98
Connected hearts
The real war began.
August’s second wave of army headed straight in the mountain where the three allied packs were, according to August. Unlike the first attack, they’d strike as a whole. August knew it would be the most advantageous strategy for him, as they already had outnumbered the enemy, so he instructed his brother not to divide their quantity.
With his army, and his back up prison wolves whose abilities were as sharp as katana made of obsidian, he was sure they could take all of his enemies down, even if they were to ask help from the Goddess.
August continued to played with the three Alpha, enraptured by how the war was going, especially because he had the upper hard, August had satisfied himself with the pleasure of being able to control the flow. Now that another set of pawns had arrived, he felt thrilled. No. They weren’t just pawns, but bishops and rooks. They were special pieces that would lead him to victory.
And he no longer give a damn even if his men were to die, as long as he could get the victory.
The desperation and greed consumed August, blinding him from the root of this huge conflict. The only thing he had in mind was to defeat them, and to be hailed as the strongest. Dazzled by his pride, he wanted to be the King.
August intimidated the group of wolves who had decided to throw themselves in the game, by cruelly exposing them to the brink of death. He ordered his twin General to take Edward’s head, he commanded his new battalion to kill as much as they pleased to; and those who would take more than anyone shall receive pile of golds and diamonds in return.
August was driven by his desire to be the strongest, whereas the prisoners were allured by their greed.
The battle had completely turned from fighting for their loved ones, to letting their dark side exposed the evil in them. Whilst the Western Border, Eastern Border, and Wesleyeians had began to feel the call of their nature; to protect their own.
The war continued, putting the three allied groups in a situation they least expected. Their strong will to win and punish those who broke their law turned into a faint light... until it was one blow away.
Yet, even after the sudden turn of events, a new hope bred.
“A second wave…” Efraim murmured. “We haven’t even completely defeated them. At most, their numbers only decreased by a hundred or so. If they will regroup, we are sure good as dead, Axel.”
The lingering scent of the Crimson Red vanished with the wind. Axel suspected it was August idea, as he probably plan to overwhelmed them with their numbers. Not to mention, they also had to worry about whether or not they were injected. They were doomed.
Now that their enemy’s number had doubled, their strategy to use their healers might not work. There were a lot of factors to consider. In addition to that, their prowess were only limited. The hope they thought that could help them died down like a candle on its final moment.
Now, they were left with problems, and angst to deal.
“Where is Edward?” Axel asked, ignoring Efraim’s remark, as it will not help if he would further discourage themselves. “He and his group are missing, Efraim.”
“He lost his transmission when he transmuted, Axel. So, I did not know if he got our message. But Seraphine told me minutes before we re-group that he’s fighting August’s Generals.”
“Generals?” Axel’s brows puckered. “How many of August’s General?”
“Three.”
Axel squinted his eyes. Three Generals, and Edward was on his own? Axel had not seen Edward’s fighting style. Nor was he even training from the start. A three versus one, considering the fact that August’s Generals had been injected by a drug that escalated their strength, speed, and abilities, was absurdity.
Why would Edward lure the three generals on his own? They were going to kill him, especially after knowing that he had betrayed them. Taking them on alone was a reckless move.
“How about Seraphine?” Axel continued standing on his position, so were the wolves from his pack, and Edward’s.
There was no sense in moving. One way or another, August and his army were going to find them. Hiding would just prolong the fight.
“She’s with the Weslyeians.”
The Wesleyeians.
The plan Efraim’s wolves had thought about were still under their sleeve. They could surely count on that. However, now that their enemy had been multiplied by two, pulling a stunt like that would endanger them. What more can they do to defend themselves?
“They’re here…” Aliaga, Efraim’s female wolf spoke with uneasiness.
All of them positioned themselves. Right now, their numbers were a thousand and a hundred in total. The Weslyeians were out, as their plan were still not forfeited. The rest were scattered around the mountain.
Axel would have much preferred if they were complete. But their preceding plan to scattered around to decrease the enemy’s number had affect their current standing. Now, they lacked forces.
Axel had been in a lot of battles before. He had been involved with different type of conflicts. But he had never been in a situation where he had to doubt his own capabilities. Tonight was his first. Back when he was active in war, he’ll only focus on executing the plan. But now that their enemy were nothing close to normal, they had to ruin their own plan, and act intuitively.
It was careless. The way they planned and prepared beforehand, not knowing this was how they would perform in the actual war was mortifying. It was crushing Axel’s pride, as one entitled to be the strongest Alpha of the pack.
How can he be deserving of such prestigious title, when he can’t even get through with this one?
