“Is there a reason we still haven’t moved the Den to the two-leg’s house? For the puppies, she would no doubt bend over backwards to figure out a way to create a superior Den for us all, Mudslide. I have seen the way she looks at the young, it is the same way the Emperor’s daughter looked at them.” Fang said, the old grandfatherly mien he used around Eve gone. Mudslide sighed, Fang had become extremely attached to the young human, as he did with any honorable human. It was something Mudslide understood as well, and thus didn’t comment on excessively.

Fang’s aura was a commanding presence that filled the Alpha’s personal room in the Den, equal to Mudslide’s own which made sense being he was the previous Alpha of the Pack. Only old age had robbed Fang of the absolute power to command, yet his words still carried great weight in the ears of others. Age, and the unwillingness to have his own daughter berate him if he were to beat Mudslide for the position he had vacated kept him from making issues very often. Mudslide focused once more as Fang continued on, “She used cunning to murder the Giant Stone Bear, and I gave no assistance as you ordered.” his voice disapproving before he said, “She might have taken an hour to do it, but eventually it died. Granted she also took a blow that ripped across her back, but the beast is dead. She has learned that she is not invincible as you desired, and that mana-infused teeth, claws, or enchanted weapons will still harm her body.”

“Fang, all two-legs cannot be trusted fully. You know this, you of all of us, were there when the Emperor was betrayed. You cannot replace one honorable human with another, no matter how similar she appears.” Mudslide said, attempting to explain his decision to the older wolf. The Alpha realized his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth and winced at the fury that appeared on Fang’s lupine countenance.

“Yes, pup.” Fang spat, his voice filled with venom, “I was there when the Emperor fell. I was there when he used the last of his power, not to strike back at his attackers, but to ensure the Pack survived. I watched as the only human that I fully trusted fed the last of his power into your broken and dying form in order to effect the Pack’s escape. Do not speak to me as if you understand how much I lost that day.” Fang said, his voice vibrating as the air around him grew restless.

Slowly the dim glow of power receded as the older wolf regained control of his emotions a tired expression replaced his previous rage before Fang said, “We are much diminished from before. This was why I agreed with my daughter when she requested that I step down when you challenged for Alpha. You do not have to explain to the others of the Pack, but explain to me, please as a favor to an Elder. Why are we not trusting the two-leg youngling Eve Smith?” Mudslide opened his mouth and Fang beat him to it saying, “And do not bring up the fact that I was fed two meals when you only received one. Have some dignity, my Alpha.”

Mudslide’s jaw snapped shut as he thought, Unfair! I’m the Alpha here, I should have gotten two meals not this old monster! He quickly recovered before saying, “The human called Eve Smith is strange. No, I am not talking about her complete ignorance of the Hunt, bizarre as it is. Nor do I speak of her strange plant servant that looks at us like we are food on the chopping block, even though it has never made a move to harm us.” Mudslide paused for effect before stating firmly, “Admit it, you have felt it too. So similar to the one we lost, only stronger!”

Fang looked to the side before saying, “It could be any number of reasons. She grows fast, faster than any human I have ever seen, yes. Surely, such growth must have a secret to it, without question, or this world could have no other Races besides them left alive.”

Mudslide’s voice took on the power of the Alpha as he continued, “Admit it! You know as well as I that the closest thing to such an aura is a Dragon!” Mudslide said, his voice no longer brooking argument, he could not back down now, not with the safety of all at stake. “Dragons are peculiar, and we cannot trust one associated with them! I will not put our Pack beside one who cannot be trusted fully. The risk is too great. We stay separated, this is final.”

Fang looked back at him before sighing and saying, “Fine. This reasoning, makes sense. At least you haven’t lost all sense of propriety after being fed delicious foods. I guess I will be forced to continue watching Eve Smith.” Fang’s tone turned sly, “Ah! The tragedy of being forced to eat the most delicious meats, the most succulent plants, the most wonderful spices! The horror! The agony! But, do my duty for the Pack I will!”

Mudslide’s face grew disgusted as he stared at the older wolf before he responded, “Vile old thing! If it wasn’t for her taking pity on such a shameless beggar, you would never have been given a scrap! Just wait till I tell All-Right how her beloved father has been getting fat eating human made meals without her!”

“Ah!” Fang’s expression morphed into shock, “Traitor! You dare to bring my daughter into this!” Fang said, his expression fierce. “As long as she is gone, I have no fear of such a slowpoke like you!” Fang increased the Air around his body moving in to shoulder rush the younger wolf in a playful mock attack.

“You dare! Traitor! Betrayer! Dog!” Mudslide said, quickly using his own Earth to evade. “I’ll see you get a vile punishment for this unwarranted attacking of your Alpha! That’s right, it’s Nursery duty for you, now!”

“It appears you have grown too big for your fur.” Fang said his eyes bright as he circled Mudslide before saying, “Let this this Elder give you a good lesson.” Fang said, moving closer with uncanny steps.

Mudslide realized the path this conversation was taking didn’t favor him and quickly escaped through the room’s exit leaving with a parting shot, “I need to go inspect the dwelling of Eve Smith to make sure it is safe!” Mudslide turned to give a devious grin at Fang before continuing, “Oh! It is almost the time of the lunching! I will be sure to inform her that there is no need to prepare a plate for you, hah!” Mudslide then escaped the room quickly using his power over the Element of Earth to seal the entrance. It wouldn’t hold forever against the older wolf, however it would be enough to ensure he reached Eve’s house without being dragged off for ‘training’ by Fang.

As he headed out he said to one of the Den Guardians while maintaining a majestic aura, “Fang will be taking duty with the young today. He said they remind him of his youth, make sure he doesn’t skip on his duties.”

