Chapter 2 - Chapter 2 The Blood Moon Clan

Naani, out of breath, stamina, and pain collapsed in the were campground with her knocked out brother still on her back. The were clan rushed to each of their sides, bringing food and water to Naani and taking Conri back to the med tent. They had heard the screeching of the dryad and saw the rescued attempt accomplished by Naani, as many of them were cheering them on their Clan leader stepped out of the war tent to see what the commotion was about. A tall, dark, and brooding human wrapped in an Onyx plated battle armor that glistened in the sunlight, stood in front of the tent waiting for his daughter and son to return. "They are here!!! They are here!!!" Shouted a small ferret, as it ran up to the Leader and climbed up his armor, then perched onto his right shoulder. "They are here, your Lordship!!!!" squeaked the little striped ferret. The Leader sighs and shifts his standing position "How many times are we going to talk about this today Vlax, Hmmm?" Vlax a little perplexed "Sorry, I'm used to royalty, not clan leaders." "Bah, don't worry about it Vlax…. What's the status since you were out there before me?" Vlax responded "Your children made it back after fleeing from the forest. Conri is in an unconscious state, and Naani is wounded but is safe and being tended to in the med tent." The leader was beside himself, "Did I not just tell her hours ago, not to cross into the forest by any means necessary? Conri choose his fate when he disobeyed that same direct order. Does anyone else, but my own blood not listen to me when I give out strict orders?" Vlax looked at the leader but scared to answer wrongly "I do, listen sire." He looks at Vlax appalled that he even answered "Number one rule for you, don't be a kiss ass Vlax. No one likes an ass kisser, understand?" Vlax nodded "Now, let us go and see my defiant cubs." As the Leader enters in the med tent as Vlax climbed down and waited outside the tent. Naani now in her human form is laying on her stomach with a white cloth draped over her bottom half "You ok kid? where does it hurt at?" she points to the side of her waist next to her butt cheek, as he raised the cloth half way he could see the stitched up slashes and lowers it. "Dad, I'm sorry but…." Naani tries to explain but was interrupted by her Dad "What did I tell you last night?" as the leaders eyes squinted "But…" "No more buts, what did I say?!?!?" he asked his daughter as he slammed his fist down on the empty surgery tray next to her "Do not enter the forest under any circumstances blah, blah, blah, blah. Fact is, I already made my mind up and got…." As Naani tried to explain again "Fact is you could've gotten yourself killed Naani! Do you not ever listen to what I have to say?" the leader questioned "I mean, I expect this from your brother, but not you." As the leader knelt to his daughter "I could have made battle plans, and you could've had back up if you gave me more time; but no, you decided to take it upon yourself and-" This time Naani interrupted her father "Dad, he was going to be dead by sunrise if I didn't get to him when I did. He was strung up and made a spectacle of at their camp, he was going to be the dryad's new pet." "Dryad? What Dryad?" Naani explained everything to her dad from the time she got there to the time they got back to the camp. "Oh, I see; this is really bad news," pointing and tutting with his finger in the air in rapt contemplation. "We must make preparations for the encounter, no telling what she has planned. Rest, please…and no more hero antics, ok? Your mother would be rolling in her grave if she heard you were pulling these kinds of stunts." As to Naani replied "Yes, dad. Conri is the next tent over if your interested" chuckled Naani "Hey" as the leader stops at the door "Yeah, Dad?" Naani responded "Proud of you" as he walks back over to her and kisses her forehead "Your brother, not so much; but, guess what? You got your first battle scar!!! Woooohooo!!! Party in the med tent!!" Naani laughed watching her dad do a little party dance for her "Dad? Go easy on him, he has been through enough." As the leader exits her tent, he looks to Vlax who was waiting outside the door looking worried "Is she okay?" asked Vlax "Yes she's just scratched up a little bit, she'll be fine. I need you to write 5 formal letters to each of the kingdoms informing them that we have a problem, inform them that Dark Flower Grove is not safe for travelling. An ancient Dryad lives in the midst of the grove with sorcerers and necromancers by the dozen. Also, that I, Remus C. Lupine.. Leader of The Blood Moon clan is requesting aid and Allies, supplies and/or shelter, in this fight against the forces of darkness. Be sure to put my signature Vlax." Vlax scribble down his notes, readjusting his spectacles "Yes sir." As the ferret scurries into Remus's tent to start on it, Remus stands outside Conri's med tent but hesitates to open it for the fear of how his beautiful boy might look. The