Rhinons. 22

With Domina safe and Goren sworn in as their new chief, there was only one thing left for Astan to do. It was time he said Myumbo and found Sakura and got back home were they would both be safe. At least that was what he thought at that moment. Be he was forgetting something. For just that moment he had forgotten the person who had started all this war, to begin with. Somewhere out there Mulu Amin was still piloting some way to bring both the Pantherans and the Tigars down.
As Astan looked around he smiled at the Gorillas they were celebrating all around him. The fruit had been gathered and wine was poured. The whole city was bright with the lights of celebration. There had been speeches made by the elders and the leaders of many other clans. Grey and mountain gorillas attended the festival along with the Orangutans of the south and three Human villages from the north. Everyone came to celebrate the downfall of Igoro and the new Chieftain Goren.
As Astan lifted a glass of wine in salute, Goren came over and sat down beside him. He had the face of fear on him. It was all the thanks the people had heaped on him.
"You look worried my friend." Astan pushed a glass of wine into his hand. "The time for worrying is behind you. Igoro is gone and you are the new chief who is going to lead his people into a bright new future."
"I never really thought about what would happen after my father was defeated." Goren said with a nervous look, "I never planned to take the leadership myself."
"Then who did you propose to be the leader? No one has done anything like you did. You deserve the position. The people will  look to you for what they should do."
"And want about you?" Goren said. "What are you going to do? I could use your help here."
"Oh no!" Astan smiled waving the thought off. "I have to go home. I have to find Sakura. He must be worried sick about me."
"Alone?" Goren said. "You can't go alone. The jungle is a very dangerous place.
"He won't be alone." Palas said as he dropped down out of the sky. "I will be at his side."
"So will I." Nyo said as he placed his pack down. "Igoro killed my family. I have nothing holding me here. Nothing but sorrow and memories. It is time I got to see the world."
Goren had thought about it for a minute. The idea of roaming the jungle and the savanna was inciting.  There was still a lot of Aspana that hadn't been mapped yet and he did still feel the urge to be out with his friends exploring. But that would leave Domina without a leader and that could be trouble. It was up to him to steer them in the right direction away from slavery. Now without Igoro, this Domina was moving away from trouble to a more honorable life.
"You all be careful, all of you." Goren shook all of their hands and hugged Nyo. "If you need us, call me. I am forever indebted to you. I will hear you and hurry to your side."
As the walked out of Domina's gates, Nyo turned to Astan with a question.
"Do you know where your mate is?"
"Not at the moment." Astan said with a smile. "But don't worry, I will find him. Or he will find us I should say."

As day turned into night, Mulu Amin stepped out of the shadows outside of Domina's gate. He had seen Igoro's battle with his son Goren. He thought Goren should have been an easy victory. Igoro knew spells more advanced than anything a novice like Goren should be able to stand up to. He didn't understand how Goren had beaten him.
[It does not matter.] Said a deep voice in the Demonic hyena's head. [All will be set right very soon. Igoro and his son will meet again. The end of that battle will be much more to our liking. I want you to go north spreading your demon seed all over Aspana. Let them know that Xuthulu is coming.]
A flash of lightning ripped through the night sky as Xuthulu barked our a maniac fiendish cackle of a laugh. Mulu smiled as one hundred different possible ways to rip Xuthulu's power from him ran through his mind.
"My day will come." Mulu sneered. "And I will be ready."
With a flourish of his cape, Mulu disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke. and a horrible smell.

As Sakura slept, his mind ran through the endless miles of empty dreams. First, he was back at home in Atrua watching a parade from one of the balcony's of the royal palace, then he found himself running through the jungle screaming for Astan. He searched from Atrua down through the savanna, and up into the jungle outside of the Tigaress walls. Sometimes he saw a shadow that resembled Astan, and sometimes he heard his voice calling from somewhere out beyond sight.
His mind started to twist and turned. He saw a vision of his father trapped in some pit while Demon dogs teased him with short bursts of power that burned deeply as he tried to limp away. In his mind, he heard him calling for him.
[Sakura!!!]
[Where are you father? I will come and help you get free.]
[Find Aggar and Akani. They will lead you to me.]
[Who?] Sakura said confused, [Who are there? Where are they?]
[Friends my son.] Msia said weakly. [Find them and they will bring you to me, but you have to hurry Sakura. Time is running out for us. Aspana is soon to become very dark, If we want to stop it we must hurry.]
[I will find you, father, Hold on and have faith. I will find you.]
As Sakura sat up, he looked around the campsite to see Deja busy on watch sharping her knifes. Dar'yl was snoring off to the side, while Sky and Quynn lay quieting wrapped if each's arms. Quietly Sakura threw the blankets off and picked himself up off the ground. Last night they had no direction.
They were on course to find Astan, but somehow they had been turned around. Sakura could feel his mate out there waiting for him but something had turned them in another direction. I wasn't long before Dar'yl woke up and came over to join Sakura.
"We're heading south again." He said. "Where are we going? Astan and the Gorilla city is west of here."
"Yes." Sakura said with a strange look in his eyes. "I know. But there's something else we have to do."
"There's something more important than Astan?"
"Not something." Sakura said as he threw his pack over his shoulder. "Someone. I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but I think my father is out there being held captive."
"Msia?" Dar'yl said surprised. "It's not possible. He's been gone twenty seasons. If he was alive, he would have come home."
"Not if he was being held to weak to even move." Sakura turned to face Dar'yl. "I know what you're thinking. But I felt his call. It was the same as when I was a cub and he wanted to speak with me privately. It was him Dar'yl. I felt him."
Dar'yl looked into Sakura's eyes where he saw the truth coming from his heart. With a smile, Dar'yl had one more question.
"Which way do we go?"

As day turned into night, and night into day, a dread sorrow spread all through Aspana. Demondogs ran wild attacking everything that moved. Elephants were captured and taken to Mancoro where they were branded and kissed by the darkness that is Xuthulu. Their bodies were changed, corrupted and molded into something dark that Xuthulu could control.They retained their massive form but Xuthulu made their thick skin into armored plating. Their ears and trunk were fashioned into a mass of tentacles and stingers that hung down and stabbed out at their victims. Their body was made slender so they ran and hunted easier. The only thing that did not change was their tusk though they did seem sharper and more deadly. Standing at their side was the brown elephants. Almost completely overwhelmed by what he had seen stood Tyrax Greyside, the elder son of Tyrox of the southern Rhinon tribe.
After hearing his fathers call to arms, Tyrax gathered warriors and weapons and hurried out into the jungle to give aid to as many of his people as they could find. Armed with heavy clubs and enough ammo to drive the Demondogs all the way back to Mancoro, Tyrax ordered his warriors armed themselves for a very long fight quietly spread out through the thinning jungle. As the Demondogs slowly came bounding out chasing the Rynon young, Tyrax and his warriors attacked. The physical force did nothing in battle, the explosive pellets that shot from their horns did. Dropping their clubs, Tyrax grabbed his sword and ordered the young to keep them supplied as he waded into battle.
The first Demondog had red eyes and smoke steaming out as he huff and puffed toward Tyrax. With a sneer it screamed out as it advanced on the Rhinons. Tyrax pounded his chest and sent five stones at the Demondog. As the stones hit him he screamed out in pain.
"How dare you strike out at one of Xuthlulu's holy one's!!" The dog yelled at them.
"You can call yourself anything you want." Tyrax raised his sword and readied himself for the attack. "As far as I am concerned you are nothing but Mulu's lapdog. Come, attack me if you dare!"
With a howl, the demon leaped out to swat Tyrax down. Spinning on his heel, Tyrax came in with his first sword. He jabbed and hacked at the enormous beast cutting into his chest and his arms With a loud scream, Tyrax dived in and leaped on the Demondogs back. With his short sword, he stabbed down again and again. As he stood over the bleeding Demon, two more came rushing in at them. With a great huff, he sent a volley of stones at the Demons. One by after the other the Rhinons little sparkling stones streaked through the air and slammed into the Demondogs. Clubs had been useless against their Demonic, they just glanced off but the blaststones were completely different. There was something in them that was deadly to the Demondogs. Spit, Rhinon gases, or maybe their DNA.
With a refill of stones, Tyrax and his warriors shifted to full Rhinon form and charged at the Demondogs. Tyrax stabbed a demon in its chest, then tossed it away as he charged at the next one. Laughing hysterically, Tyrax charged blasting that moved. Two Demons fell as he turned to find a new advisory. As one of the little's ones poured the remains of a bag of down his gullet, four Demons appeared in front of them. They each grabbed one of the young and held them out in front of them with sharp claws at their neck.
"Drop your weapons or they die!" Tyrax shifts back to his human form and throws his swords down.
"Our weapons are down." Tyrax snarled. "Please let them go."
"See this is why you will fail." The Demon laughed. "You care about these, these worms.  You take no joy in killing."
The Demon walked closer dragging the crying Rhinon behind him.
"This thing means nothing to me." The Demon held it as it started to squeeze. The young Rynon's eyes bulged as it tried to get its breath. It kicked and it beat at the hand that held. "I learned my lesson well, and so will you. Soon you will be as bloodthirsty as I am,"
Tyrax watched as the boy died right in front of him. His small group was surrounded how so there was nothing he could do. But they weren't dead yet. One day Mulu or whoever this Xuthlu is, they will slip and there will be a minute where Tyrax will have his chance and he would be ready.

"You may subvert my mind until there's not much left of me, but there is something you should know. I will never be anything like you. Should I tell you why,"

The Demon snapped the boy's body in two and tossed it down at Tyrax feet. The anger at what he had witnessed in the past few days had his brain pulsing like an erupting volcano. Smoke and steamrolled down off his face. Tyrax had felt this feeling once before. It had been three years ago during a squeamish the Rhinons were having with a fleet of Orcs from the north. The Orcs he slipped in five ships at a time during the wild moon season that affected all Aspanins like a wild rage spreading through their blood.
"Yes, brave one." The Demon laughed. "Tell me what makes you so special."
"I have honor." Tyrax said as sparks started to spark from Tyrax eyes. "You kill for and pleasure. You love the blood and gore of battle. We Rhinons only kill in self-defense, or for love and to protect or revenge."
"And exactly what is that suppose to mean?" The Demon asked.
"It means I will do anything to free my people. Even if it means my life."
That was the last thing Tyrax said before he set off the last weapon he had that exploded are in the demons face. Standing off to the side, Xuthlu watched as the demons died. He walked out to where Tyrax and kicked him over. He was still breathing with smoke froing from his nose and mouth.
"Sleep well." Xuthlu said, "When you woke. I will make you the master of my horde.

