FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Here we go, number four

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-

Blizzardi watched the wolf go with one eye, his tail swayed gracefully with each fluid step he took. He watched the wolf until he disappeared into the darkness that led to chambers of the council members, and then Blizzardi closed his eyes and began to think.

"He is stronger then I would have thought possible." He recalled how briefly his fight had lasted with the demon. "I knew he would dodge my first attack, I even guessed which direction he would move." He reached to his broken right arm with his left; the joint had been completely shattered. "I underestimated both the speed of his reflexes and strength of his attacks." He winced at a pain in his right side, "the files on him don't do nearly enough justice to his fighting skill, not to mention his character." Blzzardi tried to rollover, but couldn't. "This is ridiculous it makes no sense, what is it that I am to die for if not for the sake of a worthy opponent? Not for the sake of battle? And even not for my own sake, then what?"

Blizzardi turned the dilemma over in his mind and looked to where the wolf had disappeared; "He said that I was a warrior, what does a warrior die for?" Blizzardi closed his eyes; "Tell me" then opened them again. He reached into his pants side pocket and pulled a small piece of paper. It was the worthless invitation to that stupid party, but it still smelled faintly of her. He gripped it tightly in his left talon, "something worth protecting with all that I am, a cause worth my life, someone I would give my life for." A newfound resolve filled his body with renewed vigor, at that moment there wasn't a trace of doubt of what he was to do left in him. He began to move, slowly at first to see what the extents of his injuries were. Using his still strong wings he pushed himself into a sitting position he felt right side twinge again, but it nothing substantial.

He used his left talon on to make the hole in right pant leg bigger so he could look at his wounded knee. He saw blood trickling out of the small incision made by the wolf's short sword, just to the side of the kneecap, "Well damn, tendons gone." He took the deepest breath he could held it, then slowly let it out. "Alright no broken ribs," at the end of the breath he cringed, "still a bit bruised though" he chuckled to himself. His claymore was lying near his useless right arm, with a grunt he leaned over supporting himself with his wings and grasped the pummel with left talon. "My strength, if your gunna come now's...The..Time," using the sword and his wings he raised himself unsteadily to his feet. "O.K. off we go" and off he went, utilizing the sword as crutch and his wings for stabilizers, he headed for the council chamber in pursuit of the dark wolf.

-==--=-=-=-=-==-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=

The badger Brume stood in the center of the chamber with his paws in front of him, and his back to the main door. Clad from head to footpaw in full Kevlar body armor, he anxiously awaited the return of the deer stag Bracken, his fourth in command. He had sent him to secure an escape route and was wondering what could be taking him so long.

"Stupid stag couldn't find a way out of a cardboard box if I ordered him to, damn him." He heard a rumble somewhere below him, the lights on the ceiling above flickered and a few went out completely. Brume looked up at them then scuffed his foot paws on the black marble floor, "this place is falling into ruins and whom do I have to thank for that?" he shook his striped head. "My security detail, my field agents, Ninneko? What about Alastor, neither one of those two even showed up to help me. Horny bastards probably off fucking each other as the whole place crumbles around them." It was then he heard a knock at the door, "what the hell are you knocking for rut head?" he turned on his heel to face the door. "Get your dumb ass in here and tell me if you've found a way out of this stink hole" he heard the door open but couldn't see who entered as the lights that had gone out made the whole room darker, plus his night vision wasn't what it used to be. The badger shivered as the temperature of the air around him seemed to drop a few degrees all of a sudden. "Close the door," Brume said rubbing his arms over the cumbersome armor. "You're letting in a draft" the door remained open, and Brume couldn't hear the familiar clacking of Brackens hoofed feet on stone. "What are you doing? Just standing by the door?" no answer, "so not only are you a moron, your also..." his words caught in his throat as a wolf with black fur materialized out of the darkness. "You...you're late." Brume raised an accusing finger at the black wolf.

"O?" was the wolfs reply,

"Yes by exactly one year three hundred forty two days seven hours and nine minutes, and I had all but forgotten about you." At that moment Bracken entered the room from another door across the room.

"Sir Brume I have found a way out," Brume didn't take his eyes off the wolf.

"Ahh good of you to join us Bracken, just in time for you to settle some matters with an old acquaintance of ours."

The stag looked puzzled for a moment, followed then badgers gaze and gasped,

"Bracken" said the wolf. Hearing his name spoken by the dark figure sent an icy shiver down his spine. "You have moved up in the organization since I last saw you like this." Said the wolf gesturing towards his appearance. Bracken raised his customized desert eagle and took aim at his opponents head careful to avoid looking into his eyes, even though they were still closed.

