The Fall of the Savonti. 81

After all the fighting was done in the Academy and Andu and his warriors had swore to follow the laws provided by Lesu, Maru, Gabor, and Shayn relaxed for a moment. The Academy had survived a Savonti attack with only minimal casualties. Yaru and his healers were caring for any and all Savonti wounded and Macan was dealing with the human wounded. Shayn's healing abilities cared for anyone who's wounds were beyond the powers of Macan to care for.
With a minute to rest, Shayn stopped in the dining hall for a drink when a sudden thought hit him. He hadn't seen Ono all night. Suddenly his stomach turned and a icy cold feeling ran all through his body. He put down his glass and closed his eyes and called out to his love. No answer. That was when panic slipped in. Shayn pushed away the table in front of him and ran out of the dining hall to the office where Lilia sat talking quietly with Cutter.
"Where is he?" He asked them. "Where's Ono?"
"Shayn." Cutter looked at him projecting calm emotions to the young dragon to calm him down. "Stay calm. We have something to tell you."
"I ASKED WHERE IS ONO!!"
Lilia reached out for Cutters hand to help her to her feet. She pushed away the veil from her face to speak directly to Shayn.
"Ono took Gabor out and they were the one's to defeat Lord Memu."
"And something happen?" Shayn was now frantic with worry. He had been trying to reach Ono through the bond they shared, but he didn't feel anything. That scared him to death. "Lilia, where is my husband? Tell me what happened."
"Please sit down." Cutter pulled out a chair for him.
"I don't want to sit down!" Shayn kicked the chair across the room. "Tell me, is he dead?"
"NO!" Lilia took his hand in hers. "He's not dead, but he needs our help. Sit down so we can tell you what happened."
Still scared, Shayn picked up the chair and sat down. He listened calmly as Lilia and Cutter told him what happened outside of the walls when Ono and Gabor battled Lord Memu.
"Why didn't anyone tell me while all this was going on?"
"What would you have done?" Cutter asked. "Go with him?"
"Yes I would have gone with him." Shayn yelled at them. "And I would have brought him back!"
"You know this isn't Gabor's fault." Lilia said. "He did what he was there to do. He killed Memu. And if Ono wanted you with him, he would have told you what he had planned."
Shayn knew she was right. He would have wanted him here protecting the academy not out fighting the Savonti. He walked to the window where he watched as Andu and his warriors left the academy grounds. Shayn wanted to shift and tear the office apart, but that wouldn't do them any good, but there was something he could do.
"Your sure he's not dead?"
"Yes." Lilia shook her head. " I am sure."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Yes." She smiled. "I sure do. I can have someone bring him to meet us. Someone we trust."
"Are you sure he'll be alright?"
"Magu will not hurt him." She promised. "He is to important to Daru. He can be saved if we move fast."
"Gather everyone in the courtyard." He ordered. "And send to Maru and Lesu these orders. Tell them it's time to end this. We march on Daru. Tonight the prophesy will either come true, or be damned!"

From Daru's lair to Fedrul was no more then a two day's march, But Daru's course wasn't to be a straight one. After all the humans were not his only enemy. There were other lords who's lands he had his eye on. First north of Fedrul, Daru hit the land of lord Cofu. Though a powerful lord, he was no match for the army Daru was leading and Cofu gave in and swore his allegiance to the new Overlord. After Cofu came his neighbor Petu. Like Cofu, Petu was totally overwhelmed by the numbers he was against. He put up a short fight but in the end, Petu found himself in a collar and chained to march behind one of Daru's slave wagons.
With the two new lords in his power there was one more thing in Petu's land that Daru had come for. Living and running wild in Petul there was the great beast the Savonti called Chadaka. Chadaka are huge reptilian beast bipedal with four to six arms. They're carnivorous hunts that lived on the plains hunting dera and anything big enough to satisfy they're constant hungry. They are fast and strong but not very intelligent. The Savonti usually avoided them but Daru with his mind powers could control almost anything that walked.
