Carefully sneaking by the trees, Kkuṟai and the others were heading toward a big glade that was found right in the middle of Rophion Forest. A glade that was actually weird, due to those secular trees that entangled so much their branches, forming a beautiful semi-vault, but still a place that was so beautiful at the same time. That’s why Kkuṟai and the others decided to visit it that day. In great secret actually. Something that made Kkuṟai turn to the others eventually and, putting his index finger to his lips, he whispered, „Try not to make a sound when you approach the first raw of trees of that glade. Otherwise, you can scare them.”
Fenrir, however, hearing the bold words of the boy, smiled. Then, putting one hand on Kkuṟai’s shoulder, he told him in a playful voice, „Yet, you forget that I belong to this place, boy. That’s why I know how to behave while I’m next to Rophion Forest’s children. Trust me!”
Kkuṟai, staring straight into the young wolf’s eyes, confidently said, „Maybe you belong to this place, Prince Fenrir, but they definitely do not!” After that, he motioned with his head toward Sephir, Arion, Mago, and Malon, who came with them to see what the children of the forest really looked like, for Kkuṟai had boasted that nowhere else one could see something more beautiful than Jangali.
His words made Sephir eventually frown. Then, crossing her arms on her chest, she hissed through her teeth, „I definitely hate the Nosy ones. Especially those who make a difference between locals and foreigners.” Eventually, she got really furious when she saw Fenrir whispering something into Kkuṟai’s ear, to burst both laughing soon after this.
Her anger made even the sky crack, somewhere at the horizon. That’s why they all look up and saw Palar also floating above the forest. Something that made Fenrir look at Kkuṟai and tell him, „I told you that she’s definitely mad when she’s anger.” Yet, feeling someone’s hissing breath down his neck, he looked back. Thus, he saw the sparkling eyes of his wife, who definitely disliked his joke.
Yet, not only has this made Fenrir understood that Sephir was upset. She also told him, hissing the words through her teeth, „What I think is that I have already told you that I hate the nosy ones, right, dear husband?”
That’s why Fenrir sweetly grinned, trying to comfort her. Then, he even started to flatter her, in a sweet voice, „Maybe you told me, but… I wasn’t aware that those words were still current.” Yet, not even his sweet smile didn’t help him to comfort his wife. On the contrary, it seemed that he managed to enrage her even more. Nevertheless, when Sephir was ready to entangle his curled hair even more, trying to make her husband remember what she once said, Kkuṟai suddenly grabbed her by the hand and forced her to squat. After that, at all bothered by Sephir’s sour face, he made her a sign to be quiet.
Sephir, however, didn’t stay calm. She approached Fenrir’s ear, and told him, „It seems to me that boldness is a family feature.” Yet, even though it was an innocent remark, the young wolf understood whom his wife meant: him, the fourteen years old boy, who spied on her while she was washing her body in the river. A thought that eventually made Fenrir smile, to Sephir’s great surprise. Then, slowly pushing her in front, he made her look toward that glade, which was surrounded by secular trees.
Thus, Sephir could see the splendor of that place: a glade with many rocks of different sizes placed here and there, rocks covered by green moss and lianas. At the same time, tall soft grass was seen all around that glade and around a small lake too that was seen somewhere on the right side, far from the place where the six were staying hidden at that moment. Yet, what was really impressive at that place was the fact that the trees seen on the other side of the glade seemed to be the defensive wall of that place. This was because of the semi-vault of the entangled branches of those trees. More than that, it seemed to be like this also because of the trees’trunks, which were so close to each other, and of the bushes that were growing between those trunks, bushes that had the stature of a not-that-tall man, something that gave that glade a certain charm and the status of a perfect hidden place. A charmed place actually, due to the water of that small lake, which had a blue-green color that was beautifully shining even though the light of the day was gloomy.
Eventually, too focused to analyze that place, Sephir winced when Fenrir whispered in her ear, „The water seems green due to those yellow lotus flowers, seen on the lake’s surface.” Then the man stuck his right cheek to her left one and added, „The Rophions call those flowers Etirkoḷḷum or Sun Faces.”
„Is it because they are yellow?”
„Not only because of this. It’s also because they absorb the sun's rays when Titan Tī’s carriage passes in the sky. Then, when they are filled to the brim with celestial light, Etirkoḷḷum reflects it on the lake’s surface at first. Later, the water sends that light around, returning it to nature. At the same time, if we have the chance to get next to that lake, you’ll feel that it gives off warmth, and not coldness as it generally happens next to the water.”
„Wow, I didn’t know that.”
„It’s because you are a free soul, Sephir. We, those who have lived in nature’s lap, know very well such places. Actually, even though we think that we have grown up along with these places, they are our parents in fact, for the children of the forest are free and live as they want only because they have beloved parents next to them.”
„That’s why we call us also Jangali,” said Kkuṟai. „Even though this isn’t our name.”
„Isn’t it your name? What do you mean?” Malon dared to ask. Then he looked back when Arion and Mago sneaked toward the four, approaching the forest more.
Who answered Malon was Fenrir, thinking that it was his debt to answer such questions. At the same time, he felt so because he wanted to share his knowledge with his friends about that beautiful place he knew as his home. That’s why he said in a sweet voice, staring at the glade that seemed bathed by a magic light, „We are talking about Jangali, Malon. The Children of the Woods. Actually, we also consider ourselves Jangali because we think that they are somehow humans. More than that, we are also savage in a certain way. That’s why the name Jangali is also for us.” Then Fenrir smiled. So warm he smiled, remembering that being only a child when he was 8, he used to run through that glade along with other children of his age. A time when they weren’t alone then, but surrounded by light, green grass, flowers, insects, and other kinds of animals that were calmly grazing themselves despite the fact that the children were so noisy.
„Actually, the real Jangali are our friends,” said Kkuṟai innocently. „Even though we thought they wouldn't come to see us today, for they feel when strangers are around, they are here!” The teenager almost shouted. He was really happy while motioning with his hand in front, somewhere to the left, from where someone was coming.
