• NightWing was running, running as fast as her silvery legs could take her. Behind her, her mate, Beast King was battling an ambush of thirteen enemy wolves. NightWing had fought as well, until she was far too wounded to continue fighting. Now she ran to save her life.
    The silver and sapphire wolf ceased out of exhaustion at a cave. Bone-tired and weary, she lightly trod inside and laid down on the cool stone floor, waiting for death to consume her.
    The she-wolf knew she was going to die. She could feel it in her bones and wounds. They were fatal and she was losing too much blood to see sunrise. But unlike most, who try to defy their death, she calmly accepted it.
    "Everyone has a time to die. I guess mine just came sooner than I thought. I only wish that MoonSong were here, that I could explain to her that death wouldn't keep us apart. But I know it isn't meant to be." she whispered tiredly.
    She laid her head on her silvery paws.
    "You are wise to admit such words. Most would not accept their death so calmly." came a bell-like voice.
    NightWing raised her head, looking into the blank darkness. A greenish glow approached her. A beautiful she-wolf stepped into view. Her pelt was a multitude of tints and shades of green. Vines with fragrant flowers wrapped around her legs and tail like the bracers of an up-walker warrior. A wreath of roses rested on the top of her head, a sprig of holly lay in the crevice of her left ear. Her claws were pure amber. And her eyes were as green as emeralds, and twice as bright. She had wings that were shaped like leaves, transparent, and a light green color. The lovely wolf sat down in front of NightWing.
    "Be at peace NightWing. Your journey is nearly over. You have lived a fair life, full of happiness and hardships. You became the mate of a king. And had two pups. One, a male, was stolen by enemy spies, the other, a strong young female, was left as your heir. But do not fret, Loving One, MoonSong will do well. Your daughter shall become a fine warrior, full of fire and justice. Now sleep, I will watch over her until she accepts the concept of another's death." she crooned softly, understandingly.
    NightWing felt her life fading. "But who are you? Before I die, I must know."
    "I am Mother Earth. And a mother's duty in life is to protect all her children, even if she has not given birth to them herself. Now, good-bye, NightWing. May your path to the Sky of Endless Bounty be a good one." the she-wolf explained softly.
    And with that, NightWing closed her eyes and allowed death to consume her. But as she died, she let out one last howl.
    "MOONSONG!" she sang, and then went to the Path of Drifting. The last thing that ran through her mind was her little daughter, MoonSong.