And Death to you all. 30

As Ranjer looked up, there on the hill sitting on the backs of dog beasts sat a line of short furred, long-eared Dog men in neat gold and silver band like armor. Each one was armed with a spear, a long sword, a short sword and either a bow or a club for short range fighting.
"Move away from the Master's pits Human." Snarled the lead warrior. Ranjer looked at the others, then stood up to face them.
"Who are you?" Ranjer called out with his hand on his hilt. "My orders were to bring them in to be judged by the Master. He never said anything about an escort."
"That's because he never gave you those orders," He yelled as he climbed down off his mount. "I am General Clav Do' gon. I am in charge of all of Mancora's armies and troops. Mulu took a chance on you thinking you might be some help with destroying the Tigaren's and Pantheren's but that doesn't seem to be the case. You will stand forward and allow my warriors to take you into our custody, or we will take you by force. What will it be?"
[Listen everyone.] Ranjer sent out. [This isn't going as easy as I thought it would. Deja, you free out friends trapped in the pits while Kifedi, Ferel and I hold these troop back. Move as fast as you can, I get the feeling we might need a little help. I don't think General Do' gon is going to take my bullshit for very long.]
[Be fast my love,] Kifedi kissed Deja. [Do'gon is known for his cruelty. I will not allow him to take us. I will kill to prevent that.]
As Ranjer looked up and down at the troop Do'gon had brought with him, he had to admit to himself that these warriors looked ready and able to do some real damage on him and the others. Ranjer couldn't let that happen. He also couldn't allow Quynn, Sky and the others to spend one more night in the hands of that Aspanan dictator. Mulu had destroyed many communities all across Aspana and they had no idea what he would do next. But there is one thing they all knew. He had to be stopped before his army was so big that he was a treat to the reason of Keanna.
Turning his charm up, Ranjer walked out to stand mere feet away from the Hyenen General. His aura of manliness and sexuality flowed out to overwhelm the general's senses. To Do'gon, Ranjer suddenly seemed taller and more muscular. He was more than handsome with a sparkle in his eyes and smile that had the General's heart pumping like mad.
"There must be some mistake," Ranjer said with an innocent look. "I'm not the dangerous one here. It wasn't me that attacked Starspeak and burned the Aerie to ash. I didn't order Goren's wife beaten and beheaded. I didn't order you and your troops to butcher innocent towns and villages. Mulu did this. He's the one that betrayed you, but here you are now ready to attack me."
General Do' gon stared at Ranjer unsure of what to say or how to react. He felt a sudden surge of adrenaline and the rise of his penis in his armor. He was turned on by the Human. There was no doubt about that, but what should he do about it? He had to find a way to get him alone, then he could make his advance toward him.
With his hand up, he signaled his lieutenant to stand at ease, then he started forward toward Ranjer and his rebels.
"General?" Lieutenant Osten called. "What are you doing?"
"Take the others." Do'gon ordered. "Leave him to me."
"NOW!"
Spreading his arms, Ranjer blasted the warrior line taking down five Dog warriors then leaped into the air shifting to his Eagle form. Behind him, Ferel pulled his sword and dived in slicing left then right, a stab to the center as he flipped and cut down his fourth victim. Kifedi howled and took his Demondog form. With extended arms, he grabbed two warriors and threw them at the line where they crashed down into the crowd knocking out another two warriors. From high above, Ranjer streaked then dived down slashing at a warrior as he pulled his sword to defend himself. He slashed high over his head trying to cut the eagle down. Shifting again, Ranjer fell hard stabbing down with his sword. The warrior gasped as blood bubbled out from his dying lips.
Standing at the lip of the pit, Deja searched the rim for a way to break the spell holding the prisoner in. She couldn't tell who was in the pit. But she knew whoever it was, they were an enemy of Mulu. That made them a possible friend to her. Breaking them free might give them a reason to join with them against the Hyenen. Scattered all around the top of the pit, Deja saw bones scattered like small rocks. Embedded into the ground in four even places, there were yellow crystals that glowed with power. That had to be it. Reaching out she grabbed a stone and slammed it down into a crystal and scattered it. With a flash of light, the spell broke freeing its prisoner. Stepping closer to the rim, Deja gazed down to see who the prisoner in the pit was. Suddenly there was a roar and something leaped out over Deja's head. Turning around, Deja found herself standing face to face with a five-foot tan lion.
"Sakura? Is that you?"
[Yes.] He sent as he leaped into battle. [Get the others out. We'll take care of these Mutts.]
Snarling with anger, Sakura smacked a warrior dragging his claws across his chest. As he spun around, a warrior raised his sword aiming to drive it through Sakura's back. With a mighty thrust, the sword fell and snapped into three pieces and fell clattering to the floor. Confused, the warrior stood there opened mouthed. Then Ranjer was on him, appearing out of the mist where he had deflected the blow on Sakura's back.
