by Sophie Torro
This was beyond strange.
Feeling completely weirded out, Aurora turned to the pups and bent down. “Hi, little ones,” she began gently. “Are you lost? Do you know where your parents are? Can you take us to Mommy and Daddy, please?”
The pups remained silent. Then, they all smiled in unison, with the biggest, sharpest fangs Aurora had ever seen. All at once, the pups lunged at Aurora and Ember, and efficiently dragged them to the ground. Aurora shrieked as one pup gnawed at her leg. She hurriedly shook him away, panicked.
This is a nightmare, she thought. An overly dramatic, terrifying nightmare. For Elementa’s sake, I hope I wake up soon! What is wrong with these little monsters?!
Within moments, Aurora and Ember were pinned by the pups, with their faces pushed into the ground. Aurora coughed out a mouthful of sand. Yuck!
“Can we eat them?” asked the pup who was squashing Ember’s face. The Fire Wolf let out a low growl, his orange eyes glinting dangerously.
One pup bounced up and down on Aurora’s back, as if she were a plaything. “I kind of like these strangers,” he said. “Maybe we can keep them?”
A chorus of agreement and protest went up from the other pups. Some wanted to eat the newcomers, and others wanted to keep them as pets. Isn’t this just wonderful? Aurora thought sarcastically. Our first encounter with wolves inside the Earth Pack, and it happens to be a group of savage pups. I’d rather take my chances with a brute like Sandstorm instead of these weirdos.
“Silence!” a voice fiercely and suddenly commanded, which was hilarious coming from a squeaky pup. “This is a decision for Cactus to make. Take the prisoners!”
Without warning, Nautilus’ net plummeted to the ground. He let out a rather undignified cry as he fell, and was immediately dragged forward by a group of growling pups.
Aurora and Ember were allowed to stand. However, they were closely guarded by the watchful pups. Their unusual fangs were bared, ready to attack the moment Aurora or Ember stepped a paw out of line. With no other choice, they reluctantly entered the dark alleyway.
Well, Aurora thought. This is officially the worst day of my life.
A tiny pup skipped playfully beside Aurora. “Wow! You’re really tall,” she told her with an admiring expression. “I bet you can touch the clouds! That’s how tall you are! Right?”
Aurora self-consciously shifted her hidden wings under Ember’s black cloak. She could easily touch the clouds right now if she wanted to, but that was if she wanted to blow their cover. Which she didn’t. No one could know that they weren’t Earth Wolves, or else they would be in even more trouble than they are now.
“Wow, you don’t speak much,” the pup commented. “Boring!” She bounced away, leaving Aurora behind.
“What should we do now?” Ember whispered to Aurora, from the corner of his mouth. “Should we try fighting them?” His claws twitched slightly.
“They’re just pups,” Aurora whispered back. “Savage, bloodthirsty pups, but pups nonetheless. We can’t hurt them.”
“So what should we do?” Ember asked again, while impatiently flicking his tail.
Aurora’s ears flattened. “How should I know?” she shot back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the leader?”
Aurora and Ember were roughly pushed forward. “Enough talking!” a pup squeaked. “Bow before our leader, Cactus! She’s the coolest, awesome-est, bravest big sister ever! Fear her wrath, strangers! Fear her!”
A dark brown Earth Wolf pup sat on a pile of bricks at the end of the alleyway. Her fur was spiky and messy, and she had gleaming, yellow eyes. Cactus was clearly the oldest of her siblings, but not by a lot. “Come closer, strangers,” she ordered.
The pack of pups shoved Aurora and Ember forward, and then dragged Nautilus closer. He whimpered miserably in his net.
Cactus studied them with hard yellow eyes, without uttering a word. She then slowly pulled back her lips and snarled. “You fools!” she yapped. It took a moment for Aurora to realize that Cactus wasn’t speaking to them. “Don’t you see these wolves’ armour? They’re royal guards!”
The pups exchanged silent, awkward looks.
Cactus’ wild fur began to bristle. “Don’t just stand there, sand-brains,” she hissed to her siblings. “Free that pathetic one in the net. Hurry, hurry!”
The pups immediately dashed over to Nautilus and severed the net with their freakishly sharp fangs. Nautilus immediately rose to his paws, trembling. He eyed the Earth Wolf pups nervously, as if expecting them to suddenly bite him.
