FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Great War it's so impressive an event of such a grand scale, such magnitude, drawing in every race of Verillia could occur in nearly the infancy of the world's history. In many ways the war harkened back to the war of the early world when all races had united to battle for their future. Nonetheless this conflict threw those who had been allies in such a decisive fight into violent combat against one another be it for pride, wealth, or their very lives. And from this war would come the rise of heroes and Lords in a world that readies for a future of great changes and challenges.

"The land is gorgeous is it not my friends?" Sirius spoke proudly overlooking the sprawling fields and woodlands that lie below the bluffs and forward onto the horizon. Atlai remained skeptical despite the overwhelming positivity, "Indeed however I still do not trust how we acquired it." "Lighten up Atlai, we now have more land than we could ever desire," Cerberus interjected. Siri's eyes were filled with hope and dreams of the future, "Imagine how long it will take us to travel this land and build our lives upon it!"

To the west Maxinimus struggled urgently to repair and rebuild the damaged empire he had worked so desperately to save. The populous was diminished greatly by the plague leaving a minute quantity of workers outside of the hunting and gathering groups. Maxin called all survivors of the plague to move inward to a centralized point during the reconstruction to help alleviate the stress on smaller villages. Even with all of his might and power Maxinimus found himself capable of so very little to help return his people to the life they once knew. His efforts to find the origin point of the outbreak and create a permanent solution to it would have to be pushed off for the time being.

In the north Imfay rallied his men and prepared for war against their Fox foe who stood between them and their conquest over the Deer nation. Imfay was not willing to let the Deer slip from his grasps and would do whatever it would take to return them to subordinates of the Elk. Maxinimus too stood in his way of control over the two kingdoms, he would not be so lucky to be banished if caught by Imfay. The Elk went along following Imfay's every command in fear of what malicious punishment disobedience would warrant.

Orion led his military across raging waters in search of new lands and victims for his unstoppable war machine to crush hoping to find a real challenge. Life at sea proved nightmarish for those who followed Orion, many suffered from illness and starvation while others fought and killed one another during the voyage. The trip diminished nearly one fifth of the Legion with close to another two fifths horrible stricken with various illnesses. However one seemed of perfect health amongst the crew, Orion, who had seemed entirely undaunted by the challenges of life at sea. The coast of a new world lie on the horizon for the battle hungry warriors after a seemingly endless journey.

Oblivious to Imfay's intent Maxin worked diligently on a permanent solution to the Worms when he made a discovery which would change his every idea of how the outbreak occurred. After examine other creatures in the territory he found the Kloas, the main source of meat for the Deer, also served as hosts to the dreaded creatures. However the Kloas were not made ill by the parasites and only served as a medium between the worms and their real victims. Maxin was perplexed as to how the worms made their way to the Kloas however hypothesized as to how they infected Deer. He had become certain they would survive within the meat if not thoroughly cooked out.

Though unafraid to challenge someone who could otherwise be his ally Imfay came to Maxin once his military was complete to ask for him to join his side. Maxin naturally refused as he was not only busy with his work as a leader and investigating the worms but he had no intentions to fight the Fox. "Imfay mark my words when I tell you do not cross the Fox. Not only are they a force to be reckoned with but we see them as friend not a foe," Maxin informed Imfay. Imfay would not heed this warning, "You make a grave mistake to not join me Maxinimus. I would consider your earlier transgressions forgotten, that opportunity is lost on you, a foolish foolish waste you have become." Imfay then set out for his foe's homeland, ready to burn every last city and village to the ground.

Seras stood quiet and serene in the dim light of dusk while Imfay and his troops made their final preparations for siege. As the sunlight dissipated the bloodlust set in and the Elk descended the hill headed for the city with no mind for secrecy. No time was wasted by the Elk as they immediately began a barrage of arrows while the infantry worked away at the city's wall with ax and hammer. The noise shook the citizens from their peaceful lives and propelled them into a sudden mode of attack, unaware of where their attacker came from but ready all the same to battle. A second group of attackers flanked their prey as they entered the city with the use of ladders however were immediately rueful of this move once they had come in contact with the citizens of Seras.

To the Elk's surprise the city no longer was under the control of Foxes but now instead was inhabited by Wolves whom had been gifted the city after the southern land acquisition. The situation was worsened for the Elk as they had unwittingly found themselves near the armory which bustled with activity as the Wolves armed themselves. Fighting proved useless as the invaders were hastily surrounded and for those who even moved in such a way to hint an a attack were dispatched without a second thought.

The assault on the wall had proven to be a more time consuming endeavor than Imfay had planned as it remained secure despite rigorous attacks. Further hails of arrows kept the Wolves at bay as the Elk tried to devise a plan superior to the forward attacks on the wall. It was not long however before the Wolves began to return fire with archers of their own. The battle between the archers was short lived as the Elk quit a short time after the Wolves had began their counter attack. Imfay was set on destroying Seras and all who dwelt inside however he was forced to retreat and create a new plan of attack before it would be possible.

With the offense driven away the Pack collected the enemy prisoners and brought them to Atlai for further instruction. "So these were the fools hard-headed enough to attack us unprovoked?" Atlai spoke as the Elk stood before him. He walked to one end of the room and drew a cleaver from its place upon the wall and tested its edge as he passed the row of Elk again. "Now will one of you please enlighten us as to why you felt the need to die tonight in such a bold move of stupidity," Atlai's cynical grin could enrage even his own if he so chose. The prisoners remained silent either too afraid to even open their mouth or too proud to humble themselves at the command of a Wolf.

"I see how this is going to be then," Atlai spoke as he moved towards the first in the row, "it would seem I will just have to be a bit more persuasive." One quick slice from the cleaver and the Elks head tumbled across the floor while the blood pooled at the feet of the others. "We were sent to wipe out the Fox, we had no idea that this was a Wolf city!" the Elk at the other end cried out before the blood had reached his place. Atlai's smug look only grew worse, "Well they do speak, so how about sharing with us your master name?" Looking to his brothers in arms he was met with only condemning stares that threatened death. With a sigh the Elk knew he would not survive one way or the other, "Our leader, Imfay, but it you let us go I am sure we can convince him to call of the attack."

Atlai thought on the proposition for a moment, "Interesting proposal but how can we be sure that you would not just regroup and attack again?" Before the Elk could speak another interrupted him, "You can hold him prisoner until Imfay returns to sign a treaty between our kingdoms." "Fair enough you two shall go and you two shall stay but warn this Imfay that if he dare cross us he will lose and not only that but he shall regret it until the final hour of his life," Atlai informed the two before they were escorted out by the Pack. As the hostages exited Derius, leader of the Pack, consulted Atlai privately about the decision made and the future between the Wolves and Elk.

"Atlai I do not trust the Elk nor does the rest of the Pack, why would you make a deal that you know will fall through before it is even proposed to their master?" Derius inquired. Atlai returned the cleaver to its place, "I need proof the Elk are a threat that we must extinguish; they will attack and when they do your Pack will be prepared to attack from all vantage points. And with that we will have decimated their entire army and possible their leader in the process." "But sir you endanger the lives of our own in the process, think of your daughter, she could be killed," Derius tried to reason. Within seconds Atlai had driven him to wall his eyes lit bright as fire, "Never talk about my daughter!" Atlai stepped back and allowed Derius to regain his breath and as he exited he left a simple message, "You are not the only one who is afraid to lose."

The Elk messengers had return to their master and their homes within a few a short days and despite knowing full well the proposition would be in vein they delivered Atlai's message. "He expects us to surrender after one defeat! No he will soon learn that we do not turn tail and surrender at the first sight of trouble. Once we figure out a way to break down those walls we will return to take the head of every last Wolf inside!" Imfay was overcome with confidence that projected an air of darkness throughout the room. "What of the prisoners, sir?" one messenger inquired. Imfay's mood would not falter, "I am sure they would rather die prisoners then live under a leader who gravels to Wolves."

With a great ruckus a pair of double doors flew open for an Elk carrying various rolls of parchment spotted with ink stains. "Sir I have devised a manner in which we can break down the walls of the enemy city," the man said as he rushed to Imfay. "Well go on then I am waiting," he returned impatiently. The man's designs consisted of new weapons that relied on multiple soldiers to man however delivered deadly and destructive forces. "I call it catapult, I have drawn numerous designs and variations and I believe with the use of them we could destroy the wall and cause massive damage inside the city without setting a single foot inside," the man reported joyously. Imfay looked at the designs impressed, "You have done astonishing work my boy, if this pays off you will never go hungry or live a lonely night again." And on that note Imfay called for the production of five of the massive machines to be crafted with no delay for as soon as they would be finished they would set out to siege Seras once again.

Word traveled quickly amongst the Canine as a Wolf messenger brought word to the Sirius about the attack on Seras and of the Elk's intent to attack the Fox. Siri spread the word amongst her own and order them to fortify their villages in case of attack. Following this traveled to the furthest northwestern Fox town to keep a close eye on the northern horizon. Sirius however stood assured from her defeat of Imfay that the Elk would not be able to overtake her people especially on their land. None the less Siri began to ready her body, mind, and heart for a siege on the new Fox homeland.

Months had passed since the siege on Seras; Sirius still stood watch over the land wary of the Elk, Maxin and his tribe had rebuilt their nation from the rubble, and Atlai lost concern in the possibility of a war against the Elk. However it was a mistake to dismiss the Imfay's rage so easily as now upon the completion of his diabolical machines the Elk army marched on Seras. Derius' interest in the conflict waned from day to day despite this he personally continued to watch the horizon night and day for their enemy. Upon the rising sun one morning Derius woke to see the horizon sitting higher than it should and with one quick glance with the spyglass he spotted the answer to his confusion.

"Maxin does intend to wage war against us after all," he spoke softly under his breath. In an instant Derius was to his feet heading towards Atlai's home to warn of the coming danger before rallying his men. "Atlai, Imfay has come to battle us once more!" he shouted to the recently woken Chief. Atlai was quick to dismiss Derius' claim, "He is merely come to sign the treaty, it is only natural he bring a few guards in case of an ambush." "A few guards? An army waits on the horizon sporting armor and weapons of a higher grade than what they carried before, he is going to attack us so I am calling my men to arms," Derius informed Atlai as he exited for the town square.

"Friends, countrymen, assemble!" Derius cried, "The entire Elk army comes now ready to reduce all of Seras to ashes. We must defend our home at all costs! Now go arm yourselves, seal the gates, and be prepared to fight for not just your own life but the lives of every last Seran!" The Pack came to their leaders side as he finished his speech however few were armed and ready for battle. "Boys the time is now, either we will be wiped away or they shall," Derius spoke. One member replied, "Derius, Atlai informed us that Imfay is only coming to sign the treaty and to also take you into custody until the treaty has been signed." "Syt, you can not be serious, look out onto the horizon that is an army prepared for war," Derius tried to reason with his student, "Come on one of you must believe me they are here to fight!"

The Pack stood silent for a moment until one member stepped forward, "I believe you sir." "Zero, thank you, it may only be the two of us but we will stand strong against the Elk," Derius said full heartedly to the soldier. More soldiers stepped forward after Zero, trusting their teacher over their Chief despite the punishment they knew came with the decision. Syt stood silent through it all until the last man had come forward, "Very well you will all be arrested for treason against Ser....." Syt was cut short as tremendous rock crushed his body into the earth with a hideous noise.

"Wh.. what could have done this?" Derius uttered in pure shock. "The Elk are attacking man your stations!" a soldier cried from the wall breaking all from their trance. Joining the soldiers on the wall Derius and the Pack saw the army lying in wait around a large machine containing another bolder in its sling. In all direction were stationed a machine of the same nature loaded and ready to be launched against the Wolves at anytime. "What are your orders sir?" Zero questioned as Derius surveyed the situation with desperate fear. "I am not sure... I have never encountered anything like this in all my years. We might... actually... lose this fight.." he spoke frightened to his core.

A barrage of stones came down on the city destroying many buildings and fragmenting units of soldiers standing idle within the walls. Zero though trusting of his leader knew action had to be taken, "Sir give us the order to attack we must protect the people!" Derius was speechless in the wake of the attack starring onward with his spyglass fixed on one spot. With no other option Zero took the reins from Derius and commanded the pack himself, "Listen up men, I have no clue as to what we are dealing with here but we have to fight them back and destroy those weapons by any means necessary, understand? Now you three organize the archers into units to repel a siege, you three coordinate the defenses, and the rest of you will follow me in the charge." The Pack hesitated a moment before reluctantly falling in line for the lowest member of the unit now their temporary new leader.

Zero readied the infantry with the best armor in Seras before assembling at the gate waiting the beginning their charge. Atlai came to Zero at the front, "You listen here boy, if you charge them you throw away the strongest warriors we have and our best chance to survive this fight. Now you are going to relinquish control back to Derius and follow his orders!" Not a word left Zero's lips for Atlai as he signaled the gate to rise and lifted his tomahawk into the sky.

Imfay stood atop the hill watching the utter bedlam below as his enemy scrambled to put together their offense and defense in the face of the sudden assault. Everything was going according to plan with not a single Elk life threatened, the machines destroying Seras, and victory easily in sight. However the charge coming through the gate was a present threat he saw it without its sting with the Wolves military lead paralyzed with fear at the very sight of him. "Sir they are charging a neighboring post should we engage them?" a soldier inquired. Imfay would pay no mind to the idle threat, "They will be fine continue firing and find out why the fifth post has yet to fire."

