Fantasy The Wanderer's Pack: Life of Misfits

[EccentricFantasy]

darkborn General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack SkulblakaWyrda95 LittleAndClumsy Angelofdarkness Morrighan

(Sorry it took so long guys. Work got nuts. Also, only post once after each of my posts to keep things tidy.)

The pack of legend. The story outcasts and misfits tell themselves to give them some glimmer of hope. Or at least that's what the normal everyday creatures would tell you. In actuality, this pack is very real. It is a home for those who can't find a home with their own people. They travel everywhere and consist of every type of magical creature or beast. They are a home and family for all.

As the name suggests, The Wanderers Pack moves often. There are many different circumstances that lead to their movement, but in order to provide some sort of stability for the younger generation of the pack, they attempt to stay in one place for as long as they possibly can. They made a habit of using national parks as homes. They were big enough that they could hide pretty well and live their lives normally. Problem was, national parks were also the territory of other packs and clans. This made living peacefully hard, but they managed.

Right now they made their home in the Tongass National Park in Alaska. It had many small Islands surrounded by freezing cold water. This made it difficult for other packs or clans to get to them. Not to mention it provided water to the species that they had who made their home in water. It was a wonderful place to live for this pack, but what were the odds that they could stay there for as long as they wanted? Only time would tell.

Up high on a natural pillar of stone Marco looked down at his pack. He was the alpha, so he could always be seen making sure that his people, that his family were okay. He looked down to see the houses that the witches magically transport filled with heat and loving families. The children playing about in the magically manifested warm weather. Having witches in the pack was a very useful thing.

With a slight turn of his head he looked at the base of the massive oak tree that he knew Livia kept alive as her home. The Witches moved it magically as well, but it was her magic that kept it alive. He could see at the base of the tree that Livia was telling stories to a group of children. They would laugh and listen intently as Livia spun her tale.

From his perch Marco could also see Freya, walking about in her natural hippogriff form. This was a place that you could be yourself. Many of the creatures here started out feeling insecure about their specific species, but eventually they all came to grow and learn that the pack didn't care what species you are. If you needed a home, they would provide it.

He looked around, yet could not find Dimitri or Kida. He assumed Dimitri was in the water with the other members of the pack who liked to swim. He wasn't exactly worried about most of them. He knew that most of his people could handle themselves. Kida was one of them. She was a brave and powerful warrior.

Varen was of course by himself in his own little house at the edge of the small makeshift village. he would never admit it, but Marco knew that he stayed out there to make sure that he was the first one into battle to protect others. That tiefling had issues, but he was definitely a very important member of this pack.

Marco's eyes drifted to the east. That was where his mate Akina and the other Phoenix Genevieve flew off. Apparently, Akina had spotted an injured Faebourn making her way towards the pack. If she was as injured as his mate claimed, the healing tears of a phoenix was what she needed. Of course, she didn't bother coming to Marco. Akina believed that his place was with the pack at all times. Despite this, Marco knew that his place was where the pack needed him. And right now, he was needed elsewhere.

He turned his head to the north. With his eyesight he could see it. He could see where he was needed and knew he couldn't leave it alone. Akina and Genevieve would be back soon, so this was a perfect time. He was fully aware that the pack would become worried once he flew off, but he also knew that he always did what was best for them.

With that he stood upon natural stone perch he was atop. With a screech that sounded of a massive falcon, he transformed into his true Phoenix form. He was much larger than most phoenixes. With a wingspan of 20 feet she was about double the size of a full-grown horse. The heat from his flaming body radiated as his wings spread. The entire pack looked at him. They wonder why he needed to transform right now, when Akina was gone. They knew he would only do that if what he was about to do was something she would not approve of. He turned his burning Phoenix eyes back to the pack, giving them a clear look that told them not to follow him. Being he was the Alpha, they had no choice but to follow his orders. With that he flew up with a massive flap of his wings. He took off towards the north with blinding speed, the sounds of his flames flickering in the wind of his flight could be heard for another 30 seconds before it disappeared. What was he doing? Why did he not want them to follow? There was only one person in the entire pack who had the guts to disobey his orders. And sadly, it was his mate who at this moment was somewhere helping an injured Faebourn. The children all began to to get scared. Marco usually never left. So, it was up to the older members of the pack to keep them calm and pray Akina got back soon to sort this out.

 

[LittleAndClumsy]

It was not often that Genevieve was sought out to help heal others but when she was summoned she always knew it was serious. Well, any case in which one of the alphas requested your service was most often serious. The day had started off relatively normal, she had been in her hut looking out over the chilly waters and ensuring that no children fell in and that no enemy would come from said waters. Even though they were always on the move she couldn't help but feel the need to make sure that their peace wouldn't be interrupted so soon by something dangerous. Often she would be teased for her brooding but not in this case. In this case it was welcomed by the female alpha. Though it was no question on whether or not Akina was able to properly defend herself. Both of the alphas were very capable of protecting themselves and their little pack of misfits.

They were currently soaring over the ocean when Vieve looked to Akina, briefly checking on the other female before looking ahead. "How far out did you say they were? What do you think happened? Did you see anything?" She was full of questions as she wanted to make sure that they weren't helping the wrong person. One couldn't blame Vieve for being so careful, she had been too trusting once upon a time and it had ultimately burned her in the end. And she definitely didn't want to help the wrong person. She didn't want to put any of her pack members at risk as for the first time, she felt like she was home and that she had a family.

General_warNpeace

 

[Angelofdarkness]

The day had started as a typical day in the pack's new home. Dimitri had settled into one of the smaller pools of water doing his best to keep away from others. He poked his head out of the pool his curiosity getting the best of him.

