FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

CHAPTER 2

The pair traveled through the ever growing hills, heading deeper into the western mountains. They soon began to climb higher into the mountains, taking more breaks as the air grew less with each minute. Sakari panted as they reached the top of the path, finally able to see down into the valley below. "W - Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a city in the mountains way out here...Gods..." she sighed heavily and dropped her bag on the side of the road. "Take a break, Ferain." She grabbed a strip of meat for each of them and the canteen. Shaking it, she felt how little was left. "We'd better reach HaiKhan soon, or we're not going to last much longer." She said and opened it and sipped on it, just enough to wet her dry mouth before passing it to the little feline.

He drank from the bottle before handing it back to her and eating the jerky. "We should, it's been a couple days now." Ferain stood on his tip-toes to try and look over the next peak. He saw massive plumes of black smoke rising up from the valley beyond. "HaiKhan's right under a volcano isn't it?" Ferain asked, his whip like tail lashing around behind him.

"Yeah, Mount Volain." She looked up and saw the smoke start to dissipate into the sky. It crossed the sun and blotted it out, turning it red as the light penetrated it. "What do you think? Another day or two of walking?" She asked and shook the canteen again, sighing as there was hardly a splash with in. "It better be." She reiterated and waved her thick tail as she put it back into the bag. "Let's get going." She said and ruffled his hair, making him mew out as she passed.

They walked until it was late, finally settling down at the base of the next peak. She had to look almost straight up to see the black smoke. "Tomorrow and we'll be in HaiKhan. This will be one of the only times I'll get to stop Zerataph..." She said with a heavy sight, her tail flicking around.

Ferain was busy setting out the blankets that he was given. He nodded and laid down. "So why are you chasing after him?" he asked through a yawn.

Sakari shook her head. "I - " She stopped and tapped the hilt of her sword in thought. "He almost destroyed my home...threatened my life, may families." She looked down at her scarred paws. "If I don't stop him, it could get so much worse than - than just the single villages. It's now or never." Sakari sighed and looked down at Ferain, seeing that the cougar had fallen asleep. Shaking her head, she couldn't help but smile. She pulled the top sheet up over his shoulders and leaned back, holding her katana in her paw, her eyes scanning the rocks throughout the night.

The day's travel went by quickly. They reached the top of the path and saw that smoke rising out of the mountain before them. The base of the smoke pillar was glowing a deep red from the magma within. Down at the base of the mountain was a bustling village, the path they stood on leading straight into it. "Finally." She smiled and waved her tail. We'll get something to eat and drink and replenish our supplies before we ask around about Zerataph." She looked down and smiled at the cougar. Looking over his ragged clothes her ears twitched backwards. "And we'll get you something proper to wear." She chuckled and began to walk down the steep path towards the village.

They finally reached the city of HaiKhan, an entire civilization built into the side of an active volcano. Its inhabitants were mostly reptiles of every type. With addition of the occasional traveling merchant that took a settling in the city. Many of the buildings were built of stone and wood, a long line of houses to one side looked as if they were carved straight into the mountain side.

The pair looked around at all the bustling bazaar, eventually coming across a wagon stacked with clothes, armor, robes and a large selection of accessories. Sakari looked down at the little mountain lion, who was excitedly turning his head around in all directions, trying to take in as much of the busy street. She looked up at the horned lizard that sitting behind the cart. "Do you have anything his size?" she pointed down at Ferain.

The lizard had to stand up on his tip toes to see Ferain over a pile of clothes, his eyebrows lifting slightly in slight wonderment of the boy's size. "I might. Let's see." He took another good look over the cougar before squatting down again and dug around inside the cart. After a few short minutes, he came up, holding up a short, tan tunic with a red vest and a pair of off-white cloth leggings. "They might be big, I can have them cut to his size." He handed them to Sakari.

After getting Ferain to put on the clothes, he let the Horned lizard cut away the materials until they finally fit the mountain lion's petite form. The cloth leggings were cut so they hung over his knees and the waist pinned up so that they wouldn't fall from non-existant hips. The tunic hung down over his thighs before stopping. The sleeves just barely shown from under the shoulders of the vest, the only unaltered piece of clothing. Thanking the merchant and paying their fee, the freshly clothed feline and wolfess continued deeper into the busy bazaar.