Earlier that day while his warriors were stripping and gutting the house of Petu, Daru went out alone and stood on the edge of the forest and the plains. With his hand to his forehead, Daru sent up a call for the great reptiles. After a few minutes, her heard the bellow of the beast as they came charging in at him. From the size of the massive heads and the muscular shoulders, Daru knew he had attracted two adult males. To any other lord or human, the sight of the two raging beast coming towards them would cause instant panic. Their red flaring eyes, massive jaws filled with sword length teeth were the things of nightmares. But not to Daru. Standing his ground as they came thundering at him, Daru closed his eyes and sent out his command to their tiny little brains. Opening his eyes, Daru watched as the two beast stumbled and fell as they tried to fight of his control. Screaming in pain, the Chadaka fought savagely shaking and rolling in the grass trying to rid themselves of the intruder in their heads. But their minds were to weak and Daru was to strong. Soon the two beast were standing in front of him like lap dogs under his command. Now he was ready for the strange beast that fought for the Humans. Tonight the blood moon would mark the end of the Human resistance.

As Ono sat up and opened his eyes, pain lanced through his head. He reached up ah felt the tender spot on his head and wondered what had happened. The last thing he remembered him and Gabor were in a heated battle with Lord Memu in the jungle outside of the Academy. Getting to his feet, Ono looked around. It was dark and the blood moon was still high over head, but that didn't help tell anything about where he was.
From the looks and smell, he was in a musty dungeon, some kind of cell. The walls were of stone. It didn't look very sturdy to him. One went and touched the wall, it was moist. What lord would live here under these conditions? There was a door made of bars and a window but there wasn't very much moonlight getting in. Whoever lived here was a very more house keeper. This was weak even for a dungeon.
Stepping over to the door, Ono reached out and gave it a shake. It rattled but he couldn't get it open. No luck there he thought. He looked out the cell door and saw a light, then something moved making a shadow. He wasn't alone, there was someone out there.
Since there was no clue in here as to where he was, his only chance was to find out who held him. Then maybe he could find a way out.
Grabbing the doors, Ono started to shake and rattle them to attract his captors attention. It wasn't long before the shadow started moving down his way.
"I see the mighty grey beast is awake." The shadow said as it came closer. "Good, you should be awake for what comes next."
"Where am I Savonti?" He asked. "And who are you? Some lieutenant trying to gain favor from his lord?"
"Don't you recognize where you are?" The voice asked. "You did this. It was you and the white one that tore down my stack. But now I have you and there is no one coming to free you this time."
"Lord Magu I presume." Ono now know just where he was. This must be what was left of his stack after Magda and Ozmun helped him free Shayn and the slaves tore it down. So that's why he became one of Daru's lackeys. This was good news. If Gabor recognized Magu, then someone should by now be on there way here to find him. Shayn was going to be mad. He would deal with that when the time came, now he had Magu to deal with. "I wondered when I might get a chance to repay your kindness when you had my mate as your captive."
"Mate?" Magu's said surprised. "The white one was your mate?"
"Is my mate." Ono smiled. "You will be getting another chance to meet him soon. I'm sure he's on his way. You should be ready for his arrival."
"I think not." Magu laughed. "Soon Daru will have your little hovel surrounded, then he will take all the humans captive, your mate included."
"I'm surprised at you Magu." Ono walked to the front of the barred door. "After all that has happen, you still think us nothing but weak beast that you and your kind can round up and treat like animals. How many lords do we have to kill before you figure out the Savonti no longer rule Pentanthin? How many houses do we have to destroy? Fedru and Seru are dead and I know Maru now sits on the throne of Redu. I hear a human, a young boy killed Ketu. Oh, did I forget Memu?
You lords don't seem to be doing so well these days. Who's next? You or Daru?"
[Ono.] A voice rang in his head. [It is I, Valor. I am almost there. I will be there in just a few units.]
[You might want to hurry.] Ono told him. [I might need help here,]
[I will hurry. Just hold on.]
"You dare to threaten me Human!!" Magu's anger flared. He grabbed at the bars screaming in Ono's face. "Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do?"
"You can fly." Ono laughed. "So what! I know many who fly. You're nothing compared to what we can do?"
"NOTHING!!" Magu's eyes flared and he slammed his fist into the doors smashing them in. [Daru will have to settle for your mate! You are mine to kill!!"
As Magu charged in, Ono shifted and met his charge with his claws extended. Wrapping his wings around Ono, Magu forced all the air from inside him and became a massive glob of metamorphic flesh. Inside Ono ripped and tore at min but it was no use. It was like trying to cut into a blanket of thick malleable mud. The more he fought the angrier he became. He could barely breathe but he fought on. As he fought and became lite headed. All he could think of was Shayn and how much he loved him. He couldn't stand the thought of him here without his protection and what the Savonti would do to him. Suddenly his anger flared he felt his blood begin to burn.
