Alec was four years old when his father was challenged. He had sneaked out to watch the challenge. After all, it was rare for pack members to challenge their leader. Any member could challenge the alpha with or without reason. There were no official laws, but there was tradition. Bellaroos respected tradition. Fenrir himself had placed it there and to honor tradition honored him. A challenge had to be announced, a time and place agreed upon, and only the two canines would fight each other. Females were not permitted to watch. No mother should have to watch her pup die. Fathers, however, were expected to stand with pride. After all, their pups had spirit, pride, and belief strong enough to take on an alpha. The strongest of their pack.
However, no one came to witness this challenge but a single young pup. Alec had rushed into the small opening and slipped behind a large oak. The grass thick against his feet. It tickled his ankles, annoying him yet he refused to move. His green eyes were glued to the two large figures before him. Blood was not to be spilled near home. That was why the battle ground had been cleared in nearby woods down the mountains. It was this small clearing that trees did not dare grow. Perhaps the blood had poisoned the ground or maybe Fenrir refused to grow them here. Three large stones sat on the outside of the circle. They were meant to represent the Gods. They witnessed the battle, only giving their blessing to the strongest. No fire had been placed tonight for the two men.
"Akuji." His father's voice was rough, deep. It reminded Alec of the deepest rivers, of an unmovable stone. A growl to remind the world it should be watching him. It shall bow to only him. "Back down, you will not win this." Alec's father stood six feet. He was bare with thick chest and arm hair covering him. Even along his lip and chin black hair sat there. Alec's father was well kept, priding himself in a clean appearance. His hair, however, was unkempt even though it was short. He was built like a statue with sculpted arms, legs, and abs. His skin tanned from the blazing sun. His green eyes matched his son's, but they were hard... unforgiving. One look could kill from them. They were the eyes of a man on top of the world. They did not wavier for an instant. Instead, they stared ahead looking down at the male that dared question his position.
"I have to do this!" A scrawny man snapped. His golden eyes blazing with rage. His fists formed. His jaw clenched so hard Alec was surprised his teeth did not break. His body was tense, yet trembling as his veins pulsed under his flesh. The canine was close to ripping his alpha apart, yet respect for tradition held him in place.
Alec's father sighed as he rubbed at his beard. Disappointment and boredom in his form. "You will die." He grumbled.
"You said my son was going for a peace treaty! So, why is he dead?!" A tear had escaped the man, splashing on his cheek before trickling down his chin to the ground.
"Because he was weak." Alec jumped as an inhuman howl shredded through the night air. A small body whipped forward only to be meet with a single hand. It snapped onto the jackal's skull before slamming the creature face first into the ground. Alec's father had not even hesitated before kicking the canine's stomach to send it flying backwards several feet. Blood splattered from the jackal's throat as his yowls of pain filled the air. It did not even cause the alpha to flinch.
Alec had fallen back unaware he was trembling. His eyes wide as he looked at the whimpering jackal as it curled in itself. The canine's teeth stained with red from its own blood. His father, unfazed, pulled his hand back and folded his arms over his bare chest. Harsh eyes turned towards his son. "Take a good look Alec. If you are weak, you die. Understood?"
Alec had scrambled to stand. Wordlessly, he scooted away until his trembling legs worked. He ran as tears streamed down his face. He could never forget the sound of bones snapping as the challenger was put to death. At five, Alec begun his training to become a solider. Not long after, he was put on the front lines. His father had been right about one thing. If someone was weak, they died.
"Alec, we are here." Alec jerked out of his memories to glance over at Hope. He blinked a few times before dragging his eyes away. His longma, Blue, threw her head up as they slowed down to look down the ridge. They had woken before day break in hopes of avoiding the heat when they moved up the mountains that acted as a barrier between known land and No Man's Land. It would be that land where they would find the clan they were looking for. That was their hope at least. They had come across many rumors, but none of them had been valid. Even Kelpto, who had seen the Behemoth Clan before, had been unable to pin point their location. They had ventured off their normal route. Something must of happened. They often avoided the main territories. They did not want to be dragged into the war, which only left very few locations.
Gazing down below, the beta smiled slightly at the sight of a small village of thick green grass that slowly blended into desert. To think they would have to cross it to maybe find their hope to end this war. They would die at this rate. Such a shame. Alec pulled at his longma's reins making her huff in annoyance. Blue was grumpy and tired from having to travel. The nights were freezing. The mornings they burned under a hot sun. Food had become harder and more dangerous as they drew closer to the dry lands. Summer was in full bloom. Even Drole dragged behind them panting harshly. Although, he had perked up at the sight of the small town below. It meant rest and information gathering.
