PRPG: Dark Wolf & Admin: Story of the Forest

Kenny cocked his head at the kits. “Have they even seen another fox?” he asked. “Or have you brainwashed them into thinking their wolves? Don’t worry Misty. I’ll teach them how to be the wiliest foxes you’ve ever seen.”

Misty sighed. “That’s great Kenny. Just what we need,” she said, shaking her head in slight amusement. She licked Silver’s jaw gently. “So when do we leave Silver? We need to make sure all the animals on the western side know that they need to leave so they are safe. Most animals refuse to interact between species. Some will listen to me but barely. And most refuse to listen to wolves in general.”

"Barron has that handled." Silver assured Misty. "That bear has been governing the West long before I won the territory. I trust him to have it under control in my absence. Likewise, the new leader of the Rouges and now Shadow can manage the North and East. We'll need a healer, and your raw potential needs to brought out. Your father and sister are still in the sands." He then turned his attention to Kenny.
"These are our Kits, and by the looks of it, that makes you a big brother." There was slight humor in his voice.

“Alright,” Misty said, touching her nose to Silver’s. “I’ll go. But let me talk to my contacts within the woods and see if they can get some of the animals out. I’ll talk to them in the morning and we can leave right after that.” Misty turned her head to look at Nakit who was perched on her shoulder. “Nakit can you tell all of the birds the news? Get them to leave the western areas and head to the center of the territory?” Normally Kenny would handle the foxes and likewise animals but she wasn’t going to let him out of her sight or ask him to do that after the experience he had. Warning the animals would involve going near the humans and she wasn’t about to lose him; she would go herself.

Silver spoke with authority. "Shadow, let no animal in the East escape your eye. I want all animals at the center territory by the next moon. We will be back by then. Kenny, watch over our Kits. Misty, let's go."

Misty licked each of the kits multiple times as if reassuring herself they would be ok before putting her head next to Kenny’s. “Guard them as if they were your own,” she whispered.

Kenny’s chest puffed out as he met her gaze, his eyes serious. “I will guard them with my life your highness,” he said.

Misty nodded once before taking a loping stride to Silver. “Let’s go before I change my mind,” she said.

Gila and Fenic took off with Silver and Misty. Gila provided the two wolves with ample stamina and energy for the journey. The trees rushed behind them as they ran. It wouldn't take long to reach the southern meadow, just before the Sands.

As Misty and the others reached the end of the southern meadow memories flashed through Misty's mind. Brief images of sandstorms filled with nightmarish wolves, memories of fear, and the need to run and escape and get away, flashed through her soul. The memory was so great Misty stopped dead in her tracks, a blank and terrified stare filling her face as she stood on the edge of the Sands. Her body seemed frozen in place, her chest barely moving with each breath.

Silver stopped with Misty. He could see her soul was troubled. "It will be okay, I will be with you the whole time." He assured her. Silver looked deep into her eyes. "Focus on me, we'll take our first step together."

Misty's body started trembling, as if the shaking started soul deep. No part of her body moved, not even the ears that usually flicked with anxiety. She was lost in memories, drowning so deep she could hardly register what was going on outside her own mind, so deep she didn't think she would ever surface. Her pupils were blown wide like she was seeing things the rest of the wolves couldn't. Images of snapping wolves and stirred up dust spun around her head in a fast-paced flurry that made her dizzy, unable to focus. She was on a downward spiral, trapped in the maze of her mind, nightmares she didn't know existed propelled her through sand covered world until she didn't know where she was running to anymore. Her eyes flickered back and forth as if she was seeing but not seeing at the same time.

"The poor dear." Gila said with compassion. "She is too deep in her memories, she can't hear you Silver. This will clear her mind." Gila bit Misty. The venom coursed through Misty's body. Gila's venom was her most useful tool. With all her training in the art of Healing, she began using her venom for healing. This particular concoction was aimed at bringing mental and emotional healing and stability. "The effects will be temporary, as long as my venom is in her body."
"Thank you, Gila." Silver said with relief.