[My thanks. friend.] Sakura sent as he shifted back to his normal form and grabbed a warrior and punched him twice in the face and then in his gut, as it fell, Sakura reached down and grabbed its sword. Armed and ready, Sakura jumped to Ferel's side and helped him keep the warriors from interrupting the battle being fought by the two leaders.
Armed with the Punisher, a weapon forged and created in Settlement by Jandar and Dreik. Ranjer and General Do'gon faced off.
"Your spell has worn off Human," Do' gon said as they walked in a circle. "I know who you are now."
"You know nothing General." Ranjer laughed as his eyes started to glow. "I am not what you think I am. I am much more than a Human. I am Ranjer Davelo Zlenka Tyr, prince of Vasagi and Tir Na. I will give you this chance to turn and leave and it will be as if we never met. But if you raise your sword to me, your life will end here. Is Mulu really worth all that? Decide now."
Without any further conversation, Do' gon charged in with his sword raised and ready to fight. His sword swung down slamming into Punisher then he spun slamming twice at Ranger's side. Punisher followed Do'gon's swing with an effortless style then swung around to deliver and blow to Do'gon's side slicing through his chainmail. With a groan, Do' gon stabbed in then kicked out into Ranjer's knee. For a second his knee buckled but as Do' gon tried to take advantage, Punisher was there to counter his blow.
As Mulu's troops fell and Quynn, Sky, and Astan made their way out of the pits, Do'gon backed away from Ranjer. He had lost and Mancoro was now in the enemies hands. Mulu's outrage could be heard echoing through the hills and the streets and home of what was once his home.
[YOU HAVE FAILED ME DO'GON AND LOST MY HOME!!]
"I'm sorry Master!" He screamed. "I tried but they were more powerful than my troops and I."
[YOU WANT POWER?]
"Yes." He yelled. "To defeat your enemies, give me the power!!!"
[Very well.] Mulu said. [I will give you what you want. I will give you more than you can handle.]
As Do' gon backed away laughing, his body started to give off a strange glow. Ready to continue their battle, Ranjer stepped up and started spinning his hands as he launched his next spell. Blue bolts of power shot from his hands. They hit like hammers rocking Do'gon as he absorbed the energy. Curious, Astan sent two shots at Do'gon and watched as they were taken into him.
"No more!" Kifedi grabbed Ranjer. "Get away! Mulu is filling him with some kind of deadly energy. We must run and get away from here!"
Looking around, Sakura notices there was still one pit that hadn't been opened and his father wasn't there with them. Taking off in a run, he screamed to Astan.
"Love, there's one more pit there! It must be my father! We have to get him out!"
Together Sakura and Astan dived to the ground at the rim of the pit. This one was different than the one they had been in. There was no crystal generating power to keep its prisoner in. This one was being held by a complex spell that only Astan could see. Turning quickly, Astan grabbed Sakura.
"You must take the others and go." He gave him a quick kiss. "I will stay to break the spell."
"No!" Sakura cried. "We can do it together. I won't leave you!"
"You have to Love." Astan weaved a spell and cast it at Sakura. "I will need all my concentration to unweave the spell. I won’t have the power to protect us both. I love you Sakura. Now go!"
As Sakura disappeared, Astan reached out and took the strings of power in separated the reds from the green.
Out on the field, Do'gon had grown to ten feet as he reached for Kifedi who was last away right behind Deja. As Do'gon's hand wrapped around Kifedi, he lifted him then squeezed his hand close. Turning back, Deja screamed as she watched her love disappear in the hands of the monster. Seeing Deja scream, Quynn grabbed her and pulled her away while she yelled to let her go back for him.
"I WILL BRING DEATH TO YOU ALL!!!!!!"
Now Do'gon stood close to twenty feet tall and he was glowing so bright that he scared the people of Mancoro out of the village and into the jungle. With thunder like steps, Do' gon turned and saw Astan busy unraveling the strand of Msia's prison. In two steps he was there towering over the Tigaren who never stopped. With a maniacal burst of laughter, Do'gon slammed his foot down on the pit. Just then, Do' gon blew up, the explosion blasted an area of fifty feet around the pit devastating the village and all the jungle around it.
As Sakura sat up and brushed away the debris, he looked into the into where his mate had been working to free his father. There was nothing there except the burned remains of the Hyenen village.
"ASTAN!!!!!"
Getting to their feet, Sakura, Quynn, Sky, Ferel, and Deja ran hoping over debris and around potholes that covered the ground.
"Where is he?" Sakura said frantically digging and throwing debris as he searched for his love. Deja stood to the side crying, mourning the loss of her Hyenen mate. As Quynn and Sky joined the search, a shadow dropped down from above.
"I'm here Love," Astan called out. "So is Kifedi. We're safe."
As Inferno came down to land, Astan and Kifedi jumped down off his back. With tears in their eyes, Deja and Sakura ran to their mates and grabbed then in a tight hug and held on tight.
"I thought I lost you," Sakura said in his ear. "Please don't scare me like that again."
"But it’s Ok for you to go jumping into every battle you can find." Astan pushed away from Sakura. "I love you but I'm not an innocent child."
