Tinpa. 32

As Kyan led Palas from the royal bedchamber, he called out to see if any of his fellow Tigaren's were still conscious and able to fight. Sadly there was no answer. Somehow the invaders had managed to take the palace without much of a fight. But how can that be? There were more than two hundred warriors stationed here in the palace. How could six strangers overcome their whole fighting force? What of Hati Unstain? He should have been there at the king's side to protect him. Their best chance would be to find the kings guard.
[I agree.] Palas said at Kyan's side causing Kyan to jump. Palas smiled. Kyan wasn't used to having others listening in to his thoughts.
[Strange it is but useful. You must learn to guard your thoughts but still be open to those around you. It takes time but you will get it.]
[With your help.] Kyan nodded. [Hati would be either in his quarters or here somewhere in the royal chambers.]
[Then we must search the king's rooms?]
[Yes.] Kyan sent his young mane following in the breeze. [Follow me.]
With a quick look around the corner, Kyan signaled Palas they could move on. From the bedchambers, they slow and quietly made their way down the hall. Each step was made carefully so as not to alert any of the raiders. They had no idea how many were here in the palace. From the upstairs chambers, they heard voices coming from the floor below them, Kyan suggested he shift to his younger lion form and head down to distract them from his attack.
[No.] Palas said with a sly glint in his eyes. [Let me do this.]
Spreading his arms, Palas shifted his form to a small Wren and hopped up on Kyan's shoulder.
[Does this look harmless?]
Kyan smiled and reached his hand up and let Palas hop on.
[This should be interesting.]
[Stay here until I send for you.]
With a nod from Kyan, Palas was off flying down the staircase. His brown feathers and small shape looked innocent to the Pantherens as he made his way past the first three warriors just before the staircase.
[Come down.] He sent to Kyan. [The three at the staircase are yours.]
Fluttering his wings. Palas dropped down right in the middle of six warriors stationed at the front door to the palace guard room. As he hopped around, the warriors laughed at the little bird and its antics in the palace. As a warrior reached down to grab him, Palas made the shift to his warrior form and sliced the warrior right through his chest. Spinning around, Palas stabbed two warriors and sliced the other three right through their necks. As he turned to see how Kyan was doing, the boy trotted up to him wiping his sword clean. Inside the guard room, they found Hati's weapons. Kyan grabbed them and they headed on with their search,  After one more floor and a hidden passage, a face-off with a trio of Hyenen warriors, Kyan and Palas found themselves right in front of Hati's palace quarters. Kyan didn't think there was much of a chance that Hati could be here.
"What do you think?" Palas asked. "Could he be here?"
"Not sure," Kyan said. "Wait a minute."
Kyan stepped closer to the door then put his ear to the wood and listened. He couldn't hear anything but there was a distinct smell that only a Tigaren could make. He reached for the knob and gave it a turn then went in. The room was as quiet as a tomb and that spooked Kyan. He looked into the sleeping mat and was surprised to find someone there.
"Is that him?"Palas asked. "You should hurry, I don't know how long we will be free of the Pantherans."
"I think so," Kyan said. "But how do we wake him from the spell?"
"Same way I woke you."
Moving around Kyan, Palas went to where Hati was laid out. He kneeled down and touched him between his eyes. As Palas pulled himself back, Hati took a deep breath in, then let out a Tigar roar that shook the room. As he leaped from the mat, Kyan returned the Tigar greeting to let him know he was safe here in Tigaress among friends.
"Kyan," Hati said as he looked around and recognized where he was. "What's going on? Why are you here in my quarters?"
"Listen carefully," Kyan said as Hati stepped out to greet him. "Tigaress has been attacked. I don't know why, but there are Pantherens here and they have taken the royal family and put everyone in some kind of spell. We are the only ones awake and your roar probably alerted them to our presence. It's up to us to win back the palace and free the king and the rest of the guards."
With a flex of muscles, Hati turned from Kyan and went to a wooden chest at the end of his sleeping mat and threw it open.
"These Pantherens seem to have made a mistake." He reached in and pulled out a set of shining spell covered bronze armor and two glowing swords. One long with a blue hue and one short. "They may have had me under their spell, but they didn't take my weapons. Now I will have my revenge and we will free our king!."

