Fantasy Code FERAL

[Sleipnir]

Bael couldn't hardly comprehend what was helping until Zoe was literally on top of him, at which point the first thing he could register was the proximity and he could feel his face heat up noticeably. He was jerked out of his near catatonic state when she spoke, and he found himself torn between staying to help her and assisting Cedar. She was hurt — she needed help. He shook his head, turning to look across the field and spotted the bear in a drag-out fight with a wolf. It only took a moment to register everything from there, and immediately he took off across the snow, tripping a bit, after Cedar. He noticed Zoe's bow left in the snow and, looking over at her, he picked it up and shouted to her.


"Zoe! Heads up—!" And he threw it toward her, hoping she'd at least be able to defend herself.


Then he turned his attention back to the wolf and Cedar. He was very uncertain; he wasn't sure what to do. He was not talented with a hand gun. He didn't want to hit Cedar. The bear looked at him when Bael approached and, as soon as the wolf's attention also turned toward Bael, the boy threw one glance at the bear and knew what it was he could do. He kneeled on the snow, balancing his gun on his own knee. He shot at the wolf, catching it in the leg as it plunged toward him. He heard it yelp and tumble head over heels, but with a snarl it stood and kept at him. He had only barely nicked the beast.


The gun was forgotten on Bael as the wolf pounced at him and Bael lost it. He scrambled for some weapon and found a branch. He found himself scrambling in the snow with the wolf, wrestling it and instinctively defending with his armored arms. He shouted out as the wolf finally managed to get through his armor and he felt the teeth sink into his flesh. He jerked his arm away, trying to wrench the wolf's maw off and only making it worse, feeling the fear of his own skin as soon as he moved his arm. Then he felt something hard under him.


The gun.


He tried desperately and awkwardly to get the gun out from under his back, and feeling it in his hand, he struggled, kicking at the wolf and trying to force it off of him. He cocked the gun against his teeth, and without thinking, he jammed the barrel into the wolf's mouth and shot.


He was in a confused daze for several moments as the limp body of the wolf laid on top of him before it was rolled off and the familiar shape of Cedar was over him, grabbing Bael's coat collar and pulling him up from the snow.


@DawnAntalios

 

[Lioness075]

Feeling herself suddenly yanked onto the snowmobile, consequently landing with her back striking the injured man's chest, Leandra let out a surprised squeal (not one of her bravest moments) before blushing brightly at the fact that she was laying on a heavily injured man, who happened to also be rather high on the eye candy charts.


Briefly looking back to where the wolf had been, Leandra was relieved to see and hear the gunshot, resulting in the wolf no longer being a threat to her.


As they began zipping away, Leandra suddenly recalled her position and scrambled into a sitting position only to instantly regret that decision as her head suddenly throbbed with the pain shooting up her leg from the ravaged bite wound on her calf.


Biting her lip, and realizing she was far off from bleeding out, Leandra turned herself around and kept her injured leg out of the way while she quickly took off her backpack and began pulling out medical supplies.


Wasting no time in scanning the supplies, Leandra instinctively grabbed bandages and gauze pads before she began stuffing the gushing wounds with the gauze pads to ease the bleeding. As the gauze began to do its work, Leandra then carefully and quickly wrapped the man's leg wound and arm wound.


While the injuries to his leg and arm had been rather prominent, Leandra had no idea if he had sustained any other kind of injury and he had blood all over him so it was near impossible to know where else he was injured.


Taking into account that the man had been speaking to everyone without too much of a problem, Leandra looked the man in the eyes with a determined look before asking him, "Were you injured anywhere else? Are these the only injuries you've sustained?"


While waiting for the man's response, Leandra suddenly realized she'd never properly thanked Jimbo and quickly shouted to him over the chaos around them, "Jimbo, thank you for saving me! I owe you one!"


@zCrookedz @SilverFlight


Hearing a whine not too far from their current position, four wolves broke off from the main group and began bounding effortlessly through the snow towards Wednesday, Cerci and Simon.


Breaking away from one another, the four soon made a loose circle around the trio, pacing with one another so that they were circling the trio without giving them any openings to try and escape.


Suddenly, all four lunged forward at once, though two of them feinted backwards before getting close enough to be struck, while the other two leapt over the feinting pair, aiming to both simultaneously tackle Simon to the ground.


While their leader had called for them to attack the weaker ones first, this group had a different idea. Take down the strong ones first, leaving the weak ones utterly defenseless.


@zCrookedz @Hel


When Luness felt like the wolf was about to be a problem no more, another suddenly came flying out of no where, taking Luness completely by surprise, as he swatted her down and right into Strong.


Shrieking in pain when his claws raked her left wing from the swatting, Luness had no means of controlling her descent or the way she unceremoniously crashed right into Strong.


When she finally landed in the snow again, Luness struggled to her talons, her left wing hanging limply at her side, which meant it was dragging on the ground now.


Shrieking in anger and pain now, Luness was about to flare up again when she realized how close Strong was to her. If she tried to burn the wolves, she'd end up burning Strong as well...which meant Luness was defenseless now.


@SilverFlight @zCrookedz


Manjano struggled up the hillside with Falarion, their vision beginning to clear up, though Manjano was slightly disappointed that his vision didn't miraculously return in his blind eye.


Returning his focus to the battlefield, Manjano started when he saw Beth ahead, wrestling with a wolf after having tackled it to get it away from Totus.


Manjano didn't even have to think a word to Falarion before the maned wolf began effortlessly bounding across the snow to join in the fray ahead.


Struggling through the snow on his own, Manjano used his staff to help him along, as he tried to speed up despite the snow still slowing him down.


The wolf attacking Beth soon was knocked heavily aside, as Falarion had leapt at it to get it off of Beth. Now, the two wolves wrestled about in the snow, as they both struggled to deliver a final blow to one another.


Right after Falarion had tackled the wolf aside, Manjano appeared in front of Beth, offering a hand to her so he could help her up.


Not a moment later, a yelp was heard nearby and then Falarion came limping up to the pair, a bite wound on his left shoulder, which was now bleeding quite profusely.


The moment the yelp was heard, Manjano had instinctively reacted by yanking his arm back from Beth, clutching painfully at his shoulder, though no wound was seen at the time. It wasn't until Falarion limped up to the pair, that Beth would've been able to possibly understand what was paining Manjano.


Beyond surprised, Manjano struggled away from the wrestling pair only to realize that it was Alec and a wolf.


Gritting his teeth, Manjano grabbed his staff from the ground nearby and danced to the side of the pair before hooking his staff around the wolf's neck and yanking it his way.


Hearing a satisfying snap from the motion, Manjano then dropped his staff with the wolf and near Alec, as he rushed back to Beth and offered his hand once again, after checking the area first.


While Manjano went back to help Beth, Falarion limped up to Alec and the dead wolf before casually asking him, "You don't happen to have some kinda medical supplies on you...do you?"


While waiting for Alec's likely to be delayed response, Falarion glanced over at where Totus had crash landed before limping a bit towards him and pausing to ask him, "Hey, uh, Totus? You okay over there?"


@Flutterby @SilverFlight

 

[StoneWolf18]

As the wolf that had attacked her lay convulsing in the snow, Malik had become increasingly more terrified. His eyes practically popping out of his skull whilst he fought to remain conscious. Picking up the stunned dragon by the torso, she gave the pair a grateful glance and opened her mouth to speak as yet another wolf jumped upon her. Falling back, she threw Malik up in the air who instinctively began flapping his wings slowly to remain aloft. Vera on the other hand was once again pushed to the snow coated earth and struggling against a large fuzzy beast once more. Yet it had managed to score a shallow bite along the right side of her throat. The taste of blood sent it into an even larger bloodlusted rampage, snarling, clawing, biting. Doing anything that might get himself though to his prey.