"Astan." Sakura frowned. "I'm the prince of Panthera and I have to protect both you and my country."
"Right, and I'm the Prince of Tigar and I have the same duties. I'm not a child, I'm a fully powered warlock and I can protect myself. I trust you to be a warrior, why can't you trust me?"
"I'm sorry Love." Sakura pulled him into his arms and kissed him. "I'll try and do better from now on."
"You better." Astan smiled.
"As Quynn and Sky watched, Sky turned to Quynn with an accusing look.
"I know," Quynn said. "I'll do better too."
After a hug and a kiss, Quynn went over to where Ranjer stood with Ferel.
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Ranjer frowned. "What did you expect your parents would do? You lucky it’s not Dreik, Denner and Tomar."
"So. What are we doing now?" Ferel asked.
"We go and finish this war," Msia said. "We go home, I'm sure that's where Mulu is."
After a search of what was left of Mulu's house, they started on their way north to Tigaress and Panthera. In a blasted tree outside the gate of Mancoro, something dark watched then left to report back to its Master. Now the hard part will begin.

On a hill over the border of Jameri, Aggar studied the maps of the region. There were Hyenens to the right and Jackals to the left. The only way to go was straight up the middle but there could be Jackals and Hyenens already there waiting for them. As he looked out at the horizon, Pretoni Janks, the chief of a Jaguar clan came up to stand at his side.
"What troubles you, my friend?"
"This." Aggar pointed at the map. "We're trapped here. The Hyenens are here and here while the Jackel’s are here blocking our way."
"Well, can't we go here straight up the middle?" Pretoni traced a line straight through the Elephant grazing land.
"Yeah, we could." Aggar nodded with a frown. "But we don't know what's in there. It could be a trap. Perfect place for it, don't you agree?"
"Yes." Pretoni agreed. "They could be stationed right behind that ridge. What do you suggest?"
"I have a friend who might be able to help."  Turning away from Pretoni, Aggar told him to wait here, then he started up to his white tent. There, he found Akani staring blindly into space. Aggar knew that look wasn't good, he had seen it before."
"What is it?"
"We haven't made any headway into finding a new place for a Dragon. Dread not happy."
"Right now Akani," Aggar said, "I'm not sure we can find five people we can trust. Granting someone with Dragon status is not easy, we have to find the right one. Explain that to Dread. Tell him we are searching."
As Akani turned and looked to the west, his eyes glazed over as he lost contact with Aggar. He mumbled something then nodded and his eyes cleared.
"Dread understands and he says he'll give us more time. But he won't wait forever. He wants us to find two candidates within the next month. I think we can do it."
"So do I." Aggar shook his hand. "If we can end the war. Right now I need your help. We have to get back to Msia and my daughter Deja. To do that, we'll have to get our warriors through and back on the road to Tigaress."
"It won't be easy." Akani said. "As a matter of fact, it could be impossible."
"Have faith, my friend. Aspana still has heroes to protect it. Mulu hasn't won yet."
"Then let’s get on with it." Akani stood up and shook Aggar's hand. "We have a war to win."
After explaining their plan to Pretoni, Aggar and Akani headed out onto the savanna to open the way for their warriors to advance.

As the noon sun shined down on Tigaress, Palas dropped down from the sky at the city's main gate. He was surprised to find it open and unguarded. Hyenen's could walk in and take the city with very little effort. Something was wrong here and he was going to find out what it was. With his talons out and ready to fight, Palas entered the gate. The city was quiet, there was no one out and moving around the usually busy streets. As he looked to his left, Palas saw three Tigaren warriors laid out outside of the gatehouse. Hurrying over, he checked for a pulse. It was strong and steady. They were alive, unconscious, and not dead.
Moving on. Palas headed into the market place. There were Tigarens everywhere. It looked as if they had been going on with their normal day, and suddenly they dropped right where they were, bags and packages right at their sides. From the marketplace, Palas moved into the suburbs and the outer homes of Tinpa. It was clean and properly kept with fountains and parks and more of its citizens lying about asleep in the grass.
As Palas searched the city, an ominous feeling came over him. He knew Mulu and his troops were on their way to Tinpa. This might not be his work, but it had to be the work of one of his minions and for sure he would be coming to take advantage of it.
Spreading his wings, Palas shifted to his hawk form and took off for the palace. He flew high over the noble section of Tinpa heading straight for Yonas castle. Outside of the castle, Palas saw five tall heavily armed warriors working to fortify the palace against attack. From high over the palace, he couldn't tell if they were Tigaren or invading Hyenen. As he dropped down to circle the towers, he saw the warriors pointing then run into the palace. Diving down, Palas searched the windows looking for an easy egress into the palace. He saw the royal bedrooms, outer chambers, and several studies. In each room, he saw warriors and palace staff laid out among broken tables, dishes, and cutlery. Tipping his wings, Palas flew lower and found the windows of the throne room. With a quick flutter, he set down in the window and peered down into the throne room. In the Tigaren throne room, Palas saw four Tigarens passed out on the floor and four Pantheren standing there watching them.
