The Dawn of the New Guardian

***Chapter One***1

A black, frost bitten night unfolded, winter winds tearing through the bare trees like knives. The great moon, mounted high onto the sparkling, dark velvet sky, full and blooming, casted a silver aura down onto a small clearing situated by a silvery pool. A living willow tree, strangely in full bloom, loomed over the mystical waters, hiding it from the view of the stars and whispering warm tales as the wind became its voice. Fireflies huddled together for extra warmth over the surface of the pool, unaware of the playful eyes of a spirit within, watching their every movement with eager anticipation of collecting the glowing bugs in her dead paw. As the spirit reached to part the gathering, the wind blew away the ectoplasm, as if protecting the tiny flies from the deathly touch. Disappointed and slightly irritated, the spirit retreated to the bottom of the pool, deciding to continue her count of algae, as the winter roared above the impenetrable surface.2

To the west of the still, silver waters was a gathering of felines; some great, some small, but all staring towards a sacrificial alter, slightly blue in colour. An eerie glow emitted from the decorative stone block, illuminating a small area with an incandescent light, showing the bloody doe laying over the top of the alter, and a heavily pregnant feline at the base.3

This particular feline - a tygard, like the others - was a pure breed of enticing white, blending almost completely with the winter snow, if not for her scintillating, emerald green eyes. The thick fur surrounding her feminine body protected her from the wrath of the harsh, arctic winds. 4

Stood particularly close to the labouring tygard was her loving mate, sat tall and proud, yet no smile passed his stern face as he watched the scene with his red, bloodshot eyes, reflecting his bloody past and the battles in which he had declared victorious. His chest boomed in front of him, the black markings staining his white fur, drenching his back, chest and tail. Just next to the male, towards the rear end of the pure white tygard, was a midwife, watching patiently for anything that could indicate a ty-cub wishing to enter the world.5

As the moon reached it’s highest, directly over the tygard’s gathering, the winds stirred, changing their direction and seeming to escape the area, as the snow tygard roared in pain as contractions flew throughout her body, a ty-cub wishing to emerge into the night. The strong vibrations bounding from the roar branched out through the frozen area they habited, causing the winter struck trees to shake the snow off their blackened branches, before watching it fall onto the distant terrain below. 6

Without hesitation, the midwife reacted quickly to the tygard’s roar, merging into a form similar to a humans, but with her fur, ears and tail remaining. Expertly, she reached towards the rear of the tygard, ready to aid the newborns from the womb they had grown. Reaction time slightly slower than the midwife’s, the father of the cubs diverted his reddened eyes to his mate’s green ones, before extending a paw, placing it on hers, before leaning close to her fear-stricken face. “Keep breathing, Inverno,” He growled, his rough voice stirring the snow under his magnificently built figure, “everything will be just fine.”7

A blistering cold hour passed, filled with painful roars from Inverno and deep whispers from Asesino, her mate. As the moon shifted, marking precisely one hour, a small, crying heap was placed in the midwife’s arms, causing the tygard pride to hum deeply, the air glowing with a harmonious tune as the ty-cub joined the pride of Salmoon.8

More hours followed on from the first birth, as more ty-cubs were rapidly pulled from the womb of the sobbing Inverno, before being placed onto the sacrificial alter, next to the bloody doe. By the time dawn had broken, four ty-cubs rested in the blood of the doe, and an exhausted Inverno was sleeping deeply. Deciding to leave his mate resting, Asesino padded over to the cubs, glaring at each of his newborn offspring. 9

The air stilled and the cold vanished as Asesino smiled upon the first born. White markings sketched over the cub’s black fur and his glistening green eyes, matching those of his mothers, sparkled brightly. At the base of his tail a unique marking stood; a small, neat triangle, orange in colour. Asesino thought carefully, before picking up his cub and licking the sacrificed blood off him. “I name you Pericolo.”10

