[Skookum]

username}}
Skookum
pup's number}}
The magnificent number 2 of course!
artwork}}
By WhiteFire Raven
by Alaska.
name}} Dimas

My name is Dimas which is a portuguese and spanish form of the greek word for sunset. Skookum chose this name because my colors reminded her of the sunset and dusk, she also thought Dimas was a very powerful name for a VERY powerful pup like me. *struts across the room.*

nicknames}} Di, Dim
I got these nick names from the lazyness of my sisters who don't like saying my whole name even though it's pretty short, although I did also get the nickname Dim because of my dark colors so that's not the only reason why I have nicknames.


gender}} Male
Ok I may have pretty fur but that does NOT make me a girl, I am definitely a boy,
can't you tell? Of course you can, I'm too strong and muscular to be a girl. Hmph.
age}} A few weeks
I'm still a pup but i'm already learning some grown up skills like fighting and hunting,
I'll be the best fighter ever when I grow up!
origin}} The land of Isket
Where else would I be from silly? My parents were born in Isket, everyone else here was
born in Isket, why wouldn't I be?
horoscope}}
Aries
birthstone}} Sapphire
Just like the color of my left eye!




height}} '1"2
I'm not that tall yet but I'm the biggest out of my sisters! I could beat them in any fight because
i'm so much stronger and bigger. *Sticks out tongue.*
weight}} 12lbs
Still the biggest of my sisters!
fur}} Black - Dark red - White
My fur is dark red with white and black patches, I also have black leopard spots scattered
over my body. Many wolves often compliment my fur, sometimes it gets annoying because
I feel like a girl.
eyes}} Blue - Amber
I was born with 2 different eye colors, my right eye is amber while my left is a deep blue. I
think it's really cool that I have two different eye colors, I bet others get jealous of how cool
my eyes are.
tail}} Long
I have a long tail like many warriors of Isket. I guess you could say i've got the brains, brawn
and the looks.
armour design}}
My armour will be the toughest, strongest armour there is, it will be the coolest looking
armour too!
scars}} None
I don't have any scars yet since I haven't been in any battles, but Da says that your scars
tell your story and who you are.



personality}} Sarcastic/Helpful/Protective/Proud/Understanding/Kind
Sarcastic

Dimas has a sarcastic and funny side to all of his pride and kindness. He mostly only jokes
with his friends and family because he thinks it's a bit rude to to be sarcastic to people who
aren't close to him. Most of the time he's just joking around and being funny when he says
something sarcastic but if he get's frustrated or mad he'll do it out of anger.

Helpful

Dimas will do anything he can to help out, he doesn't like to see others struggle so he
always helps them when they're in need. Although Dimas loves to help out sometimes he
doesn't have enough time to, even when he doesn't have enough time he tries to do the
best he can. Helping out is something Dimas does best, he doesn't do it to make people
think he's nice he does it because it makes him happy. When Dimas helps out it cheers
everybody up and it always makes his day to see others smile.

Brave

Dimas is very brave and he always steps up to his problems. Dimas is never afraid to
do what he needs to do no matter what it costs, the only time he gets scared is when his
family is in danger. Even then he still does everything he can to keep them from harm even
if it costs him his life. Dimas has always been recognized for his bravery because he always
does things that no one would usually do.

Proud

Dimas is always very proud, whether it's qualities about himself, what he does, his family
or his life situation. He is never ashamed of anything no matter what happens because he knows
that in the end he'll have more stories about what he's done right than what he's done wrong, he
doesn't believe in mistakes because he thinks everything happens for a reason.

Understanding

Dimas is always very understanding when it comes to others' problems. He
doesn't judge them because he knows he has no place in their business and he
has problems of his own. Also he thinks of what it'd feel like if he was in their
place and think of what he'd want others to say if he had that problem so that's
what he says.

Kind

Dimas is always very kind but sometimes he loses his temper if
someone is pestering his family. But almost always Dimas is kind
to everybody (except for Kronadors) and he loves to make people
laugh and smile.

history}}

...
The Den

There were soft whimpers coming from the inside of the sparkling cave walls. Inside, Luxyrus had just given birth to three newborn pups, she pulled the pups closer to her warm body to let them suckle. Haestine walked in from the swaying blue grass outside, he trotted over to Luxyrus seeing the pups and nuzzled her.
“They’re beautiful.” He said in a hushed tone. Luxyrus looked down at her squirming bundles of fur and smiled.
“What’re we going to name them?” he asked lovingly. Luxyrus looked up at him and smiled,
“Well I’ve decided to name the little red and tan girl Lyra and the little yellow and black girl Sho, but I can’t decide on one for this little guy.” She said indicating to a pup that was climbing on top of Lyra.
“How about Dimas?” Haestine suggested with pride as he looked down at his only son of the litter. Luxyrus looked down at him,
“Dimas, my little warrior.”


