Cali"s Chaos

My name is Cali Awena from the Awena Luna pack tribe from Haasun on the continent of Chowilawu in the world of Makai. I am a 10th generation Luna in waiting, which means that I am not quite ready for "Soul Mating" just yet. I am also chief Alpha's and Luna's daughter. I have been training to take my parents' place for quite some time now, since I was able to walk. I am in no hurry to be responsible for those tasks though. It would mean that my parents are dead or not mentally capable of carrying on with their duties anymore. I love them and can definitely wait for it to be my turn. I am still included in a lot of the decision processes so that I will know the best way to lead our people and maybe end the war between us and the Viho Clan. Our clans have had a war going between us for many generations. Makai is a beautiful world. I have lived in the town of Awena Luna my whole life.. It is a little village that is at the base of several steps of waterfalls and fertile growing land. It is surrounded on two sides by deep and dense forest. Above the river that flows between our clan and the neighboring clan, the Viho pack, and above the waterfalls is Mount Hooded Owl. Which, as long as I have known, has had snow on it all year round. We live in a fortress of a castle. It had been built years before I was born, pretty sure that it was due to the neighboring clan always trying to run us off our land that we have been on for ever. According to our spoken legends, our people came from the stars. The other clan had just appeared from the horizon and our tribes were peaceful towards each other. They came generations ago and, because we were a peaceful tribe, our leader gave them part of it to them for their people. If they had a bad winter, we would make sure to check in on them and help them where they needed it. Several generations later, one of their pack leader's sons, who took over after his father passed, was a mean ruler of his land and decided that he wanted all of the land and wanted our clan annihilated. We have been waring with them ever since. This is why I love spending time with my family down by the waterfalls, cleaning up after the meal we just ate. The falls are far from reach of the battle front.Watching the little ones play in the pool at the end of the falls with the watchful Betas sitting cleaning the muscles in the shallows for the next meal, is always peaceful. The cool breeze picks up the mist from the falls and sends it in the wind to the camp down below. I am usually among the other Alpha Lunas watching over the young cubs. It was the more relaxing of the tasks I had to do in the day. We usually stay down here on calmer days and get all the pack cleaning done. Then, once all that is done, we head back to the castle and give all the clean linen and the mussels to the delta workers and they finish the tasks with these by the time the beta hunters come back with the day's meats. All the warriors stay on guard at the battle front, so usually the warrior Lunas will take the meals and fresh meat out to them. It is a dangerous task but we are usually heavily guarded during our travels to the front. So today was like any other day. We got ready to head out to the front with all the warrior's needs packed up and ready to be taken. Beta warriors were mounted on their sabers and ready to escort us. I made sure that the loads were ready to go and mounted my own saber and we all headed out. It usually had to be a silent trip due to the fact that there was always a possibility of ambush. The trip took most of the morning. Unloading the clean supplies and food took quite a bit. And loading took some tedious work, but it was done. I gather the updates from the zeta warriors and we all load up and head back. By the time we got back to the castle, I handed out the letters that were sent back to some of the warriors' loved ones and then I headed to the planning room. I could hear the discussion that was going on behind the door. More strategies are bounced around the room like a cub's ball. I knocked on the door as one of the upper Zetas opened the door quickly and gruffly said, "What, oh sorry princess, I started for the moment." He gave an apologetic bow and ushered me into the room. "That is okay, no harm done. Thank you, Ander."I said and bowed respectfully as I entered and walked over to my father. I handed him the letters from his warriors and his zeta generals that were still out there on the frontlines. He sorted through the letters and found the one that was about the results of the negotiation. And from the look on his face, it was not a good one. He closed his eyes and shook his head and glanced out the window in reflection for a few seconds. He then replied to the room, " Thank you, Cali. I don't know how to say this but they are too calmly backing off. But my gut tells me there is a trick amiss. We will hold our position and stay ready for anything." This is never good because they have tried to do this before. Both clans were peaceful for a good 4 generations and then a violent attack on the help that we had