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The child's screams break the night air and cries fill the hall, night terrors again as she had been having for the past month. "I think we should consider bringing in a doctor or a mystic maybe they could help," Tirasha told Zero as he put on his shirt. He looked her over for a moment, "She does not need that, I had nightmares all the time as a kid it is not unusual." "Not this bad though, right?" she asked as he approached the door. Zero paused before replying with a grim chuckle, "Derius once found me in the middle of the street, nude with blood running out of my mouth and down my chest."

He quickly stepped into his daughters room to find her sitting on her knees screaming and crying at the wall facing away from the door. "Niretta calm down it was just a dream, I am here now," Zero spoke in a soothing tone. She crawled into his arms and shivered, "Daddy they are going to get me and take me away." "Hush no one is coming for you, you know that. You know no matter who comes daddy will protect you with his life," he reassured her the same as every night. Nir held tightly to him, "They only come when I am alone, can you sleep in here tonight?" "Not again tonight, I need you to be brave and sleep alone. Those things you dream of are not real, they can not hurt you, and you know I am here always," he kissed the teary eyed girl on the head and began to leave. She had held her tongue but could not any longer, "They always talk about you. They say bad things about you and that they want to do bad things to you."

"So you decided to come back tonight, I am glad," Tirasha said in an alluring tone. Zero sat at the foot of the bed thinking for a moment, "I am a bit worried about Nir, she kept talking about 'them'." "I know she has been mentioning a 'them' ever since her nightmares began, rarely, but it is troubling," she said as she covered him partially with a blanket. He held back any mention of what she had said before he left, "I think we should wait until tomorrow night, she might need us, and I think I might let her stay with us only for tonight." "Do what you think is best, when you are worried it usually is cause for alarm," she said sensually rubbing his worn muscles. They kissed for a moment before he stood again, "I will go get her, carry her in if she is asleep."

Zero slowly opened the door in hopes to not wake Niretta but even as the door let out a loud creak there was not a bit of stirring. "Nir, are you awake? You are going to sleep with mommy and daddy tonight. Nir?" he spoke softly in case she was asleep. The bed was empty and his heart began to race as he searched the room looking for his daughter causing quite a racket. Tirasha rushed in half-dressed to see in the dim light the room a mess with Zero panicking with no sight of Niretta. "Where is she, what is going" she screamed frantically. In the back of his mind Zero knew that something nefarious was afoot as he could sense something lingering in the air, "Order an alert now! Someone has taken Nir and disappeared without a trace. Get the guards, have them shut gates."

The night air stunk of something unclean as Zero poked his head out the window and searched for any sign of entry. There was no sign of any break in however the groves around the window seemed strange, off from the usual design and seemingly a pattern he had not seen before. He hung his head low wishing he had stayed with her knowing this was his fault. Suddenly from the corner of his eye he spotted a white wisp moving on the road below, undoubtedly it was Niretta in her white night gown. Wasting no time Zero took off down the hall and leaping half of the staircases in his way he would not stop for a second as he moved faster now than he had ever.

He flung open the doors and caught up to Nir who's eyes were still shut tight as she stumbled down the way. Scooping her up he carried her gently back inside, Tirasha waited in the threshold relieved to see her daughter found. "She's bleeding Zero," she whispered so as not to wake Nir. Zero nodded as he pressed Niretta's head against his chest, "She probably just stepped on something, we will clean it before going to sleep." The cut on her foot looked quite deep and was covered in dirt however was treated with out issue once in the pair's chamber. After finally laying the girl in bed her parents joined her at each side and went to sleep.

"Niretta the doctor is going ask you a few things about your nightmares, we think he can interpret them so we can help you," Tirasha attempted to coax her daughter. She held tight to her parent's hands, "But I am not suppose to talk about it, they told me not to. They said if I did they would make me leave again except not let daddy get me." "Nir, I told you last night I will not allow anything to happen to you, I have promised you that. But if you are afraid to talk to the man about it you can always talk to us, you know we will fix it," Zero offered with a trusting smile. She tugged against there hands for a moment before giving in, "I don't want to talk to the doctor, I will talk to you if I have to talk but please just don't make me talk to him." "You can talk to us sweetie, we are here for you always," Tirasha spoke comforting Niretta.

"They come at night, they only come at night because the like to hide in the dark," Niretta began, "Only one of them talks to me but I can hear them all talking at once before he says anything. He scares me and he knows it that is why I listen to him but sometimes he asks me to do things, things I would never do. That is why I went outside last night, he told me to follow him, and so I did otherwise he was going to hurt everyone. If they find out I was talking about them again something really bad will happen but they said I can't know what. Please can one of you stay with me tonight, I know they know we are talking about them, how I am not sure but I know." "Of course, if you will sleep better with someone by your side we will," Zero said holding her close.

Zero sat up in the night staring into the pitch black spaces in Niretta's room trying to believe that what she said was real and not dream. The door moved slightly for a second, he was at alarm before Tirasha waived a hand in before entering slowly in silence. She slipped across the room to Zero giving him a kiss and caressing his body working from chest down. Stepping back she motioned him to the other room but before leaving Zero would place a lantern in the room to illuminate the dark. He locked the door to assure there would be no second escape and returned to Tirasha in their chamber. Their passionate evening would be short lived as shortly after beginning the screaming would start however tonight worse than ever before.

Entering the hall the candle light shown a splintered and destroyed door barely covering Niretta's room with no one inside and the light out. Zero would not wait and assume she was hiding away inside and immediately charged to the front entrance. The door was open a crack and footprints in the new layer of snow led down the road. Following these tracks he would soon come to a dead end where the tracks would stop completely. On a slab of stone a messaged was scrawled seemingly for him, "I have your daughter, she is safe and unharmed for now. Reach Alureon in the next three days, my contact will meet you, and we will make a trade. Come alone, if a single companion is with you young Niretta will die."

At a slow steady pace Zero made it half-way back before collapsing in the snow as the pain in his heart intensified. Tirasha came for him and with the assistance of a guard brought him inside, sitting him in a chair, and warming him with blankets. "He took her... I thought it was all something she was imagining and now I know... someone took her and I have to find her," Zero said shaking with a sundry of emotions unable to decide which he felt more of at any moment. Clinging to her mate Tirasha rubbed her hand across his head and down his scarred eye, "Please bring her back and make sure I do not lose you too. I know you can do it and that you will but... promise me no matter what we will be together again soon, all three of us." He nodded before taking his wife in his arms one last time before heading off to retrieve his equipment and head north to Alureon.

"Where is it that you are going sir?" the guard asked as Zero donned his armor and blade. He continued to gather his equipment making sure not to forget a thing, "North, Alureon, or about there hopefully less." "How far from home have you ever gone Chief? Because many of ours do not go as far north as Alureon and not a one comes back if they do," he continued while handing Zero his knife. Zero tightened his armor before covering himself with a thick coat, "Well I'm not everyone else am I? No danger can be a thought to be now not for me I can only concern for Nir." "Understood sir but you might pay a visit to Chief Atlan, he never traveled there personally however he does have a map of the region it could be of use," Zero thanked the man before leaving taking his advice and heading to Seras.