"Thror." A Pantheren warrior called. "Take the king and his brother out and lock them in the dungeon."
"Why Deisis?" Thror asked in a demanding voice. "They won't be putting up much of a fight. Let them stay there."
"You do as you're told boy!" Deisis grabbed him and shook him. "The spell works now but it may not work tomorrow. We have to be ready for all courses."
Thror grumbled then called the other two warriors over to help him. As they lifted Yonas and Kapor over their shoulders, Thror nudged Zakia Manzi.
"What about them?"
"The old one is no threat to us." Deisis took his cloak off the throne and started out. "Leave them. Meet me down in the king’s office when you're done."
"Yes, Sir."
As they left the throne room, Palas hopped in and dropped down to land on the king's throne. Pantheren warriors, what are they doing here? Nyo had said there was going to be an invasion but by the Pantherens? They are our allies. This makes no sense. As he hopped down, Palas shifted to his normal form. The old one and the boy lay there with a look of fear and confusion on their faces. Palas wasn't sure what he should do or how he could bring them out of their coma state, but he knew it was Tinpa's only chance. As he kneeled down next to Zakia Manzi, he felt a surge of power run through his him. Surprised, he fell back. It felt like a bolt of electricity burning through his body. Crawling forward, Palas reached his hand out to touch the warlock. Suddenly his fingers began to tingle. Balling his hand into a fist, Palas pulled back then kneeled in to look Zakia Manzi in his eyes. A burst of blue energy glowed deeply in his eyes. Tilting his head, Palas thought about what his next move should be. He knew the warlock was there trapped deep in his mind, somehow he had to get him out. Looking up, Palas said a prayer.
"Tyree, Nurisha. Aspana is in deep peril. The Hyenen's are on the march and they mean to make slaves of all our people. I am alone, all my people are gone, but there are others who fight at my side. Help us. Help us to overcome our enemy. Help us to free Aspana. I beg of thee."
As Palas finished his prayer, a soft glow spread out all over Zakia Manzi and Kyan. With shaking hands, Palas reached out and grabbed the Warlock. Power fulled Palas as he threw back his head in a silent scream. As they're bodies shook, Zakia Manzi shot up and was held high by the staff he was holding. Lightning struck down through the window striking Kyan and the warlock. In a flash of lightning, Zakia, Kyan, and Palas were thrown to the ground. Dizzy from his impact with the wall, Palas sat up and shook off the effects of the lightning. As he looked around the throne room, he saw Zakia Manzi climb up and go to where the Tigaren boy sat.
"You alright boy?" Zakia asked.
"Yes, Sir." He got up on his feet. "What happened?"
"I'm not sure," Zakia said as he turned to face Palas. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Palas Astraeus," Palas bowed his head in respect. "I came here to warn the king about a stranger my friends and I came upon in the Domina jungle."
"Domina?" Zakia looked at him confused. "What's Gorillas have to do with us?"
"You know of Igoro Baba?"
"Yes," Zakia's face turned cold as if he was dreading what Palas was about to say.
"The Gorilla warlock made a pact with a stranger outside of the gates of Domina. The stranger’s part was to kill Yonas Kinya."
"And what of Igoro?" Zakia asked. "What was his part?"
"His part was to kill Astan and Sakura. I was sent here to stop the assassin's plot. To keep Tigaress from losing its king. I pray I'm not to late.
As Zakia heard the facts from Palas, he folded his arms behind started to pace the floor in front of the throne. This news was unexpected. With Yonas and Astan dead, Kapor would inherit the throne. He can’t be behind this, can he? Only one way to find out.
"Kyan." Zakia turned to the boy. "Are you fit to fight?"
"Yes, Sir!" Kyan crossed his arms and made fists of his hands to salute the warlock.
"Now, if we only knew where they took the king, we would know where to start."
"Your king is in the dungeon." Palas told them, "I heard them talking as I came in."
"Good," Zakia said. "You take our friend Palas here to the dungeon. Free the king and Kapor, but watch Kapor. He might be the one behind this."
"Where are you going?" Kyan asked.
"I am going after their warlock," Zakia said slapping his staff against his hand causing it to glow with power. "To wake our people. He must be dealt with.

War. 29

 It was late in the evening as Ouzo Ounasi led a troop of twenty hunters back through the gates of Yamansa, the second of his two tribal clan holdings. They dropped their catch of three large elk beast and four Yak like herd animals at the cooking fires and went back to their dugouts for a short rest before heading back out for the next hunt. As Ouzo dropped his armor and under clothing, he stepped down into the mud pits and relaxed. He groaned as gas bubbles seeped out tickling the hairs on his strong Were human body.

As the fumes of the near narcotic Sagetalon plant burned relaxing Ouzo, the door burst and young Milnar ran in shouting something that for the moment escaped his Master.
"Master, Master!!" He shouted. "Our border has been attacked!"
