Chapter 9: Marquez
Wolf sat next to Kacie, watching Cloud and Kane practice their sword play. Wolf saw Cloud wield the Wolfsaeiga with such deadliness; he looked as if he surpassed Taylor. Kacie spoke up "When you carried me from the volcano and it exploded, I was thrown down to the slopes. I looked around slowly but didn't see you, then Dark Wolf knights came and I faked death" Wolf stared at the ground "They had taken Kiara and went to the Kingdom of Serjaro, an old ally of Dark Wolf, it's beyond the Kingdom of Marqene. You know the queen their don't you?" Wolf nodded slowly and asked "How far is it to Serjaro?" Kacie sighed "With your speed about a day or two's journey." Wolf nodded and got up "So you'll stay here until I return?" Kacie nodded and got up as well. "Wolf, the reason the kingdom is in ruins is because of the Revolution, everyone turned against each other and the King went missing, the Queen as well." Wolf nodded and told her "I won't be gone long, stay safe" Kacie nodded and gave him a brief hug. As Wolf turned away he stopped "I'm sorry, about Taylor…I wish things could have been different" Kacie felt tears in her eyes "I believe he's alive Wolf, somewhere, out there, I know there is still good in him, you have to bring him back Wolf, please" Wolf bowed his head and said "I'll find him if he is still on this Earth, how did Cloud get the WolfSaeiga?" Men who had apparently found you found me as well, they searched the slopes of the rest of the volcano and found the WolfSaeiga, but a piece was missing near the front bottom of it, it still is" Wolf looked over at Cloud, sure enough, there was still a small, brief, gap. Wolf sighed and said goodbye to Kacie before he turned and started running. As he neared the top of a hill he jumped up until a small valley lay beneath him. In mid air his wolf form took over and he landed on all fours. Smelling the air he sprinted at his fasted speed to the South, and hopefully to where the Queen would be living, the Kingdom of Marqene.
36 hours later
Wolf panted; he had traveled 2,464 miles nonstop. He flopped over on his furry side and breathed hard. Wolf was about to fall asleep when a voice rang out in his head, a familiar one "Wolf, he's been turned back; the Wolf Fever no longer infects him. Your search will be one of vain for he has already returned to the kingdom you seek, and is now waiting in the Kingdom you seek, go there…and don't look back" Wolf shook his head. Taylor was waiting? Waiting to what, find him, or kill him. He began running up a steep mountain, jumping up onto rocky edges wherever they stuck out. As he approached the summit he looked out onto the horizon. He saw the castle of Marquenere on the horizon line, along with the farm fields of the kingdom. Wolf sighed and jumped off the mountain. As soon as soft grass touched his paws he was already well on the way towards the castle. In about 15 minutes he had reached the gates. He had transformed into his human self and had walked towards the large wooden doors. Two guards with rusted breastplates and iron clad boots, wielding rapiers and small shields nodded at him as he walked through. He stopped and turned to face one of the guards, saying "Do you know where I can find Queen Marquez? I'm a personal friend." The guard turned and spoke "Just follow the signs to the main hall, tell the guards your name and they will see if you will be granted admittance." Wolf nodded and thanked him before moving into the city. It was good to see live people again as the city roared in economy and people moved about, tending their specific needs. Wolf followed sign after sign until he reached the stone steps of the very large hall where the Queen lived. As he stepped up the steps the guards blocked his way. Wolf cleared his throat "My name is Wolf Mcloud, I'm a close friend of Queen Kirsten, please let her know I've arrived in moonlight." The guards looked at each other, confused, until one grunted and opened the door, walking inside it shut behind him. The guard sighed "You will probably be let in shortly, I suggest chilling on the steps, it's usually an hour wait" Wolf nodded and sat on one of the steps, watching the bustling crowd of people until he dazed off into a small nap.