"Zero? It's quite late for a visit now or early which ever works best. I would invite you in but I suppose I should know what is so important you wake me now," Atlan spoke tiredly rubbing his eyes. Zero stepped in from the light snow fall, "Someone took Niretta. They left a note, I'm to go to the northlands, Alureon, and I hear you have a map." "Oh no," he sighed, "Sit down my boy I have something of a story for you, you will not like it but should know it now then not at all. There is no easy way to say this but your family is.. still alive, well except your mother that is." Zero fell into the chair behind him as he put a hand to his head, "What?! No they died when I was a kid. You.. Deri..." "I know it is all very shocking however the truth is indeed a bit worse than the fiction. You see your father did not leave he was chased away as he had become wicked and for lack of better words a demon. He infected your siblings' young minds and turned them to his cause as well. Your mother however couldn't be swayed and so he attacked her, Derius saved her from him but she was cut very deep. There was no choice in the matter you could have been born any day but your father's actions would make it that day. Shortly after your mother expired, your family was ran out of town though we tried to kill them, and Derius took you in. I tell you this because I know Derius would not have had the heart to and I tell you this now because your family resides in the northlands. You can have the map, bring Niretta home, however there is mark on the map made in red on one small location off of the beaten path, I beg you do not go there you will find nothing but pain," Atlan finished.

Taking the map Zero headed for the door without a single word until he knew he had to speak, "Thank you sir for the truth of it all. I fear however there will come a day where I will have to go to that place to confront it, to see it end, to finally wipe the slate clean." "That isn't why you came here, don't shift your focus, just find your daughter, bring her back, and keep her safe from those things out there. I have lived a life of regrets like any other but the one things I know I did right was putting Tirasha's protection above all else. I hope you do the same for Niretta, I have put much faith you and I know you will do the right thing in the end," Atlan added before Zero exited into the morning air.

He hadn't slept the night but Zero could hardly feel it as he made his way out of the valley headed north. There was a pulsing feeling running through his entire body, one he had only briefly knew but tried his best to remember it in its fullest. It pushed him to keep going despite his body's limits and to carry on as long as it would take. The journey would take two days if he kept pace and the path was maintained however storm clouds were forming in the west and gradually moving eastward. To be caught in the storm jeopardized far more than his life but he could not allow it to stop him even slightly.

Known territories lie ahead on the path north including those held by the Cougars and the Lynx. The Cougars held territory just north of the mountains that protected and concealed Roya. Further north was the Lynx territory that sat near but not encompassing Alureon. It would be the Cougars whom Zero would have to cooperate with if he were to hold any hope in finding Niretta. Just off the trail tucked within an inlet in the mountain range was the marked lands he was told not to tread all though it tempted him but he knew what was truly important.

Half the day was by and Zero's mind had become clouded with the haze of weariness, he would press on but was slowed. He stumbled and stopped unknowingly asleep on his feet, his fury was great but his body was in need of rest. Against his better judgment he would sit a spell within a wood of pine, lying comfortably on a bed old brown needles. It was oddly relaxing the feel and sweet smell it was calming and wearisome. His eyelids lie over and concealed the light as his body let go for a moment and allowed every muscle to rest.

The snapping and crackling of fire bounced into his ear as an ember hopped out on to his arm burning him ever so slightly. Zero rose with a fright to find himself in a cave far from where he remembered having sat down to rest. How he had ended up in this cave was hardly a concern as he had no idea of where the cave was or how long he had been there. "Relax you are safe," a voice called from the darkness beyond the fire. Zero reached for his blades but found both sheaths empty, "Who are you and why am I here?" "I would figure one should be grateful for being brought in from the storm, maybe I should have let you have the rude awakening of the sky opening up on your sleeping head," a pair of glowing dark orange eyes broke the darkness.

Letting down his guard Zero was willing to be civil, "I thank you but I need to go now. I have precious little time and I need my things." "Where are you going to go in a storm like this? It's a blizzard outside and you think you're going to make it somewhere. What is a Wolf doing up this far north anyhow? You're with that family aren't you?" the shapeless figure asked. "I have no time for this," the silver aura began to appear around him, "return to me what you have taken before I take them by force!" A small bundle of Zero's things were tossed over the fire to him, "I'm telling you, you're not going far in this whether unless you've got some better vision."

Outside of the cave the wind whipped and beyond the entrance was a wall of white which would have almost seemed solid if not for the occasional breaks between flakes. A black paw landed on Zero's shoulder, "As I said you are not going far in this." "I don't care, somewhere out there my little girl is being held by some bastard who thinks they can take her away from me," he said as he entered the storm. The other man kept in tow, "Someone took your daughter huh? Well I understand your seriousness at the moment but did you think you might need some help?" "I don't need help I need to get to Alureon," Zero responded. The stranger finally stopped Zero, "Listen I can help you get to Alureon and we can get straight through the storm without issue." "And why is it that you would help me? What do you want from me?" Zero demanded as he faced the Cougar. He smiled back, "Back there I could see what you were doing, you and I we are alike we are both different. What I want from you is your help in return."

"Help with what might I ask," he requested in response. The Cougar looked at his feet and back to Zero, "The Wolves up here, that family, they're killers and worse yet I think the Cougars then have been killing have been their meals. I need to stop them but they are strong, I think if the two of us were to go at them we might stand a chance." "I don't have time to waste going out of my way to fight my own kind," Zero answered. He was quick to respond, "It's still down the way and we could make up any lost time with shortcuts, I know this whole region perfectly and your map takes the slowest route." "You're just not going to let me say no to this. Fine, we do this, we do it quick, and we immediately head for Alureon even if we have to run all night," Zero ordered in annoyed tone. He offered his hand, "My names Kovu, I thank you for your assistance in this matter." "Zero. And the feeling is mutual, now lets get moving," he said as he pulled up his hood.

The storm was ceaseless never letting up for a second keeping the entire area around the men invisible to the average person. Kovu however moved through it as though it were a clear day only responding to the fierce winds that would come in brief intervals. It was fortunate for Zero to be following him with the storm so heavy, his deep black coat was the only thing that stood out in the pure white world. Eventually he lead them to an open gap in the mountain range, surely within this pass lead to the home of the Wolves.

"Here we are, down this ravine is where they reside," Kovu had tried to hide a nervousness that though subtle was easy to pickup. Zero was not moved by this, "How do you navigate so well in the storm?" "Oh, well you see my vision is kind of augmented. I can see better in the dark and things like snow storms, I don't rightly know why though," he said as his eyes seem to flicker with a luminance like that of a star. The two preceded onward with Zero taking point as within the ravine the storm posed less of an issue to navigate. At the end of it sat a small house tucked away behind a row of trees with only a bit of it revealed through the spaces between them.

"Kovu, if you are scared then say so now," Zero spoke as he pulled out his knife. Kovu looked off into the distance, "I am a bit but I can't let you go in there alone." "No if you are scared I want you to stay out here it's only going to complicate things if you are in there panicking," he returned as he began to walk away. Kovu wouldn't follow, "What am I suppose to do until you come back?" The last bit fell on deaf ears as Zero was drawn away and far too focused on what was going to happen next.

As he made his way through the treeline he came across two headstones baring names he did not know with dates from long ago. Creeping as quiet as he could Zero came to the entrance and patiently opened it with the tip of his knife. The interior was very much empty with the fireplace even lacking much wood in it. Step after step required careful placement with the hope of not causing the floor boards to let out a hideous creaking. In the next room was a table where one sat alone with his back to the doorway Zero stood within.

"I know you are there," the man uttered, "You have come to kill me but in the end you know you don't have the courage, that you're as spineless as the rest of your kind." Zero cleared his throat, "You have the wrong person because I am not of that kind and I will kill you." The chair turned round revealing a hulking man, "Another Wolf? Those Cougars are getting desperate now." "I am not here for them, I have come here to kill you but I have to know something first. Did you know I lived? Did you know our mother died and I lived after you all disappeared?!" he demanded clenching his blade tight.

The man stood know towering over Zero, "He told me you would come one day and I said I did not believe. Then he came by last night and said you would be here soon and once again I said he was wrong. But now here you are and I suppose I was wrong." "There's one question I have left for you. Where are the other two, our sister and father, where are they?" he asked his eyes in striking a expression. The brute touched the insignia hanging from his necklace, "You saw them when you were coming, the snow may have covered the family crest but it was there."