[NO!] He screamed in his mind as some strange power started flowing out from his heart.
[NO, NO,NOOOOOO!!!!!!]
Suddenly Ono felt his body starting to shift again. It wasn't like when he shifted from man to wolf, but it was much more intense. Like flames running through his entire body. He felt himself grow as his arms and legs stretched and his body became a scaly grey. He roared out his rage as his tail grew long and spiky and wings ripped out of his back. As he tore through the elastic flesh that Magu had become, his face stretched out into a snapping maw.
[You wanted a fight.] He sent out. [Then Battle will gladly oblige your wishes!!]
With great sharp claws, he grabbed Magu the threw him through the wall of the cell. Forming himself into a blob, Magu oozed out and attacked. He formed arms and tried to pull Battle back into himself to suffocate him. Taking a deep breath, he blew his steamy hot breathe at Magu scorching him. As Magu howled in pain and tried to ooze away, Battle spread his wings and dived on him. With hammer like fist he pounded and smashed down on him the started ripping him into pieces and throwing them everywhere.
Huffing and puffing with exhaustion, Battle sat there in the middle of puddle after puddle of steamy grey metamorphic flesh. He roared in triumph and beat his chest and looked up to see Valor coming in to land.
When Valor saw the grey Dragon outside of the torn down stack, he was completely confused. He knew all the Dragons from the Academy and he had never seen this one before. Infusing his fist with energy to be ready to fight, Valor faced the new Dragon.
"Who are you?" He asked. "Where is the grey wolf?"
[It's me Xan.] He sent. [Ono.]
"Ono? Look out!!"
Quickly Battle turned as Magu surged at him in a wave of grey matter. With quick reflexes, Valor shot a blast of energy at the blob blasting it into a flaming mound of putrid flesh. Turning back to Valor, Battle took one step then collapsed and shifted back to Ono. Shifting to his normal form, Xan went to Ono and picked him up.
"Well done my friend." He said. "Well done. Now I say we go and see about a prophesy."

It had been a harrowing day for the Human race on Pentanthin, the Savonti had been hunting all day. Many traveling clans had been hunted down and captured and a few had even been killed. The slave pens in many Savonti houses were full tonight with men and weeping women and children. Unknown to them, this was to be their last night of bondage.
In Lesul and Marul, Warriors Human and Savonti were on the march. There destination was Fedrul and freedom. In the mountains of Lesul and the land once held by Memu they marched. From all parts of Pentanthin the word was being passed from clan to clan that tonight the blood moon and the White and Grey would bring all Humans their freedom. But it wouldn't come easy. To be free, they had to fight. Many would not live through the night but if they all fought together, the morning would bring a new day to Pentanthin. So from clan to clan and father to son, from mother to daughter and warrior alike the prophesy was told and hearts and voices were lifted in hopes for the night when freedom would rein on Pentanthin.
"Protect the white and grey. For they will cause the end of a thousand years of tyranny and enslavement. Their power and courage will doom the high ones and bring freedom to all that suffer and fight with them. The mark of the wolf and dragon will be the sign. Protect the white and grey."

Collared and chained Ozmun, Redu and the ex-lords followed Vak and his warriors. Every now and then one would stumble on the march and a staff would be pressed to their back sending a currant a pain running through their body. The lord would scream in pain but quickly get back on his feet marching, As Tibu stumbled, Redu quickly reached down a pulled him up before the guard could shock him. Unfortunately that guard just so happened to be as sadistic as the lord whose house he belonged to. Instead of shocking Tibu, he used his staff on Redu for helping the ex-lord. as the staff pressed into his back sending its jolt into him, Redu gritted his teeth and took the pain then glared up at the warrior who laughed at him and rode on ahead.
"I do not know how much more of this I will take." Redu whispered. "With one hand I could crush that fool."
"Patients Redu." Ozmun said. "We have to get to Daru first. Surprise is out best weapon."
"Yes." He smiled. "I would see Daru's face when I tear off the collar and grab throw him from his tracker. He must see my revenge coming. But Tibu is not as strong as I am. He might not have such a long march in him."