As the first cub was named, the Lokii, leader of the pride, took him away and placed him next to his sleeping mother, as Asesino advanced onto the next cub. This one was as female, a pinkish glow smothered her white fur, and lilac circular markings engulfed her under-body and legs. A single stripe at the end of her tail proved her unique acceptance to the pride. Asesino smiled gracefully as he gazed into her sparkling blue eyes, licking the blood clean from her. “You, my little one, will be Violette.”11

Again the Lokii took the cub and placed her with her brother and mother. Asesino, feeling prouder than he had ever done before, advanced to his third born cub, baring his blood-stained teeth in a pleased smile. The third, another female, was coated in black, her eyes a deep blue. A rich air of beauty surrounded her, and a gray heart on the top of her left ear proved her special. “Mezzanotte,” She was named, before being taken to stay with her siblings. 12

Asesino, full of blooming pride, nodded smugly to his pride brothers before lifting his chin. So far, he knew his mate had birthed the most meaningful cubs to the pride, and his genes were within their heritance. He closed his eyes and grinned, pleased with both the names and appearances of his cubs. Bounding onto the forth cub, he knew he couldn’t pass the name upon this birthed beauty, for it was tradition the mother named the last born cub. As Asesino opened his eyes and gazed upon the final ty-cub, his smile instantly faded and his colour drained. 13

The final child, another female, bore a slight blue tinge to her fur, making her appear weak, sickly and fragile, despite the light blue circular and striped markings she had upon her back. Slashed across her under-body were bright, purple stripes; her unique markings, as well as the ring around the tip of her tail. Although the appearance could not be helped, the markings were bad omens to the pride and the cub’s future. Asesino couldn’t bring himself up to gaze into the eyes of the cub, but he had to. Dull silver iris started back at him and Asesino winced. He couldn’t afford to keep the cub under his household; there were too many dangers at risk.14

Inverno, who had woken up at this time, pawed over to the final child, to bless her with the name she had been saving for the majority of her life. As she gazed upon the unlucky one, she just smiled, not seeming to be bothered by her appearance. She picked her up, licked the blood clean from her, then placed her on the ground, smiling widely.15

“You, my dear child, shall be named Ruthlyn Almira.” Inverno nodded, before looking at Asesino, her smile fading as she saw his stern face. This time, no Lokii went to collect the child, as she brought a great fear upon the pride. 16

The wind returned again, but harsher this time. Each of the four newborns began to cry with fear as the wind licked their fur with a cold touch, savouring their new taste. Inverno collected Ruthlyn up into her jaws, carrying her by the scruff of the neck, whilst Asesino grabbed the others. Together, the family of five and the rest of the frozen pride hurried back to the dens, where they rushed into their own to get warm and stay out of the cold, winter months. 17

***Chapter Two***18

Just a single day had passed since the birth of the four cubs and the weather had not changed. Still, the angry winds roared against the bare trees, forcing them to shiver violently as the snow fell around them. Through their blackened branches they raced, some caught on the eerie fingers, the rest fell to the ground to join the other flakes that had victoriously fallen from the heavens. Clustered, the soft flakes became dangerous, forming miniature glaciers on Salmoon’s dead grassland. 19

Storming through the night, Asesino battled against the wind and snow, clutching his prey tightly in his mighty jaws. Anger boiled through the warrior tygard as he stumbled through the jeering trees, growling as they tore at his frozen fur. Out of the five deer he had caught, only three remained, as the climate had forced him to lighten his load once, then he had dropped another not long after. 20

Spotting the fire from his den, Asesino fought violently through the howling winds, racing as fast as he could to his eager mate, who stood waiting at the entrance. Letting out a loud growl, Asesino briefly stopped, just to catch a glimpse of his now bloody leg, before shaking his head and bounding into the den.21

Inverno, who had been impatiently waiting Asesino’s return, jumped back and allowed the great tygard to throw himself into the den, skidding across the icy floor and almost colliding with the fire. After Asesino had regained himself, he shook his head and placed the food carefully on the ground. Inverno slowly walked over to him.22

