Part 35

"Seeker, Shadow, will you two hurry up please we will be late if we don't leave soon!" Luna's excited voice echoed down the hall as Shadow quickly shook his paws before hiding them.

Her smiling face peeks around the door to the library as I say firmly, "We are on our way. Wait for us down stairs."

As soon as the sounds of her steps dies away I turn back to Shadow, "Love I'm sure that you don't need to worry. It is likely an evolution of your shadow summoning powers you got from your father while he was possessed. It is a part of you."

He looks down at his paws again as the shadowy tendrils that are coming from his paws vanish. Once they are gone he shakes them again in disgust, "I don't like it. Even less so now that I know what that thing was and what he planned to do with me. I haven't even tried to use those powers since you made me a guardian. Now this has happened twice in the last week. I wish I could just get rid of it."

I lick the tip of nose smiling at him, "Shadow, any powers you may have inherited from that thing are neither good nor evil. They are simply powers. It's what you do with them that makes you who you are. I know you will never intentionally use them to harm others so I see no danger in you learning to control them."

He looks up at me with a worried look in his eyes, "But I was bred to have this much power. What if that will make me easier to possess should that creature decide he wants to after all? How do you know I won't be turned into something worse than what my father was?"

I wrap my arms around my mate and pull him close nuzzling my nose into his neck fur before whispering in his ear, "I know that you would fight with your whole being if that were to happen and you would not fight alone. You would have me, our pack, and all of those we protect standing by your side helping you. As long as we stand together nothing will control you in that way."

He buries his face in my own fur before sighing, "Your right of course love. I'm just being a silly scared pup."

I chuckle before pulling back and smiling at him, "Of course you are, I would be too in your shoes."

He glares before lightly punching my shoulder, "You weren't supposed to agree so fast."

Laughing I reply, "Well what did you expect? From my point of view your all a bunch of pups barely out of diapers."

That earns me another smack to the arm and a glare before he says, "Well we can't all be pickled old cooks can we."

I grin, "Just give it a few centuries my love and you will be called much the same."

With that we turn and begin heading downstairs as Rosalie's voice calls up, "Oi, Alpha Steele said the meal starts at noon. If we don't get a move on it will be your fault we miss the best part of their moving in party."

Reaching the first floor I look to see Rosalie standing by the door her arms crossed and her toe tapping in impatience. Harran is standing behind her and has an almost apologetic look on his face. They have started to become more open lately about their relationship. Hopefully that's as good of a sign as I think it is.

Rick and Luna are in a corner whispering to each other. I'm not sure what it is all about but they sure seem happy together. Took them long enough. Jasper is by the door barking out orders and directions to anyone who will listen. He has taken rather well to the idea of stepping up to Alpha after I step down, granted he still has a lot to learn. Fortunately for everyone's nerves he has a few years yet till that happens.

Eve and Tabatha are lounged out on a sofa resting against each other steadfastly ignoring Jasper. I can't help but smirk at that. They do it just to irritate him, always have. But lately it seems they are more open about it. Everyone knows it's just a game and they really respect him, but it's still fun to watch.

Aaron runs by with a couple of the younger pups of Wolfie's pack who are too young to have helped with the construction of their new home. He has grown into a fine young kid that I am proud to be helping to raise.

All in all I can't help but be filled with pride at those around me. Most I have known since they were kids, some even longer. I smile as I look at the fine young men and women they have grown into over the years. We have shared our troubles like any group will and we have come out stronger for it.

A snapping sound draws my attention back to Rosalie, "Earth to Seeker, are we going or leaving you here?"

That draws a chuckle from everyone before Harran speaks up, "Was she always this in a rush?"

I laugh, "No, she was much worse. I remember one time when she was about thirteen. She was in such a rush that...."

Rosalie cuts me off, "Oh that's quite enough right there you old wolf. No one wants to hear about that. Besides we have a house warming to attend."

With that she bustles out the door. I motion for everyone to follow her. As the room empties out I catch Harran's gaze and mouth the words I'll tell you later. With Shadow and I bringing up the rear we head down the trail to the village where we will meet up with everyone else before making our way to Wolfie's packs new home on the opposite side of the valley.

...................

After walking for a short time we reach the edge of the village. There waiting for us are the village elders, Peter is a bit in front of them waving energetically at us. I wave back as he begins walking toward us as quickly as his bulk allows.

Once we get closer he calls out, "Seeker! Good to see you it has been too long, you really need to come around more often."