"Die demon" Bracken began to squeeze the trigger,

"Do you really think you can kill me with the bullets in that gun Bracken?" the wolf started to walk swiftly towards the stag.

"Have you become so conceited that you think guns can't hurt you demon?" Bracken fired off a round but instead of a loud bang, only a soft pfft was heard as the hollow point round flew only two feet from the guns barrel fell to the floor, and began to roll harmlessly away from its intended target. The wolf closed the distance between them quickly delivering a concussive side kick into Brackens chest, cracking his sternum. The blow sent him careening backwards until he tripped over his hooves and fell unto his side almost hitting his antlers on the wall behind him. Between his pained gulps of air Bracken managed to ask: "why..."

The wolf began to approach the fallen stag, "To answer your first question Bracken; No I do not think I am immune to gunfire I just knew the bullets in your gun couldn't hurt me." Bracken was still attempting to catch his breath and staring in disbelief at the gun in his paw that he had somehow managed to keep a hold of. He looked again to the wolf that was now standing over him for further explanation, "I reduced the grain count in your bullets to a non-lethal level, simple as that." The wolf crouched down to eye level, Bracken looked away. "You can thank Alastor for helping me with that one." The wolf was close enough now and Bracken saw his chance; he swung his antlered head in an attempt to catch the wolf off guard with one of his sharp prongs. The wolf saw this coming and grabbed the deer's left brow tine, stepped back with firmly in his paw, then lunged forward taking Brackens head and slamming it into the wall behind him with such force that it shattered the deer's once proud rack on the right side caving his skull in somewhat. Pieces of antlers skittered across the floor as the deer was knocked unconscious. Brume snorted his disapproval, he knew such a blow to the head would likely prove to be fatal, and the thought that his fourth in command would succumb so easily to the wolf's tricks disgusted him. The wolf released his hold on Brackens antler stub and let him slump against the wall. "A true ignoramus to the end of his miserable and pointless life" Brume said picking a nit from his head fur, "I should have killed the poor basterd myself for being so foolish as to fall for such an easily avoidable trap." The wolf began to walk back to his prior position between brume and the main door,

"If that is truly the case as you speak it, then why didn't you warn him of it?"

"What need do I have for underlings that lack the mental capabilities to see for themselves what is so blatantly obvious In the first place?"

"You never did seem to place much value in the lives of your subordinates"

"And why would I? Their lives are mine to do with as I wish. How could there be any other way for their deaths to affect me?" the wolf merely shook his head as Brume continued, "this brings us to the subject of your punishment." he said with a triumphant grin spreading across his face. The wolf lifted his head and looked at the badger, though his eyes remained closed, "yes now that you have returned to me as I always knew you would, yes I did. Its time for you my child, to face the music yes it is" the badger began to step forward rubbing his paws together in anticipation, eyeing the wolf with a hungry look in his dark beady eyes. "Yes your fate is still, and will always mine to command, to control. And I plan to show you just how much you belong to me. The badger looked like a child that had found a favorite long lost toy. "How easily it will be to make you beg for forgiveness, for a mercy that will never come. Violating every part of your body and mind will be the price you will for your insolence." The wolf appeared to lower his head in submission, and stood as if accepting judgment from the advancing badger. Brume let out a demented cackle. "Aww look at you now, you know you've been a bad boy and that's what's so cute about you." Brume reached out, his large groping paws inches away from the wolfs body. "Not to worry child, master Brume will make it easy for you to face your guilt " the wolf took a half step back, then with blinding speed back fisted Brume on the snout and kicked the front of his knee bending it at an unnatural angle. Brume yowled in pain then fell to the floor; he looked up at the wolf eyes blazing with malice. "What is the meaning of this outrage you insignificant cur!? Look what you've done to me, I am your superior and will not stand..."

"Well you got the part about not standing correct" Brume reached to his side and pulled out a small hand gun. His breathing came in ragged snarls as foam formed at his lips. He pointed the gun at the wolf and pulled the trigger, nothing happened.

"Has really been so long since you've pointed a gun at someone? Your paws are shaking."

"What!?" Brume tried again but the weapon didn't discharge, "who do you think you're talking to shithead?" The wolfs tail swished elegantly behind him,

"You haven't even taken the safety off, a rookie's mistake."

