CHAPTER 75

                                                                                                                 The Fall of Canis Major Part II

Eternal turmoil. A black hole of lies and truths. What was real? What was not? What seemed reality was nothing but an eternal question. The ceiling above, the walls around, the ground in which his paw pads stood... It felt real, but was it really? What did this all mean?

Embraced by the darkness; his soiled fur dripping with moisture as cold as the harshness of that questionable reality. Only a faint breathing was evidence that he still lived. Deep inside, he was dead. The overwhelming confusion had killed his very essence.

“Destroy this reality that you cannot accept, Husky.”

These words resonated deep within his mind. The gentle Evocanis girl had spoken firmly. She let her authority be felt by Husky, and the memory of what she said not minutes ago before disappearing into the darkness had brought the young husky back.

“I cannot give up...” He spoke so softly that his muzzle barely produced any sound.

But how to fight? He though.

His body and mind in a never-ending clash between the thought of not being able to reach the light on his own, and his blazing will to fight. Behind him, a black tunnel lead to the territory of Anubis and his crew; the easy way. Accepting this harsh reality seemed almost comforting. And in front of him, a lowered gate that led to the very root that fed the tree of suffering brought upon his race; the impossible way. He knew he was alone, but he was the only one capable of destroying this nightmarish reality.

“You are so close, Husky. Don't give up on me.”

Reassuring were the words of the hooded Evocanis. But it almost felt as if they weren't only just words of encouragement, but the key to ending Husky's suffering. Yes; it was the truth. Husky could now feel it.

“I must go on.” For that very second he did not doubt. He closed his eyes and a warmth filled his chest. It was nearly impossible as logic forced him to believe this was a battle he could not fight. But for as short as he felt that warmness of hope, his body was engulfed with strength. He did not want to find logic into it, as he saw how the gate was elevated before him. He felt as if this was his fate telling him to go on. Struggling to keep those negative emotions, all that confusion at bay, Husky walked further into the tunnel.

“I had enough... This is not my reality...” He repeated over and over. He could not see or hear her, but he felt inside of him that voice of encouragement guiding him towards the right path.

Flashbacks were constant. They could almost be felt, smelled, even tasted. He saw himself walking through a different place for a second, later he was back in that damp tunnel. Over and over again. This had a meaning and he started to understand.

That dusty and eroded corridor once again. It was the machine's ship and Husky now remembered. He looked at his arms as he continued, head down, as if being dragged into his destiny by an invisible force. He saw fur on his arms for a second, the moment after, a very familiar armor gauntlet covered them.

In a blink of an eye he saw it; it was beautiful. Around him, the plush carpets, the soft grass, the warm light and the soothing scent of his Evo brothers all around him. It was the Canis Major he knew and loved. He blinked; once again he saw himself in nothing but his damp and dirty fur. The warmth of Canis Major once again replaced by that dark and cold tunnel.

“No, NO!” He clenched his head. For a second he had a taste of the real and beautiful Canis Major. How long had it been? When was the last time he saw his real home? Then the feeling of doubt arouse in his mind. He stumbled to the ground at the mercy of the horrible thoughts.

“I am so proud of you!” A voice. It was there with him and not in his mind. Husky raised his head to the direction of the voice. It was her.

“Don't let yourself be defeated by doubt, Husky. You are so close now.” She said. It was the hooded Evocanis girl. She stood a few meters from Husky deep in the dark. Husky could barely see her, but knew it was her. He could see her silhouette and two dots of light, shining in the dark as two stars of hope.

“I need to know more! Help me!” He begged, extending his reach towards her.

“Don't you see it, Husky? You are doing it by yourself. It's the only way” She said. “You are giving the answers to your own doubts, but you still don't want to see it in full.”

“No, wait!” Husky desperately saw how the silhouette walked into a turn within the dark tunnel. He got back to his paws and followed the hooded Evocanis in hope that she would guide him into the answer. As he turned into the junction, he couldn't see or feel her, but something told him to continue further.

“Whatever happened to him, it doesn't matter. You bring FX back home where he belongs.” It was another confusing memory. That voice; it was so familiar. The hooded Evocanis? No; it was Hasky.

