The Terrors of Dawn

[Liek]

Liek had followed Moon's scent, and found a likely place that her "pack" might gather. Now was the time for revenge. She would die today, tonight, this coming morning, by his claws. Growling with anticipation, he scored his claws along the red rock as he climbed it, making them needle sharp for the fight to come.

Of course, he doubted that this pack would let him get away with damaging their Alphess. So he would first have to reveal her past.

After that, he would challenge her and her alone. No one else would be allowed to interfere.

He knew her personality enough to know that she would not allow it.

"MOONPAW!" He howled tauntingly, daring her to come and meet him. "I know you're here, snuggling with your so-called-PACK. Come and meet your brother! He has some news for all of you, if you wish to hear it!"

Of course, he had no clue what he was getting himself into. Not exactly, anyways. All he knew was that Moon was here. And she couldn't just sit and ignore him calling her.

[Rune]

The shadow moved slowly over the land, the gait was slow yet completely sure. The smoothness seemed almost unreal for the wolf that Rune was. Though it was simple enough that Rune had grace on his toes but he was also strong enough to slaughter you with a swing of his claws. Runes ears were perked as he walked through the Brimhor lands. The heart of the pack was coming up quickly and his stride quickened. He had to check up in on the Healers den to make sure that the pack was doing well after the hard battle. He also wanted to see Irokana. Rune hated the fact that he had sold his heart to a she-devil but he could not take it back now. It would be soon when he would ask her to be his mate. To help him of course just to lead the pack. Rune shook his head at the foolish thoughts he wanted her as his mate because he needed her like a wolf needs water. And how the earth needs the sun. Growling at the thoughts Rune continued on. Though he froze in mid step as a unknown scent reached him and so close to the pack dens. Growling his snarl ripped through the air. Every muscle in his body was tensed and he was ready to attack. Walking silently through the forest, he knew this forest like he knew his own abilitys. He soon spotted the proud wolf standing atop his rock. How dare he! Growling he approached his hackles bristled. Forcing himself to calm down he flicked his tail over his back and his ears shot forward. Flicking his ears back in confusion as the male screamed out for a MoonPaw he snarled softly to himself. The pack had no moonpaw at all. Growlilng to anounce his pressence Rune quickly assended the rock and stood looking at the male. It would be a pretty evenly match if Rune and the wolf went at it but Rune knew these lands better and he was not tired from travel. The male stunk of a loner scent. "What brings you here Loner, why have you come to my packlands and demanded to speak with a wolf known as MoonPaw. There is no wolf here that goes by that name." Runes voice was calm but challenging. This wolf could not just walk in here and start making comands. Though he was welcome to join the pack by the looks of himself.

[Irokana]

Oh, Irokana heard the challenging howl alright. She heard it well. And at first, her mind didn't comprehend it. As she froze dead in the middle of camp, a snarl beginning to rise in her throat, she didnt' recognize it. But it soon became clear. This was... she knew who... that name...

It was indeed the sound of her name that alerted her to his presence. With a furious, terrifying snarl, she raced out of camp, bowling over any wolf that got in her way. Stopping only to throw on her fighting claws with some herbs, she continued out of camp and towards that rock- the one where the pack might have gathered for a meeting.

After nearly crashing into Rune, she stood bristling by his side, her eyes alight with growing fury. Her russet fur was bristling to make her look twice her size. She was obviously mad with anger. Trying brutally to calm herself, her claws dug into the dirt below her feet, and her nostrils flared wide with emotion. Then it was gone. Her expression cleared, and her pelt brushed Rune's with cold reassurance. A sinister smirk crossed her lips. She matched the large, dark brute on the rock's gaze with the same coldness he was giving her. She suddenly laughed, high pitched and humorous, just to show how little he meant to her.

"Fishpaw! How nice to see you again!" She fixed him with a pleasant smile and leaped onto the rock, brushing her pelt against his warmly with greeting. Though all her confusion and doubt flowed through her. It hit hard, the thought that her once-brother would be able to feel that in her. At least now he might put two and two together. "Thank goodness you're alive! I thought you had DROWNED in that RIVER! Oh, I went to get help but I guess I never got back in time. Its sooo nice to see you again at last! By the way, I go by Irokana now." The last sentence she hissed as a threat in his ear, her eyes glowing with malignant cruelty. Moonpaw.. that name was a thing of the distant past. Her ears flicked absently. That name hadn't represented who she was at all.

