Writing Contest! (ANNOUNCED WINNERS)

I'm not good at grammar but I'm going to try I will edit when my story is done

This is my story it may not be good and yes the ending is inspired by dr sues books and rimes I had to add rimes it is about 504 words long will probably add more later might not though who knows

So here is the story its short but intresting

Eight wolfs sit in a forest, they're siblings and half siblings. There was Twelve of them at one time but four went missing. two of them know the story of how that happened and this night they were finally going to tell the others what happened

The oldest sibling her name being ruby was one of the Two that known what happened and will be the one who tells the story Ruby sat down and got ready to tell the story she breaths out and in and out she is ready she starts the story

'It was the night of a full moon they were hunting I was scouting the general area. The sky was black, moon looked yellow in the sky not a sound in the forest. It was too quiet and I knew that. I warned the others that something wasn't right Jade believed me, but if only Alexandrite and the others did too. Jade taking the roll of finisher at the time, didn't stick with the others for the full time. Just after Moonstone let the pray slip away we heard a sound a loud sound. Too loud for anyone in the forest to make, or so we thought. Thump Thump Thump we heard, I looked around. Onyx and Topaz were missing, first thought was where did they go. Then I realized they didn't go anywhere something must of got them. Moonstone just had to go looking for them I wish she didn't. Jade and I ran back to the caves to get the others when we got back only Alexandrite was left. she was terrified, she said a huge wolf like creature ate Moonstone and the others. The pack was sleeping so Jade and I returned alone they didn't believe us. Last one to go missing was Alexandrite and we seen what got her. It was huge the monster, black, it was about the size of our pack in one creature, It looked at us, stared at us. It Roared like many bears then left. Jade and I looked at each other, then we left without a word." 

The pack looked at Ruby and then Jade they didn't believe them but it was the only explanation. It couldn't be true could it... Could it.

In the forest miles away a huge monster stays preying on they who eat the prey not much to say it only gets stronger the longer it wonders through the forest through the plains through the rivers makes all creatures shiver only on full moons will they see it They never want to meet it if only they knew never to hunt on a full moon night if only the knew.

They say those who meet slender wolf become meat for it. Ruby and Jade were lucky but will other wolves be as lucky as them. The pack always remembered one thing after that day. Don't hunt on a full moon night. Never hunt on a full moon night or the slender wolf will get you.

End note: Yes I called the creature slender wolf that's what popped into my head when I seen the picture

I know I'm not a good writer and am probably not going to win but I tried

There are old gods in the forest. Drained of their power over centuries, their majesty and beauty now something different. At least, it's what Root had been saying. Between the two of them, they carried the carcass of a bull elk, a prized catch for any hunting party but especially prized by the wolf that caught it himself. Spruce felt such a flicker of pride and confidence when he and his party had dragged this bull back to the pack, there was going to be such satisfaction in watching every member dig into his catch, maybe even catching the eye of their quiet she-wolf leader. But that reward is being taken from him. 

Now, his prey is being wasted! Dragged out to the farther edges of the forest, through snow no less, just to decay or be picked apart by flea-riddled scavengers! Spruce's opinions of the gods were no secret. The stubborn wolf didn't believe in what he couldn't see, and he certainly hasn't met any gods. Besides, the very idea of phantoms and ghouls all seemed quite ridiculous. If there was such a powerful creature, why would it sit back on its haunches and let itself die? 

The trees were close together in this bend of woodland making it harder for Spruce and Root to weave around with the bull elk dragging between them. The air was already frigid and stiff from the winter season, yet, in the farther reaches of these woods, the environment almost felt constricting. There were no scents in the air, predator or prey, and no tracks in the snow. It seemed that few animals had penetrated these thicker parts of the forest. Not even the skinny tree trunks look stripped of their bark from hungry cervids. 