sent to keep them through the winter. They had taken it and then turned around and killed the warriors that were delivering the help. Hence, starting this war. And as ruthless as the new ruler is, it is not a far-fetched idea. He was violent and uncaring. "Cali, we will be holding your walking with spirit ceremony in 4 days." My father said. "That way, the Soul Mating, if and when it happens, will be ready for you, should something happen to me." "Yes, Father," I replied. I have to admit that when he talked like this it bothered me, but we all had to be realistic about the state of Makai and our little continent. If we were mean and hateful like the other clans, we would have long ago wiped them out. But that is not how we settle differences. We were gifted, as our forefathers say, with internal power that, when backed into a corner, will come out and obliterate everything that is targeted for it. They say it is a part of the star that our souls come from, it's power that our bodies will only bring to the surface when in danger. And we are taught from a young age how to use it. In times of peace, all warriors will hold Bali, a large three-day event that is basically training the younger ones for what they are about to embark on. There are the gladiator events, where the zeta warriors show off their fighting skills, but it is more for the zetas to show off and impress the she zetas. Basically, my mother said this promotes more good zeta warriors being made. It is also where young people come into adult hood, also called the walking with the spirit ceremony is held and then the Soul Mating ceremony is all held during this time. But these ceremonies are revered by both sides, so one can only hope that the other clan will respect our clan and let it be peaceful during those three nights. I bowed and took my leave of the room. Thinking of the true meaning behind all of those three days made me happy but also filled me with a slight case of dread. I just felt that it was not going to be good, whatever this unseen thing that was lurking in the shadows of my mind's eye. Four days later, the festivities went off without a hitch. It was amazing how the crowd was excited to see us in our fine clothes walking among them. The deltas and omegas had done such a wonderful job decorating the entire village and had strung decorations meeting in the middle of the village. The food tent was filled to the brim with all kinds of delicious food. And little trinkets and bobbles they found digging for muscles were sitting on the same table they always sit on. The beautiful necklaces made out of shiny stones and the delicately shaped shells that were so carefully polished and strung through with animal hide. I loved it so much, even as a kid. I got one of these every year that was made just for me as a good luck token for the year. In our pack, Lunas, whether they are young or old, are the symbol of fertileness and good fortune throughout the year. We have at least fifteen in our clan, five in three generations. But I love these celebrations, they bring out the peace and harmony that our tribe originally was known for until recently. I took a walk down to the dancers by the fires that were built by the creek bank. I love watching them, with their beautiful dresses and the musical rhythm of the shells and beads on the dresses with music that is played along with them. I made my way down the little wooded path to the sandy beach bank. As I rounded the big rock that they played on the other side of, one of the dancers grabbed my hand and started dancing with me, not realizing at first that it was me. She halted and even the music stopped mid song. I smiled, curtseyed and extended my hand and arm out to invite her to dance with me. The musicians chuckled and began like they had not missed a beat and me and the dancers twirled and dipped the night away. Some long time later, I had made it back to my parents, who seemed to be discussing things on a serious level. They quieted when I remerged from my sauntering about, which just told me it would be best if I just stayed oblivious to what they were talking about. "It really is a beautiful night out. Such a beautiful night to have these celebrations, don't you think?" I asked. " It most certainly is, daughter, I was just telling your mother that she should enjoy the peace and quiet and enjoy some of the festivities." My father looked at my mother and I could see she was on edge, rather anyone could. "Mother, come with me and enjoy a bit of the night with me, please." I asked with a grin on my face. "Okay, but just for a little bit. I don't want to be gone long from this spot. " She was tense. I had never seen her like this before. She would be worried but it would barely show in her body language normally. I thought to myself she just needed to move away from the lookout perch and relax. I took her down to the food tent and got her a drink. Then we headed for the creeks beach where the dancers were still dancing like they would never get tired. I took my mother's hand and for several dances she relaxed and danced. Then, once