Noah Dan's Short Stories - The Poet

Tears rained from my cheeks as I stared at the sunset. I had no idea what was going to happen. How could I? I had been stripped of my family, they are all dead, my house was burnt down, and the only way I could get it all back- or at least that was what... they said- was to solve a strange code. I didn't get it at all. Zpv ovtu ejf. It had said on the golden piece of paper. The sunset to me reminded me of my new life. Although it's still there, a little later, it seems like it's nothing, and it's forgotten. There is no way to come back up except for time. But I knew there was no time. There was no sunrise, only sunset. I called back upon the day They came.

Their ghostly pale lavender armor blended in with the night. The only way I saw them was their flame pointed spears. However, the fire's light was the darkest light for my parents. The last thing they'd see is me on the floor, bleeding to death, crying wildly, and afraid. They talked with their killers a little while before they were slain. This was the deal. If I solved this code, and carried out the action in the code, they said they'll bring back everything I lost. But how could I do that? That's ridiculous. My parents are gone, and so is my sunrise. I looked at the code again. The back apparently had something too. Maybe it was a hint? No. It was another code... Vtf b ebhhfs. It was no help.. but I got an idea. My empty eyes gave slight life. Maybe I would have a sunrise. I noticed the b in the back. It was alone and one letter. The only words that can be it is I and a. But I would be capital. Wouldn't it? Besides, it'd make no sense if it were I. I quickly replaced all the b's with a's. Slowly, I became to see the simple code. The letter shown was actually the letter AFTER the original alphabet. I turned to the front, and as I read it, my body went numb. All I could feel was a cold breeze in my heart. You must die. The front said. Use a dagger. The back said. I shivered, dropping the paper onto the floor. The sunset was almost over. I, Noah Dan, had a feeling that if I didn't do this before sunset, it'd be too late.

I ran frantically into a nearby street. Perfect. A black market salesman in the corner! I sprinted up to him and asked for a dagger. He laughed in my face for a minute before catching his breathe. He turned dead serious, and looked around for anyone. "Fifty bucks." He said. I frowned. This strange man was wearing rags, a berret, and a spring coat over his rags and he was asking $50 for a dagger? I sighed instead of scoffing and reached into my pockets. I thought of a plan. "Oh shit, a cop." I muttered, looking towards my right. He turned too, a bit scared. I threw a punch at him, and he fell down. I reached for the dagger and ran as fast as I could. All I could hear was his screams. Everything else was blocked out. People watched me, looking at me funny. But once I reached an ally, without even thinking, I stabbed myself right in the heart. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't hear. It is true what they said. When you're dying, everything becomes clear. I now knew this was true, oh the irony. I looked up at the sky. My final sight was the clear, blue sky.






I opened my eyes. I could not see where I was. Everything was white. Is this death? Heaven? Maybe Hell? I looked around, seeing nothing but white. But finally, when I turned once more, I saw what I never thought I'd see again. My parents held out their arms, running towards me. They were coming for a hug. I held out my arms too, crying. They also had tears raining through their cheeks. It seems They did grant my wish. When they were about to hug me, they disappeared. My eyes opened wide. Why? Why are they taunting me? I recalled a few moments back, my death- which I could remember clearly. The sky was empty. No clouds... And then it dawned on me. No sun.

Ibib. I heard it. I didn't get it, until I recalled the code again. Haha... damn Them.

A small snowflake dropping, as if from heaven, directly on the middle of the field. It symbolized the beginning of a storm. The beginning of a great, long war. In hoards, both sides of the armies stood on a side, glaring at each other with hatred in their eyes. It was truly, as they say, the silence before the storm. A cold burst of gale swept over the troops without warning as the snow took a faster pace. A single soldier from one side walked over halfway to the other side, and the second army did the same. They shook hands and began to converse.

The first side was the wolves. They were the first to rule these lands, the first to learn the arts of combat. Their race was diverse, but most wolves were commited to hunting and survival skills, though many others gained wisdom and enjoyed the arts. They were powerful and fierce, no one had dared anger them; that is, until the monkeys came along. The second army was the monkeys. All kinds of them. Most of them were chimps, and the only kind of monkey that was not there was the spider monkey. They sided with the wolves, due to an ancient pact(which is yet another story I have yet to explain,) and decided to stay neutral during the war.

The monkeys were a race of nimble and swift people, intelligent as well. They were confused for thieves, and actually, they were good at stealing items. However, they used their time wisely and built wonderful buildings and educated their young. There was a time, both sides recalled, where they worked together in harmony. The monkeys built great cities filled with life, and the wolves supplied them with food and defended the empires. However, rumors spread, and both sides saw the other as useless. The silence broke off as the wind became louder. Whispers became shouts. Shouts became cries. Cries became screams of despearion. This was a reclamation.