...
The Adventure to the Outside

Dimas blinked his little eyes open and looked outside toward the dark sky that was looking out over the blue grass. He got up onto his feet and let out a small yawn, he poked Lyra with his paw and nudged Sho with his nose. Dimas sat down as both of them groaned in protest,
“Come on we’re going outside.” He said quietly so his mother wouldn’t hear. Lyra opened an eye at his words and jumped up,
“Come on Sho we’re gonna go outside!” she said excitedly.
“Shh, Ma will hear.” He said in a hushed tone. Sho got up and opened her eyes to let the light filer in,
“Well then what are we waiting for?” she asked getting up and trotting to the mouth of the cave. Dimas ran after with Lyra at his heels,
“Not without me.” Luxyrus said without opening her eyes. All three of the pups stopped in their tracks as Dimas ran back towards his mother,
“Come on Ma let’s go!” he said placing his paws on her neck.
“Alright, alright I’m coming.” She said getting up. Dimas ran in and out of her legs as she walked and he ran ahead of her to catch up with his sisters that were waiting for him outside,
“Come on Di hurry up!” Lyra called out to him. Dimas sped up and bowled her over barking excitedly, he bit her tail playfully and she let out a happy yip.
"Come on Sho help me!" she barked happily. Sho ran over to them and Dimas jumped up and ran into the grass, Lyra and Sho chased after him but he stopped when he saw his father walk up to his mother.
"Da!" he barked as he ran to Haestine. He jumped onto him and Haestine went down to the ground.
"There's my little warrior!" he said chuckling. Dimas tugged on his ear and let a playful growl escape his throat, Lyra and Sho piled on top of Haestine and barked excitedly.
"Alright that's enough rough housing for today." Luxyrus said picking Sho up by the scruff and carrying her inside.
"Aww!" Dimas and Lyra said in unison as Haestine got up.
"Listen to what your mother says." he said sympathetically, pushing the pups toward the cave with his nose.


...
Training





He said as he rolled on his back and kicked his back legs in the air.
"Picture your opponent on top of you, kick as hard as you can into their stomach to get them off of you. Now you try it." he said standing up. Dimas rolled onto his back as __________ had done and kicked as hard as he could, he rolled back over and watched Lyra and Sho. Lyra had it down but Sho was having a little trouble,
"Good, good." he said to Lyra and Dimas, "Now Sho, you have to kick your legs like you're jumping to catch a bird, propell your legs outward with great force." he finished as he was watching Sho. She did as he said and kicked her legs into the air,
"Wow! Good job Sho that was excellent!" Dimas said smiling at his sister. __________ nodded with approval as Sho rolled over back onto her legs with a big smile spread across her face.
"Thanks." she said happily.

hobbies}} [color=#808080]
I love to explore the plains and forests of Isket, I also like to spy and lurk around the forest,
fighting is something I practice often so when it comes to battle i'll be ready.
likes}}
I like dark colors, unique things, glowing things, nice people, eating, fighting, running,
exploring, spying, protecting others, armour, observing stones, large trees, and forests..
dislikes}}
I really don't like stupid people, rude people, boastful people, girly colors, kronadors,
fighting without armour, exploring with others, plain things, open spaces, not being
able to protect others, hunger, and slowness.



parents}} Haestine - Luxyrus

My parents are Haestine and Luxyrus, Haestine is my father and of course Luxyrus
is my mother. My Da is very strong, he always protects my sisters and I and I love him for
that, he is also very inspiring to me and he is the perfect example for who I want to be in
life. If I didn't have my father I would be very lost, he means everything to me and he has
taught me most of what I know. However my mother is very caring, she always looks after
my sisters and I and provides plenty of love for all of us, she has taught me that I don't
always have to be alert and strong, she has taught me to appreciate things in life and to
love others instead of hating. My mother has always been there for me and she had loved
me as much as I have loved her. Together my Ma and Da make the perfect parents and
have taught my sisters and I everything there is to know, I would be devestated if
something happened to them.

siblings}} Lyra - Sho

Lyra and Sho are my beloved sisters, they have always supported me and helped me get
through a lot. Lyra is most like me, she is strong, proud, protective and caring while Sho is
sweet, loving, caring and funny just like our mother. Lyra and Sho are very important, being
with them is like oxygen, I can't live without it. We have a very close relationship, even closer
than my relationship with my parents. I will always love them and protect them no matter what,
If they ever get in danger I'll always be there for them no matter what, when it comes to battle
I've always got their backs.

sexual orientation}} Straight
I'm only attracted to girls and my mate will definitely be a girl.
crush }} None yet
I don't really like anyone yet but there are many females in Isket that are very pretty.
mate}} None yet
I don't have a mate yet but when I do I will love her to death and I will protect her with my life.
other}}
I've made this form where it's in the point of veiw of Dimas and it goes from where he is talking as a pup
and then him talking as he gets older. I'm so happy to be able to try out for such a beautiful WOI,
I've been watching these for a long time although I have not won one yet, I've tried my absolute best on
this and I desperately hope I get Dimas.