Freya walked around in her hippogriff form, a form she seemed to favor. Livia sat under a large tree spinning tale after tale to the children. He swam as close to the edge of the pool as he could straining to hear the tale.


The young hippogriff padded about her grey eyes scanning the area tail swishing behind her. While she knew her Alphas and the Betas had done a scouting trip before they moved she was still on edge.


Wandering closer to Livia’s tree she hung back lying down. A few children glanced back at her before turning back to the story. The sound of flapping wings made the entire pack pause glancing skyward.


”I wonder where he’s going?” Freya mumbled seeing the stern ”stay put” look their Alpha gave. An uneasy feeling rose in her stomach.

Dimitri cast one last glance around the pack before diving back under the cold water.

 

[General_warNpeace]

Akina appreciated Genevieve's silence as they closer and closer to where she had spotted the injured faebourne. It allowed her to focus on scanning the area and not worry about being distracted. As they past the ocean and approached land Akina flew lower, almost skimming the trees and began to grow uneasy. There were many packs in the area and the girl was injured. They could have captured her or even killed her in the time it took Akina to alert her mate. This worry gnawed at her mind, especially as they past the spot she saw her last. Making a decision she glanced over at Genevieve and motioned toward the ground. They will take to the ground and see if the girl had hid herself there. They had already been away longer then planned.

She seemed to understand and followed her as she landed. Akina allowed her wings to fade into her arms so she wouldn't have to worry about them and began scanning the nearby bushes. They were in the field she had spotted the girl. She paused as her sharp ears heard a familiar screech in the distance, in the direction of the pack. It was Marco, she didn't doubt that, but he didn't sound angry or like he was calling them back. Frowning she resolved to get back as quickly as possible and scanned the bushes faster.

 

[SkulblakaWyrda95]

Kida was currently in her lesser liked form, her human form, as she sat on a rocky outcrop outside a small cave in a more mountainous region overlooking the pack lands. The Griffin had made the cave her home. It was the first place she had of her own since joining the pack. Well, since her hatching anyway. Kida had been born in the pack and orphaned soon after. Many of the older pack members had taken her in and raised her. At a little over 150 years of age, the white and black feathered Griffin was still young, yet old enough to begin nesting.

She had been weaving pine branches into a nest when a wave of intense heat came over her and sky seemed to be set ablaze. Looking up, she spotted Marco, the Phoenix Alpha heading off on his own. In the opposite direction as his mate the Valkyrie Alpha and the other Phoenix had gone. What was he up to? Where was he going that he didn't want his to follow, as Akina would be the only one bold enough to tail him. Though Kida did wonder where he was off to.

 

[FanOfSiriusBlack]

Run.

RUN!

Get help. Must find help.

I turned behind me, and saw their faces in the shadows. RUN.

In front of me, a break in the trees. I slid behind a large rock. There was something out in front of me, and the Sun-fire Fae were somewhere behind me, but I had been on the run for days, no sign of this 'Wanderer's Pack'. Maybe if I closed my eyes... just for a minute.

 

[Morrighan]

"One more, pleeeaaase!" Begged Joseph, a young centaur foal whose mother had left him with the pack a few years prior. His brown eyes were wide as he implored the Peryton to share yet another tale of magic and mystery to him and the other children.

Before she could respond, the other children all chimed in with similar pleas for another story, their sweet voices and young faces melting the last of her resolve.

"Another story? Aren't any of you worried that if I tell you so many in a day that I might run out of tales to tell?" She chastised with a grin, running a hand across her thigh to smooth down some of her feathers. Behind her, great wings the same pale gold as her hair rested in the tentative light of the Alaskan sun.

At once. the children grew still with concern, but Joseph was undaunted as usual and smiled up Livia. "You never run out of stories, Livi. You're made of them!"

That made her smile.

"Very well," she said with a grin to the once again jovial children. "I shall share with you a tale very close to my heart ; the story of my people's ancestral home, long since lost to myth and memory. You will know it as the lost island of Atlantis."

Immediately, her audience grew quiet as they settled down to listen to the story.

"Long ago, when the world was young and magic abundant, there was a great island full of magic and wonder. It boasted endless forests and a great chain of mountains that held long abandoned temples to ancient gods even my kind were too young to remember. There, Perytons lived in peace with one another, and with the elements that make up all magic. You know that magic is split into these elements, and that most magical races are blessed with their powers by only one or two elements in order to preserve the balance that allows our kinds to live in peace. The perytons were neither blessed by nor strangers to any or all of the elements, but rather were chosen to live as the keepers of the wisdom and knowledge one can only find through the magic of nature. Atlantis was a paradise for any who sought knowledge and peace, and it was not long before an alliance was struck between Mortals and Perytons. A wise king came to us, seeking the safety of Atlantis and the freedom to live in peaceful contemplation of nature with his people, who were banished from a land torn apart by war and ambition. Our people gladly welcomed the humans to live among us, and for many centuries the descendants of that king ruled a small kingdom built upon the shores of the island alongside us and sought our wisdom on many matters. However, there was one race who despised our kind above all others ; the sirens livings in the sea that held our beloved island. They were envious of our wings, and of our connection to the elements that refused to bless them with more than was their due, and so their queen devised a plan to destroy our way of life. Their queen, Morgana, was a powerful sorceress who practiced forbidden magic. She managed to convince a young siren girl to give up her siren form and her voice in return for everlasting life and power. She sent the girl into the mortal kingdom of Atlantis, and ordered her to seduce it's king. Should she fail, she would never regain her true form, and would never again be able to speak with her own voice. The King was a good man, and the girl found it impossible to corrupt him, so Morgana used her stolen voice to convince the King's son to murder his father and take the throne with her as his queen. Using the man as a puppet, Morgana forced the mortal kingdom to declare war on the Perytons and steal away the heart of Atlantis - a core of elemental power that had protected the island since the beginning of time. Without it's heart, the island crumbled and fell into the sea, and Morgana took dominion over what was once the home of her enemies."