Then of course, Fishpaw's had been fitting. Seeing as she had meant to drown him in that river such a long time ago. Her expression at this moment was one of warmth, and her lips pushed out into a kind of pout, looking almost hurt that he seemed so furious at her. "Now now, brother. Don't be so cruel! I don't want them all to tear you to pieces now."

[Rune]

Rune could smell Irokana before she reached the packs meeting rock. His eyes intent on the male before him his growl tearing through the air. He knew not who this wolf had insulted but it angered him that a creature as such would do so without coming to be accepted first. A snarl reached Runes ears as his muscles bristled. A silent shiver ran down Runes back as Irokana touched him. Her bright red hair brushing aginst his corse thick brown and red coat. Taking his eyes away from the male for only a few seconds he watched Irokana bristle. He knew not why she was so strict and angry with this wolf until she spoke. His snarl was held back but his eyes held anger. So this was Irokana that the male had called for? Rune hated the idea of this male insulting the she-wolf that he held so close to himself. A lash of the tail and his body seemed to be ready to tear the male to pieces. They were a good match for one another, perhaps he would be the first wolf to ever cause Rune a problem in a fight, though Rune knew that he could easily kill the wolf. He was stronger looking but he did not judge a possibly enemy by the looks rather the spirit of the wolf. Licking his muzzle another growl escaped him. Watching as Irokana left his side his ears flicked back. 'Moonpaw?' He had never heard such a name before. He would have to ask her later about it, after all he would soon ask the most important question and he wanted to make sure that she was the wolf he thought she was. A smirk flashed over the males muzzle as Irokana began to smooth talk, her words insulting and disrespectful. Though this was the she-wolf he had given his heart to. Licking his muzzle slowly his eyes turned from one wolf to another. As Irokana finished off her insult to the male a low grumble was lifted in to the air from him. He would gladly rip the male apart if it was for Irokana. Runes body seemed to shake with the want for blood, he wanted to kill the male. Tear him to pieces. Rune smirked, Irokana had her bear claws on, meaning that she inteneded to cause this wolf harm that he would not easily forget. Remaing silent as the wolves argued he growled sharply. The two had a odd resemblance. Perhaps this was Irokanas brother?

[Irokana]

Liek bristled at Moonpaw's touch. His lips pulled back in a snarl. Her eyes were soft and gentle, as was her voice, but her intent was cruel. That enough was insult.

His claws were thorn-sharp. It was obvious that he was Moonpaw's brother. Both of them took great care to look and act a threat- although Moon was the killer.

Her words brought back painful memories, and he couldn't help it. With a sharp growl, he spat right in her face. She flinched and brushed it off like it was nothing, flicking her tail for the big brute below not to move. Her new mate maybe? Now her eyes were cold. One claw was raised absently in the air, and she flexed the pearly white reinforced tip. That could shred a wolf's stomach and leave them drowning in their own blood.

Liek took a fragile step away from her, his claws scraping a thin indent into the red rock below his paws. His pale eyes narrowed. He was nearly blind from trauma so long ago, but he could still see her clearly enough. Her image- so annoyingly pure, and so evil at once. "I did not come to fight you, my sister." He hissed. "In fact, I suppose I might join your pack. If only you would repent for trying to drown me." That was a lie. He would never sleep while she was alive- she had to die to repent.

Iro's eyes were wide and disbelieving. She knew what he was saying."Drown you? Why would I do such a thing! Very well, if you want me to repent, I will do so anyways. I'm sorry, Fishpaw. Fishpaw, Fishpaw. We'll have to teach you to swim soon, won't we?"

Liek flinched. His name. She said it as an insult. Teach him to swim?! Was she going to try drowning him again?! And her apology was no where near true. He hissed, but had to accept it. With a dip of his head, he allowed the midnight black fur along his back to lay flat. Very well...

Iro dipped her head. "Okay. Rune, is that alright? Will you let my brother join the pack? He's a bit fierce right now, but normally he would never hurt a fly. He could be SOMEWHAT useful. And besides, he's an echo of the past..."