All the while, Spruce's face was tense. His festering anger was a churning fire in the bottom of his stomach, creases forming on his muzzle in the quiet snarl he wore. When the two brutes cleared a thicker bank of snow, Root slowed down and set down his side of the elk, "Let's take a break." he said as he looked to Spruce, who dropped his half with less care immediately. With his mouth free, there was nothing to hold back the frustrated and apathetic expression from hardening over Spruce's face. 

"I hope you won't have that look on your face when you stand in front of them." Root's voice is bringing Spruce's heated glare onto him.

"I think I can fix my face how I'd liked to when a good meal is about to be wasted. Our pack is being made into a joke! Dragging out our best catches to feed 'gods', tch. The only thing that our prey is feeding is lowlife coyotes." Spruce retorts, fangs glinting in the small passes of light that breach the cloudy winter sky. The older wolf seems unphased by the display, blinking slowly as he calmly replies, "If the elk has fed hungry mouths, then it's not being wasted." In response, Spruce gives out a low snarl.

"I'm not sure what else I can tell you to convince you that this creature exists, Spruce. Everyone has their doubts, but no one should lack respect." Root continues on, his brows knitting with what looked like empathy. 

The venom in Spruce's eyes burns brighter, "Respect? I only respect people who have earned it from me! And you, old dog, are quickly losing it. You've told me nothing but stories the Pupsitters share to keep their litters inside." 

There's a pause. Root released a small sigh, "I can't make you feel or think any certain way. These creatures are older and wiser than anything in the forest, even the trees. Some of forgotten them and disgrace them, but we do this out of thanks, perhaps even for forgiveness. Our flesh is theirs... the winters we survive are through them."  

"Then I suppose these fleas on my back are the gods' too? What a righteous being to be so humbly riddled with pests." Spruce mocks with a crooked smirk on his lips, rolling his eyes in an exaggeration of his words. 

Root frowns and shakes his head slowly, "Come on. We're already running behind. We don't want to be late."

There's silence through the rest of their journey. The landscape changes again as they breach another layer of this strange forest. The sun takes its time to trail down to the horizon, Root calls for another stop just as sundown turns over to twilight changing the colors of the forest to pale orange, the trees turning into skinny silhouettes as the world hangs in between day and night. 

There are no words shared between the two males for what could feel like hours. Spruce sits by the elk carcass, his paws eventually growing numb from the cold soaking his coat. Root sits quietly too. 

 But the eerie silence of the forest is broken suddenly by a rush of sounds. There is a pattering that is faint at first but grows steadily louder. Following the approaching sound is abrupt groans of trees as they're passed, some of the older trees even collapsing from whatever was tearing through the forest. Spruce turned towards where the disturbance was coming from, squinting his eyes to try and see what was in the dark woods but freezing when he caught sight of it. A dark shape is cutting through the trees, its movement unsettling and jerking in odd directions. It's running right towards where Root and Spruce stand but straightens itself out in the last few moments, taking staggering steps forward while its body catches against trees that simply collapse from the impact. Eventually, the creature steadies itself against two trees, sparing none of its time to assess its company as it leaned forward and sinks its fangs around the offering. It takes two bites, two sickening crunches of bone, until the elk carcass is swallowed. 

The creature has to be the largest thing that Spruce has ever seen, only it wasn't even standing at its full height, he realized, as he looked over the crooked arc its back was hunched into and up to where it's odd man-like hands grasped the trunks of trees to stand itself up. It looks wolf-ish with thick fur hanging from its skinny frame, the outlines of its ribs bulging out from its side as it takes in deep rattling breathe that bellow out from its mouth in clouds of mist. All Spruce could do was freeze up with terror, every hair on his sandy-colored coat raising with fear. 

Denial rushes through Spruce's mind- this thing can't be real- but how is it breathing? Gods aren't real, they're just stories told to pups. What I'm seeing is just all in my mind! This is just some bad dream.

The beast turns its face towards Spruce then like it had heard all that he said. A low, rumbling growl echoed from its rotting chest as it moved its face down lower and Spruce could see its features in more detail. Like the rest of it, its faces was wolfish, and yet there was no muscle. The skull of a canine hovered just over Spruce, its eyes sunken in and emitting a dull glow. The jaws, its teeth still stained with the gore from its meal, parted with a sickening wheeze sound and the cold air around Spruce suddenly felt reaped of any life. Spruce could feel death's grasp creeping over him. 

