The Demons Inside Us.

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Piper nodded, nuzzling her face into Donovan's chest, taking in his warmth. "Do you think they'll be okay?" She asked, closing her blond lids and taking in his pine scent. "If they can't get along, we might as well die now." She said, practically saying what everyone was thinking. She shuddered, the image of her father's face frozen in agony shifting behind her eyelids. She shook her head, making blond hair fall in front of her face.


Raven glanced at him sideways, her wings bending down to allow him space next to her. She shifted her attention from her weeping bandages, to his blood-covered tunic. "I won't let you help me unless you help yourself first." She breathed, and tilted her head so she could see the mouth of the cave, her sullen blue eyes watching her brother press his cheek against the ground, rain pooling around him.


"Together we are strong, but alone we are nothing." She murmured, repeating something her father had often told the two siblings during a quarrel. He never let them forget that.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun sighed in annoyance "You're not going to leave me alone until you see it, so.." He pulled up his tunic, revealing two parallel gashes that started from his knee and spread down to his ankle. The two gashes connected at the end, making the wound deeper. While that was the main wound, he had several scratches surrounding it. "There's the master piece."


Kat had fallen asleep to the thoughts of Selix, her body curled up against the wall and sitting neatly on the pile of leaves she had set up for herself earlier. Donovan shook his head.


"We will not die. I'll make sure of it. I especially wouldn't let you die either." He kissed her forehead and continued to move her gently left to right.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven glanced down at the gaping wound, her eyes wide. "Where did you get that?" She asked, fear in her voice. She seemed to have forgotten the bleeding sore on her shoulder, seeming like merely a scratch compared to his gash. "You have to take care of it." She growled moving forward and grabbing the remaining bundle of medicine that lay next to the open flame. The bandage along her body had become so soaked it slipped from her frame, allowing drops of scarlet to scatter on the floor. Ignoring the biting pain along her collarbone, she quickly dressed his wound, worry in her features. "A spirit attacked you." She murmured, stating a fact more then asking a question.


Piper allowed the Bharal-soul to sway her gently into a soft lull, her eyelids drooping as sleep took her under.


The last thing that laced the shark-soul's mind was the day that lie in store for them tomorrow morning. They were all so use to living among people who gave them everything they needed. No one knew how to take care of themselves, and staying alive would be difficult if they continues to be at each other's throats. Selix let out a soft sigh, letting the sound of the crying heavens sing him to sleep.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun whispered. "I think he was looking for Wren.. Remember to save some bandage for yourself, afterwards." He merely chewed on the inside of his cheek, trying his best to ignore the pain.


Donovan soon fell asleep as well, his head resting on the concrete wall behind him.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven looked up at him, her gaze meeting his. If what he was saying was true, it meant Wren was still out there. Still alive.


"You shouldn't keep these things from us." She whispered, the sounds of the others sleeping the only thing filling the silence. "If they're looking for Wren, it means he's still alive. That means we need to stay alive " she said these last words with a forced tinge of annoyance as she tied the wraps around his leg and tucked the stray threads in.


She ignored his advice, and set the wrappings down beside him. "Your leg will have to be re-dressed in the morning." She said, exhaustion clear on her features as she slumped back against the wall, her cheek presses against the cold stone.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun snorted and picked up the bandage. Despite what Raven said, he was going to fix her up. This time, he wrapped the bandage tightly around her wound so it would press all the pain out. That's how he thought of it anyway. He tied it up and put down what was left on the bandage on the ground. "If that Wren is alive, I have to thank him for taking care of you all this time."


Ye wanna timeskip to morning or continue? ]

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

((We can timeskip if you want.))


A whimper escaped her lips as he tucked her wound tightly, the pressure on the bleeding sore making her eyes burn. She blinked away tears, trying to loosen her stiff body as he spoke. "I thought you hated him." She murmured, trying hard not to meet his gaze, and failing. "He's alive." She reassured, more for herself then for him. "He must have a plan. Otherwise why would they still be searching for someone who's dead." She glanced into the darkness, beyond the sleeping body of her brother. She could see the faint glimmer of lost ghosts searching through the storm for someone to set them free. A shiver rolled over her spine and she leaned into the snake-soul again, her forehead resting on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, and was fast asleep before she had even noticed.

