Having traveled far from his home lands, Achak had managed to find his way to the Agavos border and was welcomed into the pack by the kind Desmond. The same male had escorted him to the pack base where he had helped find the pup a cozy new den to spend his nights. It wasn't a very big home, surely a large wolf or predator could not get inside, and that was perfect. It was his own safe spot, and he would be able to stuff it with treasures if he so wished. However, it seemed that sleepless nights could still find him in his little den. Perhaps it was due to the excitement of a brand new home, or perhaps it was just one last night of thinking about home, but the apprentice found himself wandering into the night while the wolves tucked warmly into their dens slept. Really, he had no idea where he was going, but still he kept walking further and further away from the recently discovered Agavos out into the wilds. It seemed the possibility of death did not falter his wandering tendencies now. While he had once been an obedient pup set on following the rules that were placed to keep him safe, it seemed that pup was no longer there. Death was all around them - It was in the glimmer of another's hateful eyes, and it was in the ever-changing terrain that made wolves its casualties. There was no escaping it, and now it seemed that it followed behind in Achak's paw steps. It seemed that the two had a bitter relationship, for while death had taken his family away, the ex-prince could only dream and hope and beg that death would take away Teren and everything the vile beast held dear away as well. Perhaps then the numbness would go away.
It was the salty tang in the air that stirred Achak into interest. What was this smell? Flattening his ears and stalking forward, he could feel the soil under his pads gradually changing into soft, tricky sand, and when the foliage broke open the apprentice's mouth dropped. Here the night sky was clear without the interruption of trees, and the rolling waves of water crashed upon the bank of sand. It was unlike any sort of water he had seen before. Cautiously going forward the adolescent felt the sand sink beneath his paws, and he could feel what he kicked up get caught in his pelt. On one side it made his fur itch, and he dared to wash it off in the water, while the other side made his paws itch to run. What was the magic of this place? Heaving a soft sigh, Achak kept going forward to a point just before the waves would crash and then softly slide forward before returning to whence they came from. From where he stood the tang in the air was strong, and as a wave came and went the adolescent could feel the water brush up against his paws. It was a soothing feeling, and the tired male could feel his eyes shut as he listened to the lap of the waves both near and in the distance.
Perhaps it had been mere moments or even years, but as Achak allowed his eyes to open once more a wonderful sight met his amber hues. Lights were starting to twinkle in and out of the waves, and, amazed, the apprentice could only gape. It was almost as if the night sky had dripped into the water and now the stars were casting their glow on the surface. Gradually the lights came closer and closer until they were riding the waves and onto the surface. Some managed to cling to the sand, but most were swept away back into the ocean. Almost by chance a wave came down in front of Achak again, and with it came a brightly glowing shard of light. It clung to the soil as the water threatened to drag it back into its depths, before the liquid finally gave up and receded leaving behind the light. Pawing it gently the apprentice found that it was not like the light that came through the trees and that was not able to be touched. This shard had a hard feeling, and, nudging it away from the waters, Achak inspected it with awe. Crouching down he allowed the shard to light up his whole face while his amber hues were sparked with their own light of amazement. Without realization a smile crept upon the face of the pup, and his tail began to wag and spread sand. Whatever magic was imbued within these waters had brought happiness to a sad soul.
Subject: Re: Endless (open) March 29th 2016, 22:11
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live
Day turned to night and Azul found himself laying under the stars. The night was peaceful and calm. Many things had been changing in his home lands, but he feared it was not over yet. How much longer could this wolf continue such a life? How much longer would he have to feel loss and pain? The great Elder rested in silence, not looking for anyone to join him. When he heard some rustling from within a den, he picked himself up and headed for a more private place. Anywhere he would go in Helidos, he could be followed. He needed to be somewhere where he could be completely alone. He needed to be within the neutral lands. Leaving Helidos would make him seem almost too far to follow. It would be perfect. The white paws strolled through the landscape, making way past the border and into the neutral lands. Heading northeast, he made his way carefully. He had heard something about a new found beach with these glowing orbs of light. The elder wandered until he could smell the sweet ocean air. He closed his eyes and allowed his other senses to take hold. His ears could hear the crashing of the waves. His paws could feel the earthy mud changing to a coarse sand-like feel. His paws sunk with each step, working harder to pull them out of the sand. His nose smelled the salt in the sea and could help him feel the density in the air. Had he moved to the water, he would have licked it. But he knew it was salty. When he stopped, he opened his eyes and felt the water wash over his forepaws. He looked out at the waves, watching as they crashed along each other and onto rocks. The tide seemed to be rising, but not too dangerously. His eyes looked over until he looked to the beach. The little orbs seemed to be dancing along the shore, riding the waves back and forth. It was not until then that Azul noticed he was not alone. A wolf was here. It was a smaller wolf, not yet full grown. The Elder stared at the form, watching it get closer to the orbs themselves.