As his vision grew dark, Spruce could see Root's brown shape step closer to the god. Would the old dog let him die? Not a sound left Root's maw, and yet the monstrous animal before them slowly moved back and turned its head to look at Root. More silence... until finally, Spruce feels his lungs stretch with new air and his legs begin to tremble. Root bows his head gently, and Spruce nearly faints as he lowers his as well. 

After that, the god leaves, carving a trail through the woods with its crooked, jerky run. 

"Let's go home." Root says steadily as he turns and retraces their tracks. 

 There are old gods in the forest. Terrifying, powerful gods, but gods that we should respect. Spruce now treads a little wiser, and with a little more respect. 

Here's my entry, and just in time too!

The Howler

The night held an eerie silence, not a soul on this day would dare let out a whisper. One might wonder why this would be the case, but the tale rarely left the chary jaws of the wood dwellers. In these lands, the noise of twigs breaking under a critters foot could very well establish their demise. They were mistaken if they were to be out in the darkness of the undergrowth.

...

A cool, crisp breeze of winter stirred the branches which formed a canopy overhead. Above hung a full moon in the clear sky, it was the first of this season. The satellite cast a hazy amber onto the pale snow below, shedding light on any creature brave enough to emerge from the down.

The stars glistened beside the moon, complementing the dark abyssal sky surrounding them on every side. The wind blew through the wooded growth, rattling their branching arms and scarring the soil below. The remaining leaves began departure, providing the only ambiance for miles as they were carried by the gale.

At the edge of the forest, the terra would fall into a steep cliffside. It was here that lived the only remaining wolf pack in the region, too resilient and stubborn to be driven from their home; for it was rumored that within the grove lies a formidable creature that wasn’t to be encountered.

The only evidence of this entity’s existence was the long, exasperated howls that could be heard from the woodland. Said howls mimicked a wolf’s song perfectly, which entrapped or lured wolves with its tune. This pack had adapted to the circumstances uniquely, if you were to be a part of this tight-knit group, you were forbidden to howl. This pack had long forgotten their voice and those who hadn’t were left for dead.

...

A jarring bellow could be heard echoing from the heart of the forest, some of the canines in their cold, tight burrows whined in fear. One wolf in particular puffed out his chest, staring up the wall of the ravine. He growled in a low pitch, angered by the cowardice of his packmates. The dark coated canid was an admired beta of the pack, albeit a bit of a troublemaker.

Lingering against a barrier of tough bramble, a smaller scruffy wolf’s interest peaked. She trotted over the stone floor less than graciously, tilting her snout upwards to view her superior. Fluffing her fur, she let out a shrill whine, trying to lick the scruff of his neck.

The beta snapped his jaws at her silver pelt, causing her to slide back on the sleek surface, tail between her hind legs. She proceeded to roll on the rock, with tail ever so slightly wagging, to expose her underfur as a sign of submission.

Another cry emitted into the air and the calls of ravens erupted from the trees atop the mantle. A nearby wolf yelped and squeezed their boney body into a tunnel, kicking their hind legs as they struggled inside. Beta scoffed at the sight, pacing. He was determined to take the challenge, the challenge to face this feared creature.

This proud wolf had a plan of course, there were whisperings of how to keep the monster at bay. He had heard that if a wolf’s howl matched that of the beast’s, their land would be spared and their pack would be free. There was no doubt in this young ambitious wolf’s mind that his howl would turn out to be the one that saves the pack.

The scruffy omega returned to Beta’s side, sniffing at his rump curiously. Her bright coat shined under the light of the moon, turning into the color of sunrise. Annoyed, Beta whacked her muzzle with his tail. He started towards the end of the slope, chest still boasting its pitch colored fur.