Seras' defenses went unused in the face of the revolutionary machines as they tore apart the town without even descending the hill. Atlai watched helpless from the town square as his home was demolished bit by bit, person by person and only feared the worst for his daughter and what was to come. Zero however held hope in his heart as he led the attack against the first Elk unit who had ceased firing to defend the machine. Knowing it may be his last stand Zero put everything he had out for the battle as he pushed every last bit of fear from his mind and became one with his men feeling their strength growing in his heart.

The fearsome looking Elk had the advantages of higher ground and preparation over the Wolves however still lacked in skill. Their weapons and armor though mighty proved useless without the proper training or battle experience. Spears came hurling from the Wolves as they clashed against the thick shields of the Elk but that would not stop them for long. The Elk's weak strategy allowed a hastily assembled flank maneuver to break up the defensive line momentarily. Zero darted through the parting in the lines hacking and slashing Elk along his way towards the machine. Waiting before the machine was the highest ranking Elk at the post suited with armor superior to that of his underlings and with a mighty blade nearly as wide as he and sharper than a ray of light in the cold night.

The two warriors exchanged glances both sizing up one another and mentally breaking down their next move while simultaneously trying to predict the others attack. The Elk raised his might blade and sliced deep into the ground where Zero had stood a moment prior. With hatchet and knife in hand he tried to find a hole in his opponents cumbersome armor but saw no point to even make the most superficial of cuts. Upon turning to face his foe the warrior swung his blade slicing a shallow wound across Zero's exposed chest. Zero shot back to recover and try to find a single breech in his enemy's defenses but knew still the armor was solid and all concealing. Without the hope of finding a point of entry he would find himself force to expose a flaw in the armor to exploit.

Dodging slash after slash Zero picked away at every aspect of his foe's defense in his mind but could figure no weak point to concentrate his attacks. The fight was truly in the favor of the Elk now as Zero furiously struggled to make use of all that was around him. He knew he couldn't dodge forever in fact knowing certainly that he wouldn't be able for to avoid being hit again after another short minutes. However as he rolled beneath under the machine to buy a moment to catch his breath he realized the answer was in front of him all along. Zero had seen from the walls how the machines functioned and knew that it offered him his only chance at defeating the warrior.

Summoning up all of energy Zero shot from beneath the machine towards the boulder that sat idle waiting to be launched. His fingers moved furiously as he untied the rock and retie the cord into a snare. His brutish adversary may have been powerful however lacked the clever mind to see through the trap clearly laid before him. The warrior shrugged forward with another swipe that missed his mark however with a swift jerk at his feet he found himself hurled across the battlefield to his death against the city's wall at the pull of a lever. With the brute defeated the Wolves had taken the point and the machine from the Elk's control but would be it enough to threatened the Elk's siege, no one could tell.

Zero took up the warrior's blade from the ground and claimed it as his own for his defeat of the fierce brute. "Now what Zero?" asked a Pack member. Zero seemed to be at a lose, "Destroy the machine I suppose." "Wait!" interrupted a soldier, "I think if we could move the machine, we could harness its power for own and cause damage to the other units." Zero paused a moment as his men turned to him for their orders, "If we can then we shall." The men pushed with all of their might to turn the machine and with their determination were able to align the weapon with another machine.

"Fire!" Zero called out after finally figuring out how to operate the machine properly and setting their aim for their target. With a grand cloud of dirt and dust it was obvious the group was off their mark however failure would not stop them. They calibrated the weapon the best they could based on one soldier's recollection of seeing it done through a spyglass. The trial and error did not cease as they littered the ground between points with a series of boulders that eventually blocked the view across to the Elk.

"Sir Imfay the Wolves have managed to take one of our machines what should we do?" a young Elk asked his leader. Imfay viewed the Wolf controlled post through the spyglass, "Take care of them, but first send a messenger to the other neighboring post, we will destroyed them and retake our weapon." The soldier was off instantly inquiring of a messenger to carry the order to the other Elk and then gathering a force to take on the Wolves. As the troops left all that remained at the post were the machine operators and Imfay himself who would stand guard over his most powerful weapon.

The Wolves found themselves running low on munitions for the machine and soon found themselves scrounging the area for anything to be used. With the area depleted of stones to throw they decided to throw the next most abundant resource they had in their possession, corpses. Though ineffective as a destructive force they knew the hail of dead Elk would soon drive their enemy into attacking. However ready for the coming attack the Wolves would not have expected the assault to be as immediate as it would soon come.

It was not long after the Elk directly under Imfay began moving that the Wolves noticed the oncoming attackers from behind. Zero readied a force to battle back the Elk as they came from behind but would have no way of knowing the flanking group they hid in the cover of the boulders that lay between the posts. With sword in hand Zero and his men charged the Elk who had yet to draw their weapons and clashed midway between their respective posts. Though new to the handling of a sword, especially one of its kind, Zero managed to show skill as he battled the best of the Imfay's army.

His massive blade cleaved through the strongest who challenged him the dirt was soon stained a deep crimson as those in his path finally fell. However it was then when Zero heard the cry of his men for his aid back at the post. The other neighboring post's soldiers had all ready arrived and were overwhelming the Wolves who had been operating the machine. Moving as fast as he could Zero hacked through the Elk who tried to stop his retreat and with haste found himself butting heads with those who attempted to retake the weapon.

The Elk were now at an advantage as they pushed from both sides trying as they would to take every last Wolf that defended the point. Zero knew he was out numbered but surrender was no option if they were to die that day then they would take as many Elk down with them. They fought back and forth over the point each side losing ground only to retake. Despite the growing casualties and the injuries no one dare lay down their arms. The fighters began growing fatigued and weak from the battling all but one shown the toll from the days work, Zero.

Determined to prove to his fellow soldiers that he was not the weakest he would battle hard and defend his people from the foreign threat. As he battled tirelessly he began to see a fear in the eyes of his enemies unlike any he had seen in his life. Their was no break in his feverish fighting and his fur told the truth of this as it turned from its grey tone into a matted mess splotched with black and dark reds as well as earthy brown tones. He fought his foes back relentlessly as though he were a man possessed embodying the will to survive and protect and to never surrender.

Those who remained of the Elk infantry were allowed to retreat however not far behind were the Wolves coming to take the weakened post from the Elk. Before abandoning their current machine they made certain to disable it from firing ever again. Stealthily the Wolves slipped around the boulders they had laid and made their way to the next machine post. However to their confused delight they found this machine abandoned yet not disabled it had been simply exhausted of munitions. After disabling this weapon as well they took a well deserved break despite Zero intense urge to carry on finish the battle.

"Zero let us rest we will be no good if we are this tired," one Pack member reasoned to his newly named leader. Zero was not willing to stop for any reason, "No we must press on otherwise we let them continue their attack on our home and give them a chance to regroup, we have to act quickly!" The men remained silent though casting hateful looks at their leader, none were willing to follow his orders until they rested. "So you all can just stop whenever you so choose? Then so be it, I will continue this fight alone and when I am victorious you will see who is a true patriot," Zero announced before storming off to another post. "Should we follow him?" one soldier asked the next ranking Pack member, "No he is on his own, he can find his end alone."

Alone he knew his struggle would be much greater than with his men behind him and so Zero set off for the other weak post with hopes of finding a working machine with plenty of stones. He looked at his home as he made his way around its perimeter, it was severely damaged to a point that it may take months to repair. "They will pay for this I swear it," he muttered to himself as he gazed upon a half destroyed wall that led to a stone which had crashed into their Shaman's home. From below the hill he could see the post had not yet been abandoned however was host to far less Elk than the others making it a perfect place to strike.

Before ascending the hill the Elk had spotted him and tasked an archer to eliminate him before he could reach the hill's crest. With the new threat Zero moved gracefully yet hastefully forward and with swift motion managed to dodge his attackers arrows with the closest barely trimming a scrap of fur on his side. Once in reach of the man Zero spared not a second before cutting him in twain and proceeding to battle the others lying in wait. Those who stood against him had been drained of their tenacity in their earlier scuffle and could hardly maintain a defense against his rage fueled assault. "Halt!" commanded a voice from beyond the attacker's circle. "Leave him to me," the voice spoke before the Elk parted ways to reveal Imfay standing at the ready.

Imfay stood tall almost towering over Zero and carried an identical blade in hand however shimmering with untouched brilliance contrasting with his opposition's blood drenched sword. "This is a long time coming Wolf, standing in our way is a fruitless effort you will see," Imfay spoke proudly as he proceeded through the isle of soldiers. Zero was neither concerned or amused by his statement, "Today you have made a grave mistake, you attacked my home, my people, and now you will pay the price for their lives but you will not go alone I will take all above and below you before I am through!" Imfay let out a brief chuckle before continuing to mock his foe, "Well you have found me, the one who leads this army but it is not us who should be afraid, no soon you will see you should fear us!"

The two clashed blade to blade pushing against one another with all their might trying to overpower the other and end this fight quickly. Neither would budge and continue to strain themselves as they stay in stalemate knowing a difficult battle lay ahead. With a quick motion the two simultaneously jerked backwards and upon regaining their footing returned immediately to clashing swords in a near perfect rhythm. Finally the two once again became locked in stalemate attempting to outlast one the other when they locked eyes. Zero could not break eye contact and began to look deep into Imfay's eyes and received the imagery of some of his darkest of fears.

A moment pasted and Zero was lost in a trance as his mind became terrorized by his fears and nightmares. Zero's mind conjured his most early memory, that of his decease brother and sister both taken in their youth by illness. Following in tow were nightmares he had since he was a boy; after being told he had been ripped from his mother as she lay dying he would regularly see himself drench head to toe in blood crawling from the grave with blood curdling screams abound. Meanwhile with his opponent's mind clouded Imfay began to overwhelm Zero's defenses nearly breaking the stalemate. Finally he saw a dream of the future, a future wherein Seras is destroyed, its people mutilated and left to rot, and the only person he had ever cared for no more.

"Yes look and see what haunts you, beg for the end!" Imfay shouted with complete confidence. Zero knew his terrors well but also knew that now was no time to burdened by old fears. He worked with all the strength in his heart to push the visions from his mind and found himself looking past Imfay's eyes into his heart finding something that surprised him. With his mind cleared of his fears Zero regained his strength and forced Imfay back from his advantageous position to the point in which Imfay began to struggle. "I am not driven to fear by the likes of you, you are weak using fear to corrupt and control your who ever you wish. Now let us see if you can contend with a man without fear!" Zero yelled as Imfay finally began to succumb to his might.

In a panic Imfay threw Zero back and ordered his men to guard him from his attacker and to kill him as well. "You are a great warrior, possibly even greater than I however I am not a warrior I am a leader and that is why you will die at the hands of those I command," Imfay said boastfully. The Elk began to close in on Zero but it was then when his men would return now again being led by Derius who's trance had finally been broken. Zero stood confident as his men chased off the Elk who retreated entirely from Seras with many lives lost as well as their machines.

Evening came and past through the night and there was not a single disruption or problem in Seras as the weary soldiers slept a well deserved sleep and all shambled together in collective housing. Unfortunately Zero tossed and turned all the night long unable to accept the fact the Elk were allowed to flee rather than be eliminated. The next morning he was quick to find Derius to demand action be taken against the treacherous invaders. "Zero, it is out of the question at this point we are weaken from the attack. All able bodied people must work to rebuild the walls, we have even sent for help from the Fox and Coyote," Derius reasoned with his unruly subordinate. Zero would not accept this however, "If we give them a chance to rearm themselves we leave our selves open to an attack. We must strike now and finish this war before they return to do the same to Seras." Derius did nothing but disagree before he was off to help with the reconstruction efforts, leaving Zero to remain furious as he too went to work as well.

Imfay return to his kingdom displeased with an entire army who questioned the strength of their leader they had thought so divine. Nothing else was on Imfay's mind but to return to battle but he must regroup and more importantly rethink his strategy. Even with the help of great war machines it would seem to him that the Elk army was always defeated by any one of the Canine groups he fought but why? Now he was left to ponder the question, do the Canines have the upper hand in war or are the Elk warriors simply weak? Was it the army, the weapons, the armor, the strategy, or could it possibly be that Imfay is not an effective leader?

Orion had finally successfully found his way to the Eastern continent after an arduous time at sea he had found land and was ready to conquer. His Legion though lessened from the travel still possessed the bloodlust they had gained when they had first conquered the lands neighboring their own. Now they stood at the precibus of infinite war and glory for now they readied to take foreign lands by force no matter the enemy. With glinting spears and rugged shields in hand the Legion marched in land to find their first victims in their conquest.

A week pasted and Zero's rage had not subsided for now more then ever before he was afflicted with nightmares he could not control that only seemed to become progressively worse. Dreams of his mother and siblings became even worse with him waking to feel a burden as though he was the cause behind all of their deaths. Other more vague and bizarre dreams arose one of which woke him in terror every night as two figures, one a luminescent silver tone and another a deep purple colour, played tug of war with his body. He could not figure any reason behind the spur of nightmares but to be the cause of Imfay who he wished horribly to punish until he was alleviated of these terrors. Sitting with Derius he knew he would have to come clean about his trouble to possible emphasize why they must attack the Elk.