Med tent opened and the head nurse steps out to get a fresh set of towels for the blood that was on Conri "Hey, How is he doing?" asking her, who is just absolutely furious too see him, and with asking such an insensitive question "I don't know" she said sarcastically "Let me ask you this, if you went in the forest with no back up, got caught and thrown against a few rocks and trees really hard, almost nearly choked, drowned and got the wind knocked out of you not once, but twice?! Then strung up for hours surrounded by death, how do you think you would feel!?!?!?" the head nurse glared up at Remus, her nostrils flaring "I told hi-" Remus began to say something before he got cut off fairly quickly "For Luna's sake!!!! He is your only son Remus!!!!! And to leave him for dead?" The nurse clearly upset "As your Midwife for both of your children's births, that I delivered. Those two kids are just as special for you as they are to me, and don't act like this doesn't affect me, damn it!!! It definitely does!!!" while Remus is chasing after her trying to interject at any given pause "Gods forbid, if Lithwaine was here, she would absolutely kill me." As Remus tries to continue "I told him no-" Midwife interrupts him again "Shut it, Remus!!! You and your damned rules… and that damn pride of yours is going to get them both killed, mark my words!!" she said angrily "Sorry" Remus sighs and squeezing the arch of his nose in frustration. While walking back towards the entrance of the tent "Don't say sorry to me, tell him that. I'm just cleaning up his blood, right? Like, who am I but a nurse. What do I know?" Midwife gestures a questioning pose before slamming the bloodied towel into the hamper, then proceeds to mutter too herself grabbing more fresh towels. Remus enters the tent and looks at Conri all bruised up and half beaten, covered in dried blood, while he laid there sleeping. Remus winced at the sight of his son as his heart broke for him…. "I am sorry son, I didn't know how bad it…" Trying to hold back his tears, sniffles but continues "-How bad it was." Grabs a hold of his hand and sat next to him as he waited for his son to wake up. In a small winced voice "You think, I look bad? You should see the other guy." responded Conri with a cough and a smirk. Remus laughed heartedly, wiping away his own choked up tears from his bearded face. "Yeah? Is that so?" as he sniffled looking at his son, Conri just nodded with his eyes still closed "Yep, (his lips popping on the 'p'), Hell of a fight you missed, gave them the ole one, two punch, and knockout just like my pops." Remus laughed "Damn straight you did!!!" A slight pause lingered in the air from Conri "Hey, Dad? I'm sorry…." Then sighs "we're in big trouble, that dryad is only a taste of what's to come." Remus' face gets serious "About that, your sister; bless her heart, told me everything about it.." Conri's face shifted "Not everything dad, she could've killed me instantly, but didn't… she held back; I mean, I literally was staring death right in its face, and she didn't kill me, even though I threatened her." Remus looking confused as he was also thinking on why… "Must be my rugged good looks? My charm? No, that's not it." replied Conri as his face kept shifting as if he looked like he is going through his memories. "I don't know either son, but I'm sorry I didn't come get you." Conri looks at his dad now with one bloodshot eye with his Iris's as teal as the sea breeze. "Dad, I knew you weren't going too. I disobeyed a direct order, and I accepted my fate beforehand; but then, little sis popped up like a drop in the hat." As Conri responded "Yeah, she…. has the heart of your mother… Well, get some rest. I have a task for you later when you feel up to it; if anything, it'll be tedious I expect, but we'll see; it just depends on how much you've recovered by then." Conri gave a thumbs up with his other hand "I got your back dad.." with a fainted smile "I know son" Remus proceeds to get up as he let go of his son's hand as Conri headed back to sleep, Remus walks out of his tent wiping is hands from his tear-stained face and continued his duties as clan leader for the day, occasionally checking up on them. Come nightfall; though he threw a little Celebration party for Conri and Naani, as festivities began, the clan drank, ate, and danced around the bonfire as folk music was playing. Some in their were forms, others in human form, but all laughing and making merry with one another, a long table was in the back outstretched with food and wine from the supply shack, and seated at the table was Remus at the Center, with his war counsel sitting to the left of him, and Naani with Conri to the right along with Vlax on the Kings' shoulder, with the rest of the clan advisors, doctors, and head the nurse was sat on his right. Remus stood up from his chair and began to motion to the crowd to settle down, and as the clan died down Remus begins his speech "TONIGHT, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF