- spaceSamuel stood in the room, his back to the wall as he rolled his neck. The day was ticking by incredibly slow and he found himself eager to leave just for the sake of doing something other than what he was tasked with. His eyes drifted to the door as the thought struck him firmly. Perhaps he could convince Asteria to take over. . .
spaceThe door across the room buzzed and opened and the next viscling walked in. She was smaller than the others and seemed nervous, but she smiled at him anyway. Her pelt was a soft brown with darker patches and her paws were laced with longer, soft feathers. Her mane was like fire while her chest feathers were a softened pink. Her tail was almost invisible at a glance, being no more than a nub on her back, and her floppy ears were large, almost covering her eyes. She sat down on the small cushion and looked around anxiously, the smile never leaving her muzzle.
space“Why are you smiling?”
spaceShe jumped a little and looked up to him. “If I keep smiling, then it will convince me that things are okay and I am safe.”
spaceSamuel’s expression did not change as he gazed down at the viscling in silence for several moment. “Name.”
space“Haylee June Rei.”
space“Age.”
space“One year and one month.”
space“Date of birth.”
space“February Nineteenth.”
space“Power.”
space“I can heal things.”
spaceSamuel grunted and nodded. He extended his arm then slashed a cut open with his other paw. He knelt before her and held his arm out, the wound he made slowly bleeding. “Heal it.”
spaceHer smile fell and she shifted nervously. “I can’t heal that. . .”
spaceSamuel frowned. “You said that you can heal.”
spaceThe viscling looked up at him with apologetic eyes. “I do, but only small things. . . scraps and scratches, a few bruises. . . I can’t work with full cuts.”
spaceSlowly, Samuel’s brows drew together as he stared at her in confusion, though it was not directed to her.
spaceSamuel stood and backed away, his eyes still on her. His confused expression melted, but his thoughts remained. “Well then. Go on ahead to get food, you’re cleared.”
spaceShe nodded and ran ahead, then paused and looked back. “I’m sorry, mister. I hope that wound heals up soon. . . I’ll be more clear about what I can and cannot do in the future.”
spaceSamuel’s eyebrows drew together again as he watched her run out. She was a peculiar viscling, that was for sure. Despite being kidnapped, she held nothing but respect and honesty for him. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head while releasing air from his nose. The door buzzed and the next viscling rushed in, its body arched and its feathers raised in terror as it hissed at him. He continued his work, logging and questioning each viscling, though the cut on his arm kept his thought on the young viscling the whole time. Haylee June Rei.
-------
- spaceSamuel walked in silence, his head low and his tail hovering just an inch above the ground. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes on the ground that he and June had celebrated over when they had first reached the mountain base. His paw prints were still visible in the bent grass.
spaceHe stepped forward and entered the forest of the flat lands once more, the mountain now behind him, along with June.
spaceBirds sang overhead, flying and fluttering to and fro but growing quiet as he neared, their dark eyes wearily resting on his back as he passed. A rabbit sat in the middle of the path, gnawing on blades of grass while searching for a better blade with its paws. Its eyes rested on him and a moment later the small creature was gone, bounding off into the bushes and trees to escape. A fly buzzed past his ear and landed on his face, just behind his eye. Samuel shook his head and the small creature flew away. Where he walked, the land grew quiet.
spaceIn the sky, the moon was taking its throne. He imagined that Kas would be asleep now, as well, curled up with June like Asteria would do back when things were better. His stomach clenched and turned and he pinned his ears to the back of his skull. His mind drifted to the nagging thought which proclaimed itself as truth: he was nothing without Asteria. His failure to June seemed to prove that.
spaceIt was dawn when Samuel’s pace finally began to slow noticeably. He was not tired, at least not physically, but the cluster of thoughts in his head seemed to act as an anchor rooted to the ground behind him, dragging him and becoming heavier and heavier with each step. They were a vortex of shouts and whispers, spiraling down to one simple topic, one he had turned his back on: June.
spaceWas she okay? Did they reach the peak yet? Have they encountered more foes? Is her ability improving? Has she noticed he left? Does she care? Was his decision the right one to make?
spaceSamuel snarled and shook his head violently, trying to throw the thoughts from his head. He snarled at them, warning and threatening them viciously, and slowly they began to fade. However, they were only replaced by something firmer, something that seemed to come outside of him and from within all at once.
space“So. That is it, huh?”