The Mighty Gorilla Chieftain. 21

As Msia opened his eyes, he sat up and put his hand to his head. It hurt, the was a large bump there and an open laceration. There was blood running down his face as Msia looked around to see where he was. The last thing he remembered was being attack somewhere near the Dragon cave. Someone must have caught him from his blind side and taken him hostage. Well they will be disappointed when the realize what they had taken captive. me
With a snap of his fingers Msia ignited his hand into a torch. As he looked around, he saw a pile of straw and a small burned out camp fire. There were a few bones scattered around and a old Pantheran blanket. The second Msia saw the blanket, he knew where he was. The straw bed, the small camp fire, the marking on the wall. He knew this place better his throne room in his own country. This was the pit he called hell where Mulu had held him captive. He was back in Mancoro.
"Noooooo!!!" he screamed out as his eyes sparked with dragon fire.
"Yes my old friend." He heard laughing. "You are back where it all started. You thought you could get away from me. You thought you could get the star's power and keep it to yourself. Well you we're wrong. I am Mulu Mwinya Amin. There is no one more powerful then me in Aspana. This is my lands and you will all bow to me!!!!"
Msia let the mad Hyenen rant all he wanted. He didn't care about anything he wanted. All he wanted was to make Aspana a safe place for all the people. Tittles and ambition is not what would keep people safe. He needed courage and honor. Courage and honor must reign from Kimbari to the north, and down through Mancoro and Domina in the south to the lowest tip of Aspana.
"I will never bow to you Mulu." Msia's eyes lit up with Inferno's fire. "And neither will anyone else in Aspana. You can moan and make all the threats you want, we will never crown you as king."
"I think you will." Mulu shouted at him. "You won't have a choice. You think the Dragon's can save you? You are wrong. Not even the power of Terra could stop my ascension to the god I will become."
God? That's when Msia knew that Mulu had gone mad. All these years of fighting must have done something to his mind. Mulu looked at him and started to laugh.
"You think I'm crazy." He walked around to stand right in front of Msia."You think I've lost my mind don't you? Well your wrong. My mind is as strong as it's ever, but now I have the power to back up what I say."
"Panthera and Tigaress will never give in to you." Msia called up out of the pit. "We will fight you every step of the way. All of Aspana will fight you. There's no chance for you to succeed with this madness."
"Failure is not a possibility." Mulu laughed. "Just as success is not a possibility for. You and all your allies will bow before me. You have no choice, it's has all ready been written."
"No if I can help it." Msia stepped back into the shade of the cave and started his shift. His eyes began to glow as his body grew in size. He fell down to the ground and roared up a challenging call as his body shifted to that of Inferno, Aspana's new red dragon. As he blow a gout of flame, Inferno stepped out of the cave and leaped into the air. Shielding himself from Inferno's flame, Mulu stepped back away from the rim of the pit. He watched not sure what was about to happen as Inferno slammed into the energy field that covered the top of the pit. Msia screamed as he fell back to the entrance of the cave. As he got back to his feet, Mulu laughed hysterically at the Dragon's failure.
"You thought I didn't know my enemy?" Mulu stepped back to the pits edge and kicked a loose piece of grass to fall down in Msia's face. "This pit is stronger than it was the last time you were here. Not only will it sap your strength, but it will rip the dragon out of you and hold it here for me. Congratulate me, I will soon be a Dragon and the master of Aspana with the power to fulfill my wildest dreams, and you will be dead! Myumbo Msia. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!"

The jungle was quiet as Sakura led the way through a path heading towards the gorilla city Domina. They were coming back to confront Igoro Baba for his in the Aspana wars. They knew destroying Igoro wouldn't end the war. But it would make a good first step. Sakura was afraid that if he let Igoro go free, he attack later at a critical moment when his forces might have a weak opening.
For Goren it was different. Igoro had destroyed many people in Domina that he loved. His brother and sister Hodari and Mara. Beno and his mother and father dead. Gorillas were an aggressive, but they weren't savage. They weren't the thoughtless slavers that Igoro had made them. Igoro and his slave market had to be destroyed.
As they got closer to the city gates, Goren called for a stop and held out a hand to quiet everyone. Listening carefully, Goren pointed to the west as they all got down to keep from being noticed. Out to the west, a line of slave were being walked into the city. In front they were being lead by a small group of armed Gorillas. Thinking this might be a possible advantage, Quynn sent out a message .
[Astan, How good are you at illusions?]
[What do you mean?] Astan replied.
[Can you disguise Palas and yourself to look like Gorilla soldiers? It might not be necca]
[I think so.] Astan said. [It should be easy.]
[If you can disguise you and Palas, We might have a chance to get back into the city.]
[What about us?] Goren asked. [Hayami, Nyo and I would be recognized the minute we stepped through the gates.]
[Don't worry.] Astan said. [I'll still have enough to disguise you so know one would recognize you. But first we have to take out the guards. We'll take the fourth in front if you can get the one's in the middle and the rear guard. But we have to time this right. We don't want them to sound an alarm.]

With the snap of his whip, Fanka Jahar yelled for his captives to move on. There were Elephants, Lycaons and Rhinon all chained and walking in sets of two. It had been a long campaign. They were out hunting for two month. but it had been successful. They were returning home with two lines of twelve. Fanake livked his lips as he thought about the rewards Igoro would give him for his bounty. The Elephants had been slow to move but easy to catch. Being so big, he was surprised at how easy it had been to take them. The Rhinons had been different. Those single horned giants had to be drugged before they were taken. The Lycaons were a another story. They had been caught returning from some battle with the Hyenens. Fanaka and his warriors had come upon their camp late one evening catching them unprepared for battle. The two months had been, but very rewarding.
But now it was time to be home again. Fanaka thought he could use the rest. He was tired of old field rations and was looking forward to a hot meal and the attention of one of Domina's harbor females.
With another crack of his whip, Fanaka yelled at the stopped line to move on. Angry he charged to the front to find his lead Rhinons down on their knees.
"Get on your feet and move!"
One of the Rhinons lifted his head to look at Fanaka, then turned away.
"How dare you ignore me!" Fanaka screamed lifting his whip to strike at the tired Rhinon. "I said get moving!"
As the whip came down, a brown furred arm reached out and caught the shape tip and pulled Fanaka down to the ground. With two punches to the Gorillas jaw, Fanaka was down and out. As Sky dropped his illusion, Goren ran up the the front and started opening chains to get the captives free.
With the chains off, the captives started to run off, but Sky stopped them with a quick force shield gathering them all together.
"You can run for home." Astan said quietly. "Or you can stay and help us to break Domina from its days of slave trading. I can't tell you it will be easy, and I know some of us may die, but this has to be done, if we want Aspana free from its slave trading legacy."
"We were taken while we slept after a raid on our lands." Said a Lycaon as he rubbed the chafe marks from chains on his wrist. "I'm with you and so are my warriors."
The Rhinons agreed and the Elephants stood there looking confused until someone explained it to them. Then they joined in. With everyone ready, Astan sent the signal for Goren and his warriors to head in for the city's gate. For the Gorilla's, today they would be taking their first step into a peaceful future