Misty's eyes started to blink. As the venom coursed through her body the visions started to disappear and she blinked her eyes open to see Silver's face, his eyes filled with both worry and relief. The shaking subsided and her ears flicked slowly, one after another, as if her body was checking to make sure everything still worked after the shock it went through. A high-pitched whine emitted from Misty's throat as she flicked her ears and lowered her head, her tail curling between her back legs, the fear still settled in her heart and soul even though it was debilitating anymore.

"Come, my Love," this way brings healing to your soul. Silver spoke with love and encouragement.

Misty whined again, her confidence shattered she tucked herself into Silver's side, pressing her face into his fur. With one encounter she had turned into a complete mess of a wolf, almost scared of her own shadow, her voice mute.

Silver walked forward. He guided Misty into the desert. The sand was warm and soft beneath their paws. Gila and Fenic were comfortable in the sands. It had yet to become the hottest point of the day, they had to hurry. For Silver, it was slow moving, but he refused to let go of Misty. She had to make this journey, but she would never be alone again.

Misty flinched as the sand wove its way between her paws, her skin twitched with every step and her ears flicked wildly, trying to release the nervous energy building in her heart and soul. She could feel her pain and fear inside her. Close, locked away yet straining to get out. She kept her eyes shut and her nose buried in Silver's fur, his scent the only thing keeping her going.

Fenic and Gila led the two wolves deep into the desert. Off in the distance a tree shot up from the sand. An oasis. A pool of clear crisp water collected, surrounded by desert grass. This was the home of an old wolf and his young daughter.
"Chief Stoneheart, Lunara," called Fenic. "Come see who has come home."
"Silver?" Came a voice from the grass. She was a young pretty tawny brown. Her fur shone like desert moonlight, even in the day. She pranced up and down, excited to see Silver. She then caught soght of the other wolf with him. "Who is this?" She asked, she tilted her head, confused.
The old wolf walked out of the grass. His fur was almost identical to Misty's. He greeted Silver, then he too saw the young she-wolf with Silver. "Misty? Can it be?"

Misty's ears flicked back once and she whined, pressing her side closer to Silver's. She didn't recognize these wolves. All she recognized from this land of sand was the feeling of fear and the gritty feeling of sand beneath her feet.

Suddenly a small fennec fox wove its way from behind the Sands Pack and pranced up to Misty. It didn't say anything, just sat there, watching her. Misty was captivated at it, the sight and scent of it bringing back a distant memory, one just beyond her grasp, enough to have her meeting its eyes and keeping them. She was still extremely wary of the wolves and watched them out of the corner of her eye, refusing to speak.

Silver looked at Misty. He felt her heart race, he felt her fear. "Misty, this is your father and younger sister. They survived the attack and had been recovering here. They were found after you were sent away. Both are gifted healers."

Misty whined. The only wolf she trusted here was Silver. She had been a young pup when the attack happened, just old enough to start exploring the world on her own. She didn’t remember these wolves and any time she tried all she saw was a swirling sandstorm and glimpses of sharp teeth. How she had survived that night she didn’t know. There was a blank in her memory from the attack to when she had been found by Shadow’s parents, lying half dead on the river boundary of their territories, covered in sand and scratches. Misty was known to be the more curious of the Moon Pack and never one to shy from learning more about newcomers but this was different. The more time she stayed in this place the more the sand brought back memories she didn’t want to see, didn’t want to remember. She could still feel the pain and fear and confusion pressing in on her soul from all sides. This place scared her and with each passing second the venom wore off a little more and her body shook a little more violently. Her ears were already flicking crazily, a habit she had started just a few days after she had been found. The memories wouldn’t shut her down, she knew they were there now and could push past them that much. But the more they stayed in that sand covered territory the more her mind screamed at her to run and not stop until they were far far away. And yet, deep inside her, buried so far down even she didn’t know it was there, there was a small part of her soul that sighed in contentment at being home. One that aches to push past the fear and frolic in the sand like a pup. But for now her mind and nightmares won, keeping her rooted in place and silent.