"What?" Ouzo said as he jumped from the mud pits and shook off the mud staring at the youngster.
"Yansa!" Milnar repeated in his high pitched voice. "It's been attacked!"
 "Who dares to attack me?"
"I don't know Master," Milnar said. "Someone from Ona came in with burns all over his body. He fell at the gate crying about the attack. All he could say was Hyena."
"Then Mulu Amin is the culprit," He stepped from the pit and walked into his den. "Call my Warthogs out. Have them sharpen their tusks, we hurt wild dogs tonight."
As three of his bitch maids came in and strapped on his spiked caps across his chest and back then fitted his hands and feet with metal gauntlets. Steel tips were capped on his tusk and leather shorts were provided for his bottom. Dressed, Ouzo shifted to his Warthog form and charged out busting down the door and into the center courtyard. There he squealed out his call to war to his warriors.
In minutes, Warthogs dressed for battles came running out to join him. After a squeal of thanks, Ouzo shifted form to address his two hundred warriors.
"Hear me, my warriors," Ouzo called to the assembled mass of loyal fighters. "Today, Mulu Amin raided our land and attacked our people. Young and old, males, female, children and the old ones died. butchered at the hands of him and his dog warriors. Now we go out to return the battle to him. Join me now as we go to battle. Let's run my Warrior Hogs!!"
With a squeal, Ouzo shifted and ran off out of the gate with his two hundred battle hogs right behind him. The war for Aspana has begun. For good or for evil all the lives of the jungles would now battles for their right to be free and Sakura, Astan, Quynn, and Sky would be right there in the middle of it.

Tired from a day of conquest, Mulu walked to the center of Yansa and pushed open the drapes to Ouzo's main house. It was a two-story manse with six rooms on the first floor and five upstairs. From the front door, Mulu walked in and threw off his cloak as two Warthog warriors charged in to attack. as the first one sped at Mulu, he reached out and slammed a bolt down breaking the Warthogs neck as it smashed down into the ground. Turning to the next one, he sent one a slow-motion spell that slowed the Warthog down to a snail's pace. Laughing with madness, Mulu watched as the Warthog crawled slowly toward him. With one punch, he drove his fist in through his snout and pulled his brain out like the seed from an overripe avocado. Kicking the dead body aside, Mulu made his way in through the house from the front hall into the dining room where he pushed the long table into the wall where it smashed into splinters. Turning to the left, he started for the master's study as three Warthogs came barreling into the room. As he spun around, Mulu thrust out his hands and sent a blast of electrical energy into a Warthog. The blast sent it into convulsions. The momentum of the hog sent it crashing into the wall where it lay motionless and dead. Huffing with anger, the last two Warthogs charged thrusting their tusks out at Mulu's stomach. Slamming his hands together, Mulu vanished in a burst of smoke and lightning leaving the Warthogs no target but the brick fireplace where they crashed splitting their skulls open and spilling their brains all over the dining room.
With the fighting over, Mulu dusted himself off and headed into the study where he took his place on Ouzo's throne of silver, gold and precious gems. Placing his hand on his temple, he sent a call out to his chief lieutenant, Kifedi Waya to come and attend to his master's wishes.
Trotting in with his tail between his legs. Kifedi was a huge Demondog with red eyes and a slimy forked tongue. He stopped in front of Mulu and went down with his nose to the ground as he scratched desperately with his claws
"Well?"
[Yes, Master?] Kifedi sent looking nervous as he shook in fear.
Anger. Mulu slammed his fist down onto the throne sending pain into Kifedi's maw. Kifedi yelped falling to the side whimpering.
"Shift forms and face me, you useless bag of flesh!!" Mulu yelled as the Hyenen shifted forms. "Is the battle over? Are the Pigs all dead?"
"Yes, Master," Kifedi chuckled nervously. "They are all in the cooking fires. They  will be good eats."
"Yes, they will be," Mulu said. "But there are more coming. The old Master of this city in on the way to take his revenge. Have our warriors ready."
"Yes, Master." Kifedi stuttered as he backed out of the room. "Yes, We will be ready."
As Kifedi ran out to get everything ready. Mulu got up from the throne and walked to a mirror that lay shattered near one of the walls broken in his battle with the Warthog. He picked a large shard and placed it on a table near the throne. With a whispered spell and a wave of his hand, the glass grew opac, then smoky as the picture started to appear.
As the smoke faded, the savanna appeared. From the Jamuni Trees, Mulu knew it couldn't be no more than ten miles from Yansa. Then the Warthogs appeared with Ouzo Ounasi in the lead. Red spikes shined from the tip of his hose to the end of his tail while sparks flew high from the sharp electric iron fitted on his hooves. His eyes burned with power and his tusks shined needle sharp. Onzo was three times the size of any of his warriors making him a giant among his peers.