He wraps his arms around my waist giving me a friendly hug that I bend slightly to return, "Good to see you as well Peter. It has been too long, been rather busy for a while now. But we made it finally."

He releases his hold still grinning, "So I take it your group is headed out to Alpha Steele's place as well?"

I nod, "Yeah we are, supposed to be quite the gathering I believe."

He chuckles saying, "Yeah I think it will be, most of the village is already there helping put the final touches on the place. But we hung back hoping to catch you."

I look at him with a raised eyebrow as I catch Rosalie trying to hide a snicker behind him. They have something hidden and I don't know if I'm going to like it. After a short hesitation I ask, "And why were you hoping to catch us?"

He looks up at me grinning from ear to ear like a kid at Christmas, "Because I wanted to be there to see your face." With that he starts off towards the center of town the remaining elders following him. Each one sharing a similar smile.

I look back at Rosalie fixing her with a glare, "I know you know what that was all about. Are you going to tell me?"

She lets go of Haran's paw and walks up to me dusting a bit of lint off my shirt while wearing the same infuriating grin as Peter, "Of course I know Mister Seeker, nothing happens around here that I don't know about. As for telling you.... now that would spoil the surprise."

She turn back to Haran taking his paw and begins pulling him along. He gives me a puzzled look and shrug before following her. I look at the rest of my pack and see a mix confused and amused looks until my eyes fall on Shadow who is trying his best to look innocent and avoid my gaze.

I open my mouth to ask him but before the words form in my throat Rosalie calls back, "Don't blame Shadow I swore him to secrecy when he found out by accident. So don't be an ass and make him break his word."

Shadow gives me an apologetic look saying, "I'm sorry love, but she made a few threats on parts of my anatomy that I would rather not have put to the test. I can say that it is no way a threat of any kind. Just a bit.... uhm.... unique?"

With a snort of irritation I motion for everyone to head into town as I call out to Rosalie, "When we get back you and I are going to have a talk about you keeping surprises from me again old friend and don't think that I won't resort to blackmail."

She looks back at me, "Please, everyone knows you better than that. Besides, you said we could do it to begin with."

With that she and Haran turn down a street heading to the center of town. I follow along keeping alert for any surprise they may have planned. Shadow falls in step beside me his ears a not quite straight as he glances at me before saying, "Don't get mad love, if you had asked me directly I would have told you you know that."

I look sideways at him wanting to be irritated but fail to when I see the puppy dog look in his eyes. After a moment I mumble, "After three thousand years you would think I would grow immune to that look."

He chuckles, "It's just cause I'm the one giving it."

With a snort I reply, "Probably. So what is the big surprise then?"

He places a quick kiss on my cheek before saying, "Its a surprise." With that he jogged ahead to catch up with Rosalie before I could question him more.

I let out an exasperated sigh mumbling under my breath, "I'm too old for surprises."

After a moment of following along the sound of running water reaches my ear and a bit of unease settles in my stomach. I rub the bridge of my nose as I grumble slightly, "I sure hope that's not what I think it is."

I reach the last turn before exiting into the town square where I fought with a possessed Harandoom just over a year ago. Stepping around the corner I see how all the scars from that fight have been healed. The damaged shops and homes are repaired or replaced. The people are smiling and waving as I approach all happy and healthy. All in all you would think nothing that destructive had ever taken place.

That's when my eyes found the source of the running water. My former grumble turns into a full out groan as I look at Peter, "What happened to simple and functional Peter?"

He just laughs saying, "Well like I said, no one needed a well anymore. So we made a fountain instead."

I just shake my head as I stare up at the very opposite of simple. Where a small stone well once stood in the center of the village there is now a towering statue of a fountain. The base is a round stone basin easily over twenty feet across. Along the outer edge is a mosaic in bright tile that tells the history of the village. Several scenes I recognize as being representative of different times I helped either individuals or the village as a whole. Some even show multiple members of my pack engaged in different activities.

Inside the basin the floor of the fountain is covered in bright tiles forming a pattern composed of the four guardian symbols. Standing in the center of the basin are five figures. Four wolves and a human, all larger than life. Each figure is clad in their respective color armor only with the helmets removed. Statues of Rick, Jasper, Rosalie, and Shadow are standing in a circle each in a battle ready stance facing outward.

