Chapter 1: Eavesdropping and whispering caves

It was a cold and clear night. The full moon was shining high in the sky. Its rays illuminating the forest floor through isolated gaps in the canopy of leaves. Lighting up the fur of a bat fluttering by. Though this was no ordinary northern bat. This one was much bigger with a fur that was not suitable for the local temperatures. It was much too short and too thin. No. This bat did not belong in the north, it belonged in the south, more precisely in the jungle.

And that's where Throbb was headed.

About two-and-a-half months ago, he and his cousin Goth got captured by humans and were taken away from their home country to this strange cold world. While they succeeded in escaping from their prison, their way home turned out to be harder than they thought.

To find their way in this new environment, Goth had the idea to find a bat that would show them the way south. Which worked. They had found a Silverwing pup called Shade, who was looking for his colony. He was accompanied by a Brightwing female named Marina and a human girl named Vanessa. That's right a human. A human shrunk to the size of a mouse, to be exact. Throbb had seen nothing like it before. He remembered how surprised he was when he first saw her.

With a huff, he shook his head. Those three. They'd brought them nothing but trouble.

If it had been up to him, they would have eaten them as soon as they could find their way south by themselves. But Goth had insisted on getting Shade to lead them to his colony.

However, Throbb had to admit that Goth's idea made sense. In Hibernaculum, they could have eaten an enormous amount of bats. Enough food for them to survive this cursed winter and fly home with renewed strength. But unfortunately, his plan didn't work. These two northern bats and their human friend had tricked them multiple times. With severe consequences.

''I told him we should have stayed in the cave,'' Throbb muttered to himself. But no, Goth just had to go after them during a thunderstorm.

Throbb couldn't see what was happening to Goth because he had been involved in a fight with a young owl named Orestes, who had befriended Shade and his friends, even though the birds were the bats' enemies. However, the last thing Throbb saw of his cousin, was him falling down a huge waterfall. He wanted to rush to his aid, but at that moment another flash of lightning lit up the sky and hit his wing. Filled with pain, he fled the scene.

But he was lucky. His wing was badly burned but still functional. Still, it would take a few days until he was fully healed. He also got some scratches on his body and face from his fight with Orestes. But even that was not very serious. He was much more worried about Goth.

After Throbb had waited some time for the pain to ease, he flew back to the waterfall and followed the river further downstream. He was flying for hours, but there was no life sign of Goth.

He spent most of the day looking for him and hardly slept. To make matters worse, he was getting awfully hungry. But there was no trace of potential prey anywhere.

''I hope I find food soon, or I'll starve to death if I'm not frozen to death first.'' A shiver ran through his body and he shook himself. He couldn't wait to get back to the jungle. If he ever makes it back, that is.

''Hm?'' The sudden sound of flapping wings got him out of his thoughts. ''Goth?'' he asked into the wind, ''Is that you?'' No answer. Throbb decided to fly into the direction where he had heard the wing-beating. Two minutes later, he discovered its source.

It wasn't Goth. But Throbb was not disappointed. It was a Silverwing. Not Shade but an old female with grey fur and lots of fat on her ribs.

''Perfect,'' Throbb thought, licking his lips. Finally, something to eat.

He followed the Silverwing female through the forest until he found the perfect moment to strike. There. Now. The female flew towards me in a tree and hung upside down from one of the lower branches. Throbb landed a few branches higher and crouched down. Quickly, he checked that his scent wasn't being blown to her by the wind. Then he stalked the unsuspecting bat and flinched back as two owls appeared. Well hidden behind twigs and leaves he watched as a large owl with brown plumage settled on a snow-covered branch opposite the silver wing. Throbb thought he resembled Orestes. Were the two perhaps related to each other? The other owl, with a long thin mustache on his beak, settled on a branch behind him.

Throbb crouched even deeper into the thicket. He had no interest in being discovered and wondered if it would be best to leave now.

''General Brutus, how good to see you.''

Throbb saw how the owl general stared down grimly at the old Silverwing female. ''Bathsheba. I hope for your sake you have a good reason for coming to see me.''

''Why, certainly,'' Bathsheba replied. ''I don't wish to claim your patience for too long. I'm merely here to give you some news that may be of interest to you.''

Brutus didn't seem convinced. ''The only thing that interests me is the whereabouts of your colony, Silverwing. So don't waste my time with nonsense.''

''Of course not. But what I have to tell you also involve your son.''

Now she got the owl's attention. ''What did you say?'' he asked.

''You heard right'', said Bathsheba, ''Yesterday, Shade entered Hibernaculum with that human brat Vanessa, a Brightwing and your son. They even claimed he was their friend.''