Slow paw steps made the large wolf head towards his new companion. As he moved closer, his old eyes could finally start to see the details of the wolf before him. The smell of salt and Helidos crossed his nose, but so did Agavos. Was he only smelling himself, or did this wolf carry both scents? Beckoning himself closer to the individual, Azul began to see that this wolf was originally from his pack, born and raised. He had actually been born to a dear friend of his. Slightly confused as to where the Agavos scent came from, Azul spoke to young wolf. "Achak...?"
Subject: Re: Endless (open) March 30th 2016, 00:51
Wherever I may go
Death will follow in my step
The shimmering glow from the shard kept the young Achak transfixed from the pure beauty. So many questions bubbled into his mind of the 'why's' and the 'how's' such a thing existed or how it worked. He thought and he thought, but no idea was able to snap into mind. Surely the ocean wouldn't mind if one little light found a new home? In comparison the little shard wasn't as spectacular as the others, but it was the most beautiful to the lost pup. He would take it home, and perhaps the light would bring warmth to the otherwise lonesome little nest he resided. Yes, his first little treasure to be added to the den - maybe when he gazed upon its glow he would be able to hear the lap of the ocean and see the beautiful lights glimmer out in the darkness..
Achak?
The voice made his body and mind freeze. Face draining of color, Achak knew the owner to which carried that vocal. Yes, in fact he had been the very one to announce the death of the late Alphess Quinn. Azul. Amber eyes lifting from his treasure, the Helidos runaway could see the outline of the great white wolf that had spoken to the wolves of Helidos after the great war. No, Achak had not known him personally, but the male had been a symbol for Helidos wolves. He had granted mother with leadership after retiring, and it had been known the two were close. While the scent of Helidos had not quite left his fur, and the scent of Agavos had not quite settled in yet, the young one was a strange mix. There was no doubt in his mind that the elder recognized the two different smells that radiated from his coat, and the realization that there would now be a confrontation was heavy. Achak had not considered what to say or do if he had ever run across a Helidos wolf again let alone the patriarch of Helidos itself. His mouth drew dry as he stared at the elder without word. What could he say - that he abandoned his birth pack without even so much as a goodbye? That he was a coward running away from the past? That he was bitter towards the newly reigning leadership? Standing upwards, the little wolf felt small and guilty underneath the elder's gaze. Tucking his tail between his back legs, Achak could not hold eye contact. "S-sir.. I.. I'm sorry." A lump grew deep in his throat, and the thought to run flashed inside of his mind brightly. Run and never look back, and never leave the haven of Agavos. No. No, he had made this decision, and if there were such consequences to it, then he would bare them.
Subject: Re: Endless (open) March 30th 2016, 20:20
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live
It was Achak. The wolf moved to look towards him, facing him. His expression was of remorse, it seemed. Azul listened to his stuttering. He felt bad - maybe. But was he happy? It was evident that this wolf was living in a new pack. How long he had been there, Azul didn't know and he didn't care. He could understand the wish to leave. After Lucy died, his own son did the same thing. He could understand why he wanted to leave. Hell, a part of Azul wanted him to leave Helidos himself. What did he have there? Nothing. He wasn't Alpha any longer, he wasn't anything. He was an Elder now, used for information and advice. He served no other purpose. But he could never truly leave the pack he created. Could he? Of course not. Azul had been with them for so long, they all were his family, even if they were new. The large male relaxed his features. He shook his head slightly from side to side. "Achak, you need not apologize to me. I understand why you left. You went through a very rough experience with losing your mother and even your father. I do not blame you. My son, Lucas, experienced the exact same thing as you, son. You see, when I was Alpha of Helidos, I had a mate named Lucy. She was a wonderful Alphess and loved every wolf she met. She was kind, gracious, and cheerful. When she was around, everyone was filled with joy and laughter. But she grew ill, and there was nothing the healers could do to help her. When she died, everything changed. I no longer saw myself as a father or an Alpha. I was just a mindless wolf, wandering Helidos like a lost pup. In my grief of her loss, my son fled our lands and joined a new pack - our enemy. He joined Erenyx. I will admit, I am glad to see you have not joined with them. They are an evil bunch who only wish to grant harm on all they meet. You are lucky to find Agavos, though I do not know much about your pack, I have heard nothing of negativity. Achak, you are old enough to decide the life you wish to live for yourself. I know in the murder of your mother, your father has lost himself. I have seen it. But you must know that he does love you. He loves you very much. And even though you are no blood relation to myself, I care and love you as well. You were born a Helidos wolf, and forever you shall be welcomed back." Azul closed the gap between them, reaching his neck around the form of the other and cuddling him close to his white pelt. He took a deep breath and allowed this to stay for a good bit of time. Everyone needed another to rely on every now and then. Achak had been through so much in his young life and who was there for him? "I will always be here for you..." Azul released the pup from the embrace and took a few paces back. He looked to his eyes and smiled, "just like your mother's... She always told me you were her favorite pup - from this litter anyway. Always seemed to have a good head upon your shoulders.. I believe she was right. So tell me, Achak, what are your plans for your future? The son of an Alpha has some mighty big paws to fill." Azul had hoped this would calm the pup down, to help him with anything he would need, but mostly to have a friend for once. Nothing needed to be serious and gloomy all the time.
