Vol.1/Chapter 11: Celerity

Afternoon, our group is pacing up as we dwell into the Redwood's center, going up to the waterfall we previously camped in. Many are tired but also entranced, desperate to protect the possibly endangered tribe. With Alder out of our way, we are now going faster than ever. My Shadowmane, Iresh, is also tired but she occasionally looks at me with gentle eyes. Theo, my best friend, paints up a hardworking face that tells "Everything's gonna be fine".

The Bells of Death is slowly ringing up as we approach nearer and nearer to the tribe. Considering the distance between me and the tribe, the opposing foes may be the most dangerous our community will have. Fearing the worst, I quickly called up Theo to tell the problem. As we expected, those may be humans from a nearby country. Many know that race is a selfish, arrogant one, decimating everything in its path to claim it to their selves. That nature of them rose from their faith from their omnipotent god: The God of Prosperity, Nikola.

While still running, Theo hasten to explain the predicament we're in. Most wolves, even though are tired, grits their teeth and let's out a nasty growl as they despise the invaders. Even though they are not sure how we know this information, most wolves reassure they trust us.

"Damn humans, how much would still they take for them to be satisfied! Grr!", Bakura said in an angry tone.

"For the past millennium, they did nothing but destroy everything and now they want to destroy our peaceful tribe! What utter trash!", Aman also lets out an enraged rant.

Silently, I just listen to the footsteps the party is doing. Protecting the tribe is now our number one priority that's why I ordered the group to throw the meat we hunted if necessary. Many wolves said they can still keep going but some did lessen their burden by feeding some chunks to Iresh. This made the amount of meat we hunt less by at least one cow.

For at least 30 minutes, we finally reached the gushing waterfall. The campfires still visible from the sides, the ruins still intact and the peaceful nature still fluttering by. But we cannot wait longer.

"Men! Immediately grab the necessary supplies! Water, food, medicine, arrows and quivers! Brace yourself!" I ordered the party to hasten.

Wolf after wolf, the speed of the supplying is unremarkable. This is why being prepared is the coolest traits of demiwolves.

Everything set, another run to get...

The group then hurriedly ran towards the valley on the other side of the Redwoods. It was dusk when we arrive near the exit of the woods. The eyes of the Hyaenodons can be seen from afar but so far, they didn't try to hinder us, thankfully. Everyone could hear the deadly waters of the river, signalling that we are near our destination.

Nostalgic feeling and sense of relief gushed me as we finally got out of the Redwoods. I can't even imagine how happy I am to get out of that fucking, nasty place. Looking at the other side, the bridge we repaired two days ago was still intact meaning the invaders probably are not here because if they are, they will try to hinder us from coming to the tribe and destroy the only thing that connects the valley and the hunting grounds from the river.

"Go on groups of four! Theo, I and Iresh will go last and immediately go to the tribe.", the wolves nodded at me as I saw what I fear the most.

"Everyone look but don't panic!", I said to the group.

Multiple smoke coming from the direction of the tribe can be seen from the skies. The wolves instantly became mad and crossed the bridge fast. Even with the meats on their backs, they are insanely fast! Me and Theo also went in.

"I'll go on ahead! Follow me up immediately!", Theo orders me.

Iresh and I looked at each other as Theo gave us his meat and ran as fast as he could to reach the village. I rode Iresh as we stride to the direction of our home.

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As the full moon slowly creeps up the sky, it lightens up the situation were in. The tribe is now burning profusely. We were not wrong. Humans in their armor wields their swords and clashes with the demiwolves. On the back, sorcerers cast up spell to support the opposing infantry. In the middle backline of the invaders, a scrawny mid-60s man with an eyepatch on his left eye, commands the entire army. I guess this is their leader. On the other hand, Theo command our forces as Chief Rakthu is holding his ground against a 6-feet tall, muscular, orc woman wielding a ginormous dual-handed great axe. The battle were fierce as the invaders never stopped coming.

Wolves after wolves slowly fell down as they try to defend their home. Me and Iresh then instantly jumped up the walls and let out a mighty roar, signalling our arrival.

"Luca!! Thank our god Lunala, you're safe! But this is not the time to chitchat, take arms and defend our home!", With a relieving smile and voice, my mother approached me as she was surprised I was riding a Shadowmane.

"Save me the details later, my son. If we live to see another day, I want you to tell us about your adventures. For now, let's defend this place. Cold weather, heed my call! Ice Partisan!", Samira said as she cast her spell on the opposing group of infantry, blasting them with a chilling force. I never knew my mom have magic up until now.