@andujarprime

 

[Flutterby]

Beth was fighting by pure instinct, blinded by fear for Totus and herself. He hadnt gotten up out of the snow yet, and the wolf was beginning to really overpower her. There were nicks covering her face and neck now, from its claws, and its teeth were getting closer and closer to bare skin with every lunge. Panic set in, as she felt an incisor brush across her throat. The only thing that kept it from burying itself into her neck was the fact that her forearm was pressed up against its chest, but her shoulders were weakening and she slippery coat was sliding on the wolf's vest. She had no idea where the gun had gone, and her Totus hadnt moved yet. Another lunge, another brush on her skin. Beth screamed, trying to call for help, but too terrified to form words. She had not been prepared for a fight like this.


And then suddenly, the weight of her impending doom was gone. She could see the sky, the dark night sky with beautiful white stars. Beth's breath came in harsh, wheezing gasps. She stared blankly at the hand floating in front of her face, not registering it until it was yanked away. Her eyes wavered, then settled on Manjano as he cringed. But her body refused to move. It wasnt until after Manjano disappeared and then reappeared that she was able to get her shocked body to respond.


"Totus!" She gasped, struggling to see him from where she lay. She didnt realize it, but there were tears running down her face, streaking the blood. The owl began to stir at the sound of her voice, slowly at first, and then all at once.


"I..I was just dazed.. Call down.." Totus said in a sleepy voice, shaking snow from his feathers uncertainly. "Beth stop floundering! Youre going to hurt yourself." He hopped cautiously through the snow toward her.


Beth twisted toward the sound of his voice, wrenching her bruised ribs. She gasped through clenched teeth at the pain, falling back into the snow with a wince.


"Manjano, please help her before she does that again." Totus said, as he remained at a safe distance and shook his head to clear it.


@Lioness075

 

[Hel]

Wednesday cowered back against the ski as she heard the cracking and sizzling of something in front of her. Finally she managed to bling away the blindness as she heard Simon's challenge to the wolves. Oh... he'd saved her. She wasn't sure why she was so surprised that one of her teammates had saved her, but she was.


Or maybe it was surprise that it hadn't been Cerci. Either way, Wednesday reached out for the gun she'd found earlier, wanting the comfort the weapon offered as four more wolves circled in.


Cerci... Cerci I need you


I know, I'm here keep yourself safe and I'll take care of them.


With that exchange, and having finished off the wolf she'd been fighting, Cerci lunged towards those that had feinted away hoping to catch them off guard. Her sharpened claws struck out, aiming not for the kill spot under the neck of the wolf, but instead for it's bare behind, knowing the armour didn't cover the wolves rump.


Meanwhile, Wednesday was concerned more with dodging than actually fighting, though she soon realized it wasn't her the wolves were after, but Simon. She pulled the gun up to aim for one of the wolves, but just as quickly decided that it wasn't worth the potential of her missing and hitting her ally, instead she tried something else, something terribly dumb.


As the two wolves leapt toward Simon, Wednesday dove towards the wolf's tail with the intent only of screwing up its balance so that Simon could take care of it.


@zCrookedz @Lioness075

 

[andujarprime]

Caught off guard, Rin frowned. He didn't see or hear this wolf come in, but that didn't matter. He stepped in, delivering a swift kick amidst a flurry of snow. It was enough to knock the wolf back, it growled, momentarily distracted. It took a step over the downed girl, away towards Rin. He backed up, trying to lead the wolf away from the downed girl. Another step, then another. Haku on the other hand was making her way beneath the snow. She needed to be fast, for all the heat her special sleeve was providing. She couldn't help but feel the snow around her beginning to take it's toll. Three steps over the downed girls body now. The wolf was far enough, he shifted back one more foot, then sheathed his sword. The wolf growled, and made a weird grinning face, showing his teeth. The saliva dripping as it got ready to pounce. The wolf let loose, at the same moment a hissing sound as Haku uncoiled herself and sprang up from beneath the snow, Her fangs biting into the wolf's hind quarters. Rin jumped back a few paces, allowing the wolf to fall to the floor in pain, Haku made her way around to rest near Vera, coiled and ready to strike once more. The wolf turned to face the snake, fangs bared. It began to circle around, seemingly having forgotten Rin for the moment. Seconds passed by as the wolf took a few steps around the body. Haku hissed, the wolf growled as it crouched once more. Mid growl, it began to spit out blood, it's hind leg shaking then going limp. He dropped down to the ground, shaking violently, blood spurting from it's mouth. Rin stepped forward, stepping around the downed wolf, and the bright red snow. He looked up at the frightened dragon flapping to keep aloft, then at the downed girl. He kneeled down to help Vera up once more. "Are you hurt bad?" He asked with genuine concern. "I'm sorry, I should have seen him, or at least heard him." He apologized as he looked up trying to make sure there were no more wolves.


@StoneWolf18

 

[zCrookedz]

Simon only smiled when his change had been accepted by some of the pack. He clashed his knuckles together, sending yet another shower of sparks to the snow covered ground below. He kept his head on a swivel trying to find the ones that would move first. But when they all moved together, Simon's rush or adrenaline went into overdrive.


He prepaid for all four of them to get close and attack with a great force, but when two of them feinted away Simon whipped his attention to focus on the two that had continued on. Luckily, Simon had a brilliant team mate ready to help even the playing field. Wednesday eached out and grabbed the tail of one of the wolves, give Simon a single target even for a moment. He drew his arm back and sent his electrically charged fist sailing towards the wolf that was closest.


He didn't stop to survey the damage, as the other wolf would surely be right behind, or even worse attacking Wednesday. Simon let his punch swing his body around almost in a pirouette style, so his massive boot could make contact with the other wolf. Hopping to have saved off the attackers Simon backed himself up so that he stood next to Wednesday with his fists raised watching to see if either of the wolves would try for another round. He looked down at Wednesday with a smile as thick clouds of breath exhaled into to the icy wind.


"Nicely done! Stick close and we can watch each others backs. If you think you can, don't hesitate to pull the trigger on that thing."


He nodded towards the gun Wednesday had grasped in her hands. He didn't know how good. Shot she was, but Simon figured he was currently wearing my body protection than the wolves, so surely it would be ok.


@Hel


Jimbo zipped throw the battle field pushing the snowmobile to its limits. Several times a wolf had apeared out of nowhere and Jimbo had to swivel out of the way so ad not to get hit by the surprise attac . He looked back to see if his passages were still attached and was glad to see they were. He threw a hand up at the sound of Leandra's gratitude.


"Thank me when we get the hell out of here."


Back at the edge of the cliff, the wolf that had swatted Luness out of the sky stuck it's paw in the snow quickly to attempt to quell the burn it had received from hitting the fire bird. It looked over at the other wolf and it's mouth stretched into a very odd looking smilre.


"Heh, you got burned."


The other wolf stood up trying to shake it's head and recover it's eye sight from being scratched and burned, but to avail. He stuck his nose up and drew in several short sniffs of the air before turning back to his pack mate.


"Shut it, let's just kill these two and get back to killing the boar."


The other wolf growled and snapped it's jaws as both their attentions now turned to Luness and Strong, slowly getting closer and closer backing them up against the sheer drop behind them.


