Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 14:23:14 GMT -6
Flames shot high, turning the night lurid with carnival light. Sparks took the place of stars. The century old oak was a silhouette fronting hell, as everything Salvila knew was consumed in fire. Two figures broke from the crumbling roots and ran toward the river where she stood, their pelts smeared with soot, their eyes wide with terror. The wolf who pushed them out disappeared once more inside. Another branch broke and hit the earth floor. Near by tree's were set to flames, and the field was quickly set on fire. The crackling of the grass could be heard from where they stood. The sky was filled with falling crumbles of soot and stained her fur with dark streaks. A small handful of teenage wolves could be seen running out of the field. Somewhere behind her a female wailed and wailed. "They did it on purpose. They burned us out." "Get the young ones on the other side of the river." A male voice yelled. Salvila heard the breath of another. Her mother, Serafin, stood panting beside her. "I sent Aunt Maria with Drake. Where's your father?" Now that she stood alone with her daughter, her voice rose high in panic. "He went back in," Salvila answered, her words roughened by smoke and tears. "With Gabriel and Mark." "Ivan!" Serafin started toward the den and Salvila grabbed her and held on tight. "No! you can't both be in there. I can't stand it." Serafin fought to get away, but at three, Salvila was her match. "You cant stop him," Salvila said."He swore to protect the pack." "But I need to be beside him," Serafin begged. "They're my people too." Salvila eyes watered with tears and let her mother pass. What have I done? Salvila thought. If only she'd stopped the boys this might not have happened. If only she'd told her father they were out of control. Figures came around the side of the den. Mark led a young female not much older than Salvila. Gabriel held a shrieking pup in his jaws. The fire roared its victory; then, with a crack as if a giant's spine had snapped. The tree gave way, and the ground collapsed in peacock tail of sparks and flame. "Mom." Salvila screamed. But it was too late. Others around her cried and sang their mourning songs, while young ones snuggled up to their family. Salvila sat alone, tears dripping done her cheek. But there was no time to remorse over the loss of pack members, for a scream had silenced their howls and cries. The female that had wailed behind her not to long ago, laid in a large puddle of blood and her neck laid awkwardly against her back. A large male stood next to the now deceased female, his dark fur was tipped by the blazing fire. His muzzle opened widely into a toothy grin as he listened to the wolves around him gasp in horror and cry with fear. Salvila watched as his red stained muzzle rose to the sky and let of a loud, blood chilling howl. The howls of others filled the air around them. Soon a war between packs had started, ash was quickly replaced by blood, as weakened members of the pack had fallen. Salvila had even took part of the war that went on. She had spotted a pack member crying in pain as a female red wolf clung to their back, teeth clenched at their throat. Filled with rage, Salvila had jumped passed another fight braking out and lunged at the female, biting at her face. But the female continued to hold on. Salvila moved towards her muzzle and began taring at the females skin. Even with her muzzle dripping with blood, the female still refused to let go and only seemed to laugh at her attempt's as the females orange eyes seemed to fill with mockery. With another attempt, Salvila bit at the females shoulder and felt her fangs scrap bone. Finally the female rolled away, screaming as if to wake the dead. Salvila didn't let up. She couldn't trust her, what if the red bitch was faking? She bulldozed hard into the whining female, and sure enough she came up all teeth and claws. But the females rage didn't help her. She wasn't as strong or quick as Salvila. She could make the female roll and tumble as she pleased. She watched as the females eyes filled with terror as she began shepherding the female around the battle field. Finally she caught up with the female and harshly slammed her chest against her, making the female tumble. Her teeth collided against the female's throat and crushed her jugular. Her rage filled eyes took notice of the wolves surrounding her in a circular manner. Most were strangers, but she could make out a few pack members, who had most likely tucked their tails at the other packs power. Unknowing what was happening. Salvila snarled and stomped her front paws, daring them to challenge her. But none moved forward, they only howled in victory while the members of her pack stared at her in sorrow. Only once she stared at the female that she had killed that she had learned why her fellow comrades eyes filled with such despair. Unknowingly, Salvila had killed the alpha female of the other pack. But why hadn't anyone challenged her for the rank? Her eyes, now filled with panic, scanned the other females over. To young, to old, to skinny, still mothering. The only females that were fit to challenge her were either dead, like the female at her feet, or were to wounded to even try. Crouching down and lowering her head between her paws, she closed her eyes, trying to block out their howls. Soon the pack began to spread apart and the alpha male paced towards her. He stood before her, his lips curved in a wide toothy grin. She stared up into his ice blue eyes while he waited for her to roll over and admit his dominance. I will not belly up to you. she thought and snarled, making his toothy grin grow wider. In order to get this female, you'll have to catch her first. She thought and bolted past him and through the open space the pack had made for him. Stretching her legs as far as they could go, Salvila ran past familiar land marks. Behind her, she could hear the males large paws colliding against the ground. Even after she could no longer hear the male persuaing her, she continued to run, even though she could feel her joints begging her not to. Not until her paws begin to bleed, did she finally begin to slow down and look around to see where she had wandered. The area was no longer familiar, which set her more at ease then discomfort. It was most likely that the male would not follow her now that she was no longer on pack territory. But knowing how the male would act, Salvila scanned behind her back, almost expecting him to appear any moment with that toothy grin on his face. Feeling the sudden urge to move, Salvila quickened her pace and pushed herself to move on.