A deafening silence engulfed the whole area. Some were tensed, whilst some were ready to apply their experience and give their very best to survive. Their goals and aimed differ. Some wanted to win. Most of them wanted to survive.
The only thing they had in common in this very moment was to not to let each other get killed. To stand for each other. To fight together.
The allied wolves stood on their feet. They focused their attention to the fast approaching enemy. As they closed the gap in a steady pace. They could feel it. Each step, simultaneously, were like drum resonating in their ear. It was fearful. Probably enough to awaken even the wild animals.
The peaceful mountain, that had been under the Wesleyeians’ care for decades had now turned into a battlefield. The fresh air that conveyed the peacefulness, now smelled unpleasant with the forthcoming disaster.
The enemy’s scent that devoted their desire for a carnage was reeking all over the place. Their sensible domination aura. It was eerie. The moon and the mountain were about to witness the most gruesome and destructive war to ever happen in their history. The three allied groups, consisting the Western Border, who was known to be the strongest of them all. The Eastern, a pack where weaponsmith belonged. And the Wesleyeians, whose knowledge in their history and kind were overflowing, versus the Crimson Red, who had made a deal with a human to strengthen their force.
It was a battle testing their abilities and experience.
“Kill them!” August’s brother, shouted, ordering August’s wolves to attack the enemy on their sight. “Prove yourself worthy to the Alpha!”
August and his prisoner wolves, together with the original members of the pack forged in. They attacked, growling. All of them transmuted, attacking one another. Each of August’s army targeted Axel, Efraim, and Edward’s forces. They were immediately overwhelmed with numbers.
But to encourage the wolves, Axel could only fight with his might. Axel pounced to the wolves who had come in his way. He flashed his sharp fangs, fighting them without mercy. Axel went all out. But his enemies were nothing like before.
They were fast. They were strong enough, like his high ranked wolves. It insulted Axel’s centuries of experience. Almost stepping down with his hundred years of molding his own to be the strongest there were. It worked Axel up. At the same time, it caught the enemy’s attention.
Axel became their prey. But their confidence with the drug that boosted their capabilities made them focused all their attention with their strength. They underestimated Axel and rushed in, not thinking about what he could do.
They had forgotten about Axel’s experienced in war. How he outsmarted his past enemies. How he dealt with them with his canines, and how he slaughtered an army with his claws.
He was beyond his title.
August’s brother, together with prisoner wolves, and Axel’s companion witnessed that.
“Monique!” Jacob called for Monique, as he stepped down on one of the enemy. “Help the Alpha!”
Not only Axel’s strength had intimidated the enemy. Slowly, it also lit the fire in his allies’ heart. The angst that were starting to corrupt them were ward off with Axel’s courage and strength. It showed them the importance of their long preparation for this war; to be strong, and not be defeated.
The high ranked wolves charged in. Dealing with the enemy, helping those who have been attacked. The healers, albeit, mastered up their will to last until the end of war. They fought, and heal, at the same time. They became connected, supporting each other.
“Hansel!” A male yelled, catching some of their attention.
Amidst of the intense fight, they turned to their back to see what had happened.
“Hansel!” Jacob shouted, running towards the the wolf who had transformed back to his human form upon being severly injured.
Hansel was bleeding from his neck down to his chest. He had been taken down, to everyone’s shock. It rendered them unable to move for a second. Jacob held Hansel on his arm, while another attacked the one who took down Hansel. A healer approached them to help, but he was beyond saving.
No.
He could still be safe. But at most, the healer can only stop it from bleeding. Otherwise, his ability to heal would be drain. It was a matter of what’s important.
Axel, who was displeased, vigorously focus his attention on the four wolves in front of them. They attack simultaneously, leaving Axel with no escape. But instead of fearing their numbers and monstrous strength, Axel used their number to his advantage. He used his speed to take on the wolf with a caramel fur. He bit of his wither, and forcefully threw him with his fangs towards the other two.
He then attack the remaining one, overwhelming him with his strength while the three was occupied. He growled, and leaning down to crash the enemy’s head with his honed canines in a span of seconds. He didn’t even allowed him to move.
Axel get back to the other two to ensure their death, before he turned to the one leading this monster of army.
Argus
“What are you doing?!” Argus, still on his human form, yelled upon noticing Axel’s direction. “Get the Alpha! The one who can kill him will be rewarded!”
So Argus tried to help himself, but his wolves were already occupied. The other portion, however, had seen enough of Axel’s strength not to cross path with him. Thus, instead of going for him, they chose those who they think were easy to kill.
“You sure have some guts showing yourself before me…” Axel deadpanned. “You don’t actually think you’ll be able to kill me with your push-over wolves, do you?”