“It’s not much, is it?” She asked, gazing disappointingly down at the three, emaciated deer that had to last them a fortnight.
“Yeah,” Asesino growled darkly. “Well, you try scrounging the whole area for food. The other two were probably better in meat wise,” He pawed at the dead animal. “But I had to let go of one and lost the other.”23

“I suppose this will be okay, Asesino. It’ll last the six of us.” Inverno smiled slightly. Asesino looked sideways to her, before looking away.
“So you haven’t got rid of her?” Inverno’s smile soon faded.24

“How can I kill her? She’s my daughter!”
“You have two others.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that she’s my daughter.” Inverno protested.
“Inverno, look at her! She’s going to endanger the pride!” Asesino increased in volume, glaring at his mate.25

“Maybe it’s just a myth...” She whispered quietly. Asesino snorted at her proposal.
“It’s not and you know it.” He paced the room, before turning back to Inverno. “Look at old Farrior. His mate gave birth to that silver eyed cub and she died not soon after. Then Farrior got a load of hell, didn’t he?” Inverno slowly nodded, knowing where this was leading to. “Then what happened? The cub was out with him and fell off a cliff; died right then and there. No more hell for Farrior.” 26

“I can’t kill Ruthlyn.” She looked sternly at Asesino, who growled once again. The wind forced its way into the den, extinguishing the fire.
“If you can’t, I can.” Inverno gasped, glaring at her mate with the aid of her feline eyes, granting her the ability to see where there was little light. “And I can make it look like an accident too.”27

“But-”
“No, Inverno. We have to. Or she’ll endanger everyone. I’ll just take her outside and dump her by the pool. She’ll die with the cold.”
“No.”
“You have no choice in it.” Asesino growled.
“No.” She repeated, before jumping the great gap between the two tygards and pinning Asesino to the ground. Surprised, Asesino blinked. “She’s our daughter. And she’s staying here no matter what happens.”28

Then, Inverno retreated over to her cubs, huddling close to the four of them and closing her eyes. Regaining himself, Asesino sighed, before following her, laying down his head and slowly drifting to sleep. 29

***Chapter Three***30

"Hey! That's MY bone! Give it back!"
"Nuh uh! It'z mine nao!"
"Ah wanneet!"
"No! It was mine from the start!"31

Four years followed the moonlit night in which four ty-cubs were brought into the world. Now, three of the four fight over the left over femur from a human, who just happened to stray from their path and end up as a family meal. Like vultures, the ty-cubs attacked the bone, trying to take it from one another. Watching from a slight distance, their father observed the trio fight against one another for the left over bone. 32

Pericolo was the largest of the three, giving him a great advantage over the two females. He growled menacingly as he tore at the heals of Mezzanotte, who yelped as she clawed at Violette’s sides. Violette, determined to retrieve the bone, bit Pericolo’s tail as hard as she could, causing him to yelp loudly. The hot summer sun beat down onto the three as they squabbled, and their scrap was only ended as Inverno waltzed over to scowl them.33

Turning around to face Asesino, Inverno growled, her green eyes flashing. “Asesino!” She walked close to him, placing her face close to his. “I told you to watch them!”
“I was watching them, Invi.” Asesino smirked, playfully turning to lay on his back. “I was.”34

Invernise rolled her eyes, before looking away. She glanced to her right and, upon spotting Ruthlyn, she sighed. Glaring at Asesino once more, ordering him to grow up and take responsibility, she padded over to Ruthlyn. Sitting beside her quietly, she ran her paw down the back of her cub’s spine, who purred slightly.35

“Hey, Ruthy.” Inverno smiled. When she received a nod in reply, she asked, “What’s the matter?”36

“Sumfin ish nut right...” Ruthlyn replied childishly, continuing to stare at the hills. The sun’s rays glared off them, giving a misty haze and a beautiful view. The birds which inhabit the great hills were unusually restless. However, no other tygard would understand, for they didn’t spend their days watching the hills as instructed to. All Ruthlyn did was gaze at the horizon, wondering what could be beyond; good, evil, or both? Aside from that, she ate, drank and slept, doing exactly as she was advised by her father and Lokii.37