He flinched. Her eyes had flicked to him at the word 'echo.' That was a question. Was Echosong alive? His eyes turned to meet her's. "That Echo will haunt my nightmares forever... Iro. And by the way- call me Liek."

[Rune]

The want to attack, the need to spill blood made Rune tremble. His eyes never leaving this male that had so clearly challenged Irokana. The though of him joining the pack slightly suprised him though it would be a interesting combination to have Irokana with her brother. Listening as they sqwabbled back and forth he snarled and took a step forward then the wolf spat in Irokanas face. Though he stopped reluctant when the burn red she-wolf flicked her tail for him to remain calm. This seemed to anger him, after all he was the alpha and she had no right to tell him what to do. A warning snarl escaped his muzzle as he stepped forward, to be level with Irokanas shoulders. The male had clearly disregarded what he had asked of him only causing Rune to tremble slightly with rage. It was often easy to tell when Rune was angry. His body often show signs of it, though this was only when he was not in a cunning mood. After all he had learned to control it so that he did not allow a enemy to relize he was on the verge of attacking. Taking a deep breath in Rune turned away to ponder the question. This wolf was a threat to Irokana though she seemed willing to accept him, though as the name Liek reached his senses he growled slowly. They had both changed there titles and now they were together again? How could this Liek forgive Irokana for attempting to drown him? Rune was not a dull wolf, and he knew Irokana well enough that when she used that tone of vocie she was clearly lieing or being sarcastic. Licking his muzzle slowly Rune turned his head back to the wolf. "Ah, so you wish to join. After you insult my pack and a pack member of mine. You wish to join?" Runes voice seemed to come out in snaps his eyes furious, the color of blood seemed to swirl around in his eyes. "I am Rune, to start things off on the right foot. Where have you come from male and why dont you give me your name?" Rune looked at Irokana almost angry and bared his fangs at her. He was not one to easily be left out of the loop and be disregarded as another wolf. He was the alpha of Brimhor and Irokana was his lower ranking wolf. She was not his alpha yet and she had no place to disrespect him in such a way. His tail lashed back and forth with anger as he stood waiting for the due respect from both the wolves. Brother like Sister? Rune smirked at the thought. Letting the tension slowly receed from his shoulders he watched the two carefully, he was not unprepared to attack but he was not in anyway afraid of either one of these wolves.

[Liek]

Liek's ears twitched. He dipped his head in deepest respect for the brute who stood below. This wolf had a good point. He hadn't quite realized what he had been doing until it was over. "Forgive me sir. My words were only for Irokana's ears. Allow me to explain myself. I suppose now I shall go by the name Liek, although once I went by Fishpaw. We were swimming in a river once, and Iro attempted to drown me to test her skills and get me out of the way, I think. I came here to seek revenge, but I suppose that won't happen if she denies she ever did anything. So yes, if you will have me I will join your pack. Forgive my rudeness, you have my deepest gratitude for not tearing me to pieces."

His voice was cool and respectful. The only wolf he had hate for, truly, was Iro. She must die. Any other wolf that got in his way would be eliminated. He would make sure of that. He was pure evil now- more evil than Iro even, because he had a clear goal. She wanted to rule. He wanted to kill.

His claws flexed as he met Iro's wide eyes. There was true shock in them now. She hadn't expected any of this. She had meant for him to die. He had survived. She had somewhat meant for Echosong to live, if any of their siblings. Echo was dead. That alone could be dangerous. Echo had had a strange connection with the spirit world. She had been small and blind and pure. What did Iro want with her? Or was it more like fear that her being dead was worse than her being alive? Did Iro know something he didn't?

Obviously, she did. But she wasn't about to reveal it in sight of all these wolves. "Forgive me, Rune. I'll explain it in detail later. I wasn't expecting this to happen." She cast Liek a sly grin, and then Rune a shockingly warm glance. Liek almost took a few steps back at the emotion hidden in her multicolored orbs. They were pools of love- or was that just a trick? No, it couldn't have been. It looked too real to be a trick. Liek was almost blind, and he could already see that even if she was trying her hardest to show it just so Rune would listen to her, some love in there was true. That was a scary thought.