Jasper is down on one knee his bow drawn back ready to fire. Rick looks as though he has just slammed his war hammer into the earth. Rosalie is tracing a path through the air with her trident as though summoning a tidal wave. Shadow has his sword in mid air frozen half way in its arc to an enemy. All four of their capes flow back to join into a central dais holding the fifth figure.

Towering over all of us is a statue of me standing nearly twenty feet tall. The blue and gold of my armor shining brightly in the sun as I trace each line with my eyes. The level of detail and accuracy to my own armor is amazing. Even the cape has the correct pattern and colors. The statues left arm is raised and pointing towards the rising sun while the right holds a sapphire blue trident up in the air. Here is where the sound of running water has come from.

From each point a jet of water shoots high in the air before arcing back into the basin below. I follow the path of the water before I see a plaque at the base of my statues feet able to be seen from between the statues of Shadow and Rosalie. There in large bold letters is a message:

'Let those who see this memorial know of the courage and honor shown by Alpha Seeker and his pack. It is they who have stood between this village and its destruction longer than any save one can tell. The people of this valley come together to give thanks to our protectors and friends as we also promise to always stand beside them in all the storms to come.

Dedicated to Alpha Seeker and his pack,

We are forever in your debt, your neighbors, friends, and family for all time.

Thank You.'

I stand there for several long minutes staring at the plaque and the rest of the fountain. A hard lump having formed in my throat making it hard to breathe. I take a slow deep breath using all the will I have to keep the moisture in my eyes from getting worse when I feel a tap on my arm. I turn to see Rosalie offering me a tissue with tears of her own in her eyes.

As I take it she says, "In all my life I don't think I have ever seen you moved so much by a gift."

I wipe my eyes before replying, "Well I did have an image to keep."

That gets a round of laughter from everyone before I continue addressing everyone, "Joking aside though, I can honestly say that this is the single nicest and most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me or my pack. In all the years I have traveled and wandered the lands I've seen and met many people, but I don't think any of them came close to being as special as the people here.

"Never have I or any of my kind been made to feel any hated here. Though I did insist on trying to blend in as much as we could, that was more from years of bad experience than anything from what was here. I have been here long enough to have seen all of you grow up. I have known most of your families for two or more generations in fact. Not once in all those years have I ever been treated unkindly or unfairly even though I often kept a distance and still do at times."

I look around and make eye contact with each and every person as I continue, "Being here I have found friends and family of the kind that I thought I would never have again. As the sign promises so shall I promise to never stop protecting our home so long as I draw breath."

There is a shout of excitement as the crowd rushes forward into a jumbled group hug. After more hugs, handshakes, and thanks than I can count Peters voice called out, "Ok everyone let's give Seeker some room. As much as I would like to continue this party we have another one to attend. Let's go give Alpha Steele and his a pack just as enthusiastic of a greeting."

The crowd disperses my pack mixed throughout the villagers all chatting animatedly. I start to follow along when a hand grabs my paw and turns me around. I look down to see Rosalie  smiling up at me with still more tears in her eyes.

I offer her tissue back which she takes before saying, "You know Seeker, in all the years I have known you I think that was the first time I have ever heard you refer to any of as family or call this place your home like you just did."

She wraps her arms around me in a tight hug reminding me of the little girl who used to hug my leg all those years ago. I return the hug with a smile, "Maybe so my dear Rosalie. This last year has really woke me up to a lot of things. Not the least of which is how much this place means to me."

She releases the hug and turns to look at the fountain, "Well maybe that will help you see how much you mean to all of us."

I follow her gaze to the fountain as well before saying, "It is a wonderful gesture I give you that."

She looks up at me with a smirk asking, "But?"

I let out a slow sigh, "You know I would never have agreed to something that extravagant. Especially in my honor."

Rosalie lets out a bark of laughter, "This coming from the wolf who lives in a mansion with works of art that are worth more than this whole village."

I roll my eyes, "You know very well that I used to live in a one room hut. Only expanded when more mouths started showing up. As for the 'art' you mention, well it's pretty hard not to accumulate a lot of stuff over three thousand years. Not my fault that what was nearly worthless a few centuries ago is now considered to be priceless."

Suppressing a chuckle, "Yeah we know you're not one of those rich snobs like in the big cities. Heck you probably have more money under your mattress than most of them have to their names."

She reaches up and puts a hand on my arm, "Its partly because of that reason we were only too happy to make the fountain as grand as we did. To try and show just how much we do value having you here. Whether you like it or not you have made a huge impact in everyone's lives over the years. I know for a fact that no one here would be alive without you. So just accept the gift like a good wolf."