“And we did, Hasky!” Husky yelled. “Anubis and I found him and he is alive! He is going home now!” Husky kept on telling to himself. It was a memory not familiar to him at first, but then it became so clear. “He is alive!”

“Good.” It was a response. A voice right in front of him. It was there.

Husky opened his eyes after his mental struggle and saw right before him the hooded Evocanis. She was right there in front of him. Her tender smile and her warm stare. Husky wanted to feel her warmth, but was afraid to approach her. This was the first time they were so close without anything in between them, and without her walking away.

“You...” Husky didn't know what to say or what to ask.

“Before you ask, seek the answer within yourself.” She said as she surprisingly walked towards Husky. Her hood and cloak were not on her anymore.

“He's in Canis Major, right?” Husky dared to ask. He instinctively walked toward her. Her warmth was so endearing as before. He just felt bathed by this so beautiful and affectionate heat that she irradiated.

“Yes. Of course!” She replied. She approached Husky and gently placed her paws on him and petted his chest and shoulders.

“But...” Husky tried to speak but was soon interrupted.

“Husky, no!” She said as she gently placed her paw on Husky's muzzle, effectively avoiding him to utter a single word. “You already gave yourself the answer to your question. Then why ask when there is nothing to be answered?”

Her silencing digit slid across Husky's muzzle as the palm of her paw turned into a gentle caress. Husky closed his eyes and pressed his face against her paw. It felt so beautiful. Husky's belly tickled, his heart picked up the pace. It was that Evocanis love and warmth again. Her scent was so intoxicant, yet so nostalgic. Husky couldn't resist and would not let her walk away so fast. He gently wrapped his arms around her and pushed himself towards her. The warm embrace of both Evocanis drowned the darkness of that nightmare.

“Husky! I can't!” She sounded very worried for a second. She tried to gently resist as if preventing Husky from understanding something too soon. It was not her intention to be rude or to reject him, as she too appeared to be consumed by the beautiful moment. But as she said this, a very confusing flashback invaded Husky's mind.

It was dark, but unlike that horrible place. Extreme warmness surrounded every millimeter of Husky's body. It was as if he floated beyond the physics of the real world. A constant thump was not only heard but felt. It was a heart beating, but closer that he ever heard or felt; it was all around him. This beating heart nourished his very existence, his very soul. Where was he?

It was just for a second, but he saw something deep within that dark place that comforted him like nowhere else before. There was someone else very close to him. Was it him? It almost felt as if it was himself, but he knew it wasn't him. So similar; so identical. Both him and the other were as if mirrored. Both cradled by the warm embrace of that wonderful place.

A sudden white flash invaded his eyesight; he was back. What was this vision? Who did he felt so close to him? Was all this related to the hooded Evocanis? It seems that holding her for that brief moment had triggered a memory long forgotten.

“Who...” Husky tried to speak, but in his mind he had seen something that although he wasn't able to interpret, he did feel the truth deep inside. “Who are you?” He asked. His heart told him the answer, but in his mind, he just couldn't form a concrete idea.

“Husky...” She whispered. She was as surprised as Husky. Most likely not because she didn't know the truth, but because she didn't expect Husky to see it. “That was not supposed to happen...” She gently pushed Husky, softly enough to let him know that she was not rejecting his contact, but firm enough to make him understand there were much more important matters in hand at the moment.

“You didn't answer...” Husky insisted, as he made his best to understand what he just felt.

“And I already told you it does not depend on me to let you know. I respect her decision.” She reassured. It was strange, but for the first time there was no cryptic talking. It was just her and Husky, face to face, Evocanis to Evocanis, speaking their mind to each other.

“You mean Hasky?” Husky pried. There was no hiding it, the hooded Evocanis knew Husky could feel the truth.

“Husky, I...”

“What is your name?” He again asked. He had once received the answer, as she evaded the question. But now he knew he would receive it.

The hooded Evocanis was still standing in front of him, staring at the ground. Husky had once realized this adorable Evocanis girl was something different. Her presence transcended that reality. This powerful force that she once exuded now doubted like any other present being.

“If you need a name for me, then call me... Hasky.”

I came like a powerful strike right to his chest. An answer he did not expect. But how? She did no look like Hasky, her scent, although awful familiar to him was not of Hasky's either.

