Dressed in grey leather, Ono Tyr walk out along the long dimly lite wall. He greeted and clasped hands with clansmen who stood side by side with Savonti partners. Seeing them together sharing the responsibility for the protection of the Academy gave him hope. It was proof that Humans and Savonti could live and work together. Savonti eyes watched the dark forest ready to give an alert the second they saw anyone move out of the dark forest while clansmen were ready to pounce when given the word.
As a cool wind blew across the top of the wall, Ono felt a strange chill as he turned a corner on the walkway and saw Blink standing looking over the rail. His dark hair blew wild in the breeze and there was a puzzled look on his face.
"Where is Cas?"
"Here." Cas said as he walked out to meet them. "I was busy getting my warriors to deal with eating Dera."
"How did they like it?"
"They enjoyed it. Dera are much harder to hunt. They look forward to many years of exciting hunts."
"We're ready Brother." Ono looked up at the moon high over head. "It's almost time. Gabor and the clansmen have assembled. More and more clans join us every day. They come out of the mountains, the plains, the cold north and the hot south."
"Unfortunately, so does the Savonti." Blink explained. "More lords are joining the fighting. Luckly, they seem to be joining both sides. I talked with Maru and he told me of three lords that he convinced to join us from the south. He also told me of the houses Daru invaded and the lords he took."
"I know all about the missing lords. Lilia assures me that situation is under our control. But I still feel the new lords we don't know about may be a problem."
"The unknown is our enemy." Blink said. "But it can also be our friend."
"Right now we have enough known enemies to deal with." Ono waved Blink on to follow him. "Right now I need you and Cutter. I want you in the shadows. I need you to find out where the Savonti are, when they're going to attack."
"And Cutter?"
"We'll be needing his fear abilities." Ono said. "Send him here. Lilia will give him his instruction. But you should hurry. I don't think there's much time."
"Where will you be?"
"I have something important I have to do." Ono started to turn away then stopped and turned back. "Cas, I need a favor."
"What can I do for you?"
"If anything goes wrong." He paused for a second to think. "If something happens to me, I need to know that Shayn will get back home safe to New Keanna. I want you to promise me that you will get him and the Academy home to Jandar and Rage."
"What are you saying Ono?" Blink looked at him with suspicion and worry in his eyes. "What are you planing to do?"
"I'm going to free the people here. That's all."
"Ono, that's what we all want." As Blink spoke, the sunburst around his right eye flared revealing how worried he was. He knew Ono was about to do something dangerous that could get him killed. He also knew how devastated Jandar and Rage would be if he came home without him. But, like Jandar, Ono had his own mind and once he made a decision, even Shayn probably couldn't talk him out if it. He would have to find another way to protect the young werewolf. "I can't make that promise to you but I can tell you this"
"What's that?" Ono asked with a sigh.
"We're not going home without you." The sunburst flashed. "So whatever your planning, you be careful."
"I have things to do." Ono turned and walled off down the walk way. "And so do you. Aiya Brother."
As Blink watched him go he sent out a call in his mind.
[Shine!]
[What is it Blink?]
[Ono has something dangerous in mind. Can you follow him and keep an eye on him?]
[I'm on my way.]
It was deathly quiet as Ono stepped out of the back entrance to the Academy hall. Shifting his vision to night mode, Ono made his way through the gardens and practice fields pass Lilia's cottage to a secret place in the wall that very few knew about. As Ono approached, he saw a torch come from out behind the trees. Shifting to a more wolfen, Ono flexed his claws and slipped out to see who it was in the back garden. He hoped it was the person he had arranged to be there. As Ono got closer, he caught a scent and relaxed as Gabor Gekko stepped out holding the torch.
"Are you ready?" Ono asked.
"Yes." Gabor said. "Though I'm not sure what it is we are doing. We are about to be attacked, what are we doing back here?"
As Ono looked up and saw the second moon creeping higher into the sky, he stepped up to the walk and placed his hand on a raised stone that stuck out from the rest. With a hushed whisper, a section of the wall opened and slid away. Gabor stuck his head out and saw the jungle beyond.