Hyrd was tired of these night hours. Every night, back and forth, back and forth. And for what? Nothing ever happened here and, it was such a waste of his time. He could be at home with Neesia doing something passionate and wild. Instead he was here pacing back and forth at the gate. Yes, Domina had enemies.  Humans, Pantherns, the Tigars, even the Chimps and the Orangutan hated the Gorilla's. But none of them had ever been bold enough to attack. Not even after the Gorilla's had been raiding in their land.
 No one would dare to attack Domina, day or night. They were to afraid of what Mulu Amin would do to them. And they were right. Mulu was a vert powerful, more powerful then any of his ancestors.
And stronger then all of them. Now that he had taken the power of the Demon, no one could hope to stand against him. Mulu's Demondogs were ripping their their way through Domina's enemies one at a time. The first of the Rhinon clans had fallen before Domina's attack. Their lord now served as Mulu's lead chariot puller feeling his whip on his back to keep him moving. Then came the Zebran's in their flat plains. They had tried to escape, but Mulu and his shamans had put up a mystical wall leaving them no where to go but right into Domina's cages. Next came the people of Namemiua swamp. The fighting had been hard, but the Namemiauns were no match for Mulu's water breathing warriors. They swept in  by sea and took the Humans by surprise. The Humans fought valiantly, but Mulu's magic was just to strong for them. Within a single night, the Humans were beaten and caged in wagons and taken out of their city to be used in Mulu's deadly war.
With the west and the south under his control. Mulu started his move on the north and the west. The Pantherans and their allies would not be far off. Mulu had heard reports of their gathering and preparing to march. There day was about to be on them. Mulu was ready for a real enemy.
As Hyrd paced, a strange face appeared out of the jungle calling out for entrance into the city. Hyrd went to the gate and opened the door and stood at the porticliff.
"Who are you?" Hyrd asked. "I don't remember you from any of the practice sessions."
"I just arrived in Domina last night." Astan called trying to do his best at using a Gorilla dialect. "I was sent out on a mission this morning to find the Orangutan clan in the eastern hills."
"You were sent by yourself?" Hyrd looked down on him with doubt. "Catpain Bayana would never send anyone out by himself. It's too dangerous. The pygmy's would tear you apart and make a quick dinner of you. Your lying. Who are? Where do you come from?"
Moving closer to a stand where Hyrd could see him, Astan tried harder to convince the gorilla he wasn't lying.
"Look. I have proof." He stepped closer while he fished inside his mock armor for something." "Here it is." He said as he held something out to the Gorilla. "Captain Bayana's order in writing, Here, take a look."
Looking to his left and right, Hyrd saw the eight guards stepping out as they got ready to challenge the strange grey gorilla. As he looked back, Hryd saw something moving fast at his left. Something grabbed one of the guards and pulled him away into the darkness.
"What was that?" Hyrd called back to his comrades. Pulling knifes free, they all looked around determining not to fall to the same thing that hunted them in the tall grass. "Don't move. Someone get inside and bring Master Mulu out."
Frightened by the thing in the night, the city warriors moved to make a circle with Hyrd in the center. With their weapons put and ready to strike, they started forward toward thew grey gorilla.
"I am not here to battle." Astan said as he bowed down never taking his eyes of of Hyrd. "I come in peace, just like Mulu did as he slaughtered the people of Statrspeak. I promise you the same treatment that he GAVE THEM!!"
With a mighty leap, Astan shifted to his Man tiger form and attacked. His claws ripped into two Gorilla's as he jumped to his next victim. Scared, the Gorilla's raised their weapons to defend themselves as something fell from the sky like a flashing blade of death that tore into the warriors taking out three more.
As Hyrd looked around at his great band of Gorilla warriors, he realized that there was only three of them left. Puffing out his chest getting ready to charge, Hyrd raised his sword getting ready to give his life for his city,
"Stop!" Goren said as he stepped out of the jungle. "I know you Hyrd. You are very brave and you do not deserve to die here at the city gates fighting for a mad gorilla like my father. He brings nothing but sorrow and death to our people. He kills woman and children. Is he really the chief you and your warriors wish to die for?
Hyrd looked from Astan to Palas, then on to Goren. He knew of the honor less things Igoro had done. He had even participated in some of his attacks. He wanted to speak out, no, scream out how wrong it was, but he couldn't dare to disobey his chief. But if Goren was prepared to challenge him for the leadership of the Gorilla's there could still be hope.
"Are you prepared to challenge him?" Hyrd said as he lowered he sword. "Will you make the challenge?"
[Be careful Goren.] Astan sent. "If there's one thing Sakura and I have learned its that even a friend can stab you in the back.]
[What do you mean?]
[He means that Hyrd looks and talks like  friend, but you don't know what his intentions are.] Palas sent.  [He could lead us right into your father's trap.]
[I have known Hyrd since we both were young and clutching our mother's breast. He would never betray me. He has no more love for my father then I do.]
[OK.] Palas nodded. [Our lives are in you hands.]
"Yes," Goren said as Astan, Nyo and Hayami came out of the jungle to stand beside him. "I will make the challenge. I will stand as the chieftain for Domina."
Having made his challenge, By law the Gorilla's could not touch him or any of his followers. Goren and his group were silently marched into the city pass hundreds of gorilla bystanders.
From the front gate they passed through the commons. hundreds of eyes stared down on them. Some were strangers but many were friends Goren, Nyo and Hayami had lived and grown up with.
As Astan looked up, he could see them staring and whispering. The word of Goren's challenge would move fast, going from gorilla to gorilla straight into the royal palace where Igoro would be waiting for them.
"Keep your eyes open." Goren told them. "My father will try to separate us to get me alone. No matter what happens, stay together,"
As they walked, voices all around them started to mumble. It grew louder and louder until they could barely hear anything else. As Nyo stopped and put his hands  over his ears, the crowd swallowed him into its self. Hayami quickly dived in and pulled Nyo back into line. With a nod of thanks, they turned into the market place were the slaves were being sold. As they made their way through the square, everything stopped. Slaves stared out at Goren and his people. The guards that were keeping them in line looked out and frowned at Goren. Many of them knew who he was. Since they all worked for Igoro, Goren was the enemy. Over the years, there had been many encounters between Goren and Igoro's warriors. Given a chance, they would attack him on sight but Hyrd and the challenge prevented them from making a move.
From the market, they started into Treyvon hills where the houses where the nobles of Domina lived. Houses here were much more elaborate with fancy gardens and and high roofs built around tall trees. Word of Goren's challenge had moved far in front of them. There were richly dressed nobles standing in front of their homes and high up on garden balcony's. There where citizens whispering and quietly talking, betting on the outcome of the challenge. Some took Goren's side while others had more to lose if Igoro fell from power. These were the slave owners and brokers. They knew if Igoro lost, their days would be numbered.
From Treyvon Hills, they turned and  headed for the noble halls of Domina's palace where Igoro, the chieftain of Domina lived. As they started for the palace, there was a loud cheer coming from the peasants and the lower born. That was when a number of Igoro's tried to attack. A trio of gray haired gorillas in the armor of Domina jumped with their swords held high and rushed at them. Hyrd pulled his sword and put himself between the guards and Goren. As the guards stuck, Hyrd held his sword high in defense of Goren. as he held them back. Four of his comrades dove in to take down the attacking city guards.
"Have you no honor?" Hyrd shouted. "You would attack someone who made a challenge!! Are you dogs or gorillas?"
In minutes the fighting was all over and Hyrd's warriors had pulled Igoro's warriors off of Nyo and Hayami. Hyrd checked to see if there was any serious damage to Goren's warriors. Satisfied that they were ok, Hyrd turned to the three attackers."
"You have interfered with a honor challenge." Hryd said as the warriors were bound in iron cuff. "There is no excuse for such insolence. You will be dealt with by the winners of the challenge. You should prey that your master wins. Get them out of here."
As the warriors were lead off, they made their way into the yard of the palace where Igoro stood dressed in his green and gold armor.
"So you have at last come home to pay your respects to me." Igoro said with an evil sneer as he held out his hand for Goren to kiss and bow before him. "Bow and I will forgive all of your past transgressions."
"Bow?" Goren looked at his father with disgust. "I will never bow to you murderer. You killed my mate, and my brother and sister. You destroyed families, clans and made slaves of thousands of free people of Aspana. It is you who should be seeking forgiveness for your sins. I am here to make Domina the proud land it uses to be."
"How dare you speak that way to me!" Igoro screamed at Goren. "You forget who it is you are speaking with."
"No, I know who you are." Goren took a step forward as his eyes began to glow with wild magic. "You are Igoro Baba, my father and the chief of Domina. I am here to challenge you for the chieftain staff."
As Goren made his challenge, the silver staff of his Grandfather appeared high over his head and dropped down into his hand.
"Do you think that scares me?" Igoro laughed. "I don't need that trinket to defeat you. I have the true power of the gods.!"
"If that is what you think, then come father." Goren said as he twirled the staff in front of him. "Kill me if you can."
As Igoro roared he puffed out his chest and hammered it with his fist. Then with a twist of his hands, Igoro formed a power ball and sent it flying at Goren. New to the use of magic, Goren stepped back holding the staff out in front of him. Like an arrow of bright light the power ball few at Goren. As it struck the staff, Goren felt the power ball being absorbed by the silver staff. Thought Goren had studied battle plans since he was a child he had no idea how magic worked. Quickly he turned the staff on his father, but nothing happened.
[That's because you have to use your magic!] Astan sent. [Don't you know anything???]
[No.!!] Goren sent back loudly. [I have never done magic!! How does it work??]
[Your Grandfather swore that you had powerful magic in you.] Astan said. [This is your chance to prove he was right. Reach deep down into your soul. It's there like a bond fire. You have to grab it and take it. Take command of your power and send it at Igoro before he kills us all!!]
"Its a waste of time." Igoro laughed. "My son has no magic. He is as useless as his weak Grandfather was. It took me two weak blasts to kill him. It will only take you to kill you. Say hello to your brother and sister when you see them in the dark lands of death, and tell your mate, her head still decorates the door to my palace!"
Looking behind Igoro Goren saw Shauri's head posted on the gate. As he looked at her sweet face in its death stare. Something deep down inside Goren started to burn. It grew hotter and hotter as the tears ran down his face to fall and be absorbed int the silver staff.
"You will never again put anyone I love in danger again!!!!" As Goren pointed the staff at his laughing father, a bolt of intense power streaked out and burned right through Igoro's chest. As it burned into him he screamed out the name.
"Xuthulu!!"
Above his head a dark cloud formed. As they watched, a tentacled hand reached down and grabbed Igoro and pulled him screaming into the darkness. So died the terrible Igoro the master of Domina.
As Goren stepped back to Astan and Nyo. they stared blindly as the dark cloud disappeared into the mountains.
"What was that?" Nyo asked them.
"I'm not sure." Astan said. "But I have a feeling we'll see it again."

Turnabout. 20

As the dark hour struck, Igoro Baba made his way out of Domina and into the wild jungle that surrounded his Gorilla city. He had no weapons on him to fight the wild creatures of the jungle. That was because he no fear of anything that lived near Domina. He knew nothing wild would dare to attack him. Not even the Dreadfoots would dare come near him. With his hand raised he sparked a flame to show him the way through the jungle.
Tonight he was to meet with his most important ally. Mulu Amin had called and ordered Igoro out to a meeting deep away in the darkness of the jungle.
As he walked, Igoro went over what had just happened in Domina. The resistance of his son Goren and Lady Shauri had been put to an end. He hadn't dealt with his rebellious son, but his witch of a wife had been dealt with and would no longer give him any trouble. That was to bad he thought. Lady Shauri had been a beauty. If it wasn't for her mouth, he could have made a great deal on her in the slave market. But Goren would never have let him get his hands on her. He should have taken care of Goren when he dealt with his other two traitorous children. Goren thought that Hodari and Maia had died fighting Humans inj the battle of Jerika, but that was not true. Hodari and Maia were growing far to powerful as they were backed by the white Apes of one of the south Mountain clans. If they had continued to live, there was no doubt they would soon challenge Igoro for leadership of all the Hominids. Igoro couldn't have that. Goren's popularity with the eldars was enough. Hodari and the White Apes would threaten all his plans so they had to be dealt with. And they were. Igoro ordered them to march on the Humans, but they never made it very far from Domina. They were caught in a trap between Igoro's guards and the Hyenens who killed them leaving their bodies surrounded by Human swords and spears. With the Human's getting thew blame, Igoro was free to continue on with his plans to raid and enslave the weaker people of Aspana.
But that was then. Things were different how. Now he had a much better hold on Domina and Goren was on the run as a traitor. here was nothing standing in his way of taking as much of Aspana as he could. Mulu Amin might even soon be bowing at Igoro's feet.
With conquest on his mind, Igoro stepped out of the jungle and into a clearing were Mulu sat  waiting for him. As Igoro stared at the Hyenen warlock, he was impressed by the armor Mulu was wearing. It was made of some dark netal that seemed to absorb the light and energy from all around him. He wore a breast plate of the shiny dark metal with leggings and a dark cloak wrapped around his back. He looked like he was ready for war.
"Myumbo Mulu Amin." Igoro held out his hand in a salute to the Hyenen chieftain. "All goes as we planned. The Tigarens are on the march. So are the Rhinon while there is no sign of the Pantherans anywhere."
"Do not be fooled Igoro." Mulu said as he stood up. "G'ania G'azini is no fool. He will come."
"Then we all crush him and anyone else he brings into the battle."
"What about Astan Kinya?" Mulu looked at him with raised eye brows. "I was told you had him in chains in your dungeon. Where is he?"
"He escaped with that bastard son of mine."
"What?" Mulu screamed. He took a step forward will energy into his fist to strike at Igoro. "You let his escape!!"
"Have a care Hyenen." Igoro said with glowing eyes. "I am not one of your Demondogs. You do not have command over me."
"Your right." Mulu said simmering down. "I don"t have command over you or your Gorilla army."
"And you need me if you want our plans to work." Igoro's eyes lost their glow. "Astan will return. I know this because he and Goren have no where else to go. My traitorous son will bring back and put him tight into our hands.
"And what of Sakura?" Mulu asked. "Will he be walking into a trap too?"
"Sakura will come." Igoro said with a devious smile. "Once we have Astan back, he will fall to us just like a Spider monkey. He will do anything to get his love back His emotions will betray him."
"You think Sakura weak because he loves Astan?"
"Yes." Igoro sneered. "Sentiments are a weakness. Have no love for a brother or a son. They will always let you down and be your downfall. Females are to be used and tossed aside when your done. Power is the only thing take matters."

What a silly Ape, Mulu thought. His cold heart will be his down fall. There will be no one there when he needs help and that is how I will destroy him.
"Find your son." Mulu said is he turned to walk away. "Find them both and have them chained in the dungeon. I will return once the Tigarens and the Rhinons get here."
With that said, Mulu swept his arm around him and disappeared.
"I will find them Dog master." Igoro smiled. "And I will be waiting for you with a surprised of my own."
As Igoro disappeared transporting back to Domina, Xuthulu's laughter could be heard ringing through the dark jungle.
[These mortals. What fools they can be over a little thing like power. Once I have what I need, it will be so easy to crush them all.]