“Hasky? But you're not...” He couldn't finish talking as his brain still tried to process what he was just told.

“Your Life-Giver? No; I'm not her.” The hooded Evocanis replied. “Now focus, Husky!” Again, she was firm. “If you want to see her again, you better end this now. I will not accept your failure.”

Why would she say that? Not that Husky didn't believe her. He knew the hooded Evocanis was not his Hasky; his Life-Giver. But why choose her name?

It was all so strange all of the sudden. Husky knew she was just in front of him not a second ago, but to his immense surprise, she was not there anymore. He wasn't sure of how much he had advanced, or when he did, but all around him, that place seemed different. The darkness was soon bathed in a faint light. Sounds all around him came to life, but what shocked him the most was the sudden burst of human scent. How could've he advance and not remember moving?

He ignored the details of how he got there. There was no time for that. Husky's expression went from stupor to a menacing glare of determination. He closed his eyes for a second, immediately looking at his paws after opening them. There was strength in him again. As long as he breathed, his fight wouldn't be over.

“I am an Evocanis...” He said as he stared at his own soft and cushioned paws. “I am nothing else; never was and never will be.” He walked to the light. “You have destroyed my home, desecrated my kind and I will purge you from Canis Major.”

“I will be with you when you most need me...” Husky could hear those words whispering to him. He never looked back, but he felt how this other 'Hasky' was close by.

Closing into the source of the light, Husky could perceive the scent getting stronger. Soon, the sounds of laughs and indecipherable babbling filled the air as well. Not a few steps away from the dark passage he came from, he saw a massive pit, where the light, the scent and the chattering came from. Husky was not afraid anymore, and an unbelievable strength filled his body once more.

Not even making an effort to hide his presence, he walked to the edge of the pit and just stood, observing what lied bellow. The breeze of the fires below being fueled by massive industrial fans, gently caressed his black an white fur. The smooth double coat irradiated a light of hope for Canis Major as Husky stood proud, looking down on those who had committed the most unforgivable of crimes.

There they were; celebrating. They talked nothing but mindless nonsense that Husky didn't even cared about. The sight of those despicable monsters laughing and enjoying their existence after they murdered that Evocanis, real or not, made Husky's blood boil. How could they not have a heart and a consciousness. It was as if they were so blinded by their arrogance that they couldn't or even wanted to acknowledge the severity of their heinous acts.

“HAHA!” One laughed “The look on their face was priceless!”

“Wait until we kill another! I just love seeing those disgusting animals cry and suffer!” Another one spoke. Husky just observed them one by one as they spoke about their atrocious desires. They were just a couple of meters below him. They could've seen Husky, but he didn't care.

“I'm glad we found that old command center. For whatever reason they sealed it, it matters not. We got free ventilation, real lights, and best of all, we manage to lower the gate that separates both territories. Those animals never saw it coming.” One of the humans made this confession, Husky now understood what had happened. But what command center they spoke about? He once again had a flashback. Not as intense, but it was clear. Was his mind giving him the clue?

He saw a husky Evo... It was not Hasky or any other husky that he knew. He felt as if this husky had done bad things, but against his will. “Blitz...” Husky uttered that name involuntarily. But why? Wasn't Blitz one of the Evos rescued from The Hive?

All of the sudden, he saw it... That husky had been used by the machines to carry the infiltrating device in Canis Major's command center deep in Sector Zero.

“Command center...” He now opened his eyes. Could it be? That flashback was the key. He quickly scoped all around him and noticed something frighteningly familiar. “Sector Zero...” He was there. Underneath all that blackness of oil, soot and erosion that masked that sector was his answer. That horrible place called the bowels was part of Sector Zero. He couldn't explain the reason of this massive coincidence, but it now made sense.

A deep breath... Husky closed his eyes for a second and prepared himself for that moment. Once he jumped down into their territory, there wouldn’t be a way back. He would finish it there and then.

And so he leaped unto the point of no return. He would confront his worse nightmare; shadows of a past he did not belonged to. His brothers had lost their will to fight and it was now all down to him. On Husky's shoulders lied the fate of his race. Landing gracefully with a muffled thump that his mushy paw pads produced, he was now down in enemy territory.

