Elemmíre's Challenge

[Aveilthé]

It had been only a few suns since Elemmíre had fled. He was
considered lucky - he left by the darkest hours of the night, where
there was no moon, so that his dark figure would be cast away
with the shadows so that they could not find him properly. Like
a criminal he escaped, for reasons only known to himself - but he
was certainly no criminal! Thus the mysteries about his life,
though personal, steadily blossom; the rest hidden like a jealous
pirate adhering his treasures.

Blue-grey eyes shone through the dark foliage. From this foliage
of veridian bush and bramble, curled up in a tight ball, was a
giant wolf. He was awake, though with his nose twitching at his
short, curled tail as he watched the tiny leaves around him swirl
and rattle. It was just the beginning of a premature Fall.

Elemmíre was a wolf, but unlike all the rest. He was unique in
his every being, often casting glances of awe upon his figure. Alas,
he did not step unto the light of the evening, for he wanted to
remain hidden for the moment. He will soon judge for the right
time to appear - he was absolutely overwrought by the cramped
blue-berry bush.

There was a very good reason for hiding at a time like this. The
poor old wolf found himself in a jam indeed, for he had crossed
the path of a bear family whilst trekking through Shinkou Ookami.
Being near their food source was not a brilliant idea, but if he
moved, the large grizzlies would overpower him with their large
paws. He was not afraid, but he did not want a tussle with them,
especially since they tenaciously held their cubs so near to their
wake. To bolt away would mean to the bears an attack. To sneak
away would be just as bad. So for a few hours, Elemmíre clung
to the earth with his huge talons, patiently waiting for them to
pass.

Night fell once Elemmíre opened his eyes. Time had come and
gone, and all was silent. A broad yawn escaped through fierce-
looking fangs, but were instantly snapped shut as he peered
over a low branch. The bears were gone. Giving in to the
opportunity, Elemmíre stood up quickly and slunk beneath
the low foliage. They could be anywhere. He slowly unruffled
his incredible wings. The moment he attempted to take off
into the air, something hard thwacked him across the head,
making him grimace and shake his fluffy head. A nasty growl
was heard from above. Drawing in a breath full of air, Elemmíre
did only what his instinct forced him.

As aforementioned, he was not afraid. It was the bear that should
be afraid, or at least that is what went through Elemmíre's mind.
He was never a conceited fellow, but he knew he had a lot of
strength in him, which is why he tried to avoid the family as much
as he could. To harm them would have made him feel more than
bereaved. It would remind him of his past...

It took no time at all for Elemmíre to escape the angry bears. They
were roaring and growling furiously below him as he flittered his
wings loosely. The bear that hit him across the head was a large
fellow indeed, but was now lying back unconscious. This is what
made the bears extra angry.

Elemmíre made a soft guilt-ridden cry to the bears, to which they
turned a deaf ear upon.

***

It was a long while after the incident with the bears. That was
simply one day gone awry - and now Elemmíre was simply lurking
through Shinkou Ookami, like a shadow, spying upon the
happenings of a pack. He took note that the packmates were
loving to one another, and with this he was pleased - but like
with all wolf packs, there were a few quirks. Being well experienced
in the structure of a pack, Elemmíre would compare this particular
one with the many ones he had been in from the far past.

He also found that there was not an alpha in sight - at least,
not an alpha male. There was a strong scent of an alpha female
about. It was truly odd that there would be one alpha raising an
enourmous pack.

It was then as he watched a family of wolves - a mother, father,
and three cubs did he stop and observe with serious anguish
lingering in his cold grey-blue eyes. They clouded thickly as he saw
as they all played together - including the mother and the father.

He felt so absorbed by watching them, that suddenly he imagined
himself with his mate, rejoicing the birth of their very first pup.
He recalled running to her, with his tail wobbling feverishly, and
swarming her with kisses. The scene then dissolved, and once
again he saw the family of five before him. All that was taken
away from him so many years ago. A song of lament was sung
beneath the strange wolf's breath as he turned to leave the
family.

A new feeling then seem to erupt through Elemmíre's heart, like
toxin coursing through his very veins. It excited him, making him
raise his head and tail high. Seeing that family caused two emotions
to stir inside of him - great mourning, yet also an optimistic feel...
it was an indescribable feeling. Perhaps it was seeing that family
that made him step into the light, giving him strength he hadn't felt
in a few months. It was the need to protect, to fill the gap in which
what was torn away from him.