"Saves me the trouble then," Zero spoke before an aggressive lunge across the room into his brother sword first. Blood spurted and pooled on the floor as the man gave no fight against his impending fate instead readily accepting it. Zero stepped back dropping his knife and allowing the silver aura to dissipate as quickly as it had come on. "Fight back damn it! You are corrupted and have killed the innocent now fight me!" he shouted as he watched his kin bleed out. His brother rolled onto his back, "No. I was a corrupted and I am killer but I am no monster and that is why.. you will live. Bury me.. by sis..."

Zero was trembling, he had just killed the only blood he had left and could have just as easily spared him if he had waited. He knelt by the body for a moment out of respect but of pain as well, revealing his right arm he saw the markings grow and begin to draw blood. It was inconsequential, knowing time to be short he hurried taking his brother body out to the other graves. The ground was solid with frost but he would not allow it to stop him. After several minutes he dug a deep enough hole to place his brother in to lie until only bones remained. He marked the spot with the spade using all his might to drive it into the dirt not far from the head of the hole. Before departing he wrapped the cold lifeless hands of his kin around his necklace thinking it would to be in his wishes.

A cloud of smoke erupted from behind the pine as Zero stepped through meeting with Kovu who waited with a look of dread. "They are dead then?" he asked nervously as though not reassured by the smoke. He would not receive a direct response, "Let's press on, this stop has taken too long already." "Are you hurt at all? Was it as bad as I feared?" Kovu's concern was clear but strangely misplaced. Zero came to a dead stop, "Can we not talk about this whole thing ever again? I'm fine, it's all over, and I just want to find my daughter and bring her home. Kovu was silent but nodded in agreement while his face still shown with concern for his friend.

Night was looming and the two had made a considerable bit of progress yet still sat far from their destination. Zero was restless however Kovu was in need of rest and pleaded to find shelter as the storm had yet to let up. It was a hard but he knew there was little choice to be had as he could not navigate the storm without help. The two were in luck finding a small cottage abandoned not far from the trail. It wasn't in the best shape but indeed was habitable with fire wood still piled by the cold hearth in the main room. The two bedrooms were however useless as the exterior wall they shared had collapsed sometime before leaving it exposed to the elements. Settled near the fire Kovu slept while Zero lay wake with Nir on his mind, worrying what terrors she was enduring.

The pale moonlight shined on the snow and illuminated the night so all was clear as the final flakes fell and settled. Zero sat in one of the bedrooms, not wanting to wake Kovu, was shedding his every tears for his sweet child. He could feel in his heart she was still alive but it hurt all the same knowing his actions led to this. Sitting in the quiet he took his knife in hand and began running it down the black markings on his arm. Gradually he worked his way to his chest and ran the point across his heart then down his stomach pressing gently not enough to bleed but only break the skin.

Footsteps broke the silence and orange eyes were glowing from the shadows and darkness near the entrance of the room. "Sorry if I woke you I.. needed some air," Zero spoke hiding the knife and his tears. Kovu remained in place, "No you didn't, am I interrupting anything?" "No, no, no. Just thinking, reflecting that's all," he replied still facing the wilderness. With silent strides Kovu came and settled next to him, "We can leave in a few hours but I think you need to rest first." "You're probably right it's just hard to rest knowing she's out there with I don't know who doing....," Zero was disheartened as he began to think about it.

He sat staring into the snow below, tears slowly trickling down and falling to blaze tunnels deep into the white bank. A hand graced his cheek and gripped his face gently pulling his view to the side and making eye contact with Kovu, "We will find her, I promise you this, we will get to Alureon in time even if that means we don't stop again." The tears stopped but the moment had not ended and with a quick motion Kovu pulled Zero close and locked lips. Zero pulled back with a strange bewildered look on his face as Kovu cast a nervous yet sensual gaze.

Kovu bit his lip, "Sorry I was lost in the moment and couldn't help myself but to do what I've fought so hard not to." "Kovu, I appreciate your commitment and help with all of this but that's not me I am sorry," Zero reasoned in a understanding mood. "I understand," he replied as his hand ran up Zero's leg, "But of course it always could be. Maybe just to try or maybe something of gratitude, you know?" Zero left for the main room but turned to back to those hopeful glowing eyes, "As I said, I appreciate it but it's not me." There was an uncomfortable silence in the house from then on as both lie half awake on opposite sides of the fire; it would eventually subside as the two fell asleep after a short time.

The early light of dawn reflected from the snow and slipped through the cracks between the doors and floor shining onto Zero. It broke him from his light sleep to find Kovu curled up next to him with one of his paws in a far to personal region. Upset but all too disdain he removed it gently before rising and getting ready for the day. His movements woke Kovu who acted a bit surprised to find himself on the opposite side of the fire place. Without a single word he to readied himself and threw on his hood before exiting the cottage behind Zero.

"How much farther from Alureon are we?" Zero asked as his companion joined him outside. Kovu paused a moment thinking on the question, "Not too far, if we take the right paths we could be there today still if we hurry." "You know the trails that can take us there that quick right? The snowfall won't be an issue?" he asked to reassure himself. The Cougar knelt and moved his hand through the snow slowly, "Shouldn't be, it doesn't feel like much fell between last night and now so it should be a safe route if we can avoid the Lynx." "Lynx? I thought Alureon was still within Cougar territory, why would we encounter Lynx?" Zero questioned immediately. Kovu pointed just above the ridges of the cliff across from the cottage, "Shared hunting grounds to the west, they run down to the outskirts of Alureon from there. They should leave us alone regardless however we don't often get Wolves up here so it may be a problem. We'll just move quickly if we see them and keep our heads covered, they're not too fond of me either."

The two preceded on Kovu's path up through a pass in the cliffs rather than the route marked on Zero's map that wound around every curve of the cliffs. A great field of ice covered a lake not far from the trail and in the distance figures could be seen working on it. "Those Lynx there shouldn't be bothering us, they're fishermen and rarely do they bother with travelers," Kovu informed as the distant figures became visible. Carrying on their way Zero began to get an uneasy feeling, not from the Lynx or the height from the cliff to the ground but something else. With a strange wind it felt as though something had passed between the two men and Zero was left to stop for a moment trying to perceive what he felt.

"Hey we have to keep moving if you want to make it to Alureon," Kovu called after making a sizable distance from Zero. He was silent while his eyes darted around as though following something that was moving with incredible speed. "Zero?" Kovu questioned as he returned to his friend who stood paralyzed and silent. Zero slowly drew his sword as he faced the lake, "Kovu get back." "Zero.." he tried to intervene but could hardly begin to argue. Without another thought he turned to his guide, "Kovu go now!"

A black cloud no larger than a person became visible floating just above the ice and bit by bit looking as though it were becoming thicker. The cloud seemed to be taking the shape of a body and began to become darker turning from a shadow to a full figure. Bits of the cloud stopped moving and within a short time even less were moving until every part had stopped. In the place of the cloud now stood a demon, not one so opposing however a demon all the same. Its eyes were hollow and its frame thin and short not baring any claws or carrying a weapon or even possessing sharp jaws to rip through flesh. The creature did not move it stood staring menacingly as it looked back and forth between Zero and Kovu.

"You're the one who took my daughter aren't you?!" Zero shouted as the beast paused its gaze upon him. The creature looked to Kovu before responding, "No but I am here to bring a message from the kidnapper. You are not to have a companion when you enter Alureon and be it that you are still not there it is demanded you no longer have his help." "He will not enter Alureon with me, that was the deal and I am upholding it, tell your boss that and that I am coming to kill him be he Wolf, Cougar, Lynx, or whatever kind of vile beast you are," Zero threatened. Sections of the creature began to dissipate, "I'll make this easy for you, I'll make your friend go away." The creature shot over to Kovu and began to rematerialized as it wrapped around him pulling him towards the cliff's edge.