„Those are…?” Mago wanted to ask. Yet, his question resounded around like a deaf growl because of Malon, who covered his friend’s mouth with his palm. Malon did this, understanding that shouting could scare the magic animals and chase them away.
Fenrir, however, seeing that his friends understood so quickly that it wasn’t good to chase the magic of that place away, smiled. Then, hugging his wife, with love to his chest, he stuck his head to her and whispered, „You know, Sephir, this place is my second home. I spent my childhood here, for I used to live here.”
„Along with Samaya?”
The young wolf sadly smiled. „No. At that time, Samaya wasn’t the one you know today. She was really weird and not only the children of our village avoided her, but she also avoided us, being scared because of her deafness and silence that were scaring her in fact.”
„Deafness? Has been Samaya a deaf-mute?” Malon asked in a whisper.
„That’s right,” replied Arion instead of Fenrir. „It’s because of Jar, who lived inside her. Thus, as Jar is a strong Spirit, for him to live inside an earthly creature, nature had to take something from that creature to make him a place inside her. In the case of Samaya, she lost the gift of hearing and talking. Yet… it seems that it has been more than a simple connection between her and Jar.”
Fenrir, amazed to hear Arion talking like that, asked, „How do you know all this?”
„Did you forget already who I am?” Replied Arion, smiling. „Soan must know such things. More than that, I know your father since long ago, much more than you know me. Actually, there is one more secret you don’t know: that you haven't seen me for the first time thirteen years ago.”
„No?” The wolf asked, more surprised than before.
„No. Just as it isn’t the first time I come to this forest. I’d been here once. When you were two or three at that moment. The Queen Inlan Diar sent me here at that time with certain not-that-important things, but necessary. And… it was then when I saw you running on the village’s streets, followed by a small gray she-wolf.”
Sephir smiled. „Did Samaya really follow you everywhere?”
„At first only. Then… she showed me what she could do,” Fenrir growled, somehow unsatisfied to remember his childhood and more those days when Samaya didn’t listen to him and even didn’t want to play with him.
They kept silent eventually and looked at the glade where the real Jangali were seen everywhere. Being there, Jangali transformed that place into a real Heaven on Earth, for many species of animals gathered in one place to feed and drink, to move their tails from one side to the other just to chase the flies that were bothering them or simply to fill their souls with the magic felt in that place.
Actually, Jangali were really different, just as Kkuṟai and Fenrir said. Here and there, wild boars were seen, having different sizes and colors of their skin. A few steps from those wild boars, deer were feeding, a gazelle who alone didn’t know what she lost there, rabbits, and other different kinds of animals. Yet, what was really beautiful to watch was the rhinoceros. Not the usual rhinoceros, with one horn in front. Well, there were those too there, but the majority of the rhinoceros seen in that glade were really special.
Namely, that view made Fenrir murmur, completely overwhelmed by emotions and with tearful eyes, „The Yāṉavars! The silent children of the woods.”
„Yāṉavars! Silent!” Murmured Arion. „I thought they disappeared. Long ago!”
„We also thought so,” said Kkuṟai. „Even though at that time only two members of this specie were seen here. Yet, one day, many others came also here. Wherefrom, why, or what for… nobody knows. Actually, to be honest, we didn’t even bother too much about why they came here. For us… it’s more important that they are back. That they aren’t gone forever.”
„Yet, they are weird. Wonderful at the same time,” murmured Sephir, confused and surprised at the same time, carefully watching the rhinoceros.
It wasn't something strange for her to feel like that, for the Yāṉavars were really unique and magical. They were a little bit bigger in size than the usual rhinoceros and had a different shade of skin too. What differentiated the usual rhinoceros from the Yāṉavars was definitely their skin because the usual rhinoceros had it dark grey while the Yāṉavars had it almost transparent, something that outlined more their ribs. Yet, it wasn’t the strangest thing seen at them, but also the fact that the color of their skin was somehow reminding others of ice. More than that, strange were also their feet, which were shorter than of the usual rhinoceros. Yāṉavars, however, had big soles, forked hooves, and a tuft of hair, as the one seen on the top of the lions’tail, at their ankles, in front.
Their nose was usual, like the buffalos’, with two large nostrils capable to inhale a lot of air if necessary. They also had thick lips, wrinkled in corners, and their face was also wrinkled. Their eyes, however, were dark or bright gray when they were feeling the danger close or dark yellow if the sun was up in the sky. Thus, when the eyes of the Yāṉavars had that dark gray color, the other animals understood that it was time to run away because the danger was close. Actually, if they all started to run at the same time, the earth was moaning under their soles. Yet, if they were seeing that they couldn’t save themselves by running, they became predators from prey.
Actually, the Yāṉavars could turn into predators if there was necessary to protect their kids or the females. It was then that the third horn was appearing on their nose, a hint that the attacker was about to be hunted. Thus, with the three horns above the nose, the Yāṉavars seemed really special. That comparison wasn’t random, for… the horn, that was above the lips, was similar to a spear. The second one, from the middle, had the upper part forked, while the third one, which was on their forehead, was a little bit flattened, having the form of a sledgehammer.
At the same time, all those three horns, somehow non-proportional with the rest of the body, outlined their long ears, similar to the donkeys', a lot. Yet, even though those horns were weird, they were the power of the Yāṉavars, for right after getting next to the prey, the first horn was throwing it up, and the second one was cutting it in parts while the sledgehammer was cracking the victim’s head in the gallop of the Yāṉavars.
Thus, carefully analyzing the Yāṉavars, especially the color of their skin, similar to ice, Fenrir asked Arion in a whisper, „Is it true what the elders of our village say, that the Yāṉavars have lived first in the Kingdom of Ice?”
His question made his companions stare at him with wide-open eyes. Something that made Sephir ask eventually, „What do you mean with the Yāṉavars have lived in the Kingdom of Ice?”
