Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 Naani’s Remorse

Feeling her dad kiss her on the head as she walked of the supply shack, still a little bit angry she saw a slew of were's attacking the goblins on the left side of the encampment as they were holding them off. Vlax sat outside and was waiting "Hey, Vlax you might want to come with me, I have to round up the women and children, so it'd be safer if you came with me, okay?" "Ok miss Naani, if you insist." As Vlax jumped on her back "Naani!!" a woman in white came running towards her from the encampment, it was the head nurse Talia. As Naani went out to meet her she shifted back into her human form and Vlax repositioned himself on her shoulder. Talia gave Naani a huge hug and said, "Luna blesses you child, where is your brother?" "He is in the shack with dad. We need to get the women and children out of the encampment, it's too dangerous… let's relocate the camp away from the fight!!" replied Naani as they were running back to the encampment. The encampment was engulfed in smoke with two major fire outlets that was near most of all the fighting, Talia and Naani were hard at work rounding up all the women and children that couldn't fight. As the dark spirits were aimlessly scurrying about one spotted Naani and tried to make its way towards her, only to evaporate in mere seconds from the heat of the fire. Talia had seen what had happened and grabbed a makeshift torch in one hand and picked up a child in the other "Ladies, grab a torch if you can find one!!!" Naani had just finished rounding up everyone in the camp, when five mortars had launched through the air and came crashing down near them "EVERYONE DOWN!!!!" as one of the mortars had landed near the battle, a few had rolled into the camp, everyone else was out on the west bank of the encampment but the last went up and over taking out the side of the supply shack, much to Naani's dismay. Naani caught a glimpse of Conri's white fur go in and out of the shack with her dad, as she sighed in relief and saw Conri take off; she turned her gaze back to Talia who had concern etched upon her face. "We are good to go Ladies!!!!! LET'S MOVE!!!!" The women started running to and fro with their tents and carts, anything they could've grabbed at the last minute with their children. As they were moving along, everything seemed smooth for some time; they were far out of the fight. Naani sighed in relief, smiled at Talia, and put Vlax on the carts "Phew, didn't think we would ever get out of that." Said the little ferret adding "Thank goodness the plan worked, and everyone is safe here. I think everything was going to be ok." "Me too, Vlax" said Naani. A woman came over and let Naani carry a newborn pup in a makeshift knapsack as it was sleeping, "Have you ever considered having kids of your own?" Talia asked to distract Naani of her pending worries "Are you kidding, me? Kids? *Pfft*, I am a War Maiden Tal, a warrior, a fighter, and the future Leader if something were to happen to Conri and Dad. I don't have time for kids Tal." As she looked down at the newborn and watched the baby breathe as it slept, she considered the possibility for a moment, and sighed "Now isn't the time to think about such things, that kind of opportunity hasn't really come my way, Tal" said Naani now a little saddened a bit by the thought of it as a tear trickled down her cheek. "Hey... don't do that to yourself Naani, you'll have time in the future, you have your whole life ahead of you, you're young, just takes time and the right mate. I was just making conversation sweetie, it'll be ok." "I miss mom... I miss her a lot right now." sniffled Naani "Lithwaine was very much like you Naani, she was fierce, determined, and resourceful. She sure did make an impression on your da-" as Talia's mouth was instantly covered by Naani's hand and Vlax's ears also perked up "Shhh". Naani's ears picked up some movement coming from the groves "Everyone stop!!!" she whispered loudly; suddenly, the wind shifted, and a stench from the grove that wreaked of death blew towards them. "No, no, no, no, no this can't be happening." She muttered to herself as she was still carrying the newborn pup but quickly repositioned it on her back as she went to get a better view. She squinted and saw little movements and plants shaking behind the grove "EVERYONE SPREAD OUT!!!! MAKE FOR THE HILLS BEHIND US!!! GET OUT OF RANGE!!!!!" a disgruntled dark elf responded "KAMONCHILAR POZITSIYALARNI EGALLAAYDILAR!!!!!!" Talia was running to help the women as Vlax was moving small items behind the hills to the North of them, a kingdom wasn't that far from them "Hopefully, someone will see us." Talia said to Vlax "Come on Ladies!!! Hurry, behind the hills!!!!!" yelled Talia. As Naani ran back down and gave the lady her baby back she went to the very back of the convoy and started rushing the women down, helping as much as she could carrying