@SilverFlight @Lioness075

 

[SilverFlight]

Strong fought with all her strength, but these wolves were big. She watched with satisfaction as Jimbo began to move out before trying to roll the animal over and pin it with her own weight. Suddenly the wolf brought his hind legs up and kicked out, sending Strong sprawling away in the snow as strong tried to struggle to her feet Luness hit her and she stumbled. The wolf took its chance, rushed in and buried its fangs just above the collar of the coat.


Strong felt bone break and screamed. With the new burst of adrenaline she forced her other arm free and aimed but poorly. The shot tore into the animal's ear, deafening him with the closeness of the blast. He recoiled and danced back but circled slowly, trying to recover before he attacked again.


Duik whooped at Eos tossed his attacker like a rag doll. "That was awesome!" he cried. "I wish I had antlers." Then he looked at the stag in realization.


"Alec!" With out another second's pause he raced down the hill after his companion.


@DawnAntalios


Alec fought, snow flying everywhere, suddenly he felt the weight of his opponent leave and scrambled to his feet. Looking at Manjano and then Falarion he blinked, his pounding heart drowned his thoughts, made it hard to think. Medical supplies?


"No, I forgot to grab the kit when I got pushed down the cliff." He snapped, then realized Manjano had probably just saved his life.


"Sorry Falarion, and thanks Manjano."


@Lioness075


Just then another wolf who had followed him down sprang from the shadows, this time Alec was ready for him. This one seemed smaller, barely an adult he grabbed the animal in mid spring and twisted it so it landed on its back in the snow, then with one hand he hefted the beast up by the skin about its neck and pinned him to a tree.


Alec's eyes were dark, full of anger as he put the barrel of the gun under the wolf's muzzle. The animal whimpered, the whites of his eyes showing as he stared death in the face.


"Alec!" Duik cried, but he was still fairly far away, Alec didn't seem to hear him. The wolf in his hands was defenseless and scared. "Don't do it!"


@crucialstar


Bill and Bam had been fighting off the wolves as best they could. Their horns cracked bone when they landed hits. Calista's drone could do little, but a well-placed bomb here and their did a bit of damage. When Jimbo, Leandra the human and the boar were clear of the cliff Calista let go a barrage of them, kicking up snow and steam and creating a smoke-screen for them to use to escape. The wolves in pursuit danced back with angry snarls.


@zCrookedz @Lioness075


Strong winced as she tried to pull herself up. She tired to shuffle back and away from Luness, and another wolf that had joined the first. She could hear a frustrated growl emanate from him.


"Just get the stupid pig!" He snarled at his pack. "I'll deal with their leader." He rounded on Strong, stepping past the injured phoenix without a thought.


Amber knew she couldn't escape, she had made it the edge of the cliff but now there was nowhere to go and the others were much further away.


She leaned back, supporting herself with her one good arm and suddenly she felt the snow give a little under it.


A sudden realization came upon her and she stared defiantly back at the alpha.


"You think it'll be that easy? Come and get me!"


The wolf lunged, a blur of grey fur and Strong pulled something from her pocket. The anti-avalanche mine. She plunged it into the snow before her and kicked it to activate it.


The explosion created a huge cloud of powder, visible from almost anywhere on the battlefield. Strong felt the cliff give way underneath her and watched with satisfaction as the collapse surrounded the pack leader and the other wolf.


Over weeks of stormy weather the ice and snow had built the cliff out, creating a false ledge that was extremely unstable. Strong didn't know how far it went, but collapsing it would take out a number of their enemies. Even if it took her too.


The wolves howled in surprise as they felt gravity claim them and Strong looked for Simon and caught sight of him...just before she vanished over the edge.


@zCrookedz @everyone

 

[deer]

Hearing a voice on her right side, Xiao Hui looked over to the source, seeing the young blonde woman, clade in armor, with her bow gripped tightly in her hands. Zoe, she thought, as Xiao Hui gave her, her full attention. However, calling her "miss", made her frozen slightly in her spot, as Xiao Hui spoke softly, "No need to call me, Miss. Zoe, was it? Xiao Hui is just fine." She said, remembering that Zoe and Eos tended to speak with formalities even in the face of their own comrades. However, that only made Xiao Hui more than curious, was she learning to accept them? Or prove something to them that it wasn't an easy feat to battle against humans and creatures alike? But, the rashness in her steps made Laohu quite alarmed as he was about to stop her from hastening her attack on the wolves. But, Eos, as always, kept her in check, making her re-count her actions as Zoe stopped in her tracks and stopped herself from aiming her arrow towards one of the wolves. Xiao Hui listened to Eos' speech, smiling reassuringly, nodding towards him. "Allies are here to help us, we aren't alone. So, don't become a hero and foolishly be reckless, harming yourself." She chimed in, adding to his speech as she liked hearing Eos' wisdom as she deemed him wise. Laohu swished his tail as she stood in a protective stance, staring at the scene blankly ahead. Placing a hand on Zoe's shoulder, she shook her head, "Don't let that get the best of you. We all make mistakes, including our wrath. But that's why we're here, to help you, right?" She said, winking at Zoe before all things went straight to hell when Alec shouted that they weren't ordinary wolves, they were companions. Laohu roared menancingly as he heard that they had killed their humans and are free. Next thing Xiao Hui knew, everyone was on a full throttle battle between not only the original five wolves in front of them, but also fifteen more wolves had showed up, surrounding the entire group. Xiao Hui hissed slightly, "It was a trap and they definitely came prepared."


Soon enough, all of her comrades had their own wolves to take care of, everyone fighting hard, taking in the battle ahead of them. Injuries, screams of pain echoing in the cliffs and mountains, and light bomb explosions were all happening at once. Xiao Hui took a defensive position, that is, until a wolf came charging at her without her noticing, only to have Alec quickly reacting as he shot the wolf. "Alec," she whispered softly, impressed by his quick reflex, however, something about his eyes seemed off to her. . Nevertheless, Laohu's ears perked up, listening to the sound of a bullet being bounced off, "Armors!" He said as he quickly launched at the wolf ahead of him. Taking advantage of the light bomb and quickly reacting to it, Laohu and Xiao Hui closed their eyes in enough time to not be blinded by the light. When the light faded, Laohu pounced on the wolf, pummeling it down into the snow. Xiao Hui looked carefully around, dodging any wolves aiming straight for her as she ran towards where Laohu was, seeing that he was struggling to hold down the feral wolf. "Was being a human's partner that bad you wanted freedom by killing them?" She called out solemnly, as she reached Laohu and the wolf they were up against. Between Laohu and the wolf, they were evenly matched as both of their teeth and claws were sharpening, hanging at each other's bodies and throat. However, when the wolf got the upper lead Laohu was thrown back a few steps. Xiao Hui took her katana and gracefully glided through the snow, battling against the wolf head to head. "Hui, get back! This isn't your fight!" He yelled at her, however, she didn't listen. Each time the wolf took a swung, Xiao Hui moved to the opposite side. Each time she took a swung, he moved to the other side. It went on for a few moments until Xiao Hui threw her sword up into the air, and taking advantage of that distraction, Laohu attacked, tackling the wolf down, biting the wolf by it's neck as it's claws scraped against Laohu's body. "Laohu!" Xiao Hui screamed out, seeing the blood dripping from her friend, but soon she winced, feeling the claw marks on her back from the hit Laohu had recieved as well. Taking a risk and ignoring the pain, Xiao Hui jumped into the fray, attacking the other side of the wolf. Using Laohu as a distraction as the wolf tried to fend him off, Xiao Hui wrapped an arm around the wolf's neck as she found a pressure point, paralyzing the wolf into the snow. However, because of this sudden attack, the wolf used his hind leg and kicked Laohu off of him with brute force that he ended up being thrown over to where Duirk and Eos were, when Eos had just finished removing the wolf away from Duirk. Xiao Hui, on the other hand, felt such a brute kick, she lost her balance on the wolf as she dropped to the ground on her bottom. She gripped her stomach as she managed to cough out some blood from her system. "Laohu. . " she said weakly. But, in her a slight daze, Xiao Hui heard Duirk's screaming towards Alex as her attention whipped around to where Alex could be.


