It's been weeks since the death of Jakob and Poochie. Now the Elder declares war with the birds. But not just the birds, but other kinds out military, and the raiders. Thankfully the human named Max makes sure to take care of the raiders that try to ransack where we live. Sometimes Laika also takes care of them.
Max is the father of three boys. While Laika is the mother of one coyote pup. Then there's Maya. Laika's mom. She was a real pain. To laika mostly.
Back then, Max used to visit Laika at her home village where we live. But due to how bad the war had gotten when they opened fire at Max's hometown. Max and the boys make their escape. And where we live was now their new home.
The three boys. Anakin, the oldest. Alm the middle. And Ron the littlest. When Anakin is now a young adult. Reaching the age of eighteen. He received training immediately so he could learn to defend himself, protect his two brothers, and the tribes of where we live. Alm just only manages around some areas of where we live. Sometimes he would hang around with Shaza or Maya.
Ron? Well all he does is hangout with Puppy. He is around puppy's age, and also the only friend Puppy has left after losing their closest friend Poochie.
Anakin and Laika rode to where ancestors rest so she can continue to train Anakin while his father is away to his old hometown to check on his dad. Where there's more human population. A bit far, but not away.
It's still damaged by the birds from the war though the city remained active with civilization. Laika and Anakin take turns clashing the wooden piece of stick. Using them as training weapons. Laika blocked another swing, and kicked him on the ground.
"That's all you got? Come on Anakin! I thought you're stronger than that?!" She taunts him. Anakin gets himself up, and he charges towards her. Taking it personally. Just like she planned. He starts to swing the wooden stick pretty hard. Laika sees the amount of determination he has on his face. She puts on a smirk, knowing it's working.
They clashed again, seeing each other face to face. "Ready to give up old lady?" Anakin taunts her. "Old? Please. My mom is older than your dad." Laika fires back her words. Not phased by his taunts. He follows up with a hard swing. Which Laika dodged, and struck him in the back.
Down he goes on the ground. "You're the oldest son of Max. I expected a better experience from you. But instead of fighting a bird. I'm fighting a sloppy kid. Who can't even shoot." Laika said. Anakin gets up, and turns around to face her.
"I shot once." Anakin replied. "Yeah, a small handgun. But you can't handle the revolver." Laika said. "Then let me try right now." Anakin demanded. "No, you can later." Laika said. "But-" Anakin is about to protest. But Laika cuts him off. "Later, don't make me say it again." Laika reminds him once again. Anakin lets out a sigh. "Yes ma'am." Anakin said in defeat.
"That will be enough. Get on your bike, we're going home. Once he keeps teaching you how to shoot better. Maybe I'll consider letting you try my gun. But only if I hear from Max that your aim is better. You hear me?" Laika said with a stern look. "Yes ma'am." Anakin replied.
Anakin and Laika walked down the steep steps. Anakin looks up at all the falling white leaves. Seeing the candles, flowers, and jar of ashes. He suddenly gets lost in his thoughts. Hearing his name being called. "Ani? ?Ani?" Hearing the voice of a young girl. "Anakin? He snaps back to hear Laika's voice calling to him. Turning to see her with the same stern look as usual. Daydreaming, are you?" Laika wondered.
"I wasn't. I was just looking at the sky, watching the leaves fall." Anakin said, trying to deny he was. She knows that's not it. He wasn't looking at the leaves. They soon arrived on their motorcycles. "You miss her,don't you?" Laika asked. He stares at Laika, giving her a neutral look. Trying not to make any face to give away some emotion.
He gets on his motorcycle and revs it up. Laika puts on her helmet, and pumps the gas on her motorcycle. Anakin goes off ahead. "I know. So do I Anakin." Laika follows Anakin behind him.
Where we live
In a quiet place called where we live. Alm is hanging out with Shaza at her little hut. The one using the TV as a headgear named Shaza. Is sitting on her comfy chair. Looking at the monitors. "Are we still hidden from the birds? Alm asked.
"No. We're still in the dark, don't worry Alm." Shaza assures him. "Any news from my dad?" Alm added. "He's still in his hometown. Visiting his dad." Shaza answered. "I hope grandad comes to visit." Alm said. "He will someday, but that's up to the elder. We can't risk any moles following." Shaza said. Yeah, I know." Alm sighed with sadness.
"Hey, cheer up little man. You'll eventually see your grandad again. I did hear the elder talk a little about your grandad. She might even consider letting him come to this village." Shaza said. This brings some hope for Alm. "You think so?" Alm asked. "That's right." Shaza said with a peace sign. "Well, thanks anyway Shaza." Alm said. "No problem." Shaza replied as Alm exited her hut.
Alm walks down the village. Thinking about a lot of things in his mind. Like his dad, and grandad. While also wondering to himself. "My big brother is training. And I want some too. Alm looks at the hut with candles all around it with skulls decorated. Even the big one on top of the hut. Alm wonders if it is the skull, or something made out of scrap? This hut belongs to Maya.
"I don't get the conflict Laika has with her? Then again, it is between coyotes. And some bloodlines. Whatever they're talking about. I wonder if she's got any advice?"
Just as Alm was walking towards the direction of Maya's hut. "REACH FOR THE SKY! I'M NOT AFRAID TO PULL THE TRIGGER!" He hears someone in an aggressive way. He turned his head to see a chihuahua. Armed with a shotgun. Pointing at Alm while his little fang sticks out from his maw. Alm isn't amused at this, or even scared since he knows him.