anything and everything to the back of the cliffs. "Is that fire?" Naani thought as the grove looked like it was set ablaze, but the light danced in unison. "YUQORI MAQSAD!!" the disgruntled voice sounded off again as a dozen more fires answered to the call, in unison it moved upwards "DUSHMANLARIMIZGA O'LIM!!!! OTISH, OTISH, OTISH!!!!" dozens of fires were launched in the air, as if all of hell's fire was released in one burst. "EVERYONE GET DOWN!!!!!!" As the arrows whistled back down hitting food, medicine carts, linens, and some tents caught on fire while others missed, bouncing off rocks and catching grass ablaze; thankfully, no one got hurt this time. By the time the next row of arrows were launched this time around most of the women had moved fast into the rocks and hills along with their children and supplies. The dark elf screamed and cussed at the goblins for missing their shots, just absolutely losing his mind. "RANKLAR FORMASI!!! Siz ahmoqlar!!! Siz ko'rmisiz?" Qattiq qatorlarni shakllantiring!!!!" The dark goblins stood and formed ranks side by side snarling and cussing in response as they watched the women and children move into the hills. "Keling, bu safar buni to'g'ri tushunaylik, heh?" after the dark elf feinted a slap at one of the goblins, he shook his head and continued to bark orders "Menga rahbarning boshini olib keling!!!!" The goblins ran towards the hills as the dark elf necromancer started raising the undead. Naani now peered out of the hills after salvaging what was damaged, she made sure things were semi saved and sat there waiting for the goblins to make the first move with Vlax. As she peeked over towards the grove and saw the goblins charging, she calculated that she only had a few short minutes. "Fuck, yes about fucking time." As she muttered to herself "Ladies!!!! Those who can fight come with me, the rest stay here and wait for aid or reinforcements!!!" A few of the women made their way in line behind Naani. "Talia, stay here in case anyone gets hurt, you're our only medic right now. Vlax, you too please, as you can make a quick inventory of what we have and don't" "We will, Naani" replied Talia while watching Naani leave with some of the women. As Naani stepped out into the open part of the hills she kept an eye on the goblins who were struggling to make it up the incline "This is our time ladies, let us rip these creepy bastards apart!!!! The men aren't here to defend us, so let's have some fun!!!! TO THE HUNT!!!!" as Naani and the rest of them transformed into their different were form's she began to lead the charge and howled, the rest followed as they barked in response, only a handful of them charged down the hill in rapid succession. Naani had fully punted one of the goblins off the first cliff as it screamed, she plummeted into the horde of goblins and instantly began to work into her bloodlust. Ripping through their body parts in massive waves of adrenaline, the wolf has been freed and no one was to stop her. As she roared and tore through their ranks like butter, the others kept up and finished off any stragglers and deserters that she may have missed. Naani was absolutely in the zone and after waves of slaughtered goblin and undead plastered all over her face, she had found the dark elf and zeroed in on him, what she didn't realize though, was the that the ancient, dark, dryad had shifted focus on her and not the encampment any longer. As more and more reinforcements began to come out of the grove "MEN SHAMOL VA DARAXTLARNI BU JONZOTLARNI KO'ZIMDAN OLIB TASHLASHGA CHAQIRAMAN!!!" the ancient Dryad bellowed out and a gust of wind had picked up Naani and the others, rag dolling them towards the hillsides; injuring them. As Naani was trying to get back up she looked towards the grove, she was groggily unaware of what was going on, as reinforcements were now charging in her general direction. Hurt, but still ready to fight, she got back up and stood her ground with two out of the five women at her side. "If we die my sisters, hold on to the thoughts of what we hold dear and love." Naani said proudly standing by her sisters, as the enemies drew in closer, an Orc started to climb the last ledge that she was standing on. One of the mortars came crashing down and barrel rolled into the formations, nearly wiping any support that came across the grove as it was thrown by something. "ORTEGA QAYTISH!!!!" the Dryad shrieked before she completely disappeared. She had hovered on top of her canopy, right were her support had gotten taken out, but some of the mortars were coming from the right side of the cliffs, and some were being rolled into the formations. Naani looked in the distance she saw her Dad, a massive Alpha wolf with dark mahogany skin, ebony black fur, and turquoise irises that have a golden tint. He floored it, as others trailed right alongside him he bellowed out a howl so loud that the goblins, orcs, and elves shuttered in fear