"Father.." Zero started but caught himself mid sentence, "I mean Sir, ever since the invasion I have been having very violent and vivid nightmares. I think it is something caused by the Elk's leader but I do not know how he could do it." Derius knew he must tell the truth to him, "I know all too well what you are going through ever since that day I too have been afflicted. You see when I looked out upon the hill I saw the man you fought, he some how made me see things I wish I could forget, it paralyzed me in that cynical glance." "Than you understand we have to fight them and we need to figure out how we can be cured of this madness. We have to tell Atlai that we must fight the Elk and we must win!" Zero pleaded with a look of despair in his eyes. Derius knew it was easier said than done, "I will, I will beg if I must but you must not be sore about it if he tells us to wait, understand?" "Yes just please convince him that we must do something about this blight and soon before the two of us succumb to our hysteria," Zero begged.

Derius returned that evening with some upsetting news for Zero but it need to be said for the sake of closure. "Atlai does not believe it is time yet and we are fortunate as they are poor warriors despite their magnificent engineering," Derius informed Zero. Zero was grief-stricken for a moment before bursting into rage, "How can he even think they are no threat when their leader can send our minds into chaos with only a glance! Atlai is fool for underestimating them and were not much better for following along!" Derius knew he would soon be out of control, "Calm yourself boy! Now listen I told Atlai that we could not let this attack go unpunished and so he said that once the repairs are finished we can lead a small unit to do a bit of damage to their lands but without any other Pack personnel, understand?" "What is a tiny insignificant attack going to do we need to take their leader down and any that stand in our way to him," Zero spoke before departing.

Sirius arrived in Seras early the following morning and went to say Atlai to converse about the attack and the plan for moving forward. She too was shocked to find that Atlai had not begun plans to retaliate for such a vicious assault. "You can not let this pass you so easily, if Imfay thinks he can attack you he will and he will not stop until either you or he is dead," Siri argued. Atlai sat with his head in the palm of his hand, "I can not risk the loss, that day I nearly lost my daughter and attacking them will only provoke them to strike us sooner, before we even have repaired." "I know a thing or two about loss but you have to listen to me not as my friend but as some in your same position. People like Imfay do not stop they continue until one side wins and the other side is in no shape to do anything about it if they are spared. So for your sake, the sake of your people, and most importantly your daughter's sake you need to fight!" Sirius spoke, her heart filling to the brim with emotion. Atlai forced back his every emotion trying to remain level headed, "Even if I wanted to we have only so much man power and if they have more machines we can not even fight them properly." "I can gather up forces to fight with your men, strong forces from both the Coyote and Fox nations. Together we must stand remember that, remember that if one of us is threatened then all are," Siri finished as she left Atlai.

After only an hour Atlai called together Sirius, Derius, and Zero to discus plans to assault the Elk territory. "Sirius you were right to correct me, I only wish you had come sooner to set me straight, we must attack while they are still reeling from their loss. Derius we need the whole Pack together on this and I need you to be able to command them. And you... Zero, I want to thank you for what you did that day if you had not stepped up we would not be here today and that is why I need you to stay here and defend Seras while the Pack is gone," Atlai spoke. Zero was speechless, he could not control his fury and Derius knew he was soon to explode, "Chief..." Derius intervened before Zero could start, "Atlai you need to let Zero come with not only is he my second in command but this is far more personal for him then anyone else. If you need I'll leave behind half of the Pack to remain as your guard but he must be by my side in case I lock up again." Atlai thought on in for a moment, "I suppose I can allow it, you leave some of your boys behind and he can go with you."

It wasn't long before Derius had raised the army of Wolves while Sirius sent out two messengers each to go to retrieve support from the Fox and Coyote nations. Siri however set out to find Maxinimus to unite all forces possible against Imfay to ensure victory. Before noon on the next day the Wolves set out to be met by their comrades once they had reach Elk territory. Zero was eager to find Imfay and be alleviated of his curse so much so he despised having to rest the nights during the march.

Sirius moved night and day to reach Maxin before the Wolves would find themselves within Elk territory. Once she had found his village she was quite taken to see it nearly repaired to the point it was hard to believe that it had been destroyed a short while ago. Siri found Maxin busy as always working to better life for his people by any means he was able. "Maxin, I have a proposition for you I require someone with your gifts to help with a certain problem." Maxin was willing to give such a loyal friend his time in spite of his business, "Of course, you see the marvel of my gifts all around I can spare some time for a friend. What is it that you need?" "Imfay has gone on the warpath attacking a Wolf village thinking it to be mine. The Wolves have recovered but Imfay needs to be stopped if we are to ensure the safety of any he calls an enemy. So will you help us bring down his reign of terror, I can promise you his land and all else he holds," Siri bargained.

Maxinimus' expression said everything he was about to before his mouth could open, "Siri you are my friend but I can not attack Imfay out of revenge he may do terrible things but he is more a kin to me than you unfortunately. I am not a man of violence and never have wanted to be but I can not allow you to kill him no matter the reason. Please leave him to me, call off whatever may be in place and allow me to talk with him and settle this in a civil manner." "Maxin you tried civil when he attacked your people and you know as well as I that he only knows one things and that is violence. If you do not want to fight that is fine but do not think for a second that I will sit idly by as Imfay slaughters anyone he so pleases," Sirius said as she felt rage boiling in her veins. Maxin remained in a very calm and lax state through it all, "Very well Siri I will not stand in your way any more than I will help you fight my own kind. However I am going to Imfay and if you try to attack his kingdom I will have no choice but to fight you myself."

The Wolves were assembled a short distance from Imfay's kingdom waiting only on their allies to arrive Zero's anxiety was beginning to overwhelm just at the sight of the town in front of him. Sirius was not short behind the Wolves arriving only a few hours after they had baring bad news. "Maxinimus refuses to fight his own people and in response to our plans is willing to fight on behalf of Imfay if we strike," she informed Derius. Derius was still confident in his men, "We will manage without your friend's help but you must be ready to fight him if he does oppose us." Siri was in agreement with him despite still caring for her friendship with Maxin.

By the days end the Coyote troops had arrived with Cerberus leading them with his hammer ready to destroy the very foundation on which the kingdom stood. The following morning the Fox had assembled alongside their Wolf and Coyote brethren and were ready to go to war. Derius addressed the massive collection of warriors before they began their march, "Listen up! Today we go to war not in the name of greed or hate but in the name of righteousness! We will take a stand and show our enemy the cost for their viciousness and cruelty! But be assured we will not spare them of our violence until we have capture the warlord they call Imfay and justice is served! Now move out!"

The united army marched forward each with their own designated task; the Fox moved a war machine capable of arrows longer than two men through the city walls, the Coyote served to be archer support, and the Wolves would come as infantry. Once in range the first shot was fired from the machine and with it a tremendous segment of wall fell away nearly creating an entrance. On what little remained of that wall the Elk sent archers to divert the Canines attention from doing further damage with their machine. The Elk however underestimated their foe as when they had come to their post they were overcome with the sheer number of combatants as well as the first barrage of arrow fire. A second arrow was fired from the great machine, this one however tore clean through a corner of the wall sending it toppling to the earth exposing a slender crack that could serve as a possible entrance.

With the wall's integrity nearly compromised the Foxes readied one final shot between their earlier two hits to finish it completely. Knowing the attack soon to come the Elk army hastily made their way out of the city gates to meet their adversaries on the battle field. The Wolves fought an uphill battle as the Elk charged them but their haste made them ill prepared to fight and made them a much easier opponent. Zero moved at a furious pace slicing and hacking into any who dared cross him in his quest to find and slaughter Imfay. A hulking juggernaut took the field and immediately mistaking him for Imfay, Zero clashed with him and with hasty but pin pointed moves he reduced his opponent's armor to scrap metal.

The third shot was fired from the war machine and with it came down the wall, crashing into the town causing devastation to all in its path. This was the opportunity the Wolves had waited for and following Zero they began to pour into the city to reek havoc. Immediately following the Wolves were the Coyotes who stationed themselves at the breech to cover both the interior and exterior protecting the Wolves all the way. With the ammunition for the machine exhausted Siri and the Foxes moved forward trapping the faint current of enemy combatants between themselves and the Cerberus' forces. However the day was not won yet as challenge still lied ahead for Zero and the Wolves.

"Lord Imfay come quick we are under attack and we need you!" called an Elk to his master. Imfay was still lost from his defeat at the hands of Zero, "What can I do? I am no better a leader than you or any other person." "What are you saying sir? We need you, you are the only one who has the courage to stand against the Canine, please they will slaughter us all even you!" the man called becoming increasingly more frightened. It was of no use Imfay could not be brought out of his mood, "Maxin was right I should never have challenged them, I should have let it all just fade away."

Though filled with hate and remorseless vengeance the Wolves would not touch a single Elk who stayed out of their way. They fought their way through the city and soon found themselves in a short run from the palace where they could guess Imfay to be waiting. However they would have never expected the intricate network of traps that lie in wait for them. The Elk who had been spared in the city remained idle as the Wolves began to enter the gauntlet of traps that stood between them and victory.

With the first steps into the slender alley that led to the palace the Wolves could sense something out of place but could not be sure exactly what was wrong. All seemed to be right and everything in decent place however a mysterious feeling overcame the men as they paused a moment before carrying on down the way. One soldier stepped a hesitant foot forward when with the sound of swift of winds came falling a series of pendulums. Though avoidable the trap still managed to be effective as it still took the lives of many who were unlucky enough to mistime their leap forward.

As the Wolves proceeded through the alley they were joined by Sirius who still sensed something off about the area. A low rumble served her as proof as the floor began to shake below the feet of the few who had come closest to the end. Among them were Zero who knew as well as anyone that another trap waited for them were they had stood. He hastily pushed his men forward and off the segment of floor to just barely miss the spikes that shot up from below. They proceeded forward as fast as their legs would carry them until they had reached the alley's end and stood at the final gate between Imfay and their ravenous bloodlust. Siri however had considered what Maxin had threatened and knew that she must stop them from slaying Imfay. She moved with grace and speed past the swinging blades, vaulted over the spike traps with her staff, and soon stood only a moment behind them.

The palace guards were no match for the might of Zero, Derius, and the Pack members who tore their way through the weak defenses and upwards to the throne room. With a powerful kick the door swung open revealing Imfay alone in the dimly lit chamber holding yet not brandishing his sword. Zero was first to enter with his blade drawn he readied to slaughter Imfay where he sat. Sirius rushed in quickly behind him and as he began to bring down his strike stopped him without a single second to spare.

"What are you doing?!" he shouted through clenched jaws. Sirius was equally tense but not with rage, "We can not kill him, it will only cause more fighting." "This bastard tries to slaughter an entire city and you think he should be spared?" Derius interjected quickly. Imfay still remained melancholy in this moment of heated emotions, "And I am the only one who can cure what ails you so please strike me down and live the rest of your days in fear you miserable creature." "It would be my pleasure," Zero pulled back again to strike. Siri threw herself in the way as he did this preventing him from attacking, "You can not kill him! He has allies, maybe not the most powerful however plentiful and within close range of my people's lands. If you kill him we are their first target." "Very well," Zero said reluctantly lowering his blade, "but I can still beat the answers I need out of him!"

Pushing Sirius aside he grabbed the Elk and threw him to the floor with a powerful thud that sent him tumbling across the floor. As he began to rise again Imfay was knocked back to the floor with a series of kicks to his stomach and back. Zero paused a moment before reaching down and pulling Imfay to his knees by his antlers which he began to pull on them with all of his might. "Tell me what you did to us!" he demanded as he tightened his grip on the base of the horns. Imfay began to make faint whimpers as thin streams of blood began to leak down his face and in the silence of the room a cracking noise could be heard however at only the strength of a whisper. A tear rolled down his cheek before he burst out, "I surrender! I will tell you what you want, I will even cure you just stop!"

"For a time I have known that I have some way of persuading people into doing what I say through use of fear," Imfay began as he lie defeated on his knees, "I am not sure how it is I realized that I could do this but I remember a day that I simple starred into a man's eyes and within minutes he was screaming in terror. Ever since then I have been using this power over others, commanding my people, and destroying those who stand in my way." Sirius looked on confused by her enemies admission, "Then why not use it against all of us if you wanted to defeat us?" "It drains me," Imfay replied as he reflected in the smear of blood in his palm, "Using it is what cost me my victory at Seras, it weakened me. However I imagine it is taking a much worse toll on you two if it made you this anxious to kill me." Imfay and Zero trade gazes as Imfay cracked a weak however smug smile and Zero becomes all the more furious.

"Just get to the point or I will break every bone in your body!" Zero shouted pushing Imfay into the wall. Imfay looked at Zero and Derius, "I gazed into your minds and found your worst nightmares and memories and tortured you with them. Now doing it was not so hard however undoing it may not be so easy." "And why is that?" Derius asked as he moved closer. Imfay propped himself up better to see eye to eye with the two Wolves, "Simply because I have never need to reverse the effects before now. Most usually take their own lives before long, it really is shocking neither of you have yet. Anyway I will try my best but I can not promise you anything." "I can not promise you will live if you do not take these visions away," Zero responded.

Imfay starred deep into the hearts and minds of the two men however doing so brought the dreams and nightmares to the surface in their conscious minds. They began to scream and panic as their vision became filled with visions of death and violence from which they could not escape. The others were uncertain of how to react as they watched their two leaders begin to go completely insane. Zero began to slam himself against the floor violently spilling blood after only a few hits. Derius stumbled across the room trying to regain control over himself to the point of even taking his knife and plunging it deep into his hand hoping the pain could wake him.