Livia had known that this would not be an easy story to share, and that it would be even harder for the children to hear. She was not of the belief that all stories told to the youth should be fairy tales with happy endings, but rather believed that all stories - be their endings sorrowful or joyous - must be told lest their meanings forgotten. Looking at the gathered children, she saw with sadness that several of the young ones were crying softly, or sitting in stunned silence.

"What happened to the perytons and the mortal kingdom?" asked Joseph solemnly, tears falling from the corners of those big, brown eyes.

With a melancholy smile, and a shaky intake of breath, Livia did the only thing she could ever do. The only right thing.

She told him the truth.

"The mortals perished, and my people were forced to flee and find a home elsewhere. We were hunted to near extinction by humans who believed our knowledge and magic could be harnessed should we perish, until there were so few of us left that one of us may go our whole life without ever meeting another of our kind."

Joseph bowed his head morosely, and the rest of the children merely looked to her with sad, young eyes.

"Some stories are difficult to hear, but I tell them to you anyway. Can any of you guess why that is?"

For a long moment, no one spoke, each of the children eyeing one another to see who would make an attempt at an answer.

In the end, it was Kenna, one of the elder children and daughter to one of the pack's werewolves.

"They teach us that sometimes things don't work out the way you hope, but that you have to keep going anyway."

Livia smiled at the girl, pride shining in her eyes. "Precisely, my sweet child. Remember this story, young ones. The hardest tales to hear are the ones you need most to remember."

 

[EccentricFantasy]

darkborn General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack SkulblakaWyrda95 LittleAndClumsy Angelofdarkness Morrighan

The life in this pack was hard. Everyone believed them to be a myth, something to give those who had no hope a glimmer of possible acceptance. Despite this, the pack was happy. They lived in peace most of the time, but had to be accustomed to moving. It was sad honestly, but they lived in peace.

As the time went on, eventually Akina and Genevieve could see her. A young Faebourn girl hiding away from the shadows they cast. This girl was fearful and for good reason. The Sun-Fire Fae had hurt her badly and she needed attention immediately.

After some time Marco finally flew back in. The children calmed seeing the massive Phoenix they knew as their leader and protector. He flapped his wings, causing a warm breeze to cascade across the make shift village. Eventually the flames that made up his true form melted away and his human form fell into the center of the village. The children once again felt fearful as they saw it. Their alpha covered in cuts. He looked as though a sword had ran through and cut him in half. Each cut was on fire as his natural abilities were attempting to seal his wounds. It was taking much longer that usual. He was immortal, but not invincible. There were a rare few weapons that could cause this much extensive damage to his body. All them magic and made from the Sun-Fire Fae. The healers ran to him and attempted to get near him, but the intense fire blazing from his wounds made it impossible for anyone to get close to the Alpha as he lay there wounded and unable to heal himself. Only another being of fire like him could get close. Genevieve was their only hope, but they knew she was with Akina and the female Alpha was not one to take it lightly when Marco put himself in harms way like this.

There was no choice. The werewolves of the pack turned and howled into the air. All members of the pack had been taught the different sound signals of each creature in the pack. This howl meant one thing. It was telling Akina and Genevieve to hurry. That the Alpha was hurt and needed help.

 

[LittleAndClumsy]

No answer usually meant to stay silent and even if she wanted her answers, she knew it was best to do as Akina suggested and keep her mouth shut so that her alpha could focus. All she knew was that somebody was injured and needed their help and that took priority over anything else. They were hovering over the tops of the trees and looking when she saw the gesture that meant that they were going down to get a closer look. She didn't like this one bit but she followed anyways. They found an opening and landed, Genevieve scanning the bushes around them for any signs of the girl.

She stopped in her tracks as she heard the screech of her other alpha, Vieve briefly looking to Akina to see what she wanted to do. It didn't sound like he was summoning them to return to the pack but something was happening. She began to look around the bushes until she looked back to Akina to see how the other female was faring in her search. "Are you sure this is where you saw her?" She asked softly, not wanting to upset the other but also needing to know if they were searching the right area. Was this person even still alive? How long had it taken them to get there after Akina had spotted her?

Akina's movements were hurried and frantic and Genevieve understood why; she was worried about her mate. "If you want, I can stay here and keep looking for this injured person and you can go and make sure that Marco is okay. I can handle myself." She promised, though how long would she actually search for the injured person? How long was just long enough? Before they could make their decision however, she finally spotted what they were looking for or rather who they were looking for. Genevieve slowed her approach as she drew closer to the dark skinned fae, a worried look being directed towards her Alpha as she noticed that the fae in front of them wasn't moving.

"Are you okay?" Genevieve spoke soothingly as she took a tentative step forward towards the injured girl. She stopped in her tracks as a chilling howl was heard, her eyes immediately meeting Akina's. Something was wrong. "Do you want to carry her? Or do you want me to?" Vieve questioned, looking to Akina to see what her alpha wanted her to do. Either way, they needed to make a decision and get back to Marco sooner rather than later.

General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack

 

[FanOfSiriusBlack]

"Do you want to carry her, or do you want me to?" I heard voices speaking above me. Sunfire Fae!

