Islands Of Rati - Parox

Chapter One

It is said that the Islands of Rati rose out of the sea, guided by the MysticWolf called Rati after he escaped from the humans. As Rati looked around the barren, black islands, he saw grass and trees of wondrous heights spring up. Yet, not far from where he stood he also saw the black rocks turn to sand and a desolate wasteland spread out behind him. Water gushed under his paws, creating a barrier. Rati looked to where the water flowed from, and saw mountains that reached up into the clouds, and beyond that a glimpse of paradise.

Rati stayed on the islands with a few of his friends, other wolves and dogs. Before long, three packs had been created in each of the regions of the islands. In the wastelands, the Sanders lay in wait; their pack was fierce and the strongest of all the packs, yet also the most disloyal. In the forests, the Forresters, their pack was the exact opposite of the Sands, yet they were still strong. And last, the Mountain wolves roamed freely, though none went beyond the mountains or crossed the great rivers that barred them from the other packs.

Its also said that in each of the three packs, special wolves had been found. In the Mountain packs, some wolves were found to have wings or strange abilities. In the desert, pups had been born with mutations that allowed them to kill and be feared. In the Forests, the wolves could hide in plain sight, able to shift through multiple forms. These kinds of wolves were called Mystics. Yet, in small hideaways in each of the regions, wolves of danger hid. These wolves were the Caligrates, or simply the DarkOnes.

Parox stood on the banks of the Sarenghan, the river that marked the border between the sands, mountains, and forests.

"If your really brave, you'd dive right in." said her father, the Sandpack's Alpha. "Now, say there was a horde of DarkOnes coming for you."

Parox shivered and looked at the water below. "Can't I try to fight them?" she asked.

"No. You'd be dead in an instant, besides, your not even a Mystic." her father growled, then under his breath muttered "Stupid runt."

Parox twitched her ear. "But I thought you don't know that unless your close to death."

"Aren't you close enough already?"

She snarled and took another step forwards.

"If you come back home dry, you'll die." The Alpha turned around and began to pad back across the desert. Parox watched him leave then sat down with a whine.

"Perhaps I'll try hunting to get some strength." she sighed, getting up and turning towards the desert. The pup angled her ears towards the ground and stood still.

"Why is everyone so mean..." she wondered, then darted forwards and jumped into the sand. She heard a crunch and felt blood flow into her throat.

"Mmm... fresh mouse..." she swallowed the mouse and turned back to the river. "Ok, ok... just... jump!" Parox squealed with fright and made a little jump. She fell towards the river, and in her fright reached out eith her claws and pulled herself back up the little cliffs. Once back at the top she collapsed and lay there panting.

"That was pathetic, even for a runt." a voice called mockingly across the river.

Parox raised her head and looked along the opposite bank, though she couldn't see anyone. She got up.

"Going to try again? Just go back home already."

Parox growled. "But I'll die if I do!"

"Is that so? Then, I'll say it now to save me the trouble of saying it later; good riddance!"

Parox changed her growl to a snarl. "Who are you?!"

"It doesn't matter. Besides, you'll die either way."