Sirius pulled Imfay to his feet while keeping him pressed against the wall, "What have you done to them? You said you would help them if we spared you!" "I have done all I can to help, what happens now is up to them. It would take a strong mind to survive what I saw as I began to withdraw my influence from their minds," Imfay informed Siri. After a few minutes they had stopped but the damage had been done as they both lie face down in pools of their own blood. Both were immediately addressed by the men who sought to find the toll that had been taken on their bodies however to their displeasure one was more lucky than the other.

Zero was had injured his head quiet badly however was still conscious when the Sirius checked him however Derius' injury would not be so minor. Siri rushed to his side to find he had stabbed himself multiple times with the final being in his lungs where the knife remained stuck. Dazed Zero came to his feet as he heard the commotion from across the room and made his way over to Derius. The men parted as he stepped closer until all were clear of his way revealing Derius barely clinging to life as he bleed uncontrollably.

"Father..." Zero uttered faintly as he fell to his knees at Derius' side. He could hardly summon the strength to open his eyes but pulled Zero in close to speak, "I have very little time and I think now is the time I tell you the truth about your past." Zero remained silent only nodding in affirmation when Derius ceased speaking. "I am not really your father, Atlai had me raise you after your mother passed away. At home there is a small brown box I have kept hidden from you in my room, now is the time for you to see wh..." Derius faded away mouthing his final words.

Zero shook him trying to wake him, "No you can not die, not after we have come so far, not after we finally beat this!" Realizing that he had passed on Zero set his body down gently and rose to his feet taking heavy breaths trying to subdue his fury. The room was utterly quiet except for the breathing until Zero finally lost control and in a flash was across the room. He once again took Imfay by the antlers however this time would not give him an ultimatum as he feverishly pulled at the horns. Siri tried desperately to pull him off however was thrown back with numerous other soldiers who tried to help. Zero placed his foot on Imfay's chest and finally, using all his might, pulled back ripping the antlers from his head.

The room fell silent again after the horrific sound of tearing flesh and fur accompanied with the noise of shattering bone finished. Imfay lie bleeding in far too much pain or shock to muster an audible cry instead only touched the area where his horns were with his face ready to shriek. With the antlers in hand Zero picked up Derius' body and exited while the rest remained stunned at what they had just witnessed. Sirius dismissed the men remaining behind to confront Imfay before she too would take her leave. "Imfay you deserve many of terrible torments for the atrocities you have committed however this, this is just sick and I suppose I do pity you," she spoke before following suit and leaving the palace.

Imfay lie bleeding on the floor as tears of pain rolled down his cheek he wished horribly to die that day but would not be granted such peace. He was joined shortly by his son, "Father, what have they done to you?" "Son go from here, tell the people their king has died, let them not bare the humiliation of being ruled by such a disgrace," Imfay muttered as he was helped to his knees. "But what do I do in your stead?" the wide-eyed child wondered. He finally stood now looking to his boy for a sufficient answer, "I do not know my boy, but I shall redeem this land the only way I know. I must go to Maxinimus an beg of him for forgiveness only then may we have our chance to destroyed those responsible." The boy was uncertain of his father's motives, "But father will bloodshed not beget bloodshed again and again?" "It may but I would die if only to know the one who dehorned me fell before I," Imfay shambled away his sword sheath and his head concealed by his hood leaving his ill-prepared child to rule his home.

The Canine abandoned the land of the Elk with justice served to those who had wronged them so greatly. They carried away no valuables only food, water, and ample amounts of armor and weapons as mementos of their siege on the Elk and their victorious splendor. Zero lead his army home still carrying the horns of his foe and the body of the one he once called father. He tried and tried to navigate his mind through the pain and the hate and the anger to find the morbid feeling of love he had for the man but it had all passed in the face of the truth. The only concern left on his mind was what was left for him to find in his home and what lies it would expose and what fury it could create.

Sirius followed closely behind Zero with a raging inferno of anger that she attempted to contain with all of her might but could not allow herself to forget or forgive. "What you did that back there was uncalled for, you had what you wanted and Imfay told you the risk but you had to lose your nerve!" she condemned. Zero paid no mind to her knowing all too well that engaging in the argument would only result in more problems between the two of them. Siri would not stop berating him even if he didn't answer, "I am talking to you so answer me! What makes you think you can go around doing whatever you desire? Imfay had surrendered to us and you had to showcase your brutality. You know there will be a backlash for all this now! You now have jeopardized all of our lives and the lives of those we protect! Zero were you even thinking of the repercussions of what you did?!"

She continued on and on until Zero had heard enough of his wrong doings and decided to break the silence on his end. "Sirius I have cease your endless complaints and criticisms!I did what I thought was right, I punished the guilty for his misdeeds, and in compliance with you I spared his worthless life, so tell me how I did wrong?" he demanded, stopping to face Siri. For a moment she was a bit taken by the fury in his voice but regained her composure, "You really hate him that much for what he did that you are entirely blind to what he will do now." "I could care less about him he is lucky not to be just another casualty of war," Zero finished on that note and went on his way while the rest waited behind for Sirius to come to terms with what had been said.

Imfay crept through his town like a common criminal stopping and taking what he needed without notice and leaving without a trace. Before leaving however he slipped into the blacksmith's to find what he needed to be within his reach. The pit heated his bladed a glowing orange and with it he cauterized the bleeding rips on his head. He knew full well that he should have felt pain from the burning of his own flesh yet after what he experienced it was nothing all was numb in his body. Finally after procuring provisions for his trip he said a goodbye to his home, his city, and to his dignity as he would soon be humbling himself at the feet of those who he found so inferior.

It was uncanny how a man with a mission could with such speed and secrecy reach the territory of the Deer within two days. He forsook sleep or rest of any kind and hardly cut into his provisions during his journey as the eternal reminder of his purpose remain burnt atop his brow. Imfay elegantly evaded attention as he made his way around the city in the twilight hours of day in search of Maxin. Finally he happened upon two men discussing an item they were retrieving for Maxinimus. With such fortunate eavesdropping he would soon find the one he sought.

Following shortly behind the men Imfay came step by step closer to exacting revenge on the warrior who had emasculated him until something clutched his arm. He turned quickly to seek the source before being seized entirely by a series of vines and roots. "Imfay it is truly a pleasure to see you but next time do without the secrecy it makes me a tad uneasy old friend," the youthful voice of Maxin came from the shadows between two buildings. Imfay was pleased to see his sole adversary exuding such control over his gift however disdain at his manner of showing it. "Now let us get that drab cloak off you and make this all more personal," Maxin jested as one root rose to Imfay's head. He struggled and fought trying to keep the hood over his head however the binds grew tighter and he soon found his resistance futile.

Maxinimus stood shocked as he looked at a man transformed in hideous and nearly unimaginable way that left he who bore the visage seem a hollow shell of his former self. "Who... who did this to you my brother?" Maxin asked with clear tones of nervousness in his voice. Imfay rose his head to face his old friend, "A Wolf, a warrior of their army's highest ranks, his name I may not know but the face I shall never forget. I did as they asked and when it was all over knowing he could not kill me in fear of your wrath he... made me into.. this." "Oh dear friend, I am so horribly sorry," Maxin's vines released the Elk, "I may have had qualm with your hunger for war and violence but this.. this is just unconscionably wicked and trust in me those responsible will answer to us."

With haste Maxinimus mobilized a large portion of his military and lead them northeast to the land of the Wolves where Seras stood. Word was carried with haste by a messenger to Imfay's people calling them to arms to aid in the conflict. The Elk were weary but those who could manage the strength made the voyage east with promises of redemption in their hearts. However as the armies of Elk and Deer readied to rain down terror upon Seras the Wolves, Coyote, and Fox celebrated a well deserved victory.

As the festivities carried on into the night Zero looked at the box that awaited him with a terrible fear he had never felt. He had thought the hardest part of the box would be coming to terms with what he found inside but now found opening it in the first place would be the real challenge. His fear controlled him and so night after night after night he stood for hours on end staring at the box trying to summon the courage to open it. With every night progress was made but the amount of that progress was truly debatable as it varied from untying the bind that held the lid to pulling the lid up slightly. Over the course of six nights Zero worked to summon the strength to look inside until the sixth night he finally took control of it himself and opened the box completely and removed its contents.

What he found was not much but it was enough to have warranted the anxiety and paranoia he experienced in the days leading up to then. He pulled forth a series of small notes and letters bound together loosely in warn out sleeve wrapped tightly with a length of twine topped with a thin chain which carried a small charm with unfamiliar insignia. Patiently and carefully he freed the the notes of their binding taking the charm and now noticing it to be a necklace donned it as his own. With a trembling fingers he hazard to open the cover his heart beat increased faster and faster with every second that past until the door opened. "Zero you are needed at the gates," the voice of one of his fellow Pack members called, "Bring your weapon."

At the gates stood the massive army of the combined might of both the Elk and Deer out for blood and vengeance. "What do they want?" Zero asked Atlai who had been waiting for him. Atlai had a look of shame on his face before he began to stare at his feet, "They want you, plain and simple. Imfay, the one who's horns sit at the mantle of your fireplace, wants your life in exchange for all of ours." "The gutless coward, I will slay him as I should have on our first encounter!" Zero fired back. Atlai's voice was sympathetic as he tried to keep a stern look, "He says to surrender and accept your fate. Any resistance even carrying your weapon out with you and they will treat it as an attack." "Then I will slaughter the lot of them until they see they can not bully us with numbers!" his tone became more desperate as a way out began to disappear. With no end to Zero's bargaining in sight Atlai would force him to see the one path set, "Please for the sake of everyone here in Seras just give yourself over to them. There is no need for a bloodbath on our soil once more, just give up. All our lives are in your hands and stepping out there ready to kill means we all are going with you no matter what we say."

The warrior was left with no options only surrender could save those he protected from annihilation and he would never allow that to happen. He relinquished his blade to Atlai and slowly stepped out of the gate facing two great armies who would ensure his body fall to the earth. Maxinimus and Imfay met Zero at the midpoint that stood between the army and the city to deliver the final word before execution. Zero fought himself with every step as every bit of him wanted to run for his blade and finish what he had started but knew it now far too late.

"This is the one who dehorned you brother?" Maxin asked. Imfay stood expressionless facing Zero, "Indeed I would never forget a face so vile." "You are both cowards, now do what you will and leave my city," Zero interrupted hoping to be rid of the shame of defeat. Imfay gripped Zero's and looked deep into his eyes a moment, "Oh your moment is yet to come, it will end not begin with you, once the rest have fallen your time will be here. Yes I want you to see your city crumble and your countrymen beg for mercy beneath my blade. I want you to suffer!" "Imfay that was not the agreement!" Maxinimus interjected now seeing Imfay's true colours. Zero was thrown into Maxin nearly knocking them both to the ground, "Maxin I will not allow this opportunity to pass us by so easily. Now hold the bastard while I lead the rest into the city and burn it to the ground!" "Gutless weakling I knew you to be no good but I would never have thought you so pathetic! You come with a full army and send another to flank those who try abandoning Seras," Zero shouted. Maxin stood frightened as he scanned the figures on the hill, "Those are not of our nations. Who.. who has come to intervene on us?"

Following a series of shouts that echoed down the hill the mass of silhouettes poured into the valley as a waterfall into a stream. The Elk and Deer turned their attention to these soldiers who charged brandishing weapons as they headed straight for them. As the army neared their features became visible which only confused those who watched on in dumbstruck fascination. Finally after minutes of suspense the armies clashed and those who charged began to quickly overpower their enemy. Maxin's grip on Zero loosened as he watched in terror as scores of his men became easy prey for these strange invaders.

Zero slipped past Imfay and back through the gate which he demanded to be sealed behind him as he seized his sword from Atlai. "What happened out there Zero!" Atlai demanded as he saw worry in his eyes. Not knowing how to describe the events he could only instruct his Chief, "Atlai take the civilians and get as far away from here as possible. I do not know who is out there but they are killing indiscriminately and I believe we are next. Go north and take the Pack with you, I will stay and defend Seras with the army." Atlai would not waste time debating he moved with haste instruction the Pack and citizens of the plan. Zero climbed to the top of the wall to view the battle that raged intensely as Maxinimus now joined the fray utilizing all he could of his powers to drive off the assailants.

Maxin pulled from the ground a wall of thorns and brambles to stop the attackers momentarily allowing his men to retreat but in their panic they rushed to the gate of Seras and begged for shelter. The Wolves were sympathetic however looked to Zero for guidance with Atlai gone. The decision was his alone but knew it would be a hard one with both choices being riddled with negative outcomes. While Zero stood thinking a hole was ripped in the thorn wall and through it stepped a hulking figure carrying a bloodstained short sword and a massive shield that wore the scars of many battles upon its face.

"Who among you challenges me in such a manner?" Orion inquired as he stood alone against his foes. Three Elk were quick to charge him and foolish to do so as without the slightest difficulty he cut them down one after another. "That is enough!" Maxinimus ordered before any others would try and fail, "I am the one you seek." Orion grinned gleefully as he analyzed his opponent, "Then I challenge, if you are able to beat me I will leave your pathetic land." "I suppose I have no choice in the matter," Maxin said in a worrisome tone. "You boys stay back and Imfay do not lead them into more trouble no matter what happens now."