Arion smiled, „Fenrir is right! Before being the Children of this Forest, the Yāṉavars have been the children of the mountain. Yet, when Tikil defeated Accam Kuṉṟu, these rhinoceros vanished from the mountain, for they hate injustice and they usually live where it is peace. Nevertheless, what surprises me is that they came here, in the forest where Mannar lives.”
„Maybe they came here because there is a certain balance in this forest,” said Fenrir.
„It can be. Anyway, I think that…” Arion kept silent when he saw that the animals started to agitate and run here and there, but not to hide. Somehow, chaotically through that glade, the animals were running, and this was really weird.
„What’s going on?” Asked Mago, confused. After that, he tried to stand up to see why the animals were agitated.
Kkuṟai, however, who was to Mago’s left, grabbed him by the tunic and forced him to sit down again. Then, he motioned Mago to look at the sky, even though there was difficult to see something through that thick vault. Then, almost in a whisper, the boy said, „It’s because of those birds! Kākkai! They always hunt here if they don’t find prey anywhere else.”
„Kākkai don’t attack if someone is around. More when there are so many animals in this glade, Kkuṟai!” Fenrir replied confidently. „I think that something else is moving those birds, for…”
A deafening sound, suddenly heard around, made the six ones cover their ears with their palms. Then, to be easier to bear with that headache produced by the sound, they bent to the ground. Thus, they couldn't see that the animals from that glade started to run East, where the Rophions’camp was situated.
Then, when the sound weakened, Fenrir raised his head and saw the animals heading toward their camp. That’s why he shouted to the others, „They are heading to the Kingdom’s stables, Kkuṟai! That’s why, everybody should follow me! We must help the others!”
Kkuṟai, however, grabbed Fenrir by the hand. Then, scared, he looked at the sky and said, „Let’s get rid of them first!” After that, he stood up and took a slingshot from one of his pockets and stones from the other pocket. Then, skilfully, he started to shoot stone after stone toward that black flock of birds that were flying above the glade.
Because he was a good shooter, Kkuṟai’s stones hit all the targets he aimed. Thus, hit in their heads or chests, the birds Kākkai started to rotate in the air and lifelessly fell to the ground later. Yet, he managed to enrage the other crows Kākkai thus, who suddenly headed toward them. This way, in-group, they pounced on the six, considering them weak prey at that moment.
Nevertheless, the moment the crows Kākkai pounced on the six, Arion used his power, and swords appeared in their hands. Then, furious, he shouted, „Cut them to the bones if necessary, but don’t let them hurt you!” After that, like a mad person, he started to hit left and right, making his way through those crows that were deafeningly shouting and trying to hurt them with their claws, and beaks, or by flapping their wings above them.
Because of the madness of the crows, it was really difficult to protect themselves by hitting with the sword. That’s why Sephir suddenly put two fingers in her mouth and whistled, something that made the crows freeze for a few moments in the air. Yet, their „numbness” lasted only seconds. Even so, it gave Sephir time to take her whip Cattai from her girdle. After that, tightly holding it by the tail, she started to hit left and right, making the crows scream and the forest shudder because of their madness.
Yet, it didn’t help the six too much, for even though they were fiercely fighting to protect themselves, they felt at a moment overwhelmed by the big number of crows Kākkai that surrounded them more and more. At a moment, Arion saw more birds approaching them. That’s why he shouted, „Retrait! Now! They are numerous! Only the six of us won’t make it to defeat them! Move to the camp! Now!” After that, he motioned to look at the horizon.
Fenrir, however, stubborn by nature, shouted to Arion, „We can’t go now! Not at least the animals are safe in the stables!”
The wolf’s stubbornness enraged Arion. „We don’t have time for this, Fenrir. Or what, should we sacrifice ourselves? No, right?! Then… let’s go!”
„Arion is right!” Sephir said. „Let’s turn back to the camp. There is my grandfather and the other wolves. There are also our soldiers. We can defeat them there.”
Her shout made Kkuṟai scream, „The Barrier!”
„The Barrier? What Barrier?” Asked Fenrir, surprised, while hitting left and right, and killing two of the birds that were about to entangle themselves in his curled hair.
„The Barrier of the Wolves!” The teenager shouted. „They can’t pass through it. Kākkai won’t be able to break it. That’s why Jangali headed toward the camp.”
„Damn it! I forgot about it!” Fenrir shouted. Then he motioned to the five friends to run away from there. Thus, because the others didn’t need a second invitation, moreover seeing how numerous the crows were, they ran toward the camp as fast as possible.
Kākkai, however, also followed them. Thus, flocks of dark wet coal could be seen flying above the woods, through the branches of the trees, or under their crowns. A bad movement in fact, for, right after entering deep into the forest, Kākkai managed to awaken the monster. Thus, deafeningly growling, bothered by the birds’scream, the secular trees, that were sleeping at that time, wide-opened their eyes, frowned, cooked their nose, and, so soon after this, multiple arms appeared on their trunks.
Some of them, outraged, even shouted, „I hate the nosy ones!” After that, moving their trunks from one side to the other, they grabbed the birds between their fingers as though their fingers had been cranes. Thus, they could squash those birds as though they had been beetles, leaving them later agonizing on the ground. Yet, this didn’t calm the crows or chase them away. Kākkai, as though they had a pact, started to gather in big flocks, attacking even the trees, something that started a big fight in that part of the woods.
Because of this, Fenrir stopped, amazed to see the forest awakening. Yet, he has been forced to run when Sephir grabbed him by the cloak and, furious, hissed him through her teeth, „No time to fool around, Fenrir! Move!” Then, still grabbing him by his vestment, she kept running.
Nevertheless, the madness of the forest wasn’t protecting them. This happened because, being mad, the trees couldn’t make the difference between friends and enemies. That’s why Arion saw himself forced to jump when a wooden fist was about to hit his stomach. He even went head over heels after losing his balance. That’s why, the tree, furious, while trying to grab Arion by the feet, shouted after him „Villaṉ” (dastard). A shout that enraged Arion too, who shouted to the tree, „Nīṅkaḷ kaṇkaḷait tiṟakkiṟīrkaḷ, yār naṇpar, yār etiri!" (Open your eyes, idiot, and make the difference between friend and enemy.)