The shadow wolf named Umbra nodded firmly before moving to stand in front of exit to the Alpha’s room. Mudslide slipped into the earth in order to ensure he was out of Fang’s sight before moving under the ground with haste. Delay could only end badly if he stuck around, now.

Smartest wolf always wins, just like All-Right keeps telling me.. Mudslide thought. Now I just have to ensure I have a good excuse when All-Right hears of this. She should be back shortly from investigating those suspicious traces at the Forest’s Edge.

Racing through the forest floor he used his abilities to move through the earth with ease. While the food at Eve’s house was delicious, he made sure to eat before arriving. Several rabbits, a snake that was too slow, and a small deer landed in his stomach. Eventually he arrived just outside the reach of the Kudzu, Eve’s plant servant. Mudslide was always wary of attack by the plant, who emitted a thirst for blood that any other predator in the forest could feel. The corpses of fresh kills from the stupid avian species that were idiotic enough to fall for the vine’s traps littered the upper layer the creature.

“Kudzu, I am here.” Mudslide said, his voice neutral. It wouldn’t do to annoy the plant that guarded Eve. While he wouldn’t come to harm, there were a number of ways the plant could cause him irritation. The last time he had attempted to meet Eve while she was sleeping, Kudzu had used a particular itchy pollen to drive him off.

His parting words as Mudslide escaped were, “You are not on the list. Only the one known as Fang is allowed unfettered access to the Slicer.” Mudslide had been impressed at the fact that the sentient plant could spell, much less insult him using its vines.

Attempts to go through the earth had proven less than wise. When he tried, Mudslide had woken hanging upside down on a tree outside the clearing, with no memory of how it happened. Fang had been watching him when he woke up with a massive shit eating grin on his face.

Mudslide still shuddered at the memory of having to explain what happened to All-Right, while Fang simply sat on his haunches nearby keeping silent. He didn’t have a clue how Kudzu had countered him under the earth, when it was his own Element, and he had no desire to experience it again.

To tame such a beast, only a Dragon’s power could do it. Mudslide thought, his face sad. So ignorant, yet with such power. If only the Emperor had met her when he was alive. There is no doubt he would be alive today with such an ally by his side. She would have a human that even the Pack trusted to guide her growth. Now she stumbles about, Power without knowledge, Knowledge without training, a terrifying monster growing in the Forest without check.

Mudslide had been barely out of the Nursery when the Emperor was attacked. It had been his power over the Element of Earth the great human ruler had boosted, all in a gambit to ensure the only servants that refused to betray him lived on. It had cost the human ruler his life, yet had ensured the Pack’s escape from the deathtrap the capital had become when he was betrayed. It still amazed Mudslide to this day how they had managed not to lose a single member of the Pack in the ensuing escape.

The memories of those who betrayed the Emperor rose with the memory of the Pack’s escape. Mudslide snarled as he moved through the vine maze at the names that had been written into their Song. The Pack’s memory was long, as long as the Hunt had existed, and they were not a kind species to cross.

Meavan, Lanmas, Maildi, Leewstu, Aitmurn. Mudslide thought. The names of the Betrayers oh so noble House’s. The Pack remembers and in time, we will repay our debts, fully. There will be a night of teeth, claws, screams, and blood I swear it.

Mudslide had never told the older wolves how he planned to slowly move deeper into the forest. From the edges, to the outer ring, from the outer ring to the middle ring, then the inner, and finally the center. It would be a long trip, taking them over a century at the fastest according to memories in the Song. Once they were secure in the center though, the Pack’s true strength would return without fail.

When they were hundreds strong again, when they were better than before, an unstoppable tide of fur, claw, fang, and magic they would return to repay the Emperor. The terror of the Empire’s Legion of the Wolf would be remembered, and the betrayer’s would find themselves written out of history.

Do not worry. Mudslide thought towards the old Emperor’s spirit. The Pack will ensure your killers are wiped from this world and the next. Had the Emperor’s Ancestor not died without telling us of his passing, we could have prevented the Fall.

Mudslide had been given several things as the Pack escaped, not the least of which was a complete series of Evolutions. Each of the Paths described in the scrolls they had fled with laid bare the secrets of gaining Power. There were other things written, some which defied understanding. He still didn’t understand the concept of ‘small unit tactics’ or ‘elite commando strike forces’ to date, however it was only a matter of time. All-Right was the smartest female he had ever laid eyes on, and given time he was certain she would decipher the words. If not now, then within the century ahead, certainly.

Before knocking on Eve’s door, he checked his Status out of paranoia. It was always possible the Kudzu had done something that he didn’t catch.

Name: Mudslide

Race: Deep Forest Wolf

Class: Alpha Earthrunner

Level: 37

Health: 370/370 (3.7 hps regen)

Stamina: 740/740 (111 sps regen)

Stats: Str 74, Dex 74, Con 37, Wis 37, Int 37

Free Stats: 0

Skills:

Earth Running

Iron Fang

Iron Claw

Detect Vibration

Spells:

Clean Fur

Mental Talents:

Steel Mind

Physical Talents:

Iron Body

The strength granted by the Emperor’s gifts was incredible, and one of the reasons he was honor-bound to repay the old ruler. There were Paths for every Element, and each expanded the basic foundation to titanic levels. As the door opened and the delicious scents wafted out, Mudslide made a decision that would change the fate of his people.

He decided he would show the scrolls to Eve as a repayment for not moving her into the Den, or his people into her Den. It would be a fitting gesture, and he knew she wouldn’t care for what she saw on the scrolls. Not when a Dragon or something even more powerful was helping her.