Maxin stood ready as the warrior made his way to him until they stood toe to toe and locked eyes without a single word. "Before we begin I must ask one request," Maxinimus spoke as he glanced to his men, "You allow my men to clear the way so as to insure none will be killed in our battle." Orion took a measure of the fighting force that stood in the distance and shined a confident grin at Maxin, "But of course, we would not want your army being wiped out before mine has had their fun." With the truce made Maxin gave Imfay a knowing look to retreat while they were able. However as they army readied to leave Seras' gates opened with Zero waiting to wave them inside their walls. Skeptical of his intentions Imfay saw it the safest bet and with Maxin's approving look they entered into the stronghold of their enemy unsure of what would come next.

Before his men could make their way into Seras, Orion knocked Maxinimus across the ground with a powerful slam from his shield. He knew that this man would stop at nothing to win but would not lower himself to such a pathetic standard no matter the cost. As he rose Orion lunged at him with his blade barely missing his jugular by a hair. Maxin leaped back and drew the roots from the dirt to trap his foe momentarily giving him time to draw his knife. Orion cut threw the vines with two quick swipes before Maxin could attack; the two began to pace keeping the other in their sights at all times.

Zero watched from atop the wall observing the fighting tactics of both warriors as the intense battle heated up. Imfay joined him nervously so as to keep an eye on his friend and ally as well as his foe who had protected him. "Do you think Maxinimus will win?" Imfay asked Zero as they watched quietly. He remained silent a moment as he analyzed Maxin and his style of fighting, "I would not peg him the best fighter however with that ability on his side he may be able to overpower him." In the face of such adversity the two foes stood together, not untied but at an understanding.

Meanwhile Maxinimus pulled out all the stops attempting to trip up Orion as he moved with such grace and tact in his attacks. Though his powers were strong Orion moved with incredible speed and the strength of ten as he tore apart all that was thrown at him. It was not long before Maxin found himself on the defensive as Orion no longer waited for his opponent's attacks and instead rushed him with the urge to destroy. Orion knocked him to the ground again but he was again to quick to fall beneath his blade and rolled from its path before it could connect. With speed equal to his foe's Maxin drew he's knife and hurled it however missing its mark the blade did rip across the back of Orion's neck to reopen an old wound.

As blood pour down his neck following the channels made by wounds and scars Orion's expression began to change from one of arrogance to that of sincerity. Maxinimus used this pause to distance himself and conjure a field of brambles and thorns to protect him as he drew his bow and arrow. With slow steady breathes Orion scanned the area to find the Deer when an arrow came tearing through the air. As though possessing a second sense he moved from the arrows path and in the same fluid motion pitched his shield through the brush in the direction of the arrow's origin. The hideous sound of cracking bone and pained cries filled the air leaving the onlookers in total silence. Carefully the warrior followed the trail blazed by his shield to his mangled prey who sat hopelessly holding his ruined arm.

"You do not have to do this!" Maxinimus wailed in a painful panic, "We will give you what want just stop now, end this violence!" Orion's expressionless face told all to his terrified victim as he reached down to pull him up to his level. With a quick swipe he severed the vines that wrapped around Maxin's broken arm and with another cut the strap holding his quiver. Lifting him higher now Orion waited for a moment thinking out his next move until he decided to push his blade deep into Maxin's belly. Lowering him bit by bit the tension mounted with every second as Maxinimus could only wait in horror for it to end with his mind so numbed by shock he could not even scream in his agony. Finally after the sickening silence and patients it was finished as Orion's sword crossed the Deer's heart and his body became lifeless in his grips. The vines that scaled Orion's legs were stopped in their tracks as the died out before passing the knee. Content with his work he threw the corpse into the thorns where it began to rapidly decompose as the flora flourished in the same moment. And as the body faded the invader's army came tearing through the blockade lusting for blood and glory.

"Damn," Zero muttered as he left the wall to ready his defenses. Imfay stood speechless in the wake of his only friends death, "Maxin.... sorry.." "Well Imfay there is no use in standing around," Zero shouted from below the walkway, "Now I may hate you and you may want me dead but now is not the time. Lead your men and I shall lead mine and there is a chance we could live to see another day." Imfay looked out into the fierce mob that waited outside the gates and back to Zero, "You expect us to fight them after what we just witnessed! I will surrender to these beasts but I will not allow them to mercilessly slaughter my men if I can help it." "They attack your and Maxin's armies and are now trying to destroy my home and we have not even the littlest clue as to who or why. So why do you think they are going to except surrender! Now we have to fight and survive at least until my messengers can bring word to Sirius and Cerberus because if I am right no one will be safe while these marauders walk!" Zero shouted filled with undying fury.

The Legion stood at the ready in front of the gates waiting patiently for their leader to divide them into units to flank the city and prevent escape. Zero ordered his men to defensive position and to prepare all they could for the coming assault from all directions. Imfay however would not instruct his nor Maxinimus' men and instead left them to their own device as he waited alone for the coming destruction. Seras stood silent as both sides remained in stalemate, one calculating its next move the other waiting, hoping to repel the coming onslaught.

"Zero, there is no sign of Imfay anywhere and his men wander lost without direction," a soldier informed. He had no time for the pathetic gripe of the Elk, "Tell them if they stand and fight we will feed them and protect them but if they choose to sit on their hands that they will serve only as fodder for our enemy." "Right away sir, but if Imfay were to intervene in anyway?" the boy questioned. Staring at the patch of earth where Maxin's body had been cast his mind was made up, "Kill him, he is useless to us and there is no satisfaction to be had in slaying such a weak cowardly excuse of man." The boy was off on his errand while Zero stood eying the leader of the brutes who had slain Maxinimus and though not a friend to the man felt his death as though he had been.

Night fell and the Legion had not left merely moved back to the hilltop and regrouped for the evening while keeping a night watch active. Zero hadn't moved a step the entire time as he waited for his foe to break the stalemate and attack. In the night he slipped into a light sleep as he leaned against a pillar still on his feet as though even in his subconscious mind the need to protect his people still rang stronger than the need for a proper night's sleep. For the rest within the walls the night remained an uneasy one with the threat of assault from outside and mutiny from within as the tension between the races had all but subsided.

To the East and the South the messengers delivered their messages to Sirius and Cerberus respectively before the dawn. Both allies knew what had to be done and responded in similar fashion simultaneously as they hastily prepared and marched to Seras. Sirius could only worry as she knew the hatred between Zero and Imfay was too much to keep bottled up in such close proximity. Cerberus was not one for war but as the message informed of the uncertainty of the race which attacked he could only believe them to be of the monsters he had fought as a boy, a thought he could not have without an immense feeling of anger.

The sun broke through the hole in which Imfay had crawled in the day prior as he waited for death to find its way to him. He had not slept the entire night as he was haunted with the fear of being destroyed in the manner Maxin had been. From his hiding place he could hear his men as they discussed what they must do to fend off the invaders. Imfay could not understand how they could stay so optimistic in the face of such power and not even once breath a hint of their fears. Again he was reminded how he once was and how he could stand against anything without a single quake of terror but was now reduced to the scared husk of a man who hid from the inevitable.

Before the sun could come over the horizon the Legion had retained its position with a quarter set to each side of the city. Zero followed Orion as he moved periodically from point to point for reasons unclear to him. As they moved around the wall Zero began to notice plumes of smoke in the distance to south and east and was filled with a sudden hope and certainty of their survival. Orion was unaware of the source of Zero's confident grin as the trees blocked the view of the smoke trails however he knew it must be some form attack waiting to come to fruition. The battle loomed on the horizon and nothing could stop what was to come as both sides held tightly to their arms and prepared themselves for the fight of their lives.

The stalemate carried on as Orion with his generals planned their assault on the city while Zero watched the billows of smoke fade to begin anew in another position each time getting closer and closer together. Zero's plan was simple the Fox and Coyotes would unite to charge the city gates and clear an opening. Then the Wolves alongside the Deer and Elk would pour out of the gates and run the invaders out of the land. He was certain that the day would be won by sheer numbers rather than brutish unyielding force. Time was short for his plan however as the Legion began to change their formations and seemed to be preparing to mount an offensive attack.

Hours grew longer as Zero watched the Lion closely for any sign or order given to attack while the sun began to sink below the hills. They would not move with setting sun this evening instead they waited patiently in the dark maintaining their positions as though they would strike at any moment. Zero was equally devoted to his cause as he once again stayed in his position through the entire night keeping a mindful eye on Orion. The armies maintained a constant readied force with half alternating sleep with watch to keep them in sufficient fighting form.

The full moon shone bright over head the night nearly illuminating every bit of weaponry and armor that it touched. Dreary but determined Zero held his post keeping himself supported by use of the wall or his blade. It was the absolute middle of the evening when it all occurred with the moon directly over head the Legion became animated from their idle poses. Zero's eyes had just barely closed when he heard the rumbling and banging from below him that began to shake him awake. He need not even glance to know what was happening, they were storming the gate and would undoubtedly knock it down before long. "Everyone to your stations!" Zero howled at the top his lungs as he rose to his feet.

Within seconds every torch in Seras was lit and all were on their feet running to their positions whilst they armed themselves. Supports were put in place behind the door as splinters shot from it with every wave of crashes against it. Archers covered the walls however their arrows proved useless against the canopy created by the shields they held over head. Infantry readied themselves at the gates in the town's center in case all other defense became compromised. The Deer, Elk, and Wolves were working together better than Zero had planned however the Legion's strength was matching their combined might perfectly.

Seras' defenses were working to the most optimal degree however they were unprepared for the style of attack which they faced. Orion pushed his men to their limits but he pushed harder still as he tried to break the gates down. The Legion drudged on wearily weak from hunger and fatigued from lack of sleep but still worked with all their might to break through. As those at the front exhausted they rotated out for those behind them who still possessed a fragment of energy and strength. Though initially making progress they faced a greater challenge yet as the supports fortified the gate beyond what they had expected of the town.

The assault lasted the entire night with neither side gaining or losing the slightest bit of ground as the Legion grew to tired to make headway on the gate. As his men began to fall to weak to carry on Orion became a man possessed as he violently thrashed against the gate until the dawn's light. In the midst of Orion's fury Zero spotted the final signal in the distance and was assured his victory inevitable. He rallied his men, readying them for final part of the plan promising victory over the savage horde that lie in wait outside the city's gate. Very soon the battle intensify ten fold and the formidability of the Legion would be tested to its fullest as they battle against a vast army who surrounded them at every turn imaginable.

The archers eagerly waited to signal Zero as they watched for the reinforcements coming from the southeast ready to decimate the opposition. Every minute past as though they were hours as all within the walls waited with great anticipation to end this battle as hastefully as possible. After several minutes of taxing stress one archer caught the first sight of the army cresting the hill. Signaling to Zero the planned carried on as they prepared for the coming battle with grace and tact. The archers set their bows ready to rain down upon the Legion, the supports were removed from the gates, and the infantry stood strong in the face of the beasts beyond the walls.

From the hills descended the Fox and Coyote who immediately clashed with the Legion and began overwhelming the unit who stood in front of Seras' gates. Orion's attention was quickly turned to this new offensive front and lead his men against it calling for the rest of his men to come to his position. With those at the gate distracted Zero called for the doors to be opened and with their opening those inside rushed forward to the battlefield. As they proceeded outward the secondary and tertiary units of the Legion began to flank them cutting the fighting force in half at the threshold. The weary warriors between the fighting forces were easily wiped out uniting the two armies into one large clot gradually being surrounded by the Legion.

With the battle turning in their opponent's favor the Legion formed into a lose pattern of exterior shields to block the archers and an interior of warriors fighting the infantry. Despite their overwhelming power the Legion began to lose ground and were being pushed back on all fronts. Orion thought his army invincible but against Sirius and Cerberus they began to fall with ease. He knew he would never fend off the attack with his men so terrible weak and tired, he knew what he must do. Pushing his way through his men he made his way to the center wherein the two sides met and issued his challenge, " Silence!" he roared and waited for a pause, "You have all fought well but this most be resolved in the way of the ancients. One must step up and battle me, if he is victorious the Legion shall withdraw from your land and not one more life wasted. So who dare challenge me!"

Both armies came to a stop as Orion's booming voice echoed over the battlefield leaving all silent for a moment. "I will fight you," called Cerberus from the other end of the skirmish. He made his way through the crowd to face his opponent who stood in a brief clearing between the two groups. Sirius caught up with him midway through, "Cerberus I will fight him, you know I can best you hand to hand so why risk your life?" "Siri you received the same message I did about these creatures. If they are of the same lineage of those that slayed my father I will have to be the one to deal with them," Cerberus responded before continuing on his way to Orion.

"It would seem beauty or even normalcy is lacking in the warriors of your land," mocked Orion as he caught sight of Cerberus. Cerberus stood unamused as those around Orion cackled on, "True warriors do not concern themselves with appearance only strength." "Well I hope you are stronger than the last one to battle me, he was such a disappointment, all of that power wasted on one so weak," Orion commented as he lifted his shield and drew his blade. Cerberus too readied himself, "Your arrogance will get the best of you in the end."