I got up as quickly as I could, stumbling over myself. I had to keep running, Gods, I knew falling asleep would be a bad idea.

"Gaa!" A root, caught under my foot and I went down. There was a snapping in my wrist, and more sharp pains in my ankle, and something in my chest started burning. They were right behind me, I could hear them, but I couldn't run anymore. The Burns and bruises hurt, and I couldn't move, so I just curled up into a ball on the ground. If I couldn't avoid getting caught, I would make them wish they hadn't tried to catch me.

 

[SkulblakaWyrda95]

Resisting the urge to shift into her true Griffin form, Kida sat on her ledge and continued weaving her nest. Marco would return. He always did. He just had some business to attend to.

She was finishing the basic shape of her nest when Marco returned. She could smell the blood on him before he landed, before the wolves sounded the alarm. Kida leapt from the ledge, shifting as she jumped. She spread her wings and angled into a diving glide towards her Alpha and primary father figure. Her talons touched the ground as Marco shifted. She squawked and screeched in alarm and concern, her wings fluttering nervously at her sides, talons scraping the ground.

 

[Morrighan]

Livia sensed that Marco was injured before he even touched the ground, and she quickly rose as the children hurried back to the safety of their dens or parents. The alpha was badly hurt, his firebird blood trying desperately to heal his grave wounds.

"You stupid boy!" Cried Livia in anguish, rushing over to where he laid. His fire would not hurt her, not when the elements still acknowledged her kind as their longest allies. Even so, she knelt beside him but refrained from touching him, allowing his magic to do its work.

He may be her elder in years, but Livia was a Peryton, and her kind had always been cursed with ancient hearts and minds. Hers was the soul of one who did not know youth nor the innocence of ignorance.

"Breathe deeply, Marco. Let Air fuel your spirit, as Fire fuels your blood. You must not let your magic die! Call to your mate, use your bond!"

There were tears pouring from her face, and her whole body shook with fear at the thought of losing her dear friend. All of her, from the tips of her great antlers to her hooves ached with that fear, that desperation. However, her kind was not blessed with magic strong enough to aid wounds so severe. To attempt it would only drain her, and so she did the only other thing she could.

She channeled the collective energies of the Elements, calling to them to surround and strengthen the Phoenix as much as they could. Only their aid could give him a chance at making it should Genevieve fail to return in time.

 

[General_warNpeace]

Akina was relieved when they finally spotted the young fae, who was alive enough it seemed to try and run away in fright. Though she quickly fell and started to cower. Poor thing. Approaching the trembling form she kneeled down by her side and made soothing sounds. "It's alright young one. We are not here to hurt you. "

"Are you ok?" Genevieve asked her. The girl didn't have time to reply before howls rang through the air. Marco!

"Do you want to carry her? Or do you want me to?" Genevieve asked. Akina surveyed the girls injuries quickly and realized she likely wouldn't survive transport in her current state. Stomping down on the panic rising in her from the thought of her mate being injured she quickly made a decision. "Lets heal her a little so she doesn't die and then we will head home. You should carry her, it will likely be more comfortable then me doing so. Hopefully my mate can survive whatever mess he's gotten himself into in the meantime. "

FanOfSiriusBlack LittleAndClumsy

 

[EccentricFantasy]

General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack SkulblakaWyrda95 LittleAndClumsy Morrighan s u s h i

The life of this pack was hard and it was easy to forget that Marco put himself in harms way constantly for the sake of offering some sort of stability for them. The problem was that he made a habbit of doing this. Constantly he was putting himself in this harmful situation, just so that the rest of his pack did not have to witness it. He wanted them to have some semblance of a peaceful life, but at what cost. He didn't understand why they felt so sad seeing him hurt. He would be fine in the end, so what was the big deal?

After a moment of lying there he heard Livia speak with him. Of course she would be the one to get close. Her kind was always loved by the elements. He heard the wolves howling and knew that his mate would be very upset with him.

After finally regaining some consciousness cracked open his eyes. He could see the pack around him. The children and their parents, both blood related and adopted, watching in fear. He also saw Kida, in her true form standing right on the edge of where she could handle the heat coming off him. He knew she cared for him as he was the closest thing to a father she had. It hurt. These wounds felt terrible and try as he might.m, they weren't closeling fast enough. That being said, he had a job and he was not going to mess it up.

He struggled up and coughed, liquig fire oozed from his mouth as he shakily sat up. The pack watched with halted breath as their one true alpha sat up. He turned his head to the Griffin he had helped raise. He gave a sweet smile. One of the smiles he only gave to calm the children of the pack "Kida, calm down. Just lay dow, but do not get close, okay? Just wait for Akina."

He seemed so calm, but the fire that raged inside every wound flared up. He groaned out as the flames would flare up to try and fix the wounds, but he sat there like nothing was bothering him. The kids all seemed to calm down the slightest bit as Marco put on this show. His eyes turned to Livia and he spoke "Now, I believe we need a strory. Have one about a Phoenix?" He chuckled a bit, but his words and chuckle were all laced with pain. It was clear to the adults just how much he was suffering, but the kids all came as close as they could and hesitantly sat. The parents joined them soon after. It was honestly baffling. Even in the state such as this, Marco's first priority was making sure the members of the pack were calm. There was no hesitation. It was inspiring how clear it was that this pack was something so dear to him that in this state, he put on a face just to keep the children calm.

 

[Morrighan]

The moment Marco sat up, Livia quickly placed a hand upon his shoulder, a gesture that to the others might seem only affectionate but that was truly to aid steady him. She was well aware of the need for him to appear strong for the Pack, but the Peryton had always been one of the very few Marco could not fool. For a while, she'd suspected that he hated her for that, but the two had grown very close and Livia now saw the great bird as a brother.