[xSeraphimx]

Withdrawn. I have Luna now. <3

[Panacea]

Panacea . Pup #3 . Cadence
(nickname Caty^)



So you've never met me before? Hello! My name's Caty.
Since we've never met, I might appear shy, but I'm not really. I'm just quiet when I first get to know people. Sorry, it's not my fault. Sometimes, I just don't have much to say. I mean, we don't really have much to talk about right? Well if we do, that's just one way to know we'll be good friends.
My nature is pretty easy going. Very little ticks me off. I'm quite relaxed, and my mood is typically always a happy one. Any day someone gives me a smile, I'm already happier.
When I do get to know someone, like to seek attention for myself. I'm chatty around my friends with a very outgoing nature around those I'm familiar with. Certain days I'll be very gossipy, others I won't care about anything. My friends moods have a lot of effect on how I feel. I'm always much happier when everyone else around me is happier.
In my life I'm more comfortable as a follower rather than a leader. Leadership roles are too stressful for me. I don't like being put in charge because I take leadership roles very seriously. It's a quick way to go from a "happy, relaxed" me to a "serious" me. Being the "serious" me is not fun for me because I'll snap at others very easily. The thing to know about me is that I never want others to have anything negative to say about me. I want to be the wolf that anyone could go to, to cheer them up.
Though I enjoy my time with the company of others, I also don't mind just being alone. By myself I can just relax fully, and be me. Alone, I like to spend time in my den scratching patterns and designs into the soft rock walls, thinking of others, and about my day.
If I had a crush, I most likely would daydream of him from afar. I would probably make some awkward eye contact from staring time-to-time, but at least that would cause for him to notice me. What I'm looking for in a mate is someone who is strong warrior and caringly thinks of me.
I mentioned before that it's pretty hard to piss me off, and yes it is true. If you do somehow get on the list of those whom I don't like, it will be obvious. To those I don't like, I will bash on you for as long as you're on my mind. If we are put into a group together, I will disagree with everything you say. I will possibly also piss on your food (haha, just kidding! ...but I would be thinking it).


I like watching the rain fall in the spring and the smell of the earth before the showers.
I also like the smell of wet stone.
I like being out in the early morning mist just before the morning sun rises.
I like the sound the wind makes blowing through the trees.
I also like the patterns wind makes when it blows over tall grass.
I like the weather when I'm cold, but the sun is fully out and warms my fur. Just sends me chills!
I love pups! They're so cute!
I love my friends and family!

I dislike the snow, and any feeling of cold.
I dislike tight spaces.
I dislike the metallic taste of blood. Yuck!
I dislike stinging bugs. Sorry, I have a terrible fear of them.
I very dislike kronadors. There is no mercy from me shown to them.



I was out in the dark tall grass. It swayed with the gentle breeze that would gently roll through the rocky plane. The moon shone overhead, but that wasn't what was reflecting the light off my glowing eyes in the night, it was a shimmering butterfly. The delicate creature hung in the air letting the wind carry it. I followed it to a great tree lit up by the moon with branches held high. There were more butterflies hovering around the tree, smaller and less resilient, but I continued to follow the one until it landed on the bark. The joy inside of me when I first began to follow the creature turned to mystery. I touched the dark rough bark underneath where the butterfly glowed on the great tree. Its wings fluttered calmly. Then, a sudden rush of wind violently surged around me stealing my breath. I fell back in surprise. My fur was flattened against my sides and I could no longer see out of my eyes. But the violent wind stopped just as soon as it began and the butterflies no longer glowed.
They were gone. And the land…Smelled.
The leaves on the great tree were rustling and falling now without the wind. How could such a wonderful event have turned so quickly into something horrid? It was as if the tree was shuddering away its life, because it now stood dead...


I'm not sure if this meant anything. Searching for signs in life is rather difficult for me, but I can still remember that dream so vividly. Probably because of the horrific events that took course when I suddenly awoke…


The rancid smell from my dream still lingered in my nostrils after I had awoke, but it wasn't just my mind playing tricks on me. There actually was an awful stench. It came from a kronador: the kronador's mouth that was carrying me by the scruff across the rocky plane toward the forest…away from home.
I immediately cringed in fear, curling into a tight ball. What am I doing in the jaws of a kronador? Am I going to get eaten? Why aren't I dead yet? Will I see my family again? How will I escape this? Thoughts flooded my mind as I assessed my situation, but a violent toss of the kronador's head cleared my mind, causing me to whimper in pain. I tightened in my little ball as a last dark thought crossed my mind...I may never return home. Then, a lonely tear fell from my face as we entered the dark forest.


When I tell this story to young pups now, I like to tell it in a story like way. I like to say that I didn't yell or squeal for help because I wanted to protect our home, and that I knew that it would be a better thing for the kronadors to take me instead of another pup or member of the pack. But honestly, no young pup has those thoughts run through their mind at that age. None could. Telling the story in that way makes me feel better, because truthfully…I was a pup that was to terror-stricken to open my mouth.