His body began to tremble, and, drawing himself up from his submissive form without realization, the apprentice watched the elder with his amber hues in awe. Only expecting to find disappointment and anger, what Achak instead found was love. Azul loved his pack, he had loved his family, and he also loved the remaining pup to the kind Quinn. What the two wolves had gone through were so very different, but yet the same loss that they knew drew them to an understanding of one another. Achak could feel his heart ache for the ivory male - he had lost his love and he had lost his son, and with them gone he had lost himself. Achak had only known of Azul's retirement and not in the sad story of how it came to be. In fact, the elder reminded him of what his own father was going through.. Fenris had lost his mate, and now he had lost all of his pups. A frown threatened the sides of his lips, but Achak chased it away. Foolishly the pup had carried the weight of his miserable feelings upon his own shoulders and had shrugged away finding any help - he had also foolishly come to the conclusion that none would understand his naive decision to leave. If only he had asked..
As the elder drew closer and closer, and finally lulling him into an embrace, Achak could feel his lips quiver and his heart began to beat faster. This was all he had wanted - love. Mother had been taken too soon, and his siblings had nay shown much care; especially the troublesome Julian. He let his nose take in the warm overwhelming scent of Helidos and the soft cuddle of the male. The feeling of acceptance and love made all of the bad seem to just disappear. Blinking his eyes shut Achak could feel his lips curl into a smile. "Thank you, Azul.." he softly whispered, his words muffled by the elder's fluffy coat.
As the embrace pulled apart, the elder drifted a few paces back and began to speak once more. A burst of happiness filled his body as Azul mentioned his mother's words. Him, the favorite? He had always felt dull in the light compared to his siblings skills, but somehow she had seen through that.. yes. He would make her proud. He would make Azul proud. But, how could he do that? "I'm not quite sure yet. I never really was a graceful hunter, and I have more wits than brawn to be a warrior. I'm.. well, i'm pretty lost, Azul." He didn't have much plans aside from surviving. When he was younger he had always dreamed of becoming a fearless and tactical hunter, but without skills he had no idea how.
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live
Already he could see the pup begin to relax. This was what he needed. It was unfortunate that he had to leave Helidos to find it, but that was his choice. Azul was not his father, nor could he ever begin to replace Fenris. the large brute smiled to the pup. "Do you think I was born an Alpha, Achak?" he asked with a soft chuckle. "No, I was nothing and nowhere near close to being such a thing. I too had to go through training in both hunting and fighting. I found I am a much better fighter than a hunter, but mostly for my large size. But as an Alpha, you must be able to do both, for the good of your pack. You really cannot judge how well you will be at anything until you really try. Your mother was an excellent hunter, and your father is one of the best fighters I know. You have the genetics to be wonderful at both. You just need to try them and see what calls to you, what makes you feel joy." Azul wished he could be of more help to Achak, making sure he had the proper mentor and all. But that would be risky for him. Last he heard Fel was no longer in Erenyx, and could quite possibly be living in the north. He did not wish to see her nor be anywhere near where she was. But Achak was one he needed to watch out for. This pup was going to do great things as he grew older. It would only be a matter of time. "I know very little about Agavos, mostly just rumors really. I suggest you find a kind wolf, and ask them to teach you. I would love to help you in any way that I can, but having you constantly come to neutral lands can be dangerous, especially if Teren was to find out who you are and who your parents are. Maybe speak with the Alpha and ask him. I doubt he would say no to such a simple request." Azul held a wide smile to the pup. He was happy, happy to have found Achak in good health. He was not overly thin or overly fat. He was a good stage for a pup his age. Yes he had been so sad, but that was a part of loss. Azul had known that for years. "If you ever feel lonely, look up at the moon at night. And know that I too am looking at the same moon as you. Never forget that I will always be here for you and should you need me, just call to me. Who knows, maybe someday you will return to Helidos and be the rightful king, as your parents had intended for you.."