Cactus snorted. “Well, I’ll be,” she said gruffly. “Royal guards. What brings the three of ya’ll all the way out here? We don’t see visitors in these parts no more. Not since those dreaded Sky Wolves wrecked the place.”
The pup closest to Cactus gave her a sharp look. “Don’t forget what Ma and Pa told us,” he grumbled. “We gotta introduce ourselves before havin’ a conversation, ya hear?”
Cactus rolled her eyes. “My name’s Cactus,” she sniffed at Aurora, Ember, and Nautilus. “Kindly tell me your names, please.” She spat out the last word, as if manners tasted bad in her mouth.
The three friends exchanged nervous looks. They hadn’t expected anyone from the Earth Pack to ask them their names.
“Mud!” Nautilus suddenly blurted. “I’m Mud!”
Ember hurriedly scanned his surroundings. There was a carving of a snake engraved on one of the walls. “I’m Viper,” he said.
“Uh, I’m Sand,” Aurora said, while thinking of Sandstorm.
Cactus sat down on her throne of bricks. “Mud, Viper, and Sand,” she hooted. “Pleasure to be in your company.” Suspicion filled her yellow gaze. “You aren’t here for us, right? Because if you are, I swear we haven’t done nothin’ wrong. Well, not much, at least.”
Aurora shook her head. “We aren’t here for you or your siblings, Cactus,” she told her, much to the relief of the pups. “Mud, Viper, and I are looking for a wolf named Sandstorm. You don’t happen to know where she is, do you?”
Cactus flicked her spiky ear. “Sandstorm?” she asked. “Do you mean that weirdo who’s always fighting in the arena?”
Aurora shifted her paws. That sounded like her all right. “Yes,” Aurora replied.
Cactus snorted a laugh. “Well, Sandstorm’s at the arena, obviously,” she laughed. “Golly, you three got sand in your ears?”
Nautilus took a step forward. “And where is the arena?” he asked.
Silence fell over the alleyway. The pups eyed Aurora, Ember and Nautilus in confusion. Frustrated, Ember gave Nautilus a hard shove in the side. Seriously? the look in his orange eyes seemed to say. Nautilus, realizing his mistake, turned pale.
“Ya’ll don’t know where the arena is?” Cactus asked suspiciously. “Everyone, and I mean everyone, knows where the arena is. Why don’t the three of you?”
A pup suddenly sniffed Nautilus, causing him to pull back with a yelp. “They smell funny,” she growled. “Like…” she sniffed again. “Like other elementals.” At her words, a frenzy of growls filled the air. This was really bad.
“Of course we smell like the other elementals,” Aurora said, thinking fast. “We just escaped Queen Tempest’s prison, where she was holding wolves from every pack.”
“That’s right,” Ember hurriedly added. “We’ve been in the dark, away from the sun and the Earth Pack for moons. It’s confused us. Especially him!” Ember pointed a paw at Nautilus, who ruffled his fur defensively.
Pity filled Cactus’ gaze. “What a shame,” she whimpered. “You have our condolences, mighty warriors. Why don’t the three of ya’ll come with us, and we can show you the way to the arena. The Earth Pack City isn’t very far from here.”
“Will your parents mind?” Aurora asked. These were just a bunch of pups, after all.
“Pfft, naw,” said Cactus. “They let us play in this village and do whatever we want. They know we can take care of ourselves, so they
don’t mind one bit. The only rule is that we must be home by suppertime.”
One pup batted Aurora with his tiny paws. “Follow us, follow us,” he cheered.
Aurora, Ember, and Nautilus were herded out of the alleyway by the group of pups. Aurora couldn’t help but feel relieved. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Aurora and her friends had a guide to lead them through the Earth Pack now, and were one step closer to finding Sandstorm.
Get ready for us, Queen Tempest, Aurora thought bravely. Because your reign of terror will soon come to an end.
CHAPTER 12
Cactus and her siblings led them further into the Earth Pack, where the air was scorching and the breeze was dry. The orange sky was odd and shimmering as the sun began to set. Aurora struggled to put one paw in front of the other. Exhaustion made her legs feel like heavy boulders. Beside her, Ember and Nautilus trudged along in silence, looking just as weary.
