Chapter 43: The Pit Of Death
It had been a pensive morning for Can. He took long strides but he was in no hurry. The distance to
the alpha house was short but still the man took his own sweet time. The chirping of birds and their
melodious singing was making Can content. However his heart was more joyful as he remembered
the conversation from a couple of days back.
He was happy that he cleared things up with Daragor. The night had made himfortable and he
now was no longer afraid of the spirit neither was he dubious about him. He could now be unguarded
when in close proximity of the demon.
In a way Can felt apologetic for the spirit. He was always fed with facies that he wouldn’t have any
mate. His friends on the other side encouraged him to not lose hope and find love on his own. He did
exactly that but his endeavours never seeded.
Moreover he was angry at Aurora. Though the witch had good intentions for the man still she should
have trusted him. She could have at least hinted him about his mate. But she kept it all to herself and
let blew the matter out of proportion. A lot of damage could have been averted had Aurora revealed
everything.
Can exhaled a breath of exasperation. He knew that the demon was on his side. He now had to take
in the wolf and the human. But how was he supposed to do that? Einar was mighty stubborn while the
wolf was another challenge altogether. The fragment of memories Can had of Orcus were all rted
to his anger. He remembered his asional growling, his fit of rage and his murderous res. Never
once had he seen him calm andposed.
Can’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard distinct footsteps marching in his direction from the
front. He could see arge group led by Garrick, Peter, Richard, Aldous, Marden, Tusker, Arthur and
his father. Arthur and Justus seemed worried for some reason while the rest of the members were
angry. Their eyes full of rage were directed at Can. But why?
Soon the group reached the man in a rush as Richard fisted his hand and swung it with a force right at
Can’s jaw. The handsome man faltered in his stance as his lips were cut and it oozed the rid liquid.
He bent sideways with the power of the punch. Richard held Can’s shirt and brought him up to level
him face to face. He again curled his fingers and hit Can’s jaw with his brute strength. This time
though the impact was greater as Can fell down t on his back. In the next instant Richard sat on
Can’s torso to hit his iron fist, blow after blow to the puzzled man.
It took three men to detach a ferocious Richard from Can. He clutched the shirt of the handsome
man with such a force that that the fabric ripped up from its cor while the other people were
struggling to detach the two men.
“LEAVE ME. I WILL KILL HIM..!” Richard’s voice trembled with outrage.
Arthur helped Can stand up as in the next instant Richardnded another sneaky blow. He wasn’t
stopping. His friends were trying to control him as his wolf was showing prominence.
“That is enough Richard.” Garrick roared in his authoritative voice.
“HAND HIM OVER TO ME. LET ME KILL HIM.” Richard reached for Can again as this time he
managed to release himself from the clutch while he kneeded his leg right to the stomach of Can.
“I said STOP....”
Richard’s action came to a rest abruptly. He huffed in annoyance and spit on the face of the puzzled
man.
“Let the council decide the matter.” Garrick ordered in his stern voice. He then turned his attention to a
bloodied Can who was holding his abdomen in pain “You always have a knack for trouble Ashton.”
Garrick sighed derisively.
He looked at a dejected Arthur and ordered him “Bring him to the open ground.”
Arthur reluctantly agreed and helped Can to stand on his feet andpose himself. On the other
hand Can was left confused for he was unaware of the situation which was going on “What is
happening?” he asked Arthur.
“I am not in the liberty to tell you anything..” He lowered his eyes “But it does not look good for you.”
Can roamed his gaze around “I need to see my father.”
“He is with Peter. They both are discussing the matter.”
Can nodded and silenced himself after that. He released the square woven fabric from his shoulders
and cleaned himself of the blood; of the spit; of the humiliation. He realised that Arthur wanted to reveal
much more than his words but he was not in a position to say anything. He looked around to see a
number of people eyeing him with disgust and animosity. However the one look which stood out from
the rest was that of Richards. He was mighty furious! His nostrils red and he asionally snarled
looking at a bewildered Can.
The group of people travelled together to the open ground. As soon as they reached the ce Arthur
came up with a chain with shackles and bound Can’s wrist. He apologetically looked at him before
parting ways and leaving the man standing all alone in the entire crowd. Can swept his gaze where
his eyes could see and saw that almost the entire main vige had joined him and people had the
same look; anger.