Throbb thought Brutus looked as if his eyes were about to pop out of his head. That's how far he'd ripped them open.

''My only son … in league with the Silverwings?!'' his voice boomed with anger at this news. ''If you are lying … you've drawn your last breath, bat!''

Bathsheba just smirked. ''It's a deal. Give me what I want, and I'll deliver the traitors…''

''Huh?'' Throbb didn't understand a thing. Why would this Silverwing betray someone from her own colony? Although he still thought it would be best to get away as quickly as possible. He still sat on his branch. Because now a pack of wolves appeared and he wanted to know what they were doing here.

''Good evening Brutus,'' said the alpha with a grin, ''I see you owls have caught one of those murderous Silverwings.''

''Bathsheba has come here on her own free will with important information.''

She nodded. ''Indeed. To find my colony you must follow the river upstream to the waterfall. There, on a rock above the waterfall, is the entrance to the Hibernaculum.

''¿Qué?'' For a second it looked as if the they had heard him. So he quickly went quiet again tried and continued to watch the strange meeting.

"So, so Hibernaculum is behind the waterfall?! Mmh clever." the alpha purred growling.

"No thanks to you wolf, without Bathsheba we wouldn't have found it at all." Brutus replied. The wolf just growled before glancing at Bathsheba with a cruel smile. "What is betraying your own species worth these days?" He asked moving a bit closer. Bathsheba backed away with a gasp. Then glared back at him.

"I seek only to restore order to this forest." she said.

"Oh of course you do." The alpha wolf chuckled.

''We fly to Hibernaculum immediately'', Brutus declared and turned to the owl behind him. ''Atlas inform all lieutenants.''

''Um, Is that a good idea, sir?'' he asked. ''Invading the winter roost of any species, especially during wintertime is a serious violation against the law. Perhaps it would be better to inform the King about this.''

Brutus pondered. He didn't look too enthusiastic about it. But then he agreed. ''Very well. Send a messenger to King Boreal. We'll wait for his reply and attack afterward.'' Atlas nodded and flew off.

Throbb had heard enough. He had noticed the alpha wolf looking curiously at the web of branches he was hiding on. If he stayed here any longer, they would surely discover him. The next time the wolf turned around Throbb used the moment to fly away as quietly as he could.

Once he was sure he had left the meeting far behind him, Throbb landed at the ground of a small clearing and thought about what he just heard.

Hibernaculum was behind the waterfall. Behind the waterfall! The same waterfall where they had fought those northern bats and their friends. The same one Goth had fallen down from. Throbb could not believe how close they had been to their goal. With a frustrated growl he rubbed his hands across his face. "I can't believe it. We were so close... so close.'' He wondered whether he should fly upriver and go to Hibernaculum now that he knew where it was. But he decided against it. He thought it would be better to turn his back to the north and make his way home.

He had been away far too long. Throbb couldn't wait to be back among his own kind and surrounded by the familiar scents of the jungle. It warmed his heart when he thought how happy his parents, especially his mother, will be when they see him again. But then he remembered that he still had found no sign of life from Goth. Which meant that he had to tell the king and queen about the death of their only child.

Throbb knew that the royal couple had long hoped for a child of their own. So long that their relationship suffered from it. And now that Goth was most likely dead, it would break them apart for good. Goth's mother was too old to bear more children and the king himself was not the youngest anymore either. To make it worse, his health was not at its best at the time Goth and Throbb were kidnapped. What if he had died?

Throbb gulped. If King Deimos was indeed no longer alive, who would then take the throne? With Goth no longer around, the crown would pass to the king's brother. But Throbb knew that his father was not that young to be king for a long time either. Furthermore, he had never been very much interested in ruling. Which meant he would gladly hand the position over to his own son. In other words, to Throbb.

''Oh, Zotz'', he said ''What am I going to do? I can't possibly rule a kingdom. I... I'm not made for this.''

''Who in their right mind would crown you king?''

Throbb spun around and his eyes widened. Behind him, propped at the base of a tree, stood Goth. His body was covered in bruises and scars. His wings were torn, and the membrane blistered and stained. All in all, he looked worse than after what happened to him at the fire towers.

''Goth, you are alive!'' cried Throbb and wanted to hug his cousin. But stopped himself after noticing how he looked at him as if he wanted to tear him to shreds. ''Eh, is ... Is everything all right?'' he asked cautiously.

''If everything is all right?'' Goth let out a half-hearted laugh. ''Oh, of course. Everything's fine. After all, it happens every day that I almost drown and freeze to death.'' His eyes glittered with rage, and Throbb backed off a little.

''I...eh...I just wanted to...'' he started but Goth didn't let him finish.