Her eyes widened at the sight, seeing Alec's deranged expression. What was going on? He never had a look so. . cruel before. She felt chills running down her spine as she had seen those looks before. . Alec couldn't be one of them . . right. . ? However, Xiao Hui sensed an urgency in Duirk's voice as she took that as a sign to stop Alec before he would feel guilt for making and doing such a thing, especially towards a feral wolf that already seemed to have conceded, not wanting to attack anymore. Thankfully, there were close to each other than Duirk was, so she could get there faster than he ever would. Getting off the ground and ignoring her ribs cracking slightly and her twisted ankle, Xiao Hui ran, adrenaline rushing through her bones, "Alec! Don't do it! Please!" She cried out, screaming as she quickly launched herself at Alec, tackling him down into the snow, causing him to lose his grip. Where the gun went, she didn't know, what she did know was that she couldn't bear Alec to lose himself to this. . this. . monstrosity that this battle was doing to him. Xiao Hui would hate. . hate seeing the people around her turn into. . killing machines. Xiao Hui managed to fall on top of him as she tried to catch her breathe, her eyes watering slightly, gazing into his eyes, making sure he was looking straight at her, "Alec? Are you listening to me? Alec!" She exclaimed, using the rest of her strength to hit him on his chest, hard enough to cause him to look at her, "Look at me. . don't do it. . if you did that . . you'll regret it. It's over. . so stop. . please. No more blood for now. . spare him .." She said over again as she placed her face onto his chest, not moving from the position, wanting him to calm him and herself down. She couldn't take that look . . the look of pure anger and cruelty. It only brought back memories that shouldn't be surfacing at the time. Laohu slowly got up from being kicked like a rag doll as he heard a commotion coming from Duirk only to see Xiao Hui tackling Alec down as Laohu felt some pain flaring up by his hind legs. "Hui? Hui!" He called out, wanting to run over there, only for a sudden explosion to go off, blinding him from seeing Xiao Hui as it covered the field. Soon, the powder managed to disappear as he heard crumbling noises of snow and rocks combined and felt the ground shaking beneath him. Fear coursed through his spine as he watched Agent Strong falling as the ledge under her collapsed, he tried to run towards the cliff she was at, only for it to be too late. Laohu's eyes widened as he let out a loud roar, one of pure alertness and sadness.

@SilverFlight , @DawnAntalios @everyone
​

 

[DawnAntalios]

Fortunately the cold, night wind numbed the pain as Zoe finally managed to stop the the blood gushing from her wounded legs and she was able to finish it just in time to hear Bael calling out for her. Looking up she quickly reacted and caught her bow flying towards her. Satisfied and impressed she tried to push herself upwards but she fell back on the snowy floor a couple of times before she felt enough strength in herself to stand still firmly.


It was then when the sound of the gunshot reverberated through the icy plains and she looked in that direction - only to see Bael's gun still smoldering after it finished off the dire wold with one, lethal shot. A strange satisfactory feeling filled Zoe as she watched Cedar dragging his triumphant companion away from the vicious beast. As the boy stood up Zoe walked up to them - slowly - and clapped with her hands.


" Well done, Bael. " she nodded, a strange, gleeful grin sitting on her expression " You seemed to be petrified by fear at first - but look at you now. A true hunter, eh? Relish in this victory, but know that it will not be the last time you needed to resort to violence. "


Feeling a bit weak she fell to her knee before mustering enough strength to stand up again and now she looked at him with a serious face. It was clear to her that the boy was far from ready to kill an animal like this - but he performed well in the face of danger and managed to do what had to be done. Maybe he was a bit untrained but he definitely had potential... And with the mighty Cedar by his side they could become a fearsome duo, one she had only seen once in her life before...


" Come, let us return to the others. " she said, helping him to walk towards the bloody fighting scene where the others were still struggling. Though the battle was still ongoing she felt something amiss... it was much more quiet than before... and she could not find either the alpha wolf nor the Agent who brought them here. Nevertheless, they continued and in the howling wind she turned towards him, stopping for a bit. She just stood there, gazing in his eyes seriously, a stern expression on her face. And then she spoke up.


" The first time I had to kill my heart broke. " she said, her voice softening just a tiny bit " It was a monstrous snake, one which threatened to kill my partner on the field of battle. My hands were shaking and I was paralyzed at first but I knew that only I can save my comrade... so I did. "


She sighed.


" It is not easy, I know. But despite all your hesitation and fear I do think you have a potential to become something greater than you can imagine. "


Her cold, calm voice returned.


" I am certain that during your time in the Watch you will learn much but I might be able to accelerate that process. Should you wish I could... "


A violent, deafening explosion shook the entire valley, one that Zoe knew all too well. So not all the mines were disabled in the end... but strangely enough the explosion was too close for it to be an accident. No, someone or something had triggered it. Looking in that direction she had noticed a large cloud of snow created by the explosion and only now did it click what had happened. This was probably the reason why they did not see Agent Strong OR the Alpha... she probably went ahead to sacrifice herself or something equally foolish.


" STRONG! " she yelled and began to run only to yell in pain and fall on the snowy floor once again. She could not hurry no matter how fast she wanted to run. Turning to Bael in desperation and rage she exclaimed.


" Quickly, help me up! We need to hurry and save them! " she said perhaps a bit harsher than she intended to.


@SilverFlight @Sleipnir

 

[SilverFlight]

Alec barely heard the hyena’s words. Blood was pounding in his ears but worse than that was the anger. His throat had been gashed by the wolf he fought down the hill and his head throbbed from hitting a stone on the way. He had turned the emotion into something that helped him fight but it was burning in him now, almost uncontrollable, he stared into the wolf's frightened eyes and wanted to end the life.


Suddenly he heard a different voice call out and turned only to be tackled down. Shock enveloped his mind and time seemed to slow for the next instant. He let the gun slip from his hand and landed in the snow, even now reacting automatically to try and shield her from the fall. It was Xiao.


Stunned he looked about, only truly focusing on her face when she hit him. The blow didn’t get much past his padded coat but it did get his attention.


The anger in his eyes seemed to melt away as he sat unmoving, looking into her eyes and listening to her voice.


“X-Xiao.” He stammered, suddenly feeling sick. “I…I’m sorry I…” He didn’t know what to say. His first thought was to put an arm around her, comfort her, but she was probably just as disgusted with him now as he was with himself. He didn’t. Instead he lifted her gently off his chest and stood, offering to help her up too.


He couldn’t meet her eyes anymore, the shame he felt burned too acutely, filling in for the anger that had vanished in utter completeness. He wracked his brain for words, an explanation, an apology, anything that would help her understand, but he could think of none. Slowly Alec realized there probably weren’t any words he could say, not right now.