 I give her a smile before saying, "Alright alright, it's here to stay. Not like any of you would take no for an answer anyway."

She grins back, "No we won't."

Straightening back up I look back to the fountain saying, "We had better catch up with the others or there won't be any food left."

I hold my arm out to her as she hooks a hand around it as we start off. With a bit of humor in my voice I add, "At least I wasn't the only one to be immortalized in bronze. They did get your good side, as well as a bit of your attitude."

The smack she aimed at my head missed by several inches as I dodge it laughing.

.....................

We enter a clearing and the sounds of laughter and conversation hits my ears followed quickly by the smell of an entire banquet of food. The rest of the villagers and Wolfie's pack are milling around talking while a couple men and wolves are putting the last few shingles on the roof. I look around and catch sight of the familiar grey and white Wolfie talking animatedly with a group of villagers while Lance leans on his right shoulder.

 When he catches sight of me he smiles and waves us over. As we approach I take a look at what has been finished on their new home so far. It has come a long way from the empty clearing that was here. The center building is three stories tall with large double doors at ground level with large picture windows on each level. To each side are two wings both half again as long as the main building but only two stories tall.

The wing going to the right has large windows like the center building spaced along both floors with one door at the end leading out into a fenced area that has the start of a training ground in it. To the left of the center building the widows are smaller and more numerous on each floor indicating more rooms than the other areas. The door at the end of this area leads out to a small patio before opening to the yard with a path leading down to a creek that runs along the side of the clearing.

We reach Wolfie and he follows my gave to his new home, "Looks good doesn't it Seeker. We still have some painting and what not on the inside to do. But for the most part its ready for us to move in."

I give him a smile, "I does look good, you did a good job on it." I point to the left wing, "I'm going to guess that wing is the bedrooms?"

He nods excitedly, "Yeah it is. Room enough for everyone in my pack plus some spares for guests. Once all the inside is finished of course. Only two bathrooms on each floor though, so some sharing is required there."

He then points to the right wing, "Here is the kitchen and dining room on the first floor. Above that is the library with a study area for anyone wanting to use it. Sadly not much in the way of books yet and certainly nowhere near your collection."

I raise an eyebrow, "Well that just won't do. You can't have a library without books."

Wolfie shrugs slightly, "We weren't able to save many on our way here after...." His gaze drifts in Harran's direction as he trails off.

I nod, "Ah right."

He shakes his head and goes on, "Be that as it may we still have a few just have to find more."

His paw then points at the center building, "Here we have the pack meeting room and entrance way obviously. The second floor is my office and a smaller private meeting area. Then the third floor is my private bedroom. And below the whole thing is a basement that will be a recreational room eventually but is a big sleeping area right now while the finishing touches are made on the bedrooms."

He turns back to me a proud grin on his face, "It may not be a palace, but it is ours."

I return his smile, "You should be very proud my friend. You and your pack have overcome great difficulty and now have a home in which to grow and prosper."

Glancing over Wolfie's shoulder I lock gazes with a familiar wolf who's eyes fill with terror and dread at seeing me before he scurries off behind the building. Looking back at Wolfie, "I see Teagan is still behaving and is still terrified of me. Has he been behaving himself?"

Wolfie glances behind him a second then back at me, "He can still mouth off from time to time but for the most part he has improved a lot. I was ready to exile him but Lance convinced me to give him another chance, under supervision of course. I'm kind of surprised he let you see him. Whatever you said to him the day he attacked me must have scared him good."

I shrug, "I didn't say much, just told him what would have happened had he been in my pack."

He raises an eyebrow at me, "Really cause that's not what I heard?"

I try to hide a twitch of a grin as I reply, "Well there may have been some growling, a slam or two into a wall, death threats in the case of a future attack, and the whole tied to a chair for it all bit."

With a chuckle he says, "That's more in line with what I heard. You know I really shouldn't  condone threats towards my pack Seeker, but I think in Teagan's case it was warranted."

 Shadow snorts from beside me causing Wolfie and I to both look at him as he comments, "Teagan was always a little shit as a kid. It took long enough for someone to adjust his attitude. Not that his parents didn't try of course. But after they died the only authority he really respected was that thing in my father."

Wolfie nods solemnly before saying, "Those were rough times." He then looks at Shadow questioningly, "And when did you start referring to him as your father?"

