Against The Dark (Howling Winds and Nightengale)

[Howling Winds of Doom]

Darius "Hunter" Barkov had been a Guardian to many Ourion Pack Alphas for some time. Pack lore said that Guardians were sources of advice, knowledge, and pack history. The oldest ones, or ones that could no longer fight because of injuries, became sort of a secondary group of advisers, mostly teaching and raising the younger wolves. Darius was not yet close to that age; because, due to a rise in the deaths of Guardians during an earlier peak in the ongoing war with the Darkness, he had been chosen as a Guardian; thus, he had a few extra years in the position. He had been around long enough to know that most Alphas stood out in some way from the rest of the younger members, either distinguishing themselves with some talent, such as healing or bravery; or forcibly battling and leading a brave charge or a last stand. In his opinion, the newest and current Alpha of the Pack had done none of this so far. Alaizabel was picked...for some reason. He had forgotten why after a few weeks time. As any Alpha did, she had her supporters, those who looked up to her and said that she had what it took claiming that she was to light the way to a new direction and better times for the pack, hence she had been given the nickname "light" which had stuck.

The name made no sense, as she did not project any light that he could see and any metaphorical meanings were lost on Darius. Alphas proved and earned their respect and leadership capabilities, they were not simply handed the position. Was he bitter that he had not been picked? If he was honest, the answer a little bitter and cynical, yes, but he would respect and advise whoever had obtained the position. He just could not understand the decision, made over his objections. He was sure that, soon enough, they would all see how wrong they were in picking the young woman and how, perhaps, they should have picked him.

Like many of the Pack, Darius could take two forms, and today he was taking his beast form, which meant he was a black furred, red eyed, wolf with rather pointed ears and sharp fangs, which he did not hesitate to showoff to anyone who did not show proper bowing to the Alpha...or to himself. he knew, from rumors, that he was regarded a bit of an asshole, being far more jaded and cynical than he should be. But, he felt that his perspective on all things Ourion was "real" or close to reality. Any Alpha would need that, or so he thought. Thus, eh was honest to the point of a brutal spear. It rubbed many the wrong way, but he had the backing of many wolves older than him, and that was just fine.

His other form, that of a human, who looked easily in his 30's but was actually 27, had him standing a good 6'0 feet tall, with black hair and piercing, bright green eyes. He weighed roguhly 200 pounds and had many scars and cuts that had not yet healed on his body, from battles with The Darkness and it's creatures. He usually worse long black coats, which sometimes had fur lined hoods. The Pack's symbol hung on a necklace which he kept around his neck. He further outfitted himself with black boots and a large sword, which he preferred to any magical weapons or guns. he had been raised to wield this sword since birth and he believed that it was connected to his body.

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The sun had not yet risen, and most of the pack was still sleeping, save for the few on patrol and Darius, who had positioned himself outside of where the Alpha was sleeping, as was customary for Guardians. He worked, unlike many, alone, as he had no mate within the pack and none of the female had expressed much an interest in mating with him. Darius had taken this as a sign that he would always be single and had just about accepted his fate, but he still out a candle for a potential mate to to come along some day. Mostly the quiet breathing of the pack and the sound of the predawn hours was enough to keep him up. Darius had not been getting much sleep, as it was just leaving him in a ball of restlessness that would not abate, the past few days and so he remained awake and on guard. Nothing much was happening, it seemed and he hoped that this day would give the pack a chance to rest and let their "light" speak something prophetic or inspiring to them.

The last time he'd checked on her, she was sleeping peacefully and he though he might do so once more when he heard the soft padding of paws on the ground and looked up at the approaching Lara, one of the older female members and one who he most envisioned partnering with, but who had expressed no desire to guard the Alpha. She greeted Darius with quiet whimpers and nudges, a friendly sort of greeting, and said,"Good mornign Darius, is She not awake yet? I had hoped to discuss...her plans for activities with the youngest ones. If there was anything she needed, I was prepared to offer my help..."

Darius playfully swiped at Lara with a paw and nipped at her ear, and replied quietly, so as not to wake the Alpha before she was good and ready to rise, "She sleeps, my dear friend...still. She does not rise as you and I do. I am curious of her plans myself. I hope this day brings us peace, we certainly could use it right now. She is not yet ready..." Darius stopped himself and flicked his ears in annoyance, his tail swaying back and forth briskly and his tone suggesting his feelings, which had made clear to Lara on previous occasions.