"Ruthlyn, dear,” Inverno tried to sooth her tense cub, only causing her to prick up her ears and arch her back, her claws digging into the ground. “If something was coming, they’d have alerted us by now.” Unable to stop Ruthlyn from her tense moment, Inverno sighed, before walking away. 38


Not long after, Ruthlyn yelled, “Sumfin’s coming!” Inverno, thinking it was just Ruthlyn’s imagination, turned to try and correct the cub, before she realized what Ruthlyn was talking about. 39

With horror, Inverno just stared at the rapidly advancing crowd of leonens; the tygard’s most feuded enemy. After just a few seconds, Inverno shook her head, turning around and calling for Asesino. “Asesino! Leonens advancing from the hills! Alert the Lokii!” 40

Asesino looked to see if the spoken words were the truth, before rushing from his den towards the highest authority of the pride. Inverno collected the hissing Ruthlyn and dragged her into the den, pushing her and the other three cubs to the back of the den, behind her. 41

“Mother? Is something wrong?” Pericolo quizzed as his siblings stared at Inverno. The mother just looked helplessly at her cubs, before nodding, turning around. However, Inverno began to shake with fear, which spread like a virus to her cubs. Eager to get to safety, Ruthlyn looked around frantically, before she spotted a small crevice in the top corner of the den. Selfishly, Ruthlyn crept away from the others without a word and climbed up into the hole. Once inside, she realised that there was room enough for another one of her siblings, but as she went to inform the others, a group of leonens invaded the den. 42

Afraid, Ruthlyn shrunk back into the gap, just enough to observe the scene before her. With an earth-quaking roar, the leonens began to rip the den apart, scavenging for food and greedily eating anything they could find. After only very slightly filling their stomachs, the leonens smirked, advancing onto Inverno and her cubs. Defensively, Inverno growled, extending her claws and roaring at the leonens whilst the cubs cowered behind her. 43

Amused by Inverno’s bravery, the leonens laughed. As one of the leonens prepared to strike, Asesino appeared with a roar, jumping onto the leonen’s back and forcing him to the floor. Asesino sunk his dangerous teeth into the back of the leonen’s neck, causing him to roar loudly. Another leonen jumped onto Asesino, knocking him off the leonen pinned down on the ground. Then, the two of the leonens jumped on top of Asesino, followed by the other four. 44

Six fully grown leonens against one tygard proved no justice as Asesino cried a final yell before silencing forever more, his bloody mass scattered on the walls of the den. Shocked, Inverno screamed, “ASESINO!” Tears falling down her face, she turned to the leonens, who returned the glare. Inverno pushed her cubs back and pounced onto the nearest leonen with anger, heartbreak and fear. As she clawed brutally at him, the other leonens tore her away, before tearing at her brutally, laughing at her screams. Suddenly, a great crack sounded throughout the den as Inverno’s neck snapped fatally. 45

Screaming for their parents, the three cubs clustered together, fearfully staring at the leonens. Without withdrawing their claws, the large felines advanced onto the tiny cubs, laughing evilly. The cub’s cries of help were smothered in cries of pain as the leonens swiftly tore the cubs apart, making their death as painful as they possibly could. Once each of the defenceless cubs had silenced, the leonens roared and briefly celebrated their victory, before pounding out of the den to ambush the remaining pride members. 46

***Chapter Four***47

The leonen’s triumphant roars and the tygard’s cries of pain boomed throughout Salmoon, bouncing in and out of each and every den. The scratching of claws, tearing of teeth and thump of lifeless bodies hitting the ground was evident that the tygards were losing the quickly summoned battle of the two races. Quick, yet heavy, pattering of paws suggested that some fortunate tygards came to their senses and were attempting a great escape, whilst loud roars from leonens followed as they gave chase to catch the escapees. 48

After gazing around the den with only her head visible, Ruthlyn soon decided to retreat back into her hiding place, resting her small head on her soft paws. Giving up hope on whether or not her family survived the attack caused tears to stream down her youthful face. In her mind, she replayed the horrific scene she had just witnessed, thinking of the things she could have done, but didn’t.49