"Then we will have to do something about that."
Ozmun knew Redu was right. Some of the lord weren't use to such exercise. If something wasn't done, they wouldn't make it to Fedrul.
"Ho Warrior." Ozmun called to the closest guard. "I would speak with Vak."
"Quiet Human!"
"Get Vak back here!"
The warrior turned. You could see the anger on his face. He pulled his staff and started toward Ozmun. Ozmun stared back at him fearlessly ready to take his punishment. The warrior raised his staff about to slam it down on Ozmun's chest.
"Stop!" Someone called from behind them. Another warrior rode up and grabbed the staff. "What are you doing?"
"Teaching this juinti some obedience. He needs to learn respect."
"Are you a balur?" Asked the warrior on tracker back. "Do you know what Daru will do to you if any of them are harmed?"
A fearful look appeared on the guards face as he lowered his staff.
"I did not think, I was so angry."
"No." The rider said. "You did not think. what did he do to cause such anger?"
"He would not shut up. He kept asking to see Vak."
"Then do you not think you should go and get Vak?" He leaned down to look in the guards eyes. "I will watch them."
"Right away." The guard turned and hurried on to find Vak. The rider looked down at the tired ex-lords. "Be careful around that one. He is not very smart."
"Our thanks Warrior." Redu nodded. He looked closely at the warrior as if he looked familiar. "Do I know you warrior?"
"Yes my lord." He answered bowing his head. "I am Bok, formerly of the house of Redu. There are a few of your warriors here ready to stand at your side. We thought you had died in Daru's raid. I offer our apologies Lord Redu.".
"It seemed I was not forgotten." Redu looked down at Ozmun and smiled. "So you were taken in the raid a forced to serve Daru."
"Yes Lord Redu. With you dead we did not stand a chance fighting the Mind lord. If we knew you lived, we would have died trying to free you."
"You did well Bok. You served me well just by living. But now our time is growing near for our revenge."
"How can I help?" Bok asked.
"Gather our warriors and stay close to me. There will be a time when I will make my move. You must be ready to support me."
"Yes my lord." Bok bowed his head.
"One more thing." Redu stopped him before he rode off. "Human's are no longer our enemy. My only enemy is Daru and those that fight on his side. Now go, Vak is coming."
Urging his tracker on, Bok rode off into a crowd of mounted riders where he passed on Redu's orders and kept watch on his lord. Seconds later the guard returned with Vak at his side.
"You wanted to see me?"
"We are tired of this long march and need to rest." Redu said. "We need water and a place to rest our aching feet."
"Is this a lords order?" Vak asked. "Why should I grant your wish?"
"Because." Ozmun answered. "We will be of no use to Daru if we are to weak to even stand let alone fight. What will he say if we fall dead on the march and all you bring to him is our corpses?"
Vak thought for a minute then called for a wagon for them to ride in. He had water brought to them and something to eat. A large platter of meat and bread. Redu took one whiff of the meat and tossed the meat platter aside.
"I will not eat that ever again." He said glaring at Vak.
"Fine, enjoy your bread." With that, Vak rode off back to the head of the line. Like ravenous dogs the ex-lords tore into bread and water. It was better then nothing and they would need their strength for the fight to come.
"I thank you again Ozmun." Redu passed him a piece of bread. "You are very wise."
"You mean for a Human?"
"I mean for a Lord." Redu sat down and relaxed. "You got us food, water and rest. You take care of your allies. That is the action of a wise lord."
"I just hope this works." Ozmun took a deep drink of water letting it cool his throat.
"Have faith my friend. We will not fail you."

As Daru and his warriors marched through the dark forest of Fedrul, he reached out with his mind searching ahead of him. He had found the house of Memu earlier and learned that the lord of the house was not there. That would make his lair an easy conquest. Once Daru had it in his hands, this would be the perfect place to from which he could launch his attack on the Humans.
Once it was in sight he reached out and touched the minds of the guards on the walls and put them to sleep except one. In that one warriors mind he planted his order to open the gate. As he forced made their way across the small moat, the gates were opened and Daru lead his forces quietly into the house of lord Memu.
The take over was quick and easy without very much of a fight. It seems Lord Memu didn't leave very many warriors behind to guard his home. After questioning, Daru learned where Memu had gone. He was after the same Humans as Daru. Humans that once held this was house as their own.