Lara spoke in a tone of agreement,"I am aware, you have made your feelings well known. it is why you have enemies. I...I do this out of my own choice, you should at least know that. The young ones will not pressure me to guard her as you do. I...I do not think I could handle it, you are a brave one indeed." Lara rolled her eyes at the whole situation and huffed in annoyance. She moved to sit on the opposite side of where the Alpha rested, patiently waiting for her to rise, so that she could say what she needed to and be on her way. She respected the Guardian for what he did for many Alphas, but she was not sure his personality translated into romance, thus she could not bring herself to mate with him. But, Lara remained a loyal friend to Darius, despite the controversy he seemed to stir up.

Darius, eternally grateful for this, sat up more on his hind paws and once more awaited the Alpha's rise for that morning.

 

[Nightingale]

Alaizabel 'Light' Russakova, that was her given name. A name her father had chosen for her in honor of her mother who had been devoured by the darkness, her father had shortly followed. She knew of the many who doubted her, who eagerly awaited the day she would fail them as their Alpha, and she pitied them. She silently pitied those who could not fathom hope for another. Who could not see the good yet to come. She had thought, perhaps more than once herself, that when they had chosen her -surely there had been some sort of mistake.

Belief that perhaps when she was older and proven -yes she would have vied for the role of Alpha- but alas the Elders had a different plan for her, saw more in her than even she had once upon a time. One of the biggest accusations thrown against her by those who opposed her in the position, was that she never hunted with the pack, she never wandered the grounds in her wolf form. Even the Guardian had never seen her thusly. It has been something her father had instilled within her since she was a pup. She was different, and that difference must not be known until the opportunity was right and it would favor the survival of the pack against the Darkness.

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She had risen, sometime before Lara had even approached, she could identify the scents of the two wolves now stationed outside of her hut. She rose with silence and moved to the entrance, drawing back the curtain and stepping to the side gesturing for Lara to enter.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was just refreshing.." She stood, her tan skin heavenly freckled and seemingly flawless. She wore a black tunic cut low down the center of her body, exposing the pack symbol scarred and inked into her flesh at the centre of her chest between the soft swells of her breasts. The sleeveless tunic was light and weightless, allowing the air to cool her usually warm flesh. A pair of grey pants rode low on her hips tucked into black boots. Her long blonde curls were pulled up into a ponytail, her bangs falling to frame her face.

Usual blue eyes were currently a deep burning ember. A sign the wolf was just beneath the surface. She watched the two wolves stationed outside of her quarters waiting for them to take the offer to enter and speak what needed to be spoken. After such, she had something she needed to discuss with the guardian. Word had it, a troop of the Darkness was advancing on their territory. Small in number, likely a scoutting brigade.

She wanted to cut them off and take them out before they could relay information that would harm the pack. However, other than that she wanted the daily lessons in pack hunting and survival to go as normal. They would have a time of peace, she would ensure it.

 

[Howling Winds of Doom]

Lara gave Darius a look, at hearing their Alpha's words, that said you are wrong. but nothing more. She entered first and ladi down on her paws, a sign that she was beneath the Alpha and that she would obey whatever oders were given. Darius, though respectful, did not laid down on his belly. he merely lowered his head, a sign of personal protest against this particular Alpha and his position. He was her Guardian, he had to be alert and this allowed him to, on occasion, dispose of the normal submission ritual. These "occasions" happened more with "Light" than prior Alphas. This, too, drew a curious glance from Lara, but she said nothing, sympathizing with her friend.

Lara spoke first,"Madam, how are the lessons for the youngest wolves to be planned? That was...my question and reason for coming. They are currently learning basic hunting and survival skills taught by the best mentors we have. We can...continue them as they are...or change them, it is your decision." and she went silent. She listened to what Alaizabel had to say, as did Darius who remained silent throughout the Alpha's instructions, and patiently sat and awaited Lara's leaving the tent.

As she left, Lara gave a "yes, Alpha" to Alaizabel and nudged Darius once more, her own form of showing solidarity with his protest. She murmured,"Someday, dear friend, someday." the Anti-Light Clique of the Pack's code for showing unification. Being the most vocal, and the highest ranked, Darius led the small group of about five or six. He only growled in agreement, his mood being 95% bitter. Lara swished her tail once or twice and was gone.

Darius then looked at Alaizabel, and said,"What news, Alpha? The last reports have the Darkness some distance from us. Perhaps it is a day to regain strength and morale, a day to rest and to relax, but train. What are your orders as to the Hunting Parties?"

The Hunting Parties were the Pack's offense against the darkness. Battle hardened wolves that patrolled and fought on the front lines. Darius led one such group of the most elite wolves the pack had. The responsibility, technically, fell to the Alpha, but so far "Light" had not shone an interest in the activity and this displeased her Guardian. He looked at her, in her human form, and waited, softly thumping his tail on his ground in slight impatience. Both he, and they, had gotten used to this communication chain, improper though it was.