Shadow smiles a bit, "When I began to get to know the real wolf inside instead of the creature that controlled him."

We all three turn to see Harran sitting under a tree with Rosalie as the pair of them are swarmed with kids and cubs. The whole lot seem to be listening with rapt attention to Harran who is telling them something that must be rather entertaining. Looking around the area I see more than a few sets of parents watching the group apprehensively.

Wolfie watches the group with a puzzled look on his face. After studying him for a second I ask, "Having concerns about letting the young ones around him?"

He remains silent for a moment before saying, "I want to hate him, I really do. Every time I look at him I see the face of the monster that terrorized us for so many years. But then he says something or does something, like with those little ones, and I know he isn't the same person that did that. Obviously he is a much kinder person It's. It's just hard watching the youngest of us forgive him so easily knowing what was done with his hands."

I place a paw on his shoulder, "We can all learn a lesson from the innocence of children. They can see with their hearts how he has changed and is a good person at heart. That's why they have forgiven him and now trust him like they do. Adults have the burden of thinking with their minds and let past wrongs cloud their heart."

He looks up at me with a raised eyebrow, "Are you a philosopher now as well?"

 I chuckle, "Philosopher, teacher, leader, student, follower, idiot. Take your pick I have been many things in my life. Not all of them good."

Just then squeals of delight and laughter over power a faked yell of fear. We turn back in time to see Harran smothered under a pile of children, just one paw and a tail visible under the attack. Off to the side Rosalie is laughing up a storm as around the area more laughing begin.

After laughing a bit myself I turn back to Wolfie, "It makes me glad to know you and your pack are willing to begin the process of forgiving him. I doubt he will ever seek to join your pack in any way, but I think it will help you both heal if old hatreds are put in the past where they belong. And I get the feeling that there will come a time when we will need every ally we can get."

Wolfie turns to me with a worried look, "What do you mean?"

I look from him to Lance and back again before saying, "I don't want to ruin a happy day for you with worries so we can talk later about it. It's nothing pressing I assure you, just some concerns that an old wolf has is all."

He looks at me with a curious expression, "If you say so. Though you have my attention when you need it."

I smile and nod, "Thank you Wolfie. But for now I think others want your attention as well."

He looks around and sighs, "Do the jobs of an alpha ever end?"

I chuckle, "Afraid not, the just get more numerous and varied as time goes on."

He and Lance walk off to go mingle and play the role of host to the rest of the crowd. I walk around with Shadow just chatting for a few minutes about Wolfie's new place when I see another familiar face I haven't seen in a while.  Standing under a shade tree talking to Peter is a tall thin elderly man. He has well groomed white hair with a long white beard. He is dressed in a bit finer clothes than most here and has the bearing of someone who is fairly well educated but still remains approachable.

I step up to the pair and nod to Peter before addressing the man, "Joseph, how are you doing?"

His wrinkled dark eyes light up when he sees me, "Ah Master Seeker, so good to see you. I am doing well enough these days. You seem to be going just as strong as ever."

I nod, "No changes for me. I'm glad I ran into you actually, you are still running your book store right?"

He chuckles, "You know good and well that I am. You bought most your books from me remember. Well, your newer books at least."

I let out a laugh, "That's true, if anyone around here has more books than me it would be you."

I glance around to make sure no one from Wolfie's pack is in ear shot before saying, "I'm glad I ran into you actually. I want to know if you can do me a favor, I'll pay well I promise."

He nods lowering his voice, "Of course, just name it."

Clearing my throat a bit I continue quietly, "Well as you know Wolfie's pack lost most of their possessions before arriving here."

He nods silently waiting for me to continue, "Well part of what they lost was their books, since they were forced to travel with only the bare necessities and the rest was destroyed."

At the mention of books being destroyed Joseph shudders, "That's horrible, so much knowledge lost."

I nod sadly, "I agree. That is why I would like for you to arrange a shipment or two of books to be delivered here. Wolfie has had a library built but from what I gathered it's pretty bare."

He puts a hand to his chin and begins absentmindedly playing with his beard, "Well now that just won't do. Won't do at all."

He looks around the area, "With as many young ones as there are in his pack they will need a wide variety of books for a good well rounded education. But so many would not be cheap Seeker."

I wave his comment away with a paw, "That doesn't bother me and you know it. Just get a list together of what you feel a good library needs and put it on my bill, and don't skimp on the classics either."