"Follow me." Ono stepped out through the gate. He stopped and looked back at Gabor. Unsure where they were going, Gabor stepped out and started into the dense foilage. Ono grabbed his shoulder from behind to stop him.
"Put out the torch and leave it." He said. "We won't need it."
"How will we find the Savonti?"
Ono tapped his nose. "With this. Breathe deep. Can't you smell them?"
Gabor took a deep breath. He could smell many different scents from the forest. Dung from different animals, many different types of plants that he suddenly could easily identify. And a metallic scent he had smelled many times before and knew could only be the Savonti. But how was it that he could smell them? He didn't know how, but it was like he suddenly had the sense of smell of a tracker.
"The Savonti are that way." Gabor pointed. "To the west."
"Move slow and carefully." Ono warned Gabor. "We have someone to hunt."
"Who?"
"We hunt a Savonti lord tonight." Fur started to grow all over Ono's body as he shifted form. From man to grey wolf, Ono trotted out into the jungle. [We hunt Memu. Follow me.]
Moving slowly, Ono slipped deeper into the forest. With his nose to the wind, he went west making sure Gabor stayed right behind him. As they moved, Gabor was amazed at how strong he felt. His whole body was tingling with strength and excitement. His hearing felt so sharp tonight and he realized that the forest didn't seem as dark as it did a little while ago. He thought it must be the excitement of the hunt. But he had been hunting in this jungle all his life and he never felt like this before.
Looking up, Gabor saw the red moons high and full in the night sky. It was almost right over his head As Gabor stared at the moon, he felt something deep inside of him begin to burn. He started to sweat profusely as they snaked their way through the trees. There was something different about tonight. It was more than the anticipation of the coming battle. Gabor wasn't sure what it was, but he liked the feel of power and hoped it wouldn't go away.
As they made their way through the jungle, the smell of the Savonti was all around them. Peeking through a hedge, Ono and Gabor watches as warriors worked to set up a make shift camp. A corral was set up to hold the trackers and kiln on wheels was brought in to heat up sand for the warriors to sleep. A place for a kitchen and holding pens with cages was cleared then set up. When Gabor saw that, his lips curled back and Ono heard a growl starting to form deep inside of him.
[Calm down Gabor.] Ono sent with a soft whimper. [We're to close to let emotion trip us up. Our target is Memu, without him to lead them, these warriors will fall into chaos.]
[But those cages.] Gabor sent angrily. Ono could still hear that growl deep in his minds voice. [You know what that means.]
[Yes I do. But those cages are empty. Keep your head, don't let it distract you.]
[I am trying.] Gabor sent. [But I feel so strange. My head is burning up.]
[It won't last much longer.] Ono assured him. [It'll all feel natural soon. Look over there. Memu.]
Over to the left climbing down from a great tracker in his sky blue armor, Memu yelled orders to his warriors. Jumping to attention at his word, the warriors all hurried to get in position for the attack. Forming in three units, his warriors advanced from the left, right and the center with Memu on the hill issuing him commands.
Realizing that the Savonti lord was alone, Ono knew this was there chance. Carefully they crept up behind Memu and wait for him to order the attack to begin.
From the top of the walls of the Academy, Lowell stood and watched the silent dark jungle. There was no night breezes and the jungle animals made no sound tonight for a good reason. Though he couldn't see them, Captain Lowell Testa knew the Academy was being watched. There were hundreds of eyes out there right now trained on the walls looking for a way in. As he walked alone the walkway, he found Kalin Ka, Texta and Cas standing at the rail looking out.
"We've done all that we can." Kalin said without looking at Lowell. "The walls are protected though I don't know for how long."
"It's ok." Lowell stood next to him. "We have enough magic he to out last the Savonti."
"Don't be so sure my friend. We Savonti lords are not to be under estimated. There are still ways they can get in."
"Then we'll just have to make sure they don't won't we."
As Kalin smiled and nodded his agreement, a shrill scream broke the silence of the night and Savonti warriors came pouring out of the jungle. Staff weapons in hand they started blasting at the walls and the front gate. Calling out to all the armed Savonti and clansmen, Captain Lowell ordered them to return fire. Like lightning, streaks of energy flew back and forth at the wall and into the attacking Savonti force. Men and Savonti fell back when hit. Though more on the Savonti side since Kalin and the other councilors wall shield spell seemed to be working very well.