He kept silent eventually when Kkuṟai, who was running two steps behind him, said, „Don’t provoke them! If you do that, they will squash us like beetles!”
„In case you didn’t notice this, I was about to be squashed just what,” Arion growled, furious. Then, spotting that another tree was about to grab the boy by the arm, he grabbed Kkuṟai’s hand and pulled him to him. Then, using his sword, he cut the tree’s arm, yelling at him, „No offense, but you looked for it!”
Sephir, however, who was running next to Fenrir, asked him telepathically, „What’s wrong with the trees? Why do they attack us?”
„It’s because they don’t know us,” the man replied. „More than that, I see that what the elders of our village said it’s true: if someone awakes the monster of this forest, he definitely looks for his death. I just hope not to have the same fate as the crows Kākkai, for…” Eventually, he had to lay suddenly back the moment he saw five branches-fingers, threateningly approaching him. Yet, he had been lucky not to be hurt thanks to Sephir, who threw her whip Cattai toward that wooden hand. Thus, when the whip felt free, it wrapped around those wooden fingers, squeezing them so much that the tree screamed eventually, outraged.
The tree got completely mad the moment the whip Cattai wrapped around his arms, sticking them to his wooden body. That’s why he started to continuously move his crown, shouting like a crazy person, „Eṉṉai viṭuṅkaḷ! Ippōtu!” (Release me! Now!)
Yet, there wasn’t anyone willing to release him. Especially Sephir, who stared at her husband and told him in a furious voice, „Take care of that head. I still need him!”
This made Fenrir grin while he kept running behind her. Then, cheerful, he told his wife, „I thought you needed me completely, not only my head. My bad then. I must tell Arion to pick it up in case I lose him.”
„Try it if you really want to see what I can do,” she told Fenrir. Then, being already far from the tree she immobilized with the whip, Sephir whistled once again, summoning the whip Cattai to return to her. Yet, because she did this so suddenly, the moment she grabbed the whip by the tail, she managed to hit Fenrir unwillingly. Something that made him frown. That’s why she told him, smiling, „Just a small example of what I can do.” After that, she ran as fast as she could far from that place.
Smiling, Fenrir also quickened his pace. He didn’t do that because he was afraid of his wife. He did that because he felt a little bit strange to remain behind his wife because… he really hated to be considered weak.
***
„What’s going on?” Island wondered in amazement, seeing all those animals running through the woods and heading directly toward the village of Rophions as though they were a group of attackers, rushing to kill their victims.
Yamu, who was teaching a young man about 15 to shoot from the bow, spotting the Titan heading toward the edge of the village, looked toward there too. Yet, he saw nothing there. Even so, he felt strange because he knew that the Titan was wise and wouldn’t have done something strange for anything. That’s why he tapped the young man’s shoulder, letting him know to practice while he was missing, and then he moved in the same direction as Island did.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Nevertheless, as close he got to the Titan as clearer he saw or better to say heard what exactly bothered Island: hooves’noise, of an entire army, heading toward there. That’s why Yamu carefully looked around, trying to understand what was happening there in fact.
He became really preoccupied the moment he heard birds’shout from above. Then, he heard the birds of the woods agitating. Some of them even jerked in the air, leaving the trees that were outside the Barrier to gather later next to the defensive wall of the Rophions’kingdom. Yet, it wasn’t the only strange thing there because, after the birds, the animals of the woods started to agitate. Even though they were already in the stables. At a moment, Yamu and Island also saw the animals exiting the woods and starting to run, crossing the field that was in front of the Barrier. Even the rabbits and the gophers got scared and entered their dens. Some of them, which were really scared, even started to run, following the other animals that were heading already toward the Barrier.
That’s why Yamu suddenly shouted, „To the shelter!” Yet, even though he heard that shout well, Island didn’t understand what was going on. That’s why he stared at Yamu, confused. However, he understood soon that Yamu didn’t shout to him to go to the shelter, but to the other wolves that were at that moment outside their kingdom and who had been suddenly seen running toward the Barrier. Actually, they started to run toward the Kingdom the moment they heard Yamu’s shout. Yet, they became really alerted the moment they saw all those animals heading in the same direction as they were doing. That’s why some of them, when they were seeing little children in their way, were simply grabbing them from below, to hold them later in their arms or put them on their shoulders and run to hide.
Island, however, even though he understood that the danger was close to that place, something that was impossible not to understand with all that madness suddenly seen around, remained where he was. He even approached the Barrier more. Yet, he didn’t look toward the place from where the Rophions were seen running toward the village, but to his right. Thus, he saw the wild animals, with the Yāṉavars in front of the group, running toward them. Something that made the Titan frown and wonder, „Why all the animals are heading toward us? What happens here?”
Yet, he hadn’t too much time to think about this, when he felt Yamu grabbing him by the arm and dragging the Titan after him. Yamu even shouted, „I said to the shelter! If Jangali comes here, it means a great danger is close to us. That’s why, don’t stay frozen and help us!”
Namely the word „danger” made Island react. That’s why he shouted, „Fenrir, Sephir, and the boys are in the woods, Yamu! We must tell them that…”
„They know already!” Yamu shouted. „If Jangali is heading toward this place, it means the boys know, for they have told me in the morning that they are going to see them. So, don’t worry about them, for they will come soon. Actually… they are there!” Then, Yamu motioned with his hand in front of him.
There Island saw Fenrir and the others running toward the village. Then, when they were a few hundred meters from the Barrier, Kkuṟai shouted something, but neither his father nor Island heard what he said. Even so, Yamu was sure that the boy was trying to warn them about the approaching danger. Something that made even him forget his own advice and approached the Barrier more, still looking at Kkuṟai and trying to understand what he was saying.