“How weak the senses and instinct of these beings are?” He thought. He was surprised they didn't hear him landing from two or three meters above. He now walked determined to end it. The large group of humans who had gathered themselves around the fire became bigger as he approached. There were at least thirty of them, laughing and spewing nonsense. The thought of these wretched beings feeling comfortable in his home made Husky's blood boil of anger more intensively.

He never stopped...

Some humans had finally noticed him, turning their attention to the soiled Evocanis, walking only in his fur, who approached them so confidently.

“What..?” Was all the human could utter. The others soon took notice of what had caught his attention.

Husky walked firm and determined. He never showed any signs of hesitation or weakness. He kept on slowly and surely approaching them as the humans stared at him in disbelief. Husky finally stopped at the center of the human meeting. Face to the fire that cooked organic matter, he stood in silence for a second, before he spoke to them.

“I will give you one chance, and only one.” Husky said, very quietly but assertively. He never looked at them and kept on staring at the dancing flames that reflected in his eyes. “Get. Out.”

There was no response. Silence accompanied by the crackling of the fire was the only thing that was heard for almost a minute. A wheezing laughter suddenly broke the silence.

“Hey, boss! You better see this.” A mocking voice coming from one of the humans. He just stood up and walked away to a tent not too far away from the fire.

The rest of the humans never said anything audible. Some of them let out a sinister chuckle while they whispered things to their piers. They all stared maliciously at the small furred creature. Husky stood there still, barely moving. But now he stared at his surroundings, scoping every corner and every human that there sat or stood. He measured all his possibilities; weighted all his options.

“Enough blood has been shed...” Husky said. “This horrible nightmare has gone for too long.”

“Shh! Listen, listen...” One of the humans whispered to the others, while laughing. “He's got something to say.” Another mocking and condescending whisper.

“In the following hours you will decide if you leave my home peacefully not to ever see you again, or if you rather lose your life by my claws and fangs.” Husky mentioned.

Malicious laughter soon got stronger. All the humans now stood up and started to surround Husky. There were so many, most of them at least twice the weight of the small Evocanis. There was a massive tension building up in the air as all sorts of horrific thoughts went through the human's putrid mind. But Husky was not afraid.

“Hand to paw... You are no match for me. I've fought those machines who double your strength and agility, humans.” He gave his first warning. It was no bluffing; Husky had defended himself against humans before and he knew they had nothing against him when unarmed. “You don't even have fangs or claws... Your muscles are stiff and heavy. Use you coward weapons if you want. You won't land a single hit on me.” Husky kept on whispering at a paused pace. He didn't care if they heard him or not. He had no reason to exchange words with these monsters.

“We will kill you tonight; SLOWLY. That's what's happening.” One of the humans said as he picked up a massive mallet.

“Stop!” A stronger voice could be heard. It caught Husky's attention as well; so much that he looked at the direction where it came. “What is this?” The powerful voice said, again in that mocking tone, but he did sound genuinely surprised.

From the tent not too far away, someone had come out. This large human walked into the circle. He was bigger than most, covered in strange hieroglyphs that stained his skin. He definitely exuded a much more menacing presence than the rest. After slowly walking from side to side, with hands on his belt, never taking his eyes from Husky, he finally stopped in front of the Evocanis.

Husky also glared at him, not losing an ounce of strength in his eyes. He showed him he was not afraid, and the human could feel it.

“This is Project Genesis right here, boys.” He said. “Never be too confident around these little animals. Remember they are originally weapons. This little thing will kill you if you give it the slightest chance.” The large human spoke to the rest.

“I am an Evoc...” Husky couldn't finish his sentence when all of the sudden, he was punched with brutal force, sending him flying a few meters back. Laughter and cheers came from the humans as he shook his head in a brief state of confusion.

“Too bad they are not too intelligent!” The human laughed himself as he shook his fist which not a second ago had struck Husky in his muzzle.

Husky just shook a little bit, immediately getting back on his hind legs. He wiped his muzzle with his forearm to remove some blood that had started to flow. But there was no pain or any serious damage caused by this apparently brutal strike.

“As I said; you are weak.” Husky said as he walked towards the human.

