LUNA: REBORN WARRIOR

CHAPTER FOUR

With her eyes blazing with fury, Sapphire made her two wishes to the moon goddess. "Moon goddess, please grant me strength for my afterlife" she mustered with great pain. "And guide my beloved Marcus toward the truth behind my death", she whispered in a faint and weak voice as she breathed her last breath.

Vincent, seeing that Sapphire is dead, ripped off her head with his strong claw. He proceeded to his pack's territory with Luna's head in his hand and alongside Laolu who was with him throughout the encounter.

Immediately, a large whirlwind erupted and started blowing furiously throughout the Silverclaw territory. All members of the pack were frightened. "This is a bad omen", said a member of the pack.

Marcus arose suddenly and sensed danger. He searched for Luna around his shelter but couldn't find her. He went further to the shelters around, but still Luna couldn't be found.

He summoned all members of the pack to gather under the oak tree at the centre of their territory. "Luna is missing", said Marcus with a worried voice. Marcus' words shook the entire pack's heart. They worried for the safety of their Luna.

"Let all of us go into the forest and search the nook and cranny of it," said a member of the pack. In solidarity, both young and old, they all combed the forest and searched for their Luna.

However, to honor the wishes of Luna Sapphire to let Marcus know the truth about her death, an eclipse occurred. There was great darkness in the forest, but a glimpse of light was shone by the moon in the direction of the path leading to the body of Sapphire.

On seeing the eclipse and great darkness in the forest, all members of the silverclaw pack moved towards the glimpse of light shone by the moon goddess. Marcus led the pack through the path and at last, the dead body of their great Luna was discovered without her head.

Marcus confirmed the body as Sapphire's because he recognized the special ornament found on her body. Suddenly, the air was heavy with great sadness and grief. Marcus was stunned and inconsolable.

The pack gathered together, seated in a circle while Luna's body lay at the center. Her once vibrant, chestnut coat was stained red with blood and her beautiful ornament, which once shone bright light, was laying on the dust on the surface of the earth.

The pack howled bitterly, letting out uncontrollable mournful cries that echoed through the forest and surrounding territories. There was a great sorrow in the land which has never been experienced before.

The pack remembered Luna when she was alive- her vibrant tongue, her gentleness, her wise counsel, her selfless heart. What a great loss!

"Luna, we love you. We'll forever miss you. You gave us hope, encouraged us, and showed us the right path. You will never be forgotten." said Greypaw, one of the oldest members of the pack.

"Oh, look at what I found. It's a diode", said a member of the pack with an object in his hand. "It surely belongs to the Bloodmoon clan. It must have fallen from the killer of our dear Luna", he continued.

Another round of mourning and crying erupted amidst them. Marcus, with his fiery red eyes, said, "Oh Bloodmoon, you will pay for this atrocity you've committed. I will do everything in my power to wipe all of you away from the surface of the earth".

"Bloodmoon will pay for what they have done. This is the height of it all. They will regret the day they crossed us." said another member of the clan. The news of Luna's death has quickly spread across to other territories nearby.

To fulfil Luna's first wish of strength for the afterlife, the moon goddess shined a light on Luna's body alone for a while and made her spirit ascend to the ancient cloak without the knowledge of the pack.

A resounding howl of agony and pain emancipated among them. Marcus couldn't be controlled, as he cried profusely. "Oh! Luna, why???" said Marcus with an agonizing voice. It was a really sad day for the entire Silverclaw pack.

As the moon moved higher in the sky, the pack howled again, this time out of anger, frustration, and loss. They vowed to avenge their Luna's death, to make sure that the Bloodmoon pack would pay for the loss of such a treasured and beloved soul.

They decided to bury Luna that night. Luna was buried amidst a loud sad howl. All members, both old and young, were in great and unimaginable sorrow. The trees and leaves in the forest stood still in respect to Luna. Likewise all other creatures in the territory. It was indeed an unforgettable day in the history of the Silverclaw clan.

"There shall be three days of fasting and mourning in respect of our dear Luna", said Marcus with a sorrowful but firm voice. He continued, "The largest oak tree at the center of our territory shall be decorated with Luna's special ornament to preserve and immortalize her legacy of peace, truth, and justice".

With their wagging tail and sorrowful heart, members of the pack went their separate ways to their respective houses. Days passed as the Silverclaw pack tried to come to terms with their grief.

They mourned in their ways, some withdrawing in solitude, some lending support to their comrades. Days by day, the loss weighed heavier on them, especially Alpha Marcus.

As they mourned, however, they also remembered all the good things Luna had done for them. She had sometimes joined them in battles, facilitated learning, and even helped them find love.

Despite the sadness, her memories made the pack stronger and more united, reaffirming their shared purpose and determination to remain steadfast through tough times.

One night, a figure emerged from the shadows, a lone wolf whose scent was unfamiliar to the pack. He approached the Silverclaw pack, his head low in respect. He was apprehended and taken to Alpha Marcus by some members of the pack.

"Greetings, Alpha Marcus and the entire Silverclaw pack." His voice was grave, his countenance solemn. "I come," he continued, "to offer you myself and my entire pack's condolences for your loss."

A low growl rose from Marcus's throat. "Who are you and what's your mission here?". The wolf lifted his head, revealing his piercing blue eyes. "I am Jengbe, the alpha of the Firefly pack. I come in peace, not war."

The pack exchanged wary glances, but Jengbe's words seemed genuine. Greyphaw stepped forward, sniffing Jengbe's scent, and finding it was indeed a pack's alpha.

Jengbe continued, "I was sent by the moon goddess".