As Msia led Akani and Aggar from the cave, he felt a strange tingling running down his spine. He never had it before, but he knew instinctively what it was. It was a feeling of danger. He held up his hand and put a finger to his lips to quiet them.
 [What is it?] Aggar asked as he pulled his knives from there place across the front of  his chest.
[There is danger out there ahead of us.] He said as a low growl started low in his chest. [Both of you keep quiet as we leave.]
[I feel the vibrations.] Akani said. [There are three of them, and they are heading right for us.]
Like preying cats, they got down and moved away from the cave. Msia could smell something that was like the Hyenens but different. There was something strong and repugnant about the smell. Moving slowly, Msia walked out through the tall guess then jumped to his left. As he watched, a strange group of Hyenens went pass him. These Hyenens had long saber like teeth with mottled fur and red blazing eyes. They were much taller then average the Hyenen and much wider. They look stronger and more fierce then any Hyenen that Msia had seen before.
As he watched, he pulled his sword free from its scabbard. One passed followed by another. The third stopped and looked around sniffing the air for a scent he knew was here somewhere. As it looked around, it caught the scent it was looking for. Barking out it's challenge, the Demondog leaped it to the grass at Msia. Diving to the side, Msia rolled through the grass and leaped at the Demondog. Their swords clashed with a loud clang. The Demondog swung high going for a head slice at Msia. Msia leaned back and let the strike safely go over his head With a kick kidney, followed by three jabs Msia sent his opponent down to the grass. As the Demondog fell, Msia readied him self to deliver a final strike; He raised his sword and sent plunging down into the grass and mud. The Demondog and quickly rolled to the side then jumped up to try and wrestle Msia to the ground.
To the left of him, Akani had shifted to Pitch. Roared in anger, Pitch sent a volley of sonic blasts at his opponent. As they hit the Demondog, it fell to the ground and rolled to the side. As it jumped up to its feet, the Demondog dived at Pitch with its claws bared. It slashed at at Pitch's chest looked for a weak spot in the Dragons armor, but he didn't have one. his armor was reinforced by a layer of sound they covered him entirely. With a swing of his tail, Picth sent the Demondog flying. Pitched roared then dived at his opponent sending a ear piercing thin razor sharp beam of sound right at the Demons chest. It screamed as the beam cut into it sending blood out to splash over Pitch. Looking around, Pitch saw Aggar deep in battle with another Demondog. He was just about to leap in to push the Demondog off of Aggar when he heard a warning to stay out of the fight ring through his head.
[This is my fight.] Aggar said. [I am no use to you if I can't handle it on my own.]
In his Man wolf form, Aggar leaped high slashing down at the Demondog. As he came down to land, he grabbed his knives and leaped back into the fight. Aggar moved so fast there wasn't much the Demon could do to defend itself. As it roared out a stream of hell fire, Aggar slid down beneath it raising his knives to split the Demon open from its throat all the way to its crotch. As the Demondog fell, Aggar stood up and looked out to Msia to see how he fared in his battle. He saw Pitch standing over a dead a Demondog, but Msia was not there.
"Where is Msia?" Aggar asked is he went over to join Akani.
"I don't know." Akani looked at him with fear in his eyes. "He was here in battle with one of these Demon things. I got busy with my battle and lost sight of him."
As they looked around, they both knew what had happened. A second, third and fourth must have joined in on Msia's fight. He had been overwhelmed and they took him away.
"You know what this mean?" Akani said. "He is back in Mulu's hands."
"Then we have to go get him."
"Yes." Aggar agreed as he kicked the corpse of one of the dead Demomdogs. As they watched, the Demon began to shrivel and return to its former Hyenen form.
"There is something strange here." Akani said as he knelt at the side of the reformed Hyenen..
"Mulu is powerful and very formidable. But he does not control Demons. That is beyond his powers . There is a new enemy out there that we know nothing about.
"Then we will have to be careful." Aggar said. "But first, we have to find him and get him free.""
"I know the way to Mancoro." Akani said as he shifted to Pitch. [Climb on and I will fly us there.]

It was early in the evening when Ranjer stepped from the Academy showers to find Bly Sharpwing sitting on a bench waiting for him.
"Aiya." She said as she took flight and zipped up to hover in front of him. "I have a message for you from Jandar and Rage."
"Hmmm!" Ranjer frowned. "I wonder what they want."
"I don't know, but Jandar said it was urgent."
Landing on Ranjer's shoulder. Bly took a small piece of from one of her pockets and dropped it in Ranjer's hand. As she launched herself back into the air, the parchment grew in size to something he could read.

Ranjer.
Something has come up that we need your help with. Can you please come to Settlement so we can explain.
                                                                                          Jandar Tyr.

After reading the message twice, Ranjer folded it up and stuck in it his breast pocket. From the shower room, Ranjer heading up to the main floor of the Academy. There he met Dack Rainer giving six new cadets a tour of the school.
"Where are you heading?" Dack asked.
"My brother Jandar sent a request for me to come see him in Settlement. I thought I might get a quick bite before I left."
"Have you been practicing all evening?" Dack looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "You missed dinner. The commissary is closed. You might get bread and some meat and cheese, but that's it. Your bettor off waiting until you get to Settlement."
"I guess that will have to do." Ranjer smiled at  the cadets who stood there staring at him like they knew who he was. He ruffled a blond kids head and asked him how his visit to the Academy was going.
"Sir." He said "Its been OK, but my father doesn't have the money for me to come here for school. We're from a poor village on the western edge of Tir Na. I might not even have the time to come here for school, It's almost harvest season back and and I'll be needed to pick my share before the grapes wither die."
"Don't worry about that." Ranjer smiled. "If your here on this tour, then everything has been arranged.
Tir Na sends five of it's best students here every years. And there's no charge. Everything will be paid for by the crown, You can thank King Tof when you see him after orientation."
The boy's smile lit up his face as he thanked Ranjer. With a wave, Ranjer went on his way. As he walked away, he heard another boy ask if he knew who he had just been talking to?
"That was Prince Ranjer." He said. "He lives at the palace. One day I want to be just like him."
High praise Ranjer thought. He hoped one day he could live up to it.
From the main hall, Ranjer hurried out into the Academy's foyer when he stopped for a minute to tell Jovan where he was going.
"Be careful." Jovan said from the the Academy front door. "There's been a lot of talk about strange Dog men out raiding the last few nights. Keep your eyes open."
As Ranjer waved he started to shift to his wolf form and headed out  on his way. From the gates of the Academy, Ranjer ran west then north following the road Dreik fashioned around the perimeter of the island. From the Savonti camp, he stopped to pay a small tribute to Yaru and Xanu the two Savonti lords that had choose to come to Keanna, From the Savonti camp, Ranjer made the shift to his eagle form and headed out to sea.
Ranjer always loved his time spent watched the sun set back on the beach in Tir Na. From here, Danyet Island it was even more beautiful. The way the sun went from gold to amber and the dark blue always calmed his mind and helped him to relax.
As Ranjer left the Island, he had a strange feeling that someone was watching him. He looked around searching the sky's but for any threats but the horizon was clear, there was nothing dangerous anywhere near him. Still he thought he should be careful, There were many ways to spy on someone. visuals was just the easiest.
From the island, Ranjer beat his wing and and gained some altitude taking him high up over the clouds. Settlement was to the west about a three hour flight. He thought if he had time,, he might stop in Vasagi to see how his father and brother was doing. He hadn't them since Azeal and Tanis had their commitment ceremony.
As the sun sank over the western mountains, Ranjer found himself flying over the Dark Elf territory. Dark elf territory meant he had to keep an extra close watch on his surrounds. Though Talsara Darkshade was dead, there were still many enemies out there among the Dark Elves. In fact the Dark Elves could be the reason Jandar had called him. From Gaylia in the south, Ranjer turned north and headed into Aspara Baugh, He had many friends here being is was so close to Tir Na.
As he flew over Tir Na, Ranjer saw the bright lights of home. He wanted to stop to say Aiya to Tof and Mother. He especially wanted to look in on his sister Sharone seeing as the new was that she had just given birth to her first cub. From mother's last message, the cub looked just like Ono when he was born. Ranjer was very anxious to stop and give baby Ransan his blessing. But since Jandar had said it was urgent, Ranjer kept on course for Settlement.
As he passed over Winterhaven and Vasagi, Ranger saw the high towers of Settlement right in front of him. Spiraling down, he headed straight for the gates an roared to announce his entrance into the city. Dropping down, Ranjer heard Blaze roar back a greeting and permission to land and enter the city.
Minutes later, Ranjer stepped down into the city gate to be greeted by Blink who was on gate watch for the night.
"Aiya!!" Blink said as he wrapped his arms around Ranjer in an affectionate thug. "What brings you home? I thought you were deep in study at the academy.
"A call from Jandar." He said as he grasped Blink's arm. "Do you have any idea what he wants? I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Not that I've been told." Blink said as they walked down from the city's wall. "But think about it. Your brother hasn't seen you in two years. Could it be that he misses you?"
"You're right." Ranjer said as his mind began to relax. "Its probably nothing. I guess I'll know in a few minutes."
With a wave good bye, Ranjer was off to the Manor to see what he had been summoned for. Suddenly a thought hit him. Something was different about the feel of the city. Settlement usually felt like a second home. But today it was different. Something was missing. What could it bde? The maonr looked the same. Gird and the Snow dogs were sitting out side of the Dragon cave while Dreik hover over had making a change the peak on top. That hadn't changed that much. There were plenty of children running and playing in the school yard while Rose and Tara stood out front watching with Mozig the Ogre. Mozig smiled as Ranjer passes and waved hello.
As Ranjer made it to thde front gate of the Manor, a pretty woman in a long green gown stood in the garden waving her hands as if she were leading an orchestra in a beautiful ballad. Roses moved and swayed to her movements as blue bells and irises danced in the background. As Ranjer started up the stairs to the manors front door, Ranjer bowed to Blaze who stood there teaching a young dragon the alphabet.
"Good evening Ranjer." Blaze smiled. "His majesties are waiting for you in their main study."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Heavens no." Blaze said as the young dragon blew out a circle of flames that drifted off into the sky, "Jandar has something important he wants you to do. Hurry upstairs and they will explain it all themselves."
Taken the stairs two at a time, Ranjer hurried on up heading for the top two floors which were the private rooms of the kings and their closest family. As Ranjer climbed, he thought about days in the past when he was younger. He always loved his visit playing here. Jandar and Rage always made time for him taking him flying and out on runs. Sometimes they even took him out to meet kings and queens of far off lands. He loved their trips to Aquilona, Dree. Swimming with the Mer people and the Sea elves.Eventide, Darkshade and Cridia, hunting an mining. His youth had been a happy one. He wished Quynn had been there to share it with him.
As Ranjer climbed the stairs, a thought hit him like a blow to the gut. Whenever he flew in for a visit to Settlement, the first one to greet him was always his nephew Quynn. He and Quynn had a familiar bond that always let them knew when they were anywhere close to each other. Now for some reason, he didn't feel Quynn or his mate Sky anywhere near Settlement.
[That is why I've asked you to come.] Jandar in his head. [Quynn and Sky are not here.]

The Power of Darkness. 19

It was late after midnight when Sky sat up awake and screamed our a warning. Next, to him, Quynn jumped up and roared his challenge. Sky had woke him up with his scream and Quynn was ready to defend his love. With an energy bolt ready to burn anyone near them, Quynn looked for whoever was attacking. He looked down to see Sky shaking with tears in his eyes.