"A story of a Firebird, a bit vain is that not Alpha?" She responded with a relieved smile, already spinning the tale she would tell in her mind. "But I do indeed know one that is fitting."

The children, as well as many of the elder Pack members, came forward to listen to her tell her tale. It was not very often that moments such as these still occurred, when their lives were a constant shift of place and persons.

But as she began her tale, Livia allowed herself a moment to breath in deeply, and to feel the warmth of Fire and the cool comforting presence of Air. Earth was beneath and all around her, while Water lived within her.

"Before the age of Man, when the world was ruled by ancient Gods and Kings who believed themselves Gods, there was once a great Bird who called himself Arrox. Arrox was larger than a city, and his wings were said to bring great storms to the lands surrounding the mountain where he lived! His feathers were like light, and his song more beautiful than any Mortal or Beast could ever hope to achieve! However, Arrox was vain and thought himself among the Gods, who saw his beauty and heard his music with great jealousy. They decided to trick the Great Bird into giving up his beauty and his voice, in order to take them and divide them amongst themselves. It was decided that Lileria, the Goddess of Song would approach him and challenge him to a contest. Arrox, in his vanity, agreed to the contest, believing himself superior. The rules of the game were simple : whosoever be named victor shall receive the gifts of the loser and the title of God. After three days and three performances, the winner was to be decided. For the first performance, each were tasked to write a tune capable of making the God of Thunder Phoraandur laugh. Lileria managed to make her fellow god chuckle for several moments with her song, but Arrox - with his whit and humor - made the God laugh do hard that the earth trembled for one whole day and one whole night! This caused several great temples, towers, and palaces to crumble. The next challenge was concocted to ensure that Lileria would be the Victor, and so it was tasked that the competitors compose a ballad capable of making Dralon, Goddess of Joy, weep with true sorrow. Lileria knew that the other Goddess was currently mourning the loss of her favored Mortal Lover, and so she wrote a ballad that told the story of Dralon's lost love. The Joyful Goddess shed three tears, one for every verse that Lileria had composed. Arrow, having not known of the poor Goddess's loss, had written a ballad that told the story of a mother who lost each of her children before she reached a good age to die, and so she took her own life with no one left to mourn her. As a Goddess of Joy, such a great loss befalling another brought her endless woe. She shed enough tears that for thirty days and nights it stormed throughout the land and brought great misfortune upon the harvests for that season. Having won two of the three contests, Arrox boasted that he had won, and so approached the Gods to grant him Lileria's gifts and title. Lileria refused to relinquish her title or gifts, and so the Gods went to Arrox and pleaded with him to choose a different reward. Arrox, thinking himself sly, offered a final contest if his choosing. Should Lileria fail to win, she would have to surrender all that she had to him and live out the rest of her days as a lonely mortal crone. Should she prevail, she would only need to bestow two gifts of her choosing upon Arrox, one for each of the contests that he had won. All the Gods agreed, and so Arrox announced his challenge. Lileria would write a single song of any type, and Arrox would do the same, and whichever of their songs was most beloved by the Mortals of the Land would be named the winner. Arrox wrote a jaunty tune that could make anyone dance, and yet not one of the mortals so much as smiled nor applaud when his performance was done. Lileria, on the other hand, sung a song that made the sun shine brightly down through the last of Dralon's sorrowful clouds. When her performance was done, the mortald wept with joy and gave such a cheer that the Goddess blessed the land such that it would never again reap a poor harvest. Arrox was enraged at having lost, and so approached Lileria to demand his two gifts.
'For what you have done, and for your vanity, I will curse you with that which to another would have been a blessing. I give you everlasting life, that you might never find recompense or peace in death. I gift you Feathers of Flame, that by beauty you will live in constant fear of harming others. These gifts shall belong to every one of your progeny, and they shall rule the skies on wings of Fire and know not what might once have been theirs!"

It was a cautionary tale, but Livia was an excellent storyteller, and so when she went silent the others smiled and applauded. She smiled politely at those who did, bit quickly turned her gaze to Marco, to whom she gave a solumn, meaningful look. She could only hope that her message had been clear, but only time would give her her answer.

 

[SkulblakaWyrda95]

Kida remained at the edge of where she could bear the heat rolling off Marco's body. Many of her white feathers had been singed, yet she did not back away. Her concern for the Phoenix Alpha was greater than her avian vanity. She would spend hours preening her ruined feathers later, after she was satisfied that Marco was alright.

She obeyed Marco when he told her to lay down. She still fluttered her wings nervously and gouged the earth with her talons. It was not until Livia began her tale that the Griffin finally settled her nerves.

 

[s u s h i]

Ftoon sat there in silence; she seemed too calm almost in peace, unfazed by the image in front of her. Hardly true on the inside, she was going to strangle the alpha. Why was everyone trying to calm the situation? It's not a situation where you can be calm. Ftoon can't be CALM! Just when she was about to burst, Livia had already begun telling her story. Despite being enraged, Livia's stories were always peaceful. She had a way with words. Once the story was finished, Ftoon regained her senses.

