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The Blood War

Outlander's Epilogue

"Mother?"

Outlander's eyes fluttered open to the two large faces in front of her. Her daughter stepped forward, holding a small bird in her jaws. She set it down in front of Outlander. "Mother, please. Eat," she said quietly. Outlander let out a rasping sigh. "Robin, you and I both know I won't be able to keep that down," she grumbled. Age hadn't slowed the coywolf down, but the sickness that had been ravaging her body for the past week was making her frail. Still, she had made it past the bar her mother had set. Her children were almost young adults, and already fine hunters. She had watched them play, and fight, and hunt, and grow. They might have gone to find a pack if Outlander's condition hadn't kept them behind.

Robin looked at her brother, obviously hoping he could convince Outlander to eat. "Please," he sighed, "Just try, at least. You haven't eaten in days."

Outlander eyed her son for a moment. He had the same red coat as she and Robin had, but it was interrupted by breaks of grey, a gift from a wolf father.

The white spots resembled places where skeleton peeked through the fur. She had named him Bonepatch immediately as an homage to her greatest friend. His personality didn't fit with that of his namesake. He was timid and avoided conflict at any cost, but sitting here with sadness in his eyes, Outlander could see a resemblance.

She looked at the both of them and gave a smile. "Go. Find a home, a pack if you must. But promise me something."

Robin and Bonepatch exchanged a glance, understanding their mother was giving them her final wishes. "Stay together," she said, strugglung to hold on to the smile as she thought back to Scavenger. "Always be there for each other. Protect each other. Promise me?"

They nodded slowly, to which Outlander nodded in response before going into a coughing fit. She laid her head back on the ground and Robin padded over to lay at her side, setting her head on top of Outlander's. "We can't leave you here," Bonepatch murmered, staring at the ground. "We can't leave you alone."

An unexpected laugh broke from Outlander's lungs. "Look at me," she said. He raised his head, and she looked him directly in the eye, like she did when she wanted her children to remember something. "I won't be alone." Bonepatch nodded slowly. Outlander continued: "I've taught you both everything I can, but I haven't taught you everything there is. You will have to find your own way, and-"

"Bloom," Robin and Bonepatch finished in unison. Outlander smiled, "So you were listening to all my lectures?" There was another coughing fit, this one leading to blood. "Now," she said, "I have one more request. I will try to eat, but I want a rabbit." Robin looked to Bonepatch and he padded off with a nod. Outlander sighed again, looking at her daughter, "Both of you."

Robin's ears dropped.

"Please," Outlander continued, "I don't want you to see this." Robin stood slowly, touching her nose to her mother's. "Goodbye," she choked, backing away. "Not goodbye," Outlander corrected. "We'll see each other again. And then you'll see all those stories I told you and your brother about my monster guardian were true." She smiled as Robin turned and padded of with tears streaming down her face. "I love you both," she called after Robin, "And remember, you're never alone!"

Outlander's eyes flew open. The pain raging in her lungs had vanished, and body, young and undamaged once again, was covered in starlight. Her third and final trip to the Forever Grounds. Phantom wolves and coyotes appeared from the trees, grouping before her. "Outlander, of the coywolves," spoke one of the wolves in lead. "Welcome to the Forever Grounds." From behind him stepped two figures: Outlander's mother and Scavenger.

"Welcome, to your new pack," Scavenger said with a smile. "No omegas, no alphas. Just packmates. You belong here, and now its finally your turn to join us." Outlander recognized a few of the faces. There was Phantasm, and Winks, and even some of her old coyote packmates. The pack turned, making its way deeper into the forest. Scavenger dashed after them and Outlander's mother stood, motioning for her to follow them before disappearing through the trees. Outlander took one last look behind her, where the living world faded away. Though they would hurt, she had every confidence her chidren would thrive. As she turned back to the astral forest, a dark grey wolf appeared before her, his peircing blue eyes filled with both the sadness of seeing another dead friend and the relief that her suffering had finally come to an end. She gave him a smile, "Thank you for your guidance and protection, old friend."

He gave a smile back. "Welcome home."

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