"Silver," Stoneheart began. "She is like you were when you first wandered into the desert. When facing her past, she is falling to pieces. We can't teach her until she heals herself. This is the way of the Sands. She must enter the self reflection pool. She must face her demons in order to become a great healer."
"I understand." Nodded Silver. Silver led the broken Misty through the grass. "I cannot force you in, my Love, but I will face this hardship with you. These waters will bring you peace of mind, clarity, and acceptance of your past, but you have to choose to enter for yourself. I will enter with you."

Misty whined, the memories were starting to take place. She could see the swirling sandstorm forming in the pool. She started to back away but something inside her made her stop. Her ears perked forward as she took a step forward toward the pool, held captive by something inside, a small sense of peace in her soul that beckoned her to come home. Her gaze was locked on the pool as she took slow steady steps into it, as if walking through a haze. Something in her knew the pool wouldn't allow Silver to go through this by herself, it was something she needed to do herself. The fennec fox appeared silently by Silver's side, gently pulling his fur to get his attention, silently shaking its head before holding him back. None of the other animals in attendance seemed to see the fox that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Misty took that final step into the pool, disappearing from sight completely. The water enveloped her but her fur remained dry. The moment it flowed over her head the pond disappeared and she was standing on top of a dune, her view point lower than she was used to. Looking to her right she noticed a fox kit next to her, its sand-colored fur blending in with the dunes as its bright brown eyes blinked before looking away from her down the sand. Following its gaze Misty saw a multitude of caves openings, nearly hidden within the sand swirling around in the wind. Glancing at the fox kit once more she turned and began to make her way towards the caves. Every now and then she would see the fennec kit ahead of her for a second before it disappeared again. For the first time she felt calm within the sands, a sense of coming home. But there was something brewing in the air, she could feel it in the way her fur raised and she found herself looking around.

Suddenly out of the complete silence frantic howling and pain filled yelps echoed through the caves. Misty's heartbeat skyrocketed as memories danced through her mind. Glancing over she saw the fox kit standing next to her before it inclined its head down the tunnel and disappeared. Misty looked down the tunnel and started running towards the cries of wolves. Surfacing from the tunnels she ran into a clearing besides an oasis that was filled with chaos. A sandstorm had whipped into formation and wolves were fighting, teeth and fur barely visible through the swirling sand. The sand hid the wolves until they came leaping at one another. Misty stood locked in place; these were her memories reborn. She spotted the fox kit ahead of her, just standing and watching her. Having no other choice she made her way towards it, dodging the fighting wolves. The kit led her through the fight, appearing and disappearing in the swirling sand until she came to two wolves on top of the dune. She recognized one from both her memories and her meeting today, her father. His grey-silver fur flashed in between the dark grey of his second in command. Her father seemed to be winning despite the Sands Pack's affinity for healing. He was pushing the grey wolf back towards the sand pit until, in an act of complete dishonor, the grey wolf barked for two rogue wolves that knocked Stoneheart off balance. Misty stood frozen as she watched the fight, unable to move. Just before her father fell into the pit, a sandy colored wolf leapt at him, its weight just enough to knock him to safety before it fell itself, a snap echoing through the dunes and Misty's ears as it thudded to the sandstone. As Misty's ears rang with that horrid sound she knew, somehow, that the tan wolf was her mother; and she had lost her even before she fully knew her. A howl of complete agony wrought its way out of her muzzle, her soul crying out with her until a small nose pressed into her fur. She saw a ghost version of herself fleeing across the sand covered desert, its fur covered in blood, grit, and pain. Looking down she saw the fennec kit that gently but insistently tugged her away from the fight back to the clearing. As the sand cleared the bodies of her pack and the rogues were revealed, scattered across the desert. Both packs had virtually been destroyed, the desert and spirit world weeping the loss of life as the oasis shriveled and died. Sand gently swept the fur of the wolves back and forth in the wind, carrying the spirits of the wolves up to Okarthel, home of the spirits.