This Rune must be an evil creature if he is strong enough to capture the heart of a demon. Though it will never be truly his. She is sold to death.

"Somehow, echos of the past always come back to haunt us. Its like that... if you catch my drift." The words were mainly for Liek, as her eyes turned sharply to him.

Then he understood.

Echo hadn't been normal at all. She had had a much bigger connection with the gods than anyone had ever thought- except Irokana. So that meant that she would be reborn, if she wasn't already. And not only would she be reborn- she would go to the most holy wolves in the land. The Tathar. A Tathar pup had or would be born, and she would have the same connection with the gods, and she would be Echo. Even if this pup didn't know it herself. The events to come were undeniable.

Irokana knew this. She had all along. And half the answer to the equation was in the nursery at this very moment- was it Echo? No, it was not. Echo was somewhere else. Iro had made a grave mistake in leaving one pup, or at least she might have chosen the other if she had known.

This could change the world.

[Rune]

Runes body seemed to ripple with every movement of his body, his eyes seemed to calm though as the respectful tone that came from the male, he watched Irokana carefully his anger still building against her. She had showed him some very strong qualitys he would have to consider before allowing this she-wolf to become his alphess. Snarling once more as a warning the male looked off the rock, he could see a few shadows lurking in the grass around the rock, they had heard there alphas angry snarls and this seemed to make the pack uneasy. Though the anticapation grew, they wanted to see a fight. They were always ready to watch a death happen before there eyes. A snarl escaped Runes muzzle though it was directed towards Irokana this time, his eyes were bright as he looked at her. He showed no love or compassion for her now, though as he turned to Liek a smirk layed apon his face. Flicking his tail over his back Rune lifted his body higher in to the air, showing power and control. His eyes seemed to flash as he watched both wolves. At once again the request from Liek to join his pack a flash of fangs could be seen, though it was much rather a snarling grin. A wolf had to be evil enough to kill without much trouble, clearly this male had the size and the build. Though there was not much to him that was evil. Liek would be a good fighter but would he show mercy to another pack? Would he back down when the time came to kill? Rune considered these things carefully he snapped his eyes towards Irokana when she spoke the almost soft words to him. The eyes of the monster danced in to Irokanas and his seemed to pool around her. Was this compassion? Though Rune knew Irokana well enough that she was a very manipulative she-wolf. Returning a soft gesture of forgivness to her his eyes turned to Liek again. "Now Liek as you call yourself, in order to join Brimhor you must not be afraid to kill. Not out of revenge, out of pure blood hunger. You must be willing to kill at my comand with no doubt in your mind. Are you capable of this male? Because if your not you had better turn tail and seek another pack to join."Rune flicked a glare a wolf that had showed himself at the base of the rock. The male seemed to be enchanted by the world kill....kill it woudl be easy for him. He was large and masive. Looking back and Irokana he spoke much qieter. "We shall speak later." The voice seemed to come in a snarl his eyes bright and daring. He was truely a devilish creature, he would easily kill this she-wolf if she ofered any threat to him. Though she was the only she-wolf besides the god forsaken Calypsis he had given his heart to.

[Irokana]

((hey, I have no muse for Liek. I'm kind of trying to drift away from roleplaying animals so much, so I want to kill him off, and any plots I have for him. PM me Luper, I want to talk to you about this.))

Irokana's nose twitched and she bowed her head with slight shame, her eyes bright pools of hatred and flame. Why was Rune acting this way? It wasn't her fault that her dead brother had seemingly come back to life to haunt her with memories of the past, and was being a total nuisance. She should have killed this stupid alpha when she had the chance, if he was going to be so idiotic.

Liek looked amused, his blue-gray eyes flashing as he turned to Rune. "No, I suppose I'm not strong enough to kill like that. I have to have some motivation. But I'm sure I can manage." He offered a cold, sinister grimace, scraping his needle-sharp claws across the rock again, deepening the marks he had already left there. Red dust from the rock was already staining his paws as if with dry blood. The look was rather sinister.

"Then again, motivation is very hard to find. Of course, I would hope that you wouldn't want to turn down a possible member. Not to insult your intelligence in the slightest; you seem very wise; but it doesn't seem very smart."

He grinned wildly, licking his lips.