Sakari lead Ferain further into the mess of stands and merchants, everyone calling out to every passer-by to take a look at their wears. As Sakari was looking at a table filled with weapons of all kinds, her sensitive nose picked up the strong smell of spices and meat heating together. She stood up and turned around, seeing a large stand with a pair of rattle snakes flipping food in woks, a fire blazing under the pots in an almost dramatic manner. The sight alone made Sakari's stomach growl loudly, audible to her even among the chaos around her. It was nothing compared to Farain's; who's stomach could have easily shook the earth.

The two sat down at the stand, a cobra flipped food in the wok before glancing over at them. "What can I get you?" He hissed with a grin.

"What's good here?" Sakari said, her mind focused on the smells issuing from the kitchen.

"Everything's good." he chuckled as he dished out the plate of beef and vegetables and handed it to a large bodied crocodile.

Sakari chuckled and nodded. "Then we'll take the house specials." She smiled, watching him nod and pour oils and spices into the wok, adding in the vegetables and meat and allowing them to cook. Sakari tapped her arm as she watched the tall cobra cook their food. He set their food into dishes and handed them to the pair. Sakari thanked him and began to eat. She groaned as she tasted the chicken and vegetables cooked to perfection in a spicy sauce. "Gods, it's been so long since I've had a good meal like this." She said and flicked her tail. "how about you?" She said and looked down at the cougar.

Ferain was busy panting and waving his paw in front of his mouth "Too hot...!" he mewed as he continued to fan his mouth, the cook setting a glass of milk. "Thanks." He quickly drank.

"Not used to it, I'm guessing." She teased and continued to eat while Ferain picked at it a bit more carefully. She was finishing her plate when she heard a female's voice stepping up behind them.

"Did you see that dragon? Talk about tall, dark and handsome." She hissed with a wide smile on her face. "Hope that sword isn't compensating for anything." She sat down a few seats from Sakari.

"W-What's he look like?" Sakari asked, her ears twitching as she looked down the counter towards the leopard gecko that was speaking. Her thick tail stopped moving, her thumbs tapping the sides of her plate.

The reptile blinked at the sudden intrusion. "Well he was about this tall." She said, lifting her hand almost a foot above her head. "Black scales and a blue cloak. He was carrying this long, bone sword or something." She curled her lip to expose her teeth. "He was walking up towards Mount Volaine." She was barely able to finish her sentence before Sakari dropped a pile of money on the counter before dashing up the street. "Uh, you're welcome!" The lizard called hissing and watched Ferain following close after her.

Sakari skid to a stop as she turned the corner and almost ran into the large crocodile that they'd seen at the stand. "Sorry." She bowed slightly before side stepping him, only to have him step in front of her again. "Um, Excuse me!" She couldn't help but bark at him.

"I'm sorry. But I can't let you go up there." He said and gripped his crooked wooden staff, a bright red ruby fixed to the gnarled roots. He wore dark emerald robe, brown and black lines crisscrossed over the front in large diamond patterns, matching the pattern that trailed over his head and down the tan scales on his back. His free claw combed through the short gray beard that hung from his chin. "I'm Nempus. I'm a high mage -"

"I'm sorry, but I've got to go. I have to try and stop Zerataph. He's trying to collect all the dragons. If I don't, he'll end up destroying this village just like he did the last." Sakari went to walk around the crocodile again, only to have him step in front of her again. She growled and went to draw her sword. "Move aside or I'll have to cut you down!"

The jewel on the end of Nempus' staff glowed brightly, red energy forming around Sakari's paws to keep her from drawing her blade. "Enough of that, pup. There's no need for such recklessness. There isn't a soul in the world that could defeat our dragon now." He said and released Sakari's hands.

She growled as she felt an odd chill return to her paws. "How do you know this? He's already destroyed HaiKhan and claimed their dragon as his own." Sakari paused to rub her paws together so that they would warm up again. "He's got two of them under his control. At least. I've got to climb up this mountain and stop him. Even if it'll cost me my life."

Nempus shook his head. "Don't be such a stubborn, girl. What would that solve? I will standby while you traipse off to get yourselves killed." He glanced back at Ferain who was shuddering where he stood. "Besides that's impossible, lass. No one in this day and age could have enough power to properly control the dragons." He turned and walked into a building. "Come on inside."