as they scrambled and squealed like baby pigs shifting their focus onto the incoming animal bullets. "BU KIM?!?!?!? BU KIM?!?!?!?" asked the orc looking down at the others in confusion as the goblins scrambled in fear while he was still trying to finish climbing up the cliff. Naani responded "That's my Dad, bitch" as she jumped and pushed him with her paws, he fell and broke his back as the enemy shifted their focus onto the onslaught of incoming wolves. Naani; being all giddy to see her dad, started to jump down onto the cliffs and hopped off to the side to meet him; suddenly, a group of riders popped up a short distance behind them. "Hello?!?!?!" said a voice as it echoed through a cave opening, Naani looked behind her and quickly met with the voice, there were fifteen ape-like horsemen all with food, supplies, and medicine "We are here looking for, Remus Lupine? The Clan Leader? Oh god, is that blood?" asked the shocked Captain looking at a goblin blood covered Naani "It's not mine, don't worry. As for my father though, he's busy at the moment, what do you want? Wait, is that for us?" Naani asked shaking her fur to get the blood off and then saw more of the supplies "We had received your message, and came when we could. We've decided to ally with your clan and could only spare what little resources we have. Although, we cannot spare any of our men at the moment as our City took a massive hit." Said the Captain. "What message?" asked Naani confused "Your General sent it out.." replied the Captain "General?.... What did he look like?" Asked Naani "White wolf, crimson wolf eyes, 6 tails, really hard to miss; kind of stands out if I'm being honest." replied the Captain "That's Conri, my big brother!!! Oh my gosh, yes, come on in!!!" "We would love to stay, but we have to unload and go back right away; by the way, what is your name?" asked the Captain as he stays for a minute and motions his riders to unload the supplies "Naani Lupine" she answered "Well, its absolutely wonderful to meet you miss Lupine, and your brother. My name is Captain Atreus, but you can call me Arthur, madam." he bowed and went to shake her paw, but took it and gently kissed the top of her paw instead, she blushed, but he couldn't tell as she was watching him in her wolf form. "Y-You too" as she stuttered "I can see you all are busy, so I won't stick around much longer, until we met again, Naani Lupine" as he looked at her before heading out "Oh, before I forget, if you see my big brother on your way back, tell him to move his ass, we need him home, please!!" asked Naani before watching her Captain leave. "Yes ma'am!!!!" as he salutes her on his horse "THANK YOU!!!!!" as she yelled at him as he took off. He raised his hand high and waved "YOUR WELCOME!!!" but all she could make out was a voice, before one of the goblin splattered mortars rolled past one of the cliffs almost hitting her "Shit!!!" She looked inside the cave to make sure everyone was ok "Everyone ok?" asked Naani "Yes, thank God for your brother, now we can start getting ready." Talia said in response as she moved things around and set up their encampment while the fighting was still ongoing outside. "Ok, well, I'll be right back. I'm going to go help dad!!" Naani said "Be careful!!" Talia yelled back as she was continuing to go through the supplies with Vlax as he meticulously sorting their things. Naani headed back outside and headed down the cliffs again, watching her step before hitting the open ground, and then took off in a sprint towards her father. Most of the enemy commanders and goblins were fighting the were's again, goblins were now climbing upon them as the were's were rolling over and brushing off their attacks. Naani in full canter plowed through the back side of the formation disrupting the battle as she fought with a fiery passion in her heart, catching goblins in her mouth and chomping down on them while throwing their corpses against both orcs and goblins, she swiped at the undead as they slammed up against the sorcerers who were blasting spells. One of them misfired due to the impact and blew up the ground they stood on, only to be flung through the air and caught, then crushed by Remus's mouth, as the limp, crumpled corpse was thrown back at the horde of enemies. "Daughter, where are the encampments?!?" He asked "To the hills Dad!!! The cave mouth is on the backside of the cliff." Naani replied "What a good position, good job Naani!! We should get out and head over once we're done here." Remus yelled as he crushed goblins and orcs under his paws, the others were wiping out the necromancers and the undead as Naani joined in and fought side by side with her dad, wolf to wolf. "We didn't have much choice in the matter Dad, they came out of the grove and fired on us, quite literally." said Naani as she continued to fight "I thought we were finally safe, only a few of us held our ground, but the Dryad happened and we got made. Until you showed up, it is so good to see you dad." Naani said in relief "You too pumpkin, is anyone hurt? And where is Vlax?" asked Remus while pushing off the last attacks "No sir, and Vlax is inside with Talia, safe..