"What is it Snowbird?" He asked as he sat down and pulled him into his arms. "It's OK. It was only a dream."
"No." Sky said with his face buried in Quynn's shoulder. "It wasn't a dream. It was something else."
"What was it?" Quynn asked as he stroked Sky's back.
"I don't know." Sky said. "But it was dark and very old. Older than the first Dragon. I know because I felt its darkness. It's coming for us."
"I will protect you," Quynn said is he kissed his mate. "I promise I won't let anything hurt you."
"I don't know if we can stop it." Sky cried. "I'm not sure if anyone can stop it,"

It was late in the night as Mulu Amin appeared on the dark mountain cliff. He had just left that fool Igoro Baba outside of his Gorilla city and it was time he put an end to all the running and chasing all over Aspana. As he appeared there was a great bolt of lightning that flashed then crashed down into the side of the mountain. He listened as the thunder rolled across the sky and was replaced by the sound of deep hideous laughter. As he looked out into the dark clouds, he saw Xuthulu the master of death push his way out of the clouds.
"I am here Master," Mulu said as he bowed and put his head down. "As always I come when you call."
[THE TIME FOR DOMINATION IS HERE.]  Boomed out the darkness. [I HAVE WAITED FAR TO LONG TRAPPED HERE IN MY DARK DIMENSION TO BE STOPPED BY TWO MORTALS. MY EXILE ENDS HERE AND I WILL HAVE MY FREEDOM. BRING ALL FOUR OF THEM HERE AND GIVE THEIR SOUL OVER TO ME. I WILL BATH IN THEIR BLOOD AND DELIGHT IN THEIR PAIN.  WE WILL BRING ASPANA TO ITS KNEES.]
"Yes Master." Mulu said with a trembling voice. "It shall be as you command. What of Igoro?"
[WHAT ABOUT HIM?]
"Do I keep my pact with him?" Mulu asked.
[HE IS STILL IMPORTANT TO ME. FOR NOW, WATCH HIM. BUT BE CAREFUL. HE HAS FAR TO MUCH AMBITION FOR ME.]
"It will be as you command." Mulu bowed down with his forehead touching the ground. As he got back up on his feet, lightning flashed as the thunder echoed out through the sky. Mulu could hear his master's insane laughter as it drifted off in the night sky.
"Soon everything will be set and the time of our final triumph will be upon us." Mulu raised his hand to cast his transport spell. "Aspana will be ours and nothing can stop us!!"

As the sun slipped up over the horizon, Sky rolled over and opened his eyes. The dream from last night still haunted his waking mind. He couldn't forget the feeling of evil that had touched his mind. He wasn't sure if the dream had been one of his premonitions, But it felt as real as when he first dreamed about Sakura and Aspana  Somehow there was something about the dream that he thought was a threat. He could still feel those cold fingers as they caressed his sleeping mind.Sky hugged himself a shivered then turned to look down at Quynn. The sight of his handsome face always made his heart take an extra beat. He looked so peaceful lying there snoring. There was no way he could ever let anything hurt him.
Quietly Sky got up and made his way over to the riverside. It was going to be a long day and he wanted to get washed up before the others woke up.Dropping his pants and throwing his tunic onto the river bank, Sky dived in and swam out into the lake. The cold water felt so comfortable to him. Though he would never leave Quynn, he missed the days in Pollex. He loved dancing in the snow and flying in the crisp frigid air. He remembered the days when his Grandfather taught him to hunt caribou and elk on the frozen tundra. They would find a trail and follow it back until they found their prey. Sometimes they would go in for the kill and bring home the fresh meat. And sometimes it was just about the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of the catch. Snow Phoenix didn't really eat that often. They lived more for the energy of the sun than anything else.
As Sky swan, he let his mind wander back to the days in Pollex. The last thing his father had said to im before the city was destroyed was that he had a really special destiny to fulfill. It might not be here in Pollex, but there was something special in line for him. That was two days before Janx Develos attack and Pollex was burned down. Sky knew that one day the people of  Pollex would be resurrected. They would be reborn from the ashes of the city. Until that day came, Sky would be a citizen of  New Keanna and proudly fight at his mate's side.
In the middle of the river, Sky stopped ti look around the tranquil jungle. It all looked so beautiful and peaceful. When this was over, He thought he should bring Insa and a few others down here. This would make a great site for the new Academy they were planning to build. As he floated along loving the peaceful beauty of the jungle, he felt a though echo through his mind. He stopped to wade
and listen. There was something out there calling, but he could barely hear it.
[Help.] It said [Please help!!]
[Who calls?] Sky sent.
[My name is Aoelus.] It said. [I have been captured by Harpies. They plan to rip me apart and feed on me if I don't escape.]
[Where are you Aoelus. I will bring help.]
[I don't know.] He said. [I can't see anything.]
[I can follow your minds signal if you keep sending. I will bring help.]
[I don't think there is much time.] Aoelus sent. [I thank thee for trying. I mean a lot to me.]
With that, Aoelus went silent but Sky could still feel the fear and pain coming out of him.
As Sky shifted he launching up into the air. Sky felt the easterly pull of his mind and turned in that direction. He flew east over a vast jungle straight for a mountain in the eastern province of Aspana. He and the others had worked there way around the jungle after D'aryl told of the danger of the mysterious mountain. Many had made out heading for the mountain D'aryl told them, but very few had returned. And the few that made it back told tails of something dropping from the sky and attacking in the darkness. No one knows what it was that lived on the mysterious mountain and no one really cared to find out. The Pantherans decreed the mountain the land of no return and kept as far away from it as possible. He thought the Tigarans had done the same. What the Hyenens and Hominids did was unknown to him. But that was exactly where Sky was going with no time to inform the others of what he was doing.
As Sky entered the eastern mountain, he smelled something. It was rot and some kind of body waste and it was everywhere. Flying lower to the ground, Sky concentrated of Aoelus signal. I had grown weaker but it was still there. Sky wasn't of what that meant. This could be a trap he thought for a second, then dismissed the idea. No one could fake the fear that had been in that call. Aoelus was real and the danger had to be real too.
Keeping his mind open for Aoelus but closed to any other, Sky started his search. The land was very green and fertile. The plants here were very beautiful and strangely big. There were violets and orchard that stood tall stretching out for the sunlight. The trees here were massive almost as big as the trees of Eventide. As Sky flew, the signal got stronger and stronger. Soon Sky had to close down the intensity of the call to keep it from damaging his mind.
Dropping down to land, Sky shifted back to his Human form and summoned his star gauntlet to be ready for trouble. Slowly he pushed his in through the jungle. Strange he thought of how hot it was here. Much hotter then anywhere else they had been. There must be some kind of volcanic activity near there. The air still smelled of the waste and he could hear the sounds of birds coming from all around him Strange he thought. He could hear the birds but he hadn't seen one since he flew over the mountain. He also had this strange feeling that someone was watching him.
From high off to the side, something opened its eyes to watch as Sky dropped down to land. Who is this intruder it thought and why is he here? The eyes burned with hate. It wanted to reach out and crush the insignificant bug as it entered his dark jungle, but he was to weak. All he could do was use whatever was there on the mountain to kill the intruder. With a dark thought, it sent out its command to the jungle to attack.
As Sky pushed his way through the forest, a scream came out from all around. He raised his gauntlet just as the first one attacked. It was dark, long and it had teeth like razors. It jumped out of the jungle and attacked. Sky swung his gauntlet high as the four-legged snake dived at him. With a quick lash, he cut its head off. Without much time, Sky turned as two more came in from behind him. He ducked and roll and brought his gauntlet around to slash at his next attacker. Jumping to his feet, he sent a wave of frigid cold at the two snakes, With a swift kick he shattered them just as five more leaped at him. His cold took out two as a third dived for Sky's throat. Bringing his gauntlet around, Sky split the snake right down the center and pushed out with a wave of force throwing the snakes away before their venom could touch him. Looking around, Sky saw two more snakes as they got ready to attack him. Raising his hand he shot two small bursts of cold at the two snakes. As the cold hit them, they screamed as their bodies frozen and fell to the ground shattering int a thousand pieces.
Looking quickly around, Sky started back on the trail Aoelus had left him. It wasn't long before he came out of the jungle to start his way up into the highlands of the mountain.
[Stop!] Aoelus called to Sky. [There is danger here for you. There is no hope for me but I don't want you to die trying to save me.]
[If I can't save you.] Sky sent. [Then I will avenge you.]
[No one has ever cared that mush for me.] He cried. [I am not important. Please save yourself.]
[You are important to me.] Sky sent. [Show me where you are.]
[Here.] Aoelus sent showing him a set of caves that were off to the left. [I am in here tied down and blindfolded.]
Looking out carefully, Sky slowly made his way from the jungle edge to a line of caves that peppered the mountain side. That smell of waste was almost more than he could take. Covering his nose, Sky slipping into the first cave adjust his eyes as he moved deeper in. Being a Phoenix, Sky could recognize most different species by their smell. But this one was confusing. He knew it was a Avian smell, but like nothing he has smelled before. As he moved deeper in, he came tol a split in the road, The smell went both ways so he had to dig a little deeper to separate the two different scents. One was Avian and sour while the other had a more musky smell. That had to be Aoelus. That was the trail he needed and he had been move faster before its to late.
As Sky moved deeper in, the thing in the dark direct his minions in to attack him. He sent  them straight into the trail Sky was on from both ends. His rats scampered in from the front scaring Sky into battle. Huge rats through themselves at Sky by the tens. Sky thrashed and cut at them sending pieces rat bodies flying away from him. As hr fought, he heard squealing coming from behind him. With Phoenix reflexes, Sky shot a wave of cold energy behind him freezing them in a group. As another group of rat attached, Sky snapped his cold wave out in front of him and charged into the attack. He didn't have anymore fear in him. From this point on it was fight or die.
Seeing another chamber in front of him, Sky charged in slashing at the rat as he ran. Once he entered the chamber, he had a few minutes to look around. Over in the south cornor Sky saw something strange. The entire corner was cloaked in darkness, but hot so dark that he couldn't see through it. Trapped and immobilize, Sky saw what he thought had to be Aoelus. Surprised, Aoelus wasn't just another animal from Aspana. Sky thought he was something he had see in old  legends, but never thought he would see in real life. His body was small, like that of a young lion except he had the wings of an eagle stretching out from his back. This was a young Griffin, there was no mistake about that. Standing all around him, there was something else Sky thought he would never see. There were ten Harpies squawking and looking for an open spot in the Griffins defenses.
Shifted to his full Phoenix form with his talons ready to kill, Sky dived into battle. Cold radiated out all around Sky freezing the first Harpies into solid ice. With a wave of his wing, Sky smashed it into a thousand pieces and moved on to his next opponent. As the Harpy turned, Sky snapped out and grabbed it with his talons. Spinning around, he threw the filthy bird into the wall breaking its back then he dived at the next one. Hovering about twenty feet off the ground, he sent his freezing winds out at the next two Harpies, then dived into to peek at then sending his ever sharp beak right into their hearts.
Seeing the Phoenix attack, Aoelus roared and dived at the nearest Harpy. He grabbed it out of the air and started to tear into its body, As the Harpy died, the last two tried to take to the air and escape. Spreading his wings, Aoelus launched himself up and sent a gout of flames out to burn the dirty beast from the sky. As the last of the Harpies died, a loud moan could be heard echoing through the cave.
Shifting back to his Human form, Sky dropped down and ran to the young Griffin.