"Careful" said Brume clicking off the safety, "I'm no rookie," he raised the gun again, only to have it kicked out of his paw and sent flying across the room. Brume fell back hard on his elbows, "Fuck you demon!" he started to crawl backwards. The wolf made no effort to fallow him. Brume was seething with hatred when he noticed something that startled him; huge white wings appeared out of the darkness directly behind his adversary. The wolf's ears swiveled back as a strong baritone voice rang out through the chamber,

"Your opponent is me!!" the wolf turned and beheld a beautiful sight. Propelled by his great wings, Blizzardi exploded out of the darkness like a ballistic missile. Launching himself in an all or nothing crash course with the black wolf was to be his final attempt to defeat his opponent. He looked truly magnificent as he flew, despite his broken arm and useless leg. Light from the ceiling shined on his immaculate ivory white feathers, making it appear as if he was radiating the light rather than reflecting it. His sword was raised high above his head, ready to split the wolf in half with one final mighty swing. For the wolf, it all seemed to happen so slowly. He opened his eyes ever so slightly, to take in all this moment had to offer, the griffon was an amazing specimen in motion, every bulging muscle on his being was taught and strained in one final effort to slay the wolf. Blizzardi swung his sword for all that he was worth, for honor, for the sake of living. But most of all for her... for Larka.

When Blizzardi attacked, his sword had almost made contact with the wolf's collar bone when oddly, the wolfs form seem to fade at the very last second. A peculiar Pain, then an incredible upward force in his midsection tipped him head over heels in the air, landing him on his back. The wolf had moved under him as he came, thrusting upwards into the griffon's stomach with his sword, then used his shoulder to knock him out of the air. After Blizzardi landed violently on the marble floor he attempted to lean forward, but his effort was thwarted by the mortal wound in his abdomen. His body had reached its limit and there was no chance for him to attack or defend himself, he had lost. Blizzardi laid his feathered head back on one of his wings that had folded behind him just before impact, and sighed with happiness and content. Brume gave a disdainful grunt from where he lay not too far away and turned his head as if he couldn't bear to look at the scene before him.

"Useless fool" he muttered to himself,

The black wolf moved to stand over the dying warrior then eased himself to his knees beside him. The griffon had tears of pure joy in his sharp brown eyes and a smile at the edges of his hooked beak. He raised a talon holding a small crumpled piece of paper to which the wolf promptly grasped and squeezed hard.

"My life for hers" Blizzardi whispered staring beyond the wolfs head into the darkness, "That is my choice." The scent on the paper was faint but distinct. The wolf nodded and laid his own sword next to the griffon's broken right arm, and with that free paw removed the paper from their clasp and tucked it behind his small black leather belt. Blizzardi closed his eyes whispering; "Larka, do not come to my grave and cry for I am not there, I do not die." The wolf could feel the strength begin to dissipate from the griffon's talon. Without letting go of it, he reached over Blizzardi's wide chest grasped the hilt of his sword, and pulled it to rest atop the griffons body. The wolf placed Blizzardi's left talon on the pummel of the sword fallowed by his right. Brume broke into the moment with his sneering voice;

"Yet another one, worthless to me in life" the wolf removed his paws from the griffons talons and raised his dark head to brume, whom was still lying across from them. "Maybe I'll find a better use for him in death" he said with a laugh that betrayed an increasing insanity. The wolf rose and began to walk around Blizzardi's body towards Brume,

"And how will you do that Brume?"

"Foolish child, All who those who have served me in life, shall also serve me in death as is their duty and my right to them as their master." Brume leaned on his left elbow and gestured towards the dead griffon with his right paw. "Like this one for example, do you think that just because he's dead he has no further obligation to my cause? Your time away from me has made you naïve." Brume wagged a severe paw at the wolf, "you don't understand..."

"No Brume it is you who fail to understand" the wolfs voice was cold as ice, "The warrior that lies dead before you, destroying his own body he chose to fight and die honorably to save the life of another." Brume stared in wide eyed shock at what he was hearing; to him this was absolute heresy. "He never gave in, Giving in is what would have killed him long ago. But when he refused to surrender himself to you, he transcended all that you sought to control in him, and became something that you could never even fathom, let alone attempt to understand." Brume bared his blunt fangs and growled like a cornered beast at the approaching wolf's verbal onslaught, "Even in the face of death he never gave up anything and died whole, belonging only to himself, and the one he gave his life for. That is a strength you will never know and therefore, can not hope to understand." The wolf was standing over Brume now,

"You speak many pretty verses but little sense, you are wrong child" Brume said with a smirk. "Those who've fallen under me are mine, forever!" the wolf knelled at Brume's side grabbing Brumes Kevlar armor coif and roughly pulling him up so fast that his head snapped backwards. And when it came back forwards, Brume's nose was just inches away from the wolf's lethal fangs.