 

[Skelo10]

〽〰〽〰〽〰〽〰〽〰〽〰〽〰


Sun woke up, groaning. He noticed Raven was still beside him so he stayed put and grinned.


Donovan was still sleeping, his snores loud as ever.


Kat was already awake, and she sat a few inches away from Selix, playing with her tail.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven sat quietly, her head resting against Sun's arm as her shallow breathing indicated a deep sleep. The sound of Donovan's snores were what eventually shook her from her slumber. Her eyelids opened slowly, her surroundings unfamiliar for a few moments. She looked at the snake-like scales that greeted her vision as it came into focus, making her shoot up into a sitting position. Her ears felt warm as she realised she'd been using Sun as a makeshift pillow in the night.


"Don could wake the dead." She said, clearing her throat.


Selix awoke with the smell of warn rain and morning dew fresh in the air, his hair dripping as he sat up to face a feline-like girl playing with her ginger tail. "You certainly are lively this morning." He said with a chuckle, the sun breaking across the sky.


Later in the night Piper had wriggled from Donovan's clutches and buried herself in a bed of sand. His rumbling snores were dampened by the mound of minerals she lay under, snoozing softly with a small smile on her face.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't yet." He looked at her face oddly. "You okay, you seem a little bit.. red." Sun blushed himself, avoiding her gaze. Just yesterday, he was spitting insults at her and now look- he was starting to like her.


Donovan slowly woke up, only bothering to open one eye.


Kat giggled and her cheeks were tainted with light pink. Just looking at Selix made her nervous. "How are you feeling, Selix?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

"I'm fine" she said quickly, staring at the ash that remained from their fire. She lifted herself into a standing position, one hand pressed against the cave wall for support. Her empty stomach whined, giving her an excuse to change the subject. "We should probably go hunting, or gather food." She glanced down at her bate feet, chest feeling heavy as she remembered the events that had taken place. They were alone now, without the guidance of their elders. They would have to fend for themselves.


Running fingers through his thick wet hair he let a soft sigh escape his lips. "I feel hungry, and refreshed." He said coolly, stretching his arms above his head, his dark clothing soaked from the pleasant nights sleep in the rain.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun nodded. "Donovan and I should go while Selix and someone else scans the nearby area for a better place to live temporarily or at least a survivor from our village" he said plainly. Donovan agreed, standing up to greet Raven.


Kat smiled. "I'm sure Sun will go looking for food. I hope me being his sister won't affect our.. our.." She turned red again looking at Selix. Se placed her hands on her cheek and raised her eyebrow. "What are we?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven grabbed onto Sun's shoulder, her eyes steelie and cold as she glanced down at his blood-soaked bandages. "You're not going anywhere with that wound of yours." She ordered.


Piper shot her hand out, wrapping her fingers around Donovan's ankle. She shook her head, letting sand fall from her body. She rose to her feet, wrapping her slender arms around the Bharal-soul's waist from behind, poking her head around his shoulder.


"Don and Piper can go hunt and gather food, while Kat and Selix search for shelter, preferably something hidden" the raven-soul ordered, her brow furrowed.


Selix took the newfound opportunity to grasp Kat's hand and lead her down the steep path, away from prying ears. "I'm not sure what we are exactly." He breathed, stopping at the bottom of the steep slope. He let his fingers brush a stray strand of red hair from the feline-soul's face, his expression calm. "Whatever we are, I like it. And I don't think we should let him get in the way of something we want." He cringed slightly at the thought of his sister alone with her temperamental brother, his anger showing slightly as he spoke again. "I just don't want Raven getting attached to him. He's hurt her enough already..."

 

[Skelo10]

Kat gently kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry, Sun isn't really a bad guy. If you're worried about his mood swings, I can talk to him." She felt like jumping around and cheering after hearing what Selix said to her. He likes me!





Sun grunted but he stayed put, following Raven's orders. "But being in here is so boring." He said the last word like it had killed his sister.


Donovan nodded firmly and slightly turned around to kiss Piper on the forehead. "You want to start now?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Selix frownes, looking to the trees after she spoke. "I don't trust him." He mumbled, but then pulled her into a warm embrace, his hands cupping her cheeks. "Just promise you won't let him hurt her." He said, more then asked, softly and planted a kiss on her nose before lifting her up above his head and perching her on a tree. "You search from the treetops. I'll keep up on the ground."