As the red moon rose higher and higher in the eastern sky, Thaumas raised his mace and called a charge on the walls of the city. A cheer went up as Hyenen warriors charged down with weapons raised and ready. On the wall, Tigaren archers let loose with a barrage of arrows to rain down on the incoming enemies. As the Hyenen charged on the wall, each warrior carried both a weapon and a shield for defense. As the arrows fell, shields went up to catch the death rain. It was like little bits of thunder striking down out of the sky almost taking the Hyenens down. But it wasn't enough. Onward they came scrambling up the wall. The Tigarens tried chopping at the ropes. A few fell, but not many. Soon they were fighting hand to hand, Hyenen and Demomdogs against Tigarens. The fighting was savage, Tigarens used their most savage Tigar form to battle the enemy. Each Tigar ranging from 350 to 420 inches weighing 610 to 740 lbs. Massive beast with claws and fangs that could rip their enemy apart and move on to the next in mere minutes. Unfortunately, the Hyenen over numbered the Tigaren and overpowered them with their Demonic forces. Claw to claw the two factions met. Incredible strength was used to rip into each other using monstrous force as the Tigarens went from form to form attacking the enemy. One by one, Tigarens fell. Soon they were down to their last five warriors when out of the setting sun came a blazing fury blasting lines of warriors as it swooped down past the battlefield. As it flew fiery circles over the battlefield, flaming bursts shot from it out onto the battlefield where it split into fireballs and chased down a line of fifteen Hyenen warriors and burned them to ash. When Thaumas saw his warriors fall, he called to his Warlocks for back up. In a tent not too far from the fighting, three crocked and ancient turtles stepped out from the tent. They gazed at the battlefield then raised their hands and started to chant. Blue streaks of energy flared up into the sky speeding at the flaming orb. In a matter of minutes, it hit the orb and blew away the flames. As the power of the orb was disrupted, a great red Dragon split off from the fire and dived down at the oncoming Hyenen menace. Extending its claws, the Dragon reached out and grabbed a number of Hyenen warriors from the charge and tossed them into the air. As the Hyenen's fell, the Dragon let loose with a blast of flames that fried the Dog Warriors. Still chanting, the shell backed Warlocks split up and took aim at the Dragon. First blue then green bolts shot at the Dragon. As it dropped its wings, the Dragon sped between the bolts rolling and spinning throwing fire darts into the charging enemy line. With a huff and a puff, the third Warlock swung himself around and sent black flames up at the Dragon. As the Dragon backpedaled, it shook off the dark flames and sent its own heat back at the Warlock.
"Try all you want Dragon." The lead turtle called up. "Your flames cannot hurt the Three Shelled Terrors from Tornarok."
[Then we will have to use more than flames.] Inferno sent. [Behold the sounds of your death.]
As Inferno lifted himself further up into the heavens, a piercingly loud noise vibrated out through the clouds and sent a shock wave down at the Turtles. Crashing like a lightning bolt, the sound wave scattered the Turtles, throwing them out of the way of the sound wave. Looking up, the Turtles watched as Pitch, the sound Dragon flashed cross the battlefield screaming out sonic notes at them.
As the assault continued, a thunderous trumpet call on the left side of the battlefield announcing the arrival of Aggar and the Jaguar force. Like speeding arrows, they came in cutting down Hyenen and Demondogs. Aggar with his knives drawn charged in and cut a bloody path through the enemy force heading straight for Thaumas the leader of Mulu's battle force. As they met, a circle cleared around them giving them room to fight.
"Aiya Thaumas Dulmuald, may the god of death welcome you into her hall of warriors. You deserve a place there to rest after all the fighting in Aspana."
"As do you, Aggar Ren." Thaumas and Aggar circled each other waiting to strike the first blow. "After this day the fighting in Aspana will be settled and one side will stand as the leader in Aspanian affairs."
"They will indeed," Aggar said as he moved in he slicing out at Thaumas. With a quick sidestep, Thaumas moved aside as he pulled his short sword and lunged back at Aggar. As his hand raised, Aggar deflected the sword then kicked out connecting with Thaumas side knocking the breath from him. As Thaumas caught his breath, he got back to his feet and pulled his second blade. Determined to win. Thaumas stepped in, ready to battle as Aggar adjusted his armor and came again to fight. Blades swung and stabbed as the two warriors jumped and dived at each other looking for an opening where they could take advantage of their opponent and make a killing blow. Back and forth they fought as their weapons got heavier and heavier in their hands. Sweat ran down muscled arms making each swing more difficult until that one fatal slip. Aggar stabbed out at Thaumas but slipped in a small puddle of Thaumas blood. As he laughed at his luck, Thaumas clutched his blade as he advanced for the kill.
"Noooooo!" Deja screamed as she advanced on them carrying her blood-soaked scythe. "Get away from my father and face me Demon!"
"No Deja," Aggar said. "I lost, let him do what he must,"
[NO AGGAR.] Said a voice in his head. [THAT IS NOT YOUR DESTINY. YOU MADE A PROMISE TO ME. YOU MUST FULFILL IT]
As they watched, Aggar stood up then disappeared.
"I guess it will be you that pays your father's debt to me."Thaumas walked out through the bloody battlefield to where Deja stood. "If your father couldn't kill me, what makes you think that you can?"
"You are overconfident." Deja clashed her blades together. "If you beat me, there will be another and another and on and on until you fall. Your tired, your fatigue will be your downfall."
"I have enough to beat you, pretty lady."
"We will see Mutt."
 Leaping forward, Deja engaged her enemy. Her blades flashed in the firelight like twin dazzling sparks. Thaumas could barely keep up with her.  With a slash, Deja put a slice across his chest. After two more swings, blood ran from three cuts on his arm. She stabbed in then hacked with forwarding swings that made contact with his neck. A cheer went up when she thrust out her leg and tripped Thaumas. As he stumbled and fell, Deja jumped on his chest and slammed her blades down on his hands un-arming him. With a smile, she put her scythe to his throat.
"Do you surrender?" She asked.
"NEVER!!"
"Then you die!!" With a quick jerk, she sliced his throat, then stood up and walked away from his blood covered body. As she looked around she saw the battle was over. The Hyenen was on the run trying to find somewhere safe from the Tigarens. After a few minutes, Pitch and Inferno came walking up to her looking cool and calm.
"Well done," Inferno said. "Now Tinpa is free. But I must move on. I have my own country to worry about. Be safe. We will meet again."
"Myumbo," Pitch said as he waved goodbye,
"We are sorry about your father," Pitch said as he turned to Deja and Kifedi. "He was a brave man."
"He's not dead," Deja said as Kifedi made his way over to them. "Maybe we should go in and make sure the royal family is alright. Astan will want to know."
"We can't right now," Pitch said. "The gate won't open. I think it's a spell. Those blasted Turtles again."
"How do we open it?" Kifedi asked.
"Good question."
As they stared at the city gate, it had a sort of glow that extends all the way around the city. Since none of them were strong in magic, they would have to wait until Astan could get there.

Inside the palace, Zakia, Kyan, and Palas searched the dungeons from top to bottom for Yonas and the rest of the royal family with very little success. They couldn't find any Pantherens or Hyenens, they place looked as dead as a tomb. But they knew they had to be here somewhere.
"Maybe it's magic," Kyan said. "Maybe we're looking in the wrong way."
"You could be right," Zakia shifted his vision to see on the magical planes. Blue and green bands of magic were everywhere. The palace was full of spells and incantations that had been put there since the day the palace was built. There were spells for protection and some for preservation. They were even spells that held the palace there on the Aspanian plane of existence. What Zakia was looking for was anything in the bands of red of black, dark spells. Spells that should not be there. So they went back to the first floor, checking from dark spells as they moved.
Zakia saw suspicious bands of purple and some ancient ones whose color he couldn't even recognize. He reached for one and a soft warmth feeling ran up his arm to his shoulder. As he held it, it got hotter and hotter until he realized it was the palace hearing system, and he let go. Further on, he saw bands of white and lite blue, he knew it was some sort of protection spell, he had no idea who it was to protect. Then somewhere in the middle of the second floor, Zakia though he had found what he was looking for. It was bands of red that flowed all through the castle to each and every part.
"This is it," Zakia said pointing at the knot of red in the center of the room. "As I start taking the bands apart, things will happen."
"Like what?" Kyan asked.
"Things may appear," Zakia said. "Don't believe what you see.  Some may not be so nice. You may have to put them down."
"We will stay at your side," Palas said. "No matter what happens."
Zakia stretched and rolled his head on his neck to loosen the muscles. He slammed his hands together to warm his fingers then sat cross-legged in front of the door. As he cleared his mind he started a chant real low then reached for the first red band and twisted it around his hand as it started to loosen from the knot. As it loosened, red and purple lights flashed out and a strange wind started growing stronger and stronger until Kyan and Palas could barely stay on their feet. Then Zakia reached for the second band. It was like touching an electric eel and saw he held on, something appeared.  It was about six feet tall, bright as the sun and crackled with electric energy. With a sickly moan, it reached out to the winged man. Palas jumped up spreading his wings and did a backflip into the air. As Palas circled above, Kyan pulled his sword and lurched for the electric thing.
"NO!" Palas called. "You can't touch it with the sword. You can't use anything metal."
"Then what do I use?" Kyan asked while he jumped around trying to stay away from the moaning electric beast.
"Rubber or glass will work," Palas called. "And don't touch it!!!"
Confused and unsure of what he should do next, Kyan jumped over what had to be Yonas's desk, Kyan grabbed things off the desk and threw it at the electric beast, it roared but continued on its course after the young lion. There was no rubber or glass here on the desk. Just two clay cups of tea from the morning breakfast. Thinking fast, Kyan threw them on the floor in front of the beast, then. dived down behind the desk and put his head down. As the beast stepped forward into the tea there was a sudden burst of light and energy and the beast exploded,
As Kyan looked up over the edge of the desk, Palas jumped down with a smile.
"Good job." He said. "I knew you could do it."
"I wonder what could be next?" the young lion asked.
With slumped shoulders, Palas and Kyan stepped the door with their weapons ready to protect Zakia from anything that came out of the conjuration.
Zakia's hands spun around and around then one went left as the other stopped, the went up over his head. Magic flared and flashed, there were sounds like screaming animals then squawking like birds. As Zakia worked, things came poking out of the wall. First tentacles came out. Kyan jumped forward with his word and got busy slicing them before they could get to Zakia. Then weird bird things. But they didn't look like any birds they had ever seen before. They had scales and fangs. Palas knew right away they were carnivorous. Palas launched himself up into the air slashing out with his talons, they swerving to keep the weird things away from him.
As Zakia worked, his voice grew louder and louder until he was screaming but still twisting the bands of the spell. He worked harder and harder yanking and pulling with all his might. Soon he was down to the last bands. As he touched the band, there was a loud grumble. Zakia kept working because a moments distraction could not only cause him to fail, but it could kill him.
While Zakia worked on the spell, Kyan and Palas got ready for whatever came out of the spell next. First, the palace shook with heavy vibrations. Then a head came out of the wall and bawled a horrible cry as it pulled the rest of its body through the wall. With a quick look, the giant swung its club down at Kyan and Palas.