The feeling of the kronador's rancid mouth on my scruff was unnatural. Its grip felt as if it was in more of a rush to get away than to harm, but that didn't make me any less afraid as I was dashed through ominous woods. Twigs and branches of nearby trees snagged on my fur like claws that were waiting for me. Still, no peep made it out of my sorry little mouth.
After several miles, rhythmic hum rolled from deep in the dark woods. It grew louder and more violent as we traveled on. What was that sound? A cool breeze carrying the aroma of water passed over my fur, calming me. From my small tight ball I had been holding myself in, I relaxed. It felt unusual in a time where I should be feeling only terror.
It seemed as if darkness was the only thing that lived in the woods besides the kronadors, until I could see a peak of light through the leaves of the trees. The light was up ahead where the humming noise was echoing from. Were we getting close to where we were going? As the small ray of light grew stronger, the kronador picked up speed, bursting out into the open. My heart raced, the bright light was hard on my eyes, but I didn't need to curl back into my ball of safety. After my eyes adjusted I could see I had been brought to a clearing. Moonlight mirrored off a large pool under a thunderous waterfall to one side of the clearing sending the moving rays of dancing light of water's reflection across the clearing. That was all I saw before I was roughly placed inside a small space in a rock bed, cutting one of my paw pads.
"Ouch!" I barked in fear and anger. At least the beast let me down. Any longer in that kronador's mouth and I might have gagged.
"Quiet pup!" a hoarse voice snarled outside my prison. It was the kronador.
I gasped in fear in surprise of the voice, backing farther into the rocks..afraid, shielding the entrance of my rock prison with my tail. However the kronador's face never appeared. Curious, I creeped lightly to an opening between the rocks, making sure I didn't step on my bleeding paw too hard.

But all was quiet. Eerily quiet.

Where did the kronador go? All things seemed to be still besides the thundering sheets of water that poured from the waterfall across the clearing. Was I the only pup stolen? I didn't understand. The confusion poisoned my thoughts into fear as I watched the light reflect off the pool of water over the rocks at my feet.
I wanted to run. Run away from the dark forest and to the safety of my home den. Where was that? I didn't know where I was. Even if I did run, would I find my way home? These woods were a maze to me. I guess I could try? No, I would get eaten by a predator, or worse…killed by the kronadors.

I'll stay put.
I suppose there must be a reason I was put here right? The kronadors wouldn't just leave me without being guarded, or at least watched…maybe. What was going on? I looked to the stars for answers as I trembled, knowing somewhere in my heart that I was probably not ever going to return home.

Then I heard them.
The swift padded feet of my pack. A sound a pup first learns to remember. My ears pricked in excitement, leaping up and turning to the direction of the sound. Only the sounds of their soft flying feet were heavy, as if weighed down by the armor they carried, and the noise was growing louder. My rescue.
My heart lifted ever so. My instinct told me, however, that I was still in danger. Sometimes your gut knows things. Even when you are just an innocent young pup. The body has its own mind. Somehow I knew that danger could be spread in a heartbeat.

My heart pumped. Ba-Bump.

Then the battle began.
The moment the light of the water reflected off the armored warriors as they entered the moon light clearing, the shadows of the kronadors moved. What I once thought were boulders and misshapen shadows in the night, turned into horrific nightmarish shapes. Those dragon-horse like creatures created a trap, and I was the bait.

Bait. Battle. Blood.

The skull of a kronador cracked on a stone by my feet. Its gold eyes rolled back into its skull as it sunk to the ground leaving a wet black stain on the rock. Three armored warriors followed the beast, the battle not yet won. Terror snaked through my veins, leaping back into the gap of the rock pile. All I could hear was the sound of war. Metal scraping metal, snarls of hatred, yelps of fear, cries of agony and pain...

The world become cold. Icy claws of wind chilled my small body. Snow began to lightly fall. Battle moved to other areas of the forest, no longer just the clearing with the waterfall. Who was winning this fight? I couldn't be sure, but the sounds began to quiet and I now felt brave enough to leave my hiding spot. Peering out cautiously, I wondered if I would soon be rescued. Carefully leaping down from the rock pile, I wondered over the freezing forest floor that crunched wherever I placed my paws. Right now, only the remaining dead were my company.
Sitting in the middle of the clearing, I began to slowly freeze. When was I going to be saved? I watched to snowflakes fall over my paws, but then I noticed movement out of my periphery, catching my attention. My head jerked towards the waterfall, alert, but whatever was lurking in the darkness vanished before I could catch a glimpse of it. Mysterious.

I was more curious now than frightened, but I wasn't going to wait to get eaten if that was the case, so I moved back next to my rock pile. From then on I was on my toes, alert to any danger that might surprise me.
Long moments passed. Finally an armored warrior, beaten and worn, returned to the clearing, exhausted from fighting. The warrior was my noble father.
"Daddy!!" I exclaimed, so relieved to see him with the waterfall's reflected light shining over his blood stained armor.
I wanted to run to him, cling to him, and be his daddy's girl. My feet were faster than my thoughts as I started to rush towards him.

But then the light changed.
Something disturbed the water. The light that had been gently reflecting across the clearing began to violently trace across my father's figure. Movement came from under the pool of water...and a dripping wet kronador sprung out.

My heart dropped. I couldn't breathe.