"You are Aoelus?"

[Yes I am.] He said as he shifted his form. There before Sky stood a young boy that looked no more then thirteen or fourteen dressed in tan skinned pants and a soft skin tunic. "You are Sky? I thank you so much for rescuing me. I really thought it was my time to die."

"You have many more bright days to come my friend." Sky said as he looked around for the next attack. "But I think we should be getting out of here before they come back."
"Yes.' Aoelus said. "If you follow, I can get us out safely."

As the Griffin and the Phoenix left the chamber, something in the dark screamed. It had tried to destroy them, but it had failed. With the vast amount of power it possessed, It had failed. It wasn't used to failing at anything it did. Surely these two insignificant mortals were not as powerful as Xuthulu of the dark beyond. There must be something out there powerful protecting them. Xuthulu would have to keep watching them. Their protector will soon reveal itself, then Xuthulu can destroy it and be done with all of then. Then he could rise and take this world back, and nothing will ever trap it again.

When Quynn opened his eyes, he knew something was wrong. For two years every morning he woke up to the feeling of Sky all wrapped up in his dreams. This morning he was alone with no sense of Sky anywhere near him. Panicking he jumped up and looked around for his mate. But he wasn't anywhere in the camp. Closing his eyes he sent out a call for him
[Sky.] He sent. [Where are you?]
[Almost back at camp.] He heard. [I have a surprise for all of you]
[What is it?] Quynn asked. [After all that's happened, I'm not sure my heart can take a surprise.]
[It's nothing. Just a new friend. We'll be there in just a few minutes.]
Opening his eyes, Quynn got up and walked over to where Sakura and Dar'yl sat drink a cup of hot coffee.
"Is there anymore?" He asked.
"Of course." Dar'yl pointed to the brew pot on the fire. "By the way. Where's Sky?"
"Off on one of his quest." Quynn said as he took his first sip of the hot brew. "Something woke him early this morning and he decided to go check it out."
"You know that can be very dangerous." Sakura threw the last of his coffe and pack the cup in the pack. "He could get hurt doing that."
"Oh I know that." Quynn said. "Don't worry, we will be having a serious talk about that. Here he comes."
As Quynn turned, Sky walked into camp with Aoelus following him.
"Quynn." He started the introductions. "This is Aoelus. I found him in a cave surrounded by Harpies who were about to make him breakfast."
"Aiya Aoelus." Quynn said reaching out his hand. "Welcome to our band. Though I'm not sure if you would want to  stay with us. There will be danger where we are going."
"Myumbo." Aoelus sad as he looked strangely at Quynn's offered hand. "Sky told me of the journey you are on. I am young but after he saved my life, I am I debt to Sky, it is only proper that I serve him until my debt is paid."
"What's that mean?" Sky asked.
"It mean he will follow you until he feels he has paid his debt." Dar'yl said.
"How long will that be?" Quynn ask.
"Who knows." Sakura shrugged. "It could be a month or a year or a lifetime."
"Try not to rescue anyone else." Quynn whispered to Sky. Sky smiled and lightly smacked Quynn's bottom.
"Is everything ready to go?" Sky asked as he picked up his pack and put it over his shoulder.
"We were just waiting for you." Quynn said throwing his arm around Sky's shoulder.
"Then lets be off." Sakura took the front and they started out again on their journey to find and bring Astan home.
As they left the camp ground, a Griffin in grey stepped our of the jungle and watched as they left.
[Nereus, they are moving again. Do I follow?]
[Yes.] Nereus answered. [I would know where all of my enemy are at all times, but they must not know you are following.]
As they left the camp, Aoelus thought he heard something. It was a voice that rattled around in his head. He heard the words but he couldn't understand them and he had no idea where they were coming from. They seem to be getting louder and louder. Maybe this is something he should talk to Sky about. It might be important.

Danger, Danger! 18

As Igoro roamed the dungeons of Domina, he thought back to his trip to Starspeak. The destruction of the Avian's was easy. Those simple minded feathered fools had no idea how dangerous he could be. Even after he stole their young for the slave market, they didn't put up a fight and that surprise him. He knew he would have no problem with the weaker species, but the Avian predators should have put up much more of a fight. But Eagles fell just like the  Doves, quick and easy with no resistance. From there, Igoro felt a familiar presence. It was that accursed Omerion Zucia, his fathers old and trusted friend. Igoro hadn't seen him since the day his father was defeated and put to death. That was the same day Igoro gained the rule over the Hominids but lost his fathers staff.
The Staff of Kiama was the magical staff held by the men of the Baba family for two centuries. Not only was it the staff of power, but every chief over the last two centuries had carried it. It was a sign of status to all of the Simian people of Aspana. Igoro's father had held, but his father did not did. Igoro and Mahad so far had been the only Baba chief that did not hold the staff. But there was something that not many of them knew. It had taken Anon years of research, somewhere buried deep in the dungeon store room, Anon found a secret library filled with tombs and books the chiefs had saved over the years. After weeks of study, Anon had found a number of books that told the history of the staff. The staff of Kiama had once been a spear held by Bursar Baba, He had carried it all through his reign in all wars and battles over a twenty year period. He was holding it the day Rhinons attacked and was forced to cast his first spell. With forty Rhinons facing him, Bursar called to his ancestor to come and help him defeat his enemies. As Bursar faced the Rhinons there was a sudden flash of lightning. The skies became grey and  rocked th e field. Bursar looked out, the Rhinons that had been facing him were all down laying in the mud to weak and burned to continue on with the battle. As the Rhinons saw their fellow warriors, a Rhinon dressed in bronze armor\ stepped and shouted a command for his warriors to move in and attack. The ground shook as the great thunder beast . The Gorillas thought this was going to be their end, but Bursar stood firm raising his staff into the air.
"Do not lose faith." He said. "We are strong and our ancestor are with us. We will not fall. This is the day we Gorillas stand against our enemies and make them pay! Come brothers, our future is before us!"
As they charged in, Bursar's staff lit up and started sending bolt after bolt into the Rhinons The Gorillas tore into the Rhinons taking the down one after another by hand. They used hammers, maces and anything else they could find. Sometimes the Rhinons found themselves facing Gorillas armed with Rhinon weapons. The battle was fierce, and it took all night, but by the morning, the field was littered with  the bodies of the dead. And to Bursar's surprise, most of  the dead were Rhinon. A cheer went up through the Gorilla racks as the Rhinons turned and limped away. A few days later the Rhinon chief came into the gorilla camp carrying the white flag of peace and an offering of land that gave the Gorillas the rights Hami oasis and everything around it for five miles. Bursar accepted the treaty and promised friendship between them for the rest of his reign.
As the war settled down and there was peace in the nation, Bursar sort out many different wisemen that could teach him more about this thing called magic. He learned that his was one of the few Gorilla families that had the capacity to use magic. They said there were many benefits to the use of magic, but there would also be limits and consequences. It would all depend on who yield the power. If the person used his abilities with honor, the gods would look down on them and smile. If they used them for selfish or criminal endeavor, there will a price to pay.
The Baba family had held the power in Domina for years. Bursar's father had been chief, just as his father before him. But Bursar had been the first to use the magic of staffs. Over the years had learned to use force spells and he learned the scepters secrets of its powers over fire and air. He learned how to focus his spells through the staff and more importantly, he learned that the staff was not infallible. It had its strength and weaknesses just like people. One of his aides had always admired the staff, he once said to him how great it must be to hold the staff during a battle.
"The greatness is not in the staff," Bursar said. "Its in the person that holds it and how he chooses to use it."
The aide bowed and stepped away in awe of the Gorilla chieftain. He hoped that he to could one day grow to be so wise.
After Bursar came Daudi. He was a stern Gorilla who built schools and tried to lead his people into a less aggressive way of life. His greatest accomplishment was the building of Domina's hospital. After Daudi came Mhina, then Tian and on and on and on until Mahad who was the son of Bawai.
Mahad Baba was always quiet Gorillla that kept to himself. He never had many friend and wasn't much into socializing, but he was very intelligent. Even at a young age, Mahad knew his purpose in life. He was to be the next chief in the city of Domina. That put him high above everyone else and gave him freedoms that know one else could claim. As a young Gorilla, Mahad learned to hunt at the feet of  Fanaki Adia. He learned the boundaries of all the lands around Domina. He learned their defenses and the high points of each species. The Rhinons and the Elephants had strength, but he didn't think either species was quick minded. The Water Buffalo had high endurance, but they were singled minded. It was hard for them to hold more then one idea at a time in their minds. Another slow witted neighbor. Hhe knew about the Pantherans and Tiigarens, but as a youngling, he had never met anyone from either species. He had seen the Avians as the flew around Ayss mountain, but none of them had ever come out on the savanna or into the jungle.
As a youngling, Mahad learned early about the past Chiefs and the magic they possessed. It took him a few years but one day he did cast his first spell. The more magic he used, the stronger he got. Mahad had only one fault his father could see. With his magic and his hunting abilities, Mahad never learned his fathers most important lesson. Compassion and empathy were foreign to Mahad, just as were the concept of  peace and mercy, it had no meaning fore him. All he could think of was conquest and in the direction he turn his life and the fate of Domina,
From the first days of slave hunting to the day he took the Chief's position from his father, Mahad ruled Domina with a strong heavy fist. Bawai had been a fair chief. He decided the course of Domina with honor and a righteous rule. Arguments that came before him were always ruled in a proper method. He would sat at his throne with the his father's staff always there to help steer him in the right direction. Not once did he see the jealous looks Mahad would give him from the side beyond the royal throne. Then came the day Mahad made his move.
While Bawai was distracted by an argument from to chiefs from a lower tribe, Mahad cast his spell on his father sending the sound of a hundred buzzing ants through his brain. Bawai screamed grabbing his head falling to the ground of Domina's courtyard. Bawai's warriors rushed out to help him but it was to late. Mahad's warriors were already there surrounding the chief.
"What madness is this?" Bawai said as he looked up at Madhad smiling down at him. "Move aside. Let my healers through."
"I'm sorry father but there will be no healers for you. The time has come for you to step aside and allow a much better Gorilla to us into the next course of Domina's history."
"You?" Bawai said shocked. "It is too soon for you to be chief. There are many thing left for you to learn. Your day will come, but not yet. Step aside."
As Bawai tried to climb back up on his feet, Mahad thrust out his hand and give his wrist a little twist. The pain in Bawai's head increased by ten sending him screaming again to the ground.
"That was not a request, Father." Mahad stood over him with a grim look on his face. "Your days as Chief of Domina have come to an end. I have a much better future in mind for our people."
Bawai got up back on his feet and looked at the warriors assembled there against him. Many were armed with short swords, clubs and spears.
"What you are attempting is a bold move my son. But neither you nor Domina is ready for such a future. Aggression is not the way to take our people. It will only end in sorrow and death for us. Have not learned anything from the teachings of our fore fathers?"
"Yes, I have." Mahad said with a sneer. "I learned of the weakness that you and many of our ancestors have had in the past. We Hominids could had been the masters of Aspana. All others could be bowing in our presence, But no, you all sought peace when you should have been fighting to make us stronger. I will not make that mistake. I will make us a people to be feared.I will make Domina strong and rich and it will all start today. Stand down father and pass the staff over to me. I will let you retire and go live in exile."
"The staff is right here my son." Bawai said as he held the staff out. "If you think you are strong enough, take it."
Stepping forward, Mahad reached out to take the staff from his father. As he touched if, a pulse of energy blasted out from the staff burning his hand and sending pain rippling through his body. Bawai smiled at him.
"The staff of Baba doesn't seem to think your way is right for Domina." Bawai said as he looked back at the would be future master of Domina. "You are the future of our people. But there are many lessons you still have to learn if you want to be chief. Turn from your violent path and take walk the path of peace. It is the only way the staff will accept you."
"I don't need the staff." Mahad screamed as he held his burned hand. "I accept these burns as a mark that points to my future! A future ruled by hate and fear!"
Stretching out his hand, Mahad sent a burst of energy straight at his father. Surprised at his sons move. Bawai tried to duck and step aside. He raised his staff and sent his own blast at Mahad. As the blue energy streaked at Mahad, he rolled to the side and grabbed a dagger that was lying there and threw as he rolled back to his feet. As the dagger hit Bawai, Mahad sent his second blast at his father. Blue energy pulsed out at Bawai striking him sending his body into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, Mahad walked over to him. He took a spear from one of his warriors.
"Your path ends here father. No more peace, there's only the dark silence of death for you."
"I am ready to die my son." Bawai said. "But don't think this is the end. Slavery will not lead you to where you want to go. It is not the true future for Aspana. Turn off this path and walk in the bright path of peace. It is the only way."
"For you maybe." Mahad took the spear and sent it straight through his father's heart. "Myumbo Father."
As Bawai died, the staff raised up from his hands and disappeared. Gone to find the next worthy Baba to wield it.