spaceSamuel’s ears pricked up and he looked around. It was a male voice, quite similar to his, though softer. He frowned deeply and pressed on, trying to ignore the crumbling of his mind.
space “You come this far, then just walk away. Why? Because you’re scared?”
space“I cannot protect her!” His voice was a loud, barking snarl. His tail whipped as he spoke and he lifted his head, shouting at the voice which came from everywhere and nowhere.
spaceHe paused a moment and slowly relaxed. His brows furrowed and he shook his head slowly as he continued to walk again.
space “Hah! Pathetic!" Samuel froze up and looked around, his feathers bristling as he searched for the source of that voice. "That’s all you are, isn’t it? Pathetic. Raised by a man who wants to squash the world with his thumb. You realize that, and you end up wanting to work closer to him until you pity a child. You then run away from this man who gave you everything! Shelter, food, warmth, family, care, a job, and a chance to get stronger! Only to turn away and tuck your tail between your legs because I’ve got you cornered!”
spaceSamuel snarled and shook his head violently, as if to shake the words from his skull.
space“Don’t be stupid, Samuel. Open your eyes, you coward! Is it truly better to turn away and hide with your tail tucked, or to die fighting for one you want to see succeed!?”
space“If I die then she would too!” His shout was desperate. He felt a crushing pressure in his chest and his muscles tensed and trembled.
space “You give her and yourself too little credit." The voice was suddenly soft, almost sad. Samuel slowly calmed at the sound of it, though the pressure in his chest remained. "I have seen you in battle, I have seen your spirit. Despite my weight you press on relentlessly until victory is achieved. You and I both know that you do it all for her. Your strongest moments, where I am straining against you, are when you feel she is in danger. She is your reason to fight, and you have just walked away.”
spaceSamuel growled. “Who are you.”
space “Don’t use that tone with me, Samuel. You knew very well who I am, but you seem to have forgotten me over the years. At least, until I appeared on your sides.”
spaceSamuel flattened his ears. “What are you implying?”
space “You’ve looked at me several times on this journey, your companions too. Each time someone did, it was pity or fear that was in their eyes because they see me as you proclaim me. A curse. A seal. A restraint. But you know. Deep down, you remember what I actually am, don’t you?
spaceEven she didn’t know exactly what I was. She was rushed and panic when calling that spell, you know? She has this range and you were already at the edge, so she proclaimed the first one she could think of.” He laughed bitterly and paused for a moment. “But you know why it seems to work, don’t you? You believed it.”
spaceThe voice was very clearly behind him now. Samuel turned sharply and stared with startled eyes at a large, rabbit-like figure. It’s body was lined with a flowing golden thread while the space within it was empty and vacant save for a soft and light mist. On its muzzle, two long whiskers flowed softly in an invisible breeze and a nose twitched. Where the eyes were, two vibrant, piercing red lights hovered, gazing at him.
spaceSamuel frowned and furrowed his brows. His mind tumbled as he strained to sort out what was happening. Though it felt impossible, everything he had said all seemed to point to one insane idea, one that his mouth strained to say while his mind held the words back. Slowly, his mind released it's iron grip on his jaw, gradually embracing the impossible idea which strained to the truth.
space“You’re. . . my seal?”
space “No. Well, yes and no. Samuel, you cannot tell me that you don't remember now. You've seen me again, you've heard my voice. Doesn't any of this ring any bells?” When he spoke, the mist in his head swirled faster as though air were being pushed through it, even though he had no distinct mouth.
space“I don't recognize you. . .”
spaceHe sighed, long and heavy, the red lights narrowing and flickering out for a moment before returning once more. “You remember the conditions of your hatching?” Samuel did not respond and the red lights narrowed. “Fine. I will explain everything to you, I guess. Your parents were normal, painfully and completely normal. No mutations, no magic, no nothing. They were at the bottom of the pot, the old burnt garbage no one wanted. So, they turned to Soma. The morons asked for her to give them a blessed and powerful child. She agreed and when the mother laid an egg, they brought it to Soma. The witch took it within her home. She sent them away, instructing them to return in a week. They obeyed. While they were gone, she sought out one of the ancients. A wingless, long bodied dragon with whiskers, much alike yours. She killed it, bottling its blood and ripping a fang from its jaw. She then punctured a hole on your shell and poured the blood within. Your body and powers were mutated and brought forth by my blood and fang." As he spoke, his tone became gradually more and more irritated and bitter. The mist which made up his body swirled a little faster and his eyes blazed, seeming to grow brighter. "You should be thankful for me, you know, instead of treating me like a disobedient child would to a nagging parent!”
