called out, "Lunar Eclipse, I know you're there. Stop sneaking around and come out."
There was a pause before a lithe black wolf slipped out of the forest. A patch of white fur shaped like a crescent moon rested upon her forehead. She was young, only born two cycles ago, and was Lone Sky's younger pup mate. She had the dark coloring of Great Storm, and the lean shape of Running Wind.
"How'd you know I was following you?" she asked.
"How could we not notice? Your stalking skills are great, but you were too close, and because of that I could sense you" the older sibling replied. "What is it that you want anyways? Do mother and father know you're here?
Eclipse shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe. Well… Not exactly. I mean…No."
Sky groaned. He loved his little sister, he really did. She was a very talented wolf and was in fact really smart, but she didn't always make the right choices.
"Won't your mother be angry when she finds out?" Epona asked. "Last time you went off without telling anyone, she nearly had your pelt!"
"I know, but I couldn't help it. Something was telling me that something bad was going to happen, and I didn't want you guys to get into trouble without any help."
Sky gazed at the young wolf sympathetically. Their brother, Light Heart, used to tease her about her 'ability' to 'read the stars'. (Reading the Stars is an expression that wolves use when talking about sensing the future. Not seeing it, but sensing what may happen, and Lunar Eclipse's ability at it is great, and though it's respected, Light Heart was too much of a jokester to pay much attention to it. However, he never purposefully hurt his sister's feelings.) The black wolf had been embarrassed at the fact that she had the ability. She felt as though she was too insignificant to be blessed with the rare gift. Lone Sky knew this, and, after considering it, spoke to Eclipse.
"If you do feel as though something bad could happen, why don't you stay with us? I'm sure if we explained it to mother and father, they'd understand. They respect your abilities, as does the whole pack. Don't worry, I've got your back."
Lunar Eclipse's sapphire blue eyes lit up with delight. "Do you mean it? Do you REALLY mean it!?"
Sky rumbled in his throat out of amusement at her excitement. "Of course I do, but you'd better behave when we get there, Faron may not want you to hear what he has to say."
"OK!" came the eager response.
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The trio continued to the spring, nighttime already settled upon the land. However, as they arrived at the entrance, they noticed that a great barrier blocked the way. It wasn't one made of wood and stone, no, the barrier seemed as though the darkest shadows had merged together and glowed a deathly purple at the seams.
The boy and the animals, stared in horror at the thing. It RADIATED evil and darkness. Terrified that the Light Spirit on the other side was in danger, Lone Sky dismounted and cautiously approached it. Despite Epona's warnings, he reached out slowly and touched the dark wall. Almost immediately, dark energy shot out and wrapped around Sky's arm and stabbed into his flesh. Yelping, Sky jerked away, the dark energy still crackled around his antebrachium for a few more seconds. Eclipse and Epona rushed to him, but before they could escape from the place, a demonic chatter erupted from their right.
Eight horrid creatures appeared. Two were large black birds with razor like talons and beaks that looked like they were made for shredding flesh. Four more of the beings were two-legged, but unlike Lone Sky, their skin was a sickly shade of green. They were wrapped in the strangest furs Sky had ever seen, and two bull-like horns protruded from the sides of their heads. The hellions carried large sticks with stones connected at the ends. They had tiny beady eyes that glowed a terrible red. The last two creatures seemed most menacing, however. They had the structure of a canine, but their flesh was rotting away, and on some parts of their bodies, the bones showed, bits of corpuscle still clinging to the white structure. Cold, ice-blue eyes stared unblinking at the group of three.
Before any of the beings in the standstill could move, a voice rich with fear and panic reached them all, and Sky recognized it as Faron.
"RUN LIGHT CHILD!" the Spirit cried. "DO NOT LET THEM CATCH YOU! HURRY BACK TO YOUR PACK- THEY TOO ARE IN DANGER! HERE, TAKE THIS AND FLEE!"
Lone Sky hardly registered as a beam of golden light burst through the barrier and wrapped around him, adorning the Hylian with a glistening blue pendent that hung around his neck. He didn't notice that his arm was throbbing in pain and was beginning to smoke. No, panic and fear for his pack clutched the boy and he desperately mounted Epona and spurred her back where they came from. Accustomed to the woods, Epona soon lost the birds and demon-wolves as they attempted to give pursuit.
Lunar Eclipse followed them, afraid to see what was happening back at the clearing by the lake; back where they'd left their family.
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Zelda lay awake in her bed, the moonlight gently shining through her creamy white curtains. Anticipation for her birthday treat the next morning prevented her from sleep. She smiled, thinking about all the fun she'd have on her relaxing and peaceful ride. Zelda didn't think it was possible for anything wrong to be going on at that exact moment.