Sakari growled and looked up at the mountain above them watching smoke billow from the top like a chimney. Turning to look at Nempus disappearing into the shadows of the building, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't delay, not when I'm so close. They may be dragons, but even the strongest of beings will become weak while imprisoned." She said quickly before starting to walk back up the path. The red wolf barked as she felt the curiass around her chest jerk and pull her backwards. She had to hop in order to keep from falling back. "Hey. What is this!? You put me down this instant!" she yelped sharply as she tried swing her elbow into Nempus' side. But she never felt a connection. Looking over her, she only saw a bright red light like the one that held her paws. It encompassed the back of her armour and was pulling her into the house after the crocodile. "Ferain. Don't just stand there!" She barked at the young feline.

Ferain could do little more than follow her. "S - Sorry, I - I don't know what to do." He mewed and followed her inside. The inside of the building was rather small, the furnature was carved directly from the stone, blankets and pillows pilled on top to give the chairs some comfort. Sakari was forced to sit in the chair closest to the window, the ruby light still glowing and holding her in place.

"Are you going to sit still and listen to what I have to say?" Nempus hissed as he looked over at the wolfess, seeing her struggle in the seat. The only sounds for a breif moment was Sakari's grunts as she tried to stand up before finally she sighed.

"Fine. What do you want?"

Nempus lowered his staff, the light fading. Sakari straightened herself on the chair as Nempus collected a book from the shelf. "I want you to stop being so irrational. Now I won't say you're wrong about the dragons being weak after imprisonment. However it's been nearly a year since our dragon returned, in their elements, they're able to regenerate at a phenomenal pace. If what you say is true, the Red Dragon of HaiKhan will not be easy to take out." He flipped through the book and sat down across from her.

"Yes, but he's already gotten two dragons. He almost destroyed my village when he released them. But in Heirtol, there was no survivors. I mean....aside from..." she looked over at Ferain, watching him twitch slightly as he stood next to her.

"Yes, I can see why you'd want to stop him. But simply going straight into danger is not going to be the way to go about it. Staying on a single-minded track can only lead to disaster." Nempus said and set the book down on his lap. "Well, as the lore describes, only a true heir to the kingdom will be allowed to control the dragons of the realm. So if you're saying that this Zerataph has the dragons, then that would mean that he is the successor to Sippeà's throne."

"That's impossible. I've known Zerataph since he was a hatchling. There's no way that he could be royalty."

"Hmm. Well legends say that the king that had no children. But with a thousand years, the story could have easily changed into such. Dragons, be it the ancient ferals, or the anthropomorphic dragons we know today, they all have incredibly long lives. So there could be a chance that anyone of the king's family went underground in that time. Hiding from the event."

Sakari lowered her head for a moment and looked down at the book in Nempus' lap and flicked her tail. "What do you suggest that we do?" She said with a defeated whine in her throat.

He sighed and looked down at the book as well. "I'm afraid I can not say. I'm going to guess that you will not change your mind about going up to Mount Volaine. I don't blame you, but I beg that you both will be careful." He glanced over at Ferain. "What about you, what do you plan to do to help?"

"M-Me?" He mewled out and pointed to himself. With the crocodile's nod he shook his head. "I - I don't know. I've always...I don't know..." he stuttered. "I mean there were some times when...when I was on my own I was able to heal my own wounds. With out medicine I mean." He whispered, folding his hands up behind his back.

Nempus smiled softly. "So you used magic?"

Ferain nodded. "I-I guess so. I don't really do it on purpose. My father...uhm...." He turned his head and lowered his ears. Lifting his amber eyes to look at the two before continuing. "I would accidently use magic when I was a cub and my father didn't like it. He would...try to beat me. I'd get scared and put up a shield but he'd hit it until I couldn't keep it up anymore and then..." He shivered and curled his tail around his waist.

Sakari nodded. "I can understand the way he would have felt. Ternal...Hasn't been as liberal with magic users. But you're okay now, Ferain. You can use your magic freely around me."

He only nodded and smiled slightly.

