AN: Well, as promised, here is the last chapter before New Years. In my time zone at least. Below you will find the answers to what really resides in the cave. Enjoy!
Rina stood in the fresh air for the first time in ages. She had almost forgotten what the sun felt like on her fur.
The other wolves gave her space. From the look on her face, she seemed to be enjoying it immensely and no one wanted to take that away from her. Besides, they too were happy to take a moment free of the strange Cave.
"I have been underground for far too long," she said after a time, "But you have waited long enough for answers."
Humphrey, Kate, Helen, Stinky, Claudette, Runt, and Nick sat around Rina as she began her tale. Nick was almost giddy with excitement.
"Long ago, back before even human civilization, a group of wolves set itself apart from the others. These wolves believed they could figure out how everything worked. They wanted a logical explanation for everything they saw in the world around them. Long before humans began to study the world in such ways, the Lupari were in the midst of a scientific revolution.
"Many of the neighboring wolf packs refused to join, believing them to be a group of maniacs or sorcerer's. While human's were beginning to organize themselves half a world away, we were already an advanced civilization. We never did learn what set ourselves apart from our brethren, but we continued on without them. We were poised to become the dominate species, we could easily defeat any human threat. But, without the rest of our kind to join us, it seemed empty.
"Centuries passed, and we were still alone. The closest we had to peers were the humans, and they were still so far behind us. Only one group of them rivaled us. And from what I hear, the Atlantians didn't survive the test of time.
"Feeling alone in the world, we decided to find a way to freeze ourselves in time until either the human race or our own had come nearer to our level. We moved all of our accomplishments beneath the earth and cut ourselves off from the flow of time. That is what I mean by sleep. To us, when we emerge, no time will have passed for us, but to you on the outside, it would appear like we are sleeping."
"You can just freeze time?" Helen asked, "How would you wake up. I mean, restore the flow of time?"
"We set up sensors on the outside that would detect signs of a civilization of sufficient advancement. These would shut of the machine that kept us frozen. It had to be kept outside, it has to pass through time to continue the effect. The cave that led inside was given certain safeguards to keep anyone out. For both our and their protection."
"So, this is what you've been looking for?" Runt asked, turning to Nick.
He nodded. "Even back then, you couldn't build a massive civilization without being noticed. Some wolf packs still have similar stories. Even a few human cultures took note of them. Any reference to them is buried deep, but I managed to stumble on to it during my travels. It was everything I had ever dreamed. A place where my intellect would be praised rather than mocked. I put the pieces together and figured out where they were. Luckily for me, some of the clues were very specific, like which way to take at that fork."
Rina frowned. "I may have to look into those. Like I said, we try to protect ourselves. It's best if no one knows how to get to us."
"You did almost kill Runt!" Stinky said, "Was that necessary?"
"What happened to your brother was an unfortunate accident. Sense you were, at the time, brought in against your will, I was awoken to help him."
"So you can wake up separately?" Kate asked. "You made it sound like you were all frozen together."
"It is possible to restore a single individual. There are several on call for various scenarios. I am the only one to awaken so far. At first, only my mind was freed. Don't ask, it's complicated. I was able to telepathically speak to your son. When you persisted, I was fully restored and shut off most of the defenses. Those I didn't were the ones you encountered. I apologize, there were a good deal to remember and I forgot some."
"But what about everything else?" Humphrey asked. He turned to Kate. "Don't you think it's strange that about the same time we started going into the Cave, we got visited by that monster?"
Kate nodded.
"What monster?" Rina asked.
"It was some shape-shifter thing. It had to kill three wolves in order to collect enough DNA to survive here. It was from the arctic or something."
"Did it say anything? I think I know what you ran into, but it wouldn't leave its home without a very good reason. Has anything else strange happened?"
"Well," Claudette spoke up. She hesitated, afraid of telling her story, but realized it wasn't the strangest thing to happen in recent weeks. "Back when you had amnesia Mom, This weird, mangy wolf came to me and told me he could help you if I helped him later. I said no, but I didn't want to tell anyone."
Before either of her parents could comment, Rina cut in.
"It can't be."
"What can't be?" Nick asked, "Don't tell me she almost made a deal with the devil!"
"No," Rina replied, "But he would probably enjoy the comparison. This explains everything. I've been picking up unusual phenomena with our sensors. I didn't put much thought into it. But I can explain it all now. I can also explain the fluctuations in our time bubble." By this point, the wolves doubted that she was talking to them anymore. "He's throwing off the balance. It's affecting the entire world, including the device!"
"Who?" Kate asked.
"My boss."
The entire group turned to see Shadow sitting several feet off. She smiled at them.
"Shadow?" Rina asked quietly.
"You know her?" Humphrey asked.
"Yes," she breathed.
Shadow's smile widened.
"Good morning, Mother."
AN: Well, here is this years last story! A nice cliff hanger to end the year as well. I hope to start the next story soon. I know I say that every time but life can be extremely busy. Until then, I'd like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed! You guys are great! Happy New Year!