The Missing Light: Part Two

Part Two
The next morning came so quickly. It felt as though I had barely closed my eyes before I was shaken awake again.

Artemis looked fearfully out of the entrance of the cave she was sleeping in.

You could tell that everyone was emotional. It was heavy in the air.

Each said goodbye to their families differently. Some sat in silence with each other, drawing in the last moments of togetherness. Others showed openly that they didn’t want to go. Others put on a strong smile to not show fear, while others seethed in anger.

And before I knew it. . .it was my turn. . .to say goodbye.

Maria took a deep breath, then turned to her daughter. “Now, Artemis,” she whispered. “Try your hardest, and remember everything we’ve gone over.” Her eyebrows we’re doing something funny, but Artemis didn’t let it distract her from her mother’s pained face. “You can do this. You’re ready. I—” her eyes darted downwards towards her paws, and her ears were pinned to her head. “I know you are.”

Artemis smiled gratefully. “Thanks mom.” She flicked her ears. “I’ll come back, I promise!” She added quickly.

Her mother leaned forward and touched her nose to her daughter’s. “I’ll be waiting for you, my dear.” She promised. “Now. . .you run along. Don’t you worry about me.

“I’ll be just fine.”

Artemis smiled reassuringly at her mother, then sprinted away.

_________________________________________________

Pups were chattering excitedly as Artemis sidled up to Nuka’s side, but were immediately silenced by the smile the huge grey brown wolf with solid blue eyes, almost like the guards the previous day. It curled unnaturally upwards.

Artemis shivered.

“Welcome youth.” He growled. “Today we start the journey of serving the queen.” He had an annoyingly whiny voice that Artemis immediately found unattractive. “Aren’t you. . .excited?” He chuckled unnervingly.

“Of course you are,” he mended quickly.

“I was assigned to be this region’s supervisor. This means. . .I’ll be in charge of  keeping you all in order. Now,” he growled. Before we begin, let me start with the role call.

“Stone?”

“Uh, here.” The pup mumbled.

“Very good. I believe the next one on the list is. . .Nuka.”

“Yes, I’m present, sir.” Artemis’ friend said bravely.

“Alright. Now. . .Kayden. Are you here?”

Artemis turned around to look at her rather delusional friend. He was shaking his head happily, listening to music inside his head. She winced, but didn’t dare speak.

“Kayden.”

Kayden continued dancing.

“KAYDEN.”

“Oh—uh—here, here!”

“I see.” Sleet snapped, clearly unimpressed. “Alright then. Pepper?”

The long furred she-wolf scoffed, bored. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“And lastly,” Sleet drawled. “. . .Artemis?”

Artemis flattened her ears. “Um, here, sir,” She croaked.

“Good.” Sleet grinned. “Everyone seems more or less accounted for. Today, we will be traveling to the kingdom to meet the other four regions. Once there, we will begin our assessments to properly place you and—”

“Hey,” Pepper called. “When do we know when—”

“SILENCE, YOU PUP.” Sleet shouted. “You will learn all you need to know when we get there! Understood?” He added quietly.

Pepper didn’t answer.

“Good.” Sleet said again. “Now. Let’s head out!”

We traveled for a long time, jumping over fallen logs, and crossing rivers. I’ve never traveled so far in my life before! We finally arrived at our destination around dusk. I swear, if we kept going any longer, my paws would have fallen off.

Sleet leapt commandingly up to the top of a large boulder, looking down at all of the pups gathered below him. “Welcome, all.” He snarked. “Region 1!” He shouted. “Are you all accounted for?”

“Yes, sir.” A yellow wolf with a scar over his eye growled promptly. “Here and accounted for.”

“Region 2?”

“Yes, sir, we have made it here promptly.” A snowy white female replied.

“Perfect. Region 3? Region 5?”

“Yes.” The two guards said simultaneously.

“Now, boys and girls. . .” Sleet rumbled, padding up to the very edge of the rock. “May I introduce you to our dear and most lovely. . .queen.”

Queen Eyagra slipped out of the shadows, laughing. “Welcome, my young loyal subjects.” She had an interesting accent that added to her hostile purple pink and white look. “This day is the most important day of your little lives. For some of you, this day could bring you great joy and wealth and comfort, and, while others, well. . .” The Queen smiled. “Anyway, I shall be overseeing you as you progress through the challenges. I will see some of you in a few moons, and the rest will only ever hear of me.

“Good luck, youth,” She finished. “and may you do your best. My assistant will be taking over the explaining from here.”

And just like she had appeared, she sank into the shadows until all you could see was her bright purple eyes and the purple jewel glistening on the tip of her crown.

A pretty brown she-wolf stepped forward. “Tomorrow, we will begin the challenges to find out your strengths, your weaknesses and. . .where to put you in regards to ranking. For today, however, just get yourselves settled in. I will return tomorrow to begin the challenges. Now, keep care of yourselves and sleep well.”