The two soldiers in the middle returned to their hoards and reviewed what they had said. War conditions. "We will fight until one side has no soldiers on the field," a timber wolf with a gruff voice said. His gray fur was known across the world, and everyone knew his name, his scent, his voice. His dark gray eyes, if stared at, could make fear shiver down one's body until it compelled them to either run or stay there, petrified. His hunting skills were amazing and unmatched, his speed envied, and his power was the glory of the wolves. "Running is not an option. Understood?" The soldiers nodded, some calling him by his name, Gao. Gao howled into the cloudy sky, his howl piercing the wind, the noise, the snow. On the other side, the monkey leader, Gabriel, also gave the war conditions to his people. Gabriel was not quite as known as Gao, but he was brilliant and kind to everyone who knew him. Gabriel was well respected, even by the wolves at this time. He thought everything through, but wasn't afraid to make quick decisions. Even if he made a terrible decision, Gabriel was known to recover on his two feet. Knowing it would be a shame to lose these wonderful leaders, Gao and Gabriel were not to participate in this war, and instead watched from another hill.

The armies soon gave life. Their war cries were heard on the other side of the planet, and all the lions, coyotes, and even the deers knew what was going on. The armies charged, silently counting from the start. They attacked each other without mercy, without warning. Paws and fists flew among the group, but an even louder shout was heard. It was Itsumi, part of the hawk clan. His wings flapped until Itsumi reached the ground and everyone paid attention. His raspy voice spoke quickly. "You were all tricked. Those rumors.. were not spread by your kind." Gao raised an eyebrow. "Then who did?" Itsumi sighed, and thought for a bit. "It was the Jinjos." Gabriel did a double take. "You're kidding. They would never!" Itsumi frowned. "They would. They're in your cities right now, enjoying the very thing you built for yourselves and I don't think you'll be getting it back anytime soon." Gao only laughed. "Their armies are not that strong! We have bombs, and we outnumber them." Itsumi shook his head, and Gabriel knew this was more bad news. "They know you will not bomb your own creation, and they also know they have advantages in the location. Also.. I'm afraid the whole town has traps set all over." Itsumi squinted his eyes as he gave the terrible news. "You've been played for a fool. And although the Jinjos do not ally with anyone, the Hawk clan decided to support them. In return, we're getting 3% of all resources they gain. Mm.. I'll be seeing you soon, I bet?" Itsumi took off in a hurry into the sky, the storm filled sky, and both armies stood there shocked, unable to move, looking at each other with guilt, stupified. The cold air punished them harshly indeed.

The Jinjos were celebrating in the Wolf/Monkey capital of Shinotop, partying over their recent victory. The plan was made years ago, and was only used until five months ago. There was one flaw in their plan, their weak army. Using their intelligence, however, the Jinjos were able to set up traps on the edges of the border, and their navy was unmatched. Enemies could easiy attack from the air. Thus, they allied with the Hawks, the first time in history they EVER allied with something. As the Hawk clan was losing their resources quickly due to loss of sudden territory, the hawks gladly accepted the alliance for resources.

With supreme defence and sudden motivation, the Jinjos had the odds on their side. However, even the Hawks could tell how they acted was no good. The Jinjos weren't very trusted, but the Hawks were ready for almost anything. As a precaution, the Hawks asked for the original monkey capital, Kyoko, and the Jinjos let it go. This capital had a perfect location in case the Jinjos decided to betray them. Mountains surrounded the capital on all sides but one, narrow road.

The wolves and the monkeys awkwardly discussed their plans on the grassy fields far away from the original battle sight. They decided only the Hawks or another flying Clan would bring them to victory. But with the Hawks on their side, it'd be harder for another flying clan to side with them. "Well," Gao stated, "Itsumi said the Jinjos offered them 3% of their total resources. What if we offer more?" Gabriel shook his head. "We don't have ANY resources at the moment, and the Hawks could take over the Jinjos if they wanted to." That was true. The Hawk also outnumbered the Jinjos, and had more skill in combat. Their ability in the air outmatched their abilities on the ground.

Gao smirked. "We're going to have to beat the Jinjos at their own game." Gabriel raised an eyebrow, and it was only a while until he finally got what Gao meant. "But... how will we spread the false rumors?" He asked, and an answer awaited them. A soldier stepped up, he was from the wolf side. His name was Jean, and he was the wolf's official artist. "I knew of a friend who could sneak in their. His clan is neutral with the Jinjos, and I'm sure they would love for him to join them.." Gabriel frowned. "Who?" Jean stated his name, and the whole group was mumbling to themselves and each other.


Almost ten miles away from the group, a shadow felt as if he heard his own name. Another shadow spoke to it. "What's wrong Sora?" It hissed. The shadow replied. "Nothing, but I can tell Jean might need me after the Jinjos took over..." The shadow moved out into the field. He was Sora, ex-leader of the Cat clan, a clan of sly and bright creatures. They could easily pass through traps and their eyesight and charm is amazing. Their innocence allowed everyone to like them, except maybe the Dog clan. Sora had met Jean years ago when the Wolf clan helped defend the Cat clan from the Dog can. Jean was sent as a diplomat and spoke to Sora, and instantly they became friends. Now, Sora was on his way to the old battle field, but the wolves nor the monkeys would be waiting for them, instead, he'd be visited by yet another clan...