From underneath the shade of a cactus, an iguana stared at the group of wolves with a suspicious look on its face. It seemed to be wondering why anyone would be wandering around in this merciless heat.
The wolves were in the heart of the desert now.
They had skirted around a couple of small villages on their way to the Earth Pack City, but for the most part, the desert seemed to be void of life. It made Aurora feel lonely and jumpy. She wasn’t used to being in territory where there were so few wolves. This place was nothing like the bustling Sky Pack, where wolves were everywhere she looked.
Aurora had experienced mirages a couple of times during their long journey. Her brother, Blizzard, would appear in the distance, shimmering in the desert’s heat. But whenever Aurora had looked closer, the mirage of Blizzard would fade away, leaving her with stinging disappointment. She desperately hoped that the real Blizzard was safe, wherever Queen Tempest had imprisoned him.
Cactus’ prickly tail suddenly lifted. “Cheer up, strangers!” she barked at Aurora, Ember and Nautilus. “Quit being so glum. Look! The Earth Pack City is straight ahead!”
Aurora took a few exhausted steps forward, blinking. Was this another trick of the desert, or had they finally arrived at their destination?
Far in the distance rested a gigantic city. Ragged stone fortresses stuck out of the earth like fangs. Firelight from the countless torches gave the city an orange halo, brightening the approaching night.
When Aurora pricked her ears, she managed to hear howling and cheers, but the noises were faint with distance. Aurora’s mud-streaked pelt fluffed up with joy. This was the place! They had arrived at the Earth Pack City at last!
Cactus grinned when she spotted the excited expressions on their faces. Her yellow eyes shimmered in the lowering sun.
“You three go on ahead,” Cactus told them. “I hope you find Sandstorm. Just be warned, that wolf is a prickly one, from what I’ve heard. She’ll probably bite you the first chance she gets.”
Aurora nodded at the tiny pup. “Thanks. My friends and I will keep that in mind,” she responded. “We appreciate you taking us all the way out here.”
Cactus blushed. “Shucks. It was nothin’,” she mumbled. “Sorry my siblings and I ambushed ya’ll. And roughhoused ya’ll. And bit ya’ll. And scared ya’ll. And—”
“It’s all forgiven,” Ember interrupted impatiently. “Thank you for all your assistance.” Nautilus cautiously nodded his agreement, while hiding behind Ember and using him as a shield.
Cactus and her siblings smiled warmly, revealing their freakish fangs. “Bye now,” said Cactus, as she ushered the other pups away. “Good luck with Sandstorm, ya hear?” Aurora watched the pups go for a few moments, then turned her attention to the Earth Pack City.
Nautilus nervously shifted his paws. “Now what?” he asked in a small voice.
Ember rolled his eyes. “We go inside and find Sandstorm, obviously,” he said grouchily. Without waiting for a response, Ember began to make his way down the dune, heading straight for the city. Aurora and Nautilus exchanged a look before following.
“Does anyone know what the arena looks like?” Aurora asked, while she made her way down the dune. Her claws sunk into the sand.
“We’ll probably figure it out pretty fast,” Nautilus responded queasily. “We’ll hear the wolves fighting inside, along with the savage spectators. We’ll feel the ground rumble as the Earth Wolves use their elemental powers.”
“We’ll hear Nautilus squeal like a little pup and see him run away the moment we approach the arena,” Ember joked. Aurora giggled, but tried to stifle it with her paw.
Nautilus stuck out his tongue at Ember. “Whatever,” he responded. “Not everyone is as brave, or foolish, as you two. I’m not a coward. I’m tactical, just for the record.”
Before long, Aurora, Ember, and Nautilus found themselves under the shadow of the Earth Pack City. The stone towers loomed over them. Aurora looked around nervously. Would they have to face any guards before entering? Was there a barrier they needed to cross? It seemed not. Other than the three of them, there were no wolves in sight. Strange. Normally places like this were better guarded.
Aurora shrugged. Together, her three friends walked closer to the city.
“You there,” suddenly came an ancient, creaky voice. “State your business here.”
Nautilus nearly leapt out of his fur, startled. Ember calmly looked around, then pointed at the elderly wolf who had spoken with his tail. She stared straight ahead, while sitting with her scruffy tail curled over her paws.
“I don’t think she can see us,” Ember whispered at Aurora and Nautilus. “Let’s sneak around her.”