As Aggar and Pitch started toward the gates of Tinpa, there was a noise like rolling thunder, then a lightning bolt struck down in the middle of the battlefield. Pitch and Aggar turned to find Mulu Amin and his Demondog army standing there watching them.
"So you beat my dog warriors," Mulu said as he slammed his staff down causing a tremor that made our warriors to stumble and fall. "You thought the fighting was over. You thought you had won, didn't you? You have not faced me or my Demondogs and trust me. We will not be so easy to beat."
"We beat your dogs," Pitch said as Aggar and their forces spread out to be ready to fight. "We will beat you too."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!!" Mulu threw back his head to laugh. "They were nothing. Drones made for you to toy with while I sat back to watch. I knew the Hyenen could never beat you. But they served me well, Now you will face the true me.  Kill them!"
Like puppets, the Demondogs charged across the field heading for Aggar and all his warriors. Pitch made the shift and launched himself into the sky where he would have better access to the charging Demons
Unknown to him, the Demon's had a surprise for them.
As Pitch dived on the oncoming Demon horde, wings unfolded from their back and they launched into the sky coming after him. Surprised, Pitch banked left and let out a scream that tore through the oncoming horde. Again he backed left and dived at the Demons. After taking a deep breath, he sent a barrier of sound at the Demons.  Flapping his wings at high speed, Pitch created a sonic field around himself and let the Demons come in to attack. Like bees, they came in to attack. Buzzing backward. Pitch watched as they hit the sonic field and the vibrations tore them apart. Spinning around, Pitch sent out bolts of sound that burrowed holes through their shields and into their bodies. As his sonics rose in pitch, a blue glow surrounded his body and bolts of ultra shot out blowing Demons out of the sky.
On the ground Aggar and Kifedi went from Demon to Demon stabbing and slicing, throwing punches and kicks. A Demon leaped into air casting fire out over the Lycaon army. Shields were raised to block the fire but many fell from the Demon heat. As Deja watched the fire take here warriors, she called out to Kifedi then pointed up to the Demon. With a nodded he got himself ready for what she had in mind. With a quick stab and a push, he was dining with his foe and ready for her. As she gathered her wits, Deja leaped at Kifedi. He clasped his hands together to catch her. Deja slipped her knives from their place and spun them in her hands and leaped at her disfigured mate. As her foot caught his hand, Kifedi threw her up in the air at the Demon. Her knives flashed as she stabbed out piercing the Demons chest then did a backflip away before it blew away.
In a dark mood, Mulu Amin kicked out at a Lycaon warrior breaking its back then he kicked it out of his way as he started towards the Tigaren city gate. He lashed out sending a shot of energy at a trio of Jaguars hurrying to try and stop him. There was no power he thought that could stop him. All these weak Cats had no chance against a power like Mulu Amin.
As he reached the city gate he looked up at the spell that kept the gate closed. There were green, brown and traces of red in the gate spell. Mulu thought it might take time, but he was confident he could break the spell.
As he reached for the first band, he sensed danger and spun around with a shield spell that blocked a power from hitting him.
"Who dares?" He said as he turned to searched for his enemy. Are sure you want to face me? You could join me. I'd give you a place where you can be together."
"You mean betray our people?" Sakura frowned. "Leave them to your tender mercy."
"No," Astan said. "You couldn't give us enough to do that."
"But I do need someone to keep you company while Astan and I talk," Mulu said.  "I don't want this to be a one-sided conversation.
"What's the matter Mulu?" Sakura called. "Scared I'll put a sword in your back? Of course, I would."
Mulu smiled giving them a devious look.
"Then meet a friend." Mulu took a finger full of dust from his stash in his belt around his waist and flicked it out in the air. There was a spark of light, then a flash, and Clav Do' gon appeared in front of Mulu.
"General Do'gon, this is your chance to prove yourself to me," Mulu turned his head to look at Sakura. "Kill him."
"Yes my Lord."
Do'gon looked at Sakura with his soulless eyes then took out his swords and jumped in front of him ready to fight.
"Are you sure we can do this?" Astan asked staring at Mulu.
"Scared?" Sakura asked.
"About to piss my pants," Astan said.
"Don't worry," Sakura rubbed the front of Astan's pants. " I have faith in you. You won't let them hurt me."
[Never Love.] Sakura heard with warm feelings of love and arousal. [I'll fight for you, any day I have to."
As Do'gon walked out to meet Sakura, he studied his walk. A slight limp in his left leg, and blood on his shoulder. Sakura jumped forward with a stab out to draw him in. Do'gon dodged the stab and countered with a swing for Sakura's head. Sakura pulled his head away and spun around with a kick to Do'gon's side just as he moved back to avoid the blow. Continuing the spin, Sakura jumped back to keep Do'gon from knifing his back.
As Sakura and Do'gon moved in and out of battle, Mulu looked at Astan with red contemptuous eyes. "You really should have escaped Aspana when you had the chance." Mulu rumbled. "Now I have no choice but to kill you."
"You can try Dog master," Astan said as his magic gathered about him. "But I am not the weak child I was when this all started. I have something to fight for, and I warn you. I won't let you harm my people or my mate."
"Then shall we dance?" Mulu lifted his staff and cast out a rain of power pellets at Astan. Spinning around, Astan waved away the pellets, then attacked with a blast of energy. As the power blast hit Mulu's shield, Mulu fell down to his knees but held the shield tightly. When he got to his feet, Mulu growled and sent his blast at Astan. Astan moved aside then tripped over a root and fell on his face.
This was it. Mulu's chance to be rid of the pain in the ass Tigaren. He readied a power ball and moved himself over to stand right over Astan.
"Any last words?" Mulu snickered. Astan pushed his way up so he could look Mulu in his eyes. He started to say something, but he was cut off by the Dog lord. "Die Feline!!!"
With glowing eyes, Astan got up on his knees. With the power ball hot and ready. Mulu raised his hand over the Tigaren. In one swift move, Mulu slammed it down into Astan's chest. Astan screamed as the mystical energy burned its way into the young Tigaren. His eyes popped open and magical energy seeped out of his mouth and eyes. Mulu stepped back away Astan. This wasn't going to be as easy as Mulu thought it would be. With glowing eyes, Astan stood and turned to stand to face his enemy. Calmly Astan tilted head and raised his hand to point at Mulu. Sharp points of light shot out at Mulu. With his shield up, only one made it's the way through to stab into his chest. With a flick of his wrist, Mulu turned the attack back at Astan who dispatched it with a wave of his hand.
As the Dog Lord walked in a slow circle opposite his opponent, he knew this battle had become much harder than he wanted it to be. Astan Kinya wasn't going to be an easy mark. His magic might be equal to or better than Mulu's.
"I will not let you stop me," Mulu said as him and Astan circled ready to strike. "I have come too far and sacrificed too much to lose now."
"What have you sacrificed Mulu?" Astan asked. His head tilted, he had a blank look with his glowing eyes. "You take what you want. You don't care what others think. You don't care who gets hurt. All you care about is what you can get. You are no king. You can't rule here. You're just another tyrant to be disposed of."
"And you think you and your mate can bring me down!!" Mulu shouted as saliva ran down from his maw. "Then try it, you fucking rat catcher!!"
With a wave of his hand, Mulu sent a blast of frigid frost at Astan. Astan took a fighting stance then thrust out his hands and blew a gout of flames strong enough to overcome Mulu's cold.
"You think you can kill me, we'll see about that."
Mulu spun his hands round and round gathering more and more magic. Soon, he was wrapped in so much magic, you could barely see him. Astan stood ready and waiting for whatever evil Mulu could conjure.