Omega chirped after him, bounding and wagging her tail faster than before. The two wolves’ pawsteps created a light rhythmic patter, Beta took longer and more spacious steps, almost halving the amount of the wolf trailing him.

The pair emerged from the thorns that protected the navel of the camp, the headstrong wolf didn’t take much notice of the wolf on his heels. Quickly, the smooth, freezing stone transitioned into frosted blades of grass, which tickled their toes.

A closer, booming howl sounded from within the wood, trees seemed to creak and groan in its wake. Beta lifted his nose to scent the bitter air, which nipped at his exposed skin. He began to grow wary of the situation, the closing intervals of the calls worried him.

Despite his gut feeling, the pair proceeded into the growth. The barren trees appeared like menacing talons, capable of striking at any point to take another life with it. The layer of snow dressing the deceased sod beneath them was thin, and no snow clung to the towering husks around them.

...

Beta charged forth, kicking up snow as he sprinted against the chilled gusts of wind. Omega had to shake her muzzle of flakes as they buffeted her face, but was still right behind him. You could hear the harsh crunch of frozen leaves beneath their paws as they moved on, and the hoots of young Tyto alba above.

They came across a fallen and scarred tree trunk, both stopped with haste to examine it. The bark had nearly been stripped clean, it appeared something was scavenging for the grub that made home beneath. Beta wondered what could be so desperate for a meal.

Upon closer look, the tree had appeared to become rotten, and so had the winter flora around them. An evergreen they had passed had shed its needles in an unusual manner and turned the color of death. The pair mused in thought about the peculiar sight, but Omega was distracted by remains of a forest dweller.

A thundering sound came from nearby, they had wandered straight into the path of the beast. The silver wolf’s hackles raised in fear, tail tucked between her legs. Before the wolves could react the cryptid toppled over trees, slamming its claws onto almost lifeless trunks.

The creature craned its neck down to examine the strangers, how this was an unfamiliar sight. It had been long since a canine, its kin. The beast’s eyes glowed hypnotically, the wolves were unable to take their eyes off of it.

Omega’s paws trembled against the soft snow, her fur puffed out to appear bigger. Of course it didn’t help much, but it made her feel better. Beta growled hoarsely at the looming, mysterious figure, waiting for the right moment. Time stood still, that is until the big chested monster inhaled and let out a massive howl.

The force of its grievened call almost threw the wolves to their sides, it would’ve been strong enough to burst their eardrums if they’d been any closer. Beta regained his bearings, sinking his claws into the ground, shivering. With a gasp of air, he exclaimed the loudest howl he had ever spoken, in fact the only howl he had ever spoken.

With a lurch of dismay, he realized how different his tune was to the massive form’s. He yelped when the skeletal face moved forward to clamp its jaws down, Beta escaped by a strand of fur. The black wolf had turned to run, head down and ears flattened against his broad skull. He slid on the wet grass in his frantic escape, whining to discover he had a lame leg.

The Howler turned its gaze to Omega, who remained frozen in place and shaking in terror. However, no attack ensued. Its eyes were glued on her, waiting for a move from the inferior wolf first. Beta shot his companion a panicked glance, hoping for her to resolve this dire situation.

Wind howled around them, kicking up leaves and needles. Omega felt the front flow through her fur, she closed her eyes to take it in. Clouds had begun to gather, obscuring the moon from sight and casting the wood in void.

Omega lifted her muzzle up high, taking in as much as she could. She then howled, howled her heart out. The tune was smooth yet so strong, and soon the Howler would join in. Their songs matched beautifully, it was a symphony to end the pack’s suffering.

Within the blink of an eye, the creature had taken on the form of a large, beautiful wolf. Her fur shined brightly as the clouds parted to make way for the imposing moon. Her nose quickly met Omega’s, and she whined softly. Beta had emerged from behind, limping and wincing in pain. He looked upon the pair, fascinated.

The small, silver wolf watched as the white wolf turned, and made it into the forest. Around  the pair you could see the forest start to come to life, the evergreens were full, brush grew delicate buds. Omega didn’t need to hear words to know what the ancient wolf had said.