As Daru did his inspecting of his new holding, word came to him, a warning about warriors returning from the attack. Closing his eyes, Daru gazed out with his mind to see who it was that would enter his captured grounds.
Coming out of the jungle, Andu and his warriors slowly made their way to the walls of Refuge. With a wave a warrior signaled the guard at the gate to lower the ramp and let them in. As the ramp came down, Andu urged his tracker on and in though the gate.
"Make way for the lord of the house." Called a warrior behind Andu. "Hail Lord Andu!"
As Andu and his warriors trotted slowly in, Daru stepped out and stood in their path stopping them.
"Nazun Lord Andu. I assume since you now lead these warriors, Memu is dead. Would that be correct?"
"Yes." Andu said.  He looked around and saw Daru's warriors coming out to back their lord. When Andu's warriors realized the house had been invaded, they reached for their weapons. "Stop, There will be no fighting here. If Daru wants this house, he may have it. Our fight is over."
" I think not." Daru walked over and stood in front of Andu. "You are Savonti. You are a lord. It is your responsibility to fight to keep Pentanthin under the rule of the Savonti."
"You mean under your rule." Andu sat back and stared down at Daru. "I am not juinti to you, and my father was never one of your allies. I have no obligations to you and your war is not mine. I will have no part of it."
"Then I guess I will have to make you." Daru's eyes flashed with power.
"HA HA HA HA HA!!" Andu laughed as he turned his tracker back to the gate. "You have no power over me. Your mind powers will not work on a mind you can not touch and you can not hurt my warriors if I do not want you too. Gistaa with your war."
Laughing, Andu ordered his warriors on. With a little concentration he made his warriors ghost right out through the gate and they were off into the jungle.
"THIS IS NOT OVER ANDU! YOU AND YOURS WILL BE MINE! I WILL FIND YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO! YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM ME!"
As Daru watched Andu leave, his mind boiled with anger. How dare he not accept his role as Overlord of the Savonti.
Stepping out through the gate, Daru cast his mind out in an attack on Andu. Reaching out he tried to grab his mind and pull it under his control. But it was like trying to hold on to water. He could feel Andu's thoughts but there was nothing there for him to latch on to.
[As I warned you.] Andu sent to him. [You can not control me, but I can hurt you. Go fight your humans and never bother me again or I promise you will feel my ghostly touch.]
Drawing back, Daru realized this was an enemy for another time. Right now he had more important things to do.
As his mind drifted back, he felt something in the jungle that should not be there. He could hear thoughts. The thoughts of a Human. With a little concentration, Daru located the source of the errant thoughts. There were three humans out in the jungle watching the lair. Coming in closer, he reached in to probe the two minds. They were warriors of the Gekko clan, long time enemies of both Fedru and Lesu. Digging a little deeper he learned that it was Gabor and Bella the two leaders of the Gekko's. And there was something else. Allies of the White and Grey? These three could lead him to the enemy he wanted most. With a touch of over confidence, for a second Daru's concentration slipped and the boy Gabor felt him in his mind. Daru felt his sudden panic as he warned the others. they jumped from the trees and dashed away into the jungle. But Daru knew running wouldn't help them. He had touched their minds and could now follow them with ease.
With a look of devious triumph on his face, Daru went back in through the gates of Refuge.
"Gather the warriors." He called. "We march in two units."

Fear burned through Gabor's mind as he and Bella hurried through the dark jungle. They jumped and dodged fallen trees and over huge boulders making their way back to their trackers. Once mounted, the brothers slapped the trackers side sending them into a race away from the dark lair.
"We have to hurry." Gabor yelled. "We have to get the warning to them that Daru is coming!"
From behind them, they could hear the hissing and croaking of the trackers following after them.
"We should split up." Bella said. "Maybe i could draw them away and give you enough time to get back."
"No! I will not leave you here to fight alone. I will not let the Savonti take anymore of my family. They can not kill anymore Gekko's ever again."
"Then ride brother!" Bella yelled. "Ride like you have never done before!!"
As Gabor and Bella rode, bolts of staff blasts ripped through the trees all around them. They ducked and dodged avoiding blasts and low hanging branches racing frantically to get away. Minutes felt like hours to them as the Savonti came closer and closer. With sight of a clearing ahead, Gabor felt there was finally hope. They were going to make it.