MY DAUGHTER AND SON NAANI AND CONRI!!!!" the crowd goes wild between the cheers and roars all looking at and clapping for Conri and Naani. As Remus settles them back down to continue "Today we learned some valuable information and made some plans... The Enemy is in that damnable Grove, and it will not stop until it eradicates our kind, and then its kingdoms. I'll have you know now, I am going to reach out as soon as tomorrow morning at sunrise to the other kingdoms for Safety and Shelter, and will extend the olive branch of allying with them under one banner…. Ours!!!!!!" The crowd roared and cheered with pride, blossoming with hope because they're one step closer to a united kingdom under their banner. "Maybe, just maybe, we can be united together for this noble cause and we'll be able to rule all of the kingdoms under our banner and I, your Ruler!!!" The Clan goes ape-shit crazy and erupted at his words, but as Conri looked at Naani and saw her whole demeanor change, he was also questioning his dads' intentions too… of being an ultimate ruler. "Hey Sis, talk after?" Conri whispered, she nodded very fiercely as she was looking at her dad as he is basking in the praises from the Clan. This side of her father, she didn't like it one bit… "But as of tonight, we are celebrating Conri and Naani. So eat well, drink a lot and have a good rest of the night!!!" The Clan cheered as the music started up again and the clan dissipated in singing, dancing, and drinking. Remus sits back down, and is happy with himself, excited to get things started as a future ruler…. The night continues on as Naani and Conri slips away from the celebration, still being able to hear them off in the distance, while approaching one of their clan's local ponds. Conri starts picking up some rocks and starts skipping them across the moonlit pond. "What is he planning sister, he thinks all the kingdoms are going to rule under him just like that? I mean, will his pride push him that far?" Conri thought for a moment, but then said with a smirk "Hey, I bet I can skip this rock farther than he can throw his head out of his ass." Flings the rock ten times before it sinks. "See? Ow!!!" as he retracts his arm and grabs it as a slight pain shoots to his chest. "Still hurts?" asks Naani "Yeah, a bit; just, ugh. Wish I was more prepared last night, sorry that I put your life in jeopardy." Conri apologized "Nonsense, you are my big brother Conri I have to look after you too." As she massages his arm for him "You were about to be her prisoner and possibly die. Couldn't let my big brother have all the fun." smiled Naani as she sat down next to him, but winced in pain too. "You too, huh?" Conri asked "Yeah, you should've seen dad in my tent this morning, dancing, because quote unquote, "I got my first battle scar", as she made quotations with her fingers. Conri chuckles "yeah? I told him if I looked bad, he should see the other guy; I really looked rough for wear." Both laughed at their dad, sharing these memories. "Just, why does he continue to make grand plans like this and just doesn't actually think it through?" asked Conri with Naani adding "I mean you'd think we would be enough for him…" "Precisely, my point sis, it's like he doesn't actually think about us when he draws out these masterful plans, maybe just our future?" Conri sighs "I don't know the answer, it's just that his pride gets to him sometimes, I guess." As he finished skipping his rocks, he drops the rest into the water and sits next to Naani looking at the auroras blanketing the night sky, with a big orange planet just hanging to the east of them, with stars twinkling from far away like it was out of a time and space that couldn't be reached. Leaves were swaying in the air as there was a gentle breeze. Naani sighs "The sky is so beautiful and serene tonight… wish it was like this forever." Conri hugs his sister… "It'll be ok, things will work out in the end. Its not always about the end, but about the journey to get towards the end goal. Just wish Dad can understand that instead of jumping the gun literally on everything he sees." Naani replies "Yeah, you're right… just need to take it one step at a time." "Mhm" as Conri agrees. "Can we just stay a little longer? It's nice right now." Naani asks "Sure sis, but we-" Conri looks off towards the Grove and notices something or someone darting back and forth across in the shadows. "Um, sis??" Conri shaken by the sight, Naani looks up at Conri and sees his partially bruised face in shock. Then turns to see whatever he was looking at and her face froze as the trees begin to unfold. "WE NEED TO LEAVE, NOW!!!!!" Conri exclaimed "Come on!!!!!" and grabs Naani's hand as they are running back towards the camp "These guys just don't stop!!!!" Conri yelled out to Naani "I know, I know!!!!" as Naani is trying to keep up with his pace. Suddenly, they hear the ancient Dryads dark bellowing but really deep voice echoing throughout the land "DARAXTLAR O'RMONGA O'RMON KABI