The town was not typical. These individuals thrived in the heat and desert but kept them alive was the miracle spring sat in the middle of their village. In front of the spring sat a large cobblestone building. Three rows of steps came to two broken doors that lead inside. Two statues stood tall next to the exit. Their arms were crossed each along a firm chest. Two tails were curled around their feet. One held an orb in a palm, while the other held nothing. The object had been broken off long ago. Neither one had a head. They were shattered on the ground, left to be grown over by the grass and sand. It looked as if the walls were covered in images and writing, but it was difficult to see from a distance. Pillars and statues laid about the small town with newer buildings being made of stone. Others were made of crumbling rock. A wall connected to the large building, yet most of it laid on the ground from age. It looked to be thousands of years old. Slowly worn away by the sun and the sand. A makeshift fence was built around the town with two watch towers facing the desert. The wooden fence was careful to even cover the gaps the massive wall left open. It seemed pointless considering anyone would be able to see an intruder from miles away. "They are for sssssand sssstorms." A raspy chuckle came from Kelpto as he pulled his black longma to Alec's side. His lips pulled up slightly to flash his black tongue. "Are we going to keep looking or get sssssettled?"
Alec snorted at him before yanking Blue around. Wordlessly, he took lead while the others followed behind him. As they drew closer to the bottom, a women stood there. Her hands folded behind her as she looked up at the travelers. No expression touched her features. Rather, plain blue eyes looked upon them as if she knew they would come. Black hair streamed down her dark skinned features only combated by a thin yellow dress she wore. It covered her arms, her chest and came down to drag against the greenery below. It had been dyed, but by what Alec did not know.
"Welcome to Ahalla." Her voice was feathery soft as she bowed to them.
"Ahalla." Alec whispered. He had never heard of the place. None of his party moved. Even Klepto, who was glancing slowly around the village. It was quiet, almost too quiet.
"We thank you for your welcome." Alec responded. His voice strong. "We are here for supplies, then we will be on your way."
The girl seemed to simply ignore him. "The Elder wishes to meet the leader of your group. If you would please come with me." Standing up straight again, she glanced along them. Klepto smirked slightly. Alec snarled low in his throat in warning. If they man so much as made a move, he would rip his throat out. He was not here to be in charge of their search. He was here to be supportive. If only the snake understood that.
"We all come or no one comes." She turned to Alec, finally identifying him as the group's leader. A slight smile came on her lips as she nodded.
"They may wait outside of the temple." She agreed.
"Temple?" Alec questioned, but she was already walking away from them. Blue stomped her hoof nervously as she nickered under her breath. Looking back at his group, he saw Drole's ears pressed back against his skull. His tail still while his hair stood on end. He did not like it here either.
"Hope, Drole, stay behind just in case something goes wrong." He had not wanted to leave anyone, but Drole's actions spoke volumes. He was a brave solider afterall. For him to not be comfortable meant something was amiss. Hope nodded and moved her longma close to Drole. The dhole laid down, yet remained alert as he watched the two begin to follow the stranger.
The women lead them closer to the middle of the ruins. No other creature stirred. It looked abandoned with no signs of life. Yet, the women did not look concerned as if this was an everyday occurance. "Where is everyone?" Alec dared to ask as he moved his hand to block the sand from his eyes. The wind rustled carrying the sand in the air before laying it gently on the ground once more. Blue shook her mane to rid the annoyance, yet it did little to help her. They would need to wash it away. The stranger did not answer him. She did not even turn around to glance at the male, but rather kept walking. Kelpto glanced at Alec with a frown. His tongue flickering out to taste the wind. He could hardly taste anything but the dust. Luckily, he said nothing.
Soon, they turned the corner to reveal a new sight. A huge stone building stood in the distance. It too was falling apart as if it had been there for thousands of years. Unlike the other buildings made of cobblestone, this one looked as if it had been caved into a giant rock. Perhaps a mountain that had been chipped down over the years. It stood away from the cliffs they had come down. Rather it was isolated with massive steps leading to its entrance. Pillars were carved to create an entry way. There was no door, rather just a gaping dark hole. The roof smoothed into a large cylinder that held many open windows. It was a mastery of skill. Alec had never seen anything like it. However, the most impressive was the carving of two figures along the temple walls. Two wolves circled each other. One ran after the sun. Its hair was long with large feathered wings. Scales begun at the creature's hips and continued to create a dragon's tail. Its claws were shaped to be lions rather than a canine's. The second creature was a skeleton with large bat wings. Its face was a wolf's skeleton, but its head had massive ram horns. Instead of a wolf's tail, it had a large fish tail.
"Hati and Skoll." The women whispered as she adverted her eyes from them. "The Destroyers."