For years Mahad was on his path of hate collecting his slaves for his slave market. He sent raids all through Aspana capturing anyone that got in his way. He captured Hyenens, Rhinons, Elephants and Zebrens. He caught Tigrens and Sealens and a few of the rare Peacock species that lived in small settlements on the grassy plains north of the savanna. He had the slave market and the dungeons built from the old bathhouse that sat unused in the center of Domina. He taught the young warriors a new way to hunt. He taught them how to creep to towns at night and quietly take as many of the citizens they could without raising an alarm. Soon the the citizens in Mahad circle started to profit while the rest of Domina that was against this thing called slavery started to weaken and disappear, Housin the Gorilla that once held title to the bathhouse and the area around it. Nyma the weapons master and many more. All gone as Mahad purged the city of what he called useless and unwanted citizens that hung on to Domina causing unwarranted stress on our society. The people all knew it had to end. But no one was brave or powerful enough to go against Mahad Baba the untouchable.
Then the day came when Mahad tried to invade the land of Panthera. He had his cages all ready. He had all exists to the village blocked and he sent his warriors quietly in. From house to house they went rushing in to chain and gag all the citizens they get them out and into the cages. Everything had been perfect. There was very little sound and in less than a few hours they had everyone in a cage and it was time to celebrate. Unfortunately, something happened that night that Mahad did not expect. Someone had made it out of the first village and back through the jungle to Msia in Kimburi. Msia Duma changed his whole theory on conquest. Nothing was the same after they met. There was ho more easy conquests. The people of Aspana knew of Mahad and what he had been doing. Every village from there on was ready when Mahad and his slavers attacked. He started to take more loses than victories. On the seas Mer men of Kaerio and Adria rose from their underwater cities to attack his ships and send them spinning down to the ocean floor. His noble allies saw this as a failure of Mahad and started to rise against him. As rebellion started to rise, Mahad sat there on his stolen throne and watched. His dark armored guard's whispered treachery behind his back as the rich and noble members of Domina made plots against him to bring him down. Nothing looked very good for Mahad's future as the darkness of his soul started to close in around him.
On the fifth day on the year of the Jackal, Lady Imani gave birth to a strong new son to the house of Baba. His name was Anon Baba and he was the hope for peace amongst the Hominid people of Aspana. On that day, Mahad gave the order for his Hyenen lackeys to move on the Pantheran village of Cougars. From that day on, nothing went right for the Dominian chief. His attack on Pantheran was defeated and he was chased from the Pantheran grass lands back into the jungle where he was caught weak from battle and killed by a young Hyenen by the name of Mulu Amin.

Now that we are all caught up with Baba and Domina history, I think we should get on with the story.
As Palas circled the campsite, a pair of dark evil eyes kept watch on them. Keyami wasn't sure what it was he was looking at Was it some new breed of Dragon or another type of Griffin? It had the wings of the Griffins but the body was more bird like. Then again he had never seen a bird of this size. Nor did its mind feel like anything he had felt before. He could feel there was Avian in it, but that was all.
As Palas dropped down into the campsite, Keyami made his way in to get a much better look at this stranger to the jungle. As he approached, he stopped. The fur along his neck began to stand and a growl started deep down in his chest. Whoever the stranger was, he was no alone. Keyami could feel the presence of a Dragon there with him. Slowly Keyami crept forward with his claws ready to fight Asw he pushed his way through the bush, he saw three Gorillas there talking to what had to be some new kind of Avian's and a dragon. It took all the strength he could muster to keep his natural instincts from rushing forward and attacking the beast.
"I returned at your call." Palas said. "What is it that calls me back?"
"We have decided to stop running."Sky said to his friend. "Goren wants to go home and end the feud with Igoro."
"You know exactly what that will mean, right?" Palas asked as he stepped to Goren. "It will mean doing battle with your father. Are you ready for that battle?"
"Yes." Goren shook his head. "Igoro and I are destined to fight. This is the way it was foretold."
"Good." Palas put a hand to his friends shoulder. "I will be there at your side."
"As will I." Astan said. "Then we can start back to Tigaress. I must return to end this thing with Mulu Amin."
"Are you sure?" Goren asked. "Mulu Amin is very powerful. He may have forces that none of us have ever encounters at his side. Dark forces that once dwelled below."
"I don't care." Astan said. "I am Tigaren. I was taught by my father that we are the hand of Tyree. Tyree will protect us if we promise to always fight at his side. I have always held Tyree strong in my heart and I will always fight for him. Mulu Amin will not defeat me and Sakura if we can get back together. And I will find my way back to my love. Nothing he can do will keep us apart."
"Then let's get back to Domina." Goren said with smile. "We have a future to win!"

The Enemy, of my Enemy is my Friend. 17

It was dark when Nereus returned to the cave. He had been out all day watching Msia, Aggar and Akani after they left the Dragon cave, There were two Dragons know. He would have to work quickly before there were Dragons everywhere. With only two Dragon's, Nereus thought it would be an easy battle, With the Dragons best kept secret, the location of their cave in mind. Nereus went back to his cave to wake up a few of his brothers. The war with the Dragons will be on again.
As he dropped down to land, many battle scenarios ran through his mind. He would look at one then dismiss it and move on to the next one. Once at the cave entrance, Nereus made the shift to human form. Dressed all in black, he started in then stopped. There was something wrong here. Something felt different then earlier. He could feel his brothers and sisters sleeping inside. But there was something else. There was something alive in there. With his claws extended, Nereus started into the cave. He knew it wasn't a Dragon in there, the smell was different. With his eyes adjusted for the dark, Nereus walked on past his sleeping brothers Zaharia and Notus. Past his sister the golden Hestria who was so at home in the sky, she could fly almost twice the speed of any other Griffin. Beyond her were two of the eldest Griffins of the clutch. Eurus and Pita who lay sleeping on a private shelf high above all the rest. They had not been awake in century's. Not even during the time of their last war with the Dragon's. Nereus knew their time was growing near. They may never wake to fly with the others again. But that wasn't important right now. Neither was that strange smell. It was time to get the clutch up and out in the air again.
"Rise and let the sweet mountain air full your lungs." He shouted. "It is time for the brothers and sisters of the wing to go forth and again claim the lands that we once ruled. Wake up and sleep no more. We have enemies destroy!"
One by once the Griffins asleep in the cavern opened their eyes and raised their heads. They shook out their wings to stretch their long dormant muscled then climbed up on their feet and roared.
Zaharia walked up and bowed before Nereus, showing respect to their leader.
[Hail proud Nereus.] He said, [It is good feel the ground under my paws again.]
[Aye.] Notus said as he joined them. [It will be good to be in the air hunting again. In fact, my stomach growls with hunger. I would hunt for something warm to fill my belly.]
As all the Griffins gathered at the cave entrance, Stormcrest stepped out of the shadows to join them.
Nereus looked up and noticed the grey and white Griffin and went to greet him.
"Hail Brother." He said as he bowed. "You are newly hatched. I bid you welcome to our clutch. What is your name?"
[I am Stormcrest.] Beno said as he nodded his white eagle head never taking his eyes off of Nereus. Something deep inside didn't trust Nereus. Maybe it was the Griffin cub, and maybe it was what was left of Beno. But until he knew what these Griffins were about, he was going to be reluctant to throw his future in with them. [I am newly hatched. I'm not sure where I am or what happened to me.]
"Relax." Nereus said as walked over stroked Stormcrest neck. "We are going out to hunt for dinner. Then there is something important we have to tend to. There are Dragon's here. We must destroy them. Follow me."
Nereus dived off the cliff and made the shift while he fell. With his wings spread, Nereus turned the dive and soared up high in the air. Instinctively knowing what to do, Stormcrest spread his wings and leaped in to the air. The feeling of flying was amazing. Beno had never felt such freedom before. In his heart he thanked Stormcrest for his gift of life.
As the Griffins flew high over the island, Nereus took the lead. He lead them from Assassa north across the straight and into Aspana. They passed over the tip of the continent then stopped and watched as an Elephant clan moved north along a widely used trail. From there, they turned east and entered Gorilla country. At that point Beno started getting nervous. They were getting very close to Domina. Though he was not the same Gorilla he had been the day before, Beno's loyalty hadn't changed. He knew if Nereus or any of the Griffins attacked any of the Gorilla settlements, he would have to do what he could to stop them. In a few minutes Domina was right in front of them. Nereus started to drop down into the forest out beyond the city. Stormcrest came down and set himself down right beside Nereus so he could be ready to fight if he gave an order to attack. Deep down he could hear Stormcrest reassuring Beno that he was right to worry. Nereus and the Griffins were very dangerous and volatile. They were use to being the top predators in their lands, They didn't share anything and those that lived around them and they never cared for anyone beside their own.
As Beno sat and watched Nereus, a thought crossed his mind. These Griffins were dangerous. Everyone of them. If that was so, why was Stormcrest so ready to betray them. Shouldn't his loyalty lay with them? His own kind?
[Like Dragons.] Stormcrest explained. [My mind and intelligence lay with whoever I bond with. The leader of the clan is usually very careful who they let bond with our young. You would not be normally allowed to bond with me. But it was fate that sent you, so my loyalty is with you and no one else. I have your sense of honor, your allegiance and your devotion to the Hominid people of Aspana. I will not fail you.]
Satisfied by Stormcrest's answer, Beno slowly made his way closer to Nereus. He had to get him away from Domina or they would attack and he knew Stormcrest could not stand against fifteen deranged and hungry Griffins. They would tear him up then move on to the city.
[Why are we here?] Stormcrest asked. [I thought we were hunting for food.]
[Aye.] Nereus shook his head. [There is food beyond these walls. All we have to do is attack and our bellies will be full.]
[You want to eat them?] Stormcrest with a sickening tone. [They are hairy, dirty animals. Even worst then Humans. I will not eat that.]
Nereus looked out at the city walls, then back to Stormcrest. His eyes narrowed. He didn't like to be questioned. And certainly not by anyone newly hatched. He was supposed to follow, do what he's told and keep his mouth shut. But he did have a point though it was minor. Gorilla;s weren't their normal choice for food.
[What do you suggest?]
[Follow me.] Stormcrest took off diving up into the trees then he launched himself into the sky.
On the ground, Krotus stepped up next to Nereus.
[Rather bold of him don't you think?]
[Yes.] Nereus said. [Keep a close watch on this one. I don't trust him.]
[Do we follow?]
[Yes.] Nereus leaping up into the tree's to follow. With the Griffin's following behind him, Stormcrest led them out onto the savanna and to a great herd of Water Buffalo's. Picking one, Stormcrest dived down and grabbed his catch then found a quiet place to eat. All through the herd, the Griffins fall upon them like a Dragon clan picking and choosing from the fattest of the herd. He could hear the water buffalo all around him scream out with their last breath as the Griffins settled down  to eat. Through he was usually a vegetarian, Beno enjoyed his first taste of meat. He had to admit to himself that he had enjoyed the feel of hunting. The excitement had been almost unbearable. And that first taste of blood as he bit down. It was such an intense feeling. A shiver passed through his body as he took the last bite and pushed the carcass away
As Stormcrest watched them eat, he wondered what Nereus had meant when he said there were Dragon's here. There hadn't been a Dragon in Aspana for over three hundred years. Were they to go north across the sea, or had Dragon's somehow come south to Aspana. Beno had no idea, but it wouldn't take long for him to find out.