we slowed down again, I thought maybe we should walk back and I figured on the way we could talk. "Mother, I have never seen you this on edge, what is going on?" I asked, generally concerned. " I ... I had a bad premonition. She whispered this in my ear and looked around like she thought someone would hear her. "Mother, how bad was it?" I was beginning to worry worse now. "It was bad, Cali." she closed her eyes and I wiped the tear that had started to run down her cheek. My mother only ever used my name when she was trying to get her point across. Usually it was "Love" that she would use to refer to me. "We are going to get attacked a lot sooner this time. I don't know when, but soon, and there is going to be a horrible blood bath." She covered her face and started to weep. I grabbed her by her shoulders and directed her back to the look-out perch. At the base of the perch I said, "Mother, we will work on this tonight when we get back to the castle. I promise." As lunas, we are in charge of keeping the village beyond the walls of our castle and everyone in the castle safe. Our internal power to predict things we shouldn't know is what all the great chiefs have said makes us Oracles . Lunas for the chiefs must be Seers. They have to possess the ability to see some sort or other. We are trained as children to be able to do this. If we can not, then we are sent to be attendants or helpers. Same with me, if I had not been able to do this, I would have been given other tasks that didn't involve keeping the people safe. And as a daughter to the chief of our tribe, it would have been disappointing , on both sides of the situation. Lunas are held in high regard in our clan. And visions are usually taken in as serious information. I am sure that my father's calm demeanor was to calm my mother down a bit, so that she was not causing the party goers to start freaking out. Plus, going home tonight, we will probably set up in the Oracle Room and call all the lunas into the room. We stayed a little longer and headed back to the castle. When we arrived, several of the Zeta warriors had already been stationed around the perimeter of the castle. Me, mother, and father made our way to the most secret and sacred place on this side of the river and the Step falls. I could already hear the chanting from the bottom of the winding staircase. The elders had already started the process and the sound was so loud, but it had calmed mother instantly. Mother took a deep breath and started down the stairs. We all descended the stairs at a faster pace then we normally would, but we were following mother and she seemed to need to be amongst the chanting mass. We reached the bottom and found our spots and went to work. We joined in with the chanting and saw where they were tomorrow. From my vantage point, I always see it from the distance or birdseye view. So she started backing back from where the others had frozen the screen to let me and my mother in. I backed up and this time I had no choice but to see it from my own perspective. I was running so fast that things were flying past me and killing villagers. And an invisible being that was obliterating the whole tribe. Tearing them to shreds. I was trying to make my way to where my parents were, running and helping people as I went. I could only see the movement of villagers being picked up and torn to pieces like rag dolls. I could feel tears running down my face. As I got to the base of the look-out perch and quickly got to the top, only to see my parents trying to help those that were injured down on the ground next to the food tent. I ran to them quickly and helped them get the injured immediately into the tent. There was blood and bleeding everywhere. Not that I am not used to it, but it was so much closer to me. This was vengeful and evil and, as long as I live, there will be no forgiveness. I awoke and opened my eyes and realized that we had time. I approached my father and tried to appeal to his wisdom's side. "Father, it felt like it was in the middle of the Soul Mating festivities. Maybe we should cancel it. Plus, as stressed as Mother is, it may not hurt." "Your mother already insisted that she stay here with the elders and lend her energy and help to make sure they get all the information. It will be fine and you know your mother, she will let us know if it won't be okay. Don't be so worried." He kissed me on the forehead and roughed up my hair a bit and walked up the staircase to the upper floor. I heard him talking to his Zeta warriors and filling them in on orders for the following day. He was being overly cautious, just not letting me and mother know. Fine by me, but that also means that the creature I "didn't see" will be able to make all the way into the village and farther because we can't see it. Sometimes I can separately look into a threat and find the missing peace. I left the chanting circle and went to my bedding pad and started my own meditation. It felt like hours as I tried to find what this was that had come to get rid of us. Then I finally noticed it. When it ran past me in the