As the battle raged, every now and then a warrior would run out and start to climb the wall. From the top if he had been seen, someone would aim a weapon down and shoot him off the wall. If not, then he would make the top of the wall where he would be met by hand to hand resistance. As Lowell watched he breathed a sigh of relief, his wall forces so far had everything under control. But this was just the first wave. Memu would have something else in mind. Something that should be sprung on them at any moment.
From his perch on the hill Memu watched as his first wave of warrior attacked. Energy bolts ripped through the sky like hot arrows of molten metal. If it continued like this, his warriors would never make it up the walls. It was time for the second wave to move in.
"Andu,"
From behind Memu, a small warrior dressed in a lite shade of blue like Memu stepped up beside him. He gave his lord the fist to chest salute then bowed.
"How can I help you Father?"
"Get my warriors through that wall." Memu didn't even look down at the smaller version of himself"
"As you wish."
Walking slowly as if he was in no danger, Andu made his way down the hill and onto the field of battle. From the top of the wall weapons were aimed at him and fired. Bolts of energy flashed out striking the ground around him sending bursts of dirt into the air. As he got close to the wall the shots became more accurate but instead of hitting him, they passed right through him like he was nothing but some kind of shadow. As Andu stepped close, he raised his hands and pointed at the wall. Suddenly a shimmer like aura surrounded him and the wall became ghost like and intangible.
With a great bellow of laughter, Memu ordered his warriors forward and through the opening in the wall.
As Ono saw the warriors charge in through the wall, he shifted to wolf man form and stood up.
[This is it.] He sent to Gabor. [We attack now!]
With a howl, Ono charged at Memu with Gabor right on his heels. Diving at the Savonti lord. Ono smashed his fist into the back of his head. As Memu turned, Ono kicked out at him. Raising his arm to block the kick, Memu swept his other hand around to push Ono off with his force field. As his hand came up, Gabor swung his staff down in an arch and smashed it down on Memu's arm breaking it. As Memu howled out in pain, he stepped back and used his force field to pushed Gabor away.
"Stupid humans." Memu yelled. "You think a broken arm can stop a Savonti lord! I do not need hands to kill you!"
Reaching out with his force field, Memu grabbed Gabor and raised him high in the air. Thrusting about, Gabor struggled to free himself. As he looked up trying to break Memu's hold on him. Something in the moon flared and suddenly Gabors blood began to boil. He screamed out in pain as a rage filled his mind and he started to change for the first time. Brown fur grew thick all over his body as the wolf took hold of him. His snout grew out and fingers reformed into claws. As his teeth grew out into fangs, Gabor howled at the bloody moon.
"What madness is this?"
Surprised, Memu lessened his hold on Gabor and he tore himself free from the force field and fell snarling to the ground. As Gabor howled, Ono joined him and together they attacked Memu.
From high in the night sky, Magu watched as Memu fought the two strange beast. As the battle grew fierce, Magu circled waiting to see who would win. Gabor wasn't the brown beast he was interested in. It was the grey one. This Magu knew had to be one of the White and Grey. If he could catch it, Daru would take the upper hand on the Humans. Now all he had to do was make sure Memu lost this battle.
As the two Werewolves stood in front of him, Memu lashed out forming his field into a huge fist and smashed it down at Gabor. Diving with lightning reflexes, Gabor jumped at Memu and slashed at his armor. Huge gouges from his claws were carved in the chest piece. Leaping in while Gabor had distracted Memu, Ono sent a series of punches at Memu's head then leaped away before Memu could react. On and on the battle rage with Ono and Gabor using each other to distract Memu while the other attacked. As Memu started to weaken, he realized he was losing the battle. The two strange beast were just too fast and too strong and he was fighting with one arm. He had lost his staff, but as long as he had his force shields, he didn't need another weapon. All he needed was enough time to kill one before the other could attack.
As Ono dived at him, Memu grabbed him and slammed him to the ground knocking him out. With an anxious grin, Memu started forming the smallest force bubble he had ever made. His plan was to place it in the grey beast head and make it expand until its head exploded.