Shuffling his wings, he mounted himself upon a hill and rose his
muzzle to the heavens and gave out a thunderous howl -
the challenging howl. And with it, bore strong, deep,
emotional words.

"I have come before all of this loving place. I claim myself Alpha
of this pack lest someone wishes to challenge me for such position!
And if I am defeated, let me die by your paw so I may rejoin with
those that I love most, or let me live and lead you all. Whether
an Alpha or Omega, I see all as equal. I will bring one and all
together... as a family. I wish not to impose - but be as it may,
I will stand forth with my head held high, readily willing to meet
your eyes, for I will be Alpha or I will die!" He paused, letting his
challenging voice to greet all the ears of the wolves. Then, he
spoke softly to himself. "I am more willing to die. If there is one
stronger than I, I will show my bare throat, and await cold
fangs to part my throat from my neck. An alpha is needed - an
alpha to guide and admonish an acceptable leadership role. An
alpha to protect families, and allow them to... to live freely. I have
nothing else to live for, except to protect what matters most.
I will fight until there is no more breath to give to this world. I
will fight until all the matter in my body fails and I, broken."

[Mama Z]

'We need no stranger to these lands to rule us. Die by something else, but not go and ask for a suicide to prove your worthiness...' These words were not spoken in a howl or a growl. But rather in soft tones that held no judgement, only wisdom the was laced within each and every word. They came from just behind the new-wolf, almost as if the trees were the ones taunting him with their unseen mouthes. But from the long shadows of the evenings massive sun a wolf stepped out, holding head as well as bushy high and proud.

Completely black this male was, save for the stripe of silver that began just at the leather of his nose and ended down at his tail in a fine tuffed point. Wings of ebony rested at his sides. They were large and if fanned out could more then likely over shadow a smaller wolf with ease. The only reason these could be seen clearly, was they were hanging loosely at his sides, and each feather was lined with a soft silver color, which made the black seem almost darker. His eyes were watching the wolf Ellimere, a straking moon-silver color, almost like granate.

'To become an alpha, doenst meant you can protect all at the same time.' These words were spoken from past expierence. Indeed once he was alpha of a much smaller pack then this, but alpha none the less. He had had a family at one point, his own pups only weeks old. But now, he was nothing more then a servant of the pack and of Wyndbain. Zel slowly climbed the hill, resting a few feet east of the other large wolf and looked at the lands that surrounded them.

A small chuckle finally left his throat, almost as if laughing to himself, 'They all look like rather large critters from here, don't they?' The questioned came out and he was looking around, almost like Ellimre and himself were old friends.

[/color][/center]

[Aveilthé]

Elemmíre whipped around and faced the wolf strolling from the hill.
Brows were lifted in quiet awe at the wolf's magnificence, and took
recognition for the wolf's obvious hover of his tail,
and understood immediately of his rank.

"In all manner of respect, I would salute to you, but as I am here
to claim the Alpha title, I will not show my belly to you. I will bow,
for that is the most formal greeting I can think of in this current
situation." Thus, he did. "Suicide? I have not thought of it quite like
that."

"My name is Elemmíre from the east, the Aist-móre of the Aist
tribe. I was their Alpha for the longest of time until dark events
unfolded, thus I have belonged to various wolf packs afterward. I
have been around, and quite experienced in many... many things.
I ask for you to please... scrutinize me prudently... I mean that
not offensively. Now... we are not quite strangers anymore.
You know my name, and a bit about myself. Might I ask for yours,
wolf?"

There was a hurtful offensive tone to Elemmíre's voice when the
other wolf spoke. "Then I will take this family into my paws if there is
none to accept my challenge. I ask not to rule it, only to lead;
you speak as if I want you all as my subjects. No, that is not what
I want. That is not an alpha's birthright! There is more to that,
to care for a pack, not to bade all these families as my servants! Are
they not a family?" He paused and shuffled his paws a bit
beneath him.