"Hey Alfredo, how you been?" Alm said with no sign of fear. The chihuahua named Alfredo lowers his shotgun. "AM I INTIMIDATING?! Be honest." Alfredo asked.
"I thought you were intimidating enough Alfredo? I think you got it." Alm said with an honest answer. "IT'S SHERIFF ALFREDO TO YOU! BUT THANKS ALM! Alfredo went back to his post. Putting on a happy face. Alm thought he did well giving him a great answer he needed.
Now that Alm dealt with a quote on quote sheriff of where we live. He goes back to walking to Maya's hut. He eventually arrived, and entered the hut. He uses his arms to move the cloth to fully enter. Alm sees Maya, sitting down as usual. While the light green glow from the cauldron, lights up her hut. Same for the candles, lighting up with the same color of the fire.
"Maya? Alm called her name. No answer from her. Alm just shrugs. Maybe I'll come back later." As soon as he is about to leave. "You know I hear you from here right?" Maya called. This catches Alm by surprise from her sudden reply. Stopping him from fully leaving.
"If you're here for a reason, come here. Alm walks to her so they could have a discussion. Now then, tell me Alm. Son of Max. What brings you to my hut?" Maya asks him.
Alm tries not to get distracted by the display in her hut. The guns, her motorcycle, and even the chair. So many skulls, fangs, and bones. "Well, I would like some advice." Alm answers. Maya starts to get curious from his question. "Advice? It depends on what you ask me. Otherwise you would be wasting both of our time." Maya said.
"Then do you have any advice about the arts of war and combat?" Alm said. Maya ponders for a bit. "I have fought throughout the years when I had strong bones. But don't underestimate me. I may be old, but you'll never know if my old bones still know how to fight. But back to your question. Are you asking me because I've seen many conflicts?" Maya asked.
"Laika and my brother are out to do some training. Dad is checking on grandad. So I want to ask you about it. I want to be able to know how to fight. So I can be able to protect my family. And the tribes here. But what's the proper way to learn?" Alm said.
Maya stayed silent for a few seconds. "I think the better question is: Where do you start? That depends on you Alm.
The choice is in your hands. But don't jump ahead, you have to make progress. Your only fourteen. Your bones are young, and fragile. It shouldn't be wasted too soon. Only an idiot novice like you would think to start with a revolver. It won't be a good start for you. You might even break your shoulder, or fling right to your face.
You wanna know a proper way to start? Find a stick and make something. A weapon or even a gun. You may as well make a slingshot." Maya lets out her laugh. Joking around with Alm.
Alm isn't fond of Maya's attitude. But that didn't phase him since his family knew Maya and her sassy tone. But Alm thought she's right. Best to start at the drawing board. So that he wouldn't do anything idiotic. "It's always the basics and finding the wooden branch huh? Just like when laika and dad told me. Don't rush ahead." Alm said.
"Then you got what you wanted right? Now piss off kid. And remember, no trouble. Or you're gonna hear it from me." Maya said in a serious tone. "Yeah yeah, I know." Alm said. "I don't recall max teaching you how to talk to a lady like that." Maya said. Alm groans in annoyance.
"Yes ma'am." Alm said. "Good kid, you may go." Maya said. Alm exits her hut.
At Laika's hut. A young human boy named Ron, is throwing some stones with a young coyote named Puppy. Ron and Puppy are around their age. They like to play hide and seek. Puppy was very good at finding Ron. While Ron is good at running. Trying to outrun her was very difficult. Even all that. Things never felt the same without Poochie.
Ron and Puppy continue to take turns throwing some stones. "I wonder how your big brother's training is going with my mom? Are you going to get some training?" Puppy asks him. "I would, but dad says I'm too young for this. One time he let me try to shoot the rusted cans with a basic handgun. Didn't get a single bullet on target. The pushback was rough. After that, he said I wasn't ready." Ron said.
"My mom said the same thing when I asked for the gun so that we can find poochie's ashes, and fight those birds. She said no." Puppy said. "Your mom said she will, even my dad wants to do the same. My dad and Jakob were good friends. I want in, but. You know the rest. Only Anakin is allowed to go out while my middle brother Alm is next in line to get some training." Alm said.
"Grandma wants to train him. Said his mind is not balanced, But his strength has yet to be fully realized." Puppy said. "I think dad wants to train Alm, he is unsure about Maya being a perfect teacher." Ron said. "She can be funny, especially whenever she gets very sassy." Puppy added.
"That's why your grandma is cool sometimes. She's mean, but I like her personality. Makes me wish I had a grandma. But at least we got grandpa. Maybe someday I'll ask if we have any more family members?" Ron wondered.
"I hope you do. I bet your family is awesome. Your dad is a road wanderer, and your grandad is in the military." Puppy said.
"And I think your mom is a badass. Her helmet especially. Makes me want to make my own when I get older." Ron said. "I bet I can make my helmet more badass than yours." Puppy smirks. Ron knows that look whenever she says that. It's Puppy asking for competition.
"Oh really, does that sound like a contest I hear?" Ron asked. "You bet. But it's gonna have to wait since we're low on resources to do so. Puppy decided to change the subject. And drops the cocky look. "Hey Ron?" Puppy calls his name. "Yeah?" Ron replies.
Puppy's ears drop down. "Do you think-" Puppy is cut off with the sounds of motorcycles arriving at the camp. "Hey I think your mom and my big brother might be back." Ron assumes. "Or it may be your dad." Puppy thoughts. "Let's go see." Ron runs ahead. "Hey wait for me." Puppy follows Ron to go see who has come back to where we live?