Nempus nodded in return. "That'll be good. But even so, it's going to be dangerous. I'm guessing it's been a long while since you've used magic, so you're going to need to rebuild the ability." he tapped the book in his lap and stared out of the window, eyes tracing the trail that led out of the town. "We'll go up there together. As a High Mage I need to make sure the shrine is still protected. If this friend of yours is after the dragons, I'll have to do what I can." He groaned as he stood up with the help of his staff.

Sakari flicked her ears and stood up. "I - I can't...." She barked softly and lowered her head as he stared up at her. "Uhm...Thanks for your help." She said softly as Nempus set the book down on the stone table.

Nempus smiled and nodded. "You're welcome Sakari. On the way, I'll teach you how to control your magic." He grabbed a few tomes and bottles from the shelves. "Lets get going before it gets much later." The crocodile gave a hearty chuckle before leading them out of the building and back up the path towards Mount Volaine.

They followed a path that was carved into the red and black stone. But it quickly began to disappear, time having erased the path with landslides and hardened lava rocks. Coming up a hill, Sakari panted and wiped her brow "Damn, who in their right mind would build a shire at the top of a volcano." She growled and looked up. The volcano stood high above them, the smoke covering much of the sky and sprinkled ash onto them as they walked. She scrunched her nose as the vile scent of sulfur assulted her sinuses. "Gods..." The wolfess groaned.

"Maybe it's just cause they always live here? And Reptiles are cold blooded, so the heat doesn't effect them as negatively..." Ferain mewed and glanced up from his paws, a light orb hovering just above his palm.

Nempus nodded, watching the light orb, It began to flicker after a few minutes before fading. "Yeah, I've lived her my whole life. You grow used to the smell after a few weeks." He stroked his beard again as Ferain started to make another light orb. "You're getting there. I didn't realize how suppressed your abilities were." the crocodile spoke as they climbed up the mountain. They came to a small flat part of the path, boulders piled up under a slight ledge. "Let's take a small break here. We don't want to get altitude sickness." he said and grabbed a vial of blue liquid, the thick fluid clinging to the glass like a "Drink up, Ferain. It'll help a bit in tapping your magic." He said and handed the mountain lion the vial before settling down on a rock.

Ferain nodded and took the bottle and pulled the cork out with a pop. He sniffed at it and whimpered, his nose scrunching up at the strong scent. "Are you sure this...is good?" He said, pointing at it.

"Yeah, I made it myself a few days ago. Go ahead. Let me know how you feel in a while." He smiled and rubbed the cloth around the staff. "What are we expecting when we get up to the shrine?" Nempus asked Sakari, watching as the cougar drink the blue potion.

The boy gagged as he tried to drink it in one go. Padding back over to Nempus with the now empty bottle. "Why do potions need to have such a terrible taste." He groaned as the crocodile took the potion bottle.

"Because that way you know they work." he said and dug around in his hipbag and pulled out a couple hard candies. He took them with a thanks and walked off to start climbing on the rocks as he ate the candies.

Sakari chuckled and watched him climbing around before returning her attention back to Nempus. "Well...Last time I saw him, he was pretty powerful. He was able to cast magic. That's where I got these." She said and held out her paws, showing him the scarred paws, the lightning bolt burns still as bright as they were a year ago. "He's a practiced swordsman too."

"So we've got quite a potential fight ahead of us." He stroked his beard again with a heavy sigh. The clattering of rocks rolling down the pile distracted them. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ferain stumbling at the top of the pile. "Ferain, I think that's high enough. Can't have you injuring yourself." He bellowed up at the mountain lion.

"I'm being careful. I'm a natural climber." He mewed as he climbed to the top of the rock pile. He chuckled and sat down, his long tail waving back and forth as he looked down over the lower mountains that were spread out before him, the peaks coated in gray ash. They sat around for a while before Nempus called Ferain to climb down. He gave a soft sigh and started to climb down, rocks clattering as they rolled to the bottom.

A low rumble sounded over the ledge. The clattering of rocks built, but instead of the rocks tumbling down, they began to roll up and shift around. Ferain gasped as the rocks shifted underpaw. The pile continued to grow higher until a massive golem formed underneath him. Clinging onto the giant's shoulder, Ferain squeezed his eyes shut as it began to move towards Sakari and Nempus. "HELP!" He cried out.