Eventually, Yamu became really preoccupied the moment he noticed Kkuṟai desperately motioning him to look at the sky. Thus, Yamu could also see the crows. That’s why he shouted to the other wolves that were running toward them at that moment to help them, „Kākkai is attacking! Kākkai is attacking! Everybody in position! Everybody in position!” A shout that made the Rophions get armed in a blink of an eye, taking the arrows and the bows that the young wolves prepared already for the fight. Then, in line in front of the Barrier, the wolves took a shooting position. Nevertheless, none of them shot but waited for Yamu’s order.
The wolf, however, having his heart in his boots for all those still out of the Barrier’s protection, kept walking up and down behind the wolves that were ready for shooting. Then, in a severe tone but still encouraging, he said, „Nobody shoots until he’s sure that no other than the crows will be hurt. Thus, not everything that flies is our enemy. Just like no soul that comes from the woods is our enemy because…”
He eventually winced, turned, and looked at his wife when she shouted, „No, Kkuṟai!” Thus, he saw her crying, kneeling in front of him, while desperately stretching her arms toward the Barrier. Something that made Yamu look in the same direction, where he saw Kkuṟai desperately fighting with the crows, with his empty hands, when many crows Kākkai pounced on him. Then, to everybody’s surprise, one crow grabbed Kkuṟai in his strong claws and started to fly above that field. That’s why the Rophions started to agitate, yelling at each other to do something and help the boy.
Nevertheless, even though the madness started, no one moved from his place because of Yamu, who suddenly shouted, „No one moves! No one crosses the Barrier too! Only enters!”
„Damn no,” shouted Ilēcāṉa outraged. „I won’t let my brother die because of those cursed souls.” Yet, he didn’t get too far, for Yamu suddenly stepped in front of him. Then, grabbing the boy by the arm, he told him in a severe tone:
„If you aren’t a parent yet, you should listen to what your father says, for I won’t lose my sons one after another.”
„But, father, if we do nothing, then… Kkuṟai…”
„Do you think I don’t know this?” Yamu shouted again. „I know better than you what’s going on. So, don’t disturb us if you can’t help. Akita, take care of him! Not to move from his place or I swear I’ll punish you both,” he told the girl and Akita rushed to grab Ilēcāṉa by the arm.
Then, both looking behind their father, Akita told her brother, „Our father is right, Ilēcāṉa! We shouldn’t make more problems now. So… take care of our mother! I’ll help Dad to release Kkuṟai from the crows’claws.” Yet, seeing that the boy was still staring in front, furious, the girl shouted, „Now, Ilēcāṉa! Now!”
Thus, understanding that the adults were right, Ilēcāṉa approached Mai, whom he held later to his chest. Something that made Mai burst to cry when she felt her son close to her. Then, almost powerless, she whispered Kkuṟai’s name while cursing the crows that were hurting her son at the same time.
„What should we do, Dad?” Akita asked Yamu, who was also prepared for shooting with the bow and arrow.
Yamu said nothing. He only looked preoccupied with the girl, for he hadn’t wanted to expose her. At the same time, he knew very well that the girl was a good shooter and that they needed her at that moment. That’s why he told her, „Shoot everything that flies and is our enemy!” Then he shouted to the other wolves, „Everything that’s black, flies, and screams like a crow, kill it! Even though it isn’t a damn Kākkai.” After that, pulling the bow from a wolf’s hand, who was next to him, Yamu also took a shooting position and told his daughter, „I start from the right. You should aim the left ones, Akita!”
„Got it, papa!” After that, a cloud of arrows had been shooted the moment the Barrier vanished from in front of them, controlled by the guard wolves’power.
***
Even though the crow’s claws were hurting him so much, Kkuṟai decided not to give up. That’s why he started to struggle, thinking that he’ll release himself this way. Yet, no matter what he wasn’t doing, he was the hurt one, for… the crow was squeezing his body with her claws more and more, hitting the boy with her beak too.
Thus, leaving deep wounds on the boy’s body, the crow made Kkuṟai painfully sigh eventually. He was even ready to give up on that fight for life, thinking that it was the end. Nevertheless, remembering that he had a dagger with him, which he stole from Fenrir when that one was inattentive, the boy smiled because he also remembered the moment he stole that dagger: it happened when Fenrir hugged Sephir, carefully looking at Jangali.
At that moment, however, understanding that it could have been his last chance to survive, Kkuṟai stopped blaming himself for stealing that dagger. Yet, there was a small problem with that dagger: it was difficult to get at it for he was hanging somehow upside down while the dagger was in his boot. Even so, he decided to try at least to reach it. That’s why he started to continuously move, intending to find the possibility to take that dagger out of his boot.
Thus, while struggling to get at that dagger, he saw his five fellows running after the Jangali. Something that made the boy hope that they would be able to save him. That’s why his eyes filled with tears while he murmured, „Maybe it’s not everything lost.” Then, remembering what he was doing, he kept trying to get at that dagger.
Namely, Sephir saw that movement of the boy the moment she looked up and saw Kkuṟai trying to reach the upper part of his boots. A movement, which made her look at her, husband eventually and send him a telepathic thought, „Do something to help him! It seems that Kkuṟai has a weapon or something with him.”
Only then did Fenrir also look at the crows. Yet, because the birds suddenly gathered in one place, around the crow that was holding the boy’s body with her sharp claws, the wolf couldn’t see the same thing Sephir saw. Yet, he was sure that the boy could have something at him. That’s why he looked for Arion with his glance.
He saw him suddenly turning into a horse as though Arion read his mind. Then, while passing in mad gallop by Malon and Mago, Arion told them, „Go to the Barrier! Run as fast as you can! Allow us at least not to think how to save you from their claws.” Then, the two men, understanding the message right away, changed the direction of running, to head toward the border that was separating the Forest and the Kingdom of Rophions later. Yet, while they were running like desperate souls, they started to provoke those birds with a shout to follow them and separate the flock to make it easier for Arion and Fenrir to save the boy.
