Link to cat(s) or lion(s) involved in prompt: Nereus Alaz
Link to their pride or group: Antiquis Aetheres
Prompt level completion: 5
Prompt: 1017 words
- Alaz had recovered quicker than Nereus really expected.
Alaz's sleep was fitful, he got cold so many times that Nereus feared that the gods of antiquis aetheres could indeed die if they let the fire die out.
He couldn't let that fire die out.
He sat perched beside his son, who snoozed and rested as the fire covered him and mended his injuries. Nereus smiled, hopefully they would keep the fire lit for the next battle. It worked to keep Alaz strong too, he could tell from the breathing. Alaz's breaths were short and shallow at first, but now they were much stronger.
His son would be fine, and no scars would mar his pelt.
That was good, he didn't want to worry about a deity's pelt being laced with past injury, that would spark many questions when they got home. If they got home.
"What do you mean we don't completely heal?"
"Does this mean we can die?"
The latter was easier to answer, because if his son was mortal, Nereus was sure he wouldn't have survived his injuries.
The blue tom stayed watch over his son, despite the nagging feeling in his stomach to go see Orpheus, he hoped his mate was okay. But he couldn't leave his son until he was sure he was fine.
He didn't even know where Orph was to be honest.
During his thoughts, Nereus didn't even notice his son beginning to stir, the blue tom instead just perched where he was, standing guard and hoping that he could find something to calm his nerves.
He felt something tug within him, something like the nag to see his mate, but this was different. He felt the urge to wander off, something was calling him.
No, he needed to stay here, he needed to watch over Alaz, and Orpheus. He scowled, tail flickering with blue water as his willpower kicked in. He was happy that he was strong enough to withstand the pull for his son.
He watched Alaz open his eyes.
"Son!" He jumped forward, weary eyes widening. "Are you alright? How do you feel? You've slept for ages." He nudged his son frantically, but it didn't stop Alaz from sitting up. "No! Don't stress yourself, you just closed all your wounds, you don't want to reopen them."
Alaz looked around. "Did we win?" Expression dim and his ears droopy. Nereus frowned in concern.
Nereus nodded, "We think it was just a scouting group, but we managed to hold them off for now, there were a lot of casualties though, including you... now lay down to rest." He ordered.
Alaz of course being the stubborn cat he was, didn't listen, much to Nereus' dismay.
The fires that covered Alaz slowly went out, including the stick. Well, there goes that plan. Nereus' shoulders sagged.
Slowly, Alaz's face brightened, and he shook his head, as if trying to clear it. He leaned forward.
"Dad, do you feel that?" Alaz's voice cracked as he stood, tail igniting, though its burn was weak.
"What do you mean?" Nereus could tell his son felt the same pull, but he didn't want to put it into words. He felt fear ripple up his spine as if it were fingers. He shivered and looked around, looking for other cats.
"Theres... something telling me to follow it." Alaz's eyes squinted and he resisted stepping forward, his tail grew stronger as his movements became less painful. "Da-- should we follow?"
Nereus shook his head. "Don't son, it's probably a trick from the enemy, they want us to split up." He stood, coming up to Alaz's side. "Control yourself, you're weak. You should focus on something else."
Alaz grit his teeth and Nereus' heart pounded. He didn't want his son to struggle.
"I dunno if I can da." He took another begrudging step. "Maybe we should follow it?" He looked back, flicking his tail.
Nereus knew that once his son got an idea, he wouldn't let go. The blue tom ducked his head, letting out a heavy sigh. "I won't let you go alone..." He came up beside Alaz, taking a deep breath. Maybe there would be water there? Or hot coals, something to give them the advantage.
"What about the others?" Alaz looked back at the other cats and lions around them, seemingly compelled to follow the voice as well. "Would they miss us? We are stronger than mortals who don't use magic."
Nereus frowned, Alaz didn't know that Orpheus was here too. The blue tom blinked. "We're not the only ones going..." He trailed off, looking around and soon catching sight of that creamy tom that snarled at him, followed by a hasty black shape.
Suddenly going was much easier than before.
Those two were together? Him and Alaz weren't the only pair, sure but some of them were solo. It wasn't just Orpheus? The creamy tom was probably one of the magic users that Orpheus told him about, that treated his mate so unkindly.
Nereus took stride ahead of Alaz, who stumbled to catch up. The sea god flattened his ears, remembering his son was still weak, and he too felt the strain of his muscles as they started off.
Should they catch up to Orpheus? Alaz could use something to bring up his spirits.
Then, Nereus remembered that creamy tom, no they didn't need to catch up. If that tom was so aggressive toward his magic, he wouldn't want his son to come face to face with him.
Nereus' pawsteps faltered.
"Are you sure Alaz that you want to go this way?" The blue tom looked back to his son, who caught up quickly, they both looked back toward the large tree they had stayed near for so many days already.
Alaz's eyes burned with determination, and Nereus knew there was no going back. "Yes, we need to." He started past his father, leading the way, since he was more compelled than Nereus himself.
Nereus hoped he wouldn't regret allowing Alaz to go ahead and follow him. He hoped this wouldn't end up being their downfalls.