DARAXTLARGA!!!!!!!! MENING CHAQIRUVIGMA QULOQ SOLING VA XOHLAGANINGIZNI QILING!!!!!!!!" As the ground shifted beneath their feet in response, a massive shockwave was sent out from the grove itself, hitting all 5 kingdoms including the clans quarters knocking down the tents and festivities. "Aaaaah!!!!" Naani who was partially running and being dragged at the same time by Conri, tripped along with Conri. "Shit!!!! I have you sis!!!!!!" as Conri helped her up "We need to be in form!!! Now!!!!! as the earth still quaked. Both Naani and Conri panting and scared, transformed as they ran back to the encampment several meters away. The front of the grove trees unfolded with orcs, dark elves, and humans, but with a new addition; goblins. As black as night with white war paints on their chest, arms, and face, with green beady little eyes with all sorts of deformities pushing the catapults. "KATAPULTLARNI CHIQUARING!!!! Screamed an orc leader as his orders echoed amongst his ranks, and as to give off a signal. Ancient battle war horns blew loud and deep, moving catapults out to the open with most of the goblins now standing in the front ranks as they battered against their shields, sorcerers and necromancers in the back who were beginning to light the mortars with magical fire. Conri and Naani still a few meters away from the camp heard the ancient Dryad again but this time, they stopped and turned, as something supernatural was happening. The grove looked as if it was beginning to have a pulse, and coming to life as the trees were swaying back and forth with a subtle booming sound like a heart beat, and the dimming blue lights inside of it was in cadence. "QORONG'U GULZORNING QORA RUHLARI MENING CHAQIRUVIMNI ESHITADILAR VA MENING KUCHIMNI HIS QILADILAR!!!!! MEN SENGA UMR BERAMEN!!!!!! As the trees did one final pulse, it released hundreds of dark spirits out on top of the canopy of the grove. "What the hell is that?!?!?" shouted Naani "I don't even know!!!! Come on!!!!!" replied Conri "MAN KATAPULTLAR!!!!" Screamed the orc leader, as every mortar was put in place inside the catapults but then there was a long pause, as if it just stopped completely, the silence was almost deafening..... "YONG'IN!!!!!" As the Orders echoed amongst the ranks, 8 mortars were launched into the air one by one screaming fiery colors of red and green and yellow, and other embers and smoke across the midnight sky. The Goblins started chanting in unison side by side "Beshta shohlik uchun o'lim!" as the mortars flew over Conri and Naani's heads. The flashy colors caught the attention of the dark spirits from the grove as they started chasing it, and wailing overhead. Naani then screamed in her wolf form, as a fiery green mortar landed right beside them. "Naani!!!!!!" Conri yelled as he reached out with his paws and pulled her into himself, encapsulating her with his body from the heat and embers as it bounces off his fur partially scorching it "I've got you sis!!!" he yelled, then looks down at her, as she is curled up in the fetal position like a baby. His heart still racing as his back side a little scorched. "Hey, hey its ok. We got this, yeah? Who was that brave girl that saved me last night? I need her now sis." Looking down at Naani who was softly whimpering, as a tear fell from her wolf blued eyes. "I need my war maiden, Can you do that for me?" she slightly nodded "I'm scared." Naani trying to muster her courage "I know, I am too, but we need to find Dad, and I need you." Conri replied "Ok, I'm ready" as she gathers her strength to get up and Conri putting out a small flame on his shoulder. They both finally entered the encampment as it was destroyed by a few mortars. The fires were raging, people in human form and in animal form were shouting for their friends and/or loved ones, while others were banding together. "DAD!?!?!?!" Naani and Conri called out together in Unison looking for him. Vlax came running towards them "Hey kids" Vlax answered "Your dad is looking for you both, follow me!!!" Following Vlax, Naani and Conri were able to ward off some spirits that were trying to attack the ferret, not noticing the big wolves. The two siblings were able to continue to follow Vlax though, despite the occasional onslaught of spirits. He was guiding them away further back behind the encampment, they steadily got closer to the supply shack. Vlax opens the door for them and immediately Remus looked up at Conri and Naani "Where the hell were you two?" Remus asked, before grabbing them both and hugging them "We went out for a stroll before all this happened." Said Naani "Yeah; apparently, the Clan kicked the hornet's nest on this one dad." added Conri "We need a plan, and fast." As he looked around the room worried, at the other soldiers and war counsel. "What did you see?" asked Remus "Question is, what did I not see? All hell broke loose. From dark spirits, to the new goblins, and now catapults? Where the heck did they get those amongst other things?" said Conri adding more "Naani