Suddenly a bolt came from behind them and hit Bella's tracker. It fell tossing him into the air like a rag doll. As Gabor stopped and waved his brother on, Bella ran and grabbed his arm and was pulled onto Gabors tracker behind him. of caves in front of them.
"We are almost there! Hold on!!"
Frothing at the mouth with thirst, Gabor's tracker broke through the last bit of jungle and headed across the grassy plain for towards a high cliff off in the distance. Holding onto Gabor tightly, Bella looked back at the jungle just as Daru and his horde of warriors came out. With the blood moon glowing brightly in the night sky, Daru charged on after the two humans.
"Now we have them!" Daru ordered them on. "I want the two Gekko's brought to me. And anyone they my lead you too!"
Riding hard the last few yards at the cliffs, the two brothers made their way into the biggest human encampment Daru had ever seen. The whole caves system was crawling with humans.This had to be where the White and Grey were hiding he thought. Victory was finally in his grasp.
As Gabor and Bella came riding in with the Savonti hot on their tails, alarms rang out through the camp. Men came running from caves and down by the river. Staffs, swords, spears and picks were passed out as the clansmen made a line of defense in front of the caves.
Jumping down off their mounts, Gabor and Bella grabbed staffs and went to join the men in the front of the line. As the two Gekko brothers took a stand they watched as waves of Savonti came riding from the jungle. There were hundreds out there, maybe a thousand Bella thought. How could they ever hope to win against so many?
With the Savonti charging down hard on them, Gabor ran and grabbed a flag and waved it high over his head.
"NOW!"
From behind him, men came scrambling out of hidden pits that had been dig in the field in front of the caves. Each man was armed with a crossbow. Bolts were loaded and when Gabor gave the signal launched at the oncoming warriors.  Hundreds of barbed iron arrows like glinting silver stars flew out at the Savonti. Like a blanket of death it spread out and fell on the charging warriors. As Daru watched, with a thought he sent out an order to Cofu who rode next to him. Cofu raised his hand and sent out a wave of vibrations that knocked the arrows off course making a large hole right over Daru and the warriors around him. As the rest of the arrows fell, some warriors were able to cover themselves with shields and a few were protected by their armor, but many were hit. As the arrows rained down, both warrior and trackers fell to be trampled on by those behind them.
After the first wave of arrows fell, Gabor ordered his men to re load and fired again. Grabbing their staffs, Daru's warrior opened fire on the archers sending them scattering for cover. Laid out on the ground in front of Gabor, the clansman had arranged a row of Pentanthium shields. As the staff for started, the shields were raised for their own protection.
As his staff bolts hit, Daru smiled and raised his hand to halt his warriors advance. He read Bella's thoughts. He could feel the fear and anger running off the humans. His warriors would eat well from now on. Climbing down from his tracker, Daru walked out to stand where he could be seen the mass of human.
"I am Daru, Overlord of the Savonti and master to all of Pantanthin and you all now belong to me."
From all across the mass of clansmen, groans of objection began to rise. Men raised their weapons in defiance of the Savonti lords claim. Gabor held up his hand to quiet his people. "I can feel your fear. I command you all to lay down your weapons and surrender and bring the White and Grey out to face me!"
From the line of clansmen two men in hooded cloaks stepped out to join Gabor. As they threw back their hood to revealed themselves, Daru saw a tall brown haired man standing side by side with another with hair the color of sand. Neither looked very strong. Daru smiled thinking he had already won and the war was over. All he had to do was kill or collar these to and the humans would be his.
"No more running." Ono yelled to Daru. "We're here to end this."
"You are here to die!"
With a wave, Daru sent four warriors out at the two humans. Throwing off his cloak, Ono stepped out to meet his challengers. With his staff raised like a spear, the first warrior charged at him. Aiming the head at Ono's chest, the warrior thrust forward trying to run him threw. With amazing speed Ono grabbed the staff and easily lifted the warrior up and slammed him back into the ground. As the warrior tried to get up, Gabor stepped out and kicked him in the jaw knocking him out.
As the next three warriors came at him, Ono met them like a charging bull. His six foot frame hit them so hard he knocked him back to land flat at Daru's feet.