Zero was quick to act as he shot a charge of energy at the creature forcing it to separate again and release Kovu. Fortune not to have fallen from the cliff Kovu regain his footing and drew his daggers from their sheaths. The creature reappeared behind Zero and with unreal strength threw him onto the ice causing a crack to form and spiderweb outward. Kovu charged at the demon swinging the obsidian knives into the ever moving mass. He too was flung onto the frozen lake and smashed with such force to create a ripple in the ice that slowly leaked water.

"Zero I don't know what this thing is but I'm going to try and fight it, you carry on without me," Kovu said as he pulled himself to his feet. Zero looked to the creature that waited patiently for the next attack, "That thing isn't very powerful but I don't know if you are going to be able to fight it if it moves like that. And I don't know the way to Alureon so I can't leave." "Just follow the trail it leads down hill a ways down and should bring you right into town. So go quick I'll find you there if all goes well," Kovu demanded as the ice let out a horrible creaking noise. He knew it would be his best bet if he hoped to so Niretta again, "Thank you my friend, good luck to you," he said as he made for the trail firing a blast at the being once again.

"Come on creature let's not waste any time," Kovu said as he lunged at the being with both daggers ready to stab. Still stunned from Zero's blast the creature could not dematerialize in time to avoid the blades. As it was hit it drew back only allowing minor wounds to be made in its abdomen which however began to leak an opaque white liquid. "You know what that blood means? It means I can kill you," Kovu chuckled as he came back to his feet. Looking at its blood covered hand it's rage grew immensely, "You got lucky thanks to your friend but he's gone now and you're all mine. No more slip ups or interference."

The wind picked up and snow began to blow across the frozen ridge and onto the lake that creaked and snapped as the ice slid and moved ever so slightly. Both stood facing one another ready to strike but waiting for the most opportune moment watching for the slightest flinch or twitch of a muscle. It was a stalemate that drug on for far too long for either party to bare so without another moment wasted the two converged on one another. Kovu blinked as they were ready to collide but as he opened his lids he saw nothing in front of him nor behind him or anywhere around him. His head swiveled around rapidly as he tried to find his foe but it had seemed to disappear.

In his peripheral he caught a glimpse and as he turned to face it he saw the black cloud headed for the Lynx across the lake. Kovu had no idea what the it had plotted but he knew he couldn't leave that thing alone especially with unsuspecting civilians. He raced after it but as he reached the center of the lake it was upon them and he could see what purpose it served. As it engulfed one fisherman it seemed to slip inside of him through his mouth and eyes. Blood leaked from his face and in place of his eyes blackness filled the empty sockets.

An empty vessel was made of the Lynx and the creature became the controller of it using it to fight Kovu. The trick was lost on the other fishermen who now seeing their friend fighting the Cougar decided to join his side against him. Kovu was not the strongest of men and better fared in his profession as a hunter but he did his best to fend of the attackers. "Gresh the axes!" one called out to a younger girl who was sitting nearby. She slid the pickaxes over across the ice, one for each man however the man host to the creature did not bother with it. As the two others were distracted with the axes Kovu made his last ditch effort and taking both daggers slit the mans throat open wide.

The blackness poured out like an ooze this time rather than moving like a puff of smoke through the air. A thick swirl of white twisted through the puddle and seemed to grow wider as it moved further and further from the corpse. It seemed to crawl towards Kovu however he had know idea what to do and in his indecision it struck it's final blow. The ooze rapid itself around him and lifted him into the air only to throw him down onto ice. A terrible crack came from the lake as he the full weight of his body came crashing down onto it followed by the ooze that fell upon him now seeming to have a great weight to it. Kovu was dazed but could understand the panic of the fishermen as he tried to rise from the crater his body had left in the ice.

Cold water rushed over his hands, he knew it wasn't good, and before he could think a single thought he saw the area all around him spiderweb and begin to leak water. There was no staying here but he couldn't move, the black ooze held him down as though it weighed the entire weight of the lake. Kovu called out to the Lynx but they were quickly trying to make their own way off of the ice. The girl, she turned back for him, why no one knew if it was just kindness or something more. It was a terrible mistake as the ice opened up below her before she could reach Kovu who watched her be brought down right before his eyes. His mind raced with terror and grief as small splashes of water came from the hole with shrill screams of pain.

He knew he was the only one in a position to help and so he let the ice open up below him taking him deep into icy abyss. The ooze held tight to his fur but he struggled against it, it felt as though it was trying to cover him completely and suffocate him before he could even drown. As he touched the bottom of the lake he called upon his every last drop of energy inside and pushed himself off the rocks forcing himself to the surface. Kovu opened his eyes to see the girl's legs kicking slowly losing speed and force as she began to succumb. He wouldn't let it happen so as he came closer to the surface he moved closer to her though still struggled with the ooze which seemed to have harden in the frozen depths. A leg slapped against his numb collar bone as he grabbed the girl and surfaced with her in his arms.

The ice around the hole ripped the frozen black mass off of Kovu freeing his arms to lift the Lynx out of the abyss and onto the ice. As he tried to pull himself up he could hear the ice crack again and knew it to be too dangerous. With the girl dazed and nearly unconscious he was left with little option and so he took the small window he had to escape. At break neck speed he pulled himself up though his body was becoming considerably numb, he lifted the girl, and made for the shore as quick as his feet could carry him. More and more holes broke open in the lake tripping him but he would not fall while another's life hung in the balance. As he reached shore the other Lynx were there ready to meet him and take the girl before he collapsed from exhaustion.

Zero reached Alureon finding it bustling with townsfolk busy with their lives seemingly unconcerned with the wolf among them. He wandered through town waiting for any sign of his presence being known to whom he sought. For a moment he thought he saw Niretta darting around the corner of a building. It was strange as he didn't believe it could be her that he chased after the thought rounding the corner to see a grey blur disappear behind another corner. Following still seemed odd but he proceeded and chased the grey figure to a hut in the center of the city.

He knocked but in lieu of an answer his gentle knock pushed the door open as though the shack had been abandoned. Paying mind to the crowded street he waited for a moment before slipping inside and shutting the door ever so gently. "So glad you could join us, Zero," a voice called from the other end of the room. Zero turned to face a bizarre creature sitting in a chair next to Nir, "Niretta get away from him!" "Not so fast, she sees what I make her see so as far as she knows I'm you and you are me. Now I will be quick and concise with why you are here. You have something my Master wants and he is not going to rest until he gets it one way or the other. What I am purposing is simple, your power for your daughter no strings attached," the creature spoke simply.

Zero looked into Niretta's eyes but they looked clouded and empty as though she was far from her body merely a shell. "That's not my daughter anymore, is it? You've done something to her or removed something," he said in a disgusted tone. The creature looked to Nir, "Looks fine to me, the spell that causes her to see things the way I intend has some side effects." "If you ensure her return to normal and our safety home then you may have what you want from me. I however do not know how to give you what I have," Zero said giving in with a solid sadness. A grim grin grew on the face of the kidnapper, "I know of a way, a very simple way that will require little work on your part."

A knife came out and Zero was not slow to address it as he drew his own and locked eyes with the villain. "Death? You mean to kill me then say so but don't think for a moment that I will simply let you. Niretta would never make it back to Roya without me and you are want so much before her that I can't let you do it," Zero growled as he pointed the knife at the creature. His foes face read a look of quiet contemplation, "You are a cleaver one but you know I hold a trump card against you, one you can not hope to overturn. I however am of the gambling sorts so I will make a deal with you, one my Master would call risky or stupid but he is not here to condemn me with his ways. So we will duel, the winner takes the power and your daughter." "When I defeat you how will I be certain you will lift the curse from her," Zero demanded. Looking him straight in the eyes the creature responded, "You will just have to put your trust in me."