nearly got nicked by a mortar." "You ok pumpkin?" asked Remus looking very concerned "I want to kill all those bastards Dad. Every single one of those fucking assholes, needs to pay with their blood." As Naani breathes heavily, angrily slamming her paws on the table. As she just now remembered almost getting hit by the mortar, and the feeling of vulnerability afterwards then to top it all off, the wrecking of her Family Clan's encampment just reactivated her adrenaline, and her wolf's bloodlust. Both Remus and Conri stood back and looked at her shockingly "She is her Mother's daughter!!!!!" Remus cheered trying to cut the tension in the room while Conri places his paw on her back trying to settle her down, Remus clears his throat and continued "Anything else to add Conri?" asked Remus "No sir, we need to attack now, keep them distracted while the women and children have time too get out and switch encampments. We have been stationed here too long." Remus looks towards his top brass and some of the soldiers "Men, Find anyone who can still make a stand, we need to hold them back as much as possible, dismissed." As the men leave he turns to Naani "Daughter, I need you to help the women and children move the encampment to another location." "But Dad, I need to fight!!!!!!" mad that he would even suggest her to do such a thing and rid her of her bloodlust. Remus places his hand on her shoulder "Daughter, Live to Fight another day, it's for the good of this Clan. I'm asking you please do as I say, this time around. You will get your hunt in… I promise; just, not tonight." Naani understanding the severity of the situation. "Yes father, I will do as my Leader commands." "Good." he replied as she turns to leave, he kisses her head as she briskly passed by him on the way out. "Conri, I need you to do something for me, my son." "Yes father?" Conri replied "Since, you are in no condition to fight, I need you to deliver some messages for me, please. It's formal letters to the other kingdoms with my signature on them. I need you to go out and deliver them as fast as possible, any reinforcements is needed; if possible, tonight Asap, then come back. We will be relocated west of this position when you get back, so make sure you go east so you don't get in the crossfire; we should be close by, towards the last kingdom at the end of your route." "Yes, sir!!!!" replied Conner as he saluted his Father. Remus saluted back and prayed. "May Luna watch over our family here in this life, or in the next. Pray that we make it through together as one family again; to the Hunt!!!!" "To the Hunt!!!" repeated Conri "So, here are the letters." As Remus gave him a knapsack with the letters inside, Conri quickly wrapped it around his burly wolf chest…. "May the wolf spirit, gift you wings for legs, this night." He looks solemn at Conri "I love you, son." As they stood by the door, Conri looked at his dad reassuringly, as he knew that look from anywhere from previous battles. "I love you, Dad…. You will not fall this night. I will get these reinforcements for you asap, this is not a goodbye." "I know." Remus reels him in for a last hug as his battle armor clanked against Conri with a quick, but sudden tight squeeze, then lets go of him "No more delays… go." "Yes sir." Conri opens the door and steps out and the moment he did, a mortar struck the side of the supply shack decimating the side walls entirely. As he turns around to check on his dad, Remus was rushing out the shack's threshold, "Go!!!" he yelled shooing Conri off "Yes sir!!!!" he yelled and took off running past the magical fires that were spreading throughout the land on charred grass and dirt. Within a few breaths he could see the whole battlefield through the misty smoke and roaring fire and scattered debris. As both Werewolves and Werebears were ripping and tearing through the carnage of the undying horde of zombies and skellies, there were hundreds of mangy goblins now charging into the fray. As they shouted in their disgruntled voices "O'LIM!!!!" Mortar fire and dark spirits began screaming and wailing. Blanketing across midnight sky, he could hear the catapults launching and the magic whizzing through the chaotic atmosphere coming from the sorcerers as necromancers hard at work casting death spells at his clan members. A tear, fell from his face as he watched the absolute havoc unfold, for all he knew this might be his clans last night as a family. A mixture of madness and anger, with a hint of PTSD, shifted in him internally then he had heard distant cackling coming from within, the grove itself as flashbacks of the Dryad scrambled his thoughts of who she tortured him so, he squinted as he was still pacing to see where she was located. As she was in the middle of her grove and was watching the battle from within her domain… He blotted out the thoughts of her that were sinking into his head, and focused back on his objective, shifting gears in his stride into a faster pace, heading to a kingdom close by.