This pressurising the cub’s mind, she curled tightly into herself, sobbing uncontrollably as she did so. Within a few long hours, the wailing of the suffering tygards and the laughs of the victorious leonens became less frequent. Still sobbing at this time, Ruthlyn began to slowly cry herself to sleep, despite the yells of pain echoing around the pride as the tygards were brutally torn apart. 50

After hours of screaming through a haunting dream, Ruthlyn awoke to a phantom silence. Mewing almost mutely, Ruthlyn uncurled from herself and pricked her ears up, listening for anything. The young tygard sensed no life around her, causing her ears to fall flat against her head, for she understood that two facts were from that outcome; the leonen’s were gone, but the tygards were obliterated.51

Dull silver eyes rapidly swelled up into lonely tears as Ruthlyn numbly crawled out of her safe hiding space and into the unrecognisable area that was once her home. The soft droplets of salty water rolled down her sodden cheeks as she observed the wreckage, trying to memorise what it used to be like before the savage invasion. Everything her family had ever owned - the precious jewels, the tailored rugs, the crafted ornamental pieces - everything had been either destroyed or stolen. 52

Not wishing too, but overly curious, Ruthlyn turned around to where her mother and siblings spent their last moments. Upon spotting their final resting place, she let out a loud cry, more tears falling down her sodden face. The scene in front of her eyes seemed to unfold slowly as so her small, young mind could be capable to absorb the great tragedy she found herself being a significant part of. 53

Dark, red blood, still moist, had painted itself thickly against the wall, complete with tiny, broken, yet fleshy bones lying untidily across the floor. Ruthlyn walked over to the neglected bones of her siblings, looking at the tiny, fragile pieces that held their once growing structure. She observed them in great detail, from each, small break to each tiny scratch. Her paws soon became covered in the sticky red liquid as she placed the bones respectfully down at the side of her. As she looked back at her paws, she was reminded of how her loved ones were murdered in cold blood, right in front of her very eyes. 54

A great sickness forming in the young tygard’s stomach forced her to tear away from the scene, before rushing out of the den, vomiting at the entrance. After she had cleared her nauseated system, she tried to turn away from the pride. However, once again, her curiosity got the better of her and she turned to the pride, almost vomiting once again as she did so. 55

Where once the beautiful, pleasant pride of Salmoon stood, remained a wrecked wasteland where the stench of the dead rose into the air. Dens had been torn apart, knocked down and few remained intact. Not one form of life stood out from the pride; no birds, no tygards, nothing. 56

Lying in front of the last breathing tygard of the pride were rows upon rows of the fallen felines, scattered untidily around the blood soaked area. The two races had fought a vicious - and merciless - battle over nothing but the lack of food. The many tygards and few leonens that lay upon the red grass seemed to stretch on for miles for it was all what was visible. With the leonen’s method of attack, the tygards didn’t stand so much of a chance. 57

Where once the beautiful, pleasant pride of Salmoon stood, remained a wrecked wasteland where the stench of the dead rose into the air. Dens had been torn apart, knocked down and few remained intact. Not one form of life stood out from the pride; no birds, no tygards, nothing. 58

Lying in front of the last breathing tygard of the pride were rows upon rows of the fallen felines, scattered untidily around the blood soaked area. The two races had fought a vicious - and merciless - battle over nothing but the lack of food. The many tygards and few leonens that lay upon the red grass seemed to stretch on for miles for it was all what was visible. With the leonen’s method of attack, the tygards didn’t stand so much of a chance. 59

Sensing life behind her, Ruthlyn turned around, finding herself staring at two very large and muscular paws. Not given the time to run, one of the great paws swiped at Ruthlyn, forcing her to fall on the ground. There, she stared up at the face of her attacker, fear, anger and hopelessness forming inside her. 60

A fully gown, large male leonen loomed over the small tygard, smirking slightly. With a deep chuckle, the black leonen lowered his head, opening his mouth slightly, ready to make Ruthlyn his next meal. Ruthlyn mewed, thinking that this was the end; it was all over. The leonen in front of her was about to take her short lived life, without any last requests...61

