Their trek continued, and onward the pack walked. Each step brought them closer to that oh-so-familiar mountain that they called home. Still, even now, Cayde found it funny how so much had happened in just a few short weeks.

A few weeks ago, Vande was still alive. A few weeks ago, Cayde was still a Beta. A few weeks ago, Cayde hadn't completed the Trial of the Mountain. Despite it having only been a few weeks, it all felt so long ago, almost like a past life. Perhaps it was. For Cayde, at least.

Back then, there was nothing as serious as this to worry about. Weeks ago, Cayde barely understood who his ancestor was, and what it meant to be the Wolf of Harmony. Weeks ago, he hadn't fought against his very own Master Alpha and freed him from a dark corruption... and back then, Cayde hadn't even known about the Shrine of Kimlasca.

From trials, to destinations, to friends and enemies... it was surprising how much could change in a few short weeks. Life, once, was blissful, and everyone lived in peace. There was no war for the Kimlascan Pack, there was no Wolf of Chaos... and no corrupted Vande. In fact, Vande was still alive back then.

It made Cayde wonder... what if he never did the Trial of the Mountain? He would have never climbed that mountain, and therefore never would have set out to seek the Shrine of Kimlasca. Perhaps Vande would have never been corrupted as a result... perhaps none of this would have happened if Cayde hadn't climbed that mountain.

But the past was the past, and fate has a way of making things happen for a reason. If this was Cayde's destiny, then there was a reason why the Kimlascan Pack had fallen too. Perhaps, in a way, this was part of their destiny too.

But the time to think about things like that was coming to a close. The sky had darkened tremendously above them all, due to the large black cloud swirling around the familiar mountain. That, and the arrival of the night, created a synergy of darkness.

There was no going back now.

As the pack grew closer and closer to their home, the very air around them felt different. A sense of dread loomed in the air. They were in the territory of Chaos now... but soon this land would be for peace and Harmony to reclaim.

Crossing through a clearing, the cloak of darkness hid the pack well as they advanced closer, now reaching the perimeter of their home.

Finally, they had arrived back home. Cayde stepped down, stepping into this familiar land that felt so unfamiliar at the same time. What the power of Chaos had done to this land was unbelievable... and it was time to cleanse this land.

Lying low in the tall grass, Cayde saw the land up ahead. A few hundred feet away, dozens upon dozens of mindless shadows roamed the area. Further ahead, their numbers only increased. Fierce, mindless growls and snarls could be heard even from afar. Terrifying, distorted howls rang out occasionally. The flames, still plaguing and consuming the once beautiful land, illuminated the world around them, lighting up the battleground.

The Kimlascan Pack gathered behind Cayde. Dozens upon dozens of mindful, brave, and kind wolves, all gathered together to face this tragedy. To stand up for what was right, that alone proved that each and every wolf in the Kimlascan Pack was a hero.

Dozens more gathered alongside Cayde.

This was it.
It was time.

Cayde rose from the tall grass and stepped forward, alone. The Mark of Harmony on his head glowed with a dim, faint trace of golden light. The pack followed behind shortly after. They all walked in unison, each taking a step at the same time.

Cayde was the first to emerge, revealing himself to the mindless shadows that claimed this sacred land. His marking glowed brighter, making his presence known to more and more of these shadows, who all reared their heads and watched him approach.

Cayde stopped, his last step being a rough stomp into the ground. Like clockwork, a breeze washed over the land as a result. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the shadows that he stood before.

He then looked further ahead. In the distance, Cayde could see the den of where the Master Alpha once resided. The place where Vande had been killed, and the place where Cayde had been defeated by the Wolf of Chaos.

Cayde felt emotion brewing inside. Pain, loss, defeat... strength, hope, victory... he got into a defensive stance and closed his eyes.

He thought of the mountain. How he had once climbed it, stood atop it.
He thought of Vandescelda, who lived and died for the Kimlascan Pack.
He thought of his friends, his mother, his ancestor. He thought of all the pain they had to endure because of this evil. All of this suffering and undeserving loss, all because of Uldrich and his sick pleasure for Chaos.

Cayde bowed his head, and growled slightly. This was not right. Chaos did not belong here.

He HAD to make things RIGHT.

Cayde opened his eyes, revealing glowing retinas that shined with that same golden aura that his ancestor was known for. Full of Harmonious fury, and the desire to stand up for what was right, Cayde knew what to do to signal the start of the battle for the Kimlascan Pack.

The Kimlascan Pack emerged behind him, revealing themselves to the army of mindless shadows.

He lifted his head up to the sky and unleashed a powerful howl, causing another light gust of wind to blast through the trees like a small shockwave.

Distorted howls of anger and fury erupted on one side, and melodious howls of hope and courage rung out on the other.

The time had finally come.

Both sides charged towards one another.

The battle between Harmony and Chaos had begun.