Piper nodded to Don, meeting his small kiss with a smile her tiptoes only allowing her lips to graze his jawline. She then quickly bolted around him, stopping at the cave's entrance in an excited crouched position, ready for the hunt.


"I know, but we're no use to them with more injuries." Raven said softly, building a small patch of dried bramble in order to start a fire. Wren had taught her at a young age how to make a flame grow from simply striking two rocks together, and patience. She set to work, sparks flying and spitting around her. Finally one of the sparks flung themselves into the dries leaves, smoke rising above their heads. She tilted her head to the side, gently blowing on the embers until they caught flame. She began feeding the orange life with thick branches, the heat reminding her of the eldest.

 

[Skelo10]

Kat nodded, her ears tainted with red and a wide grin painted across her face. She leaped up onto the nearest tree and continued to leap from one to another, trying to find a higher view point.


Donovan chuckled and calmly walked to the edge of the cave, finally passing Piper. "I suggest we start by finding a water source, and while we're at it we can find some fish. Afterwards, meat and then greens- we need to keep healthy" he said with a wink.


Sun groaned but then closed his mouth when he saw the fire. "I didn't know you could do that."

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Laying a thick log upon the flames, Raven looked up at Sun's pale face. The fire died down with a breath, the newly-added plank cutting off oxygen and dampening the cave's light. "Wren taught me." She said softly, placing her palm on the ground. She made a tight fist, slowly raising her arm up. A long branch seemed to grow from the cavern's floor, her fingers now grasping the end. The raven-soul nonchalantly poked at the burning stump, turning it over and allowing the flame to roar back to life.


"He taught us after our parents became..." she paused, the foundation of her stoic shell cracking. "Outcasts." She let out a heavy breath. There were only two ways to be exiled from a Clan, the first being cold-blooded murder. The second was raising the dead.


"I know you don't approve of his methods... but I can never hate him for what he's done for my brother and me."


Pipper nodded, her bare feet planted firmly on the ground. "What about the waterhole over where the village was?" She asked, pointing to the east, her heart almost going in her throat. She swallowed hard, brushing it aside. She wouldn't let the thought bring her to such a crippling state, she would gain strength and avenge her father's death.


Selix began bounding forward, his whole black eye acting as an enormous pupil. He scanned their surroundings, careful to listen to the trees as he passed. If he could strain his ears hard enough, he could almost hear their spirit's whispering. He glanced up at Kat, her body almost a blur as she leaped from tree-to-tree. He let a small grin come to his face.


The grin slipped as an unfamiliar and dangerously sweet smell came to his senses, making his whole body seize to work. His iris grew, taking over almost all of the whites of his eyes.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun looked at the fire plainly, letting the sparks tinge his hair. "I just don't need anyone to protect me.. or my sister. Wren is slowly going to drive me mad but I need Kat to be safe." He paused to create a mount of sand to elevate his injured leg. "They always say don't make promises you can't keep, but I'm keeping mine." He turned his attention back to the flames, his face turning ghost white as he gripped the rock below him.


Donovan nodded and smiled kindly. "That is a great idea. Do you want me to come with you or would you prefer to go alone?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven glanced up at him, her thick lashes casting shadows in her light eyes. "Wren promised to take care of all of us. He has a plan, I know it." Her brow furrowed, lips pressed in a straight line. "I hate your lack of trust." She said with a breathy tone. Her honesty was shining bright, a quality not often liked. "Saying you don't trust our Eldest is like saying you don't trust me." She turned her face away from him, stretching her midnight colored wings behind her. "Because I believe in him." She stared down at her hands, almost trembling from the wave of conflicting emotions.


Piper grasped onto his arm, her eyes shaking slightly. "Come with me, okay?"


Selix looked up at Kat again, her body working quickly towards the smell of blood. Panic rose in the Shark-soul's chest making him swallow the one fear he couldn't bring himself to admit.


He quickly began climbing his way to the feline, his voice straining over the sound of the wind. "Kat!"

