Redemption | A Wolf Story | Prologue is up!

The star-painted canvas glared disapprovingly at the dark shadows of tall trees, concealing two muscular figures. Over in the distance clouds were beginning to slowly creep out of hiding and swallowed up valiant stars, one by one. The forest below was an endless ocean of pine trees that seemed to stretch out to the ends of the earth. In the far corner of the forest a clearing opened up, surrounding a large rock face with a small opening carved into the base.
“We’re here,” panted a hoarse masculine voice.
The two silhouettes stopped at the edge of the clearing, their haunting amber eyes staring at the small cave.
“I expected it to be bigger,” the other figure rasped. He too was a male but slightly smaller in size.
The two had large muzzles and pointed ears which gave away the fact that they were canines – wolves.
“You’re not scared are you?” the first wolf snarled as he glared mockingly at his comrade.
The second wolf snorted, lashing his tail in anguish, “Never!” he snapped hastily. “I’ve been awaiting this moment for a long time.”
The first wolf nodded with a curt grunt. “Good.”
The two slowly crept out into the open. The moon caught them like a spotlight. They were trapped in his vivid beams, now clearly identifiable to all of the watching stars. The larger of the two was a pale, smoky-grey male. The other had a black pelt with tinges of grey that got paler towards his muzzle and paws.
The creamy-white male took the lead, reaching the cave first and engulfing a large gasp of air. It smelt damp and cold. A bitter breeze gently pushed against his face. He hesitated.
“What’s the matter, Skorn?” the black male questioned.
There was a moment of silence before a low growl erupted from Skorn. “I’m just not sure it’s the right place,” he muttered.
The black male nudged the creamy wolf’s flank, “What makes you say that?”
“The air is cold.” There was darkness in Skorn’s voice.
“I’m sure it’s right,” the dark male sighed. “Let’s go inside; we’re wasting time.”
Skorn’s ears twitched and a snarl planted itself on his face. Without hesitating he stepped inside, feeling the cold air attacking his muscles. He kept on moving, the light fading to darkness. He could hear steady paw steps behind him. The walls were closing in and Skorn could feel his pelt brushing against the damp cave walls. The roof was getting lower until he had to duck his head. How much lower would it get? The air was getting more humid and the force of it was becoming stronger. It was a vicious wind, its temperature rising the further the wolves travelled. Skorn began to slow down, suddenly feeling fear striking his heart. He couldn’t see a thing and the tunnel was beginning to dip down so that he was heading underground. The earth beneath his paws was growing damp. The tunnel lead deeper into the earth, the air growing thicker with heat.
A light entered the tunnel and hope flickered in Skorn’s heart. He began to speed up. The tunnel was widening and he found he could stand up straight again. He could no longer feel the cave walls brushing against his body. The light was getting brighter. Suddenly, the tunnel opened up into a massive cave filled with orange light. The space was huge and in the middle was a massive circular pit filled with orange and red bubbling fluid – lava. Steam freed itself from the lava and rose to the cave roof. The air was scorching but not nearly as hot as the lava would be.
“We made it, Jigsaw,” Skorn chuckled with pleasure as he approached the pit of lava. “I was beginning to think we never would.” He stared into the flames, eyes shining with satisfaction and something else – something darker.
Jigsaw padded to stand beside his companion, staring in awe at the massive pit of heat - heat beyond imagination.
“Are you ready?” Skorn asked, but he didn’t expect an answer. Instead, he stood right at the edge of the pit.
“I was born ready.” Jigsaw snarled, insulted that Skorn would question his bravery.
Skorn straightened up, puffing out his chest and raising his muzzle high. “Diablo,” He began formally. “We have come for a negotiation.”
It was at that abrupt moment when the lava heaved and violent flames lashed out at the roof with a strong and powerful force. The two wolves leapt back in shock, taken aback by the sudden movements of the flames. The cave was lit up for a few seconds before the flames vanished again, as quickly as they had come.
“Diablo has heard you.” Jigsaw whispered shakily.
A wicked smile painted itself across Skorn’s face. “Good.”