THE PAST: OUTSKIRTS OF HELTRINA
Wolf would have been alone if it wasn't for Ian and Kiara. His parents were dead, and for all he knew Ian's and Kiara's were as well. They had taken to the fields on the outskirts in hopes of reaching Moonfire, the capital of the country. They had set up camp near a very large tree, little did they know, where they camped in 30 years time would be castle Kalingrad, and the tree would be the Grand Tree of Dark Wolf. Ian was starting a fire for cooking and told Wolf "Hey, dinner will be ready in about an hour, so you and Kiara are going to have to sit tight." Wolf scoffed and walked over to Ian, whispering in his ear. Kiara watched from the base of the tree, what was he saying? As Wolf moved away Ian smiled and chuckled as he finally had the fire going. Wolf held out his hand towards Kiara and she took it, pulling herself up. Wolf then spoke softly "Don't move" Kiara looked at him in a confused manner as Wolf walked behind her. He felt arms around her waist as Wolf hugged her. She then felt the ground leave her feet as Wolf jumped up with her to a high branch in the tree, a wide one that could support people. Kiara squeaked at the sudden loss of gravity but quickly regained herself. Wolf spread his legs and sat Kiara between them, pulling her close like he had done in the skyscraper. He pulled off the top of his brown Kimono-Hori, revealing his ultra light brown robe shirt. He placed the hori over them both, making it warm. Wolf whispered in Kiara's ear "I know you've probably guessed this, but I wanted you to know, I love you, if the fever wipes us all out, or turns us into one of those demons, I want you to know, I will always love you" Kiara closed her eyes and smiled "I know, because I love you too." She pressed her head into his chest and turned her head upwards at him. Wolf looked at her and she looked at him. Wolf moved his head to hers as they connected and their love swirled around each other. Kiara moaned slightly as Wolf pushed against her. Kiara's hold on him became tighter as Wolf pulled the Hori shirt over them. From below Ian stirred his stew and tasted it, while high above Wolf and Kiara…"bonded". Wolf sighed and moved his head to her chest where he pressed it against her softly. Kiara stroked Wolf's hair and kissed him repeatedly on the neck. Wolf pulled Kiara down towards him as she lay on top of him. Wolf turned over and now she was underneath him. Wolf kissed her deeply as she wrapped one of her legs around his. Wolf's hand made its way down to her outer thigh as she scratched his back softly with her nails. Kiara's other hand fumbled with Wolf's front shirt lacing as Wolf untied her back strings.
THE PRESENT: KINGDOM OF MERQENE, THRONE ROOM
Wolf slept on until the guard shook him awake. Wolf stirred and looked up. The guard looked at him seriously and said "The queen will see you now" Wolf nodded and got up slowly, shaking his head to get rid of the sleep. As he walked in he saw tapestries lining the walls and guards stationed every 20 feet. He approached large double doors which opened as he drew nearer. The doors opened to a large circular domed room, with guards stationed at various places. In the throne sat Queen Marquez. She looked up from her mirror and smiled wide as Wolf smiled back. She got up as Wolf approached and hugged him "Wolf Yasha Mcloud, it's been far too long" She burst out. Wolf smiled as they separated and said "You know me Kirsten, always on the move" Kirsten giggled but then Wolf asked "Kirsten do you know where the Knights are keeping Kiara?" Kirsten's smile faded as she said "Yes, they have her in a large stronghold about 4 miles east of here, my army is prepared to march out to end the threat to our lands, and seeing is how you are probably going there anyway…" "You want me to lead the army?" Wolf finished. Kirsten nodded and Wolf looked down at the ground. Sighing, he looked back up and said "I'll lead your army, but know this, I will not stop moving forward, I will not stop killing, if your army falls behind while I move on, then I will leave them on the battlefield while I retrieve Kiara, understood?" Kirsten nodded and bowed "Good luck Wolf" Wolf turned and sighed "It hasn't been so far" and with that he walked out of the throne room to the outside fields where the army was gathering for the attack. As he advanced to the front of the line he saw at least 2,000 troops behind him. He looked on the horizon and blended his vision into it. The stronghold which held Kiara was large, almost as large as Moon Sky. Before he took his first step, the black wolf pounced in front of him, out of thin air. Wolf was taken aback by the sudden appearance but was even more horrified by what happened next. The wolf began changing, changing into a human. It arched its back and stood straight. Wolf's jaw dropped as Taylor stood in front of him; his eyes weary and his neck completely scar less. Taylor looked at him as Wolf looked back. "I've come back Wolf, I realize now that I have become a failure, so I ran. But now that you've returned, I have a final chance to redeem myself. I cant ask for forgiveness, but I will help you rescue Kiara" Wolf stared at him for the longest time before answering "You were my friend, I don't know if I can trust you anymore, but I will let you come…just know that if you ever do cross me again, ill make sure the shard of your blade takes off your whole head this time" Taylor said nothing as he walked past Wolf into the front lines, with only a bow and 20 arrows in quiver. Wolf pulled out the FallSaeiga and roared "MARCH!!!!" The army roared in approval and began the long march.