"Kyan, move!!" Palas leaped into the air ducking the next swing. Kyan rolled then jumped up out of the giants reach. The giant had to be close to fifteen feet. His hair was dirty and filled with matted debris. There were scars all over its body from a lifetime of battles. Its arm and legs looked strong enough to tire a hole on the world. As it reached for Kyan, the boy swung down with his sword and cut in its arm. The giant howled and kicked out it Kyan sending him flying across the room. His cat-like reflexes turned him as he hit the wall and Kyan launched himself back at the giant with his claws out and ready. As he hit the giant, Kyan shifted to his lion form scratched deep grooves in his chest.
"Cat boy hurt Dunzig. Now Dunzig hurt cat boy bad!!!"
Like it was lite as a feather, Dunzig lifted his club and slammed it down where Kyan had been standing. Kyan jumped back and picked up a broken cup and threw it in Dunzig's face. The giant roared and pounded the ground with his fist then picked his up club again and leaped at Kyan snarling. From above, Palas circled the room looking for something he could use as a weapon against the giant. There was nothing here but books and China. Things from the table and the shelves of the library. Diving down, Palas grabbed knives and forks then took off back into the air. As he circled above, he looked for spots on the giant that would be tender to attack. Gripping the knives, Palas dived again. This time aiming for the spot behind Dunzig's neck, his spinal cord. Slamming the knives in, Dunzig screamed in pain then reached back trying to dislodge the knives. Unfortunately, they were stuck in deep and getting them out would not be an easy task.
Dunzig ran back and forth in the room trying to either smash Kyan or swat Palas. Either way. he wasn't having much luck. Then there was a bright explosion of light, and Zakia ripped lose the last band. As the door opened, something streaked out and hit Dunzig like a bolt of lightning. He staggered back away from Zakia and Kyan, then fell dead before the open door. As the dust cleared, Yonas held Aryonna as they made their way out from the dark trap. Behind them, Kapor staggered out shaking his head to clear his mind from his three days of captivity.
"Zakia!" The king called. "How fares my house tonight?"
"Not as bad as one might think, your highness." Zakia bowed. "Astan and Sukura have returned to save the day. But the battle isn't over yet. There are still enemies that need to be destroyed. Astan is here outside battling to get in. It's up to us to defeat the invaders in the palace. By us, I mean you, me Kapor, Kyan and Palas."