"I appologize if I have mislead you. I have seen the families here;
I have tread in their tracks, and I myself have longed to rejoin
my family who no longer exists on this plane. I only ask for
the chance to feel that... that feeling again, of a family. Yet I feel
the urge to place such responsibilities of leadership onto my
shoulders, along with your alpha female. Will you not fight me,
then? I promise, that the result of the battle will not let guilt
rest on your thoughts for whatever end may come for me.
I would never let that happen to you. Call me crazy... I would rather
bear whatever end I'll obtain. I miss my mate and pup with
such extremities, but I would rather die in the paws of any wolf.
If not that... then I want to raise this pack. Show them all I know,
show them love and care, and lead them to their bright future.
I will die or be Shinkou Ookami's leader, either way."

He finally sat back and looked upon the families. "They are all
beautiful," he replied dolefully and sincerely.

[Mama Z]

Patiently and quietly, Zel listened to the wolf. Inwardly, smiling at his determination. He finally looked at the wolf as he introduced himself. 'And I am Zel Forthwind, Spirit Guardian of the pack you see.' A sigh left his throat and he shifted, no laying down but his remained high. 'Im too old to fight for such a thing.' He commented not wanting a battle to spill blood right now, 'And if so I could certainly not kill another for such a thing.'

Tail slowly wagged back and forth, as if enjoying the banter. 'I assure you that I meant no offenise by my previous statements, but you dont understand. Our Alpha has recently died. Yueh was a great wolf. Its not us who determines who should lead us. Many want the position yes, by you might now know it but our world is in mourning. Coming in now would ruin the any respect you might possibly gain otherwise.' He took a breath once again watching the animal shift about below from the crest of the hill.

'You are stranger to these lands as I have already said,' Zel reaffirmed, 'You have a passion yes and thats quite encouraging, yet you cant lead those who dont want to be lead by you.'

[/color][/center]

[Aveilthé]

The Aist-móre's heart fell like a stone in water upon hearing this.
"Oh," he said lamely, hanging his head, "I didn't know..."

True to the fact that every pack had their problems. He was rash, to
jump into a pack and steal away the alpha position in the middle of
their crisis. He felt rightfully ashamed. Astonishing still are the
events he would soon learn!

So that is why there was only a solitairy alpha. It was almost
unnatural for a pack, as large as this, to be lead by a single wolf,
no matter how powerful they could be.

"You're right. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me... I
have already introduced myself to the pack with my challenging
call; perhaps I have either made a fool or an impression upon
the family as of late. Let me stay a while, and become a part of this
family before any new event unfolds. Perhaps that is the righter
way." With that said, Elemmíre shifted his large body down until he
was upon his belly before Zel. "I am at your service, Zel Forthwind,
honorable Spirit Guardian of Shinkou Ookami."

[Mama Z]

Ah, such ignorance some held, but rightfully so being a stranger to these lands he would have thought the same way. An impression he made but with the way these wolves were, he would surely be able to redeem himself rather quickly. Then the wolf jumped back slightly, surprised to see his new friend on his back and asking for forgiveness. He blinked then laughed as Elemmire slightly begged and mention honorable Spirit Guardian.

'Get up!' He commaned still laughing, 'No need for all that now, far too late for that.' He shook his head and then spun his head as he heard some ruffling through the foilage as another wolf appeared. This one almost the exact oppisate of Zels appereance. 'Ah, Zydeko! Come to join in some fun?' He questioned now shifting to sit up.

[/center]

The wolf that stood at the base of the hill was by far different then Zel. Slightly smaller then the Guardian, his fur all white. Hawk wings blended in perfectly with the color-less fur. His eyes were quite different as well, they started black where a pupil would be, however they faded into grey then into white. He looked first at Zel then at the wolf laying in front of him. His face IMpassive, revealing nothing of what he was thinking or feeling. 'I heard a challenge.' Was all he said, voice completely void of any other pitch or tone. It was a statement, a fact simple as that and nothing more.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Woah, you mean impassive? XD Passive is the exact opposite of impassive... impassive means someone who appears to have absolutely no expression, or portrays no expression whatsoever... passive simply means that a person who is submissive or subservient and will easily do whatever others ask/want them... like a bully would a kid; that kid would be passive, sorta kinda like the word introvert. e.e

Elemmíre cracked a small smile. "I concur," he replied, not wanting
to appear to be too docile; that wasn't at all his personality
and he was firm when it came to showing who he was. A
sudden urge to take to the skies once more was strong - to
view the rest of the packlands, to finish what he started, but
all was interrupted by the approach of another wolf. Thus he was
still lingering with Zel, and his apparent friend.