Spirit walk I noticed I got a whiff of a being like us but not our scent, and then I started to get a picture of it. It was a massive werewolf and I kept getting an erratic thought pattern. This made me think that this thing just stayed this way and that it was chained up on the other side of the river in the camp of the other clan. Then I zoomed over to the clan leaders' dreams and, for us, this is where we can sense what makes them tick, so to speak. His plan was to rid our side of the river of all of us so that they could have all of our "things". And unleashing this beast of sorts would guarantee that he would get all of our portion of land on this side of the river and none of the fighting, but he knew this was the only way he would be able to do it. I sat and gathered all the information I could on this situation and then went running to the chanting circle to add what I had found out. Which filled everyone with fear to know that we had an enemy that was unknown to us and no way of knowing what we could do to defeat it. But we would sit there until it was accomplished and we had the ability to devise a plan. We sat there most of the night going over plans and solutions to problems that would arise and we went out to my father who was making rounds checking on all the guards to make sure they were not falling asleep and that they were alert. "Father, we have news and a possible plan. " My mother nodded and allowed me to put it in terms that he could understand. When I was done, he just nodded and said, "Good job you two." He winked and then went to gather the warriors to give them the plan. We will be ready for this horrible attack if I have anything to do with it. We were all on high alert and every little thing was making us jumpy. The Soul Mating ceremony went off amazingly with no interruptions. Our people were enjoying themselves and oblivious to the chaos that we had lurking in the shadows. We got to the end of the festivities and most people were heading home. In the vision we were all having, it was daylight. It was night, so it might be the next turn at that same time. We got down from the perch and started to tell everyone good night. I heard one young person say, "How odd that they are dressed in full war garb today. Do you think it will be a regular thing from now on, Momma?" Her mother just shrugged as they both turned to wave as they left towards their home. Everyone was safely in their homes for the night and the crisis was averted. But something just didn't seem right. I had quite the dejavu during the day that matched the visions. But none of the violence. Then I smelled that foul odor like decay and rot of a lot of things all together. It was outside the castle. This time it was so much stronger though and came with a feeling of grief and darkeness. I started to yell out "ATTACK!" but then all of a sudden the whole thing, the feeling and the smell disappeared, like a breeze on the wind. I ran to where I knew my father was stationed and told him what had just happened to me. He devised a plan that we would all take a shift watching over the castle and outstanding village. We were all on edge anyway, it would give us something to do that was productive. My father and I, with about 10 other Zetas, took to making rounds til around midnight. Then the guards that were resting, meanwhile, switched us places so we could rest. Father stayed with the fresh guards and ordered me to get some rest so that I would be able to replace him in a while. I knew not to argue, it would be futile. I ran off to the fainting room, which was closer and easier to leave from. I laid down and slept for a couple of hours. I was woke up by my mom ushering me to get up and go relieve my father. I sat up and gathered my senses. I straightened up and headed to where my mother said he was. As I was walking, my mother came walking up beside me. "Mind if I tag along?" my mother asked. "I absolutely do not mind," I replied with a smile on my face. I gave her a hug and we wandered down to the post where my father was giving more orders to his fresh Zetas. "You all have your orders, watch each other's backs and keep them safe," he ordered to them. "Alright Cali, I am going to lie down for a bit, but keep your eyes peeled. I have been hearing noises all day and I don't know if it is because I am jumpy and tired or it is actual noises of something." "Okay, father. I will," I hugged him and watched him wrap his arm around mom's waist and head towards home. Then I smelled it faintly. That rotting smell of darkness. Then I felt a brush of fur go past me. And whatever this was, it was an enormous feeling creature with a lot of evil magic to it also. Someone created these creatures. What bothered me was that, until this point, it was always silent. No movement could be heard when I was in the trance or when I experienced it before, when I told my father. Then, all of a sudden, the veil of blindness came off and there were many massive catlike beasts that could wipe us off the face of this planet. The "feeling" I got was that these creatures were "not