Can noticed the absence of Einar and Rosaline. He knew for a fact that the Alpha was reeling heavily
from the resistance of Daragor to his locket. It had already been three days since the full moon and
Einar was still unconscious. While Rosaline was nurturing him in his unhealthy state. But even if Einar
was in his senses would hee to Can’s rescue? Would Einar’s presence make the situation any
more better?
Can huffed at his thoughts for theck of trust in his mate.
He again roamed his eyes to the centre of the ground where he could see a wooden tform and a
eyes widened as saucers when he looked right behind Peter. ncing from the side of his body were
two eyes who looked sad, who looked apologetic and in that moment Can understood the entire
situation.
The murmur of the crowd was silenced at once when Garrick stood up from the chair and raised his
voice “Thank you for joining us. I assume that the matter has reached every wolf by now.” He gestured
his hand at Can “The man in front of you is said to have broken a very sacredw. In the absence of
alpha Einar the previous high ranks have given me responsibility to carry out the proceedings.”
Garrick looked intently at the Elemental “Can Justus Ashton do you agree to the allegations put on
you by Richard Foreman? Do you agree to have broken thews and dishonoured the moon?”
Can again side-nced at the person behind Peter and exhaled in defeat. He slowly raised his chin
“I agree.”
Garrick gritted his teeth “Then by the powers vested in me by the holy spirits of ournd I pronounce
you guilty. Since you have wronged Richard, it is his right to choose the punishment deemed fit as per
our traditions. You have no right to object or deny to any of the decisions made.”
Garrick gestured Richard toe forward. He blew out the angry air in petty annoyance as he kept
looking at Can intently with utter hatred “For a heinous act as such the punishment should be of the
same measure.. I want Can Justus Ashton to survive the pit of death.”
Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
Simultaneous gasps echoed the arena while Can’s mouth was left ajar in shock.
****
The sky above was more bluish than charcoal yet the road ahead still had the ck look of the night. In
the freezing wee hours of the morning the people of the blue moon pack had assembled around arge
hollow ground dug in the open space of the eastern borders. They were waiting for the excruciating
ceremony which was destined to end the life of the human of their pack. For the first time in their
existence the people of the pack had a pinch of sympathy for the man as he was about to face one of
the most harrowing punishments there was in the werewolf world.
Can on the other hand was apanied by a few warriors of the pack. His hands were tied by the
tight metal rope around his wrists. He looked ahead and saw his destination. Therge hollow ground
also known as the pit of death.
The punishment was carried out through ancient times in the werewolf history. The culprit was
forcefully thrashed into the dig. The pit was then encroached with various atrocities either designed by
the wolves or normally found in nature. The prisoner had to survive the death hole from sunrise to
sunset. If he was able to breathe till the end he used to be rescued. He was considered blessed for it
was believed that the Luna had showered her mercy on him. In reality though, no one ever came alive
from the dug hole. Therge hollow ground that was dug was meant only for one purpose; so that the
prisoner had no way to escape.
Death was inevitable for him.
Can knew Richard was no friend of his besides he could never have good intentions for the man. So
whatever surprises lied inside of the pit were sure to be horrendous. It definitely was not pleasing. He
knew that he had to suffer in silence for indeed he disrespected the moon. In his heart he knew he was
right and hence he wasn’t regretful but he also acknowledged the fact that he had wronged Richard.
The beat of the drums matched the heartbeats of the poor man. He looked around to see a few faces
which were worried for him while the others were nonchnt. He could also see people of power
standing in a line with Garrick at the centre and the others surrounding him. He gave an encouraging
smile to his father who slumped his shoulders with anxiousness, worry and dejection. He then moved
his gaze to his mother who was standing near the healer portraying a brave front but failing miserably.
He was pulled from his stationary position more closer to the pit. A wooden set of steps was adjoined
from the hollow ground to the surface above. With chained hands the handsome man carefully carved
his way to thend below through the steep and dangerous staircase.