spaceSamuel glared at the creature before him. “So. How do you know all of this, then? The conditions of my birth? If you were dead, how do you know what she did to your blood?”
spaceThe rabbit growled, deep and low, and rolled his eyes. “How do you think I am standing in front of you right now? When one of my kind is killed, we stick around who killed us. It’s kind of a grudge thing. My spirit followed Soma and watched what she did. At first I wanted to kill you, but I changed my mind as you were innocent in all this. So, in addition to the physical rarity my blood gave you, I merged my soul with you in a type of seal, granting you my powers as well.” It held up a paw swiftly and lifted its head, predicting his next question. “And yes, I know I appear as a rabbit. There were twelve of my kind, each being a zodiac. Lucky for you I just so happened to be the rabbit, so my soul takes the form of it.”
spaceSamuel frowned. “This still doesn’t make sense. Why did Soma’s seal make you appear on my side if you had been with me all this time?”
space “Now these are good questions! Remember, I am the reason you have any power at all. Soma placed a seal to lock away your power, which means she is locking away me. In order to do that, we would need to be separated. Me appearing on the outside of your body's a sign that it worked, though not fully. I managed to slip some magic to you before I was completely sealed.”
spaceSamuel took a moment to think, turning over the new information in his head. Slowly, he lifted his eyes back to the rabbit with a frown. “This still changes nothing. Your lecture may be great in your mind, but it does not change the fact that without you, I cannot protect her.”
spaceThe rabbit sighed and shook its head, its ears swaying. “Well now. You see, there is this huge difference between cannot and will not." He paused, gazing firmly at Samuel as if to drive the point in before continuing. "Samuel. The battle with Akela, that mercenary, and the battle with Asteria herself. You had no allies. June could not help you for you did not train her. You were alone with what little power you had, and yet you won. Perhaps you did gain wounds, but June cared for them. Now that she knows how to fight, you two can make it together.
space"But you let one foe break your spirit! Takaeo! The viscet cursed to become a giant wolf! Just because your foe towers over you, you turn tail and run?! Samuel! You carry my blood in your veins and my soul on your side! What you do is a representation of me as well, and we are no spitting, trembling coward!” The rabbit had steadily grown in size and brightness as he spoke, as though his anger were taking a physical form in his body. He took a moment and breathed deeply, his size shrinking down again and growing softer once more as a wave of calm passed over him. “Samuel. You know who I am, now. Yet you do not seem to know yourself or your abilities. That female back there. She called you a father figure to June, yet you denied it because the only father figure you know is one you see once a week or one who looks down at you sternly. I do not often like to make accusations like this, but Samuel you are a moron for leaving that girl. Besides, do you really believe that Kas is someone to be trusted? Perhaps the girl trusted her quickly, but she is naive and young.” The rabbit leaned in, its eyes narrowed to him and its ears slowly raised. “You’re just going to trust her to someone you hardly know?”
spaceThe spirit vanished and Samuel’s paws drifted to his sides as he checked to ensure the marking was still there. His mind circled what the rabbit had said. Despite their conversation, he still felt inadequate in protecting June, but it was the last sentence which disturbed him and shook him to the core.
spaceSamuel looked up at the mountains. They were not too far, perhaps a thirty minute walk. He began walking back, then slowly his pace grew faster as his paws struck the ground with more force. Faster and faster until he was sprinting to the mountains, his ears high and his mouth open slightly. He had turned his back on June, but perhaps she would accept him again and complete the journey with him. He wanted to see her eyes light up, he wanted to see her happy in the East. This journey was for him as much as it was for her. It wasn’t one or the other, it was both. Both needed to be free, and to do it they needed to be together.
spaceHe reached the mountain base within five minutes and began moving up it, but stopped after a few moments. Kas and June’s scent was fresh, but it did not climb the mountain. Instead, their scent was stronger towards the West. Samuel furrowed his brows and jogged on the trail, beginning to follow it. “Why would they. . .”
spaceThe rabbits words shot to his mind with the force of a train and Samuel’s eyes widened. He broke into another sprint, following their trail with precision. He thundered along, his feathers rising as he did.
spaceIt did not take long for the two to come into sight.
spaceJune turned back and her eyes widened. Her mouth opened, but Samuel spoke first. It was a roar, one that started as a deep snarl and exploded into a loud bellow.