That must have been what I had seen! If only I wasn't watching the snow fall! I could have seen it!
"DADDY! LOOK OUT!" I screeched in warning.
The kronador soared through the air, droplets of water flying, taking my father by surprise. Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion. My father jolted in surprise, realizing the attack, he lunged back at the kronador, against his instincts with fangs bared. Out of fear, I shut my eyes as they collided, holding my breath. All was quiet when I dared open my eyes again. Neither body moved.

Taking a cautious step forward, I opened my mouth to whisper my voice sounding weak and scared in the sudden silence of the forest, "…Daddy?"

There was a huffing breath, the kronador began to rise. I coward back, my body starting to shiver. The creature's body towered over me, and I closed my eyes, afraid to move. Then the creature's body fell, crashing to the ground, it's last breaths wheezing out of it's mouth.

Then my father rose shining in his armor.

My Father! Now I let out a sigh of relief.
He roughly shoved the body of the dying kronador off him and confidently strode his way toward me.
Never before had I ever heard of any one warrior that could take out a kronador alone. I was in awe and shock of him when he reached me.
"Lets get you home, Caty," he spoke humbly, taking me by the scruff.

The last sight I remember from that day was the snow stained red before the long journey home.



My armor is a metal phoenix theme.
My shoulder piece is a bird with a metal stretched out "wing".
The bird is folded over around a gem, and is preening its feathered tail.


Please excuse me for the lack of not having more wonderful art..my grandfather recently and unexpectantly passed away last week of a heart attack. Of course it was right before the deadline of this contest..so the funeral and visitation services have taken up my time, as well as taking care of my grandma and my cousins..its been really rough. Sorry my art isn't digital, this was the most I could get done in the amount of time I had

[kibbleeCat]

Username:
Pup number:
Pup's name:
Personality:
Story/Histoy:
Armour Design:
Artwork:

Reserved <3

[Aizui]

Username: Aizui
Pup number:
Pup's name:
Personality:
Story/Histoy:
Armour Design:
Artwork:

[wind song]

Huge wip c:

Username: Wind Song
Pup number: Two.
Pup's name: Wip
Personality: Eris~ the name of a planet.
Story/Histoy: Wip
Armour Design: Wip
Artwork: Wip

[Burn.]

Username:
burninflames

Pup number:
Pup number 1

Pup's name:
I was thinking about this very a while, then I thought about her beautiful markings that drew me to her at first. I saw that she has almost these beautiful little heart on her paws. So I remembered this beautiful name I heard one of my friends say at school it was Amora and it means "Love" in Japanese. I thought this would be perfect for her cause she looks like a a beautiful little girl full of love. She also kind of reminds me of Japan because of the beautiful red and tan markings on her.

Personality:

Mate:
Khem

Story/Histoy:

Armour Design:

Artwork:

[Agent Shark]

Username:
Pup number:
Pup's name:
Personality:
Mate:Khem
Story/Histoy:
Armour Design:
Artwork:


[Major wip]

[~R E N E S M E E~]

~R E N E S M E E~



Pup # 1 Please!



Hikaru



Hikaru, or Karu as most call her, is an affectionate and bubbly soul. She lives up to her parents and chosen future mate's legacy in her race to adulthood. She is very outgoing and is not afraid to say what she thinks no matter what it is. She doesn't easily give up on arguments and go on for hours until she has thoroughly proven her point.



Khem



Just a pup, hasn't lived long but she'll have an extraordinary history.



Wip



Wip

[Ralonica]

Ralonica Thorondor | Pup Number #1









Username | Pup Number:

Name:

Gender:

Female

Mate:

Khem

Personality:

>>> Let's delve a little deeper, shall we? >>>

Mischievous | Observant | Risk-Taker | Interpersonal | Affectionate

Mischievous

Observant

Risk-Taker

Interpersonal

Affectionate

Story:

Prologue
~ Ha! ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The gentle tinkling sound of the chain-link on my armour matches the sound of the rain as it drums down on the earth, making music through the trees as it coats everything in silver-like water. My teeth grasp the leather straps of my breastplate, pulling at the red leather until the rest of my armour falls into place. The chain-link makes its last final chimes as it settles onto my thick coat, and I push my head into my strong, sturdy helmet. The metal around my eyes instantly makes me feel fearless, brave, the steel safeguard protecting me from harm. I stretch my legs and feel the heavy pauldrons shift with my shoulders, nothing out of place, nothing that doesn’t fit.

I lift my paws lightly off the ground, springing into a swift, effortless trot through the sturdy hallways of the den, until I’m outside with the rain running down my coat, through the chain-link and off the armour plates in little cascades. Soon I hear the sound of the hunting pack, a discordant noise that clashes with the serenity of the rain. But it’s exciting – the baying of wolves anxious to set out, a mix of ears, tails, sounds and smells. I instantly pick out one in particular, a familiar face in the furry crowd – a tall, deep-chested male, coat as dark as night, punctuated with gold and red markings shining through like shafts of sunlight. I take in his whole being in one glance, his armour, his coat, his build, his stance, and a name runs through my mind, running engraved in my heart and mind.

Khem.