He watched the wolf vanish into the brush and made no move to stop it.


Duik stumbled his way over to them not long after and he tried to catch Xiao’s eye, the look of gratitude on his soft face was beyond obvious. He stepped forward and pressed his shoulder against her, the most comforting gesture he could think of.


@crucialstar


It was then the explosion shook the scene and Alec turned to see the cliff crumble, catching sight of a familiar face before the entire edge fell away.


“Oh God.”

 

[StoneWolf18]

Vera laid back on the snow, her neck burned as blood slowly trickled onto the already stained earth. "Thank you...again...hurt? Nah, not as bad as the others though definitely bruised and possibly a thing or two brok-"She was cut off by a large explosion that originated not far from where the rest of the group had been fighting. The cries of Wolves as well as people were muffled by the thick sheet of snow that currently fell. Malik who had been hovering above them gave a screech of horror, and the young woman just figured out why. Agent Strong was missing, and why was all too obvious. But before she could move, the dragon had already flew quite fast over to the plume of powdery snow, diving inside when he got close. Painfully standing, Vera called to him. What the hell are you doing?!?!But she didn't get a response.


Malik on the other hand wasn't thinking. Just doing like he had before when he attacks the wolf. Entering the cloud, his vision was immediately impaired as well as all of his senses due to the way the snow clogged his nose and sounds echoed. Yet he pausing for a moment before diving steeply downward, trying desperately to find the agent. Though when he did, what was he going to do?


@SilverFlight @andujarprime @Anyone

 

[zCrookedz]

Simon watched as many of the battles around them seemed to be going in their favor. He could lay eyes on pretty much everyone and saw that they had been able to keep the wolves at bay. With the help of Calista's drone Simon made out the silhouette of Jimbo and a few others disappearing into a snow/smoke screen she had created getting the injured informant out of harms way.


As he watched them drive away to safety, a loud explosion caused Simon's head to whip around to the cliffs where he had seen Luness and Strong only moments before.


The cloud of snow began to dissipate and Simon watched eyes wide as the cliff began to crack and shift. He could feel his feet moving underneath him before he even realized he was running. Time seemed to stop completely as he got closer and closer and Amber seemed to slip below the edge of the cliff more and more. Why was everything else standing still and she kept sinking? If he could reach her in time, he could toss her over the edge and she could continue the mission. He pushed himself as fast as he could, his legs burning in the cold snow as he ran faster and faster. He tried searching for a way to get to her faster, but no matter how hard he pushed through the snow and trees the cliff kept dropping. All he could do was yell out her name, as their brief moment of eye contact ended and she was gone below the edge.


Simon slid to a stop on his knees before the edge of the cliff. He searched through the cloud of snow that followed the cliff side down but couldn't see any sign of Amber or the wolves that went over with her. He jumped to his feet and searched behind him for a second before he found the closest snow mobile he could. He hopped on and pulled it close to the edge of the cliff side and undid the hitch connected to the winch on the front. Simon wrapped the wire around his mid section and slowly eased himself over the edge. Once he was free of the edge of the cliff Simon began to work his way down the cliff doing the best he could not to slip on the now exposed icy rocks.


@SilverFlight

 

[Hel]

Wednesday watched as Simon handled the two wolves surrounding them with relative ease, and gave a nod and a quiet "Okay" when he told her to shoot if she saw an opening. She had moved to position herself at his back, watching as Cerci quickly dispatched one of the wolves who hadn't directly attacked. Pulling her arms up to aim down them like she'd been taught, Wednesday lined up a shot, but she never took it as the explosion out on the cliff seemed to disrupt everything.


She turned to see if Simon knew what was happening but he was already gone, in a mad dash to get to the falling agent Strong.


Holy... She thought to herself, never actually finishing the explicative she began in her mind. She watched as Simon ran to the edge... and as he failed to reach Strong in time.


Maybe its a shallow cliff.... Maybe... She thought to herself as she watched she knew she was once again useless, just standing there staring as an ally sacrificed herself. What could she do? How could she help?


Meanwhile, Cerci ignored the blast, focusing on the wolf she all but disemboweled then turning to its parter. The other wolf, too, had been a touch distracted by the blast and who it had taken down, but Cerci knew this would be the best chance. She tore towards it, biting at the back of the beasts head and using her weight to break it's neck.


That's when Wednesday's emotions hit her like a wall, they were emotions she felt often enough, but never this strong, or with cause. The moon bear turned her head to her friend, then back towards where she was looking, noting the others all doing something similar. She wasn't sure what she missed, but she knew Wednesday needed her. Cerci headed over towards her girl, who hugged her arms tightly around the bears neck, ready to do... something


@zCrookedz (sort of there at the beginning)

 

[Sleipnir]

Bael shook his head, still trying to clear his head from the sound and his breath from the smell of gunpowder as Cedar dragged him to his feet. He stared a bit blankly at the body of the dead wolf, eyes wide, and it only then just started to really occur to him what had happened. He was uncertain how to feel; was he relieved? Of course -- he would have died otherwise. In that moment he couldn't really think of much else. There I the snow, the boy had been fighting for his life and he had won. That was all he could think of in that moment.


When he found Zoe next to him, he turned to her and listened to what she had to say. True hunter. Relish the victory. Unlikely. with the fight-or-flight instinct that had hazed his mind before subsiding, neither of those things would be happening any time soon. He wasn't proud. He was far from it. He felt guilty. He regretted it. He couldn't help then but be a little bit caught off-guard as soon as Zoe's tone changed. He walked with her, listening quietly to her story and couldn't help but feel nothing but sympathy for her -- it was hard not to. He imagined she had felt much like he did now.


What changed? How did you change so much?


He didn't ask the question out loud. He was listening to her offer and actually considering rejecting it. He was beginning to see that he admired Zoe greatly, but he couldn't help but wonder: did he really want to lose his compassion? Was that the price to be like her? He had only just intended to open his mouth when the explosion cut Zoe off. He turned sharply, suddenly drowning in adrenaline once more, and his green eyes flitted across the scene anxiously, looking for the cause and the damage.


He could not see Agent Strong anywhere.


He took off as soon as Zoe started running and stopped short to look at her when she fell. "Zoe-?" And once she snapped at him, he was only startled by her harsh tone and dropped to his knees to help her immediately, pressing his shoulder under her arm and pushing himself and Zoe to their feet, helping her toward the group as quickly as he could. Cedar ran ahead, stopping short with the others and staring into the abyss, eyes wide.


@DawnAntalios @BasicallyAnyone

 

[Flutterby]

Totus turned his head as the sound of the blast hit his ears, watching with coal eyes as the cliff gave away in a puff of snow. Beth was still down, but by the way everyone was rushing toward the cliff, someone must have gone over. Totus glanced between Beth and the cliff, then at Manjano and Falarion. With regret, he gave Beth's face a nuzzle.


"Stay. Recover. I will call if youre needed." He said, and looked pointedly at Manjano. If he was here now, he could stay with her while he went to see what was happening. The owl took off, soaring toward the cliff. A quick head count told him they were missing their fearless leader, Strong. Simon was lowering himself over using the winch of a snowmobile. Not the safest way, but safe enough and quick. The owl dove past him, skimming down the cliff to help search for their missing agent.