Lions, Tigars and Dragons, Oh my. 31

As the morning sun peaked over the mountains behind New Keanna, Jandar tossed and turned in the fit if a nightmare.
"No!," He moaned over and over until Rage woke up and pulled him into a warm embrace. "No, get away from my son!"
"Wake up Love," Rage ran his hand across his hairless sweat covered chest then touched him between his eyes to wake him up. "It's only a dream."
With a jolt, Jandar opened his eyes and looked up into Rage's eyes. Rage smiled and hugged him close kissing his ear, sliding his tongue over the lobe.
"The boys will be OK," He said with a squeeze. "Don't worry so much."
"Don't be so sure of that," Jandar sat up in bed. "If my dreams are right, Aspana could be in a lot of trouble."
"Aspana?"
"That's where they are." Jandar pulled away from the covers and sat on the side of the bed and grabbed his robe.
"Where are you going?" Rage asked.
"I need to talk to Athene." He slid his feet into his slippers. "Her dreams are more accurate than mine.
"You really are worried?" Rage pushed away from the covers and hurried around to Jandar's side of the bed. "Wait for a second and I'll get dressed."
As Rage pulled on underwear, Jandar tossed him his robe and they left their suite. They ran down two floors and down the hallway and made a left to find Adam and Athene's apartment. As they approached, Adam opened the door. He was dressed in bed clothing. He was just about to get some rest. He had been on duty at the gate last night.
"Come in," He stepped to the side to let them in. As the kings of New Keanna entered the apartment, Athene was standing there dressed in green and blue silks looking lovely as the midnight stars.
"I know why your here," she said.
"Then you can answer my question?" Jandar looked at her with worried eyes. "Are they OK?"
"Right now there is a lot of danger." Athene offered them seats so she could explain. "There is a war going on in Aspana, and this Mulu Amin is very very dangerous. I......"
Suddenly the door burst open and Tara Rudd and Rose Avenda ran in with tears in her eyes. Athene went to her and took the crying woman in her arms.
"Tara," she said. "What's wrong?"
"Our children are gone!!" Rose cried.
"What?" Jandar said
"We can't find them," She cried."They weren't in bed when we went to wake them up this morning."
"Could they be spending the night with someone?" Rage asked. "Maybe Graym or Dancyia?"
"They would have told me before going," Tara said. "They're welcome to do overnights as long as I get an OK from the parent they are staying with. They know that."
"Calm down Tara, we'll find them." Athene led her to a couch and sat her down. "I'm sure of that. Can I get you something hot to drink?"
"How do you know?" Rose cried. "They could be hurt or in trouble out there somewhere. I wish Tomar was here, he'd know what to do."
"We'll find them, Rose." Rage said patting her on the shoulder. "Call the Shadoe's and Cheshire. We'll start searching in an hour. They can't have gone that far."
"Adam and I will help," Athene said. "Just let us get dressed and we'll meet you downstairs."
"OK." Rage said."I'll call the others and get Ariel to stay with Tara. We'll see you downstairs in ten minutes."
As Jandar and Rage left Athere's rooms, Rage still had Quynn and Sky on his mind,
"Aren't we forgetting something?"
"No," Jandar said. "I'm not forgetting our son. He's always on my mind."
"You mean like you forgot to tell me they were going to Aspana? We need to talk later" Rage said. " Then what are we going to do?
"We are responsible for all the people of New Keanna," Jandar said sadly. "That's what being kings mean. Our subjects come first. We'll have to hold off on looking for them until Tara's children are found."
I know you're right," Rage said as lite puffs of smoke rose from his breath. "But my mind will be on him while we search."
"I know Love," Jandar said patting Rage's bottom. "I'm worried too, but we are kings and they are our princes. They have to take care of themselves and we must trust them to take care of their own problems."
With smoke rising from his head and shoulders, Rage hurried down to there suite with Jandar right behind him. Dressing in their leathers, they called out for Graym, Jayce, and Pelic to meet them down in the courtyard. As they reached the first floor, they made their way to the main entrance. Once outside Jandar put two fingers to his lips and sent out a loud whistle. Moments later a loud pair of howls came back to answer his call.
From the front stairs of the manor, Jandar and Rage walk down and around to the side and into the rose garden. Red, pink, blue, green, and yellow roses bloomed along with many different cross species of the flower of all colors filled the garden thanks to Dreik. As they made their way to the center, Graym and Pelic came drifting over the flower wall to land beside them.
"Has there been any word?" Jandar asked.
"No," Graym answered. "I should have been watching them closely. Rose will never forgive me."
"It's not your fault," Pelic said, his voice was gentile coming from beneath his gray hood. "They are children and they will get themselves into things no matter what you do."
Just then there was a bright flash of light and Jayce dropped down to join them.
"Aiya your majesties." He bowed to Rage and Jandar. "What can I do for you today?"
Jandar gave him stern look then turned as the others joined them from town.
"I'm sorry to pull you all from your busy day, but we have a problem. Four of our children are missing and they must be found immediately. They disappeared last night between 9 M.A. and 6 S.A.  Graym, and Jayce, fly out south. Search Winterhaven and the Darkforest. Call out to me if you find anything.
With a nod. Graym and Jayce took off.
"That leaves west and north. Rage, Dreik, and Blink will take west over the Kolvir. Search the trails, the forest, and the Durmista caves. I will take Cheshire and the Snowdogs and go north. Does anyone have any questions?
"What about the east?" Sara asked.
As he turned to Sara, the wind blew his dark hair over his face. Jandar wasn't sure where the kids had gone, but he was doubtful that they had gone out to sea. How could he tell that to Sara? She had been left out of so many missions, he knew she wanted to do her part. It wouldn't hurt to let her try.
"Your right Sara," Jandar gave her a smile with his twinkling eyes. "Message down and have Caldar Dylani send someone to join you as a guide, Anything else?"
No one spoke out.
"Then let's get going,"

From Deneg in the north to Torbid in the south, war raged all across Aspana. Lines of displaced refugees hid by day from Mulu's bands of Dog raiders who struck out at anything that moved. Mulu's slave pens grew larger every day as his warriors dragged wounded and scared refugees back to be put in chains. The sounds of their screams could be heard for miles all around. In Torbid, the Sealen city had a rich trade center and its seaport was second to none. Their fleet counted over forty and was usually spread all across the southern hemisphere of Keanna shipping exotic fruit and animals. The Sealen people were master tradesmen with customers from Aquilona under the western sea to Liamiport in the exotic east.
The Sealen had fought bravely against the Hyenens. The battle was going in their favor until the Demondogs arrived and joined the fray. As the battle raged, the first Demondog charged in blasting the line of Sealen scattering the warriors across the battlefield. Bravely the Sealen climbed back on their feet ran back at the Demondog. With his spear raised the first Sealen stabbed up into the Demons back and shoved the barbed head in. As the Demon screamed in pain, the Sealen pulled his sword and chopped down into it's back. Weakened by the attack the Demondog fell convulsing to the ground. As the Sealen took that chance to attack, the Demondog was up with an evil grin slashing at his enemies.  Seeing their comrades fall, the Sealen rallied themselves for a new offensive. With some of Aspana's finest wizards on the city wall sending out their strongest spells, the Sealen attacked Mulu's ships. They hacked and tore out the bottoms of the invading ships sending them to the bottom of the bay. Hyenen warriors dived out of the ships thinking to swim for their lives. Unfortunately, Hyenen weren't too much for swimming. Most of them sank right to the bottom. Only the Demondogs were able to make it to land without drowning.
With their weapons drawn and their determination set, the Sealen charged into battle. Swords flashed in brave comradely as Demondogs fell under the assault. Jackals rushed in to take up the place of the fallen Demons. As the two enemies clashed, the Sealen's courage rose to a high point. They had finally overcome Mulu and his Demon's, now it was time to launch their final attack and drive the dogs away from their city.
Like their brothers the Dolphins, Sealen warriors leaped from the water armed and ready to decimate their enemy. The Hyenen pulled back with fear in their eyes until they had all made it to cover. As the Hyenen's cowered in fear the Sealen charged in to reap their glorious win. All of a sudden a cry came from beyond the battlefield and Nereus and his Griffin brothers dropped down out of the sky to attack the Sealen. Sealen warriors screamed as Griffin's hot claws ripped into their bodies. Soon, countless Sealen had fallen under the Griffin assault. The Sealen commanders screamed for their warriors to retreat. As the brave Sealen turned away from the battle, they cursed the laughing Griffin's as they limped away carrying their wounded comrades. Today they lost the battle because of Mulu's pact with his dark god, but there would be a day when the Sealen and the rest of Aspana would triumph and put Mulu and his god down.
As Nereus made his way to Mulu's tent, he watched as Mulu turned his dark magic on his own warriors. As they begged for mercy, Mulu cursed each one causing flames to break out all around them.
"Who are you stranger and why have you come to help me?"
"I am Nereus." Nereus bowed to Mulu never taking his eyes off the Warlock. "I am here to help you take control of Aspana and make it yours."
"I hope you can do a better job then they did." Mulu motioned to the burning piles to their side. "I don't take well to failure."
"I never fail," Nereus said insulted.
"That's what they said." Mulu laughed. "What makes you so sure you can help me?"
"I can bring you Dragons."
"Come." Mulu waved him over. "Let's talk."