As Memu tried to place it, the brown beast attacked. Raising his uninjured arm, Memu pushed it back away form and turned back to the grey beast. As he began to concentrate, a blast of power came from somewhere above and blasted him to the ground.
Seeing Memu down, Gabor snarled and leaped at him. Landing on his chest, Gabor began to beat at his head and rip away Memu's armor. With a savage howl, Gabor stabbed his claws into Memu's chest and tore it open exposing his beating reptilian heart. As Gabor's heart pumped furiously, Gabor slammed his fist down on it crushing it. Throwing back his head, Gabor howled his triumph at the blood red moon. Lord Memu master of Memul and the forced death grip was dead.
Exhausted and covered in Savonti blood, Gabor stood up and turned to where Ono had been laying.
As Gabor turned, a huge shadow passed over his head and he heard a deep throated Savonti laugh. Gabor looked up just in time to see Magu fly off carrying Ono.
[Oh Shit!!] Gabor watched as Magu winged away. "Now what do I do?"
[I can help.]
From out of the trees a bright glowing streak came flying down like a lightning bolt. As it hit the ground, it exploded in a flash. Gabor covered his eyes from the brightness. When he opened them, Eheren was standing over Memu's dead body.
"We have to move fast." He said. "Warriors have entered the Academy. This should stop them."
[I can not carry him like this.] Gabor held out his clawed hands to Eheren. [What happened to me?]
"Gabor. I'll explain it later. Right now we have to get this back to stop the attack. If you want to change back, just concentrate and you'll shift back to your normal form."
It took a few minutes but finally Gabor shifted back to his normal self. Eheren shifted to his dragon form and then loaded Memu's body on his back and they were off.
At the Academy the battle raged in full steam. Andu had made an opening in the wall and a large group of warriors had made it in before he was to busy fighting to hold it open. Captain Lowell and the clansmen were fighting sword to sword against Memu's warriors while Kalin and the councilors kept power flowing to the wall. Inside the Academy, the cadets watched holding back ready for Memu's next attack.
Shortly after entering the Academy walls, as Andu stood holding the walls open, a bolt of energy came blasting down at his feet. Andu looked up to see a man dressed in white standing at the Academy doors facing him.
"Stop your attack!" Shayn ordered. "Take your warriors and leave us in peace. This is your only warning. Humans will never again be subjugated by the Savonti!"
With a grim smirk on his face, Andu walked out to meet the brightly dressed human in the center of the courtyard.
"You lead these Humans?"
"Yes." Shayn said. "I do."
"They you are the one my father, Lord Memu wants dead." Andu twirled his staff around so the blunt end was in the ground. "I am not as callous as my father is. I will show you mercy. Have all your people come out and give themselves to me and I not kill them. So swears Lord Andu, son of Memu."
"How generous of you." Shayn smiled. "But I think I will have to decline your oh so gracious offer and I'll make you one."
"What could you possibly offer me?'" Andu leaned forward on his staff. Shayn knew he could swing that staff up and blast at him in a second, but he didn't care. "How about your life. Leave and swear to never touch another Human, and I will let you live."
"Bold words for a Human." Laughed Andu."
"I never said I was Human"
"Then what are you?" Andu wasn't smiling any more.
"I'm the one giving you a chance to live." Shayn's eyes flashed with a golden glow. "I'm one of the men who did this to your father."
As Shayn finished the sentence, Memu's body dropped out of the sky and landed at Andu's feet. Andu stepped back in shock seeing his fathers corpse on the ground in front of him. Spreading his arms, Shayn shifted to his dragon form and roared sending a plume of flame into the sky. In answer to his roar, Shine, Blink and Cutter in dragon form dropped down howling to surround Andu. Looking from one snarling dragon to the next, Andu leveled his staff at Shayn but did not fire.
Climbing down from Shine's back, Gabor stepped out to speak with Andu.
"Put down your weapon." Andu lowered his staff and then dropped it. "We will run and hide no more.We are not the weak beast you think we are. We have the power and the friends to protect ourselves from now on. So I give you the choice again. Promise to never hunt or harm another human or die here and now. The choice is yours."
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