startled" yet. They were wandering and searching for food. I knew that there was a large herd of Byfalu, a large grazing animal that lives on the other side of the mountain range, but standing here in awe wasn't going to help that. I quickly but carefully ran up to my father and had him turn around to see this sight. I put my hand on his shoulder and he jerked out of habit, he frowned at me and then followed his gaze on up to the huge creature that had just brushed past me. He went to yell and I covered his mouth as to prevent these things starting and going on a rampage. He looked at me as I put my finger in front of my mouth and ushered him to stay quiet. Then I whispered in his ear that we needed to get everyone out of here and try to scare them to the Byfalu Plain, and that we had to do this quickly. He just nodded and ushered my mother to hurry and go to the castle. The even more scary thing is that the whole town was out. Matter of fact, there seemed to be more villagers there than there were on the festival days. It was a nice day and there was a lot of cleaning that had to be done, but there was no way to let them know one by one. Soon, we started to gather people as quietly as possible, sending them back to their homes and down to their storm shelters. We started to get the closest villager to us into their storm shelter when a piercing, blood-curdling scream rang through the air, which caused these smelly beasts to screech, hiss, and start tearing through the villagers. There was screaming and blood being flung everywhere. Then, out of nowhere, here came the other clan tearing up the left-over villagers that were running in scattered directions. Our soldiers fought what they could and what beasts were spare, took them out with ease. I ran to help and I felt my mother's hand on my shoulder, not realizing that she had come running up behind me wounded, bleeding from a gaping wound ripped into her torso. She collapsed right at the spot. I tore the bottom of my shirt in a failed attempt to stop the bleeding, but the gapping hole was too big. She pulled me to her so she could whisper in my ear. "Cali, it's all yours dear, you take your survivors and leave this place. I have seen you in a safer place that is beautiful. You will lead our people to great things, dear." She took gasping breaths. "But where is dad?"I asked. Surely he was okay. She pointed further up the path where his dismantled body lay, causing a large pool of blood. I grabbed mother into my lap. I was not ready for this. I had lots more to learn and now the ones that were supposed to teach me these lessons were gone. As mother's last breaths went she uttered, "Use your inner power." She was gone. I choked back the tears as the anger of it got stuck in my throat. I carelessly wandered out to the field where the clan were gathering up these beasts and I let out the biggest growl I had. I summoned all the strength I had to transform and remembered nothing. I vaguely remember that I took out not only every single beast they had but the father of their clan and quite a few guard warriors. Then things went dark. I was sucked into this foggy world where all those that were killed were standing to say their goodbyes to each other and move on to Mother Moon. This is usually done on a single scale when someone dies, but if I did an actual head count it was almost everyone in our clan. I said my goodbyes to them and we joined in unison. I watched as my whole tribe walked up to the moon gates and walked through. My mother and father's souls were the last to talk to me and shared the wisdom they had and told me that they would be looking after me from the beyond and that it would be okay. I was glad that I could help them move on, but the mere fact that now I had nothing and that my transformation had removed me so far from where I was, just what felt like a minute ago, was beyond the space of my mind. But I found peace in the fact that they were now safe and beyond anyone's hateful reach. I was awakened to ice-cold water being thrown at me from a watering bucket. I could feel every rip in my skin, every swollen joint and socket. All my nerves felt like someone had lit them on fire. It was this moment when I realized that I hadn't completely changed back yet, which, considering the prior events, would have been expected. Still feeling those feelings and those feelings being why I had changed, it was surprising that I even started changing back at all. We have had sprit walkers that would go mad and run off never to be seen again. It was sad too, because they had so much skill and power but their minds couldn't handle it. "GET UP! Cali Awena, you are here-as a slave of the Viho Tribe, now you will do as we say. You have murdered 10 of our worriers and all of their mounts that got loose on your land. With no reason to take that kind of action against us." The guard with the bucket said to me. "Your Clan killed my whole tribe with those abominations. And you saw I had no reason to kill your warriors, really?" I spit on the guard's foot. "Apachu!" In our tongue, it means enemy stranger.