@Lioness075 @zCrookedz

 

[andujarprime]

Rin picked Haku up, a blast went off a short distance away. He looked up to see a cloud of snow, and what seemed to be the huge missing chunk from the edge of the cliff. A few of the group were standing over it, with Malik heading out and over the edge. He looked around to see if everyone was there. He started taking a mental note of the people he could see and remember. However he didn't see agent strong. His face lined with worry, he began walking in their direction. "Come on" He said to Vera before looking to make sure they were safe and before moving forward. "Calista!!! Can you find Agent Strong??!!!!" He called out, unsure of where the flying drone was. He looked overhead to try and spot her, instead he saw the owl, Totus gliding out and over the cliff face.


@StoneWolf18 @SilverFlight

 

[Lioness075]

Manjano flinched when Beth tried to sit up, only to fall back down, gasping in pain.


His eyes widened, when Totus requested him to help keep Beth from going anywhere though. That meant he might have to hold her down if she was really insistent about it and based on what he'd learned earlier, Manjano doubted that Beth would be okay with him doing that. Not that he'd feel comfortable doing it either.


The biggest problem here though, was that Manjano had no idea what to do for Beth, nor did he know exactly what was wrong with her. Leandra would know, but she wasn't with them right now.


Anxiously rubbing the back of his neck, Manjano felt completely lost at the moment.


@Flutterby


Back on the snowmobile with Jimbo, Leandra did her best to balance herself on the sled, as Jimbo narrowly avoided several incoming wolf attacks.


Hearing Jimbo's response to her thanks, Leandra grimly nodded at him, her heart continuing to race due to her injury and the heat of the battle.


Hearing a small explosion from behind them, Leandra glanced back in time to see smoke covering the area and keeping the wolves at bay from attacking them anymore.


@zCrookedz @SilverFlight


While the response from the man seemed to be a bit delayed, and Leandra still felt slightly embarrassed to stare at him for too long, she flopped down on her butt in the sled before she retrieved some bandages for herself and then grabbed some salts as well. Using the salts on the wound first in order to ensure it remained clean and uninfected, Leandra immediately gasped in surprise at the sudden increase of pain from the salts alone. Closing her eyes tightly, Leandra took a deep breath before she quickly began wrapping her wound and then secured the bandage so it wouldn't come off easily.


Sighing once she was done, though she still was breathing heavily, Leandra hoped they could find a safe place soon so she could get to work stitching up the man's serious wounds before she stitched herself up.


In this tiny moment of silence, Leandra found herself worrying over her own wound, as she realized just how deep it was. What if a muscle had been damaged or a tendon?


Yet, Leandra's moment of silence was ruined by a deafening sound of what almost sounded like an avalanche.


Glancing in the direction of the sound, Leandra could just barely make out a figure on the edge of the cliff before they seemed to disappear along with several wolves.


Gasping, Leandra almost shouted at Jimbo to turn around, but she bit her tongue, as she knew she wouldn't be able to help and they needed to get this man to safety. Plus, Leandra was injured as well and no use in a fight, injured or not.


What happened out there?


@zCrookedz


Luness struggled about in the snow along the cliffside, her wing uselessly dragging about and slowing her down. There was no way she was going to be able to efficiently fight now.


As the wolves began to near in on them, Strong suddenly jumped back from Luness, leaving her right smack dab in the middle of them.


Surprised and frightened by this, Luness suddenly was airborne despite her messed up wing, flying crookedly about until she ended up crashing down in the snow about fifty meters back near the forest line.


Gasping, Luness struggled back to her talons, only to find her wing had worsened and it definitely felt like she'd possibly fractured a bone or two in it. Maybe she was lucky and hadn't, but the pain was excruciating.


Anxiously, Luness thought out to Leandra, 'Are you okay? I've messed up my wing and I-'


Before Luness could finish her thoughts, she managed to turn around in time to see the explosion and Strong's body disappear over the edge along with those two wolves.


Shrieking, Luness tried to fly again, only to crash a meter away and lie still in pain. She wasn't going to be able to help save Strong now.


@SilverFlight


Hearing Luness' thoughts suddenly get caught off just before the avalanche-like sounds, Leandra began to feel her heart race in fear. What had happened?


Shouting impulsively at Jimbo, Leandra then said, "Wait, we have to go back! I think something happened to Luness! We can't leave her, Jimbo!"


@zCrookedz


Hearing Alec snap at him, Falarion pinned his ears against his ahead and let out a small whimper before hearing Alec's apology. Despite the apology being voiced, Falarion still felt disheartened and limped over to Manjano's side before sitting down on his rump and gingerly licking at the wound on his shoulder.


Manjano raised an eyebrow at Alec's unusually sharp words, but soon heard the apology and thanks that he'd been originally expecting from the young man.


Shrugging at Alec, Manjano glanced down worriedly at Falarion, his eyes on the bleeding wound. It didn't look too bad, but it was likely to leave a scar.


@SilverFlight


Suddenly, another wolf appeared and lunged for Alec, who deftly dodged and then had the wolf in a death-lock of sorts.


Eyes wide, Falarion whimpered again and was about to say something to Alec when Xiao seemingly appeared out of no where and attacked Alec for almost killing a wolf.


While Manjano was irritated with the girl's actions, Falarion had smelt the fear from the young wolf and whined at it before it ran away out of sheer terror. That wolf hadn't been like the others. It had been too scared.


Manjano overheard Alec's words towards Xiao and didn't look at the pair, as he realized with a start that they most definitely seemed to be having a moment together. One that he'd surely ruin with his awkward silence if he tried to approach either of them.


@SilverFlight @crucialstar


When the explosion sounded nearby, Manjano looked up sharply in time to see a blur of a human body disappear over the edge with several wolves.


Unwilling to leave Beth's side while she was injured, Manjano knelt beside her and then glanced up when Totus spoke, nodding at him to confirm that he'd heard the owl.


As Totus flew away, Falarion limped up to Beth's other side and then lay down beside her to help comfort her since her coat no doubt was keeping her mostly warm anyways.


"Don't worry, Beth. We're not going anywhere."


@Flutterby

 

[Flutterby]

Beth leaned back in the snow, comforted by having seen and felt Totus. He could handle himself, wherever he was going, now that she knew he was uninjured.


Was she uninjured? She knew her torso had been battered and quite a few ribs were bruised, or maybe even broken, but with the adrenaline rush of the fight and then of fearing death, she wasnt sure what other injuries she might have. She couldn't feel the scratches from the wolf's claws covering her face and neck, the bruises forming on her forearms, or the two nicks from the almost-deadly lunges of the second wolf. Not serious injuries, but they would be painful and bothersome when she became aware of them. It took a few more long moments for her mind to settle back into its usual rhythm.


She turned her head to look at Falarion as he laid next to her, shoulder bleeding more heavily than she was comfortable with. "Try not to move around Falarion. I'll try to find something for you in a minute." She said softly, reaching out and stroking his fur very gently. Then, her gaze turned to Manjano, kneeling next to her.


"Some bruised ribs, maybe one or two broken. I think Im okay otherwise, unless Im bleeding somewhere." Beth said slowly, her green eyes searching his face. There was a remnant of her panic still there, but it had mostly faded. "Theres a first aid kit in my bag. Something should be done for Falarion. While we wait for vets." Beth shifted experimentally, closing her eyes to push the pain back. "If you can get me up, I'll do what I can." The girl reopened her eyes, which focused, unfocused, and then refocused rather rapidly. An odd feeling, but probably nothing to worry about. She felt compelled to help them, after they had just saved her life.


@Lioness075

 

[SilverFlight]

In the rush of snow that engulfed the cliff side Bill saw two companions disappear into the dust. he nodded to his brother and they both charged forward. Bill skidded to a halt as he caught sight of Luness.


