CHAPTER 4

Night Hunters

Far to the north of Russia a land of burnt forest and dead creatures lays the land of the Sleepwalkers. As the forest lay in a blanket of eerie silence two shadows moved across the remains of fallen trees. As the two shadows reached the edge of the dead forest the two shadows stepped onto the white snow beyond the boundaries of the forest that stretched into a land filled with beautiful mountains. Once the faint sunlight broke through the thick gray clouds it showed the true nature of the shadows. One of them stepped forward into the light and out of the darkness, it's features came known. This creature had the body of a wolf its gray matted fur poked out at different angles, but what was different about this wolf was that he had no eyes in place where two holes on either side of his muzzle, staring at the lower part of the muzzle and going up to make six holes.

The creature lifted its head toward the sky.

"Ahh how I wish I could feel the sunlight's warm rays so that my cold heart could finally melt."

The shadow next to the creature growled deeply as it steeped forward into the light its glowing red eyes showed nothing but deep harsh coldness this creature had the body of a black wolf but had the head of a ancient creature known to few as saber toothed cat. The creature bared its long teeth.

"There's no point Kadar were lost souls to the depths of this godforsaken forest."

"Humph I remember you used to talk of hope and freedom Stive."

The creature known as Stive swiftly shot his head toward Kadar before speaking in a hushed tone.

"Hush Kadar…..she might hear you. She may be even watching us this very moment." A deep growl emanated from his throat. Kadar's ear twitched slightly before letting out a frustrated sigh.

"For 300 years I put up with you Kadar I think it's time too forget that life and move on…besides what life could we go back too anyway, there's nothing left in our selves except for our cold fading souls."

Deep within Stives' red eyes they showed a twinge of sadness, but after Stive's remark Kadar bared his yellow tinted teeth a deep growl erupting within his throat.

"How could I forget! Stive…..I left my pack to die there in that gorge the only thing I could do was watch them suffer….Stive…I can still hear their cries for help echoing through my mind."

"Kadar you do carry a heavy burden upon your back but you forget that and move on….I know I have."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"When I first turned into a Sleepwalker I couldn't control my thirst for blood and so I turned on my on pack...I can still see their fear in their eyes as I tore at there throat's."

Kadar looked down at the ground suddenly find it the most interesting thing at the moment.

"KADAR!STIVE!"

Both of them shifted their heads toward the newcomer bounding toward them through the thick dark shadows, as it stepped into the light the creatures body shape was more unusual compared towards the other two, it's body was of a panther too was the head but the front of his body had no fur nor flesh it's ribs and organs visible through the large opening. The creatures eyes were a bloodshot red and its pupils were too small deeper red slits. The creature boney tail whipped wildly in frustration as it's deep voiced bellowed through the forest.

"Stive Demontra is looking for you."

"So it's true then Demontra's power is weakening."

"They have been on the move Stive."

"So it's true the Guardian's have returned."

"Yes and there on the move, but knowing her she'll send out a group of the Night Hunters which is why i'm looking for you she wants you too lead the group."

"Crave…." Stive sighed before continuing "Fine Kadar let's go."

As the three turned away from the land of ice and snow Kadar looked back with longing eyes.

"The sun rises and falls the moon rises and falls the endless dance of Torren and Fenris. Though one day the sun will disappear and the moon will rule the day as it's light blankets the world in the color of deep blood red. That will be the day when final judgment passes to those that travel in the shadows and the three will be the one's to pass that 04judgment and the battle will begin between gods and demons."

Under the light of the full moon on top of a jagged mountain top sat a wolf his red fur glistened like blood in the light of the moon.

"The prophecy begins."