As the morning sun rose out of the western mountains, Sakura, Deja and Dar'yl woke up to find Sky and Quynn sitting by the fire waiting for them to rise. It had been late when Quynn came back to join them. He explained what had happened in Domina between him and Shumo. Most of the Hominid people wanted peace, they were tired of all the war, death and destruction. They said only Igoro and his circle profited by the sale of slave and they wanted no part of it. But Igoro ruled here and his power was absolute. They were powerless to go against him and the price of disobedience was to high for them to pay. But if we could destroy Igoro's right to rule, they would support Goren as the next Chief.
"So that means we have the honor of bringing Igoro down," Deja said as she flipped one of her knives up and caught it. "Is that it"
"Yes." Quynn nodded. "Can you blame them? If any of them get caught conspiring against my father, it won't be just that one person who will pay. He will torture and kill a whole family line, just to make a point.."
"And what about Goren?" Deja asked. "Will he treat him the same way?"
"Without a moments hesitation," Quynn said. "He's already killed his wife. Goren is just an itch that needs to be scratched. He'll use his death to show everyone that there will be no exceptions."
"How can anybody be so cold hearted?" Sky asked as a cold shiver went through him. "And I thought Aster Telor was evil."
"Who?" Deja asked. She threw her knife and sent it straight into the trunk of a palm tree.
"Just an old enemy Quynn disposed of a few years ago. He tried to give me over to be someone's sex slave. He's dead now."
"Then we are off to Starspeak after Igoro? Dar'yl asked.
"No." Sakura said. "We are off to Starspeak to find Astan." He is our highest priority. We find him first, then we go for Igoro. I'm sorry but Domina's leadership problem is not why we're out  here. I'll be glad to help, after we find Astan."
"Agreed." Quynn said."Is everything ready to go?"
"Yes." Dar'yl said as he grabbed his pack and hoisted it onto his back, Sky and Quynn moved to a clear spot and made the shift. Sakura and Dar'yl climbed on Quynn's back while Deja made herself comfortable on Sky. With a nod, Sky spread his wings and launched himself into the sky leaving a bright trail of ice crystals behind him.
From Domina, they flew south then west towards the Ayss Mountains. Dar'yl and Sakura explained the different lands and people that passed below them. They passed a field of grass were Orangutan warriors were fighting some savage type of Canins. Sakura told Quynn he had never seen anything like them anywhere on Aspana. Dar'yl thought they looked familiar but he didn't recognize them. They looked like some cross between Hyenen and something wild and unknown. As they reached the shore, Dar'yl spotted six ships that bore Igoro's sign. A white Simian skull on a field of black. He explained that these were the ships he used to raid cities and villages up and down the coast. He could also use them to supply arms and warriors to his ally Mulu. Quynn wanted to go down and blast them from the water but Sakura said no. It would take just one volley of arrows from any of those ships to hit one of them and slow them down. They were to close to Astan to take that chance.
Further on as they flew into the Starspeak Mountain area, villages and towns were getting more and more sparse the deeper in they flew. There were no Gorilla's or Zebran, No Tigarns or Pantheran in these mountains. There were only goats and birds. Many different multi colored birds of all kinds.
"Astan told me this is Avian country." Sakura explained. "He said they were taking a friend back here."
"Yes." Dar'yl said as he pointed down to a charred black great oak that stood void of its limbs and branches. "I think Igoro has been here."
As they looked down they saw what was left of what must have been some kind of huge Aerie. Scattered at the base of the tree and all around its trunk were the bodies of the Avians that had made the tree their home. Sakura saw eagles, condors, swallows and crows all dead and spread out under the burned tree. There had to be hundreds of bodies down there some in bird form and in the state between bird and human. there were young and old, there were even broken shells and what was left on the unhatched.
"There must have been a horrible battle here." Deja said with a shaky voice. "I hope they took a lot of enemies with them as they fell."
"I'm sorry to tell you Deja." Dar'yl said. "But only Avians died here."
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"Look around. Do you see the bodies of anything but Avians here? No that's because Igoro did this all by himself. This was a night attack. He caught then while they slept and he killed them all."
"I wish we had time to stop and bury them." Sakura said. "But we have to move on."
From the Aerie Sky and Quynn and Quynn came down to land. There were carrion birds everywhere picking the meat from the dead bodies. It made Sky sick and he turned and buried his face in Quynn's chest.
"Be brave Snowbird." He whispered in his ear. "They're at rest now. Nothing can ever hurt them again."
As they moved from tree to tree, it was always the same. Adults with children either buried beneath them or some where close. No one could've survived this massacre. Igoro had gone to far this time. Somehow they had to stop him and they all knew.
"Which way?" Deja asked.
There were no tracks to follow, there was nothing here but death and the slightest scent of something foreign. Sakura shifted to his lion form and walked around getting the scents from the area. He could smell the fear the had raged through all of the Avians as they died. Then he smelled something that didn't belong there. It was a familial smell. It was the scent of the one he was looking for.
[Astan was here.] He sent to them. [And it was after the slaughter. He wasn't alone, there were a number of Gorillas with him. They went that way.]

As they walked in silence, Sky kept a close watch on Goren. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to continue on with the fight for Domina or Aspana. There had been so much and so many lost in his past history. His brother and sister, lost in some battle over some stupid piece of land. Land that know one but Igoro thought was at all useful. They there was Shauri, Goren's beautiful star of the night. Dead. He knew what had  happened. She probably bickered over some minor event with Igoro until he had had enough. Her temper, he always told her it would get her in trouble. But he knew the fight really would have been about him. Igoro probably came to their house insisting on seeing Goren. He probably accursed them of being traitors and Shauri just couldn't stop herself. But it was just a rouge to get at Goren. His father had hated him for years since the day he choose Grand father over him. In other words, peace over war. But he couldn't stop thinking about what he had lost. First Mara and Hodari, then Beno's parents. Now Shauri and Beno? There was no one left of his family except little Awiya, Mara's one and only son. Goren had tried to stay away from him so his father couldn't use him in some scheme to get at Goren, but knew it was only a matter of time until Igoro came up with some plot didn't. Eventually Goren had to get the young one and away before Igoro did something they all would regret.
As they stepped out of the jungle and onto a rocky terrain, Quynn looked ahead to see Palas flying over head circling a slope over a small mountain. Beneath Goren come out of the jungle as three of his warriors ran out to greet them.
"The cave." Hayani said as he fell to his knees and covered his face. "We found it!"
"How do you know it's Omerian's cave?" Goren asked. "Was he there? Whats the matter with you too?"
"Yes, he was there." Nyo said. Something had scared them. Nyo was shaking so bad Goren was surprised he was still on his feet.
"What is it? Where is he?"
"He's dead." Hayani said. "We found him with stab wounds all through his body. Someone must have attacked during the night, and caught him while he was sleeping."
Quynn, Sky, Deja, Dar'yl and Sakura looked at the two Gorilla's stunned. They weren't sure what to think. Could it have been Igoro? Is he that far ahead of them? Goren didn't think so but it was possible. But if he was, why hasn't he found us yet? Then a sudden thought hit him. Or has he?
"Hayani. Nyo." He called to his warriors. "Find Palas and get him back here immediately. We may be in trouble."
Without thinking, both Hayani and Nyo both turned and leaped into the trees to start their search for Palas. Looking confused, Astan hurried over to Goren to see what had frighten him so much.
"Goren." Quynn said. "What is it? Are we in trouble?"
"Yes." He said nodding his head. "I think we are. It's my father. I think was been here. Omerion's death is a warning for us."
[Yes. It is.] A voice boomed out through their minds. Sky and Quynn both jump with surprise. They hadn't been expecting Omerion's sudden call. [Igoro was here. He caught me unprepared to do battle. But there are ways for my consciousness to stay and deliver this massage to you.]
"I am sorry Omerion." Goren said sadly. "I didn't mean to lead him here to you. It was not my intention to bring Domina's trouble to your door."
[My death was foretold long before you were born young Goren. Just like your Grand sire. We both knew when our end was near. But I don't think its your time. You Goren Baba are our hope for a more peaceful existence for our Hominid people. The future I see for you is cloudy right now, as is your fathers though that does not mean it is hopeless. There is always for those with honor and bravery."
"What am I to do Omerion? We have lost so many. How am I supposed to overcome my fathers ruthless rule?"
[Have courage Goren.] Omerion's voice started to fade. [You are strong and you are not alone. Go home, You must face your fears before you can overcome them.]
With that said, Omerion's voice faded out into the winds. As Goren looked up into Quynn's face. Quynn shook him trying to bring Goren out of Omerion's trance.
"Wake up!" Astan slapped his cheek lightly. "Wake up Goren!"
"I'm here, I'm here." He pushed Astan away from him then grabbed a water skin and took a deep drink.
"What happened? Your eyes glazed over and you started to mumble something about your father. Is he here or not."
"No." Goren said. "He isn't here anymore. But I know where we have to go."
"Where?" Palas asked as he dropped down to land.
"We are going back to Domina. Back to confront my father in the hell he's made for us."