"Indeed, you have, or you would not be here," he replied to
Zydeko politely. "Perhaps you've come to answer it. I am sorry
to dissapoint you now... but I have to decline all responses for
now, for if it weren't for this fine wolf," he gestured Zel, "then
I would fight. I will still fight you, but now knowing the
circumstance of the pack, it is too early. And I have just arrived.
Let me know this pack better. That is all I ask."

Elemmíre felt that his change of heart was for the better. There
was still time for him, to learn about this vast family, and perhaps
earn the wolves' respect before his second challenge. He
felt that he needed to lead this family, but they were a very
strong and loving pack, with wordly leaders already, such as
the wolf Zel. Alas, he never forgot the promise he gave to himself -
to die by a wolf's paw, or to lead the pack. If he didn't have either
one of these, then there was nothing left for him. Nothing.

[Mama Z]

Eyes watched the wolf proudly protray his mistake. They turned only briefly to Zel once he was mentioned then snapped towards the other as he continued to speak. Zydeko? Fight for leadership? Yeah right. Being a leader meant being involved with others. Something that Deko rarely did. Time with family was all the socializing he needed, and desired. Thats all he asks, and thats all he would get.

He looked back at Zel, acting almost as Elemmire had never spoken to begin with, or as if he wasn't even there. 'Have you seen Galaxia?' He questioned, waiting for the answer from the Spirit Guardian.

[/color][/center]

The large wolf thought briefly, not surprised in Dekos interest (or no interest) in the wolf besides him. 'Hm,' He thought glancing around, trying to remember names and faces and scents and whatever else. 'I believe she was floating around the lake earlier, try there.'

A small nod was given and then white wolf turned around, heading towards the lake to continue his search.

[Aveilthé]

"Well," Elemmíre began gently as Zydeko walked away, "he seems
like a very unhappy fellow." His heart sank lower than ever;
were the wolves actually really cold here? Observing the families
earlier, he at first perceived them loving and peaceful. Elemmíre
meant no harm; his message was clear and true. As of now, he
looked up to Zel like a mentor. Zel seemed older than he, and
in his beliefs, aging was a precious honour. Elemmíre was of an
elderly age himself, and getting on in his years. He was considered
a middle-aged wolf in the aspects of Aist life; he was not immortal
like some wolves were granted. Thank the heavens for that.

[Mama Z]

Another chuckle left the his throat. 'Dont let Deko fool you, he's very loving towards those he knows.' The wolf shifted again, glancing up at the sky before looking back down at the blades of grass. 'I suppose if you want to be alpha some time in the future, you are going to have talk with Wyndbain, the Alpha Female.' Some where, Zel had some high hopes for this wolf. He had been thinking of trying to take up the position of Alpha, but he was getting old, almost now where he was about to retire and pass his position down to his own ken. Zydeko, actually was at the top of the list, along with Galaxia. But that was a different matter all together.

[/color][/center]

[Aveilthé]

"I see..." replied he, not sure of how to respond to Zel speaking
of Zydeko's churlish behaviour.

Elemmíre glanced at Zel quickly with confusion. "Hm, is that how
it works?" he wondered to him. "I suppose all wolf packs have
the same yet different system... I've been through plenty, and all
were mostly about killing off one another for such a position. It
was a sad sight indeed. For the pack's sake, I'll speak to this
Wyndbain, if that is what you think I should do. In my own tribe,
alpha roles were not handed down by birthrights. One had to prove
how strong they were - not by strength, mind you; more so by mind
and spirit also. We would fight without killing the leader, but to
let the old leader stay or flee by his or her choice. Learning about
different cultures from other wolf packs interests me a great deal.
It is to understand life itself, and that is beautiful." There was
a bit of a pause before curiousity gripped his heart.

"Would it be too boorish of me to inquire of the recently passing
Alpha? You have mentioned his name... it sounded like the good
chill of a breathy wind."

[Felypsa]

“He was killed by a monster,” a flat voice stated nearby, “while defending his pack. The monster was possibly the single greatest threat to the entire pack, and Yueh died fighting it.”

A dark shape stepped from the shadows, revealing the speaker. He was a massive wolf, of several years (perhaps six or seven). He was the last full-breed of the Mutatio wolves, who were annihilated five centuries prior. He was a proud father. He was also the Guardian Beta of the Shinkou Ookami wolves. His name was Goth.