Neither side would attack as they watched the two commence their duel none shedding a single drop of their true fear for their delegate failing. Cerberus struck first leaving a deep dent in Orion's shield as well as pushing him back. As he regained his footing Orion charged at him his blade thirsty for a taste of his opponent's blood. With near perfect timing Cerberus caught the blade with the tip nearly at his chest. "Their is something you should know about me," Cerberus spoke quietly, "no matter how strong the weapon you use it is nothing against me." Orion looked to see his blade melting and falling to the dirt in the grips of his foe.

Orion smashed Cerberus with his shield freeing him of his grip and allowing him to retreat to his starting point where his spear lie. He charged again now with his spear however fortune did not smile upon for a second time as Cerberus dodged the pole arm's tip and countered with his hammer. The hammer slammed Orion to the ground breaking is spear's shaft in half as well as several bones. Cerberus watched his opponent rive on the ground as he looked to his men for approving signs to execute the foe with which he was greeted with an overwhelming response of approval. He lifted his heavy maul but as he did so had no time to stop Orion's shield which came flying into his abdomen. Dropping his foe to his knees Orion summoned up his strength and with death looming at his door in case he would delay he charged his foe. Cerberus swung aiming to take out his enemy by the legs however Orion's forethought trumped his attack as he leapt the second he began his swing and landed spear first into Cerberus's chest.

"Demon," Cerberus coughed out through a choked voice, "Your kind killed my father, my friends, and now you have finally killed me." "I am no demon, I am the greatest Lion to ever lead his kingdom. I am Orion remember that name as the final drops of blood drain from your useless body," Orion returned before pushing off his foe. Cerberus fell to his hands as he felt the end coming closer and closer with every breath that became ever more difficult to take. "Why have you come to our land, what do want from us!" Cerberus shouted as loud as he was able. Orion set his foot upon his foe's shoulder and pushed on him, "For one thing and one thing only, glory. My Legion will conquer all that stands in this world and those who dare battle us shall find their resistance futile against our might!" Applying more tension now Orion tried to force the spear through his enemy from its shattered end stabbed into the earth. Cerberus fought to keep himself from falling to dirt but soon the weight became to heavy to bare and he began to give way. Seeing an opportunity to destroy any hope in the hearts of his opposition Orion gripped Cerberus's two malignant heads and with one final thrust of his foot slammed his enemy to the ground tearing the heads off in the process.

In triumph he lifted the severed heads over his own letting the blood drenched his face and mane before tossing them into the crowd. Cerberus's body began to glow a yellow-orange color for a moment after his death before turning a dark black tone with a metallic shimmer as it hardened into cocoon that encased his corpse. "Death awaits you all, give up now!" Orion roared while a wicked and evil smirk came to his face. The sight shook all who had opposed Orion leaving the strongest of soldiers ready to flee or surrender to the brute. Sirius pushed her way to the front of the crowd as her rage began to boil over and over take her fear replacing it with the urge to kill. Zero caught sight of her but knew better to stop her and instead followed her to the front where Orion stood.

"You fiend, you will suffer worse than any before you for what you have done!" Sirius shouted her voice filled with conviction though her eye welling with tears. Orion looked to her but could only laugh at the sight he beheld. She became furious in the face of this ridicule, "What is so damn amusing you bastard! I want to fight you, now are you a coward!?" Orion's laughter halted as he looked to his men for silence, "A coward you think I am? You know I would have been willing to spare you before as you are a woman and so very meek but now I have no choice." "Then cease you talking!" Siri shouted as she ran at him.

Orion dropped his shield and with open hands waited to catch her first strike but as she made her way to him she released a tremendous burst of energy and blinded him. Moving with every strike to keep him guessing Siri beat him with her staff each blow filled with the agony Cerberus suffered. Fury built in the mind of Orion as he felt himself becoming an embarrassment at the hands of the woman and called out to his men. Hastily members of the Legion stepped forward and subdued and seized Sirius before she noticed their presence. On that note the two armies began to battle again Lions protecting the opening in which Orion stood in tact while he recovered.

In the midst of the chaos Zero charged through the enemy line chasing after those responsible for stopping Sirius. With every step he took he confronted another foe which he would quickly cut down as he proceeded to the next and to everyone after. He began to lose sight of Siri as the crowd grew thicker and began to close in around him sealing his passage back to his men. Zero fought valiantly against the various attackers until they were interrupted by an unseen warrior from outside the circle. Orion stepped forth bloody, battered, and burning with a hatred beyond any before. Wasting no time he attacked with only a short sword his shield no where sight. He put Zero on the defensive as he relentlessly hacked and slashed at him despite being blocked with every attempt. They fought through the crowd clearing a path entirely through the Legion, As they weaved through the men some parried blows would go awry and injure or cut down a soldier.

Not long into the battle and the two were through the crowd and fighting at the front gates surrounded by a far more miniscule crowd of Lions and Tigers. The two warriors were becoming very worn and tired now but more so in Orion as his injuries began to weigh him down. Zero took advantage of this and turned the tables putting him on the defense. Move after move Zero began to out maneuver him and take control of the battle coming ever closer to victory. The Legion could see this as well and without a word from their commander began to close in on Zero. He however saw them coming ever closer and was able to defend himself from their advances. Zero found himself now battling against ten men with Orion regaining his composure as his men did his work for him.

As the battle raged on something deep inside of Imfay perked up and he found himself drawn to observe what was happening outside his safe haven. He journeyed out from his hiding place to the front gates to see he had been missing. For a moment he struggled to make out what took place before him not being sure of which side was trouncing the other. After a few moments he noticed a familiar figure struggling to hold his own against the horde which began to surround him. He wasn't certain what compelled him to join Zero but was quick to come to his aid without a word.

While charging into battle Imfay picked from the ground the shield of a fallen warrior and with all his might used it to force his way up to Zero. He drew his meager dagger from his boot and attempted to fend off some of the attackers however had better luck with the shield against the wealth of attackers. Zero had not noticed for a moment that he had been joined by another as he worked to fend off those who came at him. With Imfay serving to draw the enemy's attention Zero began to cut down more and more of the them however as many as he would defeat twice as many more joined the fray. The mob's numbers seemed endless and it began to weigh heavy on Zero and drain him to a point of exhaustion in which he felt defeat possible.

It was then that Orion had finally regain enough energy to take on his now weakened adversary with the confidence he would slay him. Throwing his own men aside he worked his way to Zero who struggled to fight off the attackers any longer. Orion knew his opportunity was at hand and with haste tried to seize the moment and take his foe down. Clearing his way through he lunged at Zero who only barely escape his grasps with a split second turn. He knew Orion would kill him with ease if he were able to reach him in his weary state but had no choice but to face him or the ravenous soldiers that surrounded him.

With another lunge Orion scraped his blade against Zero's ribs leaving a lengthy gash though of trivial depth. The Legion began to close in on Zero and overwhelm him slicing and slashing him however only enough to injure him while their master recovered from his failed attack. Imfay made a bold move as he began to execute any who stood between him and his comrade in arms when he needed him. From the other side of the collection Orion forced his way through to finish off his foe and finally put an end to the last of the skilled warriors who stood against him.

Orion was the first to reach Zero and swiftly lifted him high above the ground as he pushed his blade into his open wound and leisurely pulled it open further. Imfay saw as the brute tortured his compatriot so viciously and knew there was only one action for him to take. He took his only weapon, his dagger, and hurled it over the heads of those who still stood in his way. The dagger flew its course and hit its mark as planned and tore through Orion's arm forcing him to drop his captive foe. The Legion was quick to attack Imfay and begin to tear him to shreds as they had Zero leaving him alive enough for their master to do away with in the manner he wished.

It was not long before Imfay battered body was thrown into the clearing made for Orion to execute his opponent, he joined Zero as he sat very much broken on his knees. Orion's eyes looked over the two trying to pick which would go first ultimately deciding to save the joy of massacring Zero for last. He lifted Imfay by the throat and began to poke shallow wounds into his chest with Imfay's own dagger. After a few moments past he bore of it and decided to end it by pushing the dagger through his chest with only enough force to do the job. Imfay let out a horrid pained cry as the blade pushed deep into his chest despite his fighting and trying to pull it out.

Zero looked through his tired and bloody eyes to see his old foe battling against a new nemesis and became confounded by the idea of being saved by him. He saw something had changed in the man though he had by some means found the courage to fight in a hopeless battle. The cries grew to screams and Zero felt a horrible rage building inside but of a kind he had only experienced after Derius' death. A power began to fill his body allowing him to stand once more and feel as though he were able to carry on fighting forever.

Seeing his more dangerous opponent rise to his feet Orion knew he must take care of his more pertinent concern and tossed Imfay aside to be dealt with later. "Stay down!" roared Orion as he came closer to Zero but it would fall on deaf ears. Zero had sunk into a trance like state though in control of his actions was uncertain of them despite having a reassuring feeling inside. Orion reached for Zero but as he did so an enormous wave of energy exploded from Zero's body rendering all within the blast zone hurt, unconscious, or even dead. The distraction bought the Wolves and company enough time to gather their wounded and escape north lead by Imfay.

The moon sat high in the night sky as Zero awoke from his sleep not knowing how he had come to the place he found himself. His memory still spotty after being unconscious for so many hours Zero tried to figure out where he was and why. He wander out of the tent and through camp in search of anyone else but could find none awake in the evening hour. After searching to no avail Zero returned to his tent and tried to rest but could not calm himself enough to do so with all he had on his mind. He had witnessed the deaths of the three most revered leaders in the land at he hands of a nameless brute who nearly killed him as well. Alongside that he struggled to recollect what had happened before he woke and how he had survived his battle.

Through his tent he could hear a hushed conversation approaching south from outside of the encampment. He listened in silence to the muffled voices, "We need to strike now. They would never expect it and are in no way capable of stopping us." "It is too risky, we have lost enough men all ready and even with the Deer and Elk on our side we are out matched," a second voice replied. The first voice came back with a sharp retort, "You and I both saw what they did Lord Sirius, are you willing to let them get away with that!?" "Leave him alone," a third voice chimed in, "We all saw what happened but we have to contain ourselves, we can not simply attack we will be wiped out before we even make a sizable dent in their forces." Zero would ease-drop no longer and after slipping out of his tent located the three men, "What has happened to Sirius, is she hurt?"

The men were surprised to find anyone awake in the camp and were more so startled to see Zero not only awake but mobile. For a moment none would speak, unsure of how to begin explaining what they had seen, until the owner of the first voice broke the silence. "We were sent to locate the enemy army and survey Seras to decide if it could still be useful. Well when we got to the overlook we could not see any sign of the enemy so we made our way down and closer to Seras. Once we were nearby we could hear a great deal of shouting and other commotion coming from inside. We scaled the walls and once we reached the top we looked inside to see the horde gathered in circle at the center of town. At the very heart of it all was Lord Sirius, on her knees, her arms and legs bound behind her to her own staff. It was clear she had been beaten for hours the blood was caked on her fur but still with a fresh coat glinting with the reflection of the torches. Their leader stepped out with a murderous smile affixed to his face and a bloody club in his hand. We watched on in horror as he brutally and savagely beat her for moments on end until we were certain she had finally... After a few moments he dropped the club and lifted her head to show his ravenous audience that she still drew life be it only faintly and then.... then he took her by the throat. I could see her eyes darting around wildly, searching for what I do not know but it was brought to end very abruptly. He ripped her throat from her neck.... with his bare hand... and brandished to his men with such a terrible look of joy it made me ill. But as those beasts went wild with excitement something happened, something I have no way of explaining. Lord Sirius' body begin to glow only faintly at first but soon it begin to shine brighter than any star in the night's sky. In the area surrounding her things began to burst into flame for no reason at all. As she reached what I can only imagine to be a peak the entire square was quiet watching as her body begin to break open revealing a brighter and more destructive light. With the blink of an eye it was over, her body disappeared entirely and the light overwhelmed the entire city. We woke in a daze hours later to find the area layered with ashes and burnt debris. The army was busy pulling others from the wreckage and did not notice us as we slipped away and returned."

Zero sat a moment trying take in what he heard, he had seen Siri taken but hoped to see her alive at the end of it all. "How many of them do you think are left?" Zero asked with his head in his hands. The second voice answered, "We are not sure but definitely less than we fought before." "And their leader?" Zero inquired. "He was alive but he seemed at the least somewhat daunted by what had happened," the first voice replied. "Then we have to attack now. They have to be weak with hunger and lack of sleep by now and with what has happened we might stand a better chance this time," Zero spoke masking his anger as much as possible. "Imfay will never let it happen, he is the one in charge now after all," the second voice returned in an irritated tone.

Dawn could not come soon enough for Zero as he waited outside Imfay's tent in the chilling darkness kept warm but by the fury in his heart. He held his heart that ached so as he felt crippling pain from the loses that his people had incurred. Not only the grand losses but even the most insignificant life lost weighed heavy on him. The pain became to much for him and he returned to his tent to rest as he became exhausted trying to keep awake in the evening hour. As he lie in his tent his weary eyes slowly closed and in the silence he drifted off to sleep.