Smiling grimly, Mulu stepped down from the throne and shifted to his Demon form as he started on his way out to meet the War Pig. As he stepped out of what was once Ounasi manse, the smell of grilled Swine and Grog filled the air. Demondogs and Hyenen ran all through the holding carrying bones, bits and pieces of dead Warthogs while they finished their grubby meal. Mulu barked orders for them to get ready for the coming attack. Clubs and short swords were readied as they shook off the wild fever from their savage meal. Howling with madness, Demondogs took their place at the wall as the Hyenen's moved to the front gate where they would take the brunt of the attack.
Ready for battle, Kifedi took his full Demon form and stood ready with the Hyenens as Ouzo came crashing through city gates. With vengeance on their minds and the smell of canine in the air, Warthogs came charging in like mad bulls. The Hyenen front guard was trampled under foot like they were nothing. As they squealed with murderous intent, the Warthogs were on the Demondogs. They thrashed and ripped into them like chainsaws. Body pieces flew like autumn leaves from oak, maple and acorn trees. Teeth gnashed and hooves kicked and stomped while Demondogs fought back with extending sharp claws that torn limbs and hacked deeply into the Warthogs. Blood spilled leaving pools of bloody mud everywhere. Using magic granted to them by Mulu, the Demondogs took deep breaths and let loose streams of flame.Warthogs all over the yard dived for cover. All except Ouzo who stood there and took the full blast and shrugged it off then cast shields in front of his warriors to protect them. With Ouzo's shield protecting him, a Warthog puffed himself up and sent several of his spikes shooting toward a line of Demondogs blasting holes all through his chest. As it screamed, green blood shot out. It twitched and fell rolling in its own gore as it died. Seeing the Demondog die, spikes shot from several Warthogs wounding and killing them all over the yard. Encouraged by the tactic, Warthogs charged thrusting their tusks out slicing through the Demondogs defense.
As he watched his forces die, Mulu walked out through the battlefield swatting Warthogs as they attacked. Quietly and without much effort, he made his way to where Ouzo was fighting. His Demondogs were falling and that had to stop now. With a shrill cackle, Mulu called out a challenge to the Warthog chieftain.
"HEAR ME OUZO OUNASI! FACE THE LORD OF THE HYENEN AND DIE WITH HONOR!"
"It will not be me who dies Dog lord!" Ouzo shouted as he grabbed a Demondog by its throat and tossed it aside. "Your days of conquest are over. Aspana will not be bowing to you anytime soon."
"We'll see about that Pig." Mulu raised his glowing hand sent a power bolt it Ouzo. Shifting to Human, Ouzo threw both his hands up raising a shield deflecting the bolt. Thrusting out his hand, a blast of paralyzing energy shot out at Mulu and bounced off his chest. Stepping back, Mulu flipped his wrist, turning circles and sent a ring of golden bands at Ouzo. Like horseshoes, they spun around circling Ouzo sending shockwaves through his body. Ouzo shook and shivered spinning in place as he sent the electric energy into the ground.
"You must think I'm new at this." Ouzo said with a sly grin. "I am Ouzo Ounasi and this is not my first magical battle."
"It may not be your first," Mulu raised his hands. "But it will be your last!"
Spinning his hands in front of him, Mulu sent a series of energy balls at Ouzo.  Slapping his hands together, Ouzo conjured a bat like energy rod and hit the balls back at Mulu. With a wave, the balls were dispatched and absorbed by the Demon Lord. As Mulu twirled his hands over his head, he conjured an invisible power siphon and pushed it at Ouzo. Unaware of the danger, Ouzo balled his hands into fist and summoned more power to give himself an extra power left to battle Mulu.
Smiling, Mulu felt the power surge shoot at him from Ouzo's spell. Now he was ready to put an end to the Warthogs.
Power shot from Mulu like lightning bolts. It shot out striking each Warthog and burning them like bolts of lava. They all screamed as they burned down to puddles of sizzling flesh. Completely in shock, Ouzo screamed. All his warriors were dead. There was no one left to stand with him. He was now alone.
"You can give in to me now or we can go on until you are dead. Decide now. Either way, this is over and you lose."
Alone, Ouzo knew there wasn't anything left for him to do except to die. Feeling bold, he reached down and picked up one of his warrior's spiked belt. It was covered with blood, one of his clan members blood. Mulu was right, he had lost. But he would never give up. He would go down trying to kill that damned Dog.
"DIE YOU FUCKING MONGREL!!"
Ouzo charged at Mulu with the spikes raised to kill. Mulu threw a bolt at him that burned his screaming body to ash. So finished the Ounasi Warthogs. They fought bravely but in the end, Mulu was the stronger fighter.
"Who's next?"

Lost and alone, Fidon Ellon stumbled through the jungle looking for the way to Tigaress. His head was pounding from the beating he took at the hands of Kifedi Waya. He hated all those damned Hyenen. They killed his family and his entire congregation and left him alone. He thought back to  the morning when it all began,
Sunrise and Fidon and his brother were out into the swamp for their morning hunt. Fidon and Gernal shifted and set out to hunt. Fidon and Gernal were big like their father and the rest of the males in their line. In his crocodile form, Fidon is sixteen feet long weighing over three hundred pounds. His is a dark olive shade of green with a deep yellow underbelly. His four-foot long V-shaped snout was perfect for catching cattle, buffalo or anything that came in to try and get a drink from his hunting place. His tail was close to six feet long, able to swing and swat enemies with amazingly powerful force. In Human form, Fidon was very handsome with a dark complexion with black and brown sensory spots along the edges of his face, down his chest to the tip of his tail.