space“Kas!”
spaceThe female glanced over her shoulder, watching him with an unamused eye.
spaceSamuel lunged at her but was flung to the ground by the arrival of a barrier. He struck the ground on his shoulder first then rolled before getting his paws beneath him.
spaceKas turned to face him, her expression dark and unamused. “Samuel, what are you doing?”
spaceSamuel rose from the ground, his lips curling into a snarl. “Why are you taking her West?”
spaceKas studied him deeply, as though she were tossing her options in her head. Slowly, that ominous expression faded away, shifting into loose smile as she began to laugh.
space“Oh, what’s the point anymore? I’m not even going to bother making up lies to entertain you now.” Her expression shifted into one more stern, though the smile remained. “Samuel. You are both stupid and intelligent at the same time, and it’s fascinating. You see, He sent me to these mountains to kill you and take her by force, but then things worked out in a strange way and you just handed her on over. I guess I should thank Takaeo, then. If he hadn’t tried to kill you first, I wouldn’t have had such an easy job!”
spaceSamuel snarled, his mane bristling. His eyes darted to June for a moment and concern grew in his heart. He needed to win this fight and keep her safe, but he knew nothing of this foe, and June was too close to her for comfort.
space“Well, Samuel. I guess I should be happy that you changed your mind. This job would have so boring if you didn’t. Now, I get to kill you and eat your heart, as well.”
spaceSamuel lifted his head slightly and growled, his brows furrowed.
spaceKas laughed lightly at his expression. “See, that’s my payment. I bring Libra the kid, I get to eat your heart. It’s how I get stronger. I gain your power through that, and from what Libra told me, eating your heart might just be worth it.”
spaceShe crouched, but paused and glanced back at June. The viscling stared at Kas in horror. Kas turned her head back and smirked at June and Samuel’s hackles rose. “Well now, got to keep you from scampering off during this, don’t I? Besides, healers are such a pain in fights.”
spaceKas turned suddenly, smacking June with her tail and sending the viscling back several feet. When June caught herself and began to stand, a barrier of red appeared around her, keeping her crouched on the ground. June’s eyes darted to Samuel and the male bristled, anger causing his blood to rush in his ears.
space“Now that she’s out of the way, let’s have some f-”
spaceSamuel turned sharply, whipping his tail to her.
spaceKas ducked swiftly then rose again, glowering at him and still grinning.
space“Oh, and just one more thing, Sammie. The name is Kasdeya, not Kas.”
spaceSamuel snarled and rushed the female, but by his second step magic roared to life around them, radiating from Kasdeya. Pulsing flames rose from the ground, eating away at the life of the grass and reaching up with crooked fingers to seize the sky. Samuel took a step back to avoid the flames and growled, his ears pinned back.
spaceSamuel’s ear flicked and he moved swiftly to the side, narrowly dodging a projectile of silver magic which clung to a stone behind him and sizzled, burning away the rock.
spaceKasdeya laughed and Samuel’s body tensed as the ground beneath him trembled slightly. He looked down then quickly sprang back as a stone spire shot from the ground, knicking his nose and lip. He moved backwards for several steps as more spires rose following his trail, then he turned right and spun, smashing his tail against the standing spires and breaking them. A final spire rose, jutting out a meer two inches from Samuel, but he stood his ground, his eyes locked onto Kasdeya.
space“Looks like you’ll need more than just the basics. That’s good,” Her voice was calm and relaxed, almost even amused.
spaceThe flames around her roared as they stretched higher, rising far above Samuel’s head as they strained for the sky. Samuel had only a moment to raise his paws, the scales on them hardening and expanding, before Kasdeya burst from the flames and collided with him.
spaceHe slid back a few feet, his paws raised in an “X” fashion to protect his chest as Kasdeya pushed him back. Her eyes flashed and Samuel quickly maneuvered to the left, flinging her away from him as he did. She stumbled a few steps then turned sharply to face him.
spaceSamuel spun, swinging his tail up towards her head. As it moved through the air, Kasdeya raised a paw. An explosion burst from her palm, striking his tail a moment before it could hit her, and the momentum of the blast sent his tail the other way.
spaceSamuel clutched his teeth as he steadied himself. Behind him, his tail burned in agony and he could feel blood forming on it’s end.