''What? Declare me dead and fly home alone so you can take my place as future king?!''

''N-no I...''

"Let me clarify one thing...'' Goth moved closer to Throbb and stared down at him hatefully. Before Throbb could retreat any further, his cousin had already grabbed him by the throat and pulled him to his face. ''The day someone like you becomes king is the day I turn my back on Zotz. So you better forget about that right now. ¡¿Lo tienes?!''

Throbb nodded quickly, fearing Goth might do who knows what to him. Although he realized something was different. The grip on his neck was not as tight as usual. More like Goth was clinging to him instead of choking him. Als did he noticed how exhausted Goth looked. His breathing was heavy, and he was slightly shivering. In fact, if Goth wasn't so angry, he most likely would have collapsed right on the spot.

''Listen Goth,'' began Throbb and carefully pushed Goth's hand away from his throat. ''I can see that you're feeling... quite unwell at the moment.''

Goth snorted. ''I'm fine.''

Throbb knew he was lying, but said nothing. ''Well, maybe so, but I still think we'd better find shelter. Looks like it's going to be dawn soon.''

Goth replied nothing and looked up at the sky. It was true. The stars were already fading and the horizon glowed in the east. ''All right. Let's go.'' Goth spread his wings to fly. Immediately he flinched in pain and fell to his knees. Throbb wanted to help him but got almost bitten by Goth so he stayed away. In the air, the Vampyrum prince struggled hard to stay up. With every beat of his wings, he was hissing in pain. But he fought his way forward doggedly.

Throbb flew as close to his side as possible, to catch him in case he threatened to fall, even if his own wing hurt like hell.

After a while they found a crevice in a rocky hill and flew inside, totally worn out. With the help of their echo vision they realized that the cave was stretched out in a wide net, exposing numerous side passages. As they flew deeper and deeper, the two of them noticed to their amazement how the surrounding air became warmer and warmer until they were surrounded by delicious tropical heat. They realized that it was rising from holes in the stone floor as if it came from the depths of the earth.

While it seemed to be a natural roost for bats, the two of them couldn't find even a single one. But even though their stomachs were growling with hunger, they were not too disappointed for the warm air felt too good. It was almost as if they were already back home in their jungle. They kept on flying until Goth couldn't go on anymore and roosted on the nearest wall.

''We will stay here for the day'', he decided.

Throbb agreed and yawned. Afterward, he wondered if he should go out hunting, so they had something in their stomachs before going to sleep. But when he turned to Goth, he saw how he was already fast asleep. Throbb briefly considered whether he should fly out again, but his eyes were so heavy that he could hardly keep them open. Finally, with another yawn he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Shortly after Throbb fell asleep, Goth grew restless and growled and frowned in his sleep. Eventually, he woke up thinking he heard his name.

Believing it was Throbb, he turned to him in annoyance. But the other Vampyrum was sleeping peacefully. Goth blinked. Was Throbb talking in his sleep or did he just imagine hearing his name? With a quick shrug he wrapped himself back into his silky-smooth wings and tried to go back to sleep.

''Goth.''

Immediately, he was, glancing back at Throbb. Yet he was still asleep. Goth was sure that someone had whispered his name. But who else but Throbb could it have been?

''Goth.''

Goth froze. This time the voice had been louder, and he didn't have to watch Throbb to know that it wasn't his voice who spoke to him.

''Who's there?'' he asked in the room but got no answer. His heart was pounding in his chest. He sent out a wave of sound, but the echo only reflected the silvery image of the empty cave walls. Was he so sick that he began to hear voices that weren't even there?

''Where are you going?'' the voice asked him.

''Home,'' replied Goth, searching around. The words seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. And yet he felt that there was someone else in the cave beside him and Throbb.

Sound images painted themselves on the walls and ceiling like moving hieroglyphics: a two-headed jaguar, a feathered snake, and a pair of dark eyes without pupils.

Hesitantly he gave in. "C-cama Zotz," he said.

"Correct.''

Goth had felt as if the owner of the voice was grinning at him. Still saw no sign of him except the hieroglyphics on the walls. Could it really be that his god was speaking to him or was it just a dream?

"Be assured Goth, this is no dream.''

''W-what do you want from me, oh great Zotz?''

"'The question is rather what do you want from me?''

"What do I want?" Goth was confused.

''That's right,'' said Zotz. ''You say you're on your way home. But is that really what you want, or is there some unfinished business to settle?''

Unfinished business? What did he mean by that?

"I... I don't understand?''

"Well, perhaps this will jog your memory.''

Pictures flashed through Goth's mind. A runty Silverwing and a human girl, shrunken to mouse-size. Shade and Vanessa. He growled. Why did Zotz show him that?