Gernal looked a lot like his older brother except he was two feet shorter and not quite as heavy. They were both bald like all the Crocodile folk, but elder males could grow facial hair in long braids.
The day's hunt was good. Both Fidon and Gernal brought down a gazelle and filled their bellies with good meat. Full, they swam and took Sun for the rest of the day. Gernal kept to Fidon's side nipping at his tail as they swam. Ready for a rest, they found a beach with both sun and shade so they wouldn't overheat themselves.
As they lay there listening to the singing of the birds, Fidon felt a sudden stab of pain in his chest as a scream gripped his brain and rang out all through his head. His hand reached up and grabbed his chest as he recognized his mothers scream. At that moment, he knew the pain was hers. Their congregation was under attack. Fidon knew he had to get back home fast.
[Gernal!] Fidon jumped as he shifted to his Human form. "Something's happened. Our swamp is under attack! We have to get home!"
[NO!] His father screamed in his head. [We are done. Your mother and sister is dead. All our people are dead. We were attacked by a Hyenen named Mulu Amin. He came in the morning after the nightly hunt while we were all full and ready to sleep. We didn't have a chance to defend ourselves. He was more powerful and deadly then we were able to fight. Take your brother and go see the king of Tigaress. He will help you to avenge us. Myumbo my son. Do not forget us. We love you.]
[FATHER!!!!]
There was no answer. Father was dead and we were alone. Our only chance was to do as he said and go to Tigaress. I swear that is just what we will do. If anyone tries to stop us, they will learn just how dangerous a pissed off Crocodile can be.

As the sun set in Mancora, Deja felt something hit her on her shoulder and woke her up. She rolled over and looked up over the rim of the pit and saw Kifedi Waya sitting there staring down at her. The sight of the Demondog scared her for a second, then he realized what it was. It was her chance at freedom if she played her cards right.
"Myumbo." She called up to Kifedi with a tearful voice. "Is anyone there? Can you help me please, I'm scared and I don't like it down here."
Sitting in the center of the pit, Deja cried and whimpered looking beautiful, desperate and sad. Kifedi sat up and looked down at her. He had never had a female look at him like that before. He wasn't sure what he should do.
"Please." She stood up trembling. "I want to go home. It's dark here. I'm scared."
"I'm sorry moja nzuri, this your new home," He said softly trying not to scare her. "You will be very comfortable here once the master rules Aspana. He will make you his Queen."
"I don't want to be queen," She cried. "I will miss my mother and my sister. What about Dori, my pet Galago, and my music? What will happen to them?"
"You can get new pets," Kifedi said trying to sound happy and excited. "And new music, we can sing and play sitar all night. And in the morning, the pájaros y ranas will sing us to sleep. I can make us happy here if you will just try. Please."
Kifedi shifted back to his Hyenen form and smoothed back his matted fur. He tried to hide the scars from all the beatings Mulu gave him and his fights and battles. He tried to make himself as presentable as he could so he could please his lady. But nothing could fix his mottled fur or the places where fur had been ripped out. The claw marks that ran down his maw. Suddenly he felt so ugly and he knew there was no chance that she would ever see the noble and lonely heart that beat in his chest.
He stepped back into the darkness trying to hide knowing how scared she would be if she got a close look at him.
"Samahani" Kifedi looked away with tears in his eyes. "Nisamehe."
As Deja listened, suddenly she wasn't scared of him anymore. Her mind reached up and saw what Aspana and the Hyenen had done to him. She saw every nick in his ears and his scars. The claw marks and the stripes on his back from Mulu's lash. The discolored fur and his missing toes. None of that mattered anymore, there was a handsome glow shining out from him showing her what his heart really looked like and she felt love grip at her heart.
"Please don't go," Deja moved closer to the edge of the pit. Her heart beat like jungle drums. "I'm not scared anymore. Can I get a closer look at you?"
"No," Kifedi moaned. "I am horrible. I look like a monster."
"That can't be true." She said. "I can feel your heart. It shines like a prince. Please, let me see you."
With a mighty leap, Kifedi jumped down into the pit and stood in the shadows on the other side trying to hide from her."
"Are you sure?" He said as he covered his face with his hands. "My face is grotesque. My body is scarred from years of abuse. I don't want you hurt by the way I look. I want you to always be happy when you think of me.
"What is your name?"
"Kifedi," He said. "Kifedi Waya."
"I am Deja Fen." She reached up and took his hands and pulled them gently down and smiled at him. "I think you are handsome my Prince. I think you are as handsome as a summer sunrise. As a matter of fact, I think I have found something I have been searching since I became of age."