Zero was not accustomed to dreams or at least not those he could draw any sense or meaning from however he was soon locked in a vision he could not help but to see a message within. There was bloody everywhere, the walls, the floor, on every weapon and every person who lie motionless in the room. He stood alone, no one else but he still drew a single breath in the dark dismal space. Orion emerged from the darkness bathed in a thick coat of blood, he stood triumphant atop the bodies of those he had slain. Zero's breathing became heavier and heavier as his rage boiled over and encroached a level he had could not fathom. The blood begin to turn from its bright red to the dismal blackness of the room and proceeded to wrap around Zero begin at the tips of his fingers on his right hand. The current worked its way up his arm to his shoulder before halting without cause. Orion became painted black entirely as the excess that did not bond to Zero joined him and completed the black coating. He then attacked and began to force Zero down into the dark ground which began to consume the two of them bit by bit. Zero struggled to no avail and panic raced through his mind as he fought with all his might to free himself from the grasp of darkness that surrounded him. It soon felt as though he was in a void, one that nothing could escape, not light nor sound. However suddenly a faint voices graced his ears all with the same message, "Deep inside. You have the power to fight. Deep inside of you."

The voices ricocheted around his mind as the darkness held him steady in its grips while he floated motionlessly within. It was not long before the voices faded as a louder sound made its presence clear with its low rhythmic beating. His heartbeat seemed louder now than it had ever and more so it seemed to have a uniquely different tone to it as though it carried with it more than it was accustom to holding. Zero felt with each beat his body becoming stronger and his vision becoming clearer as a silver aura began to permeate the deep dark curtain of the void. He realized then that aura originated from him and the blackness began to clear the way around it as though it were being chased away. Even Orion sunk away into the dark as Zero made his way back to room with the bodies of his friends and countrymen. Upon reaching the room he found not one corpse but three distinct auras with their own luster and their own individual feeling to them. Before he could do anymore the silver aura filled his vision and wiped the dream from his mind before forming a veil only to be lifted with eyes as he awoke.

As his eyes slowly opened he still saw only darkness in his tent with not the slightest bit of sunlight or most miniscule of flame to fracture the veil. Nonetheless Zero rose feeling fully restored in strength and ventured out into the center of the camp where embers still shown bright in the fire pit. He shoveled a few logs in and stirred the embers before heading to Imfay's tent. Still no light shown from his lodgings however this time it would not deter Zero from entering. Upon entering he found the Elk still sleeping soundly in his bed however he did not seem to be the same man he once knew, it was as though he was entirely a stranger to him.

Zero recalled enough about Imfay to differentiate him from other Elk however this man could not possible be Imfay. His fur seemed to be a deeper and stronger tone as though it had been reinvigorated with another's youthfulness. To the same token something unexplainable had changed in the aura he radiated, it was as though his entire self had been polarized creating someone new. Most note worthy of course was his horns which had not only began to grow back but back to their original length however they now were also bathed completely in a blood tone of red.

Though a bit uncertain that he had the right man Zero nudged the bed a bit with his foot to shake the sleeping Elk awake. "What do you want?" the Elk muttered in a low and tired voice. "Imfay is that you?" Zero asked, "I need to speak with you right away." He sat up from his bed begrudgingly, "I am sure you do but look the sun has not broken the night's spell yet, so kindly leave we will resolve the matter when I can see your face," Imfay spoke tiredly trying to end the conversation. Zero was not about to allow a man he thought to be a coward order him around, "Listen here Elk, I did not fight against those beasts and their leader just to wake up with you thinking you are in charge of me now we need to have a discussion and I am not leaving until it is through!" Imfay hung his head low in misery, "Take a seat then, why not?"

Zero seated himself as a weary Imfay lit the lantern to illuminate his guest with the faint light of the fire it cast. "So what do you want, Zero? I made sure to bring you out here so as you would not be mutilated by the invaders and now you are bothering me for a conversation before the morning has even begun. That in itself is bad enough but should you not be resting, I was told but you would not make it through the night in your condition," Imfay griped impatiently. Zero took in a breath before beginning, " Now look here my people protected you from that savage horde so do not even think you are going to make the rules. We have all lost far too many to just walk away from this fight and from what I have heard from the three you sent down to Seras we might have a chance to end this now." Imfay remained unimpressed by this notion, "If you are about to suggest we go down there and let them finish us off then you are preaching to the wrong person." "No you imbecile," Zero erupted, "I mean that we have a chance to lay waste to that damned army and retake our lands in one move. The men I spoke with they claimed that Seras was destroyed and our enemy was within its walls, needless to say they suffered heavy casualties and most others injured. So if we take advantage of the situation we might stand a chance at defeating them." Imfay's face conveyed only perplexity, "What chance do you think we stand and what could have possibly destroyed and entire city if not those bastards?" "It is not a pretty story," Zero began his voice hitting a soft point, "In brief, what I was told is that, Sirius was killed by their leader and some how she caused some type of massive wave of fire and light to destroyed the city." The tent went silent a moment, "They said after they had regained consciousness they spotted many of the enemy pulling bodies from the rubble. That is why I think if we attack we could overwhelm them with our numbers; we have our health, we have had rest, and eaten our fill so we are well prepared while they are not," Zero finished.

Imfay thought on it for a few moments before speaking again, "This will be very dangerous and there is no guarantee that any of us will survive." "There is no guarantee we can run and hide from them the rest of our days," Zero interjected in Imfay's pause. With a heavy sigh Imfay began again, "We will have to fight, not because we want to but because we will need to." "I am glad you can understand this; despite all we have against one another we will have to work together as one to defeat this foe. Now wake your men and I shall mine and we will stand where Seras had by the rising sun," Zero finished as he began to leave. "Are you entirely gone! The men need their rest, do you understand how enraged they will be if we wake them now to go to fight?" Imfay questioned in a bewildered tone. Zero shot back his response with haste, "It will work perfect then, their forces will be unprepared while they rest and ours will be so angry they are not resting they will fight the hardest they have ever just to be able to rest once more."

The weary and aggravated men assembled in the dim fire light expressing disdain for their leaders' request. Their numbers were much more diminutive then Zero had planned for of course not realizing this fact until he eyed up his assembled forces. Despite the lack of size in his army he would carry on as planned with out choice in the matter any longer. He drew his blade from its sheath and waited for the chattering amongst the men to cease before addressing them prior to beginning their march.

"Men I know you all to be fatigued, depleted of hope, and beaten beyond your own breaking point but in this morning shade I tell you to hope, to believe in a tomorrow," Zero began his voice faltering on and off as he searched the crowd for hopeful faces however meeting with more depressed ones than he had planned. "I know that on the eve of yesterday you thought this war over, lost, for us all and that today we surrender and humble ourselves at the feet of these beasts but you would be wrong. The news has likely not reached many of you yet but I will bare the bad news to you all; Sirius is dead, the brutes executed her for their own pleasure however with her final breath she took as many of them with as she could. Seras is gone now, reduced to ashes and rubble but we will rebuild as sure as we will drive this menace from our lands! Now company move out!" Zero's confidence restored as he saw the mood shift as he spoke of Sirius and Seras, he was now certain his plan had a chance to succeed.

As his men moved forward out of camp Zero was encountered by Imfay still in his casual night garb without any look of fight to him. "Imfay where have you been and why are you not ready?" Zero asked in disgust. Imfay stroked a horn and then slid his hand down his neck, "I am not going. I can not go to be honest. There are far too many wounded, of your ranks and my own, to leave them up here defenseless." "Do you not feel the fire of vengeance in your heart for how that bastard massacred your friend?" Zero questioned wearing a lost expression. Imfay looked to Zero for a moment and paused, "You know I wish I would have had more foresight to pick my enemies wiser. Anyway I do but this fight is far more important to you and you have lost far more than I can measure to my own and that is why you are going and I am staying. But do make sure you make that brute pay for the hideous way he butchered Maxinimus!" "I would not allow him to feel a single scrap less of pain," Zero smiled before heading on his way with the unit.

The march was a not a long one but as the tension amongst the group members came ever closer to boiling over causing the journey became all the more drawn out. Zero, though entirely confident in his men and the plan, even began to grow paranoid of what they would face in the coming battle. Would the enemy be ready or at all even phased by Siri's attack? The mind began constantly racing over the possibilities which endlessly presented themselves with another fatal scenario for his people. Time would soon tell as the remnants of Seras set on the horizon and with every step closed the gap to destiny.

The clouded sky was faintly illuminated with the sun barely gracing the sky in that early morning as the army stood at a heap of rubble which once was a city wall. Further in town they found a crater filled with ash and circled with a dark ring of soot. Within and all around the ground had showered with broken armor, wrecked weapons, and bodies mangled, burnt, and almost entirely unrecognizable. There was a trail through the debris and ash leading towards a line of trees that though bare of any shrubbery was host to a multitude of low lying shadows. The enemy forces had been very much depleted as hoped and accompanying such good fortune they also seemed to be resting after the grueling battle.

"What do say Wolf chief, should we announce our presence or murder them in their sleep?" the highest ranking of Elk questioned Zero. Zero stood a moment and looked over his foe, "We shall not stoop to such a level of cowardice. They shall know the faces of their victors. Ready your men into defensive positions and prepare to sound to the horn." "Right away sir, on your signal," the man replied before turning back to his own. One Wolf, a boy from Zero's youth, joined him at his side, "Zero," he began, "This is a sight I never could have imagined, you were never made to be the man to lead but I suppose we were wrong. If you can pull us through this though you will be set apart, far apart from those before you and I shall follow you to world's end." A quick bow from his subordinate before returning to his positions and finally Zero had felt he had risen to challenge he fought all his life and now had triumphed.

The horn let out a earth shaking howl that shook all in its presence waking the enemy combatants the very second it was sounded. With great haste they became battle ready despite their over exhaustion from the previous days. Zero allowed them the kindness to prepare themselves before unleashing the onslaught that awaited the command to tear them apart. Not wasting time awaiting orders the Legion formed into a huddle, shields presented with spears erected from the gaps between them. As the final members joined into placed Zero locked eyes with his opponent, Orion.

"A familiar sight to you is it not?" Zero began addressing Orion, "However from the other side I am sure it is an entirely different scene. Orion stood in front of his men facing his foe, "No matter the scene we shall crush you as we have so many of your brethren!" "Then I shall offer to you a simple challenge, defeat me and my army surrenders without a single term or condition, however if I defeat you, you will leave and never return to these lands for as long as you live, " Zero announced to the shock of those who stood on his side. Orion laughed with a smug grin on his face, "Childish you believe you can defeat me? You have seen the extent of my strength and ability and you think you will survive? Your head shall find a new home upon the end of my spear soon enough!"

Orion and Zero met head on in and immediately became locked in a fierce battle they both knew only one could walk away from with their life. Zero moved tactfully around Orion's berserk attacks as he did so he study his technique or lack there of gaining a better handle on it after seeing it used on his friends. He knew that his moves while armed with his shield and spear were erratic and without rhythm however powerful and too dangerous to risk contact. Orion could see his opponent parrying and dodging his attacks in an attempt to bide time but was without option in the matter and continued on the offensive.

Tension grew with the passing of every moment the two warriors not letting up in the slightest in their deadly confrontation. Neither could afford to risk breaking from their pattern but both knew that one would either have to be bold enough to attempt to overthrow the other or wait for their opponent to slip up. With the tension becoming unbearable Zero knew he must risk it all and even out his enemies arms with his own. In one quick motion as Orion jabbed with his spear Zero side stepped him and cut his spear in half while almost slicing his hand in two as well. Following this he knocked Orion to ground after delivering a mighty kick to a well worn portion of his shield causing it to crack slightly in the center.

Stirred but not injured the Lion would not let his enemy best him especially not so easily with only a few quick steps and a kick. Looking to his men he saw doubting faces waiting to see what would come next for their leader. Orion stood and began to take the shield off his person before realizing it still had a part in this battle. He pushed on the edges of the break from within the shield forcing them to become two strips of dense, sharp metal. Drawing his short sword now he returned to battle as Zero remained awaiting his foe's next move.

A moment passed as Orion's face morphed from one of seriousness into the twisted grin of a madman while Zero froze in puzzlement unsure of his enemy. Zero could feel a change occurring in his opponent's heart however he could hardly decipher what exactly was happening but it seemed as though a second aura had consumed the first. The pause ended abruptly as Orion began to sprint towards Zero his weapon ready and his eyes a glow with thoughts of destroying the Wolf. As the two neared collision a voice broke the silence of the area. "Charge!" roared Orion at a level so loud it seemed as though his voice must have been destroyed in the process.

Without a moments hesitation the Legion burst from beneath the tree and were immediately headed towards Zero. The Wolves would not allow their leader to be overwhelmed by the horde that so wished to tear him limb from limb and moved to intercept. All around the two leaders their armies clashed leaving them in their own confined space at the epicenter of the confrontation. Screams, roars, and howls filled the air accompanied by the sounds of metal clangs, the tearing of flesh, and the empty sound of bodies slamming to the dirt as the last bit of life crept out. Violence filled the crowd as all pushed themselves as hard as they could with their lives being their only reward in their victory.

The two leaders fought fiercely countering each others attacks flawlessly to mount an attack of their own which would be blocked by the other. Neither could seem to break the infinitely repeating cycle of stopped attack after stopped attack no matter what maneuver they attempt it was blocked as was the returning strike. Orion had only one choice to end the miserable back and forth game with Zero so following his next failed attack Orion pushed forward with his shield and forced Zero into the chaos beyond their circle. Disoriented he struggled to pull himself to his feet as weapon clashed against each other all around him and other bodies soon began to pile nearby splashing dirty blood everywhere.