“Thank you.”

Love this Idea!!!!

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Obligated to insert my Writing Commission Shop: Writing Commissions: OPEN

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RESERVING FOR ENTRY

After sitting on it for so long, finally ready to post! Shout out to my friends for helping me choose which title to use (I had three lol). Also wanted to say, that picture is so cool. I've had writers block for like 4 or 5 years now, but the image inspired me enough to push through the block and I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out. If anyone has any comments, please feel free to pm me or something ^^ 1498 words total, after a whole lot of editing to whittle it down heh. 

 Spring Returns, a Lifeless Eternity

BOOM here's my entry!

My entry is 1122 words long

Edit: Added correct link

here's the link to my entry!

good luck everyone!! <3

I’ll be reserving this spot for my story >:3

anyways, good luck everyone! Hope y’all can get something good out of this! :)

Hek, I originally wrote close to 3000 words this was REALLY hard to cut down haha. I hope I got the plot across properly. Thank you for this opportunity! 

"Quickly now, Mother is waiting." Taxa turned towards his subjects and fixed them with a cold stare. They tugged harder upon the chained wolf they led, who planted his paws in protest and peeled his lips into a defiant snarl. Taxa's patience was quickly waning with this one; all of their sacrifices fought against captivity so he supposed he should be used to it by now, though it'd be so much easier if it was a corpse they drug instead. Mother wanted them alive however, and it was up to Taxa to fulfill that request no matter how difficult the task. 

For every ounce of might the captive showed in his resistance, the two who held his chains showed double. While pleased, Taxa was unsurprised. They were his highest ranked fighters and the most trusted of his pack. He could rely on them, especially when it was his pack's future at risk. The alpha waited quietly with as much patience as he could muster, until finally the prisoner's resolve broke and his chained muzzle fell to point towards the ground in defeat. He'd done this often enough that Taxa could now pin-point the moment the fight left his sacrifice's eyes. "Good." Taxa commented softly, his tone bordering dangerously on sympathetic. They were close now, and with a dismissive gesture of his head, his soldiers released their hold upon the chains and turned to leave. "Come." He commanded the captive, who took only a moment to quietly obey. 

The further they walked into the woods the darker the sky grew, and Taxa could smell the growing fear wafting off the wolf who trailed him.  "You need not be afraid." The alpha's low tone broke the silence of night. "Mother will take care of you, as she takes care of us. For your sacrifice she will bear for us another litter of pups. I cannot father them myself, you see." His cold blue gaze fell upon the captive, lingering only a moment before it was directed back to the trees. "Your pack doesn't understand. Each time our packs clash in battle, I can smell it. Your females reek of milk, your pack only grows in number each season. It's for that reason that we raid you. We take only one." Taxa knew his words would be no comfort - especially not when spoken towards the one they'd decided to take. His jaw snapped audibly shut, and they continued forward in silence towards the meeting place. 

Mother's approach brought the earth to tremble, the trees quaking beneath her powerful weight. The snapping of trunks drew Taxa's attention skyward, his pupils dilating against the darkness as he eagerly sought her presence. Mother was coming, and his part in the ritual was nearly complete. There was nowhere for the captive to go now, even should he choose to run. Curiously, they never made that decision. The sound of crunching snow had ceased and the acidic scent of urine brought the alpha's nose to wrinkle - he hated when they defiled Mother's home. 

It took only moments from the first telltale snapping of logs until Mother's face was peering down at him, her radiant eyes lit with anticipation and hunger. Taxa lived for this moment, standing proud beneath her and staring with adoration into his Mother's kind face. She moved closer, leaning in towards the wolf until their faces were nearly touching. Taxa knew she could take him in one snap of her jaws if she chose to, though he felt no fear in her presence. The pitchy whining of his captive was growing annoying now, and Taxa reluctantly tore his icy gaze off of his Mother to gesture towards the cowering wolf. "For you, mother." His voice was soft with reverence, and his head bowed in respect. 