spaceHe growled and rushed forward, swinging a paw to slash at her neck. She smirked and lifted a paw, striking the bottom of his and sending it back. As the arm which had been rushing towards her moved away, his other arm moved forward and up swiftly. His claws grazed her skin, cutting cleanly and shallowly and sending slivers of feathers into the air.
spaceKasdeya’s eyes widened, then narrowed. She moved her arm swiftly and struck him on his temple.
spaceSamuel’s head jerked to the side and he used the momentum from her punch to spin, striking his tail against her side. It roared in pain upon the collision, but he fought to ignore it as he completed the turn, facing her once more as she stumbled to regain balance.
spaceSamuel moved to attack her, planning to slash her neck with his claws, but she acted first. A powerful pulse of purple magic ripped from her paws, hitting him square in the chest and sending him back several feet. When he finally caught his balance, projectile of blue magic flashed towards him. He moved his head to the side and the magic passed him, slicing into the side of his neck and drawing forth blood.
spaceSamuel raised his paws in defence as Kasdeya slammed into him and released another pulse of purple magic. His guard broke and she seized the opportunity, laying hold of his arms and driving her claws into his skin and pressing down, forcing Samuel to slowly buckle to the ground. Samuel snarled and grabbed her arms, clawing at her in attempts to force her to release him.
spaceKasdeya smirked at Samuel, her breathing more forceful than before but her body mostly unharmed, save for the small scratch he had made. “Well now, I am honestly disappointed. I wasn’t even trying! No wonder why you wanted the girl to go with someone stronger! You wouldn’t make it three more steps up that mountain if this is all you can do!”
space“Sam!” Both viscets looked over to June, who crouched in her cage of red magic, staring at Samuel with fear in her eyes.
spaceSlowly, Kasdeya grinned.
space“You know, I’ve been thinking. Libra doesn’t need a little healer, does he? The guys practically untouchable.” She paused and laughed shortly, her eyes gleaming with confidence and malice. “At least, not by this world. Maybe I’ll have her heart as well, an appetizer, you know?”
spaceWithin the barrier, a small spire of red magic began to rise from the ground, angled for June’s throat. The viscling squeaked and tried to move away, but the barrier kept her in place. Samuel’s eyes widened as he stared at her.
space“I guess I could use a small boost to healing magic. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she dies, but only after watching you die first.”
spaceThe spire continued rising and slowly pressed against the visclings skin. June called for help and the sound rattled every nerve and muscle within Samuel’s body. His sides suddenly burned, but he cared little for it. Adrenaline was thrown into his bloodstream and coursed through his body like a raging wildfire. Everything within his body was now screaming. Calling, shouting, bellowing, echoing, screeching. All for her blood to spill on the ground.
spaceSamuel’s expression darkened and twisted, rage morphing it into one of a blazing desire for blood. Slowly, his head turned away from the viscling to face Kasdeya directly. The pain he felt before was gone, numbed by the screaming. His paws adjusted on her arms and his claws drove into her skin. Slowly, he rose from his forced crouched position. As he did, he slowly forced Kasdeya down.
spaceThe female’s grin fell and her expression turned serious.
spaceOnce Samuel’s feet were firmly beneath him, his paws moved swiftly, slipping from her grasp and moving under her arms before colliding with her chest and sending her back several feet. The rage within Samuel echoded and bounced off of every muscle and nerve, shrieking in every cavity and rushing through his trachea to rip from his mouth. Samuel let it and released a roar which seemed to come from the very depths of the world. His sides burned for a moment, then sudden relief and energy flooded his system, as though he had just escaped from countless chains.
spaceSamuel rushed the female, pulling his arm back to strike her. As he did, warmth flooded his paw. He swung his arm forward and made contact with her jaw, and the flames which had formed around his paw exploding upon contact. She stumbled to the side and her pupils condensed into sharpened, malicious, excited slits.
spaceKasdeya turned sharply, swinging her tail high in the air as flames began to course its feathers.
spaceSamuel snarled venomously as he leaned his head back and reached out with his other paw, tapping her tail as it moved towards him then ducking his head a moment later. The flames on her tail crystallized and froze and when her tail struck a nearby rock, the ice which had formed on it shattered off like glass.
spaceKasdeya snarled through her smile and moved forward sharply, slamming her shoulder into his chest. Water formed around her free paw and she moved it upward swiftly, striking Samuel’s muzzle with her pad. The moment she made contact, the water rushed forward and expanded, swarming Samuel’s head.