Sand blew into Misty's face, causing her to shut her eyes. When it dissipated, Misty opened her eyes to see the spirits of both packs standing in front of her. The wolves parted as a sandy-colored wolf stepped from the midsts. Misty's heart gave a painful jolt as she recognized her mother. "Mom," she cried. Her mother stepped up to her, rubbing her head against Misty's before stepping back and looking into her eyes. As her mother's gaze met hers, Misty somehow knew that she needed to see this. The desert had witnessed a horrible loss that day, one that could not happen again. She needed to rebuild the packs and bring them together to fight this new evil. She had worried she wouldn't be strong enough, she had been running her whole life but now she knew she wasn't alone. The whole pack and the fennec kit turned to look at the sky, the blues moving in a wave like pattern. Through the clouds Misty saw Silver's face, her father and sister beside him. She glanced back at the pack, at her mother, standing against the sandy dunes before turning to see the fennec kit watching her silently from the top of a dune. I won't forget you, she promised. With that she walked up the dune to where the kit and Silver were waiting for her and a white light enveloped her until she could see no more.

With a gasp Misty shot forward, her head breaking the surface of the pond. The first thing she saw was Silver, her father and sister behind him. The wind blew bits of sand across her fur and she closed her eyes, savoring it, feeling her mother and the pack standing with her. With the fear gone her memories returned. Sweet memories filled of hours playing within the sand caves and across the multitude of dunes, her sister beside her. She opened her eyes and her gaze softened as she slowly made her way to Silver. Her body felt weightless, her soul calm and carefree, her eyes clear. Meeting him she touched her nose to his before rubbing her head up against his muzzle and stepping close to his body, breathing in his scent. For the first time since the Moon Pack found her all those moons ago she felt... free.

Silver thought back to his own experience in the pool. He had watched his pack slaughtered by the Rouges. Teeth gnashing, blood blanketing and mixing with snow. For being so young when he first went through the pool, he wasn't sure he could truly heal from his wounds. After going through the pool, a determination had engulfed him. He wanted to challenge himself, to become stronger and more lethal than any of the rouges. The pool showed him the possibilities he could achieve if he would accept his past and push forward through the hardships. He would seek out the Tortoise King, ruler of the Southern Territory. Silver became his apprentice. The Tortoise King taught Silver how to talk to the spirits, how to fight in the spirit and mind as well as the body. The King's closest adviser, Stoneheart, also taught Silver basic healing. Lunara bugged Silver all the time during his training until she started her own. The two became competitive, while Silver excelled in the Spiritual training, Lunara surpassed Silver in the art of healing. Upon completion of his training, Silver conversed with the spirits, they granted him the gift Sight of Souls. Silver could see anyone for who they truly are, no one was immune to this. By this time, Silver had become full grown and full of ambition, he sought power. The power he sought was not that of dominance as many creatures in the forest, but the power he sought was that of his own making. He traveled home and fought the Rouge Pack, over twenty wolves. By himself, he defeated them and killed their leader, the same wolf who had killed his father. The rouges then followed Silver's command. He found the most loyal of the Rouges and put them in charge of the Northern Territory. Then Silver would travel to the Western Territory. There he challenged The Bear King, Barron. A grueling battle took place, but in the end Silver prevailed. Choosing exile over being a king, Silver left Barron in charge of the West, and Barron pledged his loyalty to the one who bested him. Silver had heard of humans in the forest, he traveled throughout the four territories in search of any glimpse of them. His wish came true in a saddening scene as he witnessed a human shooting a young Fox mother. He sprung into action and chased off the hunter. He found the small kits, helpless. He carried them to a den in the Eastern Territory. There he kept an eye on the High Moon Pack, one that had, in rumor, become a well respected pack, but what he found was different. The new Alpha had become a bully, his soul had been corrupted. Silver knew something had to be done. It was then, as he hunted breakfast, a buck, that the most beautiful wolf he had seen crossed his path. Her soul was as pure as the Northern Snows. Her eyes deep, kind, mesmerizing. Her determination, was annoying. He didn't want to get involved because he knew as soon as he let himself, he could not ever be apart from her. She barged into his life, and refused to let him be alone. He would never let her be alone either.
Silver looked to his mate as she disappeared into the Pool. Time froze for everyone but them. He looked down, his forepaw was in the pool. He was unable to go in with her, but his love for her would act as an anchor to bring her home. This journey as he well knew would be as painful as it would be relieving. Finally, what felt like most of a day, Misty returned. Her soul had been made complete and shone more beautiful than it had before. Silver stood in awe of her radiant beauty. As Misty leaned into him, their hearts beat as one. "My love, how do you feel?" Silver asked as his tone was saturated with his love for her.