On the sides, Bakura and Aman were skillfully dodging and retaliating their opponents, felling them one by one and protecting the villagers on the safe area. The other wolves from the hunting group also joined the fight. Iresh, my Shadowmane, easily crunches off the armor of her opponents, bringing death to her enemies.

Clashing outside the Chief's tent, the orc woman who is now on the winning side, continuously barrages Chief Rakthu with heavy blows. Staggered, the Chief eventually uses his Primal Strength, increasing not only his speed and strength, but also his reaction time and appearance. The now improved leader is covered with long white fur, red striking eyes, longer fangs and claws and a more primal appearance.

"I'll take care of this bitch. Protect the village at all costs!", Chief Rakthu shouts in a hoarse voice, followed up with a howl. The other wolves then joined the howl as the full moon finally reached its peak.

Influenced by the strength of the Alpha, the wolves are now stronger, faster and keener than ever, overwhelming their foes in an instant rate. Even the orc lady who is winning before is stunned in the wall by the now fiery Alpha of the tribe.

"Everyone! Retreat for now. You are no match for this wretched wolves as we are on a fair disadvantage. Full moon, Alpha howl, pueh, mythical powers disgust me.", The scrawny old man, in a gruffy voice, orders his troops for a fallback. "Scion, come back for now. I'll use our advantage for them."

"But sire! I'm just starting to enjoy this fight hehehe. Please give me more.", The deep voice of the orc lady shivers me timbers as she knelt in front of her leader. She is either a slave or a warrior from another country, serving this old man as punishment. In any reasons, I can't see an orc kneeling down to a human.

"Don't worry, Scion. I'll, of course, treat them like the trash they are.", Holding a white wolf cub by the neck, the tribe immediately knew who that is.

"TYLAAA!!!", Theo screamed angrily as he rushed to their leader.

The personal bodyguard of the old man, which are golems made of a special stone, instantly knock off the rushing Theo and made him fly a long distance.

"Let go of Tyla, you fuckface! I swear to myself, I'm gonna fucking kill you if you try to hurt her more!", I screamed of remorse as the old man just smiled at me, gripping the neck of Tyla even tighter.

"I-I can't brea--", Tyla said in a weak manner as the tribe just gets angrier and uses their Primal Strength.

Theo snaps in anger, as he also uses his Primal Strength. Almira, their mother and the wolf seer, cast out a powerful spell out of anger. Chief Rakthu orders the wolves to charge to the enemies as soldiers after soldiers are decimated by the now enraged demiwolves. Even Iresh joined the clash as she tears her foes limb after limb.

"Oya? Do you really think you can stand against me? Think again.", The old man smirks as he orders the unthinkable.

"Everyone, look at this magnificent execution! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Scion, do it.", He laughs menacingly as the hesitant orc lady finally deals the blow that will change our life. With a swift punch, she blew a hole in Tyla's chest, killing the poor cub instantly. The old man then threw her lifeless body in front of her parents and brother.

No one uttered a word in shock. Crying and screaming, Tyla's family staggered as they hold her body tightly. Everyone was screaming angrily, clashes of swords and spears can be heard everywhere. My head spins, I don't know what to do. Intense hatred, anger and remorse builds up on my mind as my body moves on its own, killing every soldier in the path. I go to Tyla's lifeless body and looked at the anklet she gave me. The smile she left for me as she gives farewell on our hunt. I can't forget the sweet face she gave to me whenever I am sad.

I'm tired of this situation...Why does everyone have to die when I'm there?

"Oi, old man. Remember when I said you'll regret it if you hurt her more?!! HEED MY WORDS!!", I screamed on top of my lungs as a mysterious dark aura engulfs me, controlling over my body.

Burn them!

Punish them!

Incinerate them!

Make them suffer!

Hold on to your deaths!

"AZRAEL!"

The mysterious dark aura became hellfire as it literally obliterates everything in its path. Some of the wolves were caught up on the spell but almost the entirety of my opponents get burnt to crisp as their screams of mercy didn't get me at all. Houses after houses went to ash as the dark flames of my hatred slowly consumes everything it touches.

I am Anger.

I am Hatred.

I am Death.

Those three phrases continues to spin on my mind as I did not stop until every one of my opponents is obliterated but my body can't keep up at this rate.

My consciousness is slowly fading as the hellfire slowly creeps up to the backline of the opponents. Faint screams of order by that old man can be heard as I fade away to the darkness of my mind.

"Ret--Fo--Now--Wre--tched--Dogs! Rememb--My Name! Nikola Jeanne D'Monteau! Die--Al-of-Y--!

With my last sense of touch faded away, I felt my body thud to ground, hoping that this mysterious spell saved the whole tribe and not the other way around.

I need to rest...

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End of Volume 1: Calm before The Storm