He could see his mother whither away in front of him. He could see that she was dying yet, he could still hear her voice. " My precious little boy... "She spoke into his ears and he looked around, trying to find her with his eyes. " I don't have much time left , my child. Listen to me well. I am going to leave a very heavy burden on your tender shoulder. Much heavier than leading our clan. This will be your decision. But this decision will alter the course of the present world. So choose it well. "And then the rest of her voice echoed inside his soul. It made him tremble. It made him hate his own self over and over again. In front of him was the one that was controlling him by the thread, the one who was responsible for bringing him to life. Yet, he was the main enemy. The one that could ruin his soul and cause him to cause a great catastrophe. He knew the time was tender for his bird tribe with the wolves patrolling their borders and sneaking in and out with every given oppo
Things weren't particularly in order in the immortal world. Xie became too busy with his wife. The doctors said his wife needed complete rest and care, for the sake of their unborn child. One would have believed what they said, if they didn't know the nature of the Wolf Queen. She wanted Xie out of the war zone, that she was so meticulously sculpting. Mia had become very disoriented and whatever she had found out at the Western Waters, was slipping in and out of her mind. It was the same with Boshu. He would be brooding day and night, to such an extent that Roe finally thought of asking Lin for advice. It was only then that the two of them noticed that the behavioural changes in their respective spouses, weren't due to random,mood swings. "I knew they were up to something, back on that island... but I couldn't really tell without confirmation... "Roe began but was cut short as Lin suddenly stood up, shoving the chair forward. " What do I need to do to gain Mia's trust? Am I not g
" Ahhhh.... I shouldn't have had to say this.. my little Roe Roe... but since I am your mother, I must... I cannot close my eyes to the truth... "Roe was sitting at her mother's chamber while Lin was with the Wolf King. " What is it? " She asked her mother, without looking up. She was holding her head between her two hands and pulling her hair out. She was trying to think about what she was missing. That's why she didn't go to attend the discussion with her father. " It's clear , isn't it? Why did your sister have to confide in your husband, instead of her own? "The Queen was slowly trying to push her agenda. It was her chance to get her daughter out of the mess. She knew very well what harm awaited all when she did what she was dirtying her hands with. " What are you trying to say? I am trying to figure something out as well. You are confusing me, instead of helping me out, like always. "Roe didn't take the poisonous hint her mother was trying to fees her, so the Queen had to d
Xie's POVI was walking casually back after wrapping up our little meeting with father and Lin. The fox king was also there and we decided that we needed to go check the Western Waters again. This time with reinforcement. I was walking casually back in, that is, till the scent of grime and metallic tang of blood assaulted my senses. I ran towards the chamber where Ruby was and banged the door open. Panic clawed at my chest as I scanned the room, my eyes widening at the horrifying sight. Vomit and crimson stains mared the floor, the walls, and my soul. "Ruby!" I yelled. my voice a desperate, echoing plea. My eyes darted around the room, searching for any trace of her beautiful, ethereal form. My heart raced, and I felt the raw edge of my claws pressing against the skin of my palms.I still tried to believe that she must have gotten very sick and moved to the hospital wing, despite seeing the marks of struggle all over the place. Fear was coursing through me, mingling with the ang
The ocean waters were especially rogue that day. It was hard to say if it was because of the weather or because Akata was distressed. He always used to be with Ruby or Jade or Roe whenever his parents had to go somewhere. Never was he left all alone, by himself, at home. This time, it was very different. His mom and Ruby, were gone. Jade was going to assist in the voyage that the foxes and the wolves were going to embark on, along with her mer-witches. The wolf King was to lead the expedition himself, leaving only the Fox king behind to defend both the territories, if anything unexpected happened back home. " Take care of yourself and take good care of your grandfather. Alright my little warrior? Can I count on you to save the day? "Lin asked, sitting on his knee, looking his son at the eye and holding his shoulder, firm. The boy nodded vigorously. " Yes, father. I will kill anybody who tries to trespass on these lands... "" Whoa! Hold on! Where did you learn that my little
"Make it quick, Shaman, if you want to keep your head. What is taking so long? I am running out of time, can't you see? They might be on us, any moment. The awakening must happen before that. "The Shaman was shaking in fear as he saw how the wolf queen was mishandling the, tattered body of Ruby who was in her mer-witch avatar. "I hope that Fox is able to do his part back there. All useless morons I kept as pets. None of you are worth even the base pay scale. "The Wolf queen murmured as the rogue mer-witch kept watching Ruby's woe with pleasure and smiling to her heart's content. The Shaman had initially agreed to aid the rogues in the lure for short cut money and early retirement. But he was no fool. He could see he was up against something he had no knowledge of but even with his low spiritual power he could tell the sinister forces that drew near. "Well, well, well... if this isn't sweet revenge, then what is? "The rogue mer-witch stroked Ruby down from head to her, barely glo
" Who was it? Who dared to disturb my peace? " The Great Serpent's eyes snapped open, blazing orbs of molten rage. The ground quaked beneath his colossal coils as he let out a thunderous roar that reverberated through the walls of the cave, shattering stones and splashing water all around. The Wolf Queen's eyes were ablaze with determination.She thought she had accomplished what she was working towards. She thought she had achieved her heart's desire.She came forward and bowed before the Great Serpent's majestic form. She raised her outstretched hand towards the form of the Great Serpent. Shadows danced across the ancient mausoleum.She shoved the shaman aside and then began to whisper incantation, her fingertips began to glow with a brilliant azure, and tendrils of raw power snaked towards the serpent's colossal form.It was a tribute. The way to let him know that it was indeed her doing and that she was vowing servitude. " It was me, oh! Great Serpent, your humble devotee. Welcome
" Xie ... Xie my boy, are you alright? "She rushed to his side as he began vomiting blood and foaming at his mouth. Her eyes were about to pop out of her eye sockets. Xie was in excruciating pain but he completely ignored his mother. He pushed her away and stumbled his way forward, towards his beloved. His eyes were flashing with concern even in that state. All that the Wolf Queen could do was watch in agony and jealous rage. Within the next few moments, the cave filled with the rest of the troops. The Wolf King came right at Xie and Ruby and hit them both with the Spirit Conjuring Staff that he snatched from the Queen's hand. It swirled around the two of them for some time and then slowly a greenish fume evaporated from around them. Xie too, fell unconscious over the body of his wife. " Take them back immediately. " The Wolf King commanded as a group of soldiers from the fox and wolf clans,hurried towards them. " Is she alive? " It was Jade who finally joined them. " She is