Lunara watched the exchange. It was only a moment that Misty had entered the pool and returned, but watching the exchange take place made her feel somewhat jealous. Misty had won Silver over, something that she had hoped to do herself, but he never took any notice in her. It was hard for her to accept, but as she recognized that Silver had never been more at peace, this was all it took for her to support the union of Silver and her long lost sister.

Misty stepped closer to Silver, curling her neck around his and holding him close. “Much better,” she said softly. Stepping back her ears perked forward as she saw the fennec fox kit standing on the edge of the dunes. It flicked its tail at her before bounding once and disappearing. Misty looked over at her father and sister and walked slowly up to them, flicking an ear back once. She dipped her head before meeting her father’s gaze, memories of her life before the attack dancing in her mind’s eye. “Mom sends her regards,” she said, her voice quiet and slightly sad. At her words the wind stirred slightly, dust particles swirling through the currents to the wolves’ fur.

"Stoneheart," Silver began, "Misty needs to meet with Tortaro. She needs to begin her training. There is a war on the horizon, humans have come to our lands, we all need to prepare. My three territories are preparing now and all packs and creatures are gong to meet at the center territory. We will need the Southern Territory as well."
"I see, this is troubling news." replied Stoneheart. His eyes swelled with tears of joy upon the return of his lost daughter, but his expression became stone cold as he heard about the humans. "They will destroy more than what the rouges ever could have."
Lunara couldn't help but stare at Silver and Misty. She didn't want her thoughts to betray her, but her soul already did.
"Lunara," Silver spoke. "Your soul is troubled, I know why. Don't be sad, you will always be my greatest rival." Silver knew he had to say something. He wasn't saying it to single her out, but more of an affirmation of her feelings and yet at the same time, a limitation to them.
"I know Silver," Lunara replied. "This is how it should be." Lunara approached Silver and Misty. She licked Silver's muzzle and leaned into Misty. "I have missed you so much sister. This is a happy time that you have come home. I can't wait for you to meet Tortaro, he is the only one Silver has never beaten in a fight!" Lunara spoke with pride in her voice. She felt proud to know the great King of the Southern Desert, and felt pride for knowing Silver. Having her sister home gave the young she-wolf a taste of humility knowing that upon completion of her training, Misty would be far greater as a healer than even she was. This also excited her, getting to watch the making of a great guardian of the territories, just as it was with Silver.
"We must leave now," declared Stoneheart. "The journey to King Tortaro is a day's journey. We must be off." The old wolf pushed the small group towards the south, the sand soft and comforting beneath their paws.

Misty leaned her cheek against Lunara’s in a show of affection. “I have missed you too my sister, though I did not know it,” she said. “My soul has been in pain for a long time. Knowing you and father are alive and that mother is at peace is healing.” She lifted her muzzle, her deep brown eyes sweeping the wolves gathered there. “I know all of you have expectations for me whether you realize them or not. I do not know if I will be able to meet them but I will do my best and see where it goes from them. Now Tortaro is someone I have sorely missed and I am ready to see him again.” Misty dipped her head slightly, licking Silver’s jaw once before following her father.