 

[Skelo10]

Sun switched his gaze over to Raven and he clenched his fists which were resting on his lap. "Raven, I do trust you. You have to understand.. not all of us are or were in the same situation as you." Sun pushed down on the ground with his right hand and slowly stood up, grunting. He looked down at the raven-soul with sympathy.


"I am sorry Raven. I did not mean to offend Wren. I am just letting you know I will not always stand by his side."


Donovan chuckled and nodded calmly. "Of course, let us go together. I do not want to waste time so-" He picked up Piper bride-style and started to dash light on his feet.


Kat looked down at Selix with curiosity. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Refusing to glance back up at him, she pressed her thighs against her chest. Her thin arms wrapped around her legs, and she rested her forehead against her knees. Long black curls created a veil around her small frame, almost engulfing it. "We're all in the same situation now, Sun." She said into her skin, her voice soft. She listened to his apology, finding no relevance in it. "That's sad." She muttered, and shot her head up so she was looking at him from under dark locks. "Wren and I will always be on your side."


Selix caught up to her, his arms wrapping around her waist quickly. He glanced down at the earth beneath him, his body going stiff. The whites of his eyes were now completely consumed by black, the smell of blood strong. He pounced higher into the treetops, taking refuge in the canopy. Suddenly the smell of burnt flesh and scorched fur came into their surroundings.


A small pack of heavily singed white fox-spirits trotted below them, their noses ruffling in the grass as they scattered to snoop the area. Blood on their maws.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun began walking in circles in the cave, trying to put some weight on it. He chuckled, the pupil in his eyes enlarging to a thicker state. "I get that Raven, I really do. I have just trust issues, you must understand." He frowned and sat back down, grunting. His rubbed his hands through his hair and furrowed his brow. "Shouldn't we put that fire out now, or do you want to keep it?"


Kat was oddly confused but she clung onto Selix with her life. When she saw and smelt the blood, fear boiled inside of her. "Selix, what the hell is going on?"


Donovan reached the border of the old village and stopped. He put down Piper carefully, and looked through the trees quietly. "I think it's safe, Piper. Are you sure you want to go?" He turned around looking at her with a worried expression. She's going to run out of tears if I let her come with me.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Raven shook her head, the shroud of hair moving away from her face. She poked at the burning coals, her ears straining to hear outside the cavern. "If the hunt goes well we can eat sooner of the fire is still going."


Selix pressed a finger to her lips, as a sign of silence. His voice became a whisper, the pack of beasts still rummaging in the underbrush below. "They're looking for us." He breathed, pulling her in close so his words made it into her feline ears. "I bet you they're going to backtrack my scent." He added before the five creatures took off in a full sprint towards the cave, making his heart leap into his throat and almost fall out his mouth. "Fuck."


Piper glanced around at the blackened wreckage, bones poking out from a thick blanket of ash. She bit her lip, her hand weaving her fingers anxiously between Donovan's digits. She wanted desperately to soft through the debris and find her father's remains. To bury him so his soul would rest. A chill rolled up her arms and down her spine, feeling as though a ghost had passed through her. "Let's just fill our water-skins and get the hell out of here." Her voice was thin, making the tinge of sadness known.

 

[Skelo10]

Sun's pupil thinned, almost into a thin black line and he raised his hand as to silence Raven. "I hear something. Put the fire out, now." His snake tongue flicked the border of his lips in caution. He slowly got up and began taking careful steps towards the mouth of the cave.


Kat frowned. "Sun and Raven are both injured. Do you think they'll be okay?" she whispered carefully.


Donovan nodded and rushed to the pond where Sun was before the 'incident.' Without waiting for Piper he slammed his palms on the face of the earth and two large wooden baskets formed around his hands. "Let us hurry then, ja?"

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

The hiss Sun had spat made Raven recoil, but she followed the command anyways. As quick as she had built the fire, she closed her eyes and a gust of wind blew in from almost out of nowhere, snuffing out the flame.


Silence fell over them, making the hair along her arms stand on end. She got to her feet, moving closer to the snake-soul. His injuries were far worse then her own, making her heart leap into her throat. The faint and familiar smell of singed fur making her spine tingle.


Selix shook his head, his heart ramming in his eardrums. "No. There are too many of them and your brother's leg is worse then it looks."


He silently slipped into another tree, grasping Kat as he followed behind the Spirits.