spaceThe male’s fangs bared as he glared at Kasdeya. He struck her across the neck and at the base of her throat at the same time, holding his breath as he did. Kasdeya remained firm as Samuel continued to strike her, his tail moving beneath him and coiling on the ground as he did. Once it was in position, Samuel kicked from the ground, putting his full weight temporarily on his tail, and kicked Kasdeya firmly in the throat with his hind paws.
spaceKasdeya staggered back and the bubble around his head popped. Samuel took a heavy breath, then released it as his hind legs rested on the ground again and his tail uncoiled behind him.
spaceKasdeya stared at him, then released a short, menacing chuckle. She slammed a hind paw on the ground and roared. As she did, the ground to her sides cracked and split while flames broke their way through the world's crust.
spaceSamuel slammed a hind paw on the ground and a large, arched wall of stone shot from the ground before him as Kasdeya sent her flames forward. To either side of the wall, massive flames shot past, ripping through the wild jungle behind him.
spaceAs the flames onslaught slowed, Samuel rushed forward, sprinting up the rock wall and jumping from it. In the air, he roared loudly and began to maneuver his body, angling his tail to strike her head. As he moved through the air, electric energy began to ripple to life, rushing down his whiskers and flinging off, sizzling, into the atmosphere around him. He moved his body sharply as he neared the ground and his tail made contact with the females head.
spaceKasdeya stumbled to the side for several steps and snarled, her smile now gone. She faced him, her feathers raised and her paws flexed.
spaceSamuel landed and immediately turned to face her. His paws moved swiftly as he charged the female, his magic sparking to life and the electricity on his whiskers still hissing and spitting in anger.
spaceKasdeya’s eyes narrowed and she moved her paw sharply through the air, cutting it and sending out a wide projectile of searing magic. Samuel ducked his head and swept upward, striking her on the bottom of her jaw and sending her head up and back.
spaceKasdeya clenched her teeth and struck Samuel’s shoulder, releasing a blast of magic as she did. Still, Samuel attacked.
spaceStriking with and without magic, rage powered his muscles as he struck her repeatedly, seeking only blood and death. He was blinded to her attacks, adrenaline pressing him forward like a train.
spaceSlowly, her defenses began to drop and Samuel saw an opening.
spaceHe pulled his paw back and flexed it, preparing to slash her throat. As his paw moved forward, however, he faltered.
spaceHer face was no longer her own. Before him, shocked and angry, was Asteria, staring at him as though he were a traitor.
spaceAs Samuel gazed at the vision, searing pain ripped across his own neck. He clenched his jaw and stumbled back, the vision gone and replaced with Kasdeya, her paw covered in blood and a cruel, determined gleam in her eyes.
spaceThe adrenaline and rage was gone from him, the magic faded from his exterior, and the toll of the battle rushed over him all at once, causing his legs to shake and bringing him down to one knee. His paw rested on his throat where he felt the warmth of blood seep between his fingers. His body trembled and screamed as every cut she had made and each blow she delivered cried out its agony to his mind.
spaceKasdeya released a heavy breath and adjusted her feathers with a paw, the gleam still in her eyes. “Well, you did put up a fight, but I am not surprised by the results. I’ve killed countless creatures, viscet and others alike. You were bound to fall eventually.”
spaceHer muscles tensed as she prepared to finish him off, but a sudden flash of odd light behind her caused her head to whip back and her attention to shift. Behind her, a viscet in odd armor stood boldly. His eyes drifted to Samuel for a moment before remaining locked on Kasdeya.
space“My King, you need to return at once. They are seeking your thrown in your absence.”
spaceKasdeya’s expression twisted into one of annoyance and blood lust. Her eyes rested on Samuel and she scowled. “Consider yourself lucky. No mission, no matter the heart, is worth losing my thrown to scum.” Her tail flicked sharply and she vanished with the messenger.
spaceWhen she was gone, her magic left with her, freeing June.
spaceThe viscling ran to Samuel, healing ball in paw, and she quickly pressed it against his throat. Samuel’s ear flicked as he felt the skin and muscle pull themselves together again.
spaceJune’s attention began to turn to his other wounds, but he placed a paw firmly on her shoulder to stop her.
space“Sam?”
space“No.”
spaceHe lifted himself from the ground, his wounds hissing as he did. Once upright, he turned to the viscling and beckoned Eastward.
space“Save your strength for the journey, I will make due.”
spaceJune hesitated, then walked East, Samuel trailing close behind.