Sakari drew her katana and dashed at the rock giant, she struck its leg with the length of her blade, causing sparks to scatter on the ground.

"Weapons won't do any good!" The crocodile shouted as he lifted his shaft, the ruby glowing brightly. A jet of liquid ice shot from the jewel and splattered around its feet and froze instantly, locking the giant into place. "Go get Ferain. Quickly!" He snapped as the golem threw one of its fists down into the ground just in front of Sakari, creating a cloud of dust and rock to scatter up around the massive arm.

The wolfess nodded and dashed up the rock arm as Nempus froze its hand into the ground. The elemental tried to grab Sakari as she ran up to its shoulder, only to miss and smash into itself. The ice around it's arm shattered and caused it to fall backwards. "Ferain, come on!" the female barked and lifted the boy up in one arm. The golem started to fall backwards, knocking her off balance and sending the pair sliding into the mountainside.

There was a deep rumbling, not from the mountain, but from the sky. With a flash, a bolt of lightning struck the elemental in the center of its chest, causing it to roar out just before it exploded, sending stones in all directions. Sakari grabbed Ferain and pulled him under her, waiting for the moment the rocks would tear into her.

That moment never came. As silence returned to their battlefield, she looked up and saw a light blue wall around she and Ferain. Looking over at Nempus, she saw that he hid behind a sheild as well, though his was a dark orange. Looking down at the shivering boy, his hands clasped around his ears. "Ferain. It's okay now. You did great." She whispered and gently pet his head.

The cougar opened his eyes at the gentle caress, his long, lashing tail started to calm down. Once his eyes opened fully, the blue energy disappeared, letting Sakari stand. "Wh-What did I do?"

"Heh, You're getting better with your magic." Nempus said as he stepped up to them. "Albeit unintentional, you're magic seems pretty powerful, you just need to learn to use it. Now let's go. We don't have much time. The golems are usually passive creatures. Something must be messing with their nature." He said and looked up the mountain.

The trio climbed the path as fast as they could. Rocks and old lava flows forced them to change direction to make easier travel. By the time that they reached the entrance to the shrine, the sun was beginning to set, leaving the mountains glowing a bloody red color.

The door to the shrine was built right into the mountain side, an arch with weathered letters reading 'Ruby' were carved around the doorway. The open arch gave them a perfect view of the interior. Rows of stone benches lined either side of an aisle, much like the other shrines had been. Against the back wall was a giant pool of lava, being filled by cascading lava that came from deeper within the volcano. Standing in the center of the alter just in front of the pool was Zerataph's shadowy form. His arms were raised up, the sword extending out from his left hand. His tail lashing around behind him and cracking softly like a whip.

Treading on the shadow cast by the lava, they made it half way before a deep, loud rumbling shook the entire temple and caused them to stumble and kneel on the ground to keep from falling. Just seconds after the rumbling stopped, the lava wall began to part as something emerged. The massive snout of a dragon began to grow from behind the cascading magma. In just moments a massive feral dragon was standing in the pool, the lava dripping off of its crimson scales. The dragon stood an astonishing twelve meters tall at the shoulders and almost sixteen in length. It was covered from head to claw in red scales except the golden plates that ran down from its chin and under its belly.

Starting with a single black horn on the tip of its snout, two rows ran up the dragon's snout and grew longer as they neared the top of its head. The spines on the top of its head were pitch black like the rest, and curled back following the shape of the jaw until they pointed forward once more. From there the smaller horns joined back into a single row and trailed down the length of it's spine to it's tail. The dragon's wings were tucked against it's body, but looked like they'd be easily almost twice the dragon's length. "Who dares to disturb me!" a deep male's voice spoke, causing the shrine around them to quake with the dragon's voice.

"Ruby: Great Dragon of the West, I come to seek your power. Only with your help can I achieve my goals!" Zerataph spoke loudly. Moving his left hand, he pointed the sword at the red dragon. Thrusting forward, he kicked hard off the ground and driving the sword into the dragon's chest with amazing easy, the serrated bone sword cutting through the scales like a hot knife through butter. The dragon reared it's head and roared out, the deafening sound filled the shrine.

