James woke as the sun was beginning to set. Luna was still curled into his side, her head on his chest, breathing deeply. His mind felt clear and his thoughts even for the first time in days. He let his thoughts wander to the images of his people, only to feel them distant and nearly out of focus. Like a long lost memory from years ago.

Yawning, he accidentally startled Luna, making her eyes snap open. Holding him tight, she refused to let him go as she watched him closely.

"Hey, Beautiful," he whispered.

"Hey," she whispered back. "How are you feeling?"

"Odd," he admitted. "I feel like the last few days have been a dream that I couldn't wake up from. Mender really helped, didn't he?"

A real smile broke out on her face as she pressed into his chest. "Thank God." A shudder passed through her body before she pulled away and kissed him. "You're back…you're finally back…"

"I think so." Sitting up, he stretched out his arms and rolled his shoulders a few times. "I need to eat something."

Luna bolted up, a frown growing. "You're hungry?"

"I am." His stomach took that moment to grumble its displeasure. Touching his cheeks, he felt less full than normal. "Do you think the others will want to join me?"

Luna spread out her soul right away, prodding everyone as James watched. He felt them all respond and hurry towards the ladder leading out of the research station.

Amber was the first to show up, her light steps barely striking the pavement. Reaching their building, she practically threw herself into the room. When her eyes settled on him, he smiled and waved.

"Hey, Amber."

"James, did something happen?"

Nodding, he yawned one more time. "I'm hungry."

He didn't think it was possible for Amber's eyes to get as wide as they did in that moment. Her smile grew as she turned to Luna, who smiled and nodded. Before Amber could say anything, Jamie arrived and pushed into the room.

"How is he?" she demanded.

James laughed at her eagerness. "I'm fine, dear sister."

Rushing forward, Jamie threw herself into him, taking him back to the ground. "James!"

Laughter came from the door as the rest of the group arrived. Luna quickly filled him in about his appetite and Grace rushed away to start a fire for them. Linda went with her, pulling out pans and vegetables needed for a meal.

Mender stepped up to him once Jamie extricated herself from his chest. The healer touched his head and James felt energy flow into him before Mender smiled.

"You're stable," he announced.

James felt tension ease from his shoulders as he looked around. "Thank you. All of you."

Luna kissed his cheek. "We're a family, James. We take care of one another." Getting up, she offered him a hand. "I believe it's time to go cook."

Happily taking the hand, he let himself be led out of the building. Out in the middle of the street, Grace was burning wood that she had gathered from somewhere, or maybe from their time in the forest. Linda was sprinkling seasoning over several steaks before tossing sliced peppers and onions in a bowl with oil and herbs.

"It won't take long!" Grace called out. Stoking the flames, she added another piece of wood before setting down a keg. "Get over here for a drink!"

Elation ran through him as he hurried over and took an offered mug. The skunk poured him the perfect ale with a beaming smile before shooing him away from her and Linda.

Jamie clung to his arm with her own drink as they all sat around. Everest made her way over with some of the other children and pulled Amber away. Luna went with them, claiming she'd bring everyone back for dinner when it was ready.

Zenaria took his other arm, her head resting on his shoulder. "I'm glad you are okay."

"I should be worrying about you," he teased. "Your tail is a mess."

Snorting, she held up her real tail and her soul tail. "They both missed you. I believe we both need a bath later."

"Agreed." Running his hand through her fur, he sighed.

"What's wrong?" Jamie asked.

"Just thinking about what we need to do next. The nest is waiting for us after all, and we need to leave someone here to take care of the demi-humans."

"I'll do it," Grace volunteered.

Zenaria shook her head. "We both know you want to poison a bunch of monsters. I'll stay this time."

Rolling his eyes, James said, "Why don't you switch off. The nest can't be that far away and we'll be there for a while. Spend a week killing, then switch."

Both ladies smiled and nodded.

"I'll stay first," Grace offered.

"I guess I'm coming with, dear brother. I'm going to savor every tail brushing while I can."

Chuckling, he let out a content breath. "The spices smell good."