"Who?" Kelpto came up beside Alec. His voice full of amusement at the art. He had never seen such horrible art. A dog with a fish fin? The snake could barely contain his laughter. It was no wonder they lived in the middle of nowhere. No one would take them seriously.
The stranger did not seem to even notice his tone. "Hati, one who hates. She chases the sun. Skoll, one who mocks. He chases the moon. They move our sun and moon across the sky, endlessly chasing their prey. The day they catch it, the Beast Gods shall return."
Alec frowned. "Its said they died."
The women glanced at the male. For the first time a sparkle came across her eyes. "We believe they were swallowed. One day, on the day of Reckoning, they shall return. Until them, we are simply their servants to carry out their wishes." Kelpto's tongue flickered out in annoyance. A glare from Alec, however, kept him in check. Kelpto smirked slightly as temptation twinkled in his eyes. The snake was only behaving for the moment. Alec doubted it would last long. It never did. They arrived at the stairs of the temple. Alec dismounted his longma. Kelpto followed as their guide moved onto the first step. She turned to them as she folded her hands in front of her.
An empty stare came to rest upon Alec. "You may enter." She turned to the snake. "You may not."
Alec handed his reins to the snake who frowned at the comment. He did not protest, however. Every instinct in his body said something was off. Where was everyone? Not to mention this... strange interaction they had. It would be best if someone stayed outside the temple. While he did not get along with the pup, he knew Alec could handle himself. "If anything happens, get the others out of here." Alec whispered in the snake's ear.
Kelpto nodded. "Be careful."
Alec pulled away and started up the stairs. The female did not wait for him. They approached the gaping mouth of the temple. It looked ready to devour them, yet the wolf did not hesitate. With a step, they entered the darkness. No torches were lit. There was no movement beside the two as they navigated through the hallway. The stranger seemed to know where she was going, so the male simply followed. His green eyes scanning about as he attempted to take in anything he could. His green eyes starting to adjust to break through the darkness. From what he could see, the walls were covered in more ancient writing, pictures of fighting, death, and natural disasters. There was only one constant. It was Hati and Skoll chasing the moon and sun. It was then a new image caught his eyes. It was a carving of a lone cat sitting on a stone. Three creatures were bowing down to the cat, a wolf, a tiger, and an eagle. No longer was there a sun or a moon. Rather, Hati and Skoll circled the group as if hesitate to approach.
"We are here." The voice broke Alec's thoughts. Looking up, he searched the darkness for the stranger. After a moment, the sound of rock scabbing and moving filled the hallway. Light broke through to reveal a room that had been hidden behind a stone door. Torches lined the room giving it a soft glow. Unlike the stone outside, the room was lined with smooth blocks of dark grey limestone. In the glowing light, it almost looked blue. There were only a few feet before steps lead down into a large square pool of muddy water. Bubbles rolled underneath the water from an unknown source. There was a slight sour smell in the air perhaps produced by the water below. On the other side, another set of stairs lead down to the water.
On those steps a stout man sat. He wore a red snake skin vest that struggled to hug his body along with red snake skin skirt. It too struggled. No doubt pants would have ripped on this man. Jewels lined his neck, his clothing, and his fingers. Each more valuable than the next. His face was puffy with a tiny nose, a large smile, and squinting eyes. His lips were a sickly yellow against his slimy green skin. A tuff of blond hair sat on top of his bald hair. Although, it looked as if it would fall out soon. Three women sat beside him. Alec was disgusted to see they were at least half this male's age. He looked to be in his 30s or 40s. Each one looked much like the stranger that brought him here. They, however, wore just enough to cover between their legs. Their breast hung out showing off smooth skin and perky young nipples. One had a rope around her ankle that was tied to a post in the ground. The rest seemed to move as if their souls had left. They did not even seem alive. It was unnatural.
"Great Priest of Ahalla." The women moved onto her hands and knees. She bowed to him, kissing the ground in worship. Alec simply stood, glaring at this... thing.
"Welcome, Welcome!" The male's voice was shrill. It hurt Alec's ears it was so high pitched. "Welcome to my temple traveler!"
"I am looking-" Alec did not even get to finish before the pump male was turning to his guide.
"I want this male and his friends to have a grand meal! A feast, a feast! You understand?" She did not even raise her head, but he did not wait anyway. The male had turned back to the beta. "Stay as long as you wish. Now, go go. She will show you to your rooms."
"Wait." Alec snarled, determined to not raise his voice.
"Oh yes yes!" The male clapped his hands together. "You would want entertainment-"
Alec interrupted him this time. "We are looking-"
"You will not find them here, but I know where they are." The man stood this time, grinning wildly. His lips seemed to go from cheek to cheek, unnaturally so. His teeth yellow and sharp. "We shall speak about it tomorrow."