"That was lovely, Livia would you like me to fetch the biscuits?! How about a cup of tea while we're at it?" she sarcastically remarked, pushing through the crowd. Her smiling face suddenly became sullen, "Your stories won't fix the fact that Marco forgot he had a pack." she turned her gaze to Marco, pointing at the people behind her, "Why do you think we're here? To sit around and watch you like this?" If he wasn't the alpha, she could have smacked him back to reality. He can't always save us. Not on his own.
Tags: Morrighan EccentricFantasy

 

[LittleAndClumsy]

Bright eyes watched as the injured female tried to get away from both herself and her alpha, Genevieve looking to Akina for answers as her alpha worked to sooth the Faeborn in front of them. She would allow Akina to do most of the talking since she had the mothering nature and whilst Akina worked to soothe the girl, Vieve stood watch. She was itching to get back to their pack but she didn't want to risk getting herself or her alpha attacked by being careless. "I'm going to help you now, okay? I promise I'm not here to hurt you." She spoke soothingly, moving closer to the fae before closing her eyes. She would have to make herself cry in order to heal the fae. How easy could that be?

She thought of her parents and their hopes for her, and then she thought of the years of abuse from the one meant to protect her and that was enough to yield a few tears from Genevieve. The phoenix leaned over the injured female and allowed her tears to drop onto her wounds, watching them slowly start to heal. "I'm going to pick you up now. We're going to take you to a safe place. Nobody will hurt you ever again. You're in good hands." She promised, looking to Akina and nodding her head towards the sky. "You go. We'll be right behind you." She spoke, knowing that Akina needed to get to Marco to ensure that he would be okay.

The howl meant that he was injured and would likely need her but if anybody would be able to keep him calm and soothe him until she got there, it would be Akina. Surely the pack's healers were already working on him or she could only hope that they were. But there was another troubling thought: what had happened? How had he gotten hurt? She tenderly wrapped her arms around the fae and lifted her up, holding her bridal style and taking flight. She followed Akina back to their home, flying as fast as she could with the weight she was carrying.

General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack

 

[FanOfSiriusBlack]

Come on, Fight.
I could feel my eyes drooping.

We broke through the canopy, and light assaulted my eyes. I thrashed around in the hold of this other... creature. She wasn't a Sunfire Fae, far as I could tell. Their touch always burned like the heat of a hundred suns, but this person's touch was still unnaturally warm. Something more like sitting in front of the fire at the camp's center. My eyes stung, and I buried myself closer to the warmth of this woman. The light. Yes, it's the sun's fault that my eyes were pricking with tears.

It was warm. So warm. The woman's arms were strong, just like Màthair. More tears came to my eyes, but I clenched them tightly together. No more crying, you're not a baby anymore. Everyone else... I had to be strong.. like the warrior I was meant to be. Just until I can find them.

And I will find them. Save them if I can... avenge them if I'm too late.

I will find them.

 

[darkborn]

Pain. Blood. Bones. Flesh. Some on him. Some on the ground. Some on the spiked Chain. Some on his father's boots. Some on his clothes. Pain. Laughter. Father. Didn't care about him. A simple toy to play around with. Hiding. Running. Wishing for mother. Meeting strangers. Making friends with strangers. Losing friends. Making more friends. Repeating the cycle. Looking to the future. Hoping, despite the pain.

Varen finally glided out of his hut, out of his reverie. If one knew him well enough, that graceful movement was actually storming in his book. There was a commotion. He couldn't get a moment's rest to repair his guns and familiar, could he? But as soon as he stopped to survey the situation, his irritation dissipated. Marco was injured- that was telling in of itself. He could remember Oloran telling him that not much could scratch a Phoenix. At least, not much made by humans. At least his cuts were healing. But the idiotic flame-bird had to realize, he was the leader of this group. He couldn't just go running off. ...Ugh. Varen had to get a hold on the situation. He quickly called, "Asgore!"

As his familiar came striding up to him, Varen quickly gave his request to Asgore. Asgore, true to his nature, gave a few cheeky chirps and scampered off. Before he could run far off, Varen abruptly remembered something. "Come back! I need to give you something!" What was that something? Well, Varen complemented it himself, as he made a glowing mote a red, pulsating light, and quickly thought over what he needed to say. Finally, he managed to get his thoughts down in a succinctly respectful manner, and transferred the orb to Asgore. Varen couldn't help but scowl for a second. Of course no one in the werewolf pack really knew Morse Code. Stupid of him. But with that task done, Asgore scampered off again to the werewolves to ensure that they would tell him if Marcos ever left again. Varen was an excellent tracker.

..That was, if they ever listened to him. He was still relatively new, but he hoped that he quickly established himself with his knowledge of humanity, street smarts, mechanical strengths, and maybe potential face if they needed to talk to humans. Of course, there was the risk of Kytons, but...

Enough. Varen holstered his pistols, and resumed his trot towards Marco. As a crowd gathered around the alpha, Varen could tell that his advisor was coming to his aid. Where was his mate? ...Mate. What a strange concept, to one used to human terms of husband and wife. It seemed as if that word carried a much heavier responsibility than wife or husband ever did. But what did Varen say to himself already? Enough. It was time to get to the bottom of what injured Marco.

Anything that could hurt a Phoenix was dangerous.

Varen was close to the crowd. Varen, with a bit of a inner sigh, decided to exert his charisma- the crowd parted before his menacing footsteps. Livia was telling a story. An old myth, one about a phoenix. Hah. Varen gave a cursory ear, listening casually, respectfully. He wasn't interested in the past- he was focused on what was in the future, and how to prepare for it. Learn from history, but nothing more. The past was painful. The future was both bleak and hopeful. If one prepared for it, one could face the bleakness, and take joy in the hope. Despite his belief, Livia was still, when one got down to the details the Alpha's advisor. He would treat her, and her stories, with respect.