Linda set a pan down on a grate over the fire and smiled. "Just wait until it's nice and heated up. The steaks won't take long, and the vegetables will be amazing."

Relaxing even further, James rubbed his eyes. He needed more sleep, but first, he needed to settle his stomach. Mender eventually sat across from him, savoring the fire near Linda's side.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"What is this nest?" he asked.

James shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure." As if his words summoned Amber and Luna, they sat down near Zenaria and listened in. "I only know they exist. I imagine we'll know it when we see it."

"You will," Mother announced as she walked over. "It's due north from here. You'll find it within a day of running."

"There you have it," James laughed. "We'll head north in the morning and take a break from this place."

Everyone agreed and fell silent until the steaks were laid in the pan. The sizzling oil brought with it the scent of spice that made his mouth water and he could tell the others were feeling the same.

"We should all watch the stars tonight," Amber suggested. "I have a feeling they will be brighter than normal."

"I think they will be too," James said softly. Looking up, he watched the sky darken as the hot winds of night started to blow in. It was comfortable and he was ready to savor the night when his stomach growled again.

Everyone laughed before Linda promised it would be done soon. All of them were more than eager to enjoy a meal together.

***

Venice checked the bandage on one of her subordinates. The man was healing well, but she had lost three of her ten charges during the climb. The hot winds of Earthen nights were starting to blow around their shelter once again. Only two of her men were whole, and they would need at least another week of recovery before they were ready to move on.

"Do we know where he is?" one of the men asked.

Venice stared at the man for several seconds before noticing everyone waiting for the answer. Closing her eyes, she used one of her skills to pulse the world. A ping arrived within seconds. "He's in these very wastelands with us. It won't be hard to find him."

That seemed to please the men. Changing the bandage on her charge, she tossed the old one into the corner and settled onto her bedroll for the night. They were all exhausted still, and she was forced to hunt the nearby area for meat. They weren't being sustained on much, but they had lived off less.

Ears twitching, Venice coiled her tail around herself while closing her eyes. Her seeker skill was recharging and would be ready the next day. As for her other skills, she pushed energy into them, building up charges, or uses that she could stockpile for the fight to come.

All of them were doing the same. Building up their reserves of skill uses that they had drained during the climb. Some of their skills couldn't be built up, but many could.

How hard will this fight be? Will I have to step in and save my comrades?

Venice didn't have the answer to her questions, but she knew she could kill a Valiant with ease. It wasn't possible for the man to be stronger than his ancestors in such a short period of time. If needed, she would crush him and return home for her rewards.

Clenching her hand into a fist, she felt her claws dig into her palm. She would need to sharpen them before the fight, but she was more than ready to spend the next week preparing.

I'm coming for you, Valiant. What will you say when I step on your chest before ripping out your heart? Will you plead and beg? Or will you be the rare Valiant and fight to your last seconds?

A smile flitted across her lips as she readied another skill. She had plenty of charges to build up, and enough time to be satisfied. It felt wonderful to be on the hunt again.

***

James rubbed his stomach as they all laid in a circle watching the stars. Soft snores were coming from most of them, including Luna and Amber. They seemed more exhausted than the others and deserved the rest.

Several minutes of silence passed before he sat up and found Mother staring at him. With a gesture of her head, she beckoned him over to her nest.

"What's wrong?" he whispered as he joined her.

"Somethings coming."

He knew she was speaking only to him as he felt her soul shudder. "What's coming?"

"I do not know." Shaking her head, she used a toe to pat a spot by her chest. "Join me, James."

Taking his seat, he leaned his back against her chest. "How long until it arrives?"

"A day. A week. A year. It's hard to say. When Amber told you the truth and you bonded with Luna, the future frayed and I can't see it anymore apart from the sense of dread."

"You really can see the future…"

"To an extent," she whispered. "It's draining and I need to have a strong focus in mind. You're an easy one to focus on."

Laughing lightly, he shook his head. "A tease as always." His humor died the next second as he asked, "do you think the nest will go well?"