The human signaled the rest to stay where they were. They were about to jump at Husky in a coward attempt to gang up on him.

“You do know what you've done, right?” The human spoke to Husky. “You realize how STUPID you are to come here to our territory after you killed one of us. Not only that, but apart from breaking the territorial rules, you dare to mock us right in our face.” The human spoke with such mannerisms of arrogance and a false sense of power. “I got to give it to you; you have balls, but you aren't very intelligent.”

“He has a death wish, that's what he's got!' Another human spoke as the rest followed in laughter.

“You are WRONG!” Husky growled. Almost instantly, the humans came to a silence, paying attention to what this Evocanis had to say. “You speak about these... territories...” Husky said, trying to understand this absurd human concept. “You are in ours... And I promise that by the end of tonight, you will be purged from my Canis Major.”

Laughter was again the immediate response from the humans. “Oh there is something I will promise you, animal.” The leader now spoke between laughter as he silenced his crew. “By the end of tonight, pieces of you will be scattered all around this sector. I will personally skin and dismember you. Tomorrow, you will be our breakfast. You might be little disgusting runts, but you sure taste good, let me tell you.” Incredibly violent words from the human. Words that would've broken anyone else, they just bounced off Husky like nothingness. The human now unsheathed a massive knife that hung from his belt.

“I have given you a chance...” Husky again spoke. “If you insist to infect my Canis Major any further and hurt my brothers and sisters, that limb that holds that knife will no longer be attached to you.”

“That's it, you little piece of shit. Brothers, tonight we dine fresh meat!” what would've filled anyone with a paralyzing fear, never managed to break Husky's resolve. The human charged at him with a knife almost half the size of the young Evocanis. Husky just stared at his eyes as the deadly edge got closer to him. The fury that the human exhibited was enough to propel that knife and easily bisect the delicate body.

The sharp edge slowly cut through the air in an audible swoosh as it got closer and closer to its target. By now it would've been way too late to dodge even for a fine warrior. But Husky kept immobile, still staring at the human's eyes.

“I will massacre your kind!” the human yelled. As if in slow motion, the knife got closer and closer. The edge, aiming right at Husky's head.

The sudden threat at the Evocanis race was like a fire that ignited Husky's fury. What a terrible mistake to threaten a protective Evocanis and at the same time threaten his love ones.

Small strands of black and white fur floated in the air, as the knife had made contact. But were was the sound and sensation of metal meeting with flesh and bone? The strike was so brutal that undoubtedly the young Evocanis would've been in more than one piece by now. Looking disconcerted, the human didn't see anyone in front of him anymore. It had happened so fast. He knew what Evocanis could do, and these humans as brutal and irrational knew to respect them as opponents.

“He's fast!” Escaped from the human's mouth.

“No; you're too slow...” A soft, whispering voice, now next to the human could be heard. Before he could make a full image of the Evocanis that had now side-stepped out of his offensive advance, the human felt a firm grip on his attacking arm. Husky's claws were buried deep into his forearm, holding it firmly.

Before any fine warrior could react, the Evocanis took the counter-offensive. With his other paw which was free, Husky attacked the human. He drove a powerful uppercut, with claws as daggers, striking the inner area of the human's arm, right between the biceps and the triceps. A move taught by the Retcans, this attack could be devastating as not only major nerves run down the humerus, but also critical arteries. Husky's right upper-paw claws sank into the skin and flesh, while he held to the human's arm with his other limb.

The effects were almost instant. The human's arm went flaccid, as a stream of pain invaded it. The knife fell on the ground, leaving the claw-less and fang-less being at the mercy of the superior creature. Withdrawing his claws from the human's flesh was accompanied by a gush of blood coming from the humans arm. Husky was not done.

Without letting go of the human's arm, he used it as leverage to jump harder than normal and strike the human's chin with his knee. The momentum made the human fall on his back, completely dazed after the brutal strike, not before coughing blood and teeth. Never letting go of the arm, Husky reached for the massive knife and closed it in to the unconscious human's arm. He now pressed his hind paw with almost all his weight against the human's throat.

“Leave, or I will cut it of as promised...” Husky said, staring fiercely at the human's eyes.

