They could all feel it, the darkness looming over this place continuing to grow stronger. Never before had Beyt felt such an uneasy feeling in the pits of her stomach; someone or something had to be the cause of it otherwise it would not grow this powerful. Her only conclusion was that this city had a Dark Place locked away, and she cursed herself for being so blind in the beginning, knowing that they had to leave immediately before anything else happened to them. This placed was scarred by war; the land was barren, even foliage was barely hanging on to life thanks to the constant exposure of human cruelty. Dark Places donâ€™t become this strong on their own and this city was the perfect place for one to manifest over time. There was no telling what it could possibly show them and honestly neither Beyt nor Gimmel wanted to find out. Gimmel was wise enough to know about the Dark Places, how they worked, and he did not want a repeat of the forest.<br/><br/>On the other hand, they both felt that this was something more. No, something was definitely here causing the darkness to awaken. It sent chills down Beytâ€™s spine unlike she had ever felt before. And for some reason Gimmel seemed to be sensing it as well. His ears were perked up as Fatal jumped out in front of them and told them to run. Looking to the others, then back to Fatal, he gave her a nod and off they went.<br/><br/>Once more they were wolves running across the wasteland, however, they were not about to make it very far. In the back of her mind Beyt knew there was something strange about how quiet everything was. She knew that whenever things got quiet something bad was about to happen and it would not be surprising if this was no different. Ever since they have met these three wolves things have never been the same, she knew, so why would there be quiet now? Was she just being an oddball in thinking about such things? Thinking that these wolves were the cause of their problems, because she knew damn well that it was not their fault; their meeting was by fate. Fate is a delicate thing that must not be broken. That being said, was her blood really supposed to be spilled in order to save that city and this world, and would that mean she was also to be the savior of humans and not wolves?<br/><br/>She may not have trusted Simon at the start, but the Seerâ€™s words echoed in her mind. Perhaps there was no escaping something that was evidently unavoidable. As much as she didnâ€™t want to think about, it clouded her thoughts once again as she slightly limped to keep up with the group escaping to the wastelands, away from the city. Hopefully where they would be safe, she thought to herself, knowing she spoke too soon when a large wolf-shaped shadow stood before them. Its eyes, if you wanted to call them that, were bleeding holes that bored into the group and its expression held a sinister snarl. A low growl escaped it but Beyt was sure that it was not the growl of a wolf. It didnâ€™t sound like anything a wolf would make, and this creatureâ€¦ it just oozed evil. There was also something else strange about it, she noticed from the overpowering darkness that surrounded it.<br/><br/>â€œA Shadow.â€ Gimmel growled, taking Beyt completely by surprise. How did he know about Shadows? Did the Prophet tell him? In response the Shadow seemed to snarl as if to confirm that itâ€¦ heâ€¦ was indeed a Shadow. But she had a feeling that this was no ordinary Shadow. There was something off about itâ€¦ himâ€¦ And for some reason she felt a familiar sense whenever she looked into those empty eyes. Perhaps it was once a wolf, she wondered to herself, trying not to let her curiosity show through too much. Now was not the time to be a curious pup. They were in trouble and they had to run as far away as they couldâ€¦ But they were completely blocked off by a wall of shadow that would turn whatever touched it to ashes in seconds.<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™ve found you, Reneeâ€¦â€ the Shadow said suddenly, chuckling deeply and looking right at Jhene. He licked his lips and neared her, coming closer and closer until a slender black wolf that Beyt and Gimmel recognized as Annabelle jumped out of the bushes and bit down hard on the Shadowâ€™s neck. The Shadow howled fiercely, sounding more like a monster than a wolf, trying to shake her off.<br/><br/>â€œGo!â€ Annabelle barked to the group of wolves. â€œI canâ€™t hold it off for long.â€ The Shadow managed to free itself from her and came at her but she had managed to slip past him and go for his throat again. Blood and darkness oozed from his wounds as he staggered backward. Annabelle hoped Simon would bring help soon. Or better yet, the necklace was returned to her by one of her wolves so she could destroy this thing. Then again perhaps Fatal knew how to use the necklace to do just that though she immediately doubted that thought. Either way she knew this was the very sign that she was worried most about and hoped to avoid.<br/><br/>The battle was only just beginningâ€¦