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As Epona burst into the clearing by the lake, Lone Sky thought his heart would stop. Animals of all species ran desperately to the forest, their terror filled screeches filling the air. Sky focused on what they were running from. At the far end of the clearing a massive light danced across the land. It glowed orange, yellow, and red, all the while making a terrible crackling sound.
Eclipse and Epona, meanwhile were looking around frantically, trying to spot any sign of the wolf pack. Blinking away from the living light, Sky joined them in their search. However, he soon thought that he'd pass out from the horror of a seen that played out in front of him.
A fawn, separated from its mother's side, tripped and fell. It tried to get up, but immediately fell back down. The dancing light reached the struggling infant and engulfed it. The cries of pain from the creature reached Sky's ears, scarring his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again. When he laid eyes on the fawn again, it was dead, its body seared black. One of its eyes was swelled to an abnormal proportion, and suddenly it burst, splattering juices into the surrounding light.
Lone Sky hurled.
But Lunar Eclipse interrupted his retching with a strangled cry.
"Sky, Epona! Look! There's more of them! Those demon creatures!"
Sure enough, more of the hellions were racing around, screeching. They seemed to have spotted the trio and were speeding toward them. Without warning something raced through the air and imbedded itself in Sky's right side, just below his collarbone. He screamed as searing agony sliced into him. Below him, Epona gave a shrill whinny, and beside him, Eclipse emitted a violent snarl of absolute rage.
Instead of running to confront the beasts, Lunar Eclipse turned and dashed into the forest, Epona (with Sky on her back) in hot pursuit.
"WAIT!" Lone Sky cried. "What about the pack?! We still have to find them!"
"NO!" Epona shot back, her voice was full of authority as though she was the alpha of their group of three. "It's much too dangerous right now! THINK Sky! Your pain is blinding you from the truth- THEY'RE GONE! DISAPPEARED! We have nothing back there! NOTHING!" she paused. "Only death."
"You're wrong! They're back there! We have to save them!"
Eclipse's voice reached out to him as the black demon birds appeared and began swooping at them. "Sky, Epona's right. The pack is-"
"You don't care do you?!" Sky accused his sister. "YOU DON'T CARE!"
Burying his face into Epona's cream mane, Sky thrust his conscious outward grasping every mind as far as he could reach.
"MOTHER! MOTHER WHERE ARE YOU?! MOTHER!"
Opening his mouth he emitted howl after howl, reaching out it utter desperation.
Lone Sky continued his anguished cries until his head and throat throbbed along with his arm and shoulder. Lunar Eclipse and Epona could only silently listen as they tried to flee the birds. They were successful, but not after getting slashed by them; Eclipse on her shoulder, Epona on her flank, and Sky had three, all on his back, with one dangerously deep and dangerously close to his neck. For some reason the dark creatures had seemed to target him, but for the life of Eclipse, she couldn't figure out why. She concentrated on leading Epona away from the danger, following her instinct and headed to where she felt the safest way was.
Epona, meanwhile was trying to calm Lone Sky down as he rode, trembling on her back. She was scared for him, it was obvious he was getting weak from blood loss. The horse could feel his inner life liquid dripping onto her back, and his grip on her mane was steadily getting weaker. She had to keep him awake until they could stop; if he fell off, the two animals might not notice.
"Little One, oh Little One, it'll be alright, you'll see. Just try to stay awake ok? Listen to my voice, ok Little One?"
He never answered, but simply shifted himself on her back, which exploded relief into Epona. Perhaps he be ok?
The two quadruped animals ran on and on, despite having left the forest and having entered an immense field. They continued, but eventually stopped when they reached a river. Eclipse was panting heavily and Epona was dripping sweat, but they knew they weren't safe until they reached the other side.
After taking a quick break for water, they prepared to leap the divide, as the current was too fast to swim across. Eclipse went first. Being a Guardian wolf, and therefore gifted with a larger size than a normal wolf, Eclipse was able to leap across fairly easily, although she had to dig her claws in. Turning she watched as Epona jumped. The equine had misjudged the distance, however, and the black wolf watched horrified as the horse and boy fell backwards into the rushing water.
"NO!" she yowled as the only ones she had left disappeared into the distance and darkness.
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Lone Sky was jerked wide awake as he felt his body hit cold water. He managed to get a choking breath before he was sucked under the swift current. He was barely able to get another breath before being pulled under once more. He was weakened already from his wounds and was no longer strong enough to struggle to the surface.
The last thing he heard before darkness enveloped him was Epona's terrified voice, calling out to him, pleading him to answer; pleading him to be ok.
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"People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of death, the pain is over."
-Jim Morrison