The cheeky grin sparkles in my eyes then shines through my face as I stretch out my strides, galloping to meet him. I see his smile, his matching gait and we both run, every second bringing us crazily closer. Suddenly my legs stop and I slide in the mud, slamming into Khem, who stopped a split-second before I did. Always one step ahead. But he doesn’t fall. Instead he helps me up as I pull myself to my feet again, and I look up to see Khem’s rich eyes gazing into mine. He reaches down to me, and for a moment his nose touches mine. One beautiful moment. And for that moment, I know that I’ll never love anyone so crazily, so passionately and so deeply as I love him.

The hunters are called together, and Khem and I stand side-by-side. I’m covered in mud, Khem’s spotless, but I know that the rain will wash it off. And as the group sets off under the thick trees and heavy foliage, a memory comes back to me, of a wet night just like this one, from a time before I met Khem and his light shone in my world.

Chapter 1 ~ Rainy Days
~ There's something mysterious about the rain... it almost calls to you, beckons you, to come out and play. ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eyes flash open, sound of rain. I register my surroundings in the moment it takes to yawn – light filtering through a tunnel, rain drumming outside, my family asleep in a bundle of legs, muzzles and fur.

Trust myself to wake first.

I carefully get up, wriggling out of Mamma’s paws, careful not to wake her. I look around, scanning the room, making sure that no-one else is awake. If anyone is awake, it would be Papa, but I can’t see him. Must be away on a hunt. Good thing too, he won’t be back for hours.

I slowly start to trot down the salt-encrusted tunnel, a hall of glittering minerals, My paws hardly make a sound on the hard floor, my soft breathing the only giveaway I’m here. Of course, I’m here for a reason. Nothing would suggest otherwise.
Would it?

You see, the rain has always had some sort of attraction to it. The way parents and elders shelter you from it, as if it’s a horde of Kronadors, the way it drums on the ground so inviting, so thrilling, so exciting. So this is what I’m doing.

Checking it out.

Why?

Because that’s just what I do.

The dulling shafts of light get stronger each step, as Inear the exit of the den – an archway of red rock, perspiration trickling down the shining walls, rain chiming on the stone outside. I take one look, then leap out into the rain.

Instantly, I hear voices. Coming from the corridor I left. I freeze, my whole body tense with adrenaline before I gather my legs and leap towards the tree-line, my paws scrabbling for a foothold on the red slope. The sound of wolves, other warriors, is getting nearer as I make my slippery descent, as I shoot down the shambled staircase of rocks and minerals. The more I run, the more the area becomes dotted with struggling plant life. The closer the trees come, the more the slope levels out.

Next thing I know, I’m on level ground, trees above me and grass beneath me. The earth around is punctuated with puddles of mud and stunted undergrowth. I leap into a sheltered bush, hiding amongst prickly leaves and twigs. The sweat from the mad downhill rush begins to stick to my coat, while my head and shoulders are gradually drenched from the steady dripping of the leaves above.
It seems like a tense eternity until a group of adults come into view, their bodies framed by the thick blanket of storm clouds above. A glint of metal here, a flash of fur there, and I know they are wearing full armour. A hunting group. Of course. The pack still needs to eat, even when the weather isn’t favourable.

I watch them come down the slope, drinking everything in with my eyes like one drinks water when they are thirsty. I recognise each wolf in turn, their names, their families, their rankings, coats and armour scrolling through my mind. Then one particular male starts the steep descent, his broad shoulders outlined against the palpitating sky. I instantly recognise him, and dread sinks in.

Papa.

My mind recoils and a pang of guilt shoots through me. If he catches me, what will happen? Mamma will be worried sick. I could slink back into the den, pretend it didn’t happen, but that doesn’t seem reasonable. I did make it all this way, after all. And it is raining. Mamma is sure to notice my wet coat, or sweaty scent.

Only one thing to do. Stay out here and think up a genius plan.

My train of thought is instantly cut off as the group congregates just outside the tree line, well inside my range of hearing and too close for comfort, even though they won’t be able to see me. My ears swivel a few degrees as they start to talk in low voices, planning out the hunt. This information could be vital to my survival.

A relatively large wolf steps forward, stealing the attention of everyone. Even if I didn’t already know his ranking it would be obvious, looking at the way in which the atmosphere tenses and how the other wolves stiffen their backs in respect.
“We can’t move towards the Eastern grounds.” He begins in deep, powerful voice. “Although there is plenty of food there, we all know that the rivers will now be too high to cross safely. We must go South-West, above the Falls, as we can be certain to find good game there.” The wolf turns towards the pack, an air of command about him. The rest of the pack looks at him, nervous tension in the air.
“But isn’t that getting too close to Kronador borders?” Papa’s deep voice cuts through the group, not demanding or aggressive, just low and casually questioning. “Enemies would be very unwelcome. We should send scouts, while the rest of the pack heads West. If the coast is clear South-West, we can easily cut across there. If there are Kronadors, then we can hunt west in peace without risking the pack’s lives. The game won’t be as plentiful, but it will be good enough to last us until the rivers die down again.”
The leader turns his head slowly towards Papa, searching the group for a blank second before catching his gaze.
“Kronadors have not been seen in these parts of Isket for many years. It would be a waste of precious hunting time to make such a detour. We will move South-West as originally planned.” The leader’s blunt speech makes Papa glare, but the authority of his voice stops any further comments.