The two met on the outskirts of town as the sun began to fall beneath the horizon as agreed before Zero's departure. Niretta sat a short distance from the flat strip the two would face off upon, she would be the sole witness to the competition. Tensions were high for both parties as they knew what hung in the balance and what would come of their defeat. Zero looked to Nir for strength before drawing his blade and striking battle pose. The creature to produced a sword from his arsenal and readied in fighting form seeming strangely unsure of his abilities to succeed.

Wasting little time Zero rushed the creature and began to rain down on him with great force and fury almost knocking him from his feet. This one was however very quick and agile and was easily capable of slipping out of his situation beneath Zero's might. He would lunge at him but his attempt quickly parried by another of Zero's powerful swipes. Another swipe would come and nearly behead the creature leaving a minor nick in its neck to be a harbinger of the struggle to come. The demon's uncertainty grew now as he realized how he underestimated his opponent.

The battle raged on with Zero overpowering the creature at every turn only to have it slip from his grasps in his sneaking way. Time after time the creature would suffer minor scrapes and cuts but kept coming out alive and hardly injured. Night was coming soon and fatigue would be setting in Zero knew this as did the creature who knew he would find himself at the end of the blade, his time to act was neigh. With his quick moves and cunning and made a desperate but fruitful attempt at disarming his opponent.

Zero's blood began to coat the snow red before seeping into it melting it down to the thin layer of ice below. His own blade graced the back of his neck and if he were any other man he may have admitted defeat but he wouldn't, couldn't. Blades did little good and his armor protected him from nothing so he would lose them in exchange for true power. Drawing out his power he began to force a barrier of energy around him, one that would grow and push further out from him. The blades no longer held sway in the battle and was dropped at its owner's feet as his foe tried to escape his fate. Growing exponentially in a short time the energy field soon consumed the area and all who remain within it. There was no chance for the creature as he was overcome by the immense power and began to dissolve his remains floating away like ash on the breeze.

It was complete, victory went to Zero, yet he watched the creature fade to know for certain it would and never return. The sound of ripping tissue, blood splattering, all so quiet though screaming in the silence at the same time. Zero looked to find his blade run threw him and tearing further up into his chest as he fell to his knees in pain and disbelief. The young girl came from behind him looking proud for a moment before her expression becomes a more mortified one, "Daddy?" "Nir..etta?" Zero saw the glimmer of life return to his child's eye, "Is it really you?"

She was so terrified she couldn't even scream, "Daddy don't die! Don't leave me! I need you, I love you, please don't go!" "Nir, it's fine you're.. you're going to be just fine. Everything that has happened isn't your fault. You need to go home, be with your mother where it's safe," he spoke while holding back his pain. Her tears began to roll down to his wound as she embraced him, "But I need you dad! What am I going to do without you?" "You'll be fine. I have a friend who will be here soon, you just wait for him. He's got fur as dark as night and eyes like a sunset and he knows you're here, you tell him to bring you back to Roya," the blood lose began to make Zero shaky and tired. Niretta's eyes shined with tears, "It won't be the same without you, please tell me you'll get better and meet me there." "I don't know... I'm going to try, just go now. Go before Kovu leaves. Take these, until I come back," he said as he handed over his knife and pendant. Niretta slowly walks away never taking her eyes off her father, "I'll wait for you everyday until you're home again."

Nothing could be done for the wound, Zero knew this so he wouldn't bother trying to move or seek help. He sat on his knees watching the final bits of the creature fade while his blood began to turn the snow into a red mush sparkling in the starlight. Dipping a finger in the gash he took with it blood and painted on his face the insignia of his family. Zero knew the end was near and no cursing nor begging could change this, he excepted it, his body numbing so as not to feel the gash or the twisting pain rising up his arm. There was nothing left to do but think and let these final moments come to pass as he remembered all the years of joy he had between the suffering of his life and now. Every wonderful memory of Tirasha and Niretta passed through his head in these brief moments, a final tear fell splashing into the puddle of red before his body would part the sea of ice and blood.

"I think he's waking up now," the first disembodied voice noted aloud, the voice was familiar as its sweetness echoed through Zero's head. Another voice came this one foreign to him but sharing a tone he had known at some time, "Good another one joining our little party, it's just a regular festival here isn't it?" "The more of us the better, another person to talk with at the least so maybe we can stop trading the same stories over and over," a third voice remarked, this voice to had its familiarity to Zero yet his mind was struggling to adjust. A final voice broke the silence as Zero tried to move, "Well help the boy up, he's going to need a bit of assistance. Rather he get the help we were never offered when we arrived."

His eyes opened to find himself in a land beyond what he had known facing people he had known that had long since past. "What.. what is all this, where am I?" he muttered in a low tone as he looked around unable to grasp what was before him. Sirius sat beside him and comforted him, "You're safe, if that's what concerns you. As to where, well we have no name for it but we have all been here since our deaths." "But why are we here, why only you four and I, I can't.. can't understand any of this, it makes no sense," Zero said struggling to adjust to all before him. Maxinimus leaned in, "It's best not to think about it, but I figure we're all here because we had something more to us then everyone around us. Maybe we were selected by a higher power."

"What offering do you bring to this world?" the Lion called from a sanctuary a distance away from the others. Cerberus looked to the man, "Orion give him some time, we all give what we can, he will be no different." "What offering? What does he mean?" Zero questioned in a frantic sort of tone as he became a bit nervous. Sirius helped him to his feet and began to show him around, "We all bring something new to this place, I brought sunlight, Maxin the greenery, Cerberus the metal work, and Orion peace from war. Your gift, what was it in life?" "I don't know, when I would fight sometimes I could create this energy that came from deep inside of me," Zero responded unsure of himself. Orion's voice came echoing from afar, "You best figure it out soon, this place changes after awhile, when one arrives and does not give their offering."

Sirius showed Zero around the seemingly enclosed area they resided in which was very much like an island however in lieu of water it was surrounded by a dark void filled with glimmering little star-like lights. Maxinimus joined the two and helped navigate the thick foliage that he had brought to the world. Cerberus and Orion remained at the alter while Zero followed the others still minding the offering to be made. The forest lead all around the area broken only by the clearing he woke in and a colossal tree that stood near the sanctuary. The tree was impassible nothing could be seen around it and due to its size there was no way over it.

"Come over here Wolf-boy," Orion called still seated in his place at sanctuary with Cerberus standing in the threshold. Zero joined the two men leaving the other two outside as they continued conversing about this and that. "Those two make light of it but you need to give your offering soon. When I first arrived I was alone and after a time terrible things began to plague my mind and all around me. From some rubble I built this temple with my bare hands in hopes to find peace and sanctum from what dwell inside my head and as I did so it subsided. So you see I don't think you want that happening," Orion finished looking Zero in the eye. Zero shook his head, "I told you the power just is I don't understand it simply when I need it it is there."

"You better find out fast, we don't have forever, and I don't want that pain again do you understand!" Orion was losing his nerve. Zero looked to Cerberus as Orion grabbed him and slammed him into the wall, "Get him off of me!" "Sorry kid but he's right, the longer it took for me to give my offering the worse things got, so just do it," he responded remaining idle at the door. Maxin and Siri rushed to the sanctuary but Cerberus blocked them without a problem. Zero struggled to get free but the Lion's grip was tight and almost a lock on him. He summoned the power he could and allowed it to erupt from him sending Orion through the gap in a set of columns. As he rose again he found the three others staring at the center of the floor where a shining silver sphere sat.