Sakari yelped out as she clasped her paws over her ears, trying to drown out the roar. But just as quickly as the roar had started, it began to fade. Sakari looked up to watch as the dragon start to disappear into small orbs of light. The orbs began to spin and shrink down into a single large, red orb. It clung to the tip of Zerataph's sword for a long moment filled with silence. The red ball of light slowly ran down the length of the sword and into his hands, disappering completely into the dragon morph.

"Zerataph!" She called out and got up again, her tail thickening as it whipped around in agitation. "You've got to stop this!"

The form turned around and hovered over the lava pool, ripples forming around his feet. A gold and red band was added to his chest to join the black. "Oh Sakari, It's so good to see you again." He grinned, his eyes glowing, showing they too had gained the gold and red colors. The cloak he wore was tattered and hung from his shoulders uselessly. "Why should I stop when I'm so close to finishing my collection?" His eyes drifting over the wolfess, then over the pair that stood behind her. "I see you've been as busy as I have." Zerataph chuckled deeply. "Making new friends and all."

"Ha, You don't have any friends." She growled and drew her sword.

He raised his free hand and from his palm, three small orbs emerged, hovering in circles over the hand. The orbs were colored red, gold and brown. And in the glowing center was the head of the dragons that each one represented. "Aww how could you say that. They're great friends, they listen and don't say a word in return." He sneered malevolently.

"You're a monster!" Nempus hissed sharply and stood up and stormed towards Zerataph. "Release their spirits now!" He lifted his staff, the ruby glowed a dull blue from within the ruby before a spike of ice formed in the air above the knotted roots. Swinging the staff forward, the ice shot towards the dragon.

Sakari blinked and fell back to avoid the icicle. Looking up at the dragon morph, her jaw dropped in disbelief.

Zerataph held the giant ice spike inches from his face. Though it was not with his own claw. Around his forearm came a dark brown-black colored energy, forming around his hand and becoming a massive claw that wrapped completely around the shaft of ice. The pointed tips piercing the ice and sending spider-webbed cracks over its surface. "Nice try, old man, but you'll have to do better than that." He hissed sharply, his fangs bared. Spinning over the lava, Zerataph threw the giant shard of ice back at Nempus.

It stuck him cleanly in the chest penetrating through him much of the way. The crocodile flew backwards from the force of the attack, skidding to a stop near the entrance of the shrine, bits of broken ice marked his wake.

"No!" Sakari cried. She could only stare while Zerataph laughed coldly behind her. Gritting her teeth, she turned and launched herself at the dragon morph. Grunting loudly as her sword came to a stop, the energy grabbing a hold of the blade with ease. He lifted her off her paws, leaving her to dangle from the sword. "I-I'll stop you, Zerataph, even if I have to kill you. I promise this."

"I'd like to see you try." He growled, his face twisting from one of pleasure to anger. He punched her powerfully in the stomach, the hilt of the sword allowing him a heavier punch. The dragon then swung her around and threw her into one of the stone pillars nearest the altar, the claws scrapping a mark down the length of her katana.

Her yelp rang in the hall as she hit the solid rock and fell to the ground in a heap. The wolfess coughed, blood spattering the ground. She looked up, arms shaking to hold her weight. Zerataph's smile returned to his maw. The same energy formed behind him and took the shape of two massive wings, spread wide. "Until next time." He said, the grin returning to his maw as the wings flapped hard, launching him up out of the open mountain top.

Sakari turned her head to look over at Ferain, who was bent over Nempus' still form. She slowly crawled her way towards them, shaking and whimpering with every motion. She looked over Ferain's shoulder and gasped. "N-Nempus." Sakari's body froze upon looking at the crocodile. The ice had pierced his middle, blood dripping slowly and soaking into his tattered robe. Ferain's hands were lightly placed at the edge of his wound, feebly glowing white. "O-oh gods..." She said, her stomach tightening.

"H-Help, please you can't - Nempus. Please..." he whimpered, his whole body shuddering terribly. The light around his paws was flickering in and out.

The crocodile lifted a hand and wrapped it around the smaller male's "It's - okay, Ferain." Nempus breathed out, blood slowly dripped from the corners of his weakly smiling mouth. "Don't wear yourself out. You need to be able to help...help Sakari." He whispered and shuddered slightly as he breathed. "J-Just stop him. I know...you two can do it."

