The spirit wolves had to fight the alpha male all the way up to the summit of the Mountain of Dormant Flame. They were called by the drum. The rhythmic hollow thud wasn't heard so much with their ears as with their spirit. Each time the hollow echo reverberated the two wolves felt as if cold static had passed through them. Still they approached.
The alpha nearly fell from the path to it's doom but a strong will had allowed it to climb back up. The two spirit wolves were blocking the downward slope. They snarled and kept their hackles raised. The trio finally reached the summit. A Tauren was sitting there beating a small drum and took no notice of the wolves.
A fire elemental was dancing in the center. Each time the drum was slapped the elemental would bind to a woodpile on the earth as if it were any regular flame. It fought to break the binds that the music had bound it with but the note of the drum was long and steady. Awatu made sure of it as he stared at the elemental and slammed his palm down again.
The two spirit wolves stood so close together that they were touching sides. You could hardly tell them apart and their eyes were flashing red with the drum beat. Each time the drum was played the fire caused the spirit wolves to cast the shadow of an unarmed Orc.
Awatu snapped to attention and held his palm on the drum without playing another note. The fire elemental broke free and engulfed the alpha wolf. From the base of the summit the entire pack began to howl. They were circling far below. The spirit wolves jump into the fight. Awatu observed the blur of battle. It seemed as if the three wolves were all a massive flaming tangle of desperate battle. The Tauren waited...
The blur had slowed and the fire elemental was gone. The spirit wolves were gone and in their place was a large naked apparition. The spirit of Ashenfury appeared battered and flickered in and out of sight. Ashenfury was standing off with the Alpha wolf. He bared his teeth like a wild animal and jumped into action. The wolf seemed to be winning. Each time there was a pause Ashenfury's spirit seemed less visible. Weakened and desperate the two stood off one final time. This round the Alpha was baring it's teeth. Awatu knew he could not help Ashen. The fight was not physical.
The Orc spirit flickered. Ashenfury threw his head back and let out what would have appeared to be a guttural roar. There was no sound... the wolf began to circle the weakened Orcish spirit.
Awatu heard the flapping wings of incoming interlopers. He came to his feet and readied himself for combat. Ashenfury had many enemies of the Alliance. Awatu waited for the blue badges to fly into sight. An incantation was readied on his tongue and mind when Leyujin's dragon rushes above the scene. Awatu held still.
The Word Bearer wasted no time and immediately threw the ceremonial axe down to the Orc spirit. The axe hit the ground beside the Orc. He looked down at it confused. Registration crossed his face. He knelt down and lifted the axe from the ground. The spirit threw it's head back and roared again. This time there was a tearing sound as if the sky itself was made of fabric and was torn by the Orcish roar. A wicked grin was on the spirit's face when he leaped into action once more.
The fight lasted only a moment. The axe came down and smote the wolf. The body of the alpha wolf remained in tact. An ear shattering howl cracked through the air. Sitting before Leyujin and Awatu was a very large ghost wolf. Facing him were two spirit wolves. Their coat's were shimmering and clean. The one on the left was wagging his tail and panting with his tongue out.
As if they had known their leader had returned the howling wolves at the base of the mountain grew louder in greeting. The three wolves jumped straight down the mountain to their death. Leyujin and Awatu looked at one another knowing well the habits of their old friend. Although out of sight they knew that the ghost wolf reincarnated and that a naked Orc was quickly gathering his equipment from the corpse that Kalei had kicked down.
Leyujin smiled before turning his mount towards the setting sun and departing. Awatu left the drum knowing that Ashen may need it.