His fur was as dark as a starless night sky, though his eyes were bright as twin golden moons. A huge wolf, he possessed black draconic wings that now lay passively along his back, almost completely hidden. He studied the new arrival, Elemmíre, who wished to become the pack’s Alpha. Whatever Goth thought of him, he did not reveal in his expression.

He came over to stand by his fellow guardian Zel. “Yueh was the brother of my beloved mate,” Goth said to Elemmíre softly. “I mourn his passing, but it breaks my heart to see her mourn, so grief-stricken. You wish to become Alpha of this pack? You will not only have to protect them and care for them, but you will have mend their hearts.” Goth’s golden eyes bore into Elemmíre’s. “Such a task can only be done by time. You have come too soon.”

Goth sighed a little. “But perhaps you realize this already. Yueh was a great Alpha, father, brother, and friend. He was strong in every way possible. He had many children, who are all as strong as he was. He was someone to look up to. My mate, Raven, loved him—so did their other brother, Keroberos. One could not look him in the eye and not feel both guilty for past wrongs and forgiven for such wrongs.” The great black wolf bowed his head. “Shinkou Ookami is not the only one to suffer from his death. The entire world suffers.”

[Mama Z]

Zel had been close to Yueh only as a friend. However, now seeing the ripples in the families eyes and hearts, only drug the otherwise cheerful wolf down a few notches. 'It has already been talked about Goth.' stated he with trying to switch off of the morbid subject of loss. They could speak of him lightly, but it was starting to get to him discussing him in a past manner.

[Aveilthé]

Once another wolf ventured into the two wolves' midst, the black
wolf raised his head. Goth spoke, his words having a deeper
impact. With what was said, he looked away and into the sky.

Elemmíre did not reply for a moment. He suddenly felt so small
amidst all these wolves, though in truth he was normally at a
towering height, but in his heart he felt like dissapearing. It was
not out of embarassment. Elemmíre's heart felt heavy, but not
because of Yueh. Though he listened intently, his thoughts were
back upon his dark past.

"All of you must be strong," he spoke after a while, "though he
has passed on you must not wallow in worry for long. It will only
eat away at you... as it has done to myself. I have lost a mate
and pup, and I miss them terribly. So much, in fact, I have dreamed
of being with them in another world - far from here. Countless of
times I have wished to be there with them. It is torture."

There was a moment of silence granted from Elemmíre, not for his family,
but for Yueh also. He spoke in an ancient tongue that he knew. It
was spoken from his kin as well. Once he looked up, he resumed
speaking. "I'll be here for you all to mend your wounds. We all must
find reason to keep living and to protect those we all love. That
is why your alpha had done what he did. That is what I want to do.
I have nothing left... nothing. I lost what was precious to me. I want
to protect those that are precious to others. Your alpha is in a place
now, where there will forever be light and peace. Someday, we all
will rejoin him. But first let us protect those we love. Let us rebuild
this world with light."

[Felypsa]

Goth bowed his head to his friend and fellow guardian, Zel. “Forgive me, Zel,” he said complacently, “I did not mean to be redundant.” The Guardian Beta then listened to the challenger’s words, feeling a deep but detached sympathy for the new arrival. “I am truly sorry for your loss,” he said sincerely. “I know if I were to lose my mate and children, I would not be able to live on…” He shuddered at the mere thought. “You praise us for our supposed strength, but I can speak only for myself when I say that this strength is not my own. It is Yueh’s. I am strong because he was strong.”

He paused and fixed Elemmíre’s gaze with his own. “And I believe you are strong, though I have known you only these few moments. But I cannot decide if you can lead this pack, rebuild the world as you say. That is not my decision to make, but Wyndbain’s, the strong widow of our Alpha Male, and the entire pack’s. I agree with what you say, however. I must protect those who are precious to me, my family and friends, and indeed the entire pack. Protection is not the duty of one alone, but of a great number of us, myself and Zel included.”

Goth then let out a drawn-out sigh. “Zel and Elemmíre, you are right. We must cease to drag our paws in the mud of the past, and look to the future of peaceful grassy plains. And we must all contribute to this.” He stood a little straighter, a little prouder, a little taller.