Daru couldn't believe four of his strongest warriors had just been defeated so easy by a mere human. But he had more warriors and power enough to destroy whatever enemy that came before him. From his saddle, Daru raised his staff and gave the order.
"ATTACK! KILL THEM ALL!!"
Like a wave of insects, Savonti warriors charged down on the clansmen. Staffs were powered up and blast were fired into the crowd. As the Savonti charged, the clansmen grabbed for shields to block the staff blast. It only took seconds before the Savonti were on them and the fighting was hand to hand.
As Daru watched the battle, he heard the sound of trackers charging coming from behind him. He turned just as Vak and his warriors came out of the jungle and charged down onto the field. Daru quickly gave orders for Vak to bring his prisoners out and send them into battle.  From his little hill, Daru watched as two caged wagons were driven out onto the battle field. In front, one warrior drove the single tracker pulling each wagon while another fired his staff at any clansmen that came near them. In the back of the first one were the ex lords Guku, Tibu and Zeru from the western lands. With a sigle thought, Daru ordered the warriors to release the prisoners. When the cage door openen, Daru reached out and took hold of their minds. It didn't matter how much they struggled, the collar gave Daru total control of their actions. With a kick, Tibu forced the door open and jumped down out of the wagon. In front of him there was a wave of clansmen coming in to attack. With a wave of his hand he sent blast of cold at them. As temperatures in and around them suddenly reached zero, frost grew all over them. Their blood froze in their veins and the fell dead. As Zeru advanced, he reached down and picked up a fallen sword. Bellowing his rage he waded into the crowd of clansman sending his paralyzing field out all around him. As men came in to attack him, a strange numbing feeling overwhelmed their body's and they lost all conrtol of themselves. Like rag dolls they fell giving Zeru and the warriors the chance to cut them down. Guku's attack was different. He could blast them with eye beams or render them powerless. His wasn't physical, but mental. Like death itself Guku sent waves of hate out at the clansmen which tore their mind down with rage. They attack and thing around them friend or enemy as their minds snapped and they fell dead.
In the second wagon rode Redu, Weru, Buku and Ozmun. As they were released, Daru reached out and tried taking control but it didn't work. Something was wrong. He couldn't enter their minds at all. Redu stepped down from the wagon and grabbed the nearest tree and pulled it up out of the ground. He turned to Daru.
"HEAR ME MIND LORD! I AM COMING FOR YOU AND NOTHING WILL STOP ME!"
Beside him Buku reached out with him mind and started throwing warrior into the air.  Weru used his powers to siphon physical energy and shot it back as fast as he could. With a sword in one hand, he shot stun bolts as attacked Daru's forces.
From the hill Daru screamed as his warriors battled the Clansmen. The battle went back and forth with neither side gaining the upper hand.
"This can not be." Daru said. "The Savonti must triumph."
[You can't win Daru.] Shayn sent. [The Savonti's days as masters of Pemtanthin are over. The only answer is to live a peaceful co-existence. Most of the Lords have given in and learn that lesson, What will it take for you to see how useless this is?]
[I see no Savonti standing with you Human!] Rage filled Daru's mind filling him with power. [I will never bow to any Human or to any lord who serves at the side of your kind.]
[In that.] Came a familiar voice in his mind. [You are wrong Daru. We stand with the humans now and we are many!]
As Daru watched, Lesu, Paru and Pulu rode out of the jungle and attacked. Cheers went up among the Clansmen as the Savonti joined on their side. But still Daru's army was greater. It would take much more to tip the balance in their favor.
[You think even combined you can defeat me? I will never accept defeat! I will break you all and crush you under my feet Human!]
[Then let's end this now.] Ono sent. [Feel the true might of your enemy. See what you face from this day on!]
As Ono raised his hand into the night sky, something in the blood moon gave off a great flash that covered the face of the entire planet. Suddenly men dropped their weapons and fell to the ground. Pain lanced through their bodies as the blood moon began Pentanthin's first global change. Fur sprouted as claw formed and fangs sharpened, From man to werewolf every human on the planet changed growing in strength and agility.
"Rise Were of Pentanthin." Ono shouted. "Rise and face your enemy!!"
With renewed energy and great strength, the Were men of Pentanthin attacked. There were now werewolves and were panthers, lion men and tiger men all there to battle for Pentanthin. The Savonti stopped for a second in shock of what had just happened. No longer were they fighting weak fleshy humans. Now they faced savage creatures with strength equal or stronger then their own. And the fighting went on.
