Risen .+. Others

With the pack marching in behind her, Risen was on top of her game. "Watch your step, or you may be punished by the under world." She was referring to the lava and lava pits as the underworld.

With eyes wide and nose flared. She tried to pick out the best place to perform this punishment. Finally she found it. It was a glowing red pit about five feet by three feet with sturdy ground around it. A small elevation of land was to one side of it, just a foot off the ground was enough for the female to like. "Gather round, let there be room for all to see!" She waited as they took their places. Rasheetah, even though wanting to be close to the leader, made sure to be a good distance from the red liquid.

The lava gave a few bubbles that burst and send drops of molten rock onto the ground around it. Razor smiled at it and sat as close to the action as he possible could. Children moved away and farther from the pit, though close enough to see. To make sure those behind them could see the action, the first row would lay down, the second row would side, and behind them would be all the larger animals that would not be participating.

Yzunala looked for Joe, snorting before moving toward her mother at the opposite end of the ceremony ring. Her father, Alderon, would be participating in the final number. One day, Risen would use Joe as the last sacrificer, his trunk was prime to hold things, and holding a traitor over lava without potentially hurting himself was one thing she hoped she could use.

Alderon quickly took Coriscan from his transporter and moved up on the ground elevation. Holding Coriscan by the scruff of his neck and dangling him just a foot above the molten pit. As everyone settled, Risen called out.

"Haunters! It is time to send this demon to where he belongs! Those who wish to save him, those who wish to follow in his foot steps may follow in after him if you would like." She was looking at all those who were uncomfortable. To those who doubted the Haunters. "Now, concentrate, close your eyes and open your minds..."

She waited, watching everyone as she bowed her head low to the ground, something she rarely did. "Guardians of the Afterlife: We are one of the firsts to bring a soul directly to you. His journey will be painful. but we know after he has sunken to the bottom of this pit that you shall be there waiting for him. The crime he has committed is betrayal. Breaking the most important law of a pack or group of any kind: Loyalty." There was a moment, of silence, the wind could be heard, and the life outside of the group still went on. Finally Risen lifted her head to it's full height. "If there are any of you, who would like to give parting words. You do not need to hold back. Although he is a traitor, his is still family. As much as we need to punish him, we feel pain. But if we let him go on with life, he will only repeat the offense. And everyone knows this... Those with words, share them now. They may be comforting to him before his final journey." She lowered her head again, respectful to those close to the traitor.

Devaki; Estelle

Devaki followed the group, Estelle close behind her. The sisters stopped in their places, watching the dying traitor. "We are family, Coriscan. Even when you go, we are still family. When wars break out and the devil himself turns every creature against his own brothers and sisters, there is no hiding the fact that we are family. I will see you, my brother, when it is my time to depart from this life as well. There will be a celebration." He father had taught her these things, that even bitter enemies are brothers and sisters.

Estelle had much to say, but she was unable to speak. The blind and mute cub walked toward where she smelled Risen, as if she was asking permission to approach the traitor.

Kagura,Joe

Kagura walked up to the group and was very careful

Joe who had grown a conciderable amount. He was now almost the size of his adoptive mother rhino.Just a tad smaller.He moved beside his mother his trunk up as he sniffed the air.His tusks had started to grow as well

Mijuu and others

Mijuu and her brother Bijuu two rottwilers one female and one male both warriors came forth and stood in an appropriate spot to watch

Hong kong stood next to them

Jiju and kiju the two young male polar bears were next though they didn't favor this area cuz of the heat.Their mother right behind them though limping.Blood stained her left front leg from a bullet wound.

Frodo who limped in as well had a gun wound to his left hind leg.

Tazera the tasmanian devil came right in watching hungerly but stayed back

Samara soon followed group and watched.

Kota hopped in with her son beside him

lastly came jack a capuchin monkey he watched

Risen

Risen watched the approach of the deaf-mute pup. When the pup seemed to request to see the traitor, Risen nodded and Alderon brought the traitor from his point and laid him gently on the ground for Estelle to do what she wanted.

Cavan & Others

With the parade of Haunters, Cavan escorted Risen as they made their trek to the pit. He remained slightly back, and with a lower head than hers, but his presence was there for two reasons. One, to assert his place as beta and provide support for the alpha, and two - to eye up any fractious members. And as far as he could tell, the gathered animals didn't look the least bit inclined to revolt against the ceremony. Even Tersek, who always seemed to be testing Cavan, was standing alertly and obediently.

Of all the Haunters that might offer words to the traitor, Warfell remained utterly silent. He had already spoken to Coriscan, and there was nothing else for him to say. It had been a grueling concept to force in his head, but in the end, he had come to accept the fact that his brother had betrayed him and the Family. He still loved his brother deeply, but for the sake of everyone else, this is what needed to be done.

For his part, Coriscan was conscious enough to hear what was being said, though there was no way for him to communicate back. He squirmed slightly as he felt the heat radiate over his body, but his heart was so weakened at this point that it scantly beat any faster as fear washed over him anew.