„At least those are able to think when it’s necessary,” Arion sent a thought to Fenrir. „And you, wolf, don’t stay pompous while looking up but jump on my back!” A thought that made Fenrir finally understand the message Arion tried to send to him. Thus, running as fast as he could, he headed toward Arion, who was also running toward him. Then, the moment Fenrir got next to the horse, he grabbed his mane with both hands and, jerking up, he got on Arion’s back.
„Now climb!” The wolf told Arion. „I intend to twist some necks today.” Yet, searching through his boot, he couldn’t find the dagger. Something that amazed him a lot.
„It seems to me that not only you are capable of stealing things.” The wolf heard Arion’s voice in his head. That’s why Fenrir looked up, finally understanding what weapon Sephir meant that the boy had. Yet, even though he knew he was unarmed, Fenrir decided to release the boy from those claws no matter what.
Not only Fenrir was thinking so. Sephir also thought about this. That’s why she whistled the moment she threw the whip Cattai toward him, so suddenly that she was about to hit his chest. Fenrir, however, was a lucky man that he could eventually grab that whip from the handle and squeeze it well in his hand before being hit. Thus, he allowed Arion to open his wings widely, jerking up, intending to get right in the middle of that flock of mad birds.
***
„Aim their necks!” Nathaniel shouted to the others, suddenly appearing to Yamu’s right. „If you can hit their eyes, better!” Then he shot the first arrow, hitting one crow that had pounced with all his force upon Malon, intending to grab him into his claws.
Yet, not only the crow fell to the ground, but also Malon, who lay on the ground so suddenly, feeling the crow and the arrow coming toward him. Then, seeing the crow agonizing on the ground not that far from him with that arrow stuck into his neck Malon stood up, helped by Mago. After that, while both men kept running toward the Barrier, Malon hissed through his teeth, „Damn devils!” His shout was because of all those crows that were still following them and who were making those few dozen meters to the Barrier seem an eternity to get at it.
Nevertheless, they managed to cross the border safely. After that, when the two men were safe already, just like the other animals that came to hide there, Yamu shouted to the guards, „The Barrier, down! Now!” Yet, it seemed that they wouldn’t manage to close it on time, for the crows were flying with all their speed toward them, hitting it eventually so painfully when the Barrier was finally closed. Thus, hitting that invisible wall, which was so powerful, the crows fell to the ground, unconscious. Some of them were still shaking because of the impact and this was due to the power of the Barrier that entered their bones and blood like currents of energy.
The rest of the crows, however, that managed to avoid the impact with the Barrier, madly shouting, returned to the place where Fenrir, Sephir, and Arion kept fighting with the birds to save the boy. Thus, getting there, the crows started to attack them. Yet, they weren’t that powerful anymore due to Palar’s influence that finally got above the three, helping him to fight.
It didn’t help them too much to get to Kkuṟai eventually, even though they were fighting like mad souls. This happened because of other flocks that came from the forest as if it was water, which was streaming from the ground. Seeing this, Yamu shouted, „Where do they come from so many?”
„From the woods!” Replied Nathaniel calmly. „I also think I know who controls them.” A remark that made everyone stare at him, thunderstruck. Yet, Nathaniel didn’t look at any of them or answered the questions seen in their glances. He only looked into Akita’s eyes and told her, „I know you have the same power Samaya has - to send thoughts to the others. That’s why… tell Sephir that Tenebre is on the right side of the woods, controlling the crows. Thus, if we want all to survive, she must try to block the energy and the crows that come from there.”
„Let me do this too,” they heard Mai’s voice behind them. That’s why everybody looked at her. Mai did the same: she also looked at the others. Thus, seeing her husband’s reproachful glance, even though she was barely standing because of the pain felt in her chest, Mai said, „You also know that we don’t have other chance to save Kkuṟai, Yamu! That’s why… you must let me cross the border.”
„Mai!” Yamu shouted. „If Kkuṟai survives, he will need you. That’s why I can’t allow you to…”
„What I can’t allow is to let him die there without doing anything to save him,” Mai also shouted. „That’s why… I beg you… let me pass!”
„I think mom is right now,” said Akita in a shaking voice. „Kkuṟai can be saved only if we all help him. More than that, Sephir won’t be able to defeat Tenebre. Not alone. She needs help and you also know that mom can do this.”
„Yes, but I…”
„Let her pass the Barrier, Yamu,” Nathaniel confidently said. „We go with her!” Words that made the Rophions murmur, wondering what would happen eventually. Nathaniel, however, didn’t care about those murmurs. He only looked at Mago and Malon, who were still fighting to recover their normal breath, and told them, „Get armed, Mago, Malon! You go with us!”
„No problem!” The young men said at the same time. After that, they took a bow and a quiver with arrows from the young wolves’hands that had them prepared there, for whoever would need them eventually.
Nevertheless, even though he saw that the young men were brave, Yamu was still hesitating. Yet, seeing that Kkuṟai was still fighting, with empty hands with those crows that were biting him with their sharp beaks, he looked at the guards and told them sadly, „Let them pass!”
„Yes, Yamu,” the guards answered.
Then, the guards retook their previous position, preparing to open a small gate in the Barrier to let Nathaniel and the others pass. Yamu, however, while the guards prepared for opening the gate, told his wife, „I know you are capable of anything to save Kkuṟai, Mai, but before doing any madness, think that we also need you. Especially our kids.” Then he looked at Akita and Ilēcāṉa, who were focused on Fenrir, Sephir, and Arion, who were desperately trying to chase the crows from around Kkuṟai away.
„I promise I’ll try not to do this,” Mai said in a shaking voice. „Yet, I’m not sure I’ll make it because… I can’t let him there, Yamu, because…” Tears filled her eyes so suddenly.
„Let’s go!” Nathaniel said. „We have no time to waste. Not now.”
„We got it,” replied Akita instead of her mother. After that, she followed Nathaniel, Mago, and Malon.
