⑄ 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚠'𝚜 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕 ⑄

『 act V: a bitter sting 』

"but -"

"no buts. stay here with the kids - keep them safe, don't engage or go outside until I come get you."

he opened his mouth to protest, before faltering, glancing at the ground. 

"...alright," he muttered, dismissing his sword.

the wolf stopped adjusting her sleeve for a moment, pausing to respond -

- before being promptly interrupted by a gritty shriek from outside.

the horned overseer straightened and summoned their weapon, releasing the antlered assistant - who almost fell, leaning back on the kitchen island.

"do we have a plan, koz -?"

"not really, no," the tall woman muttered. "we will...figure something out at the battlefield. it would be best for you to call your allies, in the meantime."

she teleported out of the room before anybody could address anything.

the assistant paused. looked at the duo for a moment. once. then twice. then raised their hand and teleported out after her in a sudden crackle of violet electricity. "bye-"

.

.

.

off-white fangs sunk deep into gloved hands, ripping tan skin wide open.

'I can't hurt them, I can't hurt them, I can't hurt them, not again, no no no no no no no n -'

oh god, how his skin burned, a thousand thorns in his chest -

everything was muffled, faint, but deafening. oh god, it was deafening. his heartbeat, especially, thudded so loud in his ears.

the sudden, cold touch of claws digging into his bicep startled him out of his mind, followed by being literally dragged out of the room.

"come on, come on - we're going into a war -" the lioness chirped, tugging on her brother's arm.

"what -?"

she promptly ignored the inquiry, dragging him downstairs. "dad told us to stay here, but obviously, we're not going to do that -"

"Fira? are you cool with staying here with Oreo and Amity?"

"oh, wait, can you summon your spear thingy, Ji -? or -"

he didn't hear the rest.

but he did hear footsteps and low snarling in the darkness outside.