Hello peeps! I just decided to write this Scratch series called the Wolves of Obsidian and this is the next chapter. Enjoy! Cover by @squirrelflight1010! CHAPTER 27 Swiftflight's sharp ears pricked at the echoing sound of her Alpha's baying summon. She was sprawled on the top of the DarkPack caves, her head on her paws, worrying. Worrying about the final Trial. The worst Trial. The Death Trial. Like all other Trials, she didn't know what was within the Death Trial, but some strong instinct told her she didn't want to. The howling was clearly wafting from the clearing that the Trials were being held in. The Clearing of Bloodshed. Swiftflight's throat rumbled with a deep-within whimper as she slowly slid off the top of the cave and stumbled into the shadowy darkness of the forest. As she reached the clearing, Onyxclaw was there. He seemed to be having a panic attack - he was pacing along, his stride broken and limping. He was continuously whining, his eyes watering and nose running and when Swiftflight came up to him, he only pawed the ground, his lip wrinkled in fear. Titan was sat quietly, as still as a stone statue, his fur bristling. Slowly, Swiftflight saw wolves begin to gather, jostling and shoving for the best view of the Death Trial. There was an arising of excited whispers, quickly to be silenced by a warning glare from Obsidian. When all the Trial wolves and spectators had arrived, the sleek grey Alpha cleared her throat. Swiftflight noticed that Obsidian's elegantly long legs were trembling and her lava-blue eyes looked wide and troubled. The Death Trial must be terrible to make Obsidian feel so worried, Swiftflight thought numbly, tracing a paw in the churned mud. "I summon you here today for the sixth and final Trial in the Battle for the Beta contests," Obsidian barked, her voice trembling a little. "The Death Trial." The words spoken aloud sent an electrifying zigzag of fear down Swiftflight's spine and she whimpered, her tail dropping dejectedly low. She heard a whimper from Brightpool as well, but just a growl from Rocksnarl. "Now, you need to get into suitable fighting positions," Obsidian went on, her voice still blunted with anxiety. Swiftflight shuffled herself into a messy fighting posture, her shoulders hunching and her teeth bared. Her flanks were tremoring uncontrollably and she let out a low growl to cover up her fear. Rocksnarl was the only contestant who looked confident, his eyes narrowed and his tailtip flicking as he eyed up Titan. The large, shaggy wolf looked strangely calm as he glared back at Rocksnarl until the dark grey wolf's hackles lowered just a little. Obsidian watched each of the contestants with her penetrating eye, then let out one quick, sharp command. "Contestants, fight for your rank!" It had all happened so fast, Swiftflight could hardly believe only a while back she was lying in the sun on top of DarkPack's cave. She let out a yelp as the air was knocked from her. Gentle Brightpool had lunged at her, jaws snapping. Swiftflight gave a howl of pain as the deaf wolf's fangs tore her delicate ear flesh. Swiftflight tore herself free, raking her claws down Brightpool's scruff until the white wolf fell back, teeth stained with Swiftflight's blood. I'm so sorry, Swiftflight thought, closing her eyes. But I have to do this to survive. With a quick movement, she lunged forward and bowled into Brightpool, knocking her flat. The pale grey wolf gave a screech of panic as she realised her delicate belly was exposed. With a growl of regret, Swiftflight closed her eyes. You have to do this, she told herself sternly. For your own sake. Pain tore through her heart as she took a deep breath, bent her head and sank her fangs into the misty-grey wolf's belly. The world seemed to slow down. Silence fell upon the glade. Onyxclaw backed away from where he was viciously tussling with Titan, his ears shoved flat. Swiftflight's eyes filled with tears as she tried not to look down at the grey wolf's bleeding belly, her still form, her glazed, terrified eyes. What sort of murderer are you? she asked herself, but managed to drag herself off the poor wolf's body. She bared her teeth, but her legs were shaking, as she glared around, she found there was only one wolf she wanted dead. The wolf that always seemed to want to kill his Packmates: Rocksnarl. She made up her mind, and just as she was about to spring, she was knocked over by a solid weight. Agony lashed through her left side from where she had landed; on a spiked tree root. She stifled a pained whine as splinters sank into her fur and flesh. As she turned her neck painfully to gaze upwards, she spotted the wolf that had knocked her over. Onyxclaw. She let out an angry growl, trying - and failing - to stagger to her paws. Onyxclaw's eyes were gleaming with a deep, fiery fury.
You killed Brightpool!" he spat. "You're a murderer! I actually LIKED you - a lot but now..." His hackles lifted even more and he gave a cough of disgust. "It's time to avenge what you did...." "Please," Swiftflight gasped through the pain, her eyes sliding back into her head. As they rolled back again, she saw what would turn any wolf's gut cold. Onyxclaw's paw was raised, sharp claws glinting in the sunlight as he prepared to slash it down on her exposed throat. Chapter 28: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/497127434/