“Let go of me, you fucking animal!” Words without a meaning to an Evocanis came out of the human. They were full of fear and muted by the constriction of his neck.

The humans around were now all armed and approaching Husky. Husky had no choice but to re-position himself in a defensive posture. He backed away as the humans approached all with hammers, knives, chains and other objects. Husky didn't feel fear, but he knew this was bad. There were at least a dozen and a half of humans all armed. Husky knew he could pout them down one by one. But all of them, he had absolutely no chance.

The leader of the human was helped by his piers to stand up as he desperately tried to stop the hemorrhage on his arm. He was furious, but full of insecurity. “KILL IT!” He spat as he yelled. This insecurity made him even more irrational than ever, fueling the other human to a total outburst of violence.

All of them approached Husky; closer and closer. Husky still held the knife, and he wouldn't doubt to use it. But this wasn't good. He was getting bottle-necked between a couple of improvised tents around him. Humans started throwing heavy objects at Husky. Stones, pieces of metal and other things that if had hit the Evocanis, he could've even be killed.

“Fuck cooking this animal! I want him dead and thrown to the garbage disposal!” The leader stumbled, still spitting blood and teeth shards. The infuriated group kept on advancing and Husky lost ground inch by inch. This was bad. Nowhere to jump away or to avoid them. As much as he fought the fear that soon started to invade him, he knew he was in a situation in which he might not be able to save himself from.

Flinching for a second was his biggest mistake. A large rock hit him dead on his upper limb. The force and the pain that it inflicted was enough to make Husky let go of the knife and fall to his knees.

“I got you...” One of the humans said. He swung a chain and immediately threw it at Husky. The chain brutally wrapped around the Evocani's neck, cutting the air going to his lungs immediately. A violent yank, drew Husky to the center of the human mob, and onto the ground.

“Miserable little piece of shit!” Some said.

“You will die!” Another one yelled. Offensive words that Husky did not understand were yelled at him, while a thousand punches and kicks fell on his body.

Why? Why wouldn’t this nightmare end? Husky was so determined and it had proven that the nightmare would soon end. But again he lied defeated on the ground, being stomped to death by these violent monsters. There was no possibility that this would end good for Husky. He was right; this was over. But did this meant Husky would die for nothing?

I believe in you, Husky! A voice of hope. It was Anubis encouraging him to get up. That strange place with metal beams all around him and a flimsy door being kicked down by a hoard of machines.

You have to keep fighting! I will find you no matter what! Again, Anubis’s voice. The door broke down and that black machine walked in to nothing but kill Husky. He wouldn't let himself be defeated.

You are doing great. But this is still not over. I trust your strength. Get up, pup! That weird corridor with the artificial human figure on the walls. How did he get there? But that voice had saved him. This was not Anubis or anyone he knew. But he remembered this voice as that strange warm mist that had encouraged him back in the machine's ship. It was strangely similar to the Hooded Evocani's presence.

“Break his skull!”

“Chop his limbs off!”

All human voices, belonging to those monsters that had ganged up on him, beating him to near death.

But there was no pain...

We might die today, Husky... But I am happy that I can be with you until the end comes. It was Anubis again. That phrase, he had heard it before. He saw that place again as his consciousness escaped his body. Strange sand dunes deep in a dark dungeon. Next to him, Anubis stood with his D.E1 armor almost shattered completely. Wrapped around his arm, an old piece of cloth that he hadn't noticed before. He saw his own arm and noticed a piece of cloth as well. Looking around as his memories came back, he saw it...

“No...” He uttered as a fire invaded his body.

Next to them, the bones of a once Evocanis rested alone in that dungeon.

“They will pay for this!” He cried as he clenched his teeth.

The cloth belonged to the scraps of outfit that once were worn by that Evocanis. He now remembered.

Those metallic monsters had invaded the sanctity of Canis Major and desecrated his beloved Evocanis brothers and sisters. They ripped that Evocanis from his or her home just so it died alone and afraid. How dare they?

“Leave us alone!” Husky yelled. He was back again in that nightmarish Canis Major, being stomped and punched by the humans. With strength from the unknown, Husky evaded the kicks and punches, quickly slicing the leg tendons of a couple of humans as he swung his fierce claws in self-defense. The humans were so surprised that they walked back and stopped their attack.