"Is that, normal?" Cerberus asked as he came closer to examine the sphere that seemed to leek a purple haze from its carvings. Zero knelt and grabbed the sphere and sat it on nearby pedestal, "Never has happened before." "Well what is it, does it do anything?" Maxin asked as he stared into his shining reflection. A pained groan broke the conversation followed by Cerberus, "I think Orion's hurt, I'll go grab him." "Can I touch it?" Sirius asked looking to Zero who seemed surprised by the question. He looked at the sphere and nodded, "Be my guest, just don't blame me if you end up like him."

Sirius reached in and placed her hand on the orb before picking it up seeing as it had no harmful effected. Suddenly she released the sphere and began to rub her eyes as though she had seen something beyond belief. Zero was quick to take it from her before sitting her down, "Are you hurt?" "No it began to make my eyes feel strange and it was like I could see my clan again only not as I had left them," Siri responded truly at a lose for words. Setting it back down Zero joined Siri on the floor, "I know what you mean, I could see my wife and daughter when I was touching but maybe just memories." "I don't care what they are, you do that again I swear I will kill you," Orion said as Cerberus brought him inside.

"I killed you before I'll kill you again if you even think about it," Zero responded as his mind brought up the name of the Lion from all those years ago. Orion was confused by the statement, "You killed me? Unless you mean to call me your father you are mistaken Wolf-boy." "You attacked my village, you killed these two, and tortured her nearly to death. I remember you, don't think I would forget who you are," he shot back now becoming agitated. Standing on his own now the Lion made his way over to Zero, "Siri didn't tell you that I had a son, one who poisoned his own father, and then started a war on the entire world which lead your way. I didn't do any of that, it was all my rotten son."

"Hey I think I figured out what this orb is," Maxinimus broke into the conversation after being utterly silent for so long. All eyes were on him as he sat studying the orb held within the grasps of roots he had summoned. "It seems to show visions of some sort, maybe memories or dreams but quite possibly it links us to our world after our deaths," he reported studying the sphere still. Zero came closer and examined the orb again, "I don't get it. If it is my offering why does it give us vision, my power was not one of sight." "True but you said you felt the power deep in your heart correct? Maybe it not so much a vision of flesh but one of souls. We see the ones we loved because of ties of the soul which allow us to watch over them even after death," Maxin theorized.

The shine began to leave the orb and the haze escaping the ridges of it began to slow and nearly stop in the midst of the conversation. "It must require more power," Cerberus said from across the room. Zero touched it and summoned all the power he could and in doing so he could feel the orb draining him. As he pulled away the sanctuary became illuminated by a vision that filled the area around the sphere. "Well we don't have to wonder anymore, that's me there, or at least it was when I was still alive," Zero said as he pointed to a view of his own death.

Kovu came across the body not long after he had finally faded away in the dark snowy night. "Zero? Zero! Are you... oh no," he said as he rushed to the lifeless form that lie in a slushy red pile of snow. He knew with one look his friend was gone and even if he still were alive wouldn't have much longer to go before it was all over. Despair hit him like an arrow through the heart but as he shed these feelings he knew he still had to do right by his friend. "Niretta! Niretta are you here!" he called into the night only to be answered by echoes. He removed the blade from Zero's chest and picked up the body to return it to his land. "The poor girl.. she had to see him go like that and I'm sure it was a friend of that demon that took her.. and probably still has her. Zero I'm going to make things right like you wanted, I'll return your body and then search for your daughter," Kovu spoke as he walked alone into the cold night.

"Can we look into other lives? See other places and things?" Sirius asked finally coming back around after her encounter with the orb. Zero looked to an equally unsure Maxin before answering, "Your guess is as good as mine, this is as foreign to me as it is you." Siri touched the orb and around them the vision began to change to that of a quiet village in the night. "That is my village, it is good to see it safe from harm even in my absence," she said in a relaxed tone. Zero put his hand on the orb once more, "Enough of that, my daughter is alone in a strange land, I need to know she is safe."

The vision revealed Niretta waiting alone in the cold with no where to go and no one to turn to in a land where she was unwanted. She shook from the cold, her teeth chattered, and the sheathed blade raddled against her arm. Looking up and down the road she waited for anyone to come along and help her be they Kovu or any other stranger. "I should just lie down and die, I killed my own father, I don't deserve to live," she muttered to herself as she knelt in the snow. Again and again she drew her father's insignia in the snow mourning his loss.

Kovu stopped at a general store that was almost closing up for the night to obtain necessary supplies for the trip south. The shop keeper was reluctant as any other would be when dealing with Kovu as he was known throughout the territory by his coat. He obtained food rations and flints for fire as well as a sheet which he would use to cover Zero. As he returned to where he had left Zero he found his body nearly gone, disintegrating and floating away in what looked like purple snow. Kovu wrapped Zero's blade instead and made his way down the main street to find the young Wolf already walking making her way south to home. "Niretta?" Kovu asked not far behind her. She didn't turn to face him, to ashamed to face anyone, "You're Kovu right? Daddy said you would come for me and take me home." "That's right. So I guess my only question for you is would you like to rest for the night and set out early in the morning for your home," he asked knowing the inn to be open. Nir nodded and came to his side, catching just a glimpse of the white cloth she knew the shape, her father's sword riddled with her sin.

The inn keeper was surely but fair giving the two a room after a long going over of how he despised both of them. Niretta was allowed to take the bed but she could do little sleeping as her mind would not cease from the guilt within. "Kovu?" she asked as the both were lying awake. He stood to make certain to stave off sleep, "Yes Niretta?" "I was the one that... killed him. The creature made me before he died. He made me hurt him so his Master would be happy," she uttered as she began to weep. Kovu was at a loss for words and more so as he came to her only to be locked in her embrace. She sobbed into his chest and in turn he held her trying to comfort her but uncertain of what could be said to calm her stressed mind and guilty conscious. Nir cried herself to sleep in Kovu's arms as he too tired from the day to fight sleep anymore fell asleep holding her.

"She would appear to be safe, now can the rest of us have some time with the orb? We have all been away for a very long time without any knowing of the fate of our loved ones," Maxinimus asked. Zero wiped away a lone tear, "Go ahead, I'll come back." He quickly exited the sanctuary and made for the the tree line but was not alone as Sirius followed not far behind. "Zero wait a moment, I'd like to talk to you," Siri called as she entered the forest. He stopped for a moment before answering her, "I don't want to talk, not to you or any of the others." "You saw it she's fine, what is wrong? I can see it that something is silently eating away at you," she responded placing her hand on his shoulder. Zero swallowed hard before facing the Fox, "I just wish... I could just let her know that she doesn't have to feel that way.. that I'm happy to know she's safe."

Lit by the light of stars and candles a creature sit upon a throne in a place where no mortal could reach. A temple bathed in darkness, filled with freakish and bizarre creatures that all bowed to their singular master. His hand gestured the arriving underling forward to an empty tile beset an all but one side with candles. "Kreton, it displeases me to see you back and more so to think that you failed me," the creature spoke in a harsh voice. Kreton bowed as low as he could, "Master I was successful, though I couldn't obtain the power the one who controls souls is no longer. He was able to defeat me however but I assure you he is no more." "That is very, very good my child you shall be rewarded, unlike your kin, Legion, who failed to bring down one far lesser than your prey," Paga glared spitefully at the black mass in the corner.

He stood from his throne, "Now is the time my children, now we escape this Abyss and take back every land that was taken from us. I will lead the assault in the eastern continent and the rest of you shall go forth to the west and wipe out all who dare resist." "Yes Master Paga," the mass of demons shouted back in unison while remaining bowed. Kreton rose to face his master, "Kreton you will stay here, you're efforts deserve reprieve and frankly your skills are more a thing of subtlety. But in my absence you have an important job that may require the help of the Puppet Master twins. Though the chance is very slim some of our own may die in battle during this invasion, therefore the three of you must keep careful watch over the Well of Souls. If a single one of our own enters the Well the three of you will most certainly regret your slip up." "Yes Master Paga," Kreton returned in a meek voice.