"Have you become so jaded in your set, that you can't see through the fog of your own fervent fantasies?" Brume just shrugged his wide shoulders.

"Don't get me wrong, there are those whom have been of use to me, they are the ones that have not gotten in my way, and died meaningful deaths for me" he said with a snarky smile on his graying muzzle. The wolf looked at him with closed eyes like before,

"I don't think I will forget your intentions so easily." Brume's smile grew a little wider "but, don't misunderstand this. The wolf continued, "To die is nothing remarkable. To live is much more remarkable then dying. Living is more difficult, it takes courage to do. For is it not when life is more terrible then death, when it is those of the truest valor, that dare to live?" Brume scowled,

"Well aren't you the poetic one?"

"What shame is there in being a poet Brume?" a strangely gentle expression spread over Brume's face, like that of a parent humoring a small child. He placed a heavy paw on the wolfs, and began to stroke it soothingly.

"Young one, you are a murderer. A killer devoid of any other purpose in life but to serve the wishes of your master this is the meaning of your existence." The wolfs face was dark and expressionless; "you have been misbehaving like the spoiled little brat you are." Brume reached up with his other paw to smooth the fur on the wolf's face, but this action was stopped by the wolf's.

"You are only half wrong this time Brume." The wolf began to tighten his grip on both Brumes armor coif, and paw. "Only seeing the world and those in it, in a drab black and white is what got you into this scenario of which there is no avenue of escape left for you to take." Brume narrowed his beady black eyes at him,

"Speak sense! How long do you intend to continue your role this poets play?" the wolf raised his head a little, his eyes became slits and then began to open.

"Until there's no part left for my character to play" Brume began to struggle under the wolf's grasp but to no avail, he truly had no way to escape. "I refuse to this farce of civility with you Brume your role in this, has ended." The badger looked around him trying to pry himself lose from the wolfs vice like grip,

"What insolence! Who are you to say when my role is over! You're nothing but a worthless traitor to my cause, and I'll will have you burn in hell for it." The wolf had almost completely opened his eyes now and was beginning to lower his gaze to the badger below him. His eyes were the most indescribably beautiful shade of green and yet, there was something unmistakably sinister in their bottomless depths.

"I was never one in compliance with your cause, therefore I have betrayed nothing." Brume then noticed what the wolf was doing, and for the first time in a long time. He felt the icy claws of fear grip his heart. "You..." his words sounded much more confident then he actually was, "You think... If you think I will scream... If you think you can get me to scream...you're wrong, dead wrong" Brume looked away and screwed his eyes shut. A resolutely calm expression settled on the wolf's strong features. Now with his eyes almost fully open, he spoke;

"Brume..." the wolf said as he pulled the now quivering badger even closer to him. "It is not a matter of if you scream...More of a question, of what you will say."

Brume snarled and started to retort. But when he opened his mouth, he had also opened his eyes slightly. For a moment there was nothing, the badger lay mouth agape in a silent dirge, and then came the noise. A terrible sound that had never been uttered by any living creature in the waking world. Then silence again, Brume's mouth continued to open until his cheeks began to tear, and his jaw dislocated itself. A wide spreading current of sound, one that could not be heard by those still living, emanated from Brume's raw bleeding gullet. A sound that would continue to vibrate through time and space for the all of eternity. Forever announcing Brume's newfound existence, torn between the rifts of parallel dimensions. The black wolf released his grip on the badger. But he did not fall; Brume was to stay frozen in place by the constant contraction of his muscles, this is what would keep him petrified in a horribly twisted upright position. There he would remain until the tendons holding him up tore themselves from the roots in his bones and he fell. This was merely the pain that inflicted his body; the torment that had befallen his mind however, was a very different story. As the wolf stood he blinked a few times, and began to walk away from Brume's body, towards the entrance to the council chambers. He would now see that he carried out Blizzardi's last request and go to greet his new charge when she found her target area. He tapped the edge of his belt that he had tucked the small piece of paper into. His green eyes were tranquil pools of thought as he looked to Blizzardi's body one final time. "For you my friend, this mission I willingly accept"

"A leader need not fear any form of rebellion or mutiny by those under his command, if he can show himself to be most adept at what ever he commands his subordinates to do."

Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoyed it.