Mai, however, stood where she was for a few moments more. She only sadly looked at Ilēcāṉa, who she knew that was suffering too, for even though the young man was often scolding Kkuṟai, he was ready to die instead of his brother. Yet, feeling her husband’s hand touching her shoulder, Mai looked at him and told Yamu, „No matter what happens there, Yamu, take care of the rest. Even though you must close this Barrier forever.” Then, rising on the tiptoe, she kissed her husband’s lips and intended to go.
She stopped eventually when Yamu grabbed her by the arm. Then, even though he was still hesitating, he kissed her forehead, to push her from behind toward the gate, which was about to be opened, a few instants later. They didn’t pass through it right away. They had to wait until the guards opened that gate. After that, the five of them crossed that border, without knowing what was waiting for them outside. Then, while they advanced farther from that Barrier, that gate through which they passed… vanished…
***
„Fenrir, look at the Barrier!” Sephir shouted when she noticed Nathaniel and the others crossing the border. Yet, even though she was clearly seeing them, she couldn’t understand why they did that.
The young wolf, however, being aware of Akita and Mai’s power, looked at them first, to look at the forest eventually. Thus, he also saw from where those flocks of crows were coming. Yet, even though he couldn’t understand why Kākkai was coming from there, he told his wife, „I think they want to send you a message.”
„Who?” Sephir asked while hitting left and right with her whip Cattai to chase the crows that pounced on them away.
„Akita! To you! That’s why try to link your mind to hers. Meanwhile, we’ll take care of Kkuṟai.”
His words, however, didn’t help Sephir understand what he really tried to say. Even so, she decided to listen to his advice, for she understood that he knew better what a Rophion was thinking in such dangerous moments. That’s why she first sent a thought to Palar, „Make the wind blow faster, Palar!” The cloud, listening to her command, started to blow his breath over the crows at a mad speed.
A movement Kākkai actually disliked. That’s why, when they felt Palar’s breath blowing down their necks, they shuddered. Moreover, when they saw themselves forced to struggle with that sudden wind to keep their balance. Something that also forced them to stop attacking for a short while.
Seeing this, Arion shouted to Fenrir, „Try to hit over his feet! The one that keeps Kkuṟai a captive.”
„Yet, Arion, it’s risky. I can hit the boy thus.”
„He’ll survive after your hit. The venom of the crows Kākkai kills him, however. Thus, do something before these ones recover their strength and let your stubbornness for later,” the horse madly shouted eventually.
This made the wolf understand eventually that Arion was right. That’s why he decided to listen to his advice. Yet, being without his whip Cattai, which he returned to Sephir, and without any weapons, he understood that he could lose, for… it wasn’t a good idea to fight with empty hands. Nevertheless, remembering that Kkuṟai still had the dagger in his boot, he told Arion, „Try to approach the boy more. We need the dagger he stole from me.”
„You should have said that right from the beginning!” Arion hissed through his teeth, for he was about to climb above the crows, intending to surround them. Eventually, understanding that the wolf was right too, he changed the direction of his flight, getting below Kkuṟai in seconds. Thus, he could see that the boy was unconscious already, having deep wounds all over his body. That’s why he telepathically told Fenrir, „It’s possible to be too late, Fenrir, for…”
„No,” replied Fenrir telepathically. „I still feel the energy in his body.”
„Then… get that dagger faster, for…”
„I have a better idea than the dagger,” the wolf snarled. Then, while forming flames above his palms, he told Arion, „Carefully with the wings! No need to feel the smell of a burning horse around. It would be enough with the crow’s one.” After that, he headed the fire toward the crows.
Thus, in contact with the birds’feathers, the fire started to vividly burn. Then, soon after this, because the birds were too close to each other, they settled fire to the other birds, forming a kind of huge vault of flames right above Arion.
The horse, however, even though he felt that arson well, right above him and that was something difficult to bear with, didn’t move from his place. Thus, he gave Fenrir the chance to focus and send the fire toward the crow that was still holding Kkuṟai in his claws. A fire that scorched not only the crow’s feathers but also the skin on his feet. That’s why he let the boy fall eventually, threatening to squash his body from the ground in the end after hitting it.
„No,” shouted Fenrir. „Arion, down! Now!” A shout that made Arion plunge eventually, with his wings stuck to his body while Fenrir was squeezing the horse’s mane into his hands, just not to be thrown off Arion’s back eventually.
Seeing them falling, Sephir, who was forming with Palar’s help some magnetic waves all around that place and especially around the crows, just not to allow them to run away, told the cloud, „Help them, Palar! I’ll manage the rest by myself.”
„If you say so!” Mumbled Palar, bored. Then, closing his eyes, he vanished from the sky. Seconds later, the cloud appeared right below Kkuṟai. Thus, the boy fell on Palar’s soft pillows and was not squashed after hitting the hard soil. Yet, because Palar so suddenly appeared there, it was something that Arion didn’t expect. That’s why he saw himself forced to brake in the air, a movement that didn’t help Fenrir to keep his balance on the horse’s back. That’s why he went head over heels, falling next to Kkuṟai eventually. Something that made Palar mumble, unhappy, „It was enough for me carrying only one wolf. The second one… is too much already. Yet, as you are Siamese now, I guess I have no other choice.”
Fenrir, comfortably sitting on those soft pillows of the cloud, understanding that back on Arion’s back he won’t be able to get and this because the horse Arion could never get too close to Palar, kept silent, even though he wanted to say something spicy to Palar. Then, mumbling something barely heard, addressed to Palar of course, he checked Kkuṟai’s pulse. Thus, he saw that the boy was still breathing, even though his pulse was so weak. That’s why he told Palar, „Listen, old man, stop mumbling unpleasant words about the wolves and head toward the camp! Otherwise, if that cloud of fire gets next to you, not even the flood helps you to stay alive.”
„It’s good that you know everything!” Palar said, unhappy. Yet, aware that the wolf was still correct, he changed the direction of floating and headed toward the Barrier too.