Zakia Manzi was in a very dark mood. The Tigaren capital palace had been raided and their royal family was taken captive. Zakia had no idea where. But there was one clue. The palace reeked of dark magic. Zakia could feel it all around him. That was Mulu's mistake. With a smile, Zakia raised his hands and weaved a spell that would trace the spell used on the palace. As he sat down and spun his tracer spell, red and blue lights flashed, then the room settled with a green haze as the spell took effect. Zakia's eyes glazed over and a grim look settled on his face.
As Zakia got to his feet, two Hyenen warriors rushed into the room. With a quick turn, Zakia cast out a simple force spell that grabbed the warriors and slammed them into the palace wall. As the warriors fell, Zakia turned and calmly made his way to the room's exit. He went from the throne room to the hall and down two flights of stairs to an audience room where he stopped at a stone wall and placed his hand on the wall. Bright blue lights flashed as the wall accepted him as a member of the royals.
As Zakia stepped in a bright light flashed as he stepped through a force wall set up by the enemy Warlock. Through the force barrier, Zakia looked up to find a familiar enemy standing at the Tigaren wall near a vault where the family jewels and weapons could be found. Jaffa Uda, a sly and aggressive wharf Rat with one golden eye and a broken tail from a battle he had won against an Elf back in his early days.
Dressed in a gray hooded robe with stars that danced all over him, and his amulet of Ragamon glowing around his neck, Jaffa stopped his spells and looked toward Zakia.
"Myumbo Jaffa Uda," Zakia said as he entered the room. "It has been a long time since we last met."
"Yes, Zakia." Jaffa walled out from the wall where he had been tried to break a spell. "I see you are still faithful to Yonas and the Tigaren kingdom. Tis a shame I will have to kill you. There's so much we could learn from each other."
"Like loyalty and honor?" Zakia through back his head laughing. "Master Stevn always said that would be your downfall. Gold could never be a master to standby. an incentive to learn or be faithful."
"And you think the Tigaren's better?"
"Oh yes." Zakia smiled as his staff started to glow. "Tigar is where my heart will always belong. They are my friends and my family. I will die before I let anyone kill my king or my nephew.."
"Then today is the day you will die, old friend." As Jaffa stepped forward, a bolt of green power shot out from his hands. Spreading his hands, Zakia formed a pulse shield that sent the bolt back at Jaffa. Leaning out, Jaffa caught the bolt and took it in his hands and spun more power into it, then he sent it streaking at Zakia. As the bolt came at its target, Zakia lifted his staff and swung batting the bolt high over their heads into the jungle.
With his staff over his shoulder, Zakia stepped closer to Jaffa. The Warlocks amulet glowed brightly from their battle.
"You didn't think Mulu would send an apprentice, did you?" Smoke rose steadily from Jaffa's hooded robe.
"Your experience doesn't matter," Zakia said. "You fight for gold and that's just a thing with no honor or meaning. I could give you all the gold you want with a snap of my fingers."
Turning around, Zakia snapped his fingers and conjured a pile of gold that was stacked to the ceiling.
In a few steps, Zakia had a hand full and he tossed it to Jaffa.
"This doesn't mean anything to me." With another snap, The gold was gone, all Jaffa had was what Zakia had tossed to him. "You risk your life for that? That's nothing to lose your life over. You have no honor."
"Maybe I don't," Jaffa said as he stuffed his pockets. "But it will be your downfall."
"I doubt it." Zakia leaned forward with his arms at his side wrapped around his staff. "You may attack first.
Laughing at Zakia's confidence, Jaffa raised his hand and spoke a few soft words that sent a storm of gray static at Zakia. Bubbling and boiling the gray clouds of static came at Zakia, he took his staff and started to spin it around and around. In less than a second he stopped and pushed the static up into the air. Like dark specks of rain, it fell down on Jaffa burning its way into his robe. Jaffa screamed and fell to his knees shooting the specks away from him leaving his robe torn in spots.
Lifting his head, Jaffa stared back at Zakia with glowing menacing eyes. Getting to his feet, he shot a beam of concentrated power at Zakia. Holding his hands in a fist before him, the beam came in and struck. Zakia screamed holding his glowing fist over his head. The pain ran through him frying nerves and searing muscled all through his body. As his blood started to boil in his veins, he gasped some kind of healing spell that reached out to heal his body. Zakia fell limp to the ground. Staggering forward, Jaffa looked over his downed enemy. There were no life signs, Zakia looked as if he wasn't breathing but that could be a trick. As Jaffa moved forward, a spark of life slipped into Zakia and his eyes slowly opened, Confident of his success, Jaffa reached down and grabbed Jaffa by his throat. Blood ran from his mouth and his eyes had no life shine.
"It's over." Jaffa lifted Zakia in triumph. "I win and you can take your honor with you to the underworld!!"
"I think not!"
Suddenly Zakia opened his eyes and lifted his staff. A bolt of lightning erupted all around Zakia throwing Jaffa to the ground as Zakia rose high over him.
"This is far from over." Zakia settled to the ground.
Hurrying to his feet, Jaffa threw a wave of dust and dirt at Zakia then followed with a powerful blast. With his power shield still up, Zakia let the blast hit the shield then countered with a swift hammer blast pile driver blow that sent Jaffa flying off his feet. As he shook his head to focus his power, Jaffa threw his hands up casting a wide field of dark energy at Zakia. As he shook out his dreadlocks, Zakia raised his hands and watched the darkness descend upon him. As far as he knew, there was no way to counter the darkness that was coming toward him. Darkness was the ultimate of evil spells and Master Stevn had never taught the dark craft or how to counter it. The only thing Zakia could think of was to rely on his faith and his honor to drive the darkness back. As the darkness crept toward him, Zakia calmed his mind and set himself down folding his legs beneath him. This would be his last chance. He hoped they would all be with him tonight. With his staff held out, he called out for help.

"I CALL UPON ALL THE MASTERS OF
 TIGAREN PEOPLE.
STEVN AND WHAYU.
LAMU AND FARAJI.
KHALFINI AND MBITI.
BAYANA AND MSHINDI.
THE DARKNESS THREATENS
OUR PEOPLE AND IT IS
ONLY WITH YOUR HELP
WILL WE PREVAIL? WE NEED
 YOUR RIGHT TO FIGHT
THE DARKNESS."

As Jaffa's darkness spread through the room, Zakia was pulled up off the ground to hover four feet in the air surrounded by a savage light. Lightning flashed in colors unknown to the normal sight as the darkness fought the light for supremacy. To Zakia it looked as if the light and darkness had become vicious beings fighting for their own place in the world. Back and forth the battle raged as the war of light and darkness went on with each blow vibrating with blinding flashes of pain. As the war went on, Zakia could feel his strength grow with each blow. The light struck harder and harder making sparks explode in the air. Soon Zakia could see Jaffa convulse as each blow absorbed more and more of his strength. The light grew stronger and stronger until soon it was so bright that there was an explosion that threw the two combatants apart.
When Zakia got to his feet, he could feel the raw strength running through his body. The bone staff that he carried now was made of pure silver and light. There was something different about him. He could feel the change that ran through his body. As he looked out he saw Jaffa laying broken against the wall and Yonas and Kapor were sitting up staring at him with a bewildered look on their face.

"What's going on?" Yonas said. "We're in the treasure room. What are we doing here? The last thing I remember was we were under attack? What happened?"
"Many things happened," Zakia said. " "We're still being attacked. Follow me and I'll explain."

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."