… I'm sorry, I got mad earlier I knew you were right about relocating, and I hate it when you're right." Replied Naani " I know, you're so much like your mother, more than you know. She would be so proud, as I am. I miss her." Remus responded as finishing up the fight and giving Naani a hug. "Oh, we got supplies and aid too." Naani added "Good, but no reinforcements?" asked Remus "Their Captain said their City was hit in the blast and weren't able to help at the moment but would be willing to be our Allies." Answered Naani "Conri is doing what I asked, is he not back yet?" asked Remus "No, I haven't seen him since he left your side." Answered Naani "He should be back any moment." Remus replied, they continued and headed back to their new encampment with her dad and the rest of the Clan "I hope he's ok." Naani; worried about her brother, watched as the other clan members started to head back to the encampment. "MENDAN BOSHQA QOCHIB QUTULA OLMAYSIZ KONRI!!!!!" as the ancient Dryad bellowed, the ground began to shift beneath their feet. "Did she say Conri? What the hell?" asked Naani as her and her dad were trying to restabilize their footing. "She is after your brother again, I need to go and find him quickly." He said "I'm coming this time dad, and don't even try to argue." Said Naani "ok, lets go!!" as Remus chuckled they sprinted towards the west of the cliffs as a horde of goblins started coming out of the grove and headed the same direction as if they were drawn to a source of power completely ignoring the fact that two werewolves were right next to them. "Yer silkinganda u sizni yutib yuboradi va siz nihoyat meniki bo'lasiz!!!" The ground started to split open as goblins were falling into the cracks, but then they scrambled back out. Remus started to lose his back footing as they were running while the ground was splitting around them, "Dad, we need to go back, we can't make it!!!" as she was scared to fall into the abyss. "Conri needs us, we've got to push Naani!!!" while hopping from ledge to ledge but gradually feeling himself slipping with each step. "No, we need to push!!!" he reassured himself "DAD, I'M NOT GONNA MAKE IT!!!!" as Naani began to lose traction, she watched as the goblins were zooming right by them, Remus still focused and determined on Conri. "DAD, Please!!!!" She cried out and then spoke out of desperation "I'm slipping, I'm slipping.." then screamed "DAAAAAAA-!!!!!" as she slipped and just started falling through the cracks, Remus dipped down and grabbed her by the back of the neck with his mouth "I've got you!!!!" he muffled, while trying to get out of the earthquake he saw an opening where it was safe and headed towards it. When he got closer, he chucked Naani to the side where it was safe and then started to head there himself while platforming across little patches of land that was in constant rotation before falling into the abyss, as he fought tooth and nail against the forces of the ancient Dryad. Tired, exhausted, and in pain, he barely makes it to the edge while Naani was tracking him, she runs up to him and gives a hug "Hey pumpkin, I thought I lost you." As Naani looked up at her dad "Me too, I thought you would just continue without me." As she begins helping him up "Never Pum- GET BACK!!", The ground started shifting underneath their feet as he held her in his arms then immediately looked her in the eyes "Forgive me, child." He pushed her forcefully back and away from him "DAAAAAD!!!!" Too tired to fight, his body was just old and worn down from all that had transpired, and from the previous running back and forth, it all caught up to him in that moment and it was just as if he was too weak and gave up indefinitely. "DDDDDDDAAAAADDDD NOOOOOOO!!!! As she shouted into the giant chasm of land that just previously held her dad "Don't leave me!!!!" she waited and waited and was looking for him, but she figured he was gone under all that land as she cried and screamed for her dad, she waited, circled around a little patch of land not far from the edge and while waiting for him, fell asleep. As she sorely woke back up to an icy, crisp frost on her fur, no one was there for her, not Conri or her Dad, the feeling of loss and loneliness, both could've never screamed so loud at her this night, so she screamed out of anger back towards the grove and the giant chasm that swallowed her dad. She was contemplating her next move; with her clan on her mind, and decided that the first step was to head back to camp and deliver the news to her clan mates; so in turn, she slowly made her treck back home, the closer she got to the cave entrance Vlax and Talia ran out to meet her and held her as she began to break the news to them in tears