Crusade

**W E L C O M E - T O - C R U S A D E**
!!!**(SPOILERS)!!!**

Welcome! Crusade is a story encompassing the thoughts of the main character, Alaric. It begins as a bit mysterious, gaining many predictions, many possibilities as to who is this unknown force? Though later on, there are obvious hints.

Alaric is a white tiger, lost in his own world. His parents are dead, leaving Alaric to fend for himself. Soon into the story, he crosses paths with other characters. These characters impact Alaric's life as a cub, as well as when he grows older.

Later in life, Alaric is faced with a life and death situation. The wolves assailed his group, killing those who were weak. They captured many, torturing them to give information. Alaric must find a miraculous solution, to liberate those who have been imprisoned and free those who are being chased.

But, will be figure this out in time? Or will he fail, dying along with his companions?

Find out in Crusade.

**C H A R A C T E R S**

Alaric

*Main Character*

Alaric is a rather short tiger, though his pelt is mere bulk, being well-muscled. His stripes are thick and lengthy across his body. He has pale ivory eyes.

His personality is thoughtful, he likes to help those in need. Alaric is very devoted to his companions. AlaricAlistair
*Main Character's Trusty Companion*

{Informally known as Ali}

Alistair is a gaunt Ibizan Hound. His pelt is short-haired, obtaining the coloration of white and sienna brown. He too has pale eyes, tinted with a sandy color.

Alistair has a very sarcastic way of words, making his demeanor seem rude. Though beneath the seemingly thick wall of impertinent character, he is warm-hearted and caring towards his intimates. Alistair
Chancellor

*Alistair's Brother, But Not By Blood*

{Informally known as Chance}

Chancellor is a lithe Pharaoh Hound. He has a sienna brown pelt, along with rich brown eyes.

Chancellor is very concealed, not being really familiar to sharing his emotions with others. He rarely talks, making him a canine of quietude. Chancellor
MORE TO BE ADDED

    "Now, now, Alaric, you don't want to scare the boar away." My mother reminded me. We were crouched beside a towering boulder, peering from the side as we spotted a wild boar. This was my first hunt as a cub.
Though the instructions were vague, my mother being anxious, worried about something I couldn't quite depict, but the urgency in her voice made it distinct, obvious she was distressed.

I gazed at my mother, watching as her eyes were dilated. Watching as she pretended everything was okay.

I shrugged it off and focused on the boar, whom was quite far from our position now.

Suddenly, a flurry of howls sounded, startling my mother as well as the boar, who took off almost instantly. My mother nudged me back.

"Go! Towards the den!" She prompted, accelerating into a bound. I reluctantly followed her, uneasy of the situation.

We reached our rather compact shelter, my mother pressing me to the far back. She barricaded the entrance with branches, flourishing with leaves. We settled, though I could hear my mother's frantically beating heart. It wasn't calming, merely unnerving, bringing worry to myself.

An eerie silence overtook the forest we were residing in, all that could be heard were the troubled birds, tweeting and calling.

Something was coming.    We stayed hidden in our den... I don't even know how long by now. But just moments ago my mother left, left to check if everything was okay.
I lay waiting. Waiting as night fell, with the moon at its peak, illuminating the screen of leaves at the entrance of the den, light crackling throughout the shroud and onto my cowered body.

I was idly positioned, terrified to close my eyes, afraid of the something just outside my den. Afraid of the numerous possibilities.

I thought of my mother, wondering where she could be at this point, or if she's still alive. My eyes were glazed with sadness, tears threatening to spill. I was alone, no one to go to.

A year ago my father was struck down by a pack of wolves, torn apart recklessly. The wolves caused a span of destruction, bodies littering their path, and in there wake was fear from all, no one daring to encounter them. And since my father's death, my mother wasn't the same, shaken from the onslaught, though she became utterly alert.

I wonder if I was holding her back, just a cub, vulnerable to the feline's greatest enemy. I wonder if my mother wanted to leave me at times, to find one more significant other, one who will protect her. Yet she's left with me, having to protect and mentor her cub, which is a hard job especially when wolves could terminate you at any moment.

The sun peered over the horizon, casting a vivid glow across the sky, enlightening the forest. The night was finally over, though my eyelids fluttered. I gained no sleep through the night, as I was waiting for my mother to return.

I couldn't stay awake no longer. I closed my eyes, relishing the brief moment of the dryness seizing as I drifted off to sleep.    **P R E S E N T**
"Alaric, the wolves infiltrated the Cove, and the lions are doing their best to defend the area but are ultimately failing."

"Send our most skilled warriors, Quinn, I've got this handled," Alaric stated, sending his comrade off with a flick of his lengthy tail. He commenced into a frigid cave, the flinty stone flooring cold to the touch.

"Silas!" Alaric roared, his voice booming, reverberating against the towering cavern walls. He bounded deeper within the rather daunting structure, exasperated yet determined.

"Yes, Alaric?" A raspy voice responded to Alaric's call as a frail figure traipsed out from behind an erratic.

"I don't know what to do... the wolves are too much..." Alaric bowed his head in defeat, yearning for an answer from Silas, an answer that will miraculously solve the grave situation they were currently in.

"Maybe it's just best to surrender. You obviously can't do much about this."

**P A S T**

I've gained the courage to venture out of my den. It has been days since the incident, which I was oblivious to. And it has also been days since my mother has left.

I emerged from the leaves barricading the den, the sunlight almost blinding as it radiated from a hole in the canopy above. Momentarily, my eyes adjusted to the sudden reveal of light.

Though I was still uneasy, reluctantly sauntering away from my refuge, my den, where I spent solitary nights in.

I rejoiced in the warm air, gradually becoming crisp as autumn neared. Dirt and debris scattered my white pelt from resting in the den, blending with the black stripes stretching across my sides, limbs, and tail, swirling onto my head.

I abruptly halted. A metallic aroma entered my nostrils as a sinister feeling tingled up my spine. I followed that distinct scent, leading me to a tragic scene.

I was baffled, utterly confused, yet desolated.

My mother, dead.    **P R E S E N T**
"Silas, I *need* a solution!" Alaric bellowed, desperate to save his loved ones. He paced continuously, his tail furiously lashing.

"Alaric, there's nothing I can do. This is in your paws now..." Silas trailed off, the horrendous truth too much.

Alaric paused, transiently thinking. Momentarily, his face lit up, an idea crossing his mind. Alaric let out a lengthy exhale before speaking;

"Alistair will know what to do."

"You haven't talked to him for a decade... Especially after the incident..." Silas cocked his head, confusion scintillating in his gaze.

"Yeah, well, he's the only one I can go to now. This isn't in my paws anymore, it's in Alistair's... if he'll speak to me." Alaric doubted his plan, but it'll have to do.

He bounded out of the towering cavern, his destination far from his current location, so he hurried.

**P A S T**

I ambled on, my eyes blurry as tears gathered just above my lower eyelid. I had to move on, escape possibly. An infamous knot in my stomach knew something was coming after me.

Maybe it was a curse, or just a coincidence, because a scent of wolves wafted into my nostrils.

I panicked, not knowing what to do. I stood idly for too long... as my greatest fear was sauntering towards me, jaws agape, saliva oozing from its sanguine tinted fangs.