Suddenly, a rush of adrenaline pumped through Ruthlyn’s veins as her anger exploded. Her fur darkened to a dangerous black shade and her eyes reddened. Startled, the leonen pulled his head back, giving Ruthlyn enough time to jump to her feet, before leaping onto the leonen’s head, scratching at his eyes.62

Howling, the leonen shook his head, trying to get the small cub off him, but with no avail. Ruthlyn cried as she clawed the leonen’s eyes, blood rushing down from her claws. Clinging onto the leonen with all her might, she began to bite his magnificent temple with her tiny teeth. Not long after Ruthlyn began to bite, the leonen roared loudly, rearing up onto his hind legs, before using his mighty paws to remove Ruthlyn from his bloody face. Ruthlyn growled darkly, her tail swishing dangerously. 63

“Yew killed mah family! Yew killed mah pride! Now I have teh kill yew!” The leonen just laughed.
“You, little tygard, think that you can kill me?” He roared with laughter. “Me, Morte, the leader of a whole pride, killed by you, a tiny, insignificant being from a pride who probably never knew your name?” Morte sneered, his blood thirsty tongue licking his teeth individually. “You couldn’t even kill a rat. Now stop fighting and let me eat you.” 64

Morte opened his jaws to eat the small tygard, before he soon closed them again, staring at the little cub in his paws with wide, bloody eyes. Ruthlyn’s fur began to glow darkly, her red eyes filled with anger and rage. Her claws grew sharper and longer, digging them deeply into Morte’s paws, causing him to roar in pain. Then, the cub closed her eyes, growling deeply and growing louder after each passing second. Her body generated a large amount of heat which scorched Morte, causing him to drop her. Then, Ruthlyn roared louder than she had ever done before, the glow surrounding her body flinging itself onto Morte, causing him to weaken dramatically. 65

Noticing Morte’s weakness, Ruthlyn found her chance, adrenaline throbbing though her body as her heart beat viciously against her small chest. The small cub jumped onto the large leonen’s neck, before plunging her sharpened teeth fatally into the vain visible, causing blood to stream out of the punctured wounds. 66

With a yell, Morte used the last bit of his energy to slam Ruthlyn against a large rock, knocking the wind out of her. Then, the leonen staggered, blood still pouring from the wound in his neck as he tried to advance onto the tiny tygard cub that had inflicted such great pain upon him. However, not two minutes passed before Morte gulped down large breathes of air, but not able to get enough oxygen to respire from. After just a few more heavy breaths, Morte silenced, falling lifelessly onto the ground.67

Still winded, Ruthlyn staggered onto her paws, glancing at the body she had murdered. Her fur and eyes had returned to their normal shade, only stained with her own blood. As the young tygard gazed upon the leonen, she gasped, trying to get more air into her failing lungs, whilst falling into a sudden horrific realization of her feelings towards the crime she had committed; she enjoyed it. 68

Ruthlyn soon became lightheaded, finding she was unable to breathe. Desperate to stay alive, she ran west, towards the alter where she first entered the world. Upon arriving at the great slab of stone, Ruthlyn fell to the ground, faint and dizzy, regretting the run she just did. Feeling close to death, Ruthlyn curled up tightly, listening to her lungs collapse on themselves as she tried to gulp down the air around her. 69

A bright light soon appeared just above the alter, shining fully down onto the dying tygard. Disturbed by the glow, Ruthlyn looked up, still painfully grasping any air that she could, like trying to hold a ball of knives in one’s hand. Ruthlyn’s eyes found it difficult to adjust to the light, her dizziness increasing dangerously. In the centre of the light stood a tall, proud, phoenix with magnificent, burning feathers. 70

Believing this mystical creature to be death, Ruthlyn tried to speak - to tell her that she didn’t wish to leave this Earth as her family had done - but her voice just couldn’t find the words to fit. The phoenix descended onto the fearful cub, placing a soft wing over her, before whispering her name softly.