Time had passed and Zero's curiosity remained high as to the fate of his wife and daughter however the orb still fascinated his cohorts. "I need to use the orb, Orion," Zero said plainly as he came to the sanctuary. Orion didn't bat an eye at the request, "Well you'll have to wait I'm using it." "Orion you've been using for hours now let Zero do what he needs to do he created the damn thing after all," Cerberus chimed in from the other side of the room. The Lion shot a glance in his direction, "You stay out of this, those of my kingdom are acting strange I want to know why." "Did you ever consider he's concerned about his wife and daughter, we left the world and had no one but he still has those he worries about. So just let him use it," the Coyote said before taking his leave. He moved back allowing Zero his turn, "I'll be waiting right here because I want to know what is going on in my home."

The orb flashed and the vision around the two changed to the wintery trails of the north lands not far from Roya. Kovu and Niretta were not far now but something was terribly off about the vision, something never before felt. As the two came around the bend from the northern trail to the path heading to Roya a strange being appeared. Steeped in darkness the man exited a patch of black haze and looked in a terrible way. He was heavily armored in thick, dark tinted metals with a massive sword hanging from his belt. His face remained hidden beneath a bizarre helmet but from the right angle the stubs of broken horns could be seen. The dark haze leaked from the cracks in the armor and trailed behind the warrior as it moved up the path.

Kovu stopped Niretta from proceeding, "You need to stay here for now. I don't know what that thing was but I know you're not going to find out until it's gone." "Kovu you're not going to fight it are you?" Nir asked in a tone of disbelief. He shook his head, "No I don't think I would stand a chance but I can climb the rock of the walls and hopefully make it to Roya to warn them before it makes it there." "Tell my mother I'm safe please, so she doesn't worry, her name is Tirasha," Niretta asked with a hushed look of fear in her eye. Beginning to climb before finishing the conversation Kovu agreed and hurried up the rock and began running across the thin strip of land between the edge and more rock.

He moved quickly and was able to get ahead of the man by means of the curves in the path however as he made his way further the ridge below him gave way. Kovu tumbled down the cliff and into the snow not far from the stranger. He remained silent in his pain hoping to go unnoticed but as the final chunks of rock slammed down the mountain side the strange man turned in his direction. "I know you are there, come out, don't be shy you will die soon enough," the creature spoke plainly from beneath the helmet. It didn't take a second thought for Kovu to realize he wouldn't be able to even make a dent in this foe's armor so he did the only sensible thing, run. Moving as fast he could he darted out from the snow and made his way up the slope and at the quickest he was able he tried to dodge the man's blade. Fortune was not in his favor as the slash, though not fatal, cut him across his chest. Kovu tumbled down the slope and lie in agony as he watched the swordsman proceed up the path.

The great doors fell before the dark knight and he entered the halls of Roya will all eyes upon him. "I'm home," he whispered quietly to himself before the guards surrounded him all with their arms drawn ready to strike. "Surrender or fall beneath by blade mortals," his calm voice came from behind the cover of the helmet. The guards were not moved by this threat and immediately attacked the warrior from all sides. Every blow hit but the creature was hardly daunted by the barrage of sharp and blunt weaponry alike, his helmet was removed however and revealed the horror of a face he possessed. The skull was dome like and was marked with a foreign insignia that stretched from the horns to top of the skull. Two massive red orbs were its eyes with slits of black as below sat a mouthful of dark red and black spikes making the accursed thing's teeth. Its face was thin enough to see the bone that lie beneath the flesh and its ears curved to point close the back of the head. The monster slammed its fist to the ground and the dark haze consumed the guards leaving behind only bones within suits of armor.

"What manner of beast?!" Tirasha cried from the stairs as she watched the being make its way closer to her. Many tried to stop him but none were able, "Pagan, didn't anyone ever tell you this is Pagan land and I rule over it," he said drawing closer to the Wolf. "Stay back, my husband will rip you to pieces if you dare lay a single hand on me," she threatened as she drew a dagger from her sleeve. Paga leaned in close, "I don't want you, I want the stone." "Stone?" Tira responded confused by the request. The Pagan was impatient, "Yes the stone, the Soul Stone! Your husband was the guardian of it and I require it so hand it over or meet your end." "I haven't an idea of what you are after but if it is of my husband's then you will not ever take it," she shot back before digging the dagger deep into the creatures exposed neck. Tirasha crashed to the ground at the bottom of the stairs, "I don't need your assistance, you're resistance is futile, for I can feel it here, and I will find it."

As Paga began to tear apart Roya searching for the Soul Stone Niretta sought help from Atlai in Seras. "Grandfather we need your help," she cried desperately pulling Kovu by his arms. Atlai was quick to pull her away from him, "Niretta what are you doing with this man, why have your brought him here, and where is your father." "He's hurt and he was bringing me home but he was attacked and the person who did hurt him is going to my house and... daddy is.. dead," she whimpered fighting her tears as best she could. In complete shock the man took it all in and assessed each problem one by one, "We'll get him some help and I'll send warriors to Roya, they will make sure your mother get out safe." "Thank you grandfather," Nir spoke as she hugged him tightly almost scared to let go.

The soldiers reached Roya with great haste to find it ravaged with many bodies scattered throughout the snow and around the main hall. They proceeded carefully minding the overly quiet fortress that should be alive with sound during such a raid. Coming to the stairs they found Tirasha hurt but alive, bleeding from the face and holding a twisted and limp arm. She was taken away by one man who lead her out and would take her to Seras. As they crossed the threshold outward a incredibly loud noise came from within and the black haze came roaring out. The soldier covered Tirasha and was half consumed by the blackness before it disappeared. His armor was wrecked and the exposed bits of flesh and fur began rot and tear away. They could not stay and treat the wound, without looking back they hurried down to Seras.

Seras went into a state of emergency and with Tirasha's return the gates were closed and locked tightly with soldiers stationed on the walls. No one knew what could be done to fight this unknown enemy all that could be done is wait until they could figure out more. Kovu was coming back around a short time after Tira was brought in for treatment. Niretta was ecstatic to see him well again however his face shown a less jubilant reception. His eyes were windows into a mind far from the current moment that worked tirelessly to try to understand what he had encountered and how he would attempt to overcome it.

"Kovu what's wrong?" Nir asked as she watched the doctor fix her mother's arm. Kovu was silent a moment before the question hit him, "I'm just thinking a bit, trying to find a way to help." "You're hurt you need to rest. That man hasn't come down from Roya so we're safe for now," she said trying an optimistic tone. He rubbed his hand across the bandages over his chest and the memory rattled around his head for a moment, "I suppose you're right, but if someone isn't thinking of it then we will have no plan when we need it. I'm going to go for a walk Nir, stay with your mother she's probably been worried about you."

"Cougar. Come over here, you and I must speak," Atlai called from the doorway of his home. Kovu followed inside and sat with the Chief at the kitchen table where they both had a drink. "Now I don't know much about you and in honesty if not for the circumstance you came here under and the one at hand I would have likely thought you a demon. So putting these old beliefs aside I must ask you, are you going to help us?" Atlai questioned as he finished his drink. Kovu did little but swirl his in its cup, "Of course, that thing is similar but still very different from but one other enemy I have known and that one was a demon. We will need to fight it be it tonight or ten years from now but I say we get prepared, very well prepared and go after it as soon as we can." "I was hoping you would say that. I have sent word to our allies; the Fox, Coyotes, Elk, and Deer, it will take a few days however once we have amassed this collective army we will be ready. Which leads me to ask, what of your people will they help us," the Chief asked. The Cougar now drank of his cup, "My kind see me as you would have, marked as a demon, not to be trusted, and killed on sight. I have been exiled from home and all other cities of my kind treat me as their enemy, I find myself quite lucky to remain in any civil place for more than a day." "Unfortunate, you seem like good company from what I can tell," Atlai admitted as he pour another drink.