 

[Nightingale]

She knew, without a doubt, Darius disagreed with the decision of her position. He disapproved of her entirely, and that alone was enough to dishearten the poor girl. She was young, early twenties, twenty two to be exact. Her hardships had never been experienced alone, the entire pack had been with her through each trial. She had informed Lara to up the grade in which the young ones were taught, though there was no need for extensive training outside of the ordinary. There would be no need for them to fight, not yet. They had a long while before their time.

As the female left, she turned those embers on the male, his lack of true respect should have angered her. She should have brought it to point time and time again. He'd been known to do this on many occasion. Light positioned herself in a seated position across from him and took a deep breath. "There is a small regime, headed this way, It appears to be nothing more than a scouting routine, however.. I want to take them out before they gain any detrimential information." She shifted some, before standing once again. "I want to lead it. My goal is to make these strikes with minimal man power. It is my wish to take out the force, without having to sacrifice any more of our people... I plan on taking lead to the West lands, in search of something ancient, they will help us force the Darkness back and defeat it."

Her frame shuddered, raw power rippling off her body in a heavy torrent. Before he knew it, where the girl was stood, now stood a rather large, Rustic hued wolf. Her honey fur tinted with red with a heavy white pelt. Ember eyes focused on the wolf across from her. A large scar ran along her muzzle from right eye to maw. Her wolf form was riddled with such scars, parts of her wolf that had never healed from when the Darkness had attacked her family when she was younger. A reason she never really showed her form. Her father had been ashamed of it.

"Gather the others, I want to cut them off and take them out before they get any closer."

 

[Howling Winds of Doom]

Things had apparently changed. Either someone from his own band of cohorts had gotten to Light or she'd simply realized what many had been saying for some time now. Darius listened quietly to what she had to say. He noted her insistence that she be the one to lead the charge. He might have seen, in a different Alpha confidence, but in light, he saw desperation. She wanted to impress him; by leading a charge against a small force. Darius felt the plan was fair, if a little easy for a firt attack, but if it would prevent something worse occurring later, then he was all for the idea. he replied,"Fair enough, Alpha. it is your force, do with it what you will."

He watched her transform and noticed far more scars than he had expected on her wolf form. This was, however, neither here nor there for him. They all had scars, some of hers were simply longer and stood out more. Once she'd transformed, Darius said,"Ahh... Follow me, Alpha and I will lead you to your hunters" and out of the hut he trotted. Up to a hill overlooking the entire Pack's camp, were a group of about five solves, one of the Hunting Parties.

The five, when they saw Darius and the Alpha approach, laid on their bellies and said nothing. Darius stood off to the side of the group, and said, coldly,"These are your troops, Alpha, lead them. I will be here, when you need me." which meant that Darius would stay with the party, because he assumed that Light had no leadership experience, she hadn't shown it so far and, would him to give commands and arrange the for the ambush of the party. He saw the questioning looks he was given, but only rolled his eyes, and/or looked towards the Alpha pointedly when the troops looked at the one who normally led them.

 

[Nightingale]

"Darius.." She snapped, his name rolling off her tongue with a vicious bite to her. "I am beginning to grow weary of your impertinence." The tone a lot more challenging than he would likely have expected from his unfit Alpha. She knew well, he wasn't even attempting to save face in her presence, but trying to belittle her in front of her own pack. "You are hereby ordered to stay behind. I do not need to worry about such insolence while trying to defend my people from the reaches of the Darkness." She snapped. A growl rumbling from her throat. She wasn't here to impress him, that had not been her intention nor would it ever be. Her concern was primarily saving her people from going to war.

If it meant stepping onto the front lines alone, and giving herself as an eternal sacrifice, so be it. She wouldn't risk another life. "The last thing I need is someone losing their life because you're too concerned about remaining on your haughty little high horse and whining that you weren't chosen for Alpha. Now sit your hind end down right there and wait until we return." He'd gotten under her skin. She stalked forth, turning her back to him as she started off towards the location her intel had warned her the Darkness were scouting. Her form was much larger than the typical wolf, her sleek frame rippling with the movement of the muscle under her pelt.

Ember eyes focused on the path ahead of her as she moved. "Anyone who shares his opinions, stay behind. I have no use for you." Whereas she did have a lot to prove to the pack, she had little time to cater to their disbelief. She took a few more steps before leaping into a brisk run. Her paws caressing the dirt beneath her in a sweet embrace as she ran. A silence veiling her movements. She was stealthy, a plus she knew that would come in handy in combat. She disappeared beyond the brush of the forest as she lurked deeper into it's depths. Her focus set on the coordinates of the scouting brigade.

 

[Nightingale]

CLOSED