With a bark of command, the whole pack leaps up. The leader starts giving abrupt orders, and I realise that the rest of the information is useless to me, unless I want to know that Papa will be running right-wing in their formation, and he will be backing up the fore-runners. Then I realise something. The pack still needs to sort themselves out, with their plans and whatnot. I could get a good head-start on them, running ahead to the South-West grounds, and catch a few animals and either surprise the hunters when they get there, or run back to the den. Either way, I better start now.

I slowly back out of the bush, carefully, every twig which snaps, every rustling leaf making me bristle with excitement. As soon as I’m out, I crouch behind the bush, checking behind me.

Nope. No-one’s watching.

Time to make a run for it.

Chapter 2 ~ The South-West Grounds
~ I like stealth. 'Tis very stealthy. ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My first faltering steps are stiff and stumbling, as I try to avoid making noise. At least the rain gives me a half-decent sound cover, and the smell of the other wolves combined is stronger distracting than the scent of my damp coat. I just hope Papa doesn’t recognise my scent.

The further away from the pack I get, the more I relax into a steady lope, slowly speeding up as the need for stealth lessens. But ha! That doesn’t mean I can’t be stealthy. Lowering my body and bending my joints so that I glide along the grassy floor, a brusque pace that I’ve learnt to maintain, useful for many things, especially suspicious things. Things that I probably shouldn’t do. But I do them anyway.

A twig snaps abruptly behind me and I leap forward a few metres, startled by the sharp noise. I grimace, chiding myself for my fear. But I have to be more careful. I look up, realising that my direction has started to veer South. Not good. I sharply check my direction and head off in a more westerly direction, trying to make up for my mistake. I pick up my speed, starting to stretch into a controlled gallop. Startled animals move out of my way, and I can tell, by the slow increase of game, that I’m nearing the hunting grounds. There must be sustenance there, good plant life and good water.

The ground starts to get steeper, a slowly increasing incline towards the sky. My breath starts to rasp in my throat and my heart beats faster in my chest – the first signs of exhaustion that I forgot about until now. The trees start to thin out, a sign of increasing altitude. I double-check the direction. The hunting grounds should be nearby. But then how come the game is all but non-existent, and the ground is now rocky and unforgiving?

I skirt around a large boulder, balancing my forepaws on it to peer over it, a good vantage point from where I am. At first, all I see is mist. Then my eyes adjust.

I’ve found the hunting ground.

The ground opened up beneath me, a large lush valley crowned with jagged mountains like teeth. It looked similar to a mouth, warm and soft within, but harsh and cold on the outside, guarded with gnashing jaws. Herds of animals wandered the plain, sheltered under scattered trees from the rain which still runs down, pushing damp hair into my eyes. I shake my head and look down again. The only path downwards is through the steep, steep incline below, snaking through precarious boulders and loose stones.

I skitter to the side, and start my downward climb. Pebbles scatter in front of me as I walk, nearly sitting on my haunches. I pick my way through the dangerous terrain, putting my weight on hard rock or stone and letting the pebbles roll away. Here, all stealth is impossible, unless you have wings.

a large stone breaks away in front of me, clattering down, bringing the pebbles underneath me to a jolting downward slide as I sit, stunned, on top of the moving pile. I grit my teeth, scrabbling for a foothold, but the slope seems unyielding, the slide unstoppable. I’m aware of rocks falling behind me, and I know that I could be crushed. If I reach the bottom in the first place.

A stone juts out in front of me, part of the cliff-face itself. I leap up towards it, finding a foothold on the sturdy platform. I pull myself, shaking up on top, and watch the rest of the stones crash down to the bottom, smashing into the ground below.

It feels like eternity until I have enough courage to move. I gingerly stretch one foreleg out, then the other, before lifting a bruised tail and lifting a bruised head. I’m faintly aware of a strange smell, one which I feel I know but I don’t. I stretch a hind leg, then look up.

And I look straight into the salivating jaws of a Kronador.

Chapter 3 ~ Fight and Flight
~ I have never run so fast in my life. ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ve leapt off the rock before I’ve even had time to think. My legs start pounding back up the steep incline, the one I just fell down with a bundle of rocks. It feels like I’m running in quicksand, that I’m not running as fast as I should be. Every step slides back a few inches, but those inches feel like feet, and those metres feel like yards I could be traveling if I was bigger, stronger and on flat ground.

But I’ve never run so fast in my life.

Behind me, I can hear the Kronador crashing around, stumbling on the rocky slope and a small, sour relief washes over me. At least my smaller build is an advantage, my long slim legs a benefit. My weight causes fewer rocks to fall, and I slip less, whereas the Kronador brings whole boulders down behind him. But dread soon hits me, as I realise that the rocks are slipping down before I reach them, that the Kronador is moving closer and that I’m leaping off moving rock.