"Grab a hold lil'lady!" He said bowing his horn within easy reach of her talons. The tip of the horn curled up, making a useful and easy perch and a good step onto his plush shoulders. Bam raced past them after the tail of the little dragon. He saw Malik disappear over the edge and leapt after him, snatching at him with one quick motion while hugging the cliff with deft hooves. The day a mountain sheep fell off a cliff would be the day hell froze over.


Once Luness was a safe distance from the edge and in sight of her human companion Bill bounded back to there Simon was already lowering himself down.


"Lemme help, I kin guide you down the safest way." He slipped carefully over the edge and jumped from rock to ice-covered rock, sometimes bracing his body against welts in the cliff face and shimmying down to a more stable ledge. Each time he paused he would shout out to Simon, guiding him slowly down the cliff side. The bottom was still near invisible as snow continues to trickle down after the collapse.


@Lioness075 @zCrookedz @StoneWolf18


Alec seemed to recover enough to realize that people had been hurt, he made his way over to Beth and Manjano.


"Don't let her move Manjano." He told them softly, ripping the outer layer of his jacket sleeve where the wolf had managed to bite down to the protective layer. the cloth on its underside seemed absorbent. "Where exactly are you hurt? I can get the med kits if you can't stand up, and we'll bring the sleds around. Falarion, let me get some pressure on that wound. Duik! Get me one of the med kits from the sleds."


His military training began to kick in. He had likely just seen someone die, but what could he do now? He could do his job and treat injuries, that's what. In the distance he heard a soft whir of helicopter blades but the sound to him seemed a thousand miles away.


@Flutterby @Lioness075


No one had heard it. She hadn't pressed the speaker but Callista had seen what Strong had done and she screamed as she watched her partner disappear. Panic filled her to the point where she could no longer think to pilot the drone. It was only when Rin called to her that she brought her emotion back under enough control to move.


The drone shot toward the edge of the cliff before pausing for moment.


"I radioed the chopper, we're g-getting you out now." Even over the crackly speaker the trauma in her voice was clear.


@andujarprime


Suddenly a helicopter roared close overhead, but it looked nothing like the one they had arrived in. This one was smaller, faster and jet black. It sailed out just past the cliff and began to descend it. Bill had to shield his eyes as the wind from the blades threatened to knock he and Simon clean off the rock wall.


Now the snow was beginning to settle a dark figure could be seen pulling himself from the boulders of snow and ice. The alpha gave them a death glare as his rescue appeared. The helicopter lowered itself almost to ground level and two polar bears emerged. They seemed to listen to instructions from the wolf and climbed down to rummage in the snow several feet away. One pulled something out. A body. Bill gasped. The bear paused, placing his ear over Strong's chest. he seemed to nod to the other and lifted the woman into his forearms, passing her off to the team in the helicopter. The whole process took less than a minute. As they put her on board something fell away and hit the snow. A glint of gold could be seen where it had fallen. Once the bears were aboard the machine took off again, flashing the logo on its flank as it turned. The image of an eye surrounded by the jagged jaws of a wolf.


It sped away and in a very short time, it was gone.


@zCrookedz @everyone

 

[DawnAntalios]

With the help of Bael they were able to move fast through the snowy plains. Zoe hissed every now and then, the pain in her legs intensifying with each passing moment. She, however, did not have time to contemplate on this - many were injured yet none complained, she shouldn't be the one starting a fuss over something like this. Seeing Cedar darting ahead of them she turned to the boy.


" We have to find a way to help Strong! " she proclaimed, her stern expression turning into one of filled with dread for a moment " If she dies... "


She shook her head. She had to remain strong, especially in front of Bael. She introduced herself as a strong, professional fighter, she had to keep her cool head.


" Nay, she probably has something up in her sleeves. I know it. "


When they were close to the others she gently pushed Bael away and nodded.


" You have my thanks, I shall be able to walk now on this short distance. " she was about to hurry away when she turned around one last time. She walked up to him close and looked into his eyes.


" Judge a book not based on its cover, Bael. " she said silently " These animals were sentient beings, it is true, but their heart was as black and vile as the night. It had to be done. Do not blame yourself. " with that she turned away and hurried to Eos.


Finding the noble stag standing near the chasm, shocked, she dashed to him. He snapped out of the paralyze and looked at his companion, gasping.


" You are injured! " he exclaimed " You need to join the others and... "


" No time for that. What is the situation? Where is strong? "


Baffled by the stubbornness of Zoe Eos shook his head.


" I know not. She vanished, exploding something upon herself. I think she may be... "


" She is alive. " Zoe nodded " I know it to be true. "


Eos could not reply but silently mimicked her nod. It was then that Zoe spitted Rin and dragged herself to him.


" Any news of Strong? " she asked with a stern voice " We must find her befo-... "


It was then when the helicopter descended, so quickly that Zoe almost lost her balance. She saw as the airborne vehicle soared through the sky, directly into the chasm where the alpha wolf was trapped with Strong. To her horror she saw as not only the monster boarded the chopper - but they dragged a body with them... and she knew who it was.


" No... " she whispered at first then howled in rage " NO! " she picked and arrow from her quiver and tried to shoot but missed badly. She hurled one after another but she could not aim or focus - the pain mad it impossible for her to do so. With an anguished look she watched as the copter disappeared in the skies... and with it the Agent as well.


Zoe could not take it any more. The thought of losing somebody again surged forward, draining all her energy. She collapsed on the snowy ground, sitting with a stoic expression, staring at the pure white snow. She said nothing at first, she did not care that Rin was but few steps away from her... she just sat there, ignoring everything.


" This can not be happening... not again... " she said, engulfed in despair.


Eos watched her and was sad. Zoe was overwhelmed by memories once again. Normally she would have recovered shortly after a trauma but... this one was an exception it seemed. He watched, closing his eyes, her emotions surging in his mind as well. He had help somehow...


@SilverFlight @Sleipnir @andujarprime

 

[Flutterby]

Beth's eyes slid over to Alec. "No bites or anything, just scratches and nicks. Ribs bruised for sure, possibly broken." She turned her head to indicate Falarion. "Please, Falarion first. I can wait." Her voice, though soft, was firm. And then she shut her eyes slowly, concentrating on breathing past the pain. On some level, she wanted to reach for someone's hand and hold it tightly, but she couldnt bring herself to reach for that comfort.


@SilverFlight @Lioness075


Totus swooped low into the valley below the cliff, searching for any sign of Strong. The settling snow made it nearly impossible to listen gor heartbeats, so he had to rely on eyesight. He just caught the glint of dark hair, or maybe fur, when a chopper came barreling toward him. The wind from the blades sent him spinning dizzily through the air, almost into the wall of the cliff. He folded his wings against himself, dropping like a rock toward the soft powder. He opened his wings at the last moment and landed, struggling against the gusts. He watched, unable to do a thing, as the alpha escaped with his polar bear team, kidnapping Strong in the process. As they put her in and took off again, Totus noticed two things: something metallic fell out of the copter, and the logo was a pair of wolf jaws around an eye that looked suspiciously like the Watch's logo. The owl was grounded until the copter left the area, then he began flying back toward the spot it had landed.