Sitting on his haunches on the clean sand, Achak listened and wondered as Azul filled his soul with determination. It was easy to think that others could do things you couldn't even hope to achieve when you didn't train to the best of your abilities. It was easy to only see the skill that someone had then instead of the hard work and study that went into it. It was so easy to let the mind wish for a talent like that, only to brush it off as impossible moments later, or even let the mind grow bitter with jealousy that others could do something that you wanted. While pushing himself to only see what he wanted to be doing right then, Achak begun to realize that there were challenges to achieving skills and that they were supposed to be there. So many times while hunting he had faced situations that felt as if he were no good and should just stop, but the more Azul continued the more Achak began to feel that there was a chance that he could do something. If joy was what he found, then the challenges he faced while training would be worth the effort in conquering. But, what if he felt no joy? Was it still worth the training? Achak considered asking the elder, but ended up deciding that even the wise Azul could not decide what the apprentice wanted when even the pup didn't know for sure. What he felt now was a challenge as well - the challenge of discovering himself. Just what did he want? The act of thinking on every possibility that he could think of would make his head spin no doubt. Right now his head was spinning from the sudden emotions that flooded his body - the feeling of being loved, a tang of guilt, a shimmer of peace with the decisions he had made, and the ever-present pit of bitter sadness that still seemed to walk into everything he was doing or thought.
Azul was right. He would need a mentor. Achak was a year old now and had never had an older wolf, aside from his mother, dedicated to teaching him tactics and tips. He was so far behind. Now was even more treacherous to lack knowledge right when Teren was out there eager to end all of Quinn's bloodline. Well, actually, he seemed to want to end all bloodlines, but Achak had no doubt that the demon would get extra satisfaction in the spawn of Quinn. Azul was right again, though. The alpha would be the best place to ask first. At the border the leader had been very welcoming, and he was the only one the pup knew right now. "I was so lost without any guidance, Azul. I tried so hard to be grown-up and make decisions, but i'm still learning everything. What you've done here for me today I can't even begin to say how thankful I am. I can't tell you that I feel the loneliness won't come back, or the sadness that comes with it.. but you've helped me try to see beyond the anger that came with the loss of.. everyone." The last word was a bit quiet as Achak still felt odd saying the word out loud. "I do not doubt it is gone for good, but I know I can defeat it now, and knowing that makes my heart stronger. I will do as you have suggested and ask the Alpha Desmond if he would help me with training." The pup felt a smile trace his lips - his second big decision.
The moon? Achak tilted his head and gazed at the glowing sphere way up in the night sky. No matter where in the lands they both were, the moon touched all with its light. Breathing in softly, the apprentice realized that Azul meant to be there for him whenever he may need it. A little embarrassed that the elder felt so much determination for him that he even spoke of leadership, the pup couldn't help but offer a soft chuckle. "Azul-" Achak spoke, turning to the pretty glowing shard that had surfaced from the ocean's grip. "I found this earlier as it was swept to me from an ocean's wave. The only thing I have seen close to it is the moon, and I want you to have it to remember me. It might be a little chipped and broken next to all of these perfect lights, but I know that its uniqueness will show that there will never be another like it." Pushing the sand underneath the shard towards Azul, the apprentice gifted his treasure to the other. There would be other trinkets to find, but no other as Azul.
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live
The Elder had seen such a change in the young wolf before him. No longer did he seem to be so depressed. Hope was revived in him, refreshed and feeling happy once again. If he could get his mind off the loss of his family for one moment, then he would be fine in the future. He would be happy. Azul smiled to the wolf before him as he heard he was going to try and ask the Alpha for help. After all, that was what Alphas were for, were they not? Well, it was what Azul had always been for when he was an Alpha. His pack was the most important thing to him, which in the end, led to his family to desert him and die. "Growing up is never easy. Nobody can tell you how to do it or what to do... those things you have to figure out for yourself. Sometimes you can control the anger to help you through things. If you use it in your training, it can help you to be more powerful." As the young wolf presented a stone to him, Azul smiled and took it from him. He placed it before him on the sand. "I will treasure this always." He stared at the little stone and smiled. Nothing was ever perfect, even Azul. He was chipped and cracked, but over time, he smoothed out and you could barely see the issues that piled atop his mind. He was a new wolf. "Is there anything you wish to know of your mother, we were friends for a long time before she even came to Helidos. Or possibly anything you wish to know of my life?" The elder wolf seemed to be in a story telling mood at the moment.
Subject: Endless (open) 
March 28th 2016, 14:00