When the Storm Begins. 28

As the morning sun beamed down on the Sadunese rain forest, Aoules woke up shaking from a horrid nightmare. He dreamed he was free, but how can that be true? Queen Ladia would never grant him his freedom. Aoules sat up and looked around. He was in a field of what looked like purples and yellow bluebells, and his wrist was free. No chains, no cuffs, nothing. He was free. How can that be? Exactly what had happened? Still, a bit dazed, Aoules got on his feet and shook out the cobwebs that lay scattered in his memory. The last thing he remembered was the usual beating. It had hurt, but he was used to it after all his years of bondage. He was beaten two times a day, every day, rain or shine. But last night was different. He was beaten, but it was like Ladia had something she had to do and the beating was getting in the way. Questions, questions. Too many questions and not enough answers. But then that was his life. Wasn't it?
Sitting cross-legged, Aoules thought back a few hours trying to make sense of this page of his life. It really wasn't much to think about. Like his father before him, Aoules was born a slave. As a matter of fact, all Griffins for the last three hundred years were born into slavery. No one knew why, but that's the way it was in Aspana. Tote that bundle, plow that field, trade or be traded. If one was lucky enough to stay with a master, and his service was worth it, you might be granted your freedom. But that hardly ever happens. But I'm getting off track. Where was I? Oh yeah.
Aoules had been in service to the Harpys. It was unbearable. but he used to it. Aoules was in the service of Queen Ladia, one of the meanest bitches in all of Aspana. No matter what he did, it was wrong. As far as she was concerned, he couldn't even wipe his ass right. He was one of her private slaves meant to come and go at her commands. He made her food, cleaned her suite, and he was there for her sexual pleasure. It's not that bad if you could stand the smell which Aoules couldn't. Oh and there's one more thing I forget to mention. Though she looked female, she had one of the biggest cocks he had ever seen. Yes, there is no male and females in the Harpy species. Harpy's only need a mate of their own species to reproduce. Anyone one will do for pleasure.
Once Aoules was done cleaning and feeding Ladia, she took him to bed and had her way with him. Drained and exhausted, Aoules left her bedroom staggering and went back to his nitch for a few hours sleep. But he was forgetting his nightly beating. As the first strike of Ladia's whip hit Aoules, he screamed and jumped out of his bedstraws. With a row of laughter, Ladia ordered Aoules, held down while she beat him. Again and again, the whip came down stripping lines of flesh from his back. Though it hurt, Aoules didn't make another sound after his wake up scream. He just grit his teeth and took the beating. Once it was over, he made the shift to his Griffin form and crawled to his sleeping nitch where he passed out.

As the mourning sun crept over the horizon, Stormcrest stood over the sleeping form of Queen Ladia. She was beautiful he thought. With her vibrant red and blue feathers and her golden crest. One would think she was magnificent until they spent time with her and learned how cruel and horrible she really was. With a frown, he looked to the left and picked up a knife from her dinner tray. He took a step closer to her and looked down at her as she snored the night away. He didn't have to be there. He should've been miles away with Nereus on the way away from the Dragons. Instead, he found himself here in the crags and caves of Drachena where the dark things call home.You might ask how Beno found himself here amongst slaves and Harpys. It is a relevant question, he should be back somewhere in the east hunting Dragons with Nereus and the rest of the clan. Well, it seems he heard a desperate cry for help while he slept. He wasn't sure who it was from, but he knew someone was in real pain and they really needed help, so he opened his mind to the call and let the feelings flow through him.
It was from someone named Aoules. He was a dark-haired young man, a slave in the service of Queen Ladia, a Harpy who ruled her perch in the faraway land of Drachena. A dark and desperate place where Harpys ruled over lonely cliffs filled with sad and brutalized slaves desperate to be free.

As Stormcrest woke up from his night of dream revelations, he looked all around for Nereus, the leader of his clan. When he couldn't find him, he felt it was a chance for him to fly east and see if he could find some way to get Aoules out of his dilemma.
From the Griffins cave, Stormcrest flew east pass Tinpa and the capital city of the Pantheren nation. At the coast, he turned south-east and he started his ascent to the high mountains of Drachena.
Though Drachena was in the eastern sea of Aspana, it really was a cold barren place with very little vegetation and no safe beach to land a ship. It was surrounded by high cliffs and dangerous currents that made it impossible for shipping. Though rich in minerals, Drachena wasn't much by way of a center of trade. They usually ate whatever they caught and that included the slaves at times. Being carnivores, the Harpys did their own nightly hunting while the slaves were responsible for their own food. They kept small farms with potatoes, carrots, radishes, and onions with whatever their queens left as meat. As to other supplies, there were things that came to the Harpys by way of raids on ships and travelers that managed to get to close to the east coast of Sudan.
From the coast of Sudan, Stormcrest made the shift to Beno and started his way into the jungle. Sudan had a lot of wildlife which included many different types of insects, small monkeys, and a few Human Settlements. Beno avoided the Humans, he didn't need any trouble from them. With his mind deeply connected to Aoules, Beno followed his pain through the jungle. Pass the Hippogriffs and the dog like Grinda's. Around the swamp where the deadly Aligors swam and through the valley of the dry moisture sucking Breo. Beno stopped out beyond the walls of Trevan, the Human colony and watched as they set out new traps through the jungle to keep the monsters away.
From Trevan, Beno started on his way up into the mountains. He kept hidden because he didn't want the Harpys to know he was coming. Halfway up he doubled over screaming as Aoules as was being beaten by Queen Ladia and her warriors. He knew he had to hurry before they killed him.
Groaning to himself, Beno shifted forms and Stormcrest took off running up into the mountain. This wasn't how he expected his day to go. All he wanted was to get back to Domina where the rest of his family was. He never thought he would be here carrying out the wishes of two ancient gods.

Last night as he slept in the Griffin cave, he had what he thought was a dream. Tyree and Nurisha appeared before him and called him out of his dream.
"Beno," Nurisha called as she knelt down to face him, "Wake up my Son."
"Where am I?" He said rubbing his eyes.
"You are here with us," Tyree said. "We have something we want you to do."
As Beno looked up at the great gods Tyree and Nurisha, he blinked and rubbed his eyes. He jumped up and took a step back.
"Am I dreaming?"
"Yes, you are," Nurisha smiled. "But this is real. We are here talking to you."
"W, What do you want?" Beno bowed down keeping his head down.
"We have a task for you," Tyree said. "Get up off the ground and face us."
As Beno climbed up on his feet, the two gods shrank themselves down to seven feet and approached him.
"Now isn't this better?" Nurisha reached out and touched Beno on his cheek. "There's someone we need you to free. He's a Griffin just like you."
"Me?" Beno said surprised. "Why me?"
"Just find him," Tyree said as they started to fade away. "He's in the land of the Harpys. A place called Sudan, then find Sakura. He will need you."
As they disappeared, Beno woke up. He sat up and looked around. He was still in the Griffin cave.
"Was that a dream?" He said to himself.
[No, it wasn't,] Tyree whispered into his head. [Now go!]