 

[zCrookedz]

Simon looked up where he had come from and watched as the rams began to descend much fast than he was. Big surprise from a creature that called this place home. But Simon wasn't about to stop for a witty comment, he nodded to Bill and continued on his way down with the aid of the ram. Simon continued to tell himself that Strong would be dangling from a ledge just a little lower in the snow covered blindness and he could just climb back up with her. But the further and further down he got, the more that image drifted away.


Then something came rushing past, and Simon's inner thoughts nearly made his hands slip from the rocks as the air currents took him by surprise. Simon clutched onto the wall tightly until the helicopter landed and the figures began to emerge. First the wolf leader, which only made Simon more angry seeing the damned thing survive. Then another shape was pulled from the wreckage of the cliff, and Simon's instantly froze. The still form of Amber lay in the arms of a bear, and soon after that they were loading her into the chopper.


"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER YOU BASTARDS!"


Simon's head whipped from side to side looking for the next foot hold until he just stopped. He reached down and undid the winch around his waist. He took once last look down before letting go of the cliff and dropping. Surely the loos snow at the bottom was still nice and fluffy and he would just land, and jump the bears to get Amber back.


Simon realized his mistake all to late. When he dropped more than he had anticipated he reached out with his armored hand and tried grasping at the wall to slow his decent. He slowed, some, but not enough to stop the sickening crack of bone as he hit the snow and a piece of hidden ice underneath stopped hi right leg instantly. Simon roared with pain as he flopped over into the snow bank, the searing pain from his leg felt like a hot poker had just been jammed through the bone and out the other side. He gasped for air as he looked around the cavern floor and was able to make out the blurry shapes of the bears and the helicopter.


"I'LL BREAK YOUR NECKS FOR THIS!!!!"


But it was to late, the choper was already taking off once again. Simon pulled himself out of the snow and ice, dragging his bloody leg behind him as he crawled towards where the choper had been. He watched as the black blurr disappeared into the sky, and the floor of the cliff returned to silence.


Simon sat there, on his backside starring up at the sky in wild disbelief trying to get his eyes to adjust to whatever damage the fall had done. His head dropped and looked around the cavern for a moment where his eyes fell on the mangled mess of his broken leg. The pain and the exertion began to sink in now, and even Simon's determination was not going to hold out against the darkness that was settling over his eyes. As the tunnel vision began, Simon spied something shining in the snow and used the last bit of his energy to reach out and fall over into the snow so that he could grasp it in his hands. He held onto it tightly as his vision finally gave way and darkness took him.


@SilverFlight @Flutterby (Totus) @StoneWolf18 (Malik)


Jimbo zoomed through the snow keeping an eye out for any more wolves that might try and jump them during the escape. After a short time however, he began to feel like they were safe and that it would be alright to slow down. He needed to catch his breath for a moment and process what was going on. In his head he could feel fear, but not the kind Simon would usually have when he saw a little garden snake. This was a much darker fear.


Jimbo began to understand it a bit more when Leandra began to panic about Luness. If Luness was in trouble, and Strong was with Luness, then Stong might be in trouble, and Simon would not be happy about that at all. Jimbo looked back towards where they had come from and could see the smoke and snow from the action. He sighed before he looked back at Leandra and reached for his gun at his hip, pulling the hammer as he turned the steering bar.


"Don't leave that sled, and if you see a wolf call out. I'll make short work of it."


Jimbo hit the throttle and began to head back towards the group. The closer he got, the more he could feel Simon's emotions pressing on his own. Jimbo and Simon had never really developed their abilities to speak to one another through their minds like some other companion's could. The pair shared emotions more often then their own thoughts because typically they would just speak to each other their own thoughts. So when either of them would become emotionally distraught, the other would begin to feel it more and more the closer they were. As Jimbo sped through the icy tundra, tears began to form in his eyes, and he knew something bad had happened.


Jimbo pulled the snowmobile up to the cliff side, just as the helicopter came rushing back out of it. He lept from the snowmobile and drew his other gun and was preparing to aim, when he felt something wrong. Simon's connection was gone. He dropped his guns back down and began to look around the cliff side and began to look around at the others wildly.


"Where is Agent Strong?! WHERE IS SIMON!?!


@Lioness075

 

[Sleipnir]

Bael stared at Zoe as she spoke, fear threatening him again. Black and vile as night. But the night wasn't vile if there was a light on the bay to protect the ships from being blind in the dark.


He turned his attention to the chopper. It didn't take long for him to understand what it was he was seeing. He sank slowly into the snow, hardly registering the cold that seeped into him. His first reaction was sore heartbreak. How could this have happened? No — no, Strong had been find just a minute ago. She was fine, she couldn't be— she couldn't —


But she was. She was gone.


The grief and disbelief was quickly overridden with anger though.


He felt Cedar's great head push under his arm and Bael leaned into him. There was only one question left to ask.


"What about Calista?"


Silence.


"She can't — it isn't fair. This isn't fair. It's not fair!" The words crescendoed into a scream by the end, but it was empty. It made no difference. Everything was done. Strong was gone. Her companion would fade and die.


"Bael, you've gotta stand up," the quiet voice of Cedar cut through his daze. "Everyone's falling apart here. You've gotta get up."


Bael stared at him for a moment. It wasn't — his thoughts had turned into a broken record. He looked across the field at the others. Zoe was completely overwhelmed. Simon had seemed to lose himself altogether. He tried to swallow his feelings. Then he looked at the helicopter, then the pressed shape of his gun in he snow.


One shot.


He could try.


If he managed... That would be the best payment they could get. He prepared to shoot and with a strange detachment that almost frightened him, he took the shot.


But how could a handgun take a copter out of the sky? He squeezed his eyes shut, remorse and grief overtaking him once more before he used Cedar's weight to drag himself to his feet and fell in the snow once more beside Zoe and Eos. He was desperate for some semblance of sturdiness but Zoe had none to offer it seemed. He could think of no words. Just the same.


It isn't fair. It isn't fair.


@DawnAntalios

 

[andujarprime]

Rin had rushed to the unstable cliff face. Registering Calista's voice over the drone's speaker. He watched in rigid silence as their guides made their way down the mountain with Simon. At first he hadn't registered Zoe's voice near him. The wind rushing from the incoming helicopter had his attention. He followed it with his eyes, Watching what was going on at the bottom, biting the bottom of his lip in anger. A little bit of blood trickled down his lip, the dark drops frosting over on his skin from the chill of the wind. His blood was rushing with adrenaline, and his body was rigid with anger. He winced when Simon's cry filled the night, nearly muffled by the blades of the chopper. But it was there, distinct, filled with pain, and anger. Bone chilling words cut clear through the wind to his ears. He turned then, and saw Zoe for the first time since they were in the chalet it seemed. Only now she didn't seem the overconfident, insultingly rude woman with a personal vendetta. She seemed much closer to the young woman she was. She seemed lost, stuck in a place that wasn't here, and in a time that wasn't now. He took a few steps towards her, "Zoe, Zoe..." He whispered to her trying to get her attention. To bring her to the present."It won't be the same, it will not happen again." He said closer to her now. He wasn't sure exactly what happened in the past. What she was remembering, but they couldn't afford for her to be lost there. There was still work to do, and it needed to be done fast.. He shook her once more before calling out to the drone "Calista, we're gonna need more help. We have to go after strong, but the injured need to get back to the chalet. We can't lose them completely!" He wasn't sure exactly what could be done, but surely they couldn't just let the rogues go. Maybe they could search for a few hours, catch up to the chopper while the other half of the team recovered. And maybe did some digging into the foreign object, and strange logo on the chopper.


@DawnAntalios @SilverFlight