As soon as he stepped foot to the ground, he marched ahead and positioned himself in the middle. He
could seerge containers made from interwoven strips of cane kept inverted in twelve different
corners of the pit. Every upside down container was attached by a rope whose end was held by a
member of the pack on the surface above. The light was yet to fall on the ground below therefore the
contents of the baskety hidden from Can’s view.
However Can could feel a surge of panic rushing through him.
He knew for a fact that Richard would never keep it easy. The hatred in him would devour his rationale
thinking and he would arrange the harshest punishment there could be. However his concern right now
was more on the baskets which were kept all around him. He was bing quite tensed as something
inside them was making eerie noises while the baskets were trembling a little. He kept pacing from side
to side checking over his shoulder way too often.
Soon the torturous moments were over as the sun started radiating its glow and reaching for the ce
below the surface in a slow anxious way. Every wolf on the ground above thumped his foot heavily and
arched his neck to howl in unison. The continuous doleful cry soared the anxiety in Can as the
moment of reckoning was near. The wolves holding the end of the rope slowly edged backward while
they pulled the baskets leisurely.
Cany stunned as his eyes flew wide. He rotated around his feet and scanned the area around him.
He gulped in fear.. It was as if a nightmare hade to life!
The hooting and howling was silenced when another voice creeped through the veins of the people as
they were injected with fear. The chatters and murmurs were reced by the unusual, deadly whispers.
Multiple bodies each having a smooth column of armoured muscle moved with a twisted and oscited
motion in the light of the dawn. Every figure was entangled into another body as they tried to release
itself from the knot and roam independently from the once confined space of the basket. Pale bellies
glided through the soil while they yawned and showed their ck mouths. They slithered and roamed
the open ground. A hissing sound filled the sudden silence of the air. Every creature moved around one
another before finding its liberation.
Can witnessed the horror unfold. Slowly and tenaciously the snakes crawled on the ground to fill the
empty space and cover it by ck and brown bodies. A dark tongue flitted into the air every now and
then. Tasting the air; tasting the sweat; tasting the fear..!
All of a sudden the reptiles lifted their heads in a universal direction; to the centre of the ground..!
Can’s heart drummed at a faster pace as he looked at the frightening scene in front of him. Large
snakes surrounded him wherever he looked. His sweat nds percted the beads of precipitation
sessively. His body wanted to run fast to the upper ground or use his powers as his weaponry.
Instead he stood there still, unable to formte a thought; unbale to go through any further course of
action. His though process was interrupted when he saw the snakes crawling and slithering their way
towards him.
He was cornered... He was trapped... He had no way to escape... !
Can was conscious of using his powers as a number of people had circled him to witness the
harrowing tale. He was dubious to use hisst source of knowledge but he had no other option left. He
slowly fondled the golden heads of the metal wrist as they glowed. In that moment of distraction a
snake rose from the ground before him. From the floor to his head it stood at an equal height of the
handsome man while twice of this length was shadowed behind him. The snake’s gaze was fixed at
Can as it hissed and slowly opened its mouth to show its deadly fangs.
By the looks of it Can could deduce that the snake was famished. Its t belly pumped air in and out
while the tongue whiffed the aroma of its food. The snake looked ready to devour its meal, the hunger
in his stomach was evident. The hissing intensified when multiple heads rose from all the sides where
Can stood. Deep piercing pair of eyes ready to graze their venomous fangs into the skin of the
elemental.
They were ready to strike; they were ready to eat.
Can had to act and he had to act fast. He gathered a deep breath of confidence and before the first
strike of the snake, he rotated his wrist as a powerful gush of wind pped the body of the creatures
and they faltered. The snakes fell back on their sides. However they were reced by the other heads
who were waiting for their opportunity. Can circled his hand again and the wind pushed the spineless
bodies backwards.
His methods to subdue the snakes were not working as snake after snake stood up from their position
and slithered their way to the centre of the ground, never quitting. He modified his strategy and used
his earth element. His shackled wrist restricted his movement as he tried to rotate his fingers aiming at
the ground. Thend beneath trembled a little. In the next instant, he created a mini whirlwind inside
the pit while the sand raised itself and circled weakly.