...Quite unlike a young... Unicorn? While Varen was thinking about his respect, the Unicorn piped up. Sarcasm. The way she treated Livia. It was enough to make Varen's blood boil. Such arrogance.... Varen's lip curled up in a contemptuous snarl, and he reflexively made a backhand motion. Before it hit the unicorn, the hand stopped. Varen restrained himself, if only barely. He reveled in pain. He hated pain. Whatever he thought of the Unicorn's attitude, it did not warrant a hit... yet. But it did warrant harsh words.

"Be quiet. What does a whelp like you know of leadership?" He stopped for a brief moment to look her up and down, scathingly. "Besides. Are you in any state to contest with a Phoenix that's quite literally burning the air around him? I think not. If you can't back up your words with action, then don't even speak. At the very least, respect your elders. Maybe then you can have some say in the matter, when you're older."

Granted, the Unicorn was probably older than him. Even then, she looked barely younger than him. However, Varen had the advantage in that he had a human mentality. Humanity, for all its curses, adapted and matured much quicker than most species of monsters, fae, and other 'mythical' creatures. It was funny. Why couldn't humanity adapt to live in peace with everything? Why must they be so violent, so stubborn, so sadistic? ...Perhaps every thing needed its flaws. But enough about that.

He opposed the Unicorn, even though she was older than him. Why? Such a stupid comment. Of course Marco knew he had a pack. That's why he was Alpha, and for so long. But enough. Varen cursed his frequent introspection. He was close enough to Marco where he could feel the heat. Feel the heat blistering his skin. Feel the pain. The pain was delightful. The pain was horrible. The pain was a reminder of his lineage. Whatever blisters occurred on his flesh healed almost as quick as they came. A never-ending cycle of painful wounds and just as painful regrowth, if one were to let it continue...

Enough. Again. He needed to chastise Marco. What he did was stupid. He was a leader; Varen knew that a good leader wanted to protect his people, but a good leader was also the most important part of a group, the part that ironically needed to be protected himself. ...Though, A bit hypocritical. Varen was probably a whelp in Marco's eyes as well. But, Varen knew a lifetime of pain. This pack could not lose Marco. He braced himself to enter the burning blaze of the phoenix.

 

[General_warNpeace]

Once assured the fae was securely in Genevieve's arms Akina took flight and made her way home as fast as possible. Already her mind was beginning to think the worst. What if her mate was dead? What if they were too late and the healer at camp couldn't do anything? She always thought she would feel it if Marco were to die but what if she didn't? These thoughts and the worry for the fae girl burdened her until they finally made it back home. Seeing her mate, injured but alive, instantly made her feel ten times lighter. She let none of this show on her face though, instead choosing to angrily glare at her mate as she landed beside him. Turning to Genevie she gave the girl instructions. "Lay the fay girl in the healers hut and let the witches heal her. This way you can focus on my idiotic mate. The sooner I know he won't die from his wounds the sooner I can kill him."

Her motherly smile and surgary sweet tone contrasted her threatening words. Turning she fixed her gaze on those surrounding her mate, particularly ftoon and Varen. She had caught the end of their conversation and Varen's aborted slap as they landed and was pretty sure she knew what happened. "Now Ftoon, Varen, I'm sure there's a good reason you two are arguing right now and I would love to revisit it after Marco is healed up. In private and away from the ears of the young ones. "
It wasn't a suggestion and her tone made that clear, they will continue the conversation later. Finally she addressed her mate, showing no fear of his flames as she settled by his side, and allowing room for Genevieve to work on healing his injuries when she came back. "Now Marco, how exactly did you gain these injuries and should our defenses be up? I mean they must have been close and well hidden to know to try and attack so soon after I left with Genevieve. Too close to call us back or get help before choosing to attack them yourself."

Her words made it clear to him that she knew Marco had waited until she left to go after the threat as she would be against him doing it alone. Because of it leading to this exact situation. The pack worried and fighting among themselves.
darkborn s u s h i FanOfSiriusBlack LittleAndClumsy EccentricFantasy

 

[EccentricFantasy]

General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack SkulblakaWyrda95 LittleAndClumsy Morrighan s u s h i

Marco could hear the flap of his mates wing before he could see her. He sighed knowing the anger she brought with her. It wasn't odd for her to be mad at situations like this. In fact her reaction of suger laced with venom was normal. He knew he faced a scolding, but he was used to it by now. When she sat so close to him he backed away a bit, simply to ensure her comfort and her possibly being burned.

After he moved he sat in silence as he listened. The pack bickering and worrying about safety. It was normal, but he couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and shouted loudly. The pack silenced and looked at him. It wasn't often he had an oitburst like this, so it was clear he was serious. As he stood there, the flaming wounds still spitting fire wildly it was abundantly clear he was struggling to stay up.

His eyes finally fell on Ftoon "You think...I forgot my pack?" He coughed and his burning blood splattered on the ground "You think that I am arrogant for not telling you all what is happening?!" As his words got louder, so did the flames as his rage grew "Most of this pack is made up of children and old. Most have never had to fight." His breathing was rapid and deep, clearly this hurt him. His eyes wandered in the pack, making clear he was speaking to everyone "Most are unfamiliar with......what being a a leader is. It is NOT relying on your people to keep you from getting hurt. It is NOT putting your people at risk to keep the strongest alive. And it is most certainly NOT......standing in front for all to see!"

Another cough and another spill of his flaming blood "Being a leader is knowing that you are the strongest. It is knowing that your pack is like your family. They need you to be strong. No matter how hurt you are. No matter how much of your blood is spilt. It is knowing that your putting your life on the line so that....." He stopped. Silence and pain filled groans until he dropped his head ".....so that even the one you love that is the weakest can live for even just a day longer than they would if you had done nothing!"