Any movement from his place put him at immediate risk of losing his head to not only the enemy but his own company's blade. However delaying the inevitable no longer he leaped from his spot through the fray and back into clearing where Orion stood catching his breath. Zero stood not ready to rest despite the blood to slowly ran down his cheek and all across his body. His mind shifted from the tactical mind of a leader to the brutish side of anger man out for blood no matter the cost. Wasting no time he charged his winded foe with a blade thirsty for the blood of the Lion.

Orion's quick movement saved him from being sliced in twain by Zero's first swipe as he lifted shield just before contact. He next used the rift in the shield to his advantage using it to attempt his offensive by stabbing through wildly trying to slice and stab any bit of Zero possible. Zero too switched into unconventional style using the gap in his blade to catch the opposition's and force it along with the shield down to the ground. The two traded blows hand to hand and were quick to forget their arms as they began to savagely beat one another.

It was a heated fight to say the very least as each man took their turn pummeling the other until they were bucked off and throttled themselves. The brawl seemed endless and the brawlers relentless as they both soon wore a coat of blood and dirt from head to toe. Their bruised and battered bodies were becoming ever weaker but they stood on an even plateau with each other. Not long into the melee the soldiers all around them stopped in their tracks watching their leaders carry out the most grueling fight of their lives.

Fortune final shed its light on Orion as he overpowered Zero forcing him to the ground, he then on top of him. With all of Orion's weight falling on him the air was forced from Zero's lungs and struggled to retain it. Hands gripped his throat however and the scant bit of oxygen he obtain began to disappear as did every last bit of strength he held within. As the light began to fade he could sense the Orion's aura gaining in strength as his diminished with every second. With his last bit of energy he attempted to reach out and feel the aura that waited so eagerly to consume his own.

As his hand pressed against Orion's chest Zero began to feel a sudden surge of energy, power, and strength. The aura as well as Orion seemed to become hurt and more so weakened by this action causing him to hastily pull away. He stumbled to his feet and made his way over to his shield and sword paying no attention to his foe. Zero rose from the ground though, shaking he felt stronger than he had ever felt in his entire life. Soon he began to quake as energy surged through his body and overtook his ability to control it.

All in attendance were a silent awe as the Wolf began to groan and howl in agony from an invisible pain. As he fell to his knees Orion found it to be his perfect opportunity to finish him off and end the war. He began to approach Zero who began to force himself to stand once more as a strange key fell over the crowd and Zero himself began to look bizarre. His fur seemed to of shed the filth that rested upon it but not only that it began to gain a luster beyond that of a natural grey instead growing to a valiant silver. Not only his fur shown a tint of silver but all around him was cast a silver shimmer that held its place in the air and seem to radiate from him.

Slowly his eyes opened revealing the once purple pools that were placed within had evaporated and replaced with pure white spheres. Orion halted completely as Zero began to lift from the ground and levitate slightly as the silver aura around him grew more brilliant. He shifted his glance slowly to meet the eyes of his foe to deliver a message however he instead provoke him into attacking. Orion lifted his blade but with a quick flash of light it was knocked from his hands into the dirt beyond the area. Daunted but unbroken by this he charged with the jagged edged shield however what came next none would have expected.

The shield served no use as Orion would never take more than three steps closer before finally being brought down by Zero. Beyond anyone's wildest imagination Zero summoned a blast of pure energy and launched it at Orion. The shot penetrated the wound in the shield and struck Orion's chest tearing through him in the blink of an eye. His body tumbled forward before finally stopping at Zero's feet as they touched down to the ground. In a moment the aura dissipated and his eyes returned to brilliant shade of violet as Zero turned Orion's body face up.

Silence permeated the area as all looked on in uncertainty as to what they had actually seen unable to assess what was real. Zero began to look light headed but as a Wolf came to assist him in standing he quickly waved him off. Placing his foot upon Orion's corpse Zero scanned the crowd watching as the Legion knelt dropping their arms in surrender. He ran his hand across his head and breathed a low and heavy sigh of exhaustion, "It is finally over."

The Legion's weapons were gathered and the soldiers rounded up before Zero with the body of their fallen leader. During this time a medicine man came to treat Zero's wounds which he had long since forgotten about in the thick of the chaos and stress. Quickly the man went to work on his eye which Zero had not realized was damaged so severely during the fight that it would not be able to heal. A multitude of more minor wounds covered his form however the wounds are not what concerned him the most. Unbeknownst to him a twin pair of black spiral markings had wrapped around his wrist and crawled up his arm stopping just before his shoulder. The man could give no explanation for its cause or remedy he could only figure it was a touch of the divine or a force beyond.

As the medicine man finished dressing his wounds and the Legion assembled, Zero stood to deliver the final order regarding the matter of the Legion. "Your kind came to our lands to destroy them, to see its inhabitants fall at your blade, and take what was left for your own greed and for that I should execute every last one of you. However I am not the type of man to so mercilessly and brutally eradicate another race from this world, not anymore. So you will march back to whence you came and with you this body so beloved," Zero spoke kicking Orion's body, his neck slicing in twain as it crossed paths with Zero's sword stabbed into the earth. "Never tread upon these lands again for I am lenient only this once, for if you intrude on us again there will not be one to even speak of your kind afterward."

"Now which of you is left to command this feeble force?" Zero asked as he looked out onto the meager militia that remained. A hand rose from the crowd, "I am sir." "Stand before me for you will deliver my message onto your people once you return to your home," Zero called out. Weaving through the crowd the old Tiger made his way until reaching the front and facing his victor. "You will tell your kind these lands are off limits be they the lands of the Wolf, Fox, Deer, or any other in this domain. Furthermore you will explain that you are lucky to have left with your lives. And lastly you will be the one to bear the body of your master and you will leave him presented to the public until long past the point he is but bones. Understood?" "It will be done," he begrudgingly uttered before bowing.

Zero ordered the Legion out and not far behind were the Elk and Deer escorting them west as they too returned to their homelands. The Canine returned to the encampment where Zero explained what had occurred in the early morning hours. "They are defeated, their leader is dead, and your army as well as the Deer are currently escorting them back west," Zero reported to Imfay. Imfay was busy preparing his wounded soldiers for travel, "That is very good but you and I still have a score to settle." "Imfay you are brave to challenge me however after what I have been through you have no chance," Zero responded quickly in a slightly friendly tone. Imfay turned to face the Wolf, "I suppose you are right, could never have called it quite fair to have killed a half blind and beaten man. Well then I suppose this goodbye." "Indeed Elk," Zero returned as his old foe turned and made his exit.

The army moved further north into the mountains to meet Atlai in the old city of Roya the first city of Wolves. Roya was nestled deep within the mountain pass and built into the side of one of the most steep mountains in the range. It was abandoned years ago for Seras as it sat far from any resource other than timber and water. However the city was not short of advantages as it could not be flanked nor its heavy stone walls destroyed. The aged stones that made up the walls on the exterior had faded from a brighter hue to the same shade of grey as the mountains making it nearly perfectly camouflaged. Zero led his men to the gate and awaited their opening anxious for not food nor quiet only rest.

As the gates creaked open the Chief with a plethora of jubilant civilians flooded out to greet their victorious warriors. Excited mates and children rushed to their heroic companions and parents all shrieking in joy however Zero was without such fortune. Atlai caught him as he weaved through the rush of people and escorted him inside. The Chief led Zero inside and immediately into a small room with a table that spanned the length of it with two chairs pull out.

"Zero I am so very glad to see you have made it back," Atlai exclaimed as he seated himself across the table from him. Zero let out tired sigh, "I am glad we could make it back but I will be more glad once I can lie my head down and rest." "Of course my boy you have earned a rest that should last until the end of your days but I have not brought you here to speak of resting," Atlai continued on. Zero shifted his weary eye at him, "Of this I am certain but what have your brought me here for Chief?"

Atlai leaned back in his tall chair and paused a moment before beginning, "I am sure you are well versed in the traditions of the Pack and what praise and glory is given on to its leader. So as the leader of our Pack you must honor these traditions as any other would do." "I am not certain what this pertains to, sir," Zero responded a bit annoyed by the circle talk. The Chief pulled himself forward before continuing, "You as the Head of the Pack are to marry my daughter, an honor original to be granted to Derius." "Sir I have never know this tradition, I am no more familiar with it than I am with your daughter," Zero replied with a confused confession. Atlai leaned back again, "Well the Head of the Pack traditionally marries into the nobility if the eldest of the royal family is a female, otherwise the eldest male takes rule. It is considered a great honor and I would never imagine you to be one to break such a sacred tradition. Tirasha is in her chambers, go to her, meet her, rest with her, and decide for yourself my boy." "Th.. thank you sir," Zero spoke before being led out of the room and to the young woman's chamber.

He beat a series of quiet and nervous knocks out on the door as he tried to conjure something to say once the door opened. The door slowly opened and within stood a shy buxom beauty in a coat of light black with waves of faint white permeating the uniformity. She motion the man in without a word from either and silently shut the door behind him. Silence filled the room as both stood awkwardly motionless and speechless in faint light of late day.

"You are the new Head of the Pack then?" her fragile voice pierced the silence. Nervous having never spoken with such a beauty before Zero could only manage short sentences, "Yes.. Miss Tirasha." "You need not keep up this coy manner," she spoke softly in a sad tone as she began to undress, "You are very kind to do so but in the end we both now why you are here." He was shocked at what he was seeing, "Tirasha stop, I do not know how this is all suppose to be but I am sure this wrong. Should we not know each other in any light other than this?"

The conversation stopped abruptly and Tirasha too paused with her shirt half undone waiting for Zero's command. "You are different than what I expected, you seem to be interested in me and not your duty as the leader," she uttered nervously. Zero stepped back and sat on the bed, "I would never dare go against our traditions but I can not just simply do without reason or thought." Tears rolled down her cheek as she faced the man, they locked eyes for a moment before she embraced him before breaking into a cry. "All my life I was told when this day would come I would no longer have choice only duty to serve you as well as tradition but you show me compassion. Why?" she let out through streams of tears. Zero was speechless entirely unsure of everything at that moment as his entire life began to shift into directions he had never contemplated earlier.

With a series of hard breathes she came to a stop the last of her warm tears splashing on his shoulder and running down. She slowly pushed herself off of him looked deep into his good eye and smiled slightly before walking to the a window. "It is hard for me to accept this burden no matter how many have come before me and how many after me will shoulder the same responsibility," her gentle voice informed Zero who sat entranced in her speech. "Seeing so many with choices in front of them, ones they are able to make without question. There was a time when I was young I pitied the men forced to go to war but now realize I should have envied the women who could freely choose to join. You do not know how lucky you are to be born with choices that you alone decide."

Zero came to her side, hesitantly however inevitably, held her in an attempt to comfort her in her moment of discontent. "My life has been far from series of choices that I made myself. All my life I listened to the words of Derius hoping to make myself into the best I could be despite all the time I spent as the lowest and the weakest. To survive I was forced to fight, to hurt, and kill. The only choice I have ever had in any matter was if I would let myself die or fight to live," Zero said his heart pounding like a drum as he went on and on all the while Tirasha's face turned more terrified. Seeing this he knew he must stop, "I am sorry Miss, these are not things that you need to hear. I wanted to make you see that in every life we are faced with situation without any choice."

The two remained frozen in that moment they embraced one another for hours only exchanging brief words between gaps of utter silence. Finally the sun had set and the room was nearly pitch dark prompting Tirasha to load the hearth with wood and illuminate the chamber. She sat at the foot of the bed and motioned Zero to join her their which though reluctant he obliged. They remained their in the dim light of the fire nearly entirely silent with the only the crackling wood to echo through the room. Though shy Tirasha's heart was filled with confidence in that moment as she turned to him and kissed him gently on the lips. Zero went on without thought and pulled her close as their hearts both filled with raw passion in spite of the short time they had known each other.

From there on out the two's relationship began to grow ever stronger and ever more intimate with every passing day. They spent whole days together learning more and more about one another until they thought there could be no more to a person. The rebuilding of Seras began and with the aid of the Coyote and Fox it was completed well ahead of schedule. On that day it was decide by Atlan that he would lead Seras while Zero and Tirasha would remain in Roya and rule there. In such short time the strange old fortress became home to Zero more so than Seras had ever been to him. However to the east the Elk and Deer found their cities in ruin and their populations cut nearly in half. Of course they knew whom was responsible but it was now far past the point for such violence only recovery was important.

As months past the fortune shined on the young couple as they were blessed with the gift a life soon to come into their family. The Elk and Deer had managed to rebuild their decimated cities and break ground for a third between the two to form a united kingdoms. Imfay would take reign over the land but would soon name a successor as his son was unfortunately a casualty from the Legion's wrath. The Legion had reached familiar shores at this time and were greeted with a welcome fit for their crimes.

A resistance had formed an allied in the absents of the Legion and had waited patiently for the day to come of their return. As they ships hit shore and their passengers exited the Demons of White and their leader approached them. The weary leader shoulder Orion's rotted and molding corpse and proceed towards the party coming to greet them. Before a single word could be exchanged the head of the Demons buried their sword deep into the Tiger's belly. The blade slipped out and as it did the man and his dead friend were engulfed in white flame that ended his life before the wound could drain his blood. In response the army immediately fell at the feet of this new master who to their misfortune would show no mercy for their crimes. Every last warrior of the Legion burnt on the sands, the flames so hot turning from a blue flame to white as it purified the land of the horrid scourge though the memory remain.