He and Peter both laugh as Peter says, "Classics, really Seeker coming from you that's funny. You read the classics when they were considered modern trash more likely than not."

I just roll my eyes and ignore him as I ask Joseph, "So you will do it then?"

He nods with a twinkle in his eyes, "Of course I will and I suppose you will want then delivered anonymously as well?"

With a grin I reply, "Do I ever do it any other way?"

After we all share a laugh Shadow speaks up, "You know before long they will probably have a whole museum dedicated to you love, for everything you do around here."

I turn and give him a death glare as Peter pipes up, "Now there is an idea, The Seeker Gratitude Museum, or something like that."

With a growl I say, "Don't you dare Peter, I may have let you get away with that fountain. But there is no way I'm letting you do a whole museum." Shifting my gaze to Shadow who is grinning more like a fox than a wolf, "And why did you have to go and give him more ideas for?"

The group laughs again as Peter says, "Oh come now Seeker, I'm just giving you a hard time. I know how it ruffles your fur to be the center of admiration like that."

I grumble saying, "Yeah well I've seen where such admiration can cause bad things and you know I won't let that happen."

Shadow gives me kiss on the cheek trying to soothe my nerves a bit, "You know we just tease cause we love you."

With a huff I say, "Yeah I know.... which only encourages you pups doesn't it."

Peter laughs, "Yeah it does."

Joseph clears his throat, "Joking aside though my friend, I will try to have the first shipment of books up here by the end of the week."

I nod in thanks to him for not only doing me the favor but also for changing the subject, "Thank you Joseph, I owe you one."

He grins, "Wait till you get my bill."

For several minutes we share some stories and laughs with each other before the sound of glass being tapped is heard. All faces turn towards Wolfie who is standing up on a chair to be seen by everyone. He stands there waiting for everyone's attention.

Once everyone is silent he clears his throat and says, "I would like to thank everyone here for coming and for all the help you have given my pack and I in recent months. You all have made us feel welcome and treated us better than we could have hoped. Without the help and generosity of this village and of Seeker and his pack, I doubt many of us would have made it through the winter. Instead we not only survived but we now have a new home to call our own. Even if it still needs some paint."

A chuckle ripples through the crowd as he continues, "But seriously, we can't thank all if you enough. You have done more than we can hope to repay. But enough talking, we have a lot of wonderful food that has been prepared by dome very talented cooks. So before it gets cold......"

Wolfie is interrupted by several things happening at once. What sounds like a hundred thunder claps explodes in the air all around the valley causing everyone to cover their ears as screaming children run to their parents. A blast shock wave rushes through the clearing bending trees and tossing all the tables in the air throwing food and plates everywhere.

Rick, Jasper, Shadow, Rosalie, and myself all summon our guardian weapons as one as we try to figure out the source of the explosion. Soon after three more booms go off in rapid succession sending even more shock waves through the area knock many of us to the ground. As soon as I get my bearings I look around and see four billowing columns of smoke rising from lower in the valley.

Three look close to where the village is and one near our house. Though looking closer I recognize a few land marks and can tell they are not close enough to either place to have done more than possibly shatter some windows. Then a fifth explosion mushrooms out of the forest in the center of the other four.

I watch the smoke in horror as the clouds from all five explosions merge together into a single mass that begins taking on a giant humanoid shape with evil read eyes. All round the clearing there is crying and yelling as humans and wolves try to find their families in a panic. On both sides of me my pack, some of Wolfie's pack, and a few men from the village line up standing ready for what is to come.

Then the creature turns its gaze on the clearing where we stand. By now it appears to have grown several stories tall and continues to have its size increased by the now spreading fires in the forest. I feel a terror and sense of such doom that I have a very real desire to run and hide like a scared cub.

After it locks its gaze on the place I am standing a deep oily voice that seems to come from the very air around us says, "Atlantian, I have come to put an end to you once and for all. Twice you have managed to escape me. Now though I come at you with my full strength and all my servants. Not even your esteemed masters could defeat me and they had an army of guardians at their disposal. You only have four. None of you will survive and you Atlantian will be the last to die after I make you watch all you have built turn to ruin. In your final moments you will understand that you have lost."

With that the creature raises its right arm into the sky and a beam of black energy shoots up into the air. A moment later darkness falls on the valley casting everything in a dark crimson light. I look to the sky and what appears to be a solar eclipse has occurred, only this one has no end in sight. With dread I realize what has happened. History is repeating itself.

Darkness has overcome the light..........