The crawling creatures were misdirected and they stationed their bodies heavily to the shivering
ground. Can’s mental strain increased as the mini cmity he created had minimal affect on the
snakes. Soon the shivering of the ground stopped and the reptiles wereposed yet again. They
raised their heads and hissed in annoyance at the man. The hunger in them was making them furious.
They wanted to devour the man at the earliest.
With an aim to attack their prey the snakes bowed down and glued their inner bodies to the ground.
They slowly and menacingly moved to the centre of thend.
The spectacle left people speechless. It wasn’t anything they had seen before. They sympathised a
little with the man for he was about to be killed in the most pitiful way. A death which people would
never want to be reminded of yet would always be unforgettable.
Can was about to be devoured as a meal..
The snakes had gathered all around him as they marched their way from all the sides of the earth. The
sea of snakes piling one over the other were racing their way to Can. The man frantically moved his
feet to keep his distance from the reptiles but it was proving to be of little help. He kicked and jumped
and even stomped over the creatures but the crawlers were too many for him.
The snakes had now spiralled his legs and were slowly crawling their way through the torso to the skull.
Slithering upwards, hissing venomously, dashing their muscr organ in and out while some even
shing their fangs at him. The handsome man was soon dressed in ck and brown from foot to
shoulders. They were restricting his movements and squeezing his body. Can’s throat was
constricting the air supply as the handsome man was loosing his senses. His face was pale as he saw
that one of the snakes was staring at him in the eye, pushing its tongue out and stretching its mouth
wide open to take in the entire skull of the man at one go.
Just as Can thought that he would be strangted to death, the movement of the snakes halted
abruptly.
A hoarse high pitched scream boomed the sky. Every wolf on the ground covered his ears while some
trembled in their feet. Can looked to the sky and crackled a smile as help had arrived. The entire blue
mass was covered with fleeting long width wings. With angry eyes and sharp features the sea of birds
hovered above the pit as the crawling creatures beneath made a sharp sibnt sound in retaliation. The
snakes withdrew their movements and strode backwards to find a hiding ce. They hissed and
showed their fangs to create fear amongst the winged animals but the birds did not budge.
It was a mixture of feathered animals ranging from grey to ck bodies. Each bird had a long tail. Their
inconspicuous shoulders and shing rump made them unique. They were powerfully built birds of kill
with heavy heads and strong beaks. Their feathers spread wide as if they wanted to cover the entire
earth below and shadow it from the sunlight.
With sharp angry eyes each bird descended its pointed ws and lowered their height with a target set
in their minds. With a final piercing cry, the birds elongated their ws and pierced their powerful talons
right through the skin of the snakes.
The predators had be prey.
One by one every heavenly creature dived in with determination and rose with their prey gripped firmly
to their legs. They circled around the horrified people before releasing their ws above the wolves.
The already fearful pack was left astonished to the surprising behaviour of the birds. People screamed
in fear as they ran helter-skelter to save themselves from the raining snakes. In the moment of panic, a
few snakesnded right onto the shoulders of Richard, Justus and Peter. The beta was desperately
trying to bring the situation under control but it was too much for him to handle. The dire situation asked
for stringent action and Garrick had no other choice but to order his people to retreat. Hemanded
every wolf to fall back and hide in a safe shelter.
Soon the entire ground was left wolf less. The snakes in the pit were either killed or thrown to the upper
ground. The birds hovered to the sky a few more times as they surveyed the area for any potential
threat. Every of the bird circled the man and humblynded themselves, stationing right in front of him.
They bellowed their voice onest time before a white mist surrounded their bodies. Can was left
speechless as the once predatory birds were slowly transforming into human figures. Each person
stood on his same position with his head bowed down and hands crossed in the front.
Can could see men, women and even some juveniles. Every single one of them had metal arm wrist
and head band. They wore delicate woven fabric which gleamed like the stars of the night. However
one of the men stood out from the rest as he approached Can. His arm and head band shined in
pure gold.
All of them kneeled in front of the Elemental as the supposed leader of the bird bowed before Can “It
is a privilege that you considered us worthy of your service Supreme Master.”
Can was about to thank his saviours when his eyesnded on a particr someone standing aloof
from the crowd as his eyes widened and he eximed “How is this possible!”
********