***
Still with those mad crows behind him, Arion, the horse, having Sephir on his back this time, was madly galloping toward the Barrier, for they saw eventually that the big number of birds overwhelmed them. Something that made Sephir madly shout at one moment, „I thought that we defeated them after Mai formed that chain of energetic waves. I don’t understand where so many crows are coming from.”
„It’s because of Pakai and Tenebre,” replied Arion. „Mai is strong, but she can’t defeat them both.”
„Then? What to do? We can’t let them simply fly away.”
„We can’t do anything else, Sephir. We must withdraw for the moment. We can’t defeat them alone.” After that, Arion quickened his pace, feeling the arson of the crows in flames, something that made him shudder inside.
Sephir, however, even though understood that Arion was right, couldn’t be calm. That’s why she kept looking around, trying to understand where Pakai and Tenebre were controlling the birds from. Yet, no matter where she didn’t look, she couldn’t see them, as though she had had a thick cloth over her eyes. Something that made her feel more anxious than before.
Nevertheless, the moment she heard Fenrir’s voice in her head, Sephir closed her eyes and listened to him, „They are to your left, Sephir! Behind the third row of trees.” Only after that Sephir opened her eyes and, looking where Fenrir told her to look, she saw the two Titans.
Tenebre and Pakai didn't see her, however, for they had their eyes closed at that moment while mumbling unintelligible words. Yet, even though she couldn’t understand what they were saying, even after using her power to clearly hear them, Sephir was sure that it was the spell that was controlling the crows. That’s why she tried to use the power of her mind and summon Palar there. Something that she couldn’t do eventually.
„It’s because of the Rophions’Barrier,” said Arion. „That’s why Palar can’t listen to your command.”
„Then? What to do, Arion? We must impede those two mad people to act up here as it seems that they want to do.”
Arion, however, even though wanted to help, didn’t know how. He could only gallop like a mad soul across the field. Yet, suddenly, spotting those black chains created by Mai not to allow Tenebre to send her crows toward the Barrier, had a genius idea. That’s why he told Fenrir telepathically, „I say that your idea of frying a witch on the grill is very good actually.”
Fenrir, who was already next to Nathaniel, Akita, and Mago, for… Malon went along with Mai to help the others after Kkuṟai got to the camp, hadn’t understood right away what Arion meant. Nevertheless, the moment he also saw those black chains created by Mai’s power, he finally understood how to get revenge on Tenebre for Kkuṟai. That’s why he created a bow and an arrow from the fire that exited his palms. Then, aiming toward the forest, he told Akita, „Do you still remember our favorite game? The one we played while still being children?”
„The one with the Werewolf?” The young girl asked, shooting arrow after arrow toward the crows.
„Yeah, exactly! A game that I think it’s perfect right now… just to see how the cobras burn.”
„If you say so!” The girl ironically said. Then, turning to face the forest, still prepared for fighting, Akita suddenly colored her eyes in the color of the flames, just as Fenrir did. After that, when he finally released that fire arrow, Akita did the same. Thus, when the girl’s arrow split Fenrir’s arrow into two, controlled by the power of the two, it turned into a real fire werewolf.
Nevertheless, the werewolf created by Akita and Fenrir wasn’t a usual one that was looking for sucking blood or jumping from one roof onto the other. This one, completely made from fire, was madly roaring while flying like the wind through the woods. Thus, the werewolf headed directly toward the two Titans who didn’t see him coming while spitting fire around and scorching the grass above where he passed.
That wound made to nature was necessary eventually, for, feeling the fire scorching so close to their trunks, the secular trees of Rophion Forest, those that were closer to the edge of the woods, suddenly awoke. The first thing the trees did when they awoke was to grab that devilish thing called Palantir, which they threw away soon after having it in their wooden hands. Thus, thrown away, the Palantir quickly rolled between the trunks, looking for shelter. Yet, there wasn’t a shelter for it. Only wooden hands that were appearing in front of it while the trees tried to squash the two Titans.
That’s why Pakai and Tenebre were continuously jumping: they were trying to avoid the hits. Thus, being too focused on the trees, they didn’t see the werewolf that finally hit them. An impact that threw them away, sticking the two of them by the trunks of two trees, black like pitch and smoking, while the werewolf rotated in the air, surrounding the first rows of trees, to exit the woods later and squash the crows eventually, after hitting them too.
Nevertheless, at that moment, not only the crows started to attack each other, but also the werewolf was savagely attacking them. Even so, a flock of burning birds could escape from that trap of burning chains and headed toward the place where Fenrir, Akita, and Nathaniel were. Thus, seeing those mad birds intending to hurt them, the three young people started to run like desperate souls toward the Barrier, for they weren’t the only ones safe while Sephir and the horse Arion crossed the border already. Yet, that run was somehow interesting, for… while running… They kept looking back to see where the double-edged weapon they created alone was, for the werewolf started to chase them eventually.
Yet… that werewolf couldn’t get them eventually, for they could cross the border on time. Not the same happened to the crows Kākkai: these ones, getting next to the Barrier, painfully hit it when the wolves closed it. The same fate had the werewolf, which hit the protection wall too. After that, it suddenly turned toward the crows and started to slaughter them again.
That view that the wolves, who were stopped behind the wall, watched, was a terrifying one. Thus, seeing the crows Kākkai slaughtered by the werewolf, they felt that they got revenge on them for Kkuṟai. What they didn’t see was how Pakai and Tenebre ran, hiding in the woods, for… right after seeing the werewolf moving away from them, and more… when they saw their „soldiers” slaughtered by that beast, they decided that it was the perfect time to run, for they didn’t want to have the same fate.
Nevertheless, they didn’t vanish unnoticed by everyone. Those who saw them were Sephir, Fenrir, Nathaniel, and Arion. They kept staring at the two Titans right after crossing the border of the Rophions’Kingdom, for they were sure that Pakai and Tenebre wouldn’t go away so easily. Even so, they couldn’t hurt the two enemies. They could just watch them leaving that place… unpunished.