"I believe it will. All of you will grow stronger, and you will crush the nest and save part of the world. Your actions will be the change the world needs."

"I feel a lot of pressure from that statement. Are you hinting that I'm the world's savior?" he joked.

"Maybe I am." Chuckling, she lowered her head to rest by his side. "While you clear the nest, the dragons and I will study the rent. Maybe we can discover the secret behind being able to close it."

"That would be helpful," he admitted. Closing his eyes, he relaxed against her scales.

A hum of pleasure filled the air from the dragon before she yawned. "We both need sleep, James. Go over and cuddle with your wolf or cat. One of them will hold you."

Following her yawn with a yawn of his own, he got up. "You're right. I feel like I haven't slept in over a week."

Mother nudged him with a claw, hurrying him on his way before settling down. With her clear dismissal from their conversation, he moved back to Luna's side and laid down behind her. Rolling onto his side, he hugged her to his chest and felt her stir.

"Finally," she mumbled.

"Go to sleep," he said with a smile. "I'll be here in the morning."

"Just don't let me go…"

Before he could say anything in response, the Fenrir started to snore lightly, having slipped back into sleep. Closing his eyes, he joined her, hoping for pleasant dreams, or no dreams at all.

***

Morning came quickly for Shadow Paw as he was nudged awake by his mate.

"You need to get going," she whispered.

Grumbling, the panther sat up and chuffed. "Can't I sleep for a few minutes longer?"

Laughing, she pushed him toward the den entrance. "Go see him off and find out if you are going with."

Still grumbling, Shadow Paw left his den in the early light. The air was still warm, but not enough to burn him. His Master was still asleep when he started his approach, but Strong Beak was waiting for him.

"Go back to your mate," the elder stated.

Sitting down, Shadow Paw yawned. "And leave the master with you? I don't think so."

Chuckling, the vulture folded his wings in. "He will be fine in my care, young panther. You are about to be a father, and you need to be here for your young. We'll only be gone for a few weeks. I'll make sure he bathes."

Laughing lightly, Shadow Paw sniffed the air. "You're already failing at that, old man."

Shifting his wings, Strong Beak turned to their master. "He's not that bad. Yet. It's only a day's run from here and I'll help him find a place to set up. You just need to train the others and help them clear this city. We are a pack now and the master's warriors."

Shadow Paw found himself more than ready to agree. "If you have him, then I'll wake him up and say goodbye."

The vulture didn't try to stop him as Shadow Paw walked over to James. Licking the man's cheek, he startled awake before groaning and wiping his face.

"Really?" James asked.

Shadow Paw chuffed and went in to lick him again, only to be pushed away by his master.

"Lick someone else," James grumbled.

Shrugging, Shadow Paw licked his Fenrir, startling her awake as well. And just for fun, he licked the nekorian, making her squirm in her sleep before her eyes sprang open.

"Why did you lick me, James?" Amber asked.

Frowning, James pointed at the panther. "He did."

Shadow Paw gave a toothy smile before pressing his head against James's chest.

"I'm not leaving forever," his master said softly. "Only a few weeks while we get stronger."

Nodding, Shadow Paw pulled back and met his master's gaze. They didn't need to say anymore. With a grunt, James stood and shook out his body before rousing the others.

It only took minutes before the party was ready to go and Grace stayed behind. The skunk would be caring for the demi-humans that would have to learn about their new world.

"Take care of everyone, Shadow Paw," James said with a wave.

Chuffing, Shadow Paw lifted his leg to wave in return, earning a laugh from his master. With nothing left to say to each other, the panther turned away and returned to his mate. Nala was waiting for him with a smile and round stomach as she licked his ear.

"I see you're staying," she whispered.

"Yes. At least this time. I can't be in here for long. The others need my guidance in clearing the city. We have food to bring in and store and strength to build."

"You're a good leader, Shadow Paw. Our master knows that. But do hurry back today. I need snuggles."

Rolling his eyes, he cuddled into his mate for a few minutes as their master left for the nest.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.