His shout startled the pack, but they could all feel his love and admired him. The more sensitive ones began to cry. He looked up and looked at the pack "I consider each of you my children and Akina your mother. I am the only father figure many of you have. Next to you all.......my life.....means.....nothi...." The flames errupted even more and he fell forward. He was out cold and the flames lit the very air around him on fire. The heat was intense. Anyone who did not have some sort of fire resistance would not be able to get within 10 feet of him.

 

[SkulblakaWyrda95]

Kida's feathers fluffed up in her irritation at Ftoon and Varen's argument. Her talons left deep furrows in the earth beneath her. She was close to aggressively fluttering her singed wings in thier faces when Akina landed. She hiss-screeched and clicked her beak at the arguing pair. Thier 'Father' was wounded and they choose to bicker? The heat rolling off the Phoenix Alpha had singed most of the white Griffin's feathers, yet she remained by his side. Kida knew Marco needed the support and love of his family more in his weakened state. Knowing this, she set aside her avian vanity and allowed her feathers to be singed to be as near to her leader and father figure as the heat from him would allow her to be. Her feathers would regrow. When Marco collapsed after his speech, the heat forced Kida to retreat several feet or risk becoming a Roasted Griffin.

 

[Morrighan]

The Flames consumed the air around the Alpha like a protective barrier, burning any who came too close. Livia was relieved to find the space around where she sat at Marco's side spared, as if the flames simply moved around her.

"Thank you, Fire. I will not forget this kindness," she murmured, bowing her head to the flames.

Then she gathered all of her strength, both in power and in spirit, and stood to address the clan as Akita tended to her beloved.

"You all know me as a teller of tales and a speaker of words, but I ask that you see me in this moment as a keeper of wisdom - that which my kind have been since before the birth of Man. Your Alpha is strong, his sense of duty and his love for you stronger. I will not lie to you all and say that he is perfect, for that would make him a god. However," she said in a tone few of the clan had ever heard her use. "he is still the male to whom each of us owe our lives and freedom. As members of this family, this pack, it is not your place to berate his mistakes nor treat him coldly as he lies bleeding! Save your words and doubts for a time when he can face you standing strong! Any of you who still desire to have your voices heard may follow me to my dwelling and speak there. Until this man is healed, you will not burden him with your venom!"

Then she turned, bowed her head to her alphas, and strode through the flames that parted for her.

 

[s u s h i]

Ftoon sighed, starting at Livia, "Liv-" she stopped feeling a presence behind her. The emotions suddenly emitted were anger. Turning around to see the source, she was faced with a hand. The fingers slowly retracted to reveal the newest member of their pack. Who seemed like he was fighting an inner battle of whether or not to hit her. At some point, she wondered if she should ask if he's alright. Ftoon jumped when he suddenly spoke up, not expecting that he would. When the words came out of his mouth, Ftoon brow slowly began to arch. Leadership? Did she attempt to question their leadership? Oops. Of course, she was, Marco-yes he was the alpha, but alphas aren't perfect. They make mistakes. He got himself hurt and made his pack worry. Turning around, she scoffed. She has no obligation to respond to this man. But at that moment something came swimming her way. DISGUST. Ftoon wasn't sure, but it was coming from the tall giraffe who was behind her. His emotions affected Ftoon negatively, causing her to react, "LISTEN HERE!" Ftoon now realized how tall this person was. She made it an effort to step on her tippy toes, "I'm not going to listen to someone who almost was going to hit one of their pack members. I'm sure you don't know, so I'll tell you." Ftoon patted the man's shoulder, which proved to be a much more tiring task having to arch her back. Sighing, she went back down, wondering why God made such tall people if only everyone were the same size. Recollecting her memories, she looked back at the newest member, "In a pack, you don't raise your hand to hurt your family. You raise it to protect them-"

Ftoon cut herself off once she heard the voice of Akina, not just her voice. Her presence was something that couldn't be unnoticed. Sighing, she nodded, folding her hands she'll let him go for now. At the sight of his mate, Marco finally spoke up, his eyes falling on Ftoon. When he lit up like a Christmas tree, she used Varen as a shield from the flames. His words, although harsh, held truth in them. Seeing the strain, he put on himself as he began to cough Ftoon chose to ignore his words. Coming out of hiding, Ftoon worried, attempted to calm the alpha down, but before she could, he was out cold. She couldn't help but feel guilty, sighing her eyes feel on Kida, "Kida comes here. Marco wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. " It was dangerous for someone this young to be next to flames of this intensity with Marco's state it's uncertain how his flames could react. Ftoon walked over to Kida in an attempt to help her up, but Livia had spoken up, attracting everyone's attention.

Her words slowly turned from sweet and heartwarming to firm, and once again, the guilt hit her like a ton of bricks. It's not like she wanted to worsen his condition, although she could agree that there was a time and place for this. Her emotions have calmed down by this point despite the guilt that's still inside her, but the anger has passed. Turning to leave, Ftoon stopped in her tracks, realizing what the omega has said, "Venom?" turning back, she asked no one in particular, "MY venom?" laughing to herself.

Wondering where Livia was headed to, she called out, "Livia! Where are you going, aren't you the healer?" was Ftoon supposed to take care of his wounds? I mean, her magic could fix the minor damages done, but she wasn't an experienced healer like Livia. They had to wait until the flames died down to even attempt going near him. sighing, she looked at Akina, "When will the flames subside?"
General_warNpeace FanOfSiriusBlack SkulblakaWyrda95 LittleAndClumsy Morrighan EccentricFantasy