Devaki; Estelle

The tiger cub, a complete replica of her father Majikan, approached Coriscan. There was so much she wanted to say, but couldn't get it out. She faced her sister, raised herself up in a dominant posture and walked back and forth. Devaki immediately knew what she was trying to say. "She says she wants you to--" The cub began. Estelle shook her head. "Wait, she says she wants to guard something." Estelle nodded. She then got low to the ground, closed her eyes and wagged her tail, like a dog. "She says she wants to guard some puppies...?" Estelle nodded again, then pointed at Coriscan with her nose. "She says she wants to guard your puppies." Devaki said to the traitor. It confused her that Estelle knew about the puppies, but the blind-mute cub had probably overheard something back at the Temple.

Now that her message was out, Estelle sat next to Coriscan, rubbing her head against him.

Incalia & Others

As words were spoken to the traitor, who dangled above the lava pit, Incalia arrived with her offspring and Litharaz. The gamma female moved through the crowd to stand beside Cavan, joining the leaders to watch Coriscan's last moments.

Litharaz stood behind Incalia, staring the ground. He didn't want to watch the traitor fall into the pit, even though he knew it was for the best.

Onslaught stood beside his mother, his face blank, but his eyes showing the pleasure he gained from watching this scene.

Ardeth, mimicking his brother, with Malacath beside him, remained silent as the others shared words with the traitor.

Kamari stood beside Warfell, and was surprised that he didn't say anything to Coriscan, but she didn't say anything. She just smiled weakly at him, but didn't know what she could say to comfort him when he was faced with this horrible spectacle.

Vaermina slid through the crowd, settling herself in the middle, her blue and hazel eyes staring at Coriscan as he was hung above the pit. She simply said, in a strong voice for a young adolesent, "Goodbye, Coriscan."

Risen .+. Alderon

With all saying their words, once they were over Risen gave a nod to Alderon who gave a soft shot of air to Estelle to tell her that the time had come for the traitor to be exterminated.

Again the Rhino picked the wolf up by his scruff and held him high in the air for everyone to see. Risen looked at the dangling body before turning to her pack. "Do you see what we have done here. We have giving punishment. Where as other pack's simply give death... death is too quick. And none learn from it, none fear it. A simple execution has no respect, it is quick punishment.

"Since Coriscan was the first to under go this punishment, he has had the worst possible punishment one can get. The next time one needs a punishment, the Stratigists will gather together as equals to agree upon a just punishment. But beware, if we agree, this level of punishment could be what we agree on."

With another silence she turned to Alderon. "Put him out of his misery. Coriscan, you are unwillingly helping your fellow haunters. By being the first, you are an example of what not to do." Then she turned to the lava. "Judges of the Afterlife, we offer you a dirty soul to do as you please. Alderon..."

The rhino gave a soft nod before lowering his head down. Letting the back end of Coriscan sink into the pit, but keeping his head in the air so that he would feel the pain before the heat melted his brain. The dip was ever so slow, and once it got to his fore-leg-nubs; Alderon released his hold and let the body sink and melt. If timing was right, he would remain upright and sink until the lava covered over his head.

Risen watched and then growled to those who cowered at the sight. "You must watch, it is painful, it is gruesom, but it is fact. You are all witnesses for the future. You can all clearly tell any what will happen if you even hear them joke about turning against their fellow Haunters. This is no laughing matter." Her words were strong, powerful, authoritive. "This is not a joke, Loyalty is what a pack is built upon. And when you break that loyalty you break a link in the chain. With everyone's action, there is an equal action that follows. We all make up the SHADOW HAUNTERS. We are ALL ONE UNITED BEING. To your left and to your right, they are just as important as you. Some are stronger than others, some are smarter than others. But our bodies are not made of mud. We have our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our tongues to taste and our fangs to chew. We have our feet to walk on and we respect all of our being, like we should respect each other. One faulty link is like having a broken leg. We are hindered! HAUNTERS! No matter what each look like, no matter how different we are, we are all after the same thing. To see the cleansing of the Valley. The day we can call this place. SHADOW VALLEY!.

"Remember. Everything you have a doubt, everytime you have suspicion. We are all the same. And together, everything is possible, everything is achievable. We have come so far from nothing alread. To those who have joined us in the begining. You know, and you've watched how much we've grown. You know and you've realized how powerful we have really become. It wont be much longer. There will be little time to wait before the valley is our own. Filled with Diversity, filled with respect..."

She caughed her breath from the excitment she portrayed. Then nodded. "As we head back to the temple, for I have much more to say. I want you all to bow before the pit that has just become Coriscan's grave. A respectful bow, for even in his last moments, he was doing you all a favor. You may not see it, or you may, either way, your bow must be sincere. Do not come to the temple until it is."

With that the female turned and bowed as deep as she could to the fiery pit. Along with her were the others: Ghoul, Ynear, Alderon, Gymba, Yzunala, Razor, and the rest of the bunch. As they headed back to the temple.

Joey and others

they all bowed and then headed back.The two bears limped.

Devaki; Estelle; Luke; Kane; Sekou

Devaki and Estelle watched and listened, then bowed at the grave. They then turned around and walked away.

Luke and Kane stood in the back of the group, beside Sekou. They willingly followed orders and bowed before following the group back to the Temple.

Incalia & Others

It was true, the Haunters had grown and done amazing things. Incalia had been there at the beginning, as had Litharaz, as they could both see the glory this pack had already achieved.

Each bowed respectfully to Coriscan's grave, before heading after Risen.