"D-Don't say that. You'll make it and then - and then we'll him together." Sakari shook.

Nempus only smiled before his hand fell limp onto the warm rock, "I'll watch over you two." He whispered before his final breath escaped his throat. His dark eyes staring blankly up at the stone ceiling.

Sakari looked away, growling lowly. "Damn him. Damn Zerataph..." She stood up, her paw holding her katana tightly. She stepped to the door and saw the black speck in the northern skies. "He's heading north. Azul looks to be his next target. Come on, Lets go before we fall too far behind!"

"W-We can't leave Nempus!" Ferain mewed sharply, tears dampening the fur under his eyes. "Please Sakari! Not here, not like this..."

"We don't have time. He's getting away!"

"F-Fine! Then go alone!" The mountain lion screamed at her and grabbed the elder crocodile's large hand and pulled. Ferain tried as hard as he could, unable to move Nempus a single inch. He fell to his knees and began to cry loudly, tears dripping onto the ground, steaming as they hit the warm stone.

Sakari watched Ferain for a moment, her ears falling back against her head, the pang of guilt squeezed at her heart. "Ferain. I - I'm sorry..." She looked at her paws, relaxing them and dropping her sword "I've just been haunted by this for so long. And now that I've found him again, I thought that." She swallowed and balled her fists as she turned towards Ferain and Nempus. "I...I'm sorry." She walked over to Nempus' still form and lifted it. Grunting at the extra weight, she staggered outside the shrine before gently setting him down against the wall, hearing a gentle clicking of bottles. She reached down to the mage's side bag and pulled out the remaining bottles of blue potion.

Setting them aside, she turned her attention to the spike of ice. She closed her eyes and gripped the ice with her paws and tugged on it, the sickening sound seemed amplified in the eerie silence. Tossing it aside, she looked over at Ferain who held out the vest they'd gotten him down in the village. Neither of them said a word, but Sakari nodded, understanding what the young feline was offering. The wolfess laid the vest down over the hole where the ice had been, covering it up as she turned around.

Finding the softest patch of earth she could, Sakari started to dig. Using claws and rocks, she dug as deep as the mountain would let her. The two were completely silent, only the sound of the volcano and scratching of rocks filled their ears. Sakari climbed out of the grave that she'd dug. Bringing Nempus' body to the grave, she gently laid him down, crossing his hands over his chest. Looking down at his eyes, she saw they still looked back at her. Sakari felt her heart tighten again as she turned her head to avoid the stare. Kneeling down, she gently shut them before she started to pile the dirt over him, adding rocks gingerly once she'd finished burying him. "Rest in peace, Nempus. I'm so sorry." She whispered as Ferain gently sunk the crocodile's staff into the ground at his feet to mark the grave. They stood together for a little while, calming down from the fight and the funeral.

They bid him one last prayer before turning to the north, and began following the trail that led down the opposite of the mountains. Near dusk, they found a hot spring, unbelievably clear waters gently steamed in the cooling air. She looked into the pool. "We'll stop here for the night. Wash up, Ferain." She said looking at him, seeing his fur had been covered in soot, making him look like a black panther. Walking around the spring, she found a small dip in the mountains, dried trees standing dead in the valley below. She brought up several arm loads before making a fire and stripping her armor and gi to wash her own fur. The air was still heavy with sadness and anger, weighing heavily on the wolfess. She was so close. After all this time, she almost had him and yet felt like she was further than ever. Her mind reeled over what happened in the shrine, making tears fill her eyes again.

She sat by the fire to dry her fur as she pulled out their dinner of dried meats. They said nothing to each other, only whimpers and sniffles from Ferain as he ate the food he was given. Curled up next to the fire, Ferain was quick to fall asleep, the day's events finally taking their toll on him.

The moon beginning to rise above the east horizon, Sakari watched it until it was fully over the mountain tops. Her heart stopped as she saw a flicker of black flying across it. It moved slowly over the large yellow sphere, heading from north to the south. "Zerataph...Why are you doing this?" She whispered and gently rubbed her chest, trying to calm her heavily thumping heart as she laid down, watching as the shape disappeared as soon as it left the moon's shape. Sakari whimpered quietly and closed her eyes, trying to rest with little success.