All that Husky could see when he closed his eyes was him standing in that dungeon, facing hundreds of those metallic monsters. But he didn't fear.

“This damn animal won't die!” Some of the humans exclaimed in surprise.

Husky still saw the machines in front of him and felt no fear whatsoever. He would fight for his kind and that day he would teach the machines not to mess with the Evocanis. As he opened his eyes and stumbling to get up, he saw the humans that surrounded them. Deep inside, he felt as if he had managed to defeat those machines, but could not remember how or if as matter of fact it happened. He just felt it. These humans were nothing in comparison...

Husky couldn't stand straight. Many of his bones were probably broken. His beautiful black and white fur could no longer be defined behind all that dirt and blood.

“I've had enough of this...” A voice behind him spoke with anger. It happened too quick.

The human leader kicked Husky in the back, throwing him back into the ground again. Husky had no strength to keep on fighting, but never stopped believing that the nightmare would end. As he lied on the ground and the human approached, he just thought on how bravely his friend and him had fought against the horde of machines for the last time. They had saved FX and would claim justice for that Evocanis that had died alone. But how did they managed to win? Or did they?

“I'm tired of this shit...” The human leader had approached Husky as he brutally yanked his upper limb. A loud cracking sound had been evidence of the bone breaking.

“You dare insult me, threaten me and place me in that position in front of my men. I will make you suffer the consequences.” The human had made his mind. In his other hand he held the knife again and prepared to strike Husky. “Let's see how long you last without your arms, dog!” He didn't even give Husky to prepare himself. He instantly swung that large knife right to Husky's upper limb. This would be a clean cut and certainly the death of Husky.

“I... I don't fear you...” Husky managed to utter as the knife was probably in its way to sever his limb. He suddenly stopped feeling the grip of the human on his arm. Something fell on the ground right next to him with a deep thud and he could not make sense of it. There was blood being sprinkled all around him. If that human had cut his arm off, it still didn't hurt, but he knew it was time before he would bleed out.

But this thud was metallic... It was so strange that with the last strength that Husky had in his body, he managed to turn around on his back to face the human that stood on top of him. More shocking was the fact that he did feel both of his limbs in place. A sharp pain was certainly present due to the fracture, but the limb was still there.

Looking around he saw the knife on the ground. The knife that the human once held. Why did he let go of the knife? Looking at the human, he noticed a blank stare. Between his eyes, there was a huge gaping hole, spewing blood all around him. As the blood flow stopped, the human fell back, hitting the ground with the last bit of life finally escaping his body.

“Keep your filthy hand OFF of my brother!” It was a powerful voice. But once that filled Husky's body with warmth and the energy to once again get back on his hind paws.

“Humans!” He continued. “It ends today, I know. But at least we are happy that we'll fight together, as Evocanis!” the voice said again. It echoed with the voice in Husky's memories.

“Anubis!” Husky cried of happiness as he saw Anubis and the other tough Evocanis surrounding him. They stood above the pit where Husky had jumped down from not minuted ago. Anubis held a steaming industrial bolt gun. He had shot a nut right at the human's head, ending his life. Not what an Evocanis would ever do, however, necessary to save Husky's life. Enough was enough.

“You were right, Husky... We have to fight, no matter the outcome. Let's fight together and end this!” Anubis yelled proudly. He jumped down with his brothers and they all surrounded Husky in order to protect him. All of them carried tools and other artifacts to defend themselves. The humans were in trouble and they knew it. This wouldn't end well for them.

“That's it...” Husky thought. Closing his eyes, he saw himself again in that dungeon. His memories now extended further. He fiercely fought the machines along with Anubis. Out of any logic, they managed to bring every single one down. That was the key... “I can't do this alone.” Husky said. “We fight together and that's how we win. No matter the outcome.” He now faced Anubis and looked him right at the eyes.

“No matter the outcome, Husky. I understand you now. We fight together, and whatever happens, we stay together until the end. I am proud of being an Evocanis, and I am honored to have met you, my brother.” Anubis let go of his gun and immediately embraced Husky in the warmest of hugs. It was back; that love, unity and purity of the Evocanis race.

That was always the key to their strength...