“I’m blind, not deaf,” the elderly wolf snapped. “I said, state your business. Or else I’ll wipe the floor with you young’uns.”
Ember flicked his ear. You must be joking, said the look in his orange eyes. However, he strode over to the elderly wolf without protesting. Aurora and Nautilus followed closely behind him, leaving a trail of pawprints in the sand. “We’re here to see a wolf named Sandstorm,” Ember said curtly.
“Your names, please?” asked the elderly wolf. She sniffed the air, trying to analyze their scents. Luckily, their time in the desert managed to stifle their true packs. They smelled like any other Earth Wolf.
While the three friends told her their fake names, Aurora curiously gazed at the elderly wolf. Why did she appear to be the only wolf guarding the heart of the Earth Pack? She was old, frail, skinny, and blind. Her light brown fur looked faded after so many years in the sun. This was definitely strange.
“Mud, Viper, and Sand,” echoed the elderly wolf.
Nautilus nodded politely, seeming to forget that she couldn’t see him. “What’s your name?” he asked kindly.
Aurora and Ember swapped a look. Nautilus was sweet, but a bit too sweet for his own good. Ember swatted him on the ear to silence him. This was a mission to save Elementa, not a friendly get-together.
The elderly wolf chuckled. “I’m Cobra,” she responded fiercely. “Because I stab fear into the hearts of my enemies!” She let out a wheezing laugh, then broke off into a coughing fit. After Cobra recovered, she reached out a bony paw to pat Nautilus on the head. “But you don’t need to worry about me, Mud. You seem like a sweet young boy. I won’t bite.”
Nautilus smiled. “So you’ll let us enter the city?” he asked.
Cobra nodded. “I guess,” she responded grumpily. “Although I’m not so sure about those two whippersnappers, Viper and Sand.” Cobra sightlessly glared at Aurora and Ember for a moment, then turned her head toward Nautilus. “Keep ‘em out of trouble, Mud.”
Nautilus nodded, then gave Aurora and Ember a smug look. “Will do, Ma’am.”
Cobra stiffly rose to her rickety old paws. “So, you two said you were looking for Sandstorm,” she muttered. “You must be looking for the arena, then. Correct?”
“That’s right,” said Aurora. “This is our first time visiting the Earth Pack City,
so could you please give us directions? Err, we live in a village far away from here, so we don’t know our way around yet.”
Cobra’s only response was a snort. She closed her eyes for a moment. Then, suddenly, the ground underneath their paws began to violently rumble. The clouds in the sky appeared to fiercely sway back and forth. Aurora gasped as she nearly toppled over. She bumped into Ember, feeling embarrassed when their fur touched.
Without warning, the earth split open, revealing a gigantic tunnel in the ground. It was dark and deep. Aurora could tell that the tunnel stretched far, far away, covering a great distance.
Cobra let out a wheezing sneer of a laugh. “I wish I could see the looks on your faces!” she spluttered hysterically. “Your fear scent is making me choke! What? You think I don’t have strong powers like the rest of you young’uns, just because I’m old and blind? Boy, they should have named me Earth-Shifter! But I like Cobra better. It’s scarier.” Cobra grinned, making an effort to show off her fangs.
Ember clenched his jaw and dug his claws into the sand. Anger glittered in his orange eyes. “This is great and all,” he said, “but what use is a tunnel to us?”
“It’s to take you to the arena, sand-brain,” Cobra grunted. “So you don’t have to wander around the city trying to find your way. Duh.”
Cobra pointed into the depths of the tunnel with one of her trembling paws. “Follow the tunnel, and you’ll arrive at the arena by the end of it,” she continued. “But be warned, the arena will be packed. I’m not sure what all the fuss is about, because frankly I don’t care, but I heard something about some sort of special fight going on tonight. It apparently involves Sandstorm, too.”
Aurora’s green eyes widened. Sandstorm was so close. Their chance to defeat Queen Tempest was almost within reach. Would it be possible to recruit Sandstorm tonight? Aurora truly hoped so. Queen Tempest could attack Elementa at any moment. There was no time to waste.
“Thank you for everything, Cobra,” Nautilus kindly told her. “My friends and I really appreciate it.”
Cobra nodded. “You better get a move on,” she said. “The fight will be starting once the moon rises. That’s only a few minutes away.”