As the fourteenth hour rang, Ranjer stood beside Ferel as they watched Mulu pay homage to Xuthulu at his altar. It was a bloody mess as one by one each sacrifice was lead to Xuthulu's altar where their life was given to the hungry god. Watching the slaughter wasn't easy for Ranjer. As a vampire the smell of blood was enticing. But it was also sicking. He couldn't even for a second dream of living that way. He knew about his parents and what they had done, and he knew he could never live like that. Watching Mulu take lives one after another, he knew he had to do something to stop him.
Slowly Ranjer inched his way away from the carnage. As he reached the side door, he took a last look at the crowd of Demondogs and Hyenen and disappeared. He ran as fast as he could through the temple and out into the back part of Mancora.
Though most of Mancora's citizen were in the temple, there was still a  number of Demondogs and Hyenens on the streets. Guards, warriors, slaves and masters, Though Mulu was master of Mancora, there was still some that opposed his rule. From the temple, Ranjer led Ferel back into poor part of Mancora. Males and females ran and ducked into hiding when the saw them. Not many would take a chance hiding the fugitives when they knew what Mulu would do if they were caught.
As they made their way through the shabby huts, a lone Hyenen came out from one of the huts and approached them.
"Who are you stranger? You are not like Mulu and his warriors. Why are you here?"
"I am here to find my friends," Ranjer said being honest. "They were captured by Mulu. Can you help us free them?"
"Mulu holds all power here in Mancora. There isn't much we can do except follow his commands or be punished."
"Mancora was not always like this," Ferel explained. "We were once hunters and artist. We kept cattle to feed our people, crops to trade. My father had a blacksmith forge, he made tools for all of our neighbors. Life was so peaceful, until the Amins took control and made us into killers.".
"Then we have to do something to stop him."
"Like what?" The villagers asked. "We have no weapons. No magic that can compare with Mulu. What are we to do?"
Ranjer stopped and stared out at the warriors on the city gate. He could shift forms and be out of here in the snap of his fingers, but that would leave Quynn and Sky stuck here in Mulu's hands. He just couldn't do that. Jandar and Rage would never forgive him. He would have to find a way to get them free.

As the sun started to make its way over the horizon, Palas pushed himself for another burst of energy. Tigaress was just over the next mountain range and down in the valley. He was almost there. He had been flying all night with only one rest stop for water and some wild fruit. As he sat there eating the pineapples and bananas he gathered, something moved just outside of his visual range. He stopped eating and put down the pineapple to get a closer look. It could just be his mind playing tricks on him. He was exhausted and he needed sleep, but that would have to wait. This was an important mission, Astan would be counting on him.
Climbing up on his feet, Palas walked on into the jungle. He could hear monkeys and wild birds chirping and squawking. From the sounds of the chirping, Palas knew they were wild unintelligent creatures, nothing like his people, but there was one thing he understood. They were scared. There was something out there they were afraid of.
Flexing his talons, Palas slowly made his way into the jungle. His eyes were sharp and use to the darkness of the night. As he walked, he caught a scent. It was heavy and musky. Palas didn't recognize it at first, but it was familiar, like something out of his nightmares. Suddenly there was an ear-piercing screech. Palas jumped, then spread his wings and flew up into the trees. As he clung to the tree, he searched the jungle and the trees around him. Everything was quiet. No more monkeys or birds. He couldn't even hear the sound of wind in the trees. Then something black jumped at him from the trees. Palas pulled himself back out of the way just as a black hand with long sharp claws scratched deep lines in the tree Palas had been perched in. As he took off into the air, he looked back and saw a huge black winged monster coming after him. But that can't be. He must be seeing things. Making a sharp left, he took another look behind him. There it was, coming up on him fast. But this time he recognized it. It wasn't a monster, it was a full-sized Vampire Bat with twelve to fifteen feet of wings and deadly claws and fangs.
Palas and his clan had come up against them in the past and lost friends that were deeply missed. That had been a horrible time for the Avians and their peaceful life. The first turn of what would be the end of a magnificent species.
With a flip in the air, Palas took off to the east. He held his wings in tight and dived down toward the jungle with the bat hot on his tail. With a sudden opening of his wings, he braked and slashed out with his talons slicing deep cuts in the Bats wings. With a screech, the Bat turned slapping down sending Palas rolling off to the side head over heels. Shaking his head, Palas pulled himself out of the roll and turned east again. As he streaked his way east, two more dark shadows came out of the sun flying straight at him. With three great Bats on his tail, Palas for a minute felt fear break its way through his heat.
"This will not do." He said to himself. "I have faced Gorillas, Warlocks and all the things in Domina's dark jungle. These Bats will not bring me down!!"
With another flip, Palas turned and with a loud squawk, dived at the center Bat. As his talons came out, Palas was on the Bat ripping at its wings until it couldn't stay in the air. With a scream, the Bat fall and Palas was on the next Bat with a rage in his heart.
"Your kind killed my brothers," He shouted as he ripped into the Bat tearing it apart. "I will not let you harm anyone ever again!!"
With a jump out of the way, Palas turned to face the last Bat.
As he faced it, he realized this Bat was much bigger than the other two. It had a wingspan of close to twenty feet. No burst of rage was going to take it down.
"Are you ready to die little one?"
"It will take a lot more then you have to kill me," Palas yelled as the rage again started to build inside his chest. "I will kill you and ever Bat on this jungle if I have too."
As Palas dived at the Bat. he let out the loudest, strongest scream.
As he dived at the Bat, a sonic burst of energy ripped its way out of his mouth and went straight for the Bat. Like a twenty foot sledgehammer, it hit the Bat in the face crushing its skull. As it fell, Palas watched surprised at what he had just done. With a grim shrug, he took off heading back on his way to Tinpa and the Tigaress royal family.

Chaos reigned all throughout Ladia’s aerie, Beno made his way out through Ladia’s private exit. With the elder queen dead, all her young daughters fought over the right to take over while the slaves took that as a chance to escape. From the queen's gate, Beno headed into the jungle. He knew Aoules was in here, he would use his pain to lead him right to his exact position. With his senses open, Beno followed the pain trail right to a clearing near the cliffs where he found Aoules just about to take to the morning skies.
Shifting quickly, Stormcrest called out to Aoules to stop him.
[Myumbo my friend. I am Stormcrest. It’s good to see you free.”
Aoules turned to look at Stormcrest. Who was this new Griffin? Could he have something to do with this situation?
[You did this?] He asked. [You got me out of there?]
[Yes.] Stormcrest bowed to him. [Ladia is dead and all her slaves are free.]
[Why?] He asked him confused. [Why would you do that? I don’t even know you.]
[Does that matter?] Stormcrest made the shift back to Beno. “Someone very important wants you to help me. Besides, you and the others deserve to be free, I’m glad I could help.”
[What if I don’t want to help?] Aoules looked at Beno with a frown. [What happens then?]
“You go on your way, and I go on without you.” Beno stepped up closer to Aoules. “I’m not here to force you into anything. I need your help. If you don’t want to help, you’re free to go anywhere you want.”
Aoules made the shift to his Human form and moved over to the edge of the cliff. Helping the Gorilla could get him killed, but he knew he should have died long ago from Ladia’s torture and crazy bed games. Besides, this one had done him a service he could never pay back for freeing him. The least he could do was serve him loyally.
“Alright,” He said. “I owe you my life. I will help you. Where are we going?”
“Mancora.”