When Daru saw his enemies sudden change he called out with his mind to his last weapon hiding in the jungle. A weapon he knew would win the war for him and make him Pentanthins master.
From the top of the cliff, Valor, Shine and Blink with the academy cadets watched the battle hoping Ono's plan would be enough to win the day. But even with the changes, the Clansmen were still out numbered by the overwhelming numbers behind Daru. Suddenly a great thundering sound rang out from the jungle. The sound of trees cracking and crashing to the ground.
"What now?" Captain Testa said as he raised his spyglass to look out. He saw trees falling as something made its way crashing toward the battle ground.
"Whatever it is." Shine said. "It's big and there's more than one."
"Someone better warn Shayn there's trouble coming."
As the ground shook, Lesu and Paru rode down to where Shayn and Ono were fighting. They jumped down from their trackers and took down warrior warriors between them and the White and Grey.
"Lords Shayn and Ono!" Lesu called. "Get behind us. Something comes from the jungle!"
As Ono looked up, something huge came crashing out of the jungle. Ono took a step back as it roared a monstrous cry shaking the ground around them.
"What is that?" Shayn asked.
Dragon like standing at least twenty five feet tall, a six armed reptilian beast came lumbering out of the jungle. It had a great wide head a gaping maw full of what looked to be razor sharp teeth. Its tail had to be fifteen feet long and each arm ended with a four clawed hand. Right behind it came three more of a smaller size. As the thundering beast stomped their way onto the field, Daru walked out to meet them. Reaching down, the lead Chadaka opened its hand and Daru stepped on and let the beast lift him to eye level where Daru did something that shocked and amazed everyone watching.  With his hand on the beast head, Daru faded away to merge with the Chadaka
"That is impossible." Lesu stared at the monster in shock.
"Lesu!" Ono grabbed his arm. "What is that?"
"That is a Chadaka," He said. "The fiercest of all creatures on Pentanthin and it seems Daru has somehow merged with it and now he has it under his control."
"It's a dragon." Ono smiled.
"No." Paru said. "It has no intelligence. It is pure instinct and rage. Many of our people have died trying to kill them. Daru is the only one to ever gain control over them and he now controls four of the beast."
"Well we may not control the Chadaka." Ono said as he took of his jacket. "But we have our own ways to deal with such beast. Valor, Blink, Shine, let's finish this a go home!"
Shifting forms, Valor Blink and Shine dropped down off the cliff and flew down and circled the battle ground.
"When we go in." Ono turned to Shay. "It'll be up to you to finish here. Promise me you'll get everyone home safe."
"I'm not going home without you." Shayn grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss. "You will be back, I'm not worried."
"I love you." Ono dropped his hand and ran out onto the field and shifted to Battle.
"And I love you." Shayn turned and with Lesu and Paru at his side, they ran off to a clearing on the edge of the plains. "We have one more card to play. There's one more enemy of the Savonti left to enter this fight. Are you sure all our Savonti warriors wear your colors?"
"Yes." Lesu nodded. "Yaru and all the other wear only red, the color of my house."
"Then I'll call for a new friend to come and help."
Closing his eyes and trusting Lesu and Paru to keep him safe, Shay called out to Lilia at send word to Avar. But before she could send out her thoughts, Avar was there to answer.
[I AM HERE THALIA"S FRIEND. IS EVERYTHING READY?]
[All is ready.] Shayn told him. [We are prepared to swear the oath.]
[SWEAR IT.]
Shayn looked at Lesu and gave him a nod urging him on.
Pulling their swords, both Lesu and Paru placed them down on the ground in front of them and went down on one knee.
"I swear on the honor of my house and my life that never again will a of our house hurt or harm a member of the Nevac people. We will protect your kind and work for peace from this dray on with the Nevac and the people of Pentanthin. It will be our duty to punish and Savonti that break this pact we swear forever more. So swears Lesu, Paru and Maru."
[WE ACCEPT YOUR PACT.] Avar shifted into visibility. [MY PEOPLE WILL COME.]
With Avar's call, a buzzing hum could be heard coming from the cliff walls and out of the caves. Then from the caves, the Nevac swarmed down into the battle.
"Let's go win a war."