Tirasha woke to find Niretta cuddling close to her in a dead sleep with her head buried in her mother's side. She was relieved to be in a safe place and more so to have her daughter again by her side. The words 'Soul Stone' still echoed in her mind as she rolled in her hand the pendant Zero had given her on their wedding day. It was a beautiful and large amethyst stone with three flat faces separated by three edges that led to its point. She worried for Zero knowing he would have gone to fight the warrior once he found out he had injured her. But she could not explain why his knife sat on the table in the room with his necklace.

Nightfall came and hushed the cold town leaving only guards awake keeping watch of the path to Roya. Kovu did not sleep he to watched for their enemy's arrival, alone he sat looked down upon by the Wolves. He sat shining the starlight off of his long and ridged obsidian blades that never yet dulled or broken since he found them. The night was quiet and no one had seemed to have had any sighting of any type for the majority of the evening. In the early morning hours there came a commotion from the east wall and the guards clamored looking over the edge to catch sight of the intruders. Foolish they felt as they saw a group of Coyotes responding to the summoning call of Atlai.

The morning was a tense one as those who knew of the happenings in Roya were on edge in fear of what would happen this day. Atlai came to Tirasha's room after finding out she was awake, "It is good to see you dear, I'm quite dreadfully sorry for all that has happened." "It's all fine, things have been destroyed, bones broken, but everyone I love is safe. Speaking of which when did Zero leave for Roya, I don't think he has returned yet," Tira spoke oblivious still. Atlai became panicked afraid to tell his daughter the hard truth of the matter, "I.. I couldn't quite say everything around here has been quite chaotic with the situation at hand. I must be off there are somethings I have to tend to at the moment." "Could you send Zero to find me if you see him, I miss him so greatly it feels as though I've lost something without him by my side," she spoke as her father left.

"Is your girl awake?" Kovu asked as he stood waiting at the door for Atlai. The Chief had a mixed look on his face, "Yes she is awake and healthy now." "How did she take the news?" he inquired knowing he shouldn't have asked. Atlai looked to the Cougar his face in a way between angry and sadness, "I couldn't bring myself to tell her, it will kill her to know the truth." "Then lie, there is no reason she has to know what really happened but she should know that her husband isn't coming back, that he is gone and we have to take care of that thing without him.," Kovu instructed taking some what of a harsh tone. The Wolf kicked the soil staring at the rocks that rolled into the street, "I know, but it is hard to tell my own daughter the man she loved, a man I had great respect for, is gone." "Well Chief I understand your plight, believe me I do, but if you're not going to tell her I will," Kovu said before pushing past Atlai and entering Tirasha's room.

"Who are you?" Tirasha asked with a sudden shock to see a Cougar standing in her room with her father not far behind. Kovu opened his mouth but the Chief's voice came out, "We were just leaving, come on." "No Chief, I know you wish it wasn't so but she needs to know," Kovu shot back while resisting Atlai's grip. Tirasha was naturally confused by the situation, "Know what father?" "Well you see," he began slowly trying to put everything together to ensure it came out right, "I may have mislead you.. lied to you before. Now trust me it wasn't meant to hurt you but there isn't a way where this doesn't hurt you so I have to tell you. Zero isn't coming back, he is gone now and forever."

Tirasha began to tear up before beginning to sob uncontrollably as all she knew began to collapse around her in one moment. Niretta returned to the room now and as she saw her mother and knew exactly what had happened. Without a moment's delay she was at her side trying to hug her before becoming enveloped in her mother's arms. Nir began to cry to as she began to feel the pain of loss again deep down in her heart. The door opened again with haste, "Chief Atlai the warrior is approaching the gates!"

The Chief and Kovu left the grieving widow and were immediately on the wall staring at the creature in dark armor with an expression of pure fury. "You have it! Surrender it now and I will consider sparing your village!" it shouted at the top of its lungs. Kovu looked to Atlai, "What is he after?" "Wha..." Atlai tried to inquire before the Paga stabbed his sword into the earth and a black wave rippled through the ground before striking the gates. The gates fell and within a moment he was in destroying all who stood in his path. Kovu, though still injured from his earlier encounter knew he must act, so after taking a wounded man's armor he pursued the beast.

"Where do you think you're going, I still have business with you," he called to Paga as he was making his way through Seras. Facing his enemy Paga chuckled, "The Cougar who thought he could just sneak by me? How is your wound? Do tell me it still hurts like new." Kovu ran forward and just before contact leapt over his foe and began to work at the breaks in the armor with his daggers. Paga was quick to throw him from his back and nearly behead him with the counter attack. The fight was one-sided and the Cougar knew it but he had to try to buy the villagers as much time as he could to escape.

As the fight continued Tirasha and Niretta exited a nearby building as they tried to escape the pandemonium. Paga's eyes became locked on the familiar woman as he continued to battle against Kovu, he could sense it once more. In his distracted state he slipped up and Kovu opportunistic as possible used the opening. The obsidian slid from both directions converging on the center point of Paga's throat. He slashed Kovu again before falling to his knees though never letting the woman out of his sight. She had the stone, she had it all along, and now he knew it for certain now it was once again within his reach.

The two were quickly moving out of sight as the gash in Paga's throat began to seal but he couldn't wait for it. He stepped on Kovu and chased after Tirasha quickly becoming getting closer to nearly running on her heels. As he grasped her she pushed Niretta ahead to spare her, Nir tried to hold on to her mother but was sent tumbling as Paga threw her into a stack of crates. "You have it, I know it, give me Stone of Souls!" he screamed in her face. There was no fighting against a force so much more powerful, "I honestly don't know..." Tira's face went into a befuddled state as she began to realize what the stone actually was and that it was not in its place.

Niretta stood holding her mother's pendant, looking at her with her eyes watering up as she held it out to her showing she preserved it. "Baby run!" Tirasha cried before Paga made notice of the child standing not far from him. His eyes lit up as he saw the stone shine in the sunlight, "The stone, give it to me. Give it to me!" "Daddy.." Niretta whimpered as the demon came closer with his freakish three fingered hand reaching towards her. Tirasha tried to stop him but she was nothing in his way now that his destiny was so close at hand. The girl clutched the violet gem as she became filled with fear to terrified to even move.

Zero's mind began to pulse in pain as he watched helpless as his family would soon meet their end at the hands of the brute. As he pulled his hands away from his head he soon noticed that his limbs began to fade into the transparent. The scene proceeded and he began to entirely vanish from the space beyond the world. For him it was as if he passed through several millions of scenes that all flashed in his eye in the blink of it. It all came to a sudden halt as he found himself remaining in an all too familiar scene. He stood between Niretta and Paga his blade was in his hands but it was strange, every aspect of it and his form shimmered in silver as though his body was nothing else. There was no further thought, he knew his role as a protector and with one swipe he fulfilled this role. Paga's body dropped and as it hit the ground blew away in a puff of dark smoke as his head had before hitting the earth.

Tirasha and Niretta were safe and the rest too were saved from Paga, peace would reign once more in the land of the Wolf. Zero smiled as he looked to his wife stunned by the sight and his daughter who was drying her eyes. He wished the moment would last forever, that he could stay among them as though he had never been slain but it could never be. The bits of shining silver that comprised him began to float upward and disappear into the sky as his body had in Alureon. He watched each bit pull away and as he knew he would not stay he reached out to his family. The two were quick to come to him and embrace his semi-physical form that depleted every second. After only a short time they found they were holding onto nothingness, Zero was gone once more. Niretta lifted the stone to eye level, "Bye daddy."