Warriors Mapleshade Novels & Stories

*Chapter 42: The map had twelve red marks. Now it had eleven. Aria stood over the table in the war room, the Foundry shard’s dust still clinging under her nails. The Oathbreaker was bound again, but the mark on her palm hadn’t faded. If anything, it glowed faintly when the Moonstone was near. “We move on the next one,” Aria said. Mirel tapped the map. “Western marshes. Cell calling themselves the Drowned Fang. Twelve wolves, last seen three days ago.”

His voice trailed off as he could not even see the wound. "I know what happened to me," I said. "But I am still your heir, and I will lead this battle." The warriors looked at each other, then they all bowed their heads. "Yes, Alpha Heir." I turned to Valen. "Bring me the map of the territory. Now." He nodded and ran back inside. I looked around at the warriors. "Listen to me carefully. The Shadowfangs have crossed our border, so this is not a small attack. This is war. They want to destroy us. But we will not let them." I stopped, looking around to make sure each warrior heard what I said.

~The Crimson Shade Pack~ They were called the Crimson Shade Pack. A small, secretive pack that most dismissed as little more than a myth. Every member wore a long, deep-red cloak, the hood pulled low to shadow their faces. They moved quietly like ghosts slipping between worlds. Their territory sprawled across Hollowpine Marsh, a bleak, fog-choked stretch of land where twisted cypress trees clawed at the sky and pools of black water glistened like oil. The air was damp and heavy with the scent of decaying wood and something metallic; an unmistakable signature of Crimson Shade.

And there was no vines or loose stones that would offer me a safe route down. And there’s mages down there training all day and part of the night. I was sure that they’d route me straight back to their commander. It was the dead of night when I heard deep thudding outside the door. It swung open before anyone touched it and the room seemed much darker. Telling me that Warlord and his smokey presence had entered the chamber. He closed the door and lit a candle on his small table. Revealing that his face and chest were splattered in dark blotches.

~Hunter’s Point of View~ I was enjoying my nice, quiet day off soaking in my huge tub. It had been a long week and my brothers and I rotated being on active duty and on call. I was aching for my week off. They were few and far between anymore since it seemed like everyday someone else was being a menace, being difficult. My brothers and I were Shadow Warriors, a coalition of various supernatural beings that keep the peace between each other and between our own kind. It’s a damn hard job, but someone has to do it.

he hissed at her. “But my Grandfather?” she whined. “Take this,” he said pulling Light Stick's necklace from his neck. He'll protect you as long as you wear this. Do not come here for aid. Go East as he says, you will find peace.” he said waving his hand across the sky. “When the sky bleeds red, you must battle Little Dove.” he pushed her away from the fire.

A lot… * The mind link cuts off and I try to reconnect with Tomislav but I’m met with a wall. “Shit” I groan out loud then follow it up with loud chirrups and a yowl to let the trainees know to come back. I leave before the new recruits have even broken the tree line, shifting into my large panther and racing back toward the Palace. *Mason,* Wyvern mentally connects to me. *We have a big problem. At least four houses have boots on the ground and are heading toward the Palace. The Alpha team is in place, but more than a handful of warriors have deflected.*

And as the monster smashed the ground, there was an earthquake tearing from him to the Shaders, and the fast ones took the lesser ones out of the track. "I'm the Keeper, keeper of Purgatory. And I shall claim this land to extend my territory," the Keeper pronounced clenching a fist. "Now, I bring my true army, my warriors." More horrible creatures crawled out behind him, actually affirmatively an army as he claimed. They were countless and more defying than the previous. "Oh my God," Alisa exclaimed with a fallen jaw. "By the time I'm done with Shade, it'll be nothing but oblivion."

Dylam was about to lose his mind when the vans finally arrived. The warriors get out and the drivers hide the vans among the trees, covering them with bushes, making it impossible for them to be accidentally seen by anyone approaching from the south. It was a frightening sight for anyone who saw them coming. Two hundred and thirty-nine warriors gathered, led by Dylan, transmitted an aura so powerful that in the eyes of the three new rogues, the forest seemed to tremble with fear. Shane was a warrior and had trained with the Shadow Pack warriors, and he knew they would be utterly decimated by those men opposite to him.

The ride was quiet, but the tension began to ease as the familiar scenery of Crestwood passed by. After a short drive, they reached a dense forest. Damon parked the truck and led Aqua along a narrow, winding path. The trees grew thicker, the air cooler, and the sounds of the town faded away. Finally, they emerged into a clearing that opened up to a breathtaking view. They stood on a high ridge, and below them lay the entire town of Crestwood, the rooftops and streets stretching out like a miniature model. "Welcome to my special spot," Damon said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I've been coming here since I was a kid. It's a great place to think and just... be."