"I can feel your heart yearning for vengeance, Goth. Yet you claim to want to leave this place.''

"My lord. These two and their companions have blasphemed you. They must be punished. However...'', he stopped short, ''with my present physical condition, I am hardly able to fly.''

''In other words... You are asking me to cure you and thereby save you from death once again.''

Goth nodded slowly. "Yes, sir.''

''Very well,'' said Zotz after a quick break. "That can be arranged. I'll even help you with your revenge. But you must do exactly what I say.''

''I'll do anything.''

''I know.'' Again the air whirled around him and the image of a human building in the middle of the forest painted itself into his head. "Go there. It's a few wing beats to the north of here. If you leave after sunset, you should get there before dawn.''

Now Goth understood nothing. Why would his god send him there? He had just escaped from a similar building a few weeks ago.

"But...''

"Are you questioning me Goth?" Zotz sounded angry, causing Goth to shudder and shake his head.

"N-no, sir. I just... don't understand why you're sending me there. The Humans are our enemies. Why do I need to go to one of their places?''

"Because it's important Goth. Only if you go there you will finally return home and get your revenge. And you'll be king.''

King? Goth wanted to ask what Zotz meant by this, but his gods presence had already disappeared. He wondered if he'd just imagined it all. Still, it seemed too real for him to be just a simple dream. However, the fatigue drew Goth back to the land of dreams before he could think about it any further.

The next evening, Goth was the first to wake up and notice something different from himself.

All of his wounds were gone, including the ones he got from the electric shocks at the power station. They had fully healed, leaving no scars. Also his crimson hair had regained its original fullness and length. However, it looked shaggy and in need of a good grooming session. But that could wait. Much more important now was to follow his God's orders and fly to this human building. Though it was still a mystery to Goth why.

Meanwhile Throbb was also waking up and yawned while stretching his wings wildly.

''Watch it'', growled Goth and roughly pushed him away.

''Oh, perdón''. Throbb rubbed the last bits of sleep out of his eyes and looked around. ''Is it evening already?'' he asked.

''Of course,'' Goth replied curtly, and let go from his resting place. Throbb wanted to say something, but Goth was already on his way out.

''Wait'', Throbb said as he caught up with him. ''Don't you think it might be better if you stayed inside and rest? You know, your injuries, they're... healed?'' Throbb blinked, looking closer at Goth. ''But... how is this possible? Your wings... How?''

Goth laughed with amusement at Throbb's bewildered expression. ''Amazing, isn't it?" He flexed his arms and looked pleased at his strong and healthy muscles. ''Believe it or not... It was Cama Zotz. He himself had spoken to me and healed my wounds.''

''But I thought only our high priest is capable of communicating with our god'', said Throbb.

''Do you call me a liar?''

''N-no ... but.''

Goth's eyes narrowed to slits. ''Be assured. I'm speaking the truth. Zotz did speak to me and healed me just like ... you?!'' He paused. Only now did he realize that Throbb's wounds had healed as well. This could only have been the work of Zotz. But why?

''Huh?'' Throbb looked down on himself and realized that Goth was right. The scratches on his body plus the nasty gash in his wing were gone. ''What ... How?''

Goth was speechless. He stared at Throbb not knowing if he should be confused or just angry. Why on earth had Zotz healed Throbb as well? He wasn't as loyal to their god as he was. So why? Whatever the reason was, Goth knew he would find it out eventually. Though for now he had more important things to do. ''Come on now.''

''Wait, Goth Home is that way.''

The Vampyrum prince stopped in mid-flight and looked over his shoulder in the direction Throbb was pointing. South. The road to his home. To the jungle. To his kin. Something tore at his heart and pulled him towards there. But then the words of his god came back to his mind, and he shook his head. ''We have to go this way. It's Zotz will.''

''I thought we were going home?''

''If we do what Zotz says, we'll get home soon enough'', Goth said. ''Or do you want to defy the will of your god?''

''No, no, of course not,'' Throbb hastily replied and backed off as Goth approached him with a threatening glare in his eyes.

''Then what?''

''I just wonder why Zotz doesn't want us to take the direct route home.''

''Then go that way if you insist. But I will do what Zotz told me to do.'' Goth was getting tired of discussing with Throbb. This was a waste of time. ''You can either come with me or not. Your choice.''And with that, he flew off and didn't look back at him again.

Throbb looked after him with concern. Then he threw a wavering glance to the south. Sighed and eventually followed his cousin, hoping he knew what he was doing.

AN: Hello everyone and welcome to the first chapter of the direct sequel to Promise of the Night. :D I hope you guys will enjoy this story as much as the last one. ^^