With a tearful smile, Kifedi took Deja's hand and his heart melted and became hers. As he looked her in the eyes, he knew her words were coming straight from her heart and he knew she would be his princess. Mulu could go to hell for all he cared. He  wouldn't follow him for another second. He had to get her out of here and away from Mancora. He knew Mulu had put spells on the pit that  would keep Deja here, but those spells would not stop him. Taking her in his arms, Kifedi kissed her deeply sliding his tougue gently into her mouth as his hands roamed over her lithely sensitive back. With a groan of pleasure, Deja held his tight as she gave in to his passionate touch.
"We can't do this now," He said as their forehead touched. "We have to go now before Mulu comes back."
"Can you get my knives and my things?"
"I will have to go to the main house to get them," He told her. "Let me check and make sure there isn't anyone up top that will stop our escape. I will be right back."
After another kiss, Kifedi braced himself and jumped up and over the rim of the pit.
As a burst of joy filled Kifedi's heart, Atol the god of love smiled down on them. He had been watching and again, he was amazed at what love could do and he was proud of Deja. She had done something great and totally without any help from him.
[I see great things in store for you two.] He whispered. [And I will always be watching.]

After talking with a few of Mancoro's citizens, Ranjer and Ferel headed from south to the part of the town that Mulu kept for himself. Here he kept his prison pits, a study and a private place where he mixed his potion and did his conjuring. It was here Mulu stole the power of his Demon familiar and condemned it to its private hell. This is also where Msia spent his twenty five years imprisonment. As he passed the gate into Mulu's hell, Ferel smelled something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It was something he'd seen before and hoped never to see again. It stool tall on four legs with claws that could rip through granite. It had black and grey fur and yellow piercing eyes that brought fear on anyone that looked into then. It was called Garn, a beast from hell if there ever was one. When Ferel stopped, Ranjer felt Garn's probe touch his mind. It had a familiar feel to Ranjer, like a lost brother that had been gone so long its memory was nothing but mixed emotions.
Hurrying away from the Garn, Ranjer ran around a building and found himself back to Mulu's pits, but there was something different here now. A great golden frame with a huge mirror cast in it. As Ranjer and Ferel looked into to it, they saw what looked like a beautiful woman with red hair dressed in dark black and blue silks. as Ranjer stared at her, his stomach dropped and went cold.
"No!" He said stepping back. "It can't be! Its not possible!!"
"Oh but it is." She said as her glowing eyes looked up at him with a evil smile. "Aiya my son. Are you ready to join me in hell?"
"VELUSIA!!!"
"Yes, my love," She stood up as smoke started pouring off her body. "Mother is back you've been a naughty boy."
"Mother?" Ferel looked at Ranjer with tilted eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes." Ranjer said. "Watch out for her acid cloud. It can kill."
Summoning a lightning bolt, Ranjer threw it at her while Ferel shifted to his Hyenen form and dived at her to attack. Velusia rose up off the  ground and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Her laughter could be heard echoing through the cloud. as Ferel came down to land, Velusia dropped down to envelope his in her gaseous body. Reaching out, Ranjer grabbed Ferel  in a telekinetic hold and pulled him back away from his poisonous mother. Though Velusia was and almost impossible enemy to defeat, Ranjer had learned  his lesson in fighting her. Though her gasrous form was impossible to touch, there was a way to defeat her. The trick was to control the winds. In her gas form, Velusia was vulnerable to changes in the wind. Create a strong enough breeze and it was possible to scatter her gases all through the air making it impossible for her to hold herself together.
Calling on spells he had  learned from Jandar, Ranjer thrust out his hand and made them spin faster and faster. As the vacuum formed, Velusia screamed as she was sucked in and pulled apart.. As she died a  second time, the mirror reappeared and smashed to pieces. That's when he realized she was never there. It was all in the mirror looking into Ranjer and sending his fear out to battle him.
With the mirror smashed, they moved over to the pits to rescue their friends. Just as Ranjer stepped up to the first pit, a Demondog came flying out carrying a pretty girl. As he raised his hand to cast a spell, he recognized the girl. It was his cousin Deja Fen in the arms of one of Mulu's Demondogs.
As his bolt glowed with power, Ranjer stepped out in front of the Demon and raised his hand to incinerate him.
"Either you put her down right now," His eyes burned with outrage. "Or I will burn you until there is nothing left of you but a memory."
"No you won't!" Deja said sternly as Kifedi set her down. "You will treat my mate with respect or I will tell your father."
"MATE?" Ranjer stuttered dropping the bolt at his feet. "Did you say mate?"
"Yes I did." She took Kifedi's hand and walked him out to meet her cousin. "Ranjer, this is Kifedi Waya. He's my mate."
"Myumbo." Kifedi smiled as he reached for his extended hand.
"We can do this later." Ranjer said. "Right now we should get everyone free and get out of here."
As Ranjer bent over to disable the spells on the first pit, a knife flew down to land in the dirt right next to his hand.
"Too late."