I stumble and pick myself up just in time, a red film of exhaustion slowly settling over my eyes when I look up and see the boulder I had peered over, seeing the lush valley.

Nearly there.

I take a wild leap, my forepaws brushing the grass, throwing me off balance so my shoulder smashes into the ground. I twist my body, rolling over just to the side of the boulder before tucking my paws in and leaping back up. The sound of a giant limb smacking onto the ground behind tells me that if I was one second slower I would be dead. Fresh adrenaline pumps through my veins and I run even faster, the flat ground a well-needed change, but also a benefit to the predator chasing me. I lengthen my strides, running down the now downhill slope, feeling like my legs don’t belong to me and that they are another entity.

I have no control now.

My breathing is even heavier than before, and I feel faint. I could collapse any moment now. The trees loom ahead, but I can feel the Kronador behind me, almost stepping on my tail. In the trees, things will be easier. I pivot to the side, around a boulder, and I shoot towards the trees, but not as cleanly and evasively as I would have liked. I stumble on a jagged rock, and catch myself just before smashing my head against the stones beneath me. I race towards the trees, and with one moment of horror, realise that I hear voices.

Coming out from the trees.

It’s seconds before I break into the tree-line, bursting into the startled hunter-pack, seconds before Papa recognises me and barks my name, and seconds before I take a shaky breath, saying one last word dripping with exhaustion.

Run.

Chapter 4 ~ Escape
~ "Papa... where's Papa?" ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing Papa does is run towards me. A strange expression is on his face, a mix between disappointment, anger, frustration, confusion and concern. But everything becomes clear as the Kronador appears, right above me, right in front of Papa.
“Run, Aloe, I’ll take care of this.”

The first thing I notice is the singular pronoun he used – I, not we. The next thing I notice is a big Kronador tail swooping towards me. I try to leap over it, but it catches my legs, slamming me into the ground. I want to find Papa, but I know I must keep on running, or I’ll be killed. The hunting pack has fought Kronadors in their lifetime. I have only been chased by one.

A sector of the hunting pack breaks towards me, running with me, telling me to run. I ignore their sceptical looks, but I never really notice them in the first place as my body and mind are so tired. I look to the running female next to me.

“What… about… Papa?” I try to ask, having difficulty mustering enough energy to say the words.
“Your father will be alright. Haestine’s strong enough to deal with Kronadors.”
I then try to ask how she knows who I am, who my father is, but I have no energy left, especially for talking.

My legs take a few more faltering steps. I realise that I no longer hear the Kronador behind me, and something heavy seems to be lifted from my mind. But then everything goes dark, and I’m dimly aware of my legs folding up, my body sliding on mud, before I black out completely.

Chapter 5 ~ At Last
~ One beginning, thousands of endings. ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eyes flash open, sound of rain. Mamma is gently licking my forehead again and again, I’m curled up in a tight ball next to her side. First everything’s fuzzy, but everything gets clearer and sharper as I adjust. I feel sore, but not too sore to sleepily open my eyes and gently bat Mamma’s nose with my paw. But then I look up and see Papa and bite my lip. He leans over to Mamma’s ear and whispers something, but I can still hear what he says.

“I would like to have a chat with our daughter.”

I look into his eyes, a pleading expression on my face.
“Please…” I begin. “I didn’t mean…”
But all words are wiped from my lips as I see his expression that clearly says “Shush, your mother is listening.” So I quickly assume a peaceful smile, before getting up and following him out of the cave.

“Do you… have any idea what you were doing?” Papa’s voice cuts through me like a knife, and I abruptly sit down, avoiding his gaze.
“I… I wanted to catch an animal. I wanted to please you.” I finally muster the courage to look into Papa’s eyes, and immediately wish I didn’t. The sceptical, ‘are-you-lying?’ look shows me that he looks straight through the half-lie.
“Do you really –”
“I’m sorry!” I snap, cutting of Papa mid-sentence. “I’m sorry. I snuck out, and was cut off by the pack. I tried to –”
“I don’t want to hear your story.” Papa returns my interruption, staring into my eyes with an expression I can’t pinpoint. “The point is, you pretty much saved the Hunting pack. Some of us went and scouted out the grounds after the Kronador was dealt with. Long story short, the valley was full of them. If we had gone out, openly hunting there, we may not have come back home.”
I look up into Papa’s eyes. His expression is easier to meet this time.
“You think… I… I saved you?”
“Aloe, I would rather have gone to the South-West grounds and be killed by a Kronador than to have you run ahead of us and be dead before we could save you. I would die in your place.”

Everything goes absolutely silent. So silent.

Suddenly I can’t handle it anymore. I leap towards Papa, burying my head in the fur below his neck.
“I don’t want you to die.”
I can hear the smile in his voice when he speaks.
“I don’t want you to die either.”
And he bows his head over mine.

We stay that way for a long, long time.

Theme Song:

Lucky - Jason Mraz

Art of WOI:

Armour Concept:

Other:

A shout out to the judges and the entrants, these WoIs are so adorable, and from a gorgeous couple. And the effort into some of these forms is amazing. Good luck to everyone!