The Night Before The Journey
Spoken by the maw of Khole, Loyal Warrior of Arkas

"It was 5 years ago when the tides of change.. came crashing down around us."

"Arkas was a thriving pack then. Each member had a full belly and there wasn't a lot of squabbles between them, but a sudden appearance of strange two-legged beasts along the coast brought with it a threat that we never would have thought be possible."

"Morack, the Alphess' only family, firmly believed that this 'intrusion' along the shores was a sign that something was coming. Something that.. would only want to take their land, and hunt them down. His sister Arcyn, our wise leader and mate to Alpha Iridiu, disregarded Morack's words and told him to not think of such things, as nothing can take away our lands. However, rumors quickly spread and Morack gained followers. They were against the Alphas' leadership, and thought that Arcyn's brother should take over."

"There was a great battle over this.. and many lives were lost.."

"Arcyn and Morack, both leaders of their own half of the Arkas pack, had been slain in the fight for domination. Iridiu, angered in his grief, chased away what remained of the rebels. Morack's followers split into two. They formed the beginnings of Greystrom, a vicious group of wolves whose beliefs still lay with their deceased leader. Whatever wolves which didn't want anything to do with them or Arkas, became loners and formed their own band: Raiders."

"What was once the great pack Arkas five years ago became what it is now. The two-legged beasts have been seen coming and going. Our food has been dwindling, and all the packs are forced to cross over other territories and hunt to fill empty bellies. Our way of life.. is dying. Being consumed by these pale faced creatures who turn our beautiful land into something only 'they' would deem worthy of the earth. Our trusted Alpha Iridiu, will not lay us astray in his decision come morning.. now, we must wait. Wait for the wisest of us to foretell our future."

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"Kushi! Get back here!"

The bubbly brown pup raced around the forest floor, giggling madly as he chased squirrels up trees and bounded after toads in the bush. His mind was preoccupied with having fun instead of listening to his caretaker. His attention drawn to a chirping cricket as night drew near, he hunched down, belly practically touching the ground as he slinked forward. He let out a yelp, his body raising and hovered in the air as he smiled weakly at his supervisor, ears pinned down in apology.

"Heh.. Hi Terra."

The female placed him down gently, her light grey and white coat, similar to that of her mother, contrasted brightly against the mottled green plantlife. Bright blue eyes gazed down at her charge, his childish antics always a pleasure for her. "Best behave yourself, you remember what Alpha Iridiu said."

"Yeah, yeah. I know," the pup mumbled, awkwardly getting onto his four paws. He sniffed the earth for another scent to track, pacing around with his tail high in the air and wagging about. He wandered into the bush again, catching the interesting smell of wild fowl. He stopped, dark eyes staring down at grey paws which was much too big to be Terra's. Hair raising along his petite body, Kushi slowly lifted his head, gazing at a pair of light colored wolves. The older grey male, a faded scar on his cheek, smiled at the gawking youngster, lowering his head to Kushi's own, chuckling.

"Terra!"

Kushi ran straight between her front legs, hiding himself under her body as the female looked down at him, worried about what had frightened the adventurous pup. The source showed themselves, stepping out from the shadows. A grey-aged male and a much younger white wolf, two red-and-white feathers stuck in his nape hair.

"So sorry to intrude on your little.. outing.. but we must ask you to take us to your Alpha," the older wolf spoke with a dulled tone. He must have seen many winters, judging from the faded black in his nose.

"What do you want with Alpha Iridiu?" the female asked, her ears tilting back everso slightly, standing over her charge like a protective mother.

"We bring news to him."

The young white male glanced at Terra, taking a step forward. "News that will change everything.."