Chapter 10

Sephora's POV

We were up early, before the sun and Sequoia walked slowly and sleepily behind me.

"Quicken the pace Sequoia. You are behind and we have a long way to go."

I walked faster and listened to Sequoia's footsteps behind me. She had quickened her pace but was still yards behind. She had better start getting used to waking up this early because we were going to be training this early every day.

I soon reached the base of my favorite cliff; the cliff that overlooked the land. I turned and saw Sequoia running after me. I smiled and immediately began to climb its steep sides.

By the time Sequoia had reached the base, I was already halfway to the top.

"Sister Sephora, what are you doing?"

I smiled and shouted to her from the top

"It's part of your training! Now start climbing! There is a treasure at the top!"

I continued to climb and soon I could hear claws scratching the rock face below me. Sequoia had started her climb. I smiled and climbed faster. I was taken here by my predecessor when she was still training me to take over. I had fallen in love with the view. It always reminded me of the peace I was meant to preserve and people I was meant to protect.

I finally reached the top. I had climbed this cliff for years yet the view always took my breath away, like I had just been taken to the spot just yesterday.

I looked over the side and saw that Sequoia had nearly gone halfway. It was steep and very high. She had better hold on tight because it was a long drop down.

"Sister Sephora!" she called out loudly to me. "Is this really necessary!"

"Yes! Just keep climbing and you'll be up here in no time!"

I could hear her grunts and groans as she dug her claws in the rock face and dragged herself higher and higher. It was about thirty minutes before she reached the top and she immediately flopped on the ground, panting.

I couldn't help but laugh and look at her with so much wonder.

"You made it, dear."

She scoffed and rolled over

“No thanks to you. Now, what is this treasure that you say is at the top?"

I chuckled.

"Well, you aren't going to see it laying down there.”

She groaned and got to her feet and stood beside me. As soon as she overlooked the beautiful lands, she gasped in surprise but she had no words.

"How did you find this place, sister?”

I watched her eyes grow wider and she stepped a little closer.

“A friend showed me this place long ago. It has always been sacred to me. I wish for it to be sacred to you too."

The breeze blew around us and I closed my eyes and listened to its voice. I tried not to frown or be worried though what it said was something troubling. I could only sigh and continue to watch the landscape with Sequoia.

“Let this be a reminder of how sacred the land, you will protect as the Suprema, is. Everyone is relying on you, even the leaves on the trees, the insects and birds and even the howling wind."

“Sister," she called, turning to me slowly. “How will I become the Suprema? Is there a ritual involved?"

I tried my best not to stutter.

“It is a ritual test of strength. A test that you cannot fail."

“But what if I do…"

“Do not speak of it! You. Cannot. Fail."

I snapped at her angrily and she looked at me in fear. A look I had never seen in her eyes before, even when she was in trouble.

"Sequoia, you must take your training seriously. I have told you that everything depends on you. Failure is not an option. It can never be one. Do you understand me?”

She stepped back fearfully but I walked closer to her.

"Why do you retreat? Why don't you face me? Are you scared of me? Do I make you tremble?”

"Sephora, I…"

“You what? Tell me what it is you fear? Do you fear me? Do you fear your destiny?"

She was about to reply but the sound of rocks loosening at the edge of the cliff silenced her. She stopped and when she turned around, she saw that she was teetering at the edge.

“I see that I have you at the edge. What are you going to do, Sequoia? You take one more step and you fall to your death. Are you going to let me do that to you? Do you wish to die a coward?”

“Sister, why are you doing this? What is going on?"

I snarled at her angrily and could hear her trembling in fear.

"Your fear disgraces me. It disgraces the whole pack.”

I transformed into my wolf and my orange slits were fixed on her. I had her in my sights. My paws tensed and dug into the rocky ground. Sequoia’s eyes widened as she anticipated my next move.

In a flash I pounced and she jumped out of the way, rolling across the ground to a safer distance away from the edge.

She grunted in pain and when she stood up, her arm was bruised by the sharp rocks.

“Sephora, what are you doing?"

I ignored her and pounced again but she dodged. Her lack of fight angered me. She truly wasn't ready to lead the pack.

"Why do you hold back? I told you not to hold back!”

My voice screamed at her through our telepathic connection and she trembled a little more.

"Sisters don't fight! What has gotten into you, Sephora?”

“I am not your sister!"

I pounced again and she rolled away. She stood up and I saw a glint in her eyes. Yes. We were getting somewhere.

"Sister Sephora, please. Don't make me hurt you!”

The glint brightened in her eyes and her fiery aura swirled with the breeze.

"You wouldn't leave a scratch on me, even if I was blind.”

I was about to claw her face but her flame burned bright and I backed away to avoid getting singed. Her flaming wolf stood before me and a fiery halo clothed her orange and red fur and her eyes burnt brighter than candles.

“Sister Sephora, stop this at once. I will hurt you."

I stole a glance at her paw and saw how close to the edge she was. She was oblivious of her surroundings.

I snarled at her.

“Prove it."

I pounced towards her and extended my claws…