"Thank you, my child." A shudder of pleasure ran down Taxa's spine as he bathed in her appreciation, her voice alone bringing his love for her to swell. Her inky black face moved closer, and his eyes slid shut in anticipation as she touched her hard nose gently against his much smaller cheek. The moment was fleeing, and as she withdrew it felt as if a part of Taxa's soul had been taken with her. He missed her already and she hadn't even yet gone. His eyes slid off her face and ran down her long thick neck towards her swollen torso and stomach. The movement beneath her ribs was subtle, though Taxa thought it to be his future children. The reward for today's sacrifice. 

"Come closer." Mother commanded the chained wolf and Taxa reluctantly took a step back from her to allow her to inspect the sacrifice. When he did not obey immediately, Taxa's fury ignited. The alpha lunged towards the captive and brought his teeth upon the chains, yanking the wolf off of his frozen feet and closer towards the looming creature. "You may go, Taxa. I will have your pups ready for you soon, as early as the next moon I think." The dismissal was painful as always and the alpha hesitated. His upper body bowed low to the ground and he held the submissive pose, daring to speak once more. "May I see them mother? Just once, before I go?" The creature's wide empty maw split open, a loud screech of displeasure peeling outwards and echoing against Taxa's skull. It was enough of a dismissal, and the alpha knew better then to try his luck a second time. Mother was benevolent and forgiving, and Taxa received her message loud and clear. 

-

His escorts could feel Ralek's guilt and their own shame swelled in reply. The lottery had been a quick one, any day the neighbouring pack could attack again and take another of their warriors. Resistance was futile, the raiding pack was larger and stronger than theirs was and with seasoned fighters. They fought with an odd desperation, in a way so determined it reminded Ralek of a starving hunter working to take down his first meal in months. 

To lose three pups for the promise of protection, it pained the alpha deep in his chest. No amount of consoling could comfort the mothers, he'd hear their cries every night for the rest of their lives but at least they could live their lives. It was sheer luck that the raids had thus far not ended in death. It was inevitable. If only Ralek knew what the raiders needed, then they could perhaps negotiate. The thought was fleeting - the last time he sent a wolf to secure an audience with their alpha, said wolf never returned. 

The only sound as they crossed the woods was the snow cracking under their paws and the murmured mews of the pups held in each wolf's jaw. The near silence only made her approach more dramatic, and each of the wolves flinched hard as the first snapped tree crashed to the ground to their right. "Be brave, soldiers." Ralek had to fight to keep his voice level. 

She appeared quickly, her blackened maw twisting upwards in what looked almost like a smile. Her talon-like fingers wrapped carefully around the nearby trees as she leaned in closer to them, her empty glowing eyes locked upon the pup that hung from Ralek's mouth. The alpha turned his head from her quickly, unable to meet her gaze. "Put them down." He murmured to his wolves, swallowing hard to steel his nerves before turning his gaze to stare upon her long slender legs. "My Shield, we come requesting another season of protection." The alpha began, projecting his voice as best as he could without tilting his head up to regard her. "The raiders, they've come again and stolen another one of my wolves. I respectfully ask your intervention." The escorts nudged their puppies forward, who came to huddle at Ralek's paws. He placed his paw protectively atop the spine of one of them, sighed heavily, and encouraged it to move forward towards her. 

Mother's smile managed to split wider, her long black tongue swiping past her wide teeth as she looked down upon the huddled pups. "Granted, as always. I shall be your Shield until Spring." The booming voice of the creature sent a shudder of terror down Ralek's spine and he let out a long low breath to steady his fear.

Ralek did not linger any longer, turning quickly and gesturing to his team to follow. He did what he needed to to protect those who relied on him. He only prayed next season would be different. 

-

Mother grasped the pups carefully in her talons, depositing them into the nearby nest. Scattered throughout the bedding was the remnant of chains and bones with the meat picked off of them. Between the tips of two talons she pulled from the corpse a particularly long one, tossing it at the pups lazily. "Play, children. You'll be with your new family soon."