• Chapter 1

    Outside, the cold wind whipped in out of the trees, unforgiving. The heavy snow blew off the branches and skirted onto the icy ground with a hiss. The sun hid behind grey clouds, showing no sign of ever shining again, and soft white flakes continued falling from the sky. Siberian winters were harsh and cold. Water froze over, temperature’s dropped to unstable degrees, and many died, not being able to survive.
    Covered by the snow and ice hid a small den. Inside, its warmth was humble and trusting.
    “Mamma…” whispered a tiny voice from inside the dark den. The small frame pushed against soft fur of his sister, and the warm belly of his mother. He pressed himself tighter to his kin and opened his eye’s wide, searching for his mother face in the dark.
    “Yes, little one?” Rumbled a deep but gentle voice. Alora turned her face down to her cub, and nuzzled his face warmly and affectionately.
    “Tell me a story, mamma” whispered Niko. He sat up in the dark space, and looked patiently at his mother. A gargle came from deep in her chest, and she chuckled at her son.
    “What would you like to hear, my little Niko?” She asked kindly. Many stories of their kind travelled around to many distant places, and all creatures knew of their heir. Nikos’ favorite were of whom travelled great length, and went on far journey’s to reach what they love most; the great gathering place. Every year, tiger’s of all around Siberia gather in great happiness to share stories, tell of new lives, and old deaths. To tell of their previous journey’s, or to meet new tiger’s. Niko has heard many stories of this great place before, and when old enough, was promised to be taken.
    “Tell me a story of Alou, mamma. Tell me one of his adventures” pipped the small cub to his mother. Beside Niko, his sister, Kira, began to stir. Her mouth stretched in a wide yawn, and she pricked up her ears at the mention of a story.
    “Alright then.” rumbled Alora “It was a dark night, and one of the coldest known to all tigers. Alou was set to find the cave of the demon beast, Henza. He had searched all night and all day, determined to battle the fierce spirit beast of whom had terrorized the Siberian mountains for so long” began Alora in a quiet voice. The cubs listened intently, and Kira pressed against her brother for support. Niko had heard this same story, many times before, but every time, it sent new wave’s of shivers running up his spine in fright.
    “Now, as protector of all tiger’s, it was Alou’s soul desire to defend the tiger’s he loved, and had saved many times over. He searched and searched the great forest, until he stumbled upon a cliff he had never encountered before. He peered over the edge and snarled in disgust, at the smell. It was Henza, alright, and Alou had found his cave. The great tiger leaped over the edge, and onto the snow covered ridge, leading down to the cave. Alou turned at the entrance and peered inside. He could see gleaming eye’s starring back at him, and he snarled: Come out and fight me foul beast, for you have terrorized my kind for far too long!” Nikos heart began pounding with excitement, and Kira became still beside him, shrinking away slightly from the story.
    “Henza leaped out from the cave straight at Alou, and knocked him over with a great shove. Henza was the shape of a great black tiger, and towered over Alou with his size, and his brawn, but Alou was not shaken. He leaped back at the Demon, and they were locked in a revenues battle. All at once, Henza pinned Alou down and sneered: I will always be the Demon Beast, and no one will ever defeat me!” Kira squeaked and shrank low to the ground, her wide eyes starring at her mother, waiting. Niko sat quietly, marveling.
    “Just as it seemed Alou was defeated, he called upon the God’s to give him strength and to help him defeat Henza. Alou leaped up, and tore at Henza, leaving his limp body to lie in the snow, defeated. Alou stood proudly over the Demon Beast, and the forest was safe again” finished Alora quietly. All was silent except for the wind spitting and hissing above them. Niko blinked and smiled at is mother, burying his face in her belly again.
    Kira crouched quietly, leaning against her mother’s shoulders and she sighed.
    “Someday, I want to be as brave as Alou” She said, looking at her brother.
    Niko whipped around and laughed at his sister
    “No, I want to be! You’re always so scared, you can never be like him” He sneered, bunching his shoulder muscles. Kira starred and growled at him, before leaping and attacking her brother.
    Alora grunted, and picked Kira up by the scruff, and placing her at her paws.
    “That’s enough. I should know better than to tell you both stories before bed.” She scolded.
    Niko huffed and huddled himself into a comfy position beside his mother and rested his head down on top of his paws. Kira wiggled herself around between Alora’s paw’s and closed her eye’s.
    “Good night, mamma” said Niko